The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 197

Beside the manor, nestled within a stone cottage courtyard, the ladies of the Mallister family were rudely awakened. They hastily donned their garments and, with anxious hearts, stepped out of the stone dwellings to peer into the distance. Their gate was firmly guarded by two Protégés of the Cobalt Strike, who forbade them to leave.

"What's happening outside?" Oda clung to her aunt. Her fear was palpable, as the urgent tolling of midnight bells always struck terror in the heart.

The women gathered nervously around Helna, straining to hear the commotion beyond their walls.

"Fear not, Lucan stands watch," Helna reassured them. Lucan had protected the Mallister family for eight years and had rarely let them down.

Soon after, they heard Lucan and the guard troop rush towards the neighboring estate, engaged in what sounded like a heated dispute with Vandill. Eventually, the argument moved further away, towards the mining district.

It wasn't long before a squad of ten guards hurried to their location. "You've arrived just in time to take over the watch," said one of the departing Cobalt Strike Protégés in a rush, his urgency unmistakable.

The squad leader, Einclar, entered through the door. He first bowed in respect, then soothed them. "Do not be alarmed. The chief is negotiating."

"Einclar, what has happened?" Helna approached the iron gate, looking out into the distance.

Oda and the others joined her and saw throngs of miners. They looked like a dark mass moving towards the mining district. Tens of thousands of people, as far as the eye could see, were all in a mood so somber it was palpable. With heads bowed, they trudged on, too exhausted and sleepy to speak, save for the children, who were newly woken and crying pitifully.

The sight was heart-wrenching.

"Vandill seems to have received sudden orders to relocate everyone by dawn tomorrow."

"To Mythic Boulder Valley?" Helna exclaimed in horror. Her worst fears had come true.

"Yes! We depart tomorrow and must reach it within a fortnight."

"Tomorrow? But wasn't it in a month’s time?"

"Why the sudden move, with no prior notice?"

"Crossing the forest to reach Mythic Boulder Valley... I dare not even think of it..."

The women were in a panic. The journey to Mythic Boulder Valley was hundreds of miles, fraught with perilous woods, treacherous streams, and various Magi-Monsters and predators. They were gentle ladies without means of defense, and they feared they might be devoured en route.

Oda asked anxiously, "Who has the Cobalt Strike appointed as escorts? How many Protégés do they have?"

"Lucan is still inquiring. Stay calm, miss. Perhaps the Cobalt Strike forces will arrive by tomorrow," Einclar explained carefully, not wishing to frighten them further.