190 What Did You See?

CHAPTER 190

"What!" Amelia rose up to her feet, her brows raised up as her clear eyes looked at Lorelei. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. The fact that you disobeyed my order just the same way Cullen did, is not something I can forget."

"I can explain," Amelia quickly said before Lady Lorelei could stop her. "That is not the case, My Lady. Besides, having him close by could prove to be very useful in our plans later on."

"You are letting your feelings get in the way of your mission, Amelia. Everything you have been trained for, every day of your life, the time is near when you would be required to use it. I need you to be focused now, more than ever before."

"I would not let anything distract me. I have long waited for this time, my Lady. I won't disappoint you."

"We've worked so hard and come so close. So much efforts and things have been put in place. I would not allow anything or anyone, no matter who they may be, stand in the way of my plans. Do I make myself clear?"

Her palm hit the handle of the chair hard as she said the last sentence.

"Yes, my Lady." 

–––––––––––––

~ELVEN FOREST~

At the same time, the generals together with some soldiers left their troops according to plan and headed for the forest peak. 

After some hours, they were standing by the cliff edge where Astrid, Jareth and the Little White Tiger-Phoenix beast jumped off of.

"This is it?" Lyklor asked, his brows deeply furrowed into a v shape as his gaze trailed off into the vast area of trees below them.

"Yes, this is it," Aelfdene replied him, with an obscene calm.

He turned his head swiftly to his side and spoke in a commanding tone, "Ropes, bow and arrows, hook…" He listed all the equipment and weapons they needed out.

Within a brief moment, a few of the soldiers stepped forward with everything he mentioned. 

Not too long after that, Aelfdene, Borak and Lyklor, together with one more soldier tied the ropes around their waist and kept all weapons and materials needed stuffed in place.

"Ready to hit the road?" Aelfdene asked the other men at his side, his eyes flickering between them, awaiting their positive response.

"Yes, sir!"

"Ready whenever you are, Aelfdene," Lyklor responded with a smirk.

Everyone's gaze shifted to the soldier among them. The only one who had not responded.

He gulped, swallowing hard before answering, 'Ready sir."

They burst out laughing at the contorted expression on his face. Lyklor event went to the extent of hitting him on the shoulder playfully.

They didn't blame or scold him as even they didn't know what laid wait for them there. They all wore a brave front and laughed the uncertainty away. They owed it to Princess Avery to try and find out what happened to the hybrid.

Lyklor gave the signal and the four of them jumped down, while the remaining twenty-four soldiers, grabbed unto a rope, with six people to one rope as the Generals, the Assistant General and soldier, descended down the plain.

*****

~ELVEN FOREST - TUNNEL~

As they journeyed out the tunnel, Astrid picked up her book of magic and read to pass away time. Snow and Jareth kept quiet, letting her enjoy her reading but where at alert for any strange movements. 

Hours later, she stopped in her tracks, and slowly lifted her head from what she was reading, with her eyes fixed in front.

Jareth and white beast noticed her stop, since she was in front and rushed to meet up with her. They had thought that she had met with another danger and hurried up to protect her.

On getting to her side, their head flicked from side to side to find the new danger, but after some seconds, they found nothing.

At the same time, both elf and beast turned their gazes back at her. She didn't say anything to refute their stares or tell them while she stopped. Rather, a small smile crept up her small lips and her eyelids constricted.

Jareth and Snow shifted their gaze to the other, each hoping the other could give a favourable explanation as to why she was behaving strangely.

Jareth arched his brows at the little beast and said, "What are you waiting for? Communicate with her like you always do and find out what's wrong."

That was when she spoke up. Turning her head to her left-hand side where Jareth stood, with her cute smile never leaving her face, Astrid spoke up, "Can't you hear it?" she asked Jareth.

"Hear what?"

"The chirping away of birds, the sweet melody the wind brings along with it when it passed by leaves.

"What are you talking about?" Jareth asked again, his brows deeply furrowed, feeling confused by her reply.

"Jareth, the exit and there are no soldiers either."

As she said the last part, her smile broadened. She was finally going to leave this danger zone, the Elven forest and continue her journey to find her mother.

"Really!" His brows moving upward and his head tilted back a bit, at her revelation.

"Listen carefully and you would hear. We are close," Astrid added on.

"Master, calm your nerves. Hold your horse, what did you see?" Snow asked her through her mind.

"Wait, you aren't seeing it?"

"Nope," it shook its head subconsciously in her mind.

"But I do. Okay, let me show you what I saw."

She closed her eyes and fixed her thoughts on the imagery outside the cave. Soon it was visible in her mind and the White Tiger beast could see all she saw.

"But why couldn't you too see it," she questioned absentmindedly.

"Your powers, master. They have improved, remember? Making you feel and see the things even someone as sensitive as an elf couldn't."

With careful thought to Snow's statement, she finally concluded in her head, "True. That should be the case."