THE SEARCH.
CHAPTER 4: THE SEARCH.
ALEENA'S POV.
The villagers scrambled from where they were as they were gripped with fear at the sight of the werewolves.
The local traders packed their things hurriedly and fled for safety, as did the ones who patronized them.
There was a lot of commotion in that little village. I didn't even know it's name at the time. I barely knew anywhere else other than the palace where I lived.
Well, I was more like a prisoner at the palace, even though I lived there under the protection of Alpha Kerrigan, lord of Talvor, the North Eastern region of the Greenlands.
I scarcely had any interactions with humans, so seeing firsthand how terrified they were at werewolves made me wonder they must have had to endure under the strict rulership of the werewolves.
I was more like an outcast even amongst the werewolves, marginalized and treated differently since I showed no visible signs of a werewolf, although born as one. It made me feel like I was cursed indeed.
While observing the town's folks, I heard the town bell ringing from a tower. The humans were all being summoned. They all came out from their hiding, and walked gloomily, heading to one direction.
I saw Caspian and his family walk out as well. Caspian and his mother each held one of the two little ones as they headed out. He turned and looked up at me, and nodded. I knew what he meant.
But being the curious person I am, I couldn't sit still. I needed to know what Marcus and the Silver Guards were doing at that village.
Releasing my grip from the window frame, I saw that it was broken. I furrowed my brow wondering if that was how it was when I gripped. I shrugged off the thought since I wasn't sure.
Looking round the room, I found a piece of cloth which I could use as scarf to disguise myself.
With the disguise on, I headed out, following the crowd.
As I got to where the villagers were gathered, I saw the soldiers standing around the perimeter of the vicinity, while Marcus and a few others stood on a platform above the crowd.
I bent my head as I walked past two soldiers who were close to me. I made my way into the crowd so as to blend with everyone.
One of the soldiers who was adorned in a distinct armor, differentiating him from the others stepped forward and everywhere got quiet. He was the commander of the Silver Guards.
"A tragedy has befallen the royal household. The Lady Aleena, yesternight, after the Nuptial ceremony to Marcus, lord Kerrigan's son, was assaulted in the woods," Commander Banek said.
Hearing that, a mild chatter arose among the villagers.
"Silence!" the commander yelled firmly, quieting the villagers.
"We have reason to believe that a couple of villagers here are responsible for the assault and disappearance of Lady Alveena."
All the villagers gasped in shock with wide eyes. A murmur erupted amongst the villagers.
I more than anyone was in more shock to hear such an outrageous lie. I boiled with rage within, clenching my fists. How dare he accuse innocent folks of a crime he committed?
Marcus stood there smiling mischievously. I felt like smacking that grin off his face. But at the same time, I was scared to risk my exposure.
The villagers spoke out denying the accusation. A man walked towards the commander accompanied by some hefty men. Raising his hands, the villagers quieted down.
"Commander Banek, being the village head, I can assure you that no one in Littlefolk would dare do such a horrendous thing to your kind, let alone attack a royal? That'll be madness of the highest order," he said.
The villagers all nodded in agreement.
"No one left their houses last night, since we knew what went on in Talvor. Moreover, how did the human get to Lady Aleena, when she was at the ceremony?"
"Do you question the legitimacy of our claims, vermin?" Marcus confronted the village head, challengingly.
"No. It just doesn't add up," the village head replied.
Marcus scoffed. "Well, we have an eye witness who will validate that claim."
Saying that, the villagers looked curiously as the soldiers brought forward a skinny looking man. The villagers began chattering amongst themselves when they saw who it was.
Looking at him, I could tell he seemed terrified. It was as though I could read him. I heard his heart beating fast. He was gripped with anxiety.
"Tell us what you saw," Marcus instructed the man.
He gulped, looking round at the people before he spoke.
"Last night, as I returned from my fishing trip, passing through the woods, I heard muffled screams coming from the woods. I hid see what was going on. Not long after, four men left the woods. I even heard one of them boasting he would make a fortune from the sale of something he took."
I was seething with rage as I listened to that human lie. I wondered what would make him lie do such a thing against his own kind.
Hearing him brought back the pain of the awful experience that entitled bastard made me go through.
A depth of rage I had never felt in my entire life overtook me and I began advancing towards Marcus. I firm hand grabbed me by the wrist. As I turned, I saw it was Caspian. He shook his head, looking me straight in my face.
How did he know it was me with the scarf I had on? And how could he tell what my intention was as I headed towards the front of the crowd?
As he held me, I felt that rage easing off, and I stood there with him. I couldn't tell how he had such an effect on me.
"Len, do you swear on your mother's grave that you're telling the truth?" the village head asked, looking him straight at the false witness.
"I- I swear," Len stuttered. He could barely face the village head as he replied.
"Good! So now all we have to do is find that thing the assailant took from Lady Aleena, and we'll find out who and who dared to hurt my Aleena," Marcus said.
I was irked hearing him refer to me in that manner.
"Soldiers, follow everyone to their homes and search every corner of their houses!" Commander Banek ordered.
They bowed and swiftly began leading the villagers in batches to their houses. Marcus stood there smiling as he watched his devious plan unfold.
From the town square, we could here some of the villagers scream, while some cried. I was pained that they went through such unfair treatment.
Eventually, we were also led to Caspian's house, and the soldiers ransacked the house, destroying things as they searched through the house.
Commander Banek and Marcus followed our batch and stood close by as the soldiers searched.
Not long after, some soldiers came dragging a man whose face was already bashed and bloodied. They flung him before their superiors. The village head was also there, looking in shock
"We found this in his house," the soldiers said, handing over an amulet to Commander Banek.
"Please, I swear, I have never seen that in my life. I don't know how that got into my house. I swear!" the man pleaded in tears.
The Commander walked forward to him and punched him in his already swollen face.
"You will tell me who were your accomplices," the Commander said.
"Better still, find his associates, and you'll find who his accomplices are," Marcus suggested.
"There's one," Len pointed.
As I turned to see who he pointed at, my eyes widened in shock. It was Caspian's father.
My heart raced even more this time as I was torn, not knowing what to do.