Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key (24 page)

  Elizabeth smiled
up at Harrison. “Yes, it is good to be home. I am looking forward to
accompanying Reece and mother to Casititor as well.”

  “Elizabeth, your
mother has been showing me all of the items already donated.” Reece added with
excitement. “I think this will be an incredible trip. I’m really looking
forward to joining you both.”

  Levi politely
interrupted the ladies conversation. “Reece, forgive me, but I was just
bringing Elizabeth to meet with my mother. I fear if I delay any longer—”

  Reece laughed.
“Yes, your mother has been anxiously awaiting all of you.” She looked at
Elizabeth, “It was very nice meeting you.”

“The pleasure was
mine, Reece.” Elizabeth returned with gentle smile.

Reece sat back down
as Levi, Elizabeth, and Harrison walked down the corridor together. She gazed
intently at Levi as he escorted his sister, walking with his usual air of
grandeur and nobility. He was incomparable to any man she had ever met. Yes,
she was very excited he was home.
What woman wouldn’t be thrilled to be
around him again?
Denying any attraction for Levi was beginning to seem
futile at this point, it seemed that her heart had its own ideas.

Chapter
16

Over the next couple of days, the three women spent
the majority of their time preparing for their trip. Elizabeth was proving to
be a very humble and intelligent woman. It didn’t take Reece long to see the
admirable similarities between Elizabeth and her mother, and she enjoyed her
company a great deal.

  The morning of
their set departure; Navarre and Levi escorted the ladies to their carriage.
They said their farewells, and were off to the city of Casititor.   

The Pasidian
Imperial Guards escorted them to the town. In front of their carriage, six men
rode on white horses, carrying flags with the Emperor’s crest; and following
behind the carriage were ten men, riding in the same fashion.

They arrived late
that evening, and were shown to an exquisite apartment where they would stay
for the next three days. Dinner was prepared and awaiting their arrival. As
they ate, Allestaine shared her plans with Reece and Elizabeth for the
neighborhoods they would be visiting in the city.

After breakfast the
next day, Allestaine informed the guards that the first place they intended to
visit was the bakery where Christopher’s mother was employed. As they began to
get closer to the bakery’s location, Reece noticed a considerable change in the
conditions of this part of the town. The two-story buildings that lined the
streets were utterly dilapidated. The second stories of the businesses seemed
to house the less fortunate living in the area. Reece noticed that tenants had
put everything from towels to boards in the windows where glass had once been.
Everything about this about this part of town was oppressive; it was all in
disrepair.

 Reece was taken
aback by the scene before her. Sure she had seen impoverished communities
before; however, she didn’t expect this in Pemdas. The places she had seen thus
far would never have led her to believe these conditions existed in this world.
Allestaine’s expression mirrored Reece’s disbelief. The look on the lady’s face
was severe. It was obvious she was extremely displeased with the dire state of
this part of the town.

Once they reached
their destination, Allestaine requested that Reece and Elizabeth stay outside
with the guards so that she could have a private audience with Christopher’s
mother.

“It’s as if the
government of the city has turned a blind eye to this part of city. It breaks
my heart.” Elizabeth said to Reece as they waited for Allestaine to return from
inside the small bakery.

“I agree. These
conditions are depressing.”

“It’s extremely
disheartening, Reece. Most of the money my mother raises is donated to this
city, because it is one of the largest in its kingdom. I believe my mother will
not rest easy until she has spoken with Mr. Sterlington about this.” Elizabeth
said.

As the women
continued discussing their disbelief about the situation, a small group of
barefoot children wearing ragged clothes approached where they stood.

“You are both from
the Emperor’s palace, aren’t you?” A young girl asked.

Elizabeth knelt
down, bringing herself to the child’s level. “Yes, we are; and we have brought
you children lots of goodies, too.” She reached down and tapped the little girl
on her bare foot, “We have plenty of shoes for you as well, sweet one.”

The girl leaped and
wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s neck, almost causing her to fall over.
“Miss, if there was anything I could ask for, it would be shoes.”

Reece restrained
her tears, and held her arm out, “How would you children like to see all the
gifts we’ve brought for you?”

The children
shrieked with delight, causing Elizabeth and Reece to laugh in return.

Allestaine spent
the majority of her time meeting with the adults in the area, learning more
about their living conditions. She, Elizabeth, and Reece also toured the many
different businesses, and gave them supplies they needed. She notified each
business owner that the Palace would be funding all of the repairs that were
required to return buildings back to their once excellent condition.

 Each day while
visiting this part of the city, people from all around would make their way to
this location to meet the Empress. Most would thank her for taking interest in
the less fortunate, and would donate either personal items or money in an
effort to help.

On the final day,
Allestaine, Reece, and Elizabeth were at the bakery early. They sat at a small
table inside, eating their breakfast.

“I find it
interesting that Mr. Sterlington has not shown himself yet. He knows very well
that I’ve been in town these last few days. I know he is avoiding me; this is
the first time that I have ever had to send word to him that I am visiting his
city. He expects me to believe that he had no idea I was visiting town?”
Allestaine asked as she arched her brow at both women sitting across from her,
“It only makes him guiltier for what he has done.”

“Well, Mother, from
what Reece and I have learned from many of the townspeople, most of the citizens
have unfavorable things to say about his practices.” Elizabeth responded.

“As well as they
should.”

When they finished
their breakfast, there was already a crowd of people outside the small
building. The three women stood, and went out front to greet the townspeople
who were waiting to meet them.

Mr. Sterlington
appeared within the hour of Lady Allestaine’s arrival to the location. He
waited patiently as she finished a conversation with one of the townspeople.
Elizabeth and Reece were occupied by a group children; however, they became
distracted by the scene before them.

“Your Imperial
Majesty, forgive me for not arriving sooner to accept you properly into the
city.” Sterlington said.

 Allestaine turn to
face Sterlington, offering the silver-haired man a stern, icy glare.

“Do not presume
that I require your greetings to feel comfortable in this city.”

“Majesty, allow me
to humbly beg your—”

“Hold your tongue,
man. I am in no mood to hear any of your senseless words or excuses for the
dreadful conditions I have been witnessing over the last three days in this
part of the city.” Her eyes were like flint staring at him with utter
repulsion. “I work very hard to make sure that those who are struggling are
having their needs met. I believe you should know very well that most of my
efforts have gone towards Casititor, because the population is great, and
therein, the poverty levels are high.”

Mr. Sterlington was
expressionless, yet guilt radiated from his pale blue eyes. “Allow me to—”

Her eyes blazed
with fury at his interruption. “Mr. Sterlington,” her voice was low and steely,
“I have nothing further to say to you. I have more important things to do than
to talk you right now. You’re excused.”

Allestaine spun on
her heel, and walked into the bakery. Mr. Sterlington slowly turned to leave.
When he did, his eyes darkened when he noticed Reece staring at him. He frowned
at her with a look of utter disgust. Reece felt an odd chill run through her,
and immediately turned her attention back to the children who were playing a
handball game in the street.

There was something
about the silver-haired man that bothered her, she just couldn’t place it. As
she contemplated the man’s character, one of the children overthrew the ball,
and it began to roll down the street. Reece turned to run after it, and caught
up to it almost a block from where she had been standing. She knelt to pick it
up, and as she stood again, her heart raced when she noticed Levi walking up
the sidewalk with Harrison. She laughed when she saw the crowds gather around
forcing them to halt and interact with them.

Reece turned to
bring the ball back to the children, but was suddenly face-to-face with an
irate Mr. Sterlington. She gasped with shock, wondering where the tall, angry
man had come from. Reece was instantly uncomfortable, and hoped the guards that
stood outside of the bakery were watching her. She was relieved when she saw
the three guards staring intently in her direction, and starting to make their
way to where she stood.

“Reece Bryant!” Mr.
Sterlington growled.

“Mr. Sterlington.”
Reece returned in a stern, yet calm voice.

“I will have you
know that I blame your presence in Pemdas for all of this.” He rumbled.

The man was
obviously delusional as he spat his words violently out at her. Reece was
startled by the unexpected confrontation, and had difficulty finding words in
response to the man’s accusations. “I have no idea what you are talking about.
Please excuse me.” She tried to walk past him.

The man gripped her
arm tightly, causing Reece to gasp in pain, “I can see to it that your life is
destroyed, madam. Whether they say that you are the Key or not, you are nothing
but scum to me.” He smiled darkly searching Reece’s confused expression, “I can
have you removed from Pemdas, you know?”

Reece tried to jerk
her arm free. “Get your hand off of me,” She said harshly.

The man captured
her other arm, and brought her face close to his, “You listen to me—”

“Sterlington!
Remove your hands from Miss Bryant this instant!” Levi commanded in a deadly
voice.

The man removed his
grips from Reece, and his face paled as he turned to find Levi and Harrison
standing tall and unyielding in front of him. Both men wore dangerous
expressions, mirroring the imperial guards that now surrounded all of them.

“Your Imperial—”

“Not another word.”
Levi snapped.

The guards stood a
few feet away, giving Levi his space, and waiting for his command. Elizabeth
quickly rushed to Reece’s side as Harrison stood in between both of the women
protectively.

“Magnus
Sterlington,” Levi addressed the man with superior command, “I demand to know
why you have threatened Miss Bryant in such a way. You should know I have heard
every threatening word you have said.”

The man swallowed
hard and looked up into Levi’s fiery gaze, “I was only upset about—”

“Your threats are
treasonous!” Levi interrupted him.

The man laughed
nervously. “Come now, your Highness, let us not overreact.”

Levi’s jaw
tightened, and his eyes became fierce. “You forget who you are speaking to! I
suggest you guard your words in my presence, Sterlington!” Levi nodded to the
guards standing in the distance, and they approached immediately. “Gentlemen,
take him to the prison chambers; the Emperor will decide his fate for the
threats he has made against Miss Bryant. I will not waste another word on this
man.”

Reece didn’t have a
chance to see the man’s reaction before the guards swiftly gripped him and led
him out and away from the street.

Levi turned to face
Reece, his form still dangerous and stiff, “Miss Bryant, are you okay?” He
asked solemnly.

She smiled faintly,
mildly intimidated by his current disposition. “I’m fine, Levi, thank you.”

Levi nodded and
offered his arm, “Let us get you back to where my mother is.”

Reece took his arm.
“Can he really get rid of me?” She asked as Levi escorted her back toward the
bakery.

Harrison laughed,
breaking through the tension. “HA! That’ll be the day.”

“Reece, you have
nothing to fear. Do you think I would let anything happen to you? It is
Harrison’s and my duty to protect you, whether on Earth or in Pemdas.” Levi
added in a serious voice, “Do not concern yourself over him; he will be dealt
with accordingly.”

They were in the
city for less than an hour before they said their farewells to everyone.
Allestaine promised a return visit in the coming months to check on the
progress of the restorations, much to the delight of the townspeople.