But on the other side, the people of Hak-Sul loved Halumar because he cared about the poor. They even helped him during hard times. King Imeros suspected that they are hiding Halumar. But they didn't find him.

Jack walked toward Ur-Hador for some hours while none of the carriages that were passing by gave him a lift. He started to hear Ann's voice again.

" Jack "

" Ann, What's going on? "

Jack asked.

" Some of the women and children are in the hidden forest. Others traveled west for refuge. We have hidden the entrance to the hidden forest and made it hard to find. "

Ann said.

" Good. But what do you mean by ' We '? Are you still out there? "

Jack asked.

" I am fine. I am helping your father and brother to protect the village. Just don't worry "

Ann said.

" No, Don't do it. Save yourself. Go hide "

Jack was worried.

" I am no coward. I am a girl who can fight back. We will be waiting for your return with help. The barbarians will reach Lri tomorrow according to the scouts. After that they will try to capture Dhurland completely "

Ann said.

" I will return. I promise "

Jack ended talking and kept walking toward the Ur-Hador palace.

Jack reached the gate after some time passed. It was near dusk. There were four royal guards dressed in red and gold armor and holding long spears.

Jack stepped forward and the guards pointed their spears at Jack.

" Halt Stranger! You shall of pass. Explain what you are doing near the royal palace. " 

A Guard said.

" I am from Dhurland. I have an urgent message to the king."

Jack said.

" Our Highness is Il... busy these days, "

A Guard said.

" But it's important. I have been traveling for days to deliver this message. Please "

Jack begged.

" If it is You shall meet Our Highness's Advisor and Second in command Lord Henry Liue "

The guards opened the gate and escorted him inside.

Jack went into the palace and he was amazed by its beauty. The ceiling was White and had a big ceiling lamp made out of gold. There was a royal red carpet on the floor leading to the throne. The throne was made out of gold and it had a head of a golden lion on the top. And on the throne was a person dressed up in a black robe and wearing a strange-looking hat. He wearing five golden rings on his right hand.

The Guards pushed Jack forward and said,

" Lord Henry Liue, This boy said he has an urgent message for the king. "

Henry was eating an apple and he threw it away.

" Speak Boy. I have more urgent matters to attend to "

Henry said.

" My lord, I have come all the way From Dhurland to Thereloria to inform you that Dhurland is under attack by Barbarians of Barbundu. My village, Lri is going to be attacked tomorrow. Our king asked you for help and reinforcements. You have to save our Land. I beg you. "

Jack fell down to his knees with tears in his eyes.

" Oh, I see. But where is the letter? "

Henry asked.

Jack was surprised that he asked about the latter without knowing about it.

" I am really sorry, I lost it when I got caught in a storm. I swear it's all true. " Jack said.

" Oh. What a fool you are. Words and Tears aren't enough to prove it. King needs to see the latter with his own eyes."

Henry said.

Jack looked down hopelessly.

" But there is another way,"

Henry said and Jack looked up with hope.

" I need a favor. If you do it I will let your message go to my king. "

Henry said.

" Anything. I would give my life. "

Jack said.

Henry took a paper and a pen and turned away. He was writing something.  Then after some minutes he turned back to Jack and stepped forward.

" Deliver this message to The Woman named Bonnie. She lives in Norazel. A big yellow house with a red door. There's a painting of an Eagle on the wall near her house. It's easy to find. And It's a private letter. Do not open it. Go now. "

Henry gave the letter to Jack. He stood up.

" I will do it, my lord. I will return "

Jack exited the palace and ran his way down to Norazel.

By dusk, Jack reached Norazel and searched for Bonnie's house. Then he found the painting of the eagle Henry mentioned. Near it was a yellow house with a red door. Jack knocked on the door several times and waited for some minutes. But no one answered.

Jack was angry and he pushed the door. It opened up and no one was there. Jack walked into the house to check.

" Lady Bonnie? Anyone home? "

Jack asked loudly.

There was no reply and Jack turned back to go outside.

" Help me! " Jack heard a low voice from a room. He walked in to check and opened the door. There was an old woman on the floor with blood while someone wearing a black cloak jumped outside from the window and vanished. Jack looked where the killer went but he couldn't find him. Jack went near Bonnie and pressured the cut on her throat.

" Ek.. Eka.. Ekans, Ekans Did ... this "

Bonnie said while dying.

"Who is Ekans? What does it mean ?" Jack asked but she was already dead.

Someone came behind Jack and yelled.

" Help! Guards! There has been a murder! "

Jack tried to calm him down but the Guards came and tackled Jack.

" No, It's not me. I didn't do it "

Jack tried to explain but no one listened.

The Guards handcuffed Jack and punched his face.

From somewhere Henry Liue arrived.

" What have you done, you monster? Check his pockets "

Henry said.

The Guards checked Jack's pockets and took the letter Henry gave to him. Henry took it and got shocked.

" It's Halumar's writings. It has his seal on it "

Henry said.

" What? You gave me that..."

Jack got slapped in the face by Henry.

" Silence you filth "

"It says ' I, Halumar hires you to kill that bitch Bonnie and poison the Weak King. I will pay you double '. Your little piece of garbage! "

Henry read the letter aloud.

The Guards punched Jack until blood came from his nose.

" Take him to VOLAPH prison. Lock him up for good. "

Henry yelled while Jack was displaying in front of the public.

Later that night Jack was taken to the Prison island Volaph in chains. Then the brander branded a skull shape on Jack's Back. He screamed in pain.

Guards took away Jack's belongings including his staff and locked them in a room.

Jack was in pain, suffering, and crying. One guard pulled Jack's necklace and crushed it by foot. It broke into pieces.

They left Jack Alone in a cell.

Jack looked outside and saw the two suns rising but still, the sky was dark. Jack realized he have failed to Save His Home.

Meanwhile, Lri was burning, and many men were dead. It was tragic.

Jack fell down to his knees and gathered the broken pieces of the necklace. Then he hugged them while teardrops fell from his eyes and mixed up with the blood on his face.

" Ann, If You are hearing this don't lose hope. I will be back. I promise. I will save Lri. I will save you all.

The Wolves will howl "

To be continued.