Chapter 13 - Escape forward

 Music Inspiration

Chapter 13

Escape forward

The big carriage literally raced through the landscape.

Marianne stroked Ascendary's feathers.

Her thoughts went back to the past.

She thought of Athena, of the Aranasera and then of her mission.

The document.

"Why is the document so important? The incident happened so many years ago. Why all this?"

Marianne looks at Duke.

"The Denerias incident was the worst thing this empire has ever experienced. As you know, I read the document in contrast to you. It puts the whole incident in a completely new light. Since I and Ascendary are directly affected, it is very important to me that the document achieves its goal," Duke explained.

Ascendary enjoyed Marianne's caressing.

"I'd be interested in what happened back then," Marianne said thoughtfully.

"There are a wide variety of versions of the incident. The document is authentic and therefore it has to reach its destination."

Duke sharpens his sword.

A jolt went through the carriage as it rolled over stones.

Explosions could be heard in the distance.

The carriage came to a standstill.

Marianne and Duke opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.

Sedalia had left the coachman's box and stepped next to both of them.

"What was that?" Marianne asked as more explosions could be heard in the distance.

"It sounds like a fight between 2 airships. Before the explosions, you can hear the firing of cannons," Sedalia explained.

"One might be the INQUEST, but which is the other ship?" Duke wondered.

"Definitely a big one, the INQUEST is the pride of the Inquisition." Sedalia looked into the distance.

Suddenly, there was a huge explosion and you could see smoke rising in the distance. Also a shadow over it.

"What ... Was that?" Marianne was shocked.

"Ammunition room," Duke said.

Sedalia nodded. "We should move on quickly. No matter who won."

Duke and Marianne got back in and Sedalia got back on the Coachman´s Box.

The carriage started moving again.

"Something tells me that the INQUEST has lost," Duke speculated.

"Why?" Marianne asked.

"The shadow over the smoke, it was significantly larger than the INQUEST. I'm sure it was the WYVERN." Duke sharpened his sword further.

"Then they will hunt me down. Like the LUFTREITER," Marianne said worriedly.

"The air rider was huge, easy to find. We, on the other hand, are small and fast. She won't find us," Duke tried to calm her down.

"And if it does?" asked Marianne.

"Then we might have a guardian angel. Just like last time." Duke sounded convincing.

Marianne nodded.

The carriage raced on.

After a few hours, she slowed down and stopped.

"Stop! In the name of the Inquisition!" shouted someone outside.

"Not good," Duke said, grasping his sword.