Even though the Old man was panicking on the ground with the scroll in hand, there was no response what so ever.
Slowly, the curtains opened up a bit, and a very fair skinned slender hand snaked out. It collected the scroll.
"Hmmm!" A feminine voice could be heard from within.
"Catherine!" The voice called lightly.
*Whoosh!*
Like the blowing of breeze, a figure suddenly appeared by the old man's side.
This person was in full golden armour and had their head bowed.
The moment the old man saw the armour, he instantly panicked and fell on his ass.
He took a look at the golden shinning armour, "that's the....! The king's Golden Hunter!" He paused as he swallowed hard.
"Take your sisters," the feminine voice continued. "I want the stone from that dungeon."
"Yes, your highness."
"And dear, please do remember if I know, those smelly Old men would definitely know too!
"Yes your highness!"
*Woosh!*
Just as quickly as she had come, she had also left.
Apart from the blowing of breeze, there was nothing there.
For a few seconds, the old man doubted if at all he had seen anybody there.
It seemed as if it might have been his imagination.
But the words of the voice he heard, still rang strong in his head.
This meant that what he had seen, was real.
"Give my gratitude to the priestess!" The voice instructed and the hand went back into the curtain.
"YES! Yes your highness!!!"
The old man bowed again and again before rushing out.
As he did, he fell a couple of times.
He still could not believe that only moments ago, he was side by side with a member of king's personal Hunters group.
........
In yet another part of the kingdom, a group of men and women were bowed before an old man.
This old man had a face full of white beards.
He was lanky and his back hunched a bit. Rumours had it that his cultivation had become stagnant because of a cultivating accident, and might even have started to regress.
However, everyone respected and feared him like they did the king.
Or maybe it was just a fear of what he represented or could command.
Behind him was the insignia of his family name that had stood for hundreds of years.
It was the insignia of the three legged Crow.
Rumours had it that if he were to cough, mountains would flip on their noses, and the heavens would darken in appology to his discomfort.
Some said that even his frown or smile could cause the rumbling of volcanoes.
This was no other person than one of the Three Grand Dukes of the Almace Kingdom.
Grand Duke Sean.
Before him were many bowed. These people were so loyal that if he had requested that they silt their own throats, they would compete for who would be the fastest.
Such was their faith in him.
He was practically a god in their eyes.
"Father!" A younger looking man walked up to him and bowed his head.
"Hahahah!!!" Grand Duke Sean chuckled lightly.
"Just because you got married to my daughter does not mean you should call me Father!"
"Of course, Grand Duke, but I enjoy it!"
The Grand Duke chuckled again.
He was really pleased by the young man in front of him. This young man was called Luke.
After all, he was a really promising young man.
Also, he was a worthy successor to inherit his title of GrandDuke.
His daughter was born not so strong, and cultivation was even more disastrous for her, and so he naturally adopted a different method.
He got her married to one of his promising disciples.
The Man married in to the family and therefore had to bear the family name.
This way, after the Grand Duke was long gone, his Grandson could take over and become the next GrandDuke.
Because of connection by blood, the young GrandDuke would have the protection of his father until he grows strong enough to stand for himself.
This it self was an incredible plan.
However, things did not always go according to plan.
Hidden at a corner, was a maid watching attentively.
She frowned at how the GrandDuke showed obvious favoritism for the young man.
"Luke, you do indeed bring me much joy."
"I try my best father!" Luke nodded in a bright smile.
"I called you here for an important reason. I am sure you are already aware of the Dungeon at that appeared at the Snake Forest!"
"Yes, father. I am aware of it."
"Hmmm! Good! That Dungeon has opened up, and from what I hear, it might contain one of the legendary Anchor stones. This are very trying times for the kingdom. We still have the squabbles with the beast kingdom, and the king his still Ill. With no foreseeable future of recovery. His wife, the Queen has taken control over the affairs of the state. She even declared the third prince a traitor against the crown. She has isolated the King from all outside help that may be of assistance, and her words have become law. With one of the Grand Dukes already on her side, things are not looking so good!" The GrandDuke sighed lowly.
"With the appearance of this Anchor stone, things are bound to get a bit more chaotic. Of she gets her hands on that Anchor stone, then even myself and the other GrandDuke would not be able to stop her. She would command far greater power and authority."
The grandduke strolled back and forth, and then he stopped for a while, "I want you to go to the Snake Forest and retrieve the Anchor stone. If it's true what they say, this Anchor stone could very well heal the king's illness. You will take the best of my personal guards and go. Take with you any weapon from the storage."
"Yes father, this humble one understands," Luke bowed to him.
However, no one, not even the Grandduke noticed the sharp glint in his eyes.
The maid in hiding saw this and shook her head as she ran to report this to her mistress.
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