At this action, Kieve already understood that they wouldn't be able to support the House of Altair and he could do nothing about it. "I understand, you don't need to apologize. I've already expected this to happen. You should go back then. No need to stay here or else you would be implicated."
No words were exchanged as the man stood up and looked at the high mage with sadness but he couldn't risk his family and so did the others. They were small in number and even if they united, there was nothing they could do. As he left the room, he bumped with Cygnus who had been standing outside for a while now. He scurried away as he avoided the child's eyes.
"What are you doing here Cyg?" Kieve asked when he noticed his son's presence after the man left.
"Mother told us that we are leaving, why are we leaving?" He asked and it brought shivers into Kieve's being as he looked at his son's expression.
He kneeled on one knee and ruffled his son's hair. He was a smiling child but after a few years, he started to act like a grown up and would always wear this serious face in front of people he didn't know. He then pinched his son's cheeks which earned him a glare from the child.
"Because you are going on a vacation to relax and to get away from the hot weather of the capital." Kieve answered with a grin to make his son at least believe him.
"You are lying," Cygnus said with a frown. "We've been on vacation but not this hasty and abrupt."
Kieve was speechless at his son's words before he finally laughed. His son was indeed perceptive and observant that he couldn't hide anything from him. It was a shame that he had not grown up like the other kids but this was fine too because the child could support him and his wife.
"You need to leave because the people who are after us will be coming soon and I don't want you to get caught up with the fight. Your safety is my main priority." Kieve rubbed his son's cheeks and pulled him towards him. He gave him a tight hug because this might be the last time that he would see them.
"Let's go and see my sister then." Cygnus got hold of his father's hand and pulled him in the direction of their room where his sister and mother were packing their clothes.
"Father!" Elara was elated when she saw her father together with her brother.
She jumped from the bed and ran towards the man. Kieve caught her and threw her a bit in the air before catching her once again and giving her a tight hug. He then kissed her forehead and rubbed his cheek with hers.
Elara giggled as she returned the hug. "You know, mother said that we will be going on a vacation!" She then excitedly told him about the good news. "Will you be coming with us?"
The question made Kieve smile. "I will not be joining you but I promise that after I'm done with my business here, I will follow you."
Elara's smile fell at the thought that her father wasn't going with them. It happened every now and then but she still couldn't help but feel disappointed every time her father couldn't join them. Instead of saying anything, she gave her father a hug.
At that moment, one of the guards came running to the room bearing bad news. "Master! They are here, they are demanding that we surrender or else they would burn this place down!"
Kieve tightened his hand on his daughter. He cursed under his breath after he heard the news. They were so fast that they did not even give him the time to prepare. He looked at his wife and his son who were looking at him worriedly.
Kieve passed Elara to his wife and took one last look at his children before he looked at his wife. "Take them and run. Even if we surrender, they will still find an excuse to kill us. I'm sorry, my love." He stepped forward and gathered the three of them in his arms. He then gently separated himself from them. "Now go."
"Father?" Elara whispered as he turned his around but he stopped himself from looking back at them. He left the room and instructed the guards outside to escort and protect his family.
His wife tightened her hold on her daughter as she stopped herself from crying. Cygnus on the other hand had tears in his eyes as he watched his father's back disappearing through the corridor. The guards immediately escorted them out of the house as they navigated the complicated terrain of the estate.
They could already hear the sound of fighting and the explosions that followed. Cygnus looked back and saw that their house was already burning. The orange glow in the darkening sky was evidence that wouldn't be able to come back to that house again.
The thought of his father crossed his mind and his bitter smile as he left. His heart ached that he wouldn't be able to see his father again. He returned his gaze forward as they continued to run away.
They were already at the border of the estate when enemies suddenly appeared out of nowhere and attacked them. The guards fended them off but there were too many of them. There was even a woman wearing a cape of white with the sun embroidered on it. She was using magic to fight the guards.
His mother urged them to run but the enemies kept on coming at them. Cygnus did not have a choice but to fight back. He had been learning magic from his father since he was five years old and now, he could use it to protect his family.
He casted a shield around his mother and sister as he helped the remaining guards in the fight. He did his best to support them. They managed to defeat the enemies that were after them. Cygnus immediately went to his family to check if they were alright.
After making sure that they were safe, they started to run once again but before they could even cross the border of the estate, a sudden explosion threw them off. The explosion happened so near them that it pushed them back and caused injuries to the guards and to them. Cygnus pushed himself up and created a shield that covered them as another explosion happened again.
"Young master, we will hold them off. I urge you to run and leave." One of the guards who managed to stand up held Cygnus's shoulders tightly. "Please."
Cygnus looked at the man and nodded before he turned around as he ran towards his mother and sister. He kneeled down and shook his mother but there was no response from her. He then felt something sticky on his hand and when he looked down, he saw that his mother was bleeding.
"Mother!" He called out in a loud voice as he circulated his magic and tried to heal his mother's wound.
A hand grabbed his arms and pulled him down. His mother guided his forehead towards her as she muttered words to her son. The tears on his eyes welled and fell down at his mother's words. He wanted to heal her and take her with them.
"I'm sorry, my brave child. You'll need to take your sister and leave. You can't stay here. Live and protect your sister. You need to live at least the two of you need to live." His mother pleaded as he held him in her arms. "Don't cry, my brave child. No matter what happens I will be with you and your sister."
