Guardians fight for freedom chapter Twelve

In a land not far from the frosted village, a noble family held their annual traditional celebration of the defeat of the dragon Alcazar by their ancestor Lord Dalen the brave. This glorious battle is the namesake for this town where Dalen’s descendants have ruled for more than three-hundred years. His bloodline has always sat upon the throne of Dragon’s heart. The lord of dragon heart, Lucian Everheart stood upon the balcony of his mansion overlooking the festive celebration that lit up the streets.  He watched joyfully at the all the excited citizens, then a young girl with wild frizzy hair ran past the lord, he turned and saw another girl, this time much older with fiery red hair chasing the younger one; he smiled at them with a look of amusement.
 “Amalia, keep an eye on Willow and make sure she doesn’t fall and hurt herself” the red headed girl looked back and responded “Yes father, I will watch her carefully”. He returned his gaze to the town folk who were now dancing in tune with the flute players, he saw his son Justin joining in with the festive dance. 
Lord Lucian paced from his balcony into his manor hall, he saw his wife Francesca and his second youngest daughter Becky who were sitting next to the open fireplace, knitting. Becky stopped and placed her knitting on the side table and ran to her father. She dragged him over to the fireplace area and passed him her knitting she was knitting a little jumper. He stroked the jumper and smiled “why have you knitted this?” he asked puzzlingly.
“Didn’t Justin tell you the good news?”
“Tell me what?”
“He and Clarisse are expecting”  
“Why did he not tell me?”
“He was planning to tell the whole family after the festival”
Justin ran into the manor after drinking a litre of ale, he looked around at the faces of his sister, mother and father. He saw the look of surprise and hurt across his father’s face. Justin sighed deeply “Becky told you I take it”
“Yes, why didn’t you tell me, you told the rest of the family?”
“I didn’t tell them, Clarisse did. I wanted to keep it a secret until the celebrations were over”
“Does Amalia and Willow know too?”
“I don’t think so; mother noticed a change in Clarisse’s behaviour and figure. They asked and Clarisse told them. That’s it.”
“I see, well thank you for telling me that I am going to be a grandpa” Lucian walked away into his bedchambers. 
“Dad, I am sorry. I was going to tell you”  
The festival moved into the grand hall of the manor Lord Lucian stood on his mezzanine overlooking his guests, they watched inventively with their glasses full Cabernet Sauvignon, its glorious smell of blackcurrants and bell pepper.  Lucian raised his glass and spoke confidently.
 “Honoured citizens, welcome my friends. I hope you are enjoying the celebrations. Not only are we celebrating the defeat of the dragon Alcazar by my ancestor but also I have found out that my eldest and only son Justin is expecting my first grandchild, a toast to Justin and Clarisse and to my wonderful wife Francesca for supporting me and putting up with me  all these years”.
Lucian raised his glass as did all the people in the hall except Howard the older and jealous brother of Lucian. He was bitter and angry with his father for giving the village over to his brother. He believed that the manor and village rightfully belonged to him. 
Over the night, the celebrations dissipated and Willow had fell asleep on the sofa, Amalia picked her up and carried her to her bed. Amalia tucked her in and stroked her head as she turned the light off. 
Amalia went to the balcony and met Becky there; Amalia looked at her and smiled. “Willow is shattered, poor thing”
“Yes well she had a busy night with you chasing her. You must me tired”
“I am fine; still we are going to be aunties. It’s gonna be brilliant a little niece or nephew to dote on”
“Haha, yes we will be the best aunts.  I am so happy for Justin and Clarisse. Hey did you see Uncle Howard’s face, he did not look happy”
“Of course he isn’t, he has always been jealous of father just because grandpa chose him to lead the village”
“But, isn’t Howard grandpa’s eldest son?”
“Yes, but grandpa saw that Howard only sought power and profit. He did not care for ruling he just wanted the riches. Father didn’t kick him out of the manor because father believes family is important and he felt sorry for him”.
“Father should have kicked him out, I would have. He is a good for nothing sewer rat who would sell his own child for profit”
“I know but he is family” Justin walked out to the balcony with a glass of wine. 
“Hey girls, what are you chatting about?”
“Uncle Howard. Where is he?” Amalia responded sharply
“Oh he is getting hammered in the corner”
“Oh great, he could have at least help tidy up before drinking his troubles away”
“Ha he wouldn’t know what a mop is, let alone use it” Becky added
“It’s getting late we should turn in, How is Clarisse?” 
“I agree, and she is fine. In bed now, I should go and check on her. See you girls later” Justin jogged to his bedchambers. Both Becky and Amalia tip toed past their mother and father’s room and quietly opened their bedchamber door. They snuck into bed without waking Willow who was in the next room.
Howard still drinking in the grand halls left corner thought of his past. He was still resentful of his brother and father. He poured a shot of rum and downed it in a flash. He kept swirling his rum filled glass and looked at his reflection in the bottom of it. He closed his eyes and thought of his live if his brother was never born. He pictured himself sitting in the grand hall with piles of money and gold. Servants tidying and cleaning to please him, and the town’s people throwing their life savings at his feet. He threw his glass across the hall into the fireplace. The flame burst into life engulfing the liquor, and drank from the rum bottle, until it was empty. His envious hate filled him and he thought that if his brother and family were no longer living, he would then rule the village. He stared at the door to the wine cellar, he thought if a lit cigar so happened to accidently found its way into the wine cellar. Then they would find no person to blame, it was simply and accident and no one would question it.  Howard quickly lit a cigar and had few puffs; he inhaled deeply enjoying his finely made panatela cigar. He staggered over to the wine cellar door and tugged it open. He walked calmly down the cellar stairs; he looked at all the crates of alcoholic beverages then looked back at his cigar. He took two more puffs and threw it. He then ran out like a cheetah, he turned back and saw the drinks ignite. He continued to run out of the manor, through the village to the stables. He quickly mounted a horse and rid towards Argon. 
Back at the manor, the smoke woke Willow from her sleep; she jumped up of her bed and ran to the door. She leaned out, and felt the smoke at the back of her throat. She ran next door and jumped onto Amalia and her bed shouting “Wake up Mali, wake up. There is smoke everywhere” 
Both Amalia and Becky woke and gazed to the door then Justin erupted from it.
“We need to get out of here girls, right now. I need to find Clarisse, mother, father and Uncle”
“Wasn’t Clarisse with you?”
“No, she got up to get a glass of water, now I don’t know where she is”
“You’re not going on your own. What is going on?”
“There is a fire, its consuming everything. It’s not safe here” Justin picked Willow up and carried her. The fire blocked the way out, Amalia who was a mage tried to put the fire out. It exhausted her. 
“Amalia you have to stop, you don’t have enough strength for this, you’re going to tire yourself out” Becky yelled.
“But I have to try” She struggled whilst a jet of cool water erupted from her arms, steam fogged up the corridor. 
“Enough, there is a secret passageway behind the bookcase in the study, take Willow and Amalia and get out of here, I will follow once I find the others” 
“Are you kidding?  You are gonna get yourself killed” Amalia screamed, Becky grabbed Amalia’s arm and Willow jumped down. Justin nodded and ran in the opposite direction. Amalia was infuriated at her sister, her rage bubbled up inside her until it reached the surface, and she exploded and hurled herself at Becky. Willow watched in horror as the fire slowly crept up the hallway.
“Stop it. The fire is coming, we will meet Justin outside” both Amalia and Becky stopped, got up and pulled the lever which made the bookcase pull out. The passage was dark and narrow, Amalia created a small glowing orb that hovered just above their heads.  Justin made his way back through the blazing inferno that was once his home. He reached his parents room; he covered his face with his shirt. He saw his father crushed under the debris. Justin’s eyes widen in shock he ran over, the heat made him sweat. The smoke choked him; his mother was on the floor trapped under a beam. Justin tried to lift the beam but could not. Francesca was barely conscious; she was losing a lot of blood. Justin struggled with the beam once more until Francesca stuttered, “you have to go now it’s too late for us. Leave now”
“I am not leaving without you”
“You have too. If you stay you will die”
“Mother please”
“Get out now” Justin eyes started to stream as he got up, Francesca spoke softly “I love you, I will be looking down on you always” Justin leapt over the fallen beams and reached Clarisse’s room. He kicked the door down swiftly and collapsed on his knees he looked across the room and saw Clarisse lying there motionless. He crawled over to her and tried to wake her, but she was unresponsive. He lay next to her staring at the blazing celling and closed his eyes.  Until he felt someone grab his arm, he jerked up and saw Becky there. She struggled to pull him away. Justin sobbed and screamed in anguish. Becky held him close and whispered, “If we stay here then we die. Clarisse wouldn’t want that. Now get up”
“What is the point I lost her?”
“You can avenge her”
“What do you mean, it’s just an accident”
“No, mother was a mage with unique spells. Those spells included an invisible room recorder. She placed on in most of the room in the manor. Just in case, something happened. We would know exactly what”
“And how did you find out about this”
“The passageway has scratching in its walls, to a normal person like us, we cannot see anything. Nevertheless, to a mage they see everything. Amalia saw where and how the fire started. However, this is not the time or place to do this. The manor is falling apart. Just know Howard needs to pay”
“Howard did this. That bastard”
“Come on brother. Now before it is too late” Justin got up and stroke Clarisse’s forehead and whispered “I will never forget you and know this, Howard will die” he then rubbed her stomach and sobbed. They then proceeded hastily out of the room into the hallway. They ran as fast as they could, dodging as much of the fiery debris. However, a beam swung and hit Justin in the leg and scorched him. He screamed in pain, Becky turned round and helped support him. He limped slowly to the passageway, Becky let go and told him to go ahead, and she closed the bookcase doorway shut and proceeded to follow Justin. Amalia and Willow reached the exit. It opened into a clearing just outside of the village. Justin and Becky caught up and reached the clearing Willow looked round and ran to her brother hugging him tightly. They all stood in the clearing and watched from afar as their home, their parents and their love ones burn. They all looked at each other and Amalia wailed holding onto Becky. They thought for a moment, they are now on their own.