Quinn

Downstairs, I scurried across the corridor, passing one of the double doors to the dining hall. I noted there were still a lot of people inside, having a fine time. Obviously, Aldric had not ended the celebration yet. But of course, there wasn't any need to if that abnormal movement was not a threat. Aldric would have already acted if it were.

I went into the watchtower and took the elevator up to the top floor where the security control room was located. At the door, a soldier bowed as he said, "My lady," and then opened the door for me.

As I stepped in, I noted that there were several important Norsewood members here. Apart from Aldric, there was Uncle Colt, Mark, Allan, Jacob, Theo, Connor, Elio, and Vincent.

I walked up to Aldric and asked, "Vicky told me there's an abnormal movement?"

Everyone turned at the sound of my voice, including Aldric.

"Lassie," Uncle Colt said. "You came up, huh?"

Aldric, with his face impassive, nodded and said, "It's unusual to see them this close to the border."

I flicked my eyes to the large screen where I saw black and dark purple that was the background of the landscape with a hue of magenta to red orange to bright yellow that indicated thermal heat of living beings. Those ones running in a horde, they were obviously monsters.

"What are those?" I asked.

"Since they're so active at this time of the night," Theo said, "they'd be the night trolls."

"Are they moving their hunting ground closer to our border?" I asked.

"They do that often," Connor said. "Push into our border, as long as there is prey."

"We humans are their prey, lassie," Uncle Colt said.

"But there shouldn't be people living anywhere else in Norsewood except for the lodge, let alone close to the border," I said. "We've rescued all the stranded, haven't we?"

"I assure you, my dear, that we have," Jacob said. "However, that there looked like a man to me."

I turned to the screen again and saw a smaller being in a bright red, orange, and yellow hue sprinting away from the night trolls. The man did a zigzag here and there and then turned to fight a few off, kicking them in the gut and sending them flying across to the other side.

"It's Juan!" Aldric said, his tone tense. "I know the way he fights."

"Indeed, no ordinary man would be able to send a night troll flying, let alone four, like that," Theo said. "Unless he's a Templeton."

"I knew it!" Mark said. "He and his men did encounter trouble."

Aldric turned to look at me for a split second, and knowing what needed to be done, I nodded. To his men, he made his commands, the likes of which I had never seen him do before.

"Send the alert to the soldiers. Theo, Elio, Vincent, you come with me. Connor, you're in charge of the military department while I'm gone."

"Aye, my lord," Connor said.

"Aye, my lord," the others said.

Since this was the first time they were heading out to rescue soldiers being attacked by monsters, I knew it'd be dangerous, and I said, "Aldric, the drones." I turned to Chris Orson, the head of the Watchtower and Surveillance Department. "Send the drones with the rescue team. It will help with finding the missing soldiers and keeping tabs on the monsters. Also, don't forget the tracking and communication devices."

"Aye, my lady," Chris said.

"We'll make sure every soldier has their trackers on, my lady," Vincent said, and he and the others left the room.

I turned to Aldric and said, "Please be careful."

He nodded and with a hand gently on my chin, he planted a light kiss on my lips. When he moved back, he said, "Don't worry, we'll return by tomorrow evening."

"Mm-hmm." I nodded, and then he, too, left.

I sighed and turned my gaze to the screen, noting that Juan, or what bright red, orange, and yellow colors was of his human form from the infrared camera of the drone, was still running away from the horde of night trolls chasing him, and I prayed that Aldric would get to him soon. But I knew that it would take at least four to five hours on horseback to get to the southeastern border of Norsewood, even with the newly enhanced steeds.

"Lassie, it's no use you standing there worrying," Uncle Colt said. "It'll only tire you."

Jacob nodded. "You should be in bed and getting your beauty sleep, lassie."

Mark nodded. "Leave everything here to us. If anything is concerning, we'll inform you. It'll only upset Aldric if you tired yourself out waiting for him. You know how strong he is. Those night trolls won't stand a chance."

I nodded. Yes, I knew how strong Aldric was, even more so now with his magic. Not to mention Theo, Elio, and Vincent, and of course, the other soldiers, too. I really didn't have anything to worry about.

"All right. I'll leave things here in your hands then," I said and headed out the door.

Up at the penthouse, I went into the living area to see both Elizabeth and Maria, already in their casual wear again instead of their gowns, although their faces and hair were still dolled up. They stood when they saw me, and Maria said, "We heard about the emergency."

Curious, I asked, "From who?"

Elizabeth said, "We were retiring for the night when Liam was called to the military hall."

I sat on the sofa, feeling exhausted suddenly. I wondered if Liam would volunteer to join the rescue team. He was fond of doing that, and since he was such a great healer, Aldric no doubt would put him at the top of the list of recruits.

Maria came to sit beside me and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Lord Aldric will be fine. Liam will be fine. They'll be back by tomorrow evening, no doubt."

"Tomorrow evening. That's what Aldric said."

"How about I make you a cup of hot cocoa?" Elizabeth said.

I nodded eagerly.

I slept fitfully that night and when I woke, I felt out of sorts. Since I didn't feel like having breakfast at the dining hall with everyone else, I told the penthouse maid, Patricia, to bring mine up to my room. She must have informed the ever so concerned Mrs. Beverly Kerr, the head maid of Norsewood Manor and Grayson's wife, because she herself plus two other maids bustled into the room.

I was still in my pajamas with bed hair and dark circles under my eyes when they appeared. While the maids brought around the food cart and started serving me my meal, Beverly said, as she propped me up and fluffed pillows behind me, "I just knew this day would come. You work far too hard, and now look, you're breaking down. With your flimsy frame, it's no wonder. Like I gently reminded you many times, you must designate yourself at least two lady's maids to serve your needs, especially during times such as this, you need them. Lord Aldric won't forgive me if anything were to happen to you. I won't forgive myself if anything were to happen to you, my lady."

I smiled, amused at Beverly's rant. She had always been like this since we had moved into Norsewood Lodge, reminding me to get myself lady's maids to take care of me, which I had never needed. But I supposed I should acquire at least one, or maybe two? After all, when Norsewood revived and there'd be important people visiting, for business and such, it wouldn't look good, would it? I guessed it also came in useful during times such as this, as Beverly mentioned. Of course, there was always Elizabeth and Maria.

I picked up the spoon, my eyes on the bowl of chicken rice porridge before me. This dish was always good for times like this. Hearty yet light and tasty.

I dug right in while Beverly sat by my side, making sure I emptied the bowl, which I did. Gosh, she was a mother hen, for sure. Once she and one of the maids left, taking the food cart with them, I headed into the bathroom with the other maid, Jane, hovering over me and waiting on me hand and foot as instructed by Beverly.

"I won't be long," I said as I shut the door of the bathroom.

"You'll call for me if you need anything, my lady?" Jane asked.

She was obviously around my age, and by that I meant my Quinn Chen's age, and she looked so damn eager and pleased to be put in a position to serve me.

I said, with a grin on my face, "I sure will."