(Balla's POV)
"You have to keep moving!" Xander leans on me heavily, his breathing deep and labored.
"B-balla," Blood splatters on his lips as he speaks. "I just...just need a rest..."
"Xander, I'm sorry," I pull him further onto my back, all but carrying him now. "But we don't have time for a rest!"
"But-" A massive explosion behind us sends the both of us flying.
I push myself up into a sitting position at the base of the tree where I landed. To my left, Xander is lying disturbingly still. His head hit the tree, blood fountaining from his split scalp.
Shouts and raised voices from behind me decide it. I stand, swaying a little, and prepare my spell, ice crystals dancing along my fingertips.
(Sebastian's POV)
"Master, here's the newspaper." I hand the boy earl the rolled up sheaf.
"Thank you, Sebastian." Ciel quickly unrolls it, scans the paper, and shoves it back at me. "Sebastian, look into this, if you don't mind."
"Hmm?" I blink and take the paper from him. I scan the article he's referring to, picking out only what is important.
City of Ethera, City of the Sages, Destroyed. Noble Family Dead. Heir to the Title on the Run. A description of the next head of the family is included: female, slender, 5'6", long brunette hair, blue eyes, last seen wearing tattered green dress *Skilled Sage, Class One!
"So, this person stands accused of the murder of her family and the destruction of the city her family runs?" I hand Ciel the paper back and pour him his tea.
"Yes, a rather serious accusation. One the queen will not take lightly, but before I take action against this woman," Ciel takes a sip of his tea. "I'd like to take a look for myself."