When darkness greeted her sight and her chest had gotten tight, she had all the reasons to have a fright.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7Uc6TLcoO
The air wouldn’t go in, no matter how many times she gasped for it. Instead, dirt and vile stench were all she’s inhaling. Wet earth. She could feel them on her tongue, squirming as she heaved. Some had rolled their way into her throat. Moist and crumbly—perhaps the soil, or worse, perhaps other things. Worms, maggots, anything. Why it’s there in the first place was a mystery to wonder. She coughed it out a few times before it suffocated her any further.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOOvSrp8Nd
Her arms flailed, thrashing around only to bump the surface all over her. The surrounding felt familiar against her skin. It was wooden, hard, and thick, enclosing her in like a box. Or a chest. Or a coffin.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwnHaHTJ7f
Coffin. The mere thought made her shudder.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPmK2tDOF1
I'm not dead yet, aren't I…?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBQr6ITvQH
Once, twice, three times. She pushed and pushed but the barrier wouldn’t budge. Not even an inch. Soon, came the growing panic, the whirling sensation in her head became overwhelming. Dizzy. She could feel death approaching.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3d6KoNE7V
“Hey!” she screamed. Perhaps anyone would hear her distress call. But to her dread, her voice was stuck in her throat. Again and again, she yelled. No use. Nothing came out except for a wheezing noise of her asthmatic gasps. She began to lay punches, hoping to make a tiny bit of a fracture.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXLgHOKlCp
However, the more she struck the wooden topside, the more dirt fell through. A similar consistency of what’s once inside her mouth flopped onto her face.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf1cH7UACL
Soil? Where am I? Am I buried?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmOvsyTgc1
Her fear escalated as there’s nothing she could do to breach the casket. Her palm roamed all over the impeding structure, looking for some sort of gap to break away. But there was nothing. No panel, latch, handle, nothing at all.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6YWnGK71n
Except for the rift across her face, right where the ground poured through.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoCyAjFvTi
She slipped her hand. The vertical opening was too small. Only three of her fingers managed to get outside. She could feel the damp earth. Moving up and down, her digits touched something chunky. Something she could not make of.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbE5G7EznR
The texture was recognizable. There’s only one thing with such twisted fibrous strands—a rope. Someone had laid a rope horizontally across the surface. The supple cord wouldn’t bend no matter how many times she nudged it. This must be the thing that held the casket tightly.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡByXAvlggsi
I need to cut it down!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZGfxhzdMs
Again, her hands wandered around. There must be something she could use. Something sharp. Wood fragments, a stone, a splinter, anything. Unfortunately, there was nothing other than the ragged outfit on her body. Not even footwear wrapped around her feet. Meanwhile, as seconds passed and the walls inside her chest stiffened, she began to panic.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Da8khMUF
No, no, I don’t want to die, not like this!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvdB5JWm0o
She grabbed the fold of her tabard, loosening the collar in hope to breathe easier. She knew it was futile. Tight or not, clothes or no clothes, it’d be the same. There was little to no air to begin with. Perhaps it’s best to just give into the abyss.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEolUWDt9p
She was ready to accept the inevitable when her elbow poked something below her garment, a solid object with a definite shape right on her left waist. She pulled it out from its nesting place.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFtzQBU8oO
It was a dagger.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2j1EpLALL
A glimpse of hope returned to her. At last. A means of a way out. Whether it’d be favorable or not, she had to try. Clinging into a tiny spark of optimism, she inserted the blade into the gaping fissure.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrpnMkkqNt
Thank Goddess…!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9jj0Vd9k
It fitted. Clumsily, she dragged the blade back and forth. Hands trembled that she couldn’t even cut properly. Ramming and ramming, the tear on the leash gradually became imminent.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XmmY0LKBx
Come on. Come on, just a bit more…copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAYWYLgib3
Her grip on the weapon became unsteady. The chest pain was unbearable she could feel her lungs closing in. A few seconds more and she would depart from this life.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1NWk6Xgk6
…now!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm3WI2XuNy
With her remaining strength, she gave the casket the strongest push she could make. She was prepared to embrace the air, but, to her horror, as the lid tossed open, a heap of soil collapsed through, smothering her altogether. Desperately, she clawed her way out as her throat filled with dirt once more.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j90g7MwqX
The sunlight welcomed her sight once she emerged from beneath. Rolling over, she threw herself flat on the ground, coughing and spitting lumps of earthen masses out of her mouth. Finally, she could breathe again. The expulsion had freed her air passage clear. Up and down, up and down. Her chest raised and fell with every breath she took.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdZnajt7AO
Closing her eyes, she began to regain composure. Breathing was never been this delightful. Like a luxury, she did her best savoring all the fresh air she could. She didn’t dare to imagine what’d happen if she didn’t come out sooner. Or if no dagger was there to save her soul.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaai6Tl4n8
The dagger.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpsMqIUcel
She snapped her eyes open. It’s still there within her grasp. She brought it closer to her face. Suddenly, flashes of images started appearing inside her head.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Py9cJsGQ2
People. People with pitchforks. People rallied with weapons. Screaming, crying, wailing. Fire. Huge fire. Hanging ropes. Bodies on the hanging ropes. People threw rocks at her, people threw rocks at…them. Someone grabbed her by the hair, pouring something into her mouth. Something hit her on the back. Darkness.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5dFnkzIoX
Who?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1mjNN2IZh
She shook her head. No faces. She couldn’t see faces in those images. It was a blur all over.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ396BijlLZb
What happened? Why am I here?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuh1aFlJoK
She tried to stand up but her legs gave way. Beads of sweat rolled down her forehead as she glanced at her side.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfL3zzQChQ
The shallow grave she just broke through. One amongst many others. Five. There were five of them, laid side by side six feet underground. All of the burials looked recent. The dead seemed to have suffered the same fate as her.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk00Wijh4i
Who are these people?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTNKVXpgGN
Her heart pounded faster.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n3MqDlhfD
…Why am I the only one alive?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78X78Tqrbu
Holding the flagon closely, she finished her drink in one swig. Her hooded figure observed the whole tavern. The reek of alcohol and meat mixed with old boots and sweat wasn’t exactly unusual to look about. Something else had piqued her interest.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEoxpjvPzb
The atmosphere. The expressions. The behavior of the patrons. Everything was different than weeks ago, the last time she visited. Men and women, young and elderly, everyone seemed to be in a festive ambiance. They danced, clapped, and sang along with the minstrels, unaware of a pair of eyes watching from the corner.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAzGnZkJgz
“Not feeling the party, eh?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoHjvQdWio
She turned her gaze to find a man stood by the table, pointing at the stool beside her.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡr23PAt85iI
“May I sit here?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWjQDGQXp6
The man was holding a decanter in his hand. He wore peasant attire and a felt hat, looking harmless enough. She then nodded.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMve514jXm
“Want some?” he offered the drink in his metal jug, noticing her empty glass. She flatly refused.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡIopLdZem5x
“So why don’t you dance? Or sing along?” he asked again, attempting to initiate a conversation. The man didn’t seem to catch on her demeanor. This irked her since she wanted to be alone. But then again, she had to keep her calm or risked making a scene around. Perhaps this man could provide information she’s been looking for.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mtnd6433u
“I don’t know what I shall celebrate for.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAgFOmHSFE
“Huh? You don’t feel happy with our victory?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn3E9hDoDJ
“Is this what it’s all about? I keep hearing vampires being spoken.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH5p5jw9mA
“Ah,” the man clicked his tongue, “not from here, are you? Let me guess, a merchant?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxaUdZgURW
“Yes, from the north. Last week I heard the southern border is open for trade so I came here.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7jCLtTpRw
“It is. Damn, I envy you traders. Haven’t had a chance to go beyond the outpost myself. My work prevents me from leaving town,” he poured ale into her flagon, “my treat. Enjoy.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NeedkxKuU
“Thank you.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8rw2Fvjzn
“Deep Woods is one hell of a trouble. Still, can’t believe we finally open the border. How was your journey?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8uyKf2DFT
“Fine, I guess. I got lost so many times.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNHp2VKzFe
“Deep Woods is Deep Woods. Sometimes you can go in but not go out,” he raised his mug to his lips, “no vampire attacks?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1nWxpB3Ia
She shook her head and sipped her drink.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYiVw3byHQ
“Heh, of course not. Cause we’ve killed them all. Every last one of them.” He smirked, “Still, welcome to Svaros, though. Not much in here. We’re still recovering but hope you enjoy your stay.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSEahG52gL
“Those vampires, I thought they’re extinct already?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMEHj3imM
“They are. Not their sodding spawns, though. You know the halfbreeds?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNKMIhPTQx
“I’ve heard stories. They can walk in the daylight and all those things.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjpotH5yJl
“Well let me tell you. The southern border was closed for a long time because of those animals,” he eyed the barmaid behind the counter, “what’s worse, they could be anyone and we never knew about it.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡj075EOpI7M
He finished his drink and poured for another.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBzfnhxdbn
“Those…abominations. Mating with humans. How disgusting,” he growled, “first thing they’re your spouse, your friend, your neighbors, next thing they’re beasts. Draining your herds dry and kidnapping your children. That feeling when you had a traitor among your own people…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVH9kaRpIA
She kept listening.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2BS8fHxYO
“Every month,” he looked at her in the eyes, “we sent search parties to the woods. None returned. Grieving widows and widowers everywhere. Took my Gonzo too last year.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtpTINbg0m
“Your family?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡELilVCvM1e
“My goat,” He gulped another glass, “sodding bloodthirsty demons preying on us poor folks. I raised that thing for years and it’s gone in one night!”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNgYFpdmWc
"Why didn’t the king send his Paladin Knights? They used to hunt vampires long ago."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgFBaoolEp
“He doesn’t care about us, young lady. He doesn’t care about southern lands. Hell, nobody does except for peddlers like you. Bet he doesn’t even know our messengers never made it to Irkalla! Bah, have to fend for ourselves all the time.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡIib0D6D9SF
His eyes started to turn red as his speech became a slur. All those shots had finally taken control.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfsEd83rv0
“But tell you what, that doesn’t matter anymore, eh? You merchants are here. We rebuild. People are happy. And those things are sodding dead.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGhjirIHMn
“How can you be sure? You said anyone could be a halfbreed?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vFivjo8th
“Did you pass by the gallows? There we hung their chieftain and his underlings,” he said, “joined the militia myself. Drew them into our trap like a blind fish they’re.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQwguKoycT
“All of them?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQAQ9ShSz4
“Some escaped. But we followed them to their camps. Burned them to the ground. Left no one alive,” he said again, “now it’s been two weeks and still no attack. We did it, you see. We won.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGzVY5fmeI
She left the tavern after putting a few bronze coins on the table. The man had gotten even more intoxicated and started to make his way to the barmaid, leaving her alone in her seat. It didn’t matter. She’d heard enough. The plan had worked. Effortlessly so. Knowing that nothing she did for the town of Svaros was in vain, she could finally go back to her research, to her cure.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2yai3VHC7
Nothing can stop me now.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbYa183j0C
Food…water…copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfiXag3pDh
Four days. Four days she dragged her feet through the forest, or so she thought. She remembered witnessing four sunrises without a drop of water. The riverside path she took was as dry as a desert. It's as if this barren land was left by humans long ago, leaving it untouched and desolated. On top of that, not a single animal could be seen. Even insects seemed to have migrated somewhere else.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hjGsCKojm
She had lost any sense of direction. First, she went to the north when it turned to be nothing but wilted jungle. Another time she decided to walk east, following the sunrise, again it was all lifeless trees. This bleak woodland appeared to be endless no matter how far she ventured. After the fourth sunrise, she just stopped counting as her body became weaker and her mind grew emptier. She was like a walking vessel with death lurking closer.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUxt5zB8SC
She stood on a ledge overlooking the whole woods. The darkness limited her already feeble eyesight. Only dense, desiccated ground as far as one could see.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgR3e2khsY
Where am I?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAgThIv16P
The night air pierced her skin. She trembled when the wind blew slightly. Cold. Her tattered clothing and barefooted state provided no warmth to her body. Her grip on the dagger loosened as she shivered. She could only watch as the knife fell out her hands, hit against a rock and came off the ridge.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCKW6PwIYo
No…!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJFbMUe7cG
Her body reflexively jumped forward, attempting to catch the only thing she had. However, without grasping anything to hold on, she failed to keep her balance and slipped off the edge.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LhlEy4aAb
Then, everything happened so fast.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YOKVUArCy
The woods rustled as she tumbled for what felt like forever, rolling down hitting trees and branches along the way. She lost control of her own body. It’s as if she wouldn’t stop falling through the air.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXhw94qnbC
Halfway down, the trees gave way and before she knew it, she was hurtling over the dry grass, earth, and rocks, until her body run into a large tree stump and she finally fell into darkness.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4holC2UHcu
She woke up by the sounds of anvils and hammers. An unfamiliar view greeted her sight. The stained walls, wooden furniture, and those bookcases were nothing she’d seen before her eyes.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdtHXpByQe
What…?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GcoclsDJE
There’s that sound again. The clanging metals. She looked around. The windows were open wide. Curious, she tried to sit up. A cracking noise of her bones could be heard somewhere in her back.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNVD9yG4gT
I’m still alive…?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡz963Q4ssCi
She stared outside.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJZT7beAOY
There was a metalworking shack across the street. An old man with a lavish beard was giving instructions to the three teenagers before him—a girl and two boys—seemingly to be his apprentices. He was praising her for hammering the iron right and asking the others to follow through.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4L9IVIp0Y
Where am I?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz7pCXt4p5
The neighborhood was full of mercantile establishments. She could see the forge, armorer, potter, tailor, butcher, and so on. People went back and forth with their carts and baskets. Children were playing in the street, chasing after each other with what appeared to be wooden sticks. She heard them saying ‘My turn! My turn to be the Dragonbane!’ While some of the adults yelled for them to move out the way.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6PmZWxewm
How did I come here?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLrYVaUDzU
She swallowed. The last thing she saw was the massive stump before the blackout. She didn’t remember being near any civilization before. There must be someone who’d come to her rescue.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRuJh7HKb7
Who brought me here?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡQydFVdCts8
While she was deep in thought, suddenly the door creaked open. She turned to find a brunette woman in white smock under a brown kirtle. In her hands were a book and a sack of something unknown. They looked at each other for a few seconds before her brows creased in shock,copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFThDPsys1
“You shouldn’t be up yet…!”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4TXOa4vVg
She didn’t know where to begin.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLPQrK43dw
Laid on the table was an amount of food one would expect to be several days’ worth. At the sight of what appeared to be some roast her mouth watered. On the side, plates of potatoes, cheese, sausages, and pickles with a basket of bread stared back at her. The wafting aroma kept luring, calling out her famished soul. She couldn’t keep her hands any longer.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3c6kPVMon
Without hesitation she grabbed the pork leg, ripping a chunk off with her teeth.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡORsHOgSSMN
The brunette stood by the bookcase with her arms folded, watching in amusement. No words were exchanged. Only glances. She didn’t care if the woman would judge her in silence. She didn’t even care being watched gnawing clean on the bones. Everything, even the grease and pickle juice flowed through her fingers were ambrosial. As if losing control, her body moved on its own, stuffing her face like it’s her last meal on earth.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ozYe1Ij4V
“I wonder when was the last time you saw food,” the woman spoke after a long silence. In her voice was a mix of awe and wonder. Meanwhile, she only looked at her wordlessly while munching on another handful of sausage links. The brunette continued to stare at her, hand on her mouth, obviously holding back her laughter. Perhaps she was still thinking about the loud stomach grumble she heard moments ago.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhY2njRi6g
A clump of meat got stuck in her throat as she moved onto the next plate. Along with the surging air, the pressure pulled the muscle of her chest. Weird noises started to come out of her mouth.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU79CVpvOb
“Good lord,” she saw the woman rushed to the door, “I’ll get you more water.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXASVPTD8Y
Dropping the bread, she snatched the napkin nearby. Eyes winced every time her body jerked in a spasm. She regretted having eaten way too fast like that.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYfx0CQSVX
“Here, hold your breath and drink slowly,” she returned with a metal carafe. She could feel the woman’s hand stroke her back lightly as she drank.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BSgLubaZ0
Only when the hiccups died down, she realized the disaster on the table. Plates, bowls, scraps, grease, and carcasses spread everywhere in a disarray manner. Guilt washed her. Hunger had taken over her conscience that she’d forgotten she was in someone else’s home.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiXWbSM5wU
“Do you wanna eat more?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35TiDUVtNR
She shook her head. Her stomach felt full by just looking at the ruins before her. That was a lot of food. No normal person would satiate such amount of helping in one sitting. Sick and amazed at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel disgusted with herself.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWtjceNooN
“Alright, then,” she began taking the plates, “I’ll be back in a minute.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL6lIheumL
“Wait.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqQjItdEX1
To her surprise, her voice had returned. Though it’s still hoarse and somewhat inhuman, it was strange to finally talk after what felt like forever. She made a sound in between a cough and a sharp inhale in attempt to clear her gorge.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpYYIacwyB
“Let me help, please.” She said again, much clearer this time.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXnqj5IxA4
“I don’t think you’re able to walk just yet,” the woman nodded towards her legs, “you didn’t notice the bandages?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZvaieEwSC
She immediately looked below and found beige cotton fabric wrapped neatly around her right knee. A brownish stain could be seen in the middle, presumably dried blood.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo1wmJGzgf
“Wh—what happened…?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAcy0vDJ3d
“I don’t know. Did you trip and fall or something? I found you here with your ligament torn already.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmdjwwxa2p
Her lips parted in a daze, “That…that bad…?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAOO6bxNKO
“You’re technically crippled right now.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WofupL88P
She could only watch in silence as the brunette continued to wipe the table. And in that moment, instead of being a helping hand, her body decided to release a reflex, expelling a blob of foul gas in the form of a very loud belch.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWczfI5NT8
“S—sorry!”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGJ1uQc2DX
The woman shook her head in disbelief. Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to crawl back into the grave. copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGTfWnEIwN
"You’re in Ceville.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSJJsZsxMm
She turned away from the window and found the woman stood at the bedside, looking at her with a smile.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ2p0xfdzT
“My name is Morgana.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqz4GwrkeY
"Morgana..."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LQRviRXQE
“You’ve been staring outside the whole time. Figured you must be wondering where you are.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwDmWETcSt
“No, I was just...well, yes. Yes, I was,” she blinked in confusion, “how…how did I come here?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52UF7AbzVp
“To my house? Elder Nerida wants me to look after you.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3bnVGGNEw
“Elder Nerida?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX35j0JdcC
“The village’s elder,” Morgana sat down, putting her palm on her forehead, “hmm, your temperature is normal.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiFAYMb9l6
“Is something wrong?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSaLf6rWT5
“No. The opposite even. It surprised me that you woke up a day earlier than I expected.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk3vpnw9AI
“A day earlier? How long was I asleep…?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh1rSZd39y
“Two days. You’re unconscious when the villagers brought you to my door.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIrltHrVDk
“Ah…” she looked at her leg again. Slowly, she tried to move it around. Painful. She bit her lips. The ache made her eyes begin to water. Morgana noticed what she’s doing and stopped her right away.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15F5B5s7f3
“Don’t. Unless you want to make it worse,” she adjusted it back up, “you’ll be able to walk in several weeks.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1kSsdRGh0
That sounded like a really long time. She sighed and looked at Morgana again. Her eyes—green eyes were examining the bandage closely. Faint dark circles rested below those eyes. She could see tiny freckles across her turned-up nose and high cheekbones from this distance. Her downturned lips were of the light shade of red sandstone. She wore her hair in a side braid, loosely hung around her shoulder. Her pale skin was a little reddish, possibly from being outdoor working under the sun. The woman was fairly thin—her collarbones were prominent against her skin. If she had to guess, Morgana probably was around the same age as her, if not younger.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrJGMdne81
“How did you end up in Ravaged Woods?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡza6efIkHQz
“Ravaged Woods?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHB6z4jqLA
“They said they found you there lying on the ground.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡr02aHPo53w
Ravaged Woods. So that’s the place she was lost in. No wonder it bore such a dreadful name, suitably so. It did look like something had pillaged and caused such extensive destruction to the whole forest. To find a civilization such as Ceville beyond the area was like a mirage, like an oasis in the middle of a wasteland.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CHcRWVcEL
“I…” she mashed her lips together, not knowing what to say, “…I broke through my grave.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpsnv1sPsd
“Excuse me?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUer5Vgt0k
“I woke up inside a casket. I think—I think I was supposed to be dead or something…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06XHjODe1h
Morgana stared at her with her forehead wrinkled,copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NHsbcuE1X
“You’re actually serious.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrR5SW19p1
“That must’ve sounded crazy,” she sighed, rubbing her temples, “I wish I was joking. I don’t understand what happened myself.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp8q6rfKGg
“Why would you be dead?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G4I9gVEUX
She shrugged, “I’m not sure. So I just kept walking. Next thing I knew I was in that…dead woods.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMotShqTqP
Suddenly, she remembered the second before her body fell off the edge. The reason why she lost her balance in the first place.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUf3kmvA7b
The dagger!copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8RVR0cNE7
Her fingers immediately crept into her pockets. Nothing. Moving inside her robe, again, nothing. The fold of her girdle, the backside, everywhere. Nothing. Nowhere. That thing must’ve lost somewhere, laid deep in Ravaged Woods.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgT9JMr9GS
“Hey, hey, are you alright?” Morgana saw her mumbling to herself in a state of distress.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCMfF7CaHJ
“…no way.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡlySduKeGyT
“What is it?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj9HtTuU3b
“I lost it!”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3NzjsHVDo
“What?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZXydsir9Q
“My dagger…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXauFDn9yr
As if realizing something, Morgana bolted from her seat and walked to the corner of the room—towards a wooden dresser. Fumbling around a little, she returned back to the bed.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡklu8VOBCJe
“You’re looking for this?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0peYXrrgSA
There, in her hand, a short knife with some sort of strap served as an extension on its leather scabbard. Nothing remarkable with the grip, a few scratches could be seen on the surface. The crossguard shaped like a two-headed serpent. Her eyes widened.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dxhHdV5nt
“That’s…! Wait, how did you get that…?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIO1QJPrlz
“The elder asked me to keep it before some scoundrels exchanged it for a few silvers,” Morgana handed it over, “he said they found it near your body.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmYUlWmMce
She rubbed the weapon nervously. Not believing it would return again. It was what kept her sane. As if she had any belonging worth saving.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjsUA97vev
“Thank you. Thank you for everything…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLdON3yDuU
“Not me. You should thank those children if you must.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbgb5C7rpk
“Children?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLD8GeiOKx
“You were lucky they frolicked in the woods.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJjxy6A6J5
“I—I see…” she said, “…but still, I wish there’s something I could do in return.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wgh8mTfOi
“You’ve helped me clean the pantry though,”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu4eDLsWzd
Her cheeks reddened.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTXMqvS1BC
“I’m—I’m sorry…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BynTGJMWx
Morgana chuckled, “I only patched your leg and give you my bed. It’s just part of my job.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w29KGVdCv
“You’re a physician?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ooRPTKRu
“Unregistered one. Elder Nerida is the only physician here. I’m his apprentice.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX6VlZC5Mz
“What does that mean?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR6F1RlX4X
“What, unregistered?” Morgana arched her brows, “It means I can’t perform a surgery or charge you a coin.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv3RTVGMFx
“That’s too bad. Why do you need to be registered?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2voYRoBWb
“Wait a minute,” the brunette shifted in her seat, “are you a foreigner?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz3gf57B2b
“…huh?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuHClAx2nd
“You speak like an Irkallan though. Are you a Kelredano? Gailanese?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFg64fYsQU
All those words sounded alien in her ears. She didn’t understand anything Morgana was saying.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0uHgJMolO
“I…I don’t get it?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUjhwFS4If
“You don’t seem to understand the Alchemist Guild system here.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡijUzpZOnrF
“Alchemist Guild?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5GNMXxylS
The way Morgana stared at her as if she had two heads. Suddenly, her expression turned serious.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVMGcjl4n4
“Who are you?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGnffMe4aF
“Who…am I?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtLpgymO6H
She stared at her hands in horror. No names. No places. No familiar faces. Nothing came up in mind. The only thing in her head was the vague images of the angry mob in an unknown place.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuDtaPMwUa
Who am I? What’s my name?copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeRXt6KHaV
“You don’t remember who you are,” Morgana looked at her in the eyes. It was a statement, rather than a question.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTo9jFHFuO
Her grasp on the dagger tightened as her sight began to spin. She wanted to dig deep into her memories but the effort was in vain. The harder she tried to remember, the more throbbing the headache became. It’s as if her mind rejected any attempt to reach self-cognitions. Morgana scooted closer, pushed her backwards gently, helping her lie back in bed.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnai0EtQr0K
“You must’ve received quite a blow in the head. You should rest.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAYtyszjaK
“It…hurts…!” she groaned. The dagger was dropped in an instant. It knocked onto the floor, its sheath disengaged. Morgana paused for a moment as she noticed something off. She picked it up, examining carefully.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyEDHXjoDN
“Hestia?” the brunette muttered the carved letters on the blade.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Yv1CYR3Y
The woman’s voice went straight to her head. Another flash of images rushed before her eyes. Like sequences. She heard people saying that name again and again; different voices yet still no faces. Eventually, she began to understand.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFzA983Ird
“Morgana,” she swallowed, clutching her head, “That…that’s my—I think that’s my name…”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGM6jt4DSH
Irkalla. 120 days ago.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5IpAJ1zA5
Duchess Geneive had requested an audience with Grand Paladin Irvine, the kingdom's most renowned warrior for his achievement slaying a dragon in Cadaver Hills. The meeting was not to be attended by other than the two, for it was supposed to be clandestine.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡycL7NUgQDH
"Your Excellency, Her Grace is expecting you. Please, come in." the duchess' personal servant bowed before disappeared, closing the door behind her.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46oRdIkhld
Irvine looked around. Not the first time he entered her bedchamber, yet everything never failed to amaze him. The drapery, carpets, furniture, paintings, and the fireplace. Not to mention some of her personal collection of statues and figurines. The aura of femininity with a sense of class and royalty, the place gave him a strange sense of serenity as well as chivalry. Deep down he wished the Paladin tower was as stunning with less reeks of misery.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMiHbTrdt2
"Good to see you again, Grand Paladin Irvine."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1e592ZpTD
"Your Grace, at your service," he bowed, lowering his hood. His silver hair was a contrast with the dominant red velvet of the room, shining like a sword on a bed of roses.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YJvPWdaey
"Smuggled as a nurse again, aren't you? Varna is most genius indeed."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡndlGUwAlK3
"She is certainly an amazing servant, Your Grace."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡn34C8eE8Dy
"We don't have much time. People are going to talk if you linger for too long. I want the report on the halfbreeds."copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLwvglruvF
"Preparations are complete.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TTozNVa9F
“I don't want things to get to His Majesty before it’s time. Are you sure your soldiers won’t be suspicious?"copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxIi9QwOZa
“Worry not, Your Grace. I did not tell them the true objectives. I’ll make sure your seal is delivered.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKVTfceHGK
“How can I have your word on it? I have spent so much on this expedition, Grand Paladin.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJDg8d43od
“I believe there’d be uproar if we told these soldiers what they’re facing against.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBKqUUhqJg
“Yes, people would always jump into conclusions,” the duchess sighed, “very few people understood the significance of my family’s legacy.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡB61xZhJeZp
“And I’m honored to help you continue it, Your Grace, for the better future.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm9DDhRHkf
He saw her smiled.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2QFtKALbk
“Eight garrison soldiers—new recruits. A small squad,” he said again “they will depart by sunrise.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nr3krk3Fk
“Will that be enough?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFGDijU90f
“I don’t advise to send a platoon, Your Grace. It’s best to masquerade as a small pilgrimage.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVifBL0cwc
“I see. Have one of your Paladin Knights guard them. I believe it doesn’t hurt to have a little protection.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyZYCjpXn5
Irvine cleared his throat in doubt.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRKXu2hobi
“Paladin? I—I don’t think I can provide anyone from my rank, Your Grace. That’d be too risky. I humbly apologize.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAeVPPHP2e
“No, you can. I have someone in mind.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zM1yplXmI
“And who that might be?”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DzMA3ORs0
“I believe there’s someone named Hestia. She’s as naïve as you think could be.”copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Ao2qeJgh
Cause she never disobeys orders, just like Adonis.copyright protection206ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiQLjpaEmw
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