Anevay sat in her room, neither excited or bored. The bag that she had brought with her now felt heavy. Though it somehow felt good to finally be progressing, it still felt like a thud in her chest. It was most likely the realisation that leaving Taverness meant officially leaving safety, and officially leaving their last resort before heading to the last spot on their journey in hopes to find out more: the Eastern Bay. She was content that Peita and Vastice had joined her alliance, yet a little sad that Tully and Pitér would be leaving them to look over Taverness with help of Hellen. Anevay felt like she hadn't completely got to know the pair, but she was thankful.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKxE643VTZ3
"You ready?" asked Elliot, who had come in her room without knocking - not that Ane really minded, as she could definitely need the distraction.222Please respect copyright.PENANABVQDHalVz7
"I am not complaining," shrugged the princess.222Please respect copyright.PENANAJPzL0WX41I
"Not what I asked," replied Elliot and he sat down on her bed.222Please respect copyright.PENANAGrEe4hCNg8
"I guess that I am ready," nodded Ane, "what about you?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA3ogaAFqsix
"Sure I am."222Please respect copyright.PENANA7aWxZSOYnh
"You sound determined."222Please respect copyright.PENANAS72seYyFdn
"I am," said her best friend and he looked at her. "It just feels like we are finally heading closer to our target. We will have answers in the Eastern Bay. We can rescue the world. I have faith in us."222Please respect copyright.PENANAePtMC69sYj
"I agree, yet I still am amazed by how silly this all is. We are like some cliché book that joins a bunch of people together who relatively have nothing in common."
"We do," countered Elliot, and he stood up, a tad frustrated with Ane's sudden ring of insecurity.222Please respect copyright.PENANAsIo9tIcnFx
"What do we have in common, then?" 222Please respect copyright.PENANAfx8az8azTa
"We are all in this together because we all have found the same goal in life," Elliot replied.222Please respect copyright.PENANACTryq7yGzi
"That sounds cliché," mumbled Ane, yet a smile still glided over her lips. Elliot gave her a kiss on the forehead before he left the room. "We will be waiting for you downstairs."
Dawn had passed not too long ago. Their dinner yesterday was a bliss. The food was great, the company was greater and the effect of alcohol was probably the greatest. Although the latter was debatable as it was merely based on the aftermath of it - a heap of drunk people, laughing and crying -, it was still considerably the best of the list.
Ane wandered down the stairs. The bill for the inn would be paid by Peita, so Ane merely greeted the innkeeper who waved them off with a surprisingly sad smile. Would he be sad that the group was taking off or would he be sad that the bill wouldn't be longer? Ane shrugged off the irrelevant thoughts and she joined the group outside. The sun was bright and an intense, warm heat had spread through everybody.222Please respect copyright.PENANA1QhAPSVJGw
"Hey there, princess," greeted Bethil. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAeuPeokAYlE
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," smiled Daphne. 222Please respect copyright.PENANApvsvkhlgmV
You know what, thought Anevay to herself as she looked at every single face smiling her way, I'm ready. With these people, she could definitely beat the odds.222Please respect copyright.PENANAdzo98aZYKJ
"We're going to Peita's house first," informed Livi. "We're invited there for some breakfast."222Please respect copyright.PENANALtKt2qY2Di
"Explains why we skipped breakfast in the inn," nodded Ane, and they began walking towards Peita's house. Halfway, Ane's group met Peita, Vastice and Lemennie, all waiting for them.222Please respect copyright.PENANAkXLkRUcJGP
"Good morning!" shouted Vastice. A walk and a talk later, the group was finally sat around Peita's kitchen table which wasn't big enough, so another table had to be put next to it.
"Good thing we use square tables. Round tables would have that awkward gap," muttered Peita as she set down a bunch of a bagels, fruits and condiments on the tables. A jar of water and a jar of milk was also served.
"You really went all the way for this breakfast," complimented Jarco.
"Lemennie organised it," smiled Peita. "Speaking of which, she could've helped me tons with setting this up."222Please respect copyright.PENANAW7CPWVNpOm
"Tired of organisation. Ask your brother next time," grinned Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAB2mnCGVeAI
"Enjoy your meal," Peita sighed when she finally sat down next to Anevay. The group didn't hesitate and soon a tangle of discussing people were shouting to pass the butter and pass the cheeses. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAdmn0s1hbXN
"So darling, are you ready?" asked the leader of Taverness whilst the others were in deep conversation.
"I had a bit of concerns this morning, but I am completely ready now," nodded Anevay. "And you?"
"Of course I'm ready. I've never been this ready, really," boasted Peita.222Please respect copyright.PENANA6qXxFRtKvl
"How come?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA6EV0NqwMnc
"I have never met such a determined group, princess Anevay. The ambition truly does drip from everybody's faces. It's like you are all blessed by some sort of strong willed bliss. Honestly it is very nice, it does definitely rub off lots of optimism."222Please respect copyright.PENANAkgxz7REvOF
Ane smiled as the happiness rooted within her. A broad compliment like this felt very refreshing, though not necessarily a miracle. Ane knew that her group was filled with versatility, but a bunch of determination nonetheless. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAXWz2FkjHkb
"I am flattered," she uttered after realising she hadn't responded to Peita's kind words.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKqF61ZLbHu
The group continued speaking and talking. Vastice got wrapped up in a conversation with Lewir and Marrie, Lemennie shared a lot of stories with Tully while Pitér, Jarco and Livi were discussing tactics of a certain game with Bethil, Elliot and Daphne, and Anevay and Peita got intertwined in a conversation about the majestic animals in the realm. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAJhvsMzE8Xu
Breakfast was soon over. The plates were empty, the glasses were empty, everything was empty aside from their overloaded stomachs. A silence soon dropped over the table as if everybody was recovering from the attack on their taste buds, but it was quickly broken by Lemennie whose tone quickly set the mood to a way more serious atmosphere.222Please respect copyright.PENANAXy7kYBXV2A
"You are all here for a big thing, right?" she asked.222Please respect copyright.PENANAs7Ph80KLmY
Everybody nodded.222Please respect copyright.PENANAyz0UnKGeSF
Lemennie looked around the room. Not one face hesitated. She was content with that answer. It had been a while since she had seen travellers so ambitious and with a mindset so pure and strong.222Please respect copyright.PENANAf4SRNisX5o
"Do you trust each other enough?" she asked.222Please respect copyright.PENANAhvFx0O3BhV
"Of course," replied Ane.
"Is that so? Care to prove it?"
"Lemennie -"222Please respect copyright.PENANAkMdBGVPuU7
"Hush, Vastice," said Lemennie surprisingly kind. She stood up. "Let's clean the table. Then let's talk."222Please respect copyright.PENANAflZZrePB3o
After a good set of a teamwork all the dishes were clean and placed back in the cupboards. They had chattered and sang along to the music that came out a weird, mechanic box that played frivolous tunes, but all of them except Peita, Vastice and Lemennie were concerned with what exactly the demon had meant.222Please respect copyright.PENANAzPWIzf3WDP
The entire group was seated around the two square tables again with cups of water, and they were facing Lemennie, some more nervous than others. Lemennie, in the contrary, seemed to be a source of calmness that waved over the group.222Please respect copyright.PENANAPW8y1ch8YV
"Answer me this," she began. "What is the most secret thing to a man nowadays?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAwMst2rDFfj
"Their junk?" muttered Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANA7AmtwvUsN3
Lemennie smiled, but only a little, and then shook her head. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAnqPA0XipCC
"The location of their treasure?" tried Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKLETltBQtc
Lemennie's cheeky grin grew on her face whilst shaking her head.222Please respect copyright.PENANAQXEKuSBM9Y
"Care to just tell them, Lemennie?" uttered Peita.222Please respect copyright.PENANAOT1bcrgcez
"Well. I'll give you one more hint. It's the root of all history."222Please respect copyright.PENANAtdijoE7eml
"Of course," mumbled Elliot. "Our... our family names."222Please respect copyright.PENANA7hcqPJi0ig
Lemennie nodded, and smiled proudly in Elliot's direction.222Please respect copyright.PENANATwm5mpIHdG
"What exactly are you asking?" asked Jarco.222Please respect copyright.PENANA1MNhTwvgDt
"Do you expect us to spill our family names?" added Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAxHv82lI4eA
"How do you guys trust each other so much to survive the Wilderness without even knowing each other's family names?" replied Lemennie. "It is crucial."222Please respect copyright.PENANATV89AqOEzE
"I guess I see where you're coming from, but are you sure this is the best way?" asked Daphne.222Please respect copyright.PENANARIDA7YJIjQ
"Oh, darling, I know you've got a lot to hide from us. That is exactly why we're going to come clear now. To work out any possible loose ends that might be a burden later," Lemennie said.222Please respect copyright.PENANAGjypZ994SE
It was arguably a proper way of actually doing what Lemennie intended to do, but still a risky one. Daphne didn't really want to come clear right now. What if the wrong people were here? That made them all realise what Lemennie said was true. They had blindly trusted each other just because they shared a similar goal and wouldn't be too content with the outcome of possible betrayal anyhow. Could they really trust each other when more of the surface would arise?
The group shared some worried glares. Some glances of distrust and concern. Anevay noticed this the most. What Lemennie was doing was a sharp jolt in the heart of the group, but somewhere it was necessary. To be able to get to know each other really well. To see if there was anything kept hidden from the rest that shouldn't have been hidden in the first place.222Please respect copyright.PENANAmbvkC7PiLM
"I am in," said Anevay with a determined nod - probably a bit too determined, making it quite the bluff. Yet then again, what did Ane have to lose?222Please respect copyright.PENANA900sQVXDkN
Everybody tuned in with the idea and Peita shared a meaningful yet indecipherable glance with Lemennie. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAFWHIu05u34
"I'll start off," said Lemennie. "My name is Lemennie Albatrós."222Please respect copyright.PENANAdH8ng5l8OW
"Albatrós is the mightiest branch of semi-demons that are alive in this age," responded Jarco thoughtfully.222Please respect copyright.PENANAtXi9w8ATO3
"They are feared by many. Are you proud of your reputation?" asked Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANATU38ytgbkq
"Of course," nodded Lemennie. "I pick Livi next."222Please respect copyright.PENANAXl5LdK0WZn
"We get to pick?" scowled Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANAsDyYOECSWH
"Just to ease the progress," nodded the demon.222Please respect copyright.PENANAtBA4IlxrLq
"Fine," grumbled Livi. "I'm Livi Korhonal."222Please respect copyright.PENANAHSOjfqmbYF
"Roots from the ancient North, I'm assuming?" guessed Peita.222Please respect copyright.PENANAkLuU8X2SGJ
"Sure. The ancient vikings, as they're called. That's my family line," sighed Livi. She felt naked, exposed. How dreadful.222Please respect copyright.PENANA64kq7po2cX
"Who do you pick next?" asked Vastice.222Please respect copyright.PENANA95SZ8FZYfg
"I'll go with you then. And Peita, as you're twins."222Please respect copyright.PENANAy6gtrnYdtM
"Oathcloak," smiled Vastice. "Vastice and Peita Oathcloak".222Please respect copyright.PENANALD7Lw0z56o
"Sounds pretty," murmured Marrie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAH2ipXspXHb
"Lewir," decided Vastice.222Please respect copyright.PENANAY3A2JwktxR
Lewir seemed hesitant for a solid while, until he sighed deeply. "Piryce."222Please respect copyright.PENANA42qAj6KHBS
Marrie choked on the water and she heard the name. 222Please respect copyright.PENANA9idCOZsqYC
"Piryce?!" she scowled.222Please respect copyright.PENANAS0g393rcn0
"What's wrong with Piryce?" asked Bethil, worried.222Please respect copyright.PENANAqeWHeAdWkn
"The Piryce family killed my ancestors after my parents were born," snapped Marrie. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAbCcOb7lhvD
While Lewir remained defensive and Marrie got heated up, Ane noticed the seemingly blank expression of Lemennie as she watched the two tear things apart. Ane knew that this wasn't her intention, but an expectation nonetheless. Lemennie knew that this could've happened. Was it a good idea to have gone through this before the Wilderness or would it have been a better idea to reveal everything afterwards? Ane couldn't help but flow together with Lemennie's idea. It was good that Lewir and Marrie could fight out the feud of their ancestors now instead of later. However, that didn't make them any less bitter.222Please respect copyright.PENANASynATbLE8y
"Who do you pick, Lewir?" asked Lemennie after a while.222Please respect copyright.PENANAizpytKg0Nb
"Marrie," muttered Lewir.222Please respect copyright.PENANAP2Z9a55PmA
"Latiènne," spilt Marrie after a while of bottled fury.222Please respect copyright.PENANAFSiHvlGn6X
Lewir and Marrie didn't tear their icy faces off each other and instead Marrie just said the next name.222Please respect copyright.PENANArjh6Lg5is9
"Jarco," she said.222Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ3QKop128
It was silent for a minute, and heads turned to Jarco, who was fidgeting with his cup of water.222Please respect copyright.PENANAml6NL1xFc8
"Jarco?" questioned Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAHSmda4MHsI
"Sofrey..." he sighed eventually.222Please respect copyright.PENANA6nqntlOe90
Now it was Lewir's turn to gasp for air. He snapped his neck towards Jarco and he faced him with an intense frown. Nobody knew what the tension was all about, so they just watched and wondered if the tension would eventually explode.222Please respect copyright.PENANAGilQNmYrz8
"I don't think -" began Daphne, but her sentence was shut down when Jarco called her name.222Please respect copyright.PENANAINPS9vBNuS
"Your turn," he said.222Please respect copyright.PENANALFDbliVlA4
All eyes were on Daphne now. "Heathguard," she eventually said, surprisingly calm.222Please respect copyright.PENANAR1eJAJL650
"I see. Druidic roots, no?" asked Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAIwHtkZP5AR
"Correct," nodded Daphnelle. "Does anybody have any issues with my family name?"222Please respect copyright.PENANATdeApm54eD
Deep inside, she hoped for a blank answer. She was purely betting on her bluff now. Her name held a ton of history, and for once she hoped that the group she was travelling with were a bunch of airheads. She didn't count on Tully and Pitér for being oblivious, though. It was fairly certain that they knew everything very well, so Daphne avoided every ounce of further eye contact with the two and instead just called Tully's name.222Please respect copyright.PENANA4oXcuoDPXk
"Nothing special here," Tully responded. "My name's Azárick."222Please respect copyright.PENANAkNYy00wNH3
"What do you mean, not special?" gasped Lemennie. "The Azáricks are probably the bravest family line I have ever had the pleasure of meeting!"222Please respect copyright.PENANAlTL8V65hyV
Tully blushed, and peace seemed to return to the tables for a little moment.222Please respect copyright.PENANA3zMkvmoQEu
"I pick Pitér next, then," said Tully. She knew his family name, so she figured it'd be a rather safe pick.222Please respect copyright.PENANAv9VYnyhRwu
"Pitér Kriczék is my name," replied Pitér.222Please respect copyright.PENANAlwanttuPSy
"You two surely stem from a line of epic warriors," nodded Lemennie thoughtfully.222Please respect copyright.PENANACbcDzQChV7
"That is why we're guards. Just continuing the good reputation," smiled Pitér.222Please respect copyright.PENANAnG7dEx3BOG
"Alright, you're up next," guided Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAto4GwiDyE7
Pitér looked around the group and checked who hadn't been the pick yet.222Please respect copyright.PENANAAZlxYNJ8xf
"I'll go with Anevay," Pitér said.222Please respect copyright.PENANAPWpXbVC5we
"You two are playing safe, aren't you?" noticed Peita with a little smile twitching around her lips.222Please respect copyright.PENANATfdK3l1eBk
"Rather safe than sorry," shrugged Pitér.222Please respect copyright.PENANAYlCbRe1Uxc
"Anevay Masques. Not a miracle. I am sure many of you knew," replied Ane. "I pick... Bethil."222Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2wRViJViF
"I am Bethil Soulcliffe," said the young shapeshifter.222Please respect copyright.PENANAjjku2HzwlM
"Soulcliffe, huh?" mumbled Elliot with a soft smile. "My mother has told me a whole lot about your family."222Please respect copyright.PENANAzrTb6PRJIX
"Like what?" asked Bethil, carefully.222Please respect copyright.PENANAUObfZhmwF7
"Good things. Loads of great things. Praised your parents and grandparents for being the great men they are."222Please respect copyright.PENANAx6VMNuxBXw
"That is nice to hear," replied Bethil. "What things have my parents done for your mother?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAH7w3Kz0b9l
"They were good friends of hers before she went out to travel the world with Rok, Korlos and Ghordo. Always by her side, offering her any help she needed. She would have thanked you if she had known," smiled Elliot, the nostalgia of his mother waving over his shoulders in an instant.222Please respect copyright.PENANA698kmzdERp
Ane lay her hand on his shoulder and rubbed his back to console him. "You are the next decider, Bethil," she said.222Please respect copyright.PENANAvdH1lJI6K6
Elliot was the only one left. He straightened his back and faced Lemennie, who was awaiting the answer with anticipation.222Please respect copyright.PENANAvGUeQ1Ta4q
"Thornheart," he eventually said. Lemennie's fingers trembled and clutched around her cup. Elliot took in her reaction without breaking eye contact. Tension rose between Elliot and Lemennie and no single person could tell why exactly. And honestly, neither could Elliot. He just played the "how-long-can-I-stare-at-them-until-they-look-away"-game and he was determined to win.222Please respect copyright.PENANAUGa9DSzSxy
"What's going on?" asked Vastice, noticing the heavy tremble of the fiery tension between the two.222Please respect copyright.PENANA8xmeYNCkd9
"Thornhearts," murmured Lemennie very thoughtfully.222Please respect copyright.PENANAvudbfVkwsG
"What is wrong with Thornhearts?" asked Elliot, defensively.222Please respect copyright.PENANAc3AK5ZLmIf
"Many stories are untold for you, aren't they, Elliot?" asked Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANA1cLinaOeX6
"I suppose so. Is there something that I need to know?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAVAipmbsXJj
"You shall discover it all on your journey," said the demon.222Please respect copyright.PENANA5igR0bOspP
"Why can you not tell me?" 222Please respect copyright.PENANAu8HfH5t6Vd
"I'm sorry, darling. It just simply isn't my position or role to tell you."222Please respect copyright.PENANAzYaoxaavz2
"I want to know," uttered Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANAhgfZADEh9b
"You aren't ready."222Please respect copyright.PENANAKL3LVMZRIx
"When shall I be ready?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAq8jM5jZ2O3
"Time will decide."222Please respect copyright.PENANAwfLxJaYNcS
"We do not have time."222Please respect copyright.PENANAhREfWt8YoP
"Then you aren't ready," countered Lemennie and she stood up. The company was silent, all eyes on Lemennie and Elliot, an awkward silence flowing through the room.222Please respect copyright.PENANAIzGTBu9evX
"Has everybody had enough?" she asked with a sweet smile.
Once outside, the group enjoyed the light of the sun once again. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAd7bNFZln12
"What was that all about?" asked Ane, facing Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANALXwY9Y9J9s
"Lemennie knows more about me than I do, and she is not going to tell me," hissed Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANAeu9He00hjB
"Maybe she knows things about you that she just shall not tell everybody at once."222Please respect copyright.PENANAAnEHC56Qnd
"She said that I was not ready."222Please respect copyright.PENANANiqPGdgpQa
"Well, maybe you are not. I am sure that Lemennie is not one to joke around with important matters like these."222Please respect copyright.PENANA7CdqAygWzd
Elliot grunted with disagreement and he looked away.222Please respect copyright.PENANAWGpsq3lcH4
"I know you are not happy with this. To be quite fair, neither am I. I am a little upset that everybody was just exposed so openly. I mean... Lewir and Marrie do not seem too happy either," mumbled Ane with a bitter undertone. The pair looked in Lewir and Marrie's way, and they were oddly far apart from each other. Lewir was talking with Jarco and Livi while Marrie was catching up with Bethil and Pitér.
Ane told Elliot she'd speak with Peita for a bit, so Elliot headed Daphne and Tully's way.222Please respect copyright.PENANAjAV4lONkRF
"Peita, can we have a quick chat before we will take off to the Wilderness?" asked Ane kindly.222Please respect copyright.PENANA1BR43tEwbi
"Of course," said Peita, and she secluded herself and Ane from Vastice and Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAMbsgjtBmNI
"Can we talk about why Lemennie wanted us to share our family names?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA9bcVsxEle0
"Nothing truly bad happened. I don't get your concerns."222Please respect copyright.PENANA8MBLGVq1jk
"Marrie and Lewir are on rather awkward terms now, though," replied Ane, and she looked right in Peita's eyes without showing any emotion.222Please respect copyright.PENANAYVNE0rexvK
"They're in love. They'll make up."222Please respect copyright.PENANAm7DBE0zk6p
"I still do not really agree with it all. It just feels like we -"222Please respect copyright.PENANAzC9UZgGRK9
"It's time for you to wake up, Anevay. What happened just now wasn't such a big deal. You revealed a part of your history to each other. If everybody would've kept it a secret, then there is no chance for you guys to get closer. You need to build on real trust. If Marrie isn't mature enough to get over the feud with Lewir, then maybe they shouldn't be together and maybe they shouldn't throw their lives in the hands of each other. And in Elliot's case, Lemennie is the only one who knows more than the rest. Hearing Daphnelle's name was sure a pleasant surprise, but that's in her favour. As for Elliot and Bethil, I'm sure they will have a speck of extra friendship between them now. Don't look at this like it's a bad revelation. Look at this like a chance for development of relationships," responded Peita.
Anevay thought about what Peita just said. It was true. Had this been Lemennie's intention all along? Probably. Elliot's part was excluded from the plan, though. Perhaps not. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAtYzbfozhkE
"Excuse my complaints," said Anevay. "Thank you for this opportunity."
"Anytime, princess," said Peita. She gathered the group soon, and the group said their goodbyes to Tully and Pitér who had chosen to remain here to watch over Taverness.222Please respect copyright.PENANAaM2tSLZoA7
"Hopefully we shall meet again," said Anevay to the pair.222Please respect copyright.PENANAHlwkflFGWJ
"Of course we will!" smiled Tully optimistically.
"We expect an invitation for the post-victory banquet," grinned Pitér.222Please respect copyright.PENANAyAnaRpPGin
"Count on it," laughed Ane. After a few more minutes, the group finally split up and they soon found themselves heading towards the portal of the Wilderness.222Please respect copyright.PENANAkPsgmvZyg1
"Are you nervous?" asked Daphne, walking next to Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAvOv2eX9Czm
"Rather excited. You?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAzroIHafWCB
"I don't think I've ever been this excited. It's a total new experience," Daphne nodded.222Please respect copyright.PENANAxVigT3jVHy
"Hey, Daphne, can I ask you something?" asked Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAtnagdmz3nF
"Of course."222Please respect copyright.PENANAtMPl4KyDl4
"Who exactly are the Heathguards?"
"What a sudden question."222Please respect copyright.PENANAETI3ZSR0z4
"It really is not that sudden," frowned Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAOYw79xU0q4
"It surely isn't the right moment to talk about that anymore, Ane. Maybe next time. For now, we should just focus on the -"222Please respect copyright.PENANAkDBsYtqnnC
"The gold in your aura was stronger than before when you told us your name. It means that the name truly unleashed something valuable within you. Care to share?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAJJRCmLgTFu
Daphne looked behind her. Nobody was paying attention to them, so she turned back to Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANA8Eu4wJTuYE
"Let's just say you're not the only person with noble blood here," she muttered, nearly whispering.222Please respect copyright.PENANALiW5kJZFhb
"You are a princess?" asked Ane, joining the lower volume of their voices to respect Daphne's somewhat privacy.222Please respect copyright.PENANACpTYgv3moj
"More or less. I fled, just like you, because I didn't want to pursue a career in sitting on a throne being all petty and demanding."
Ane let out a laugh. "We have something in common, Daphnelle."222Please respect copyright.PENANAhtNrMq3ytR
"No need to call me Daphnelle."222Please respect copyright.PENANA8gU6s7GGT3
"What about your parents?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAwrkG9P8B2e
"Dead. I basically would be queen in the Western Bay, but Hayres was quick to snatch the spot."222Please respect copyright.PENANAbM8EkBljXs
"Why did you not redeem it after she had died?"222Please respect copyright.PENANADo8xBTtsec
"It is not my place. Mounty, Mint and Sarkhan will do a splendid job."222Please respect copyright.PENANAP4mdBJImYp
"Do not forget Aethul. Were you close?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAeT92XPoJkp
"The Heathguards, Farguards and Retlings were all very close. Also Tully and Pitér, who were sort of our guards at that time. Aethul never really spoke, though. He was... distant."222Please respect copyright.PENANAh8gTG7PqJw
"Farguards are Mounty and Hayres, I assume."222Please respect copyright.PENANAZhjBqQBVX6
"Correct."222Please respect copyright.PENANASf7kqW0OuA
"Feels somewhat strange to envision you as a princess."222Please respect copyright.PENANAEp1kWJeoIc
"Speak for yourself," grinned Daphne.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKhuve2C6jm
"I am pretty decent."222Please respect copyright.PENANAY5rqJOLWuR
"I saw hpw you drink beer. Honey, that isn't what people call decent."
The two girls shared a laugh. Partially because of the lighthearted moment, partially to laugh away some stress.
"This is it, guys," said Peita as she stood in front of the portal to the Wilderness. "Any last thoughts you'd like to share with the world?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA5gLdYwmZi7
"Let's pray," muttered Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANA6XNLLg7l3U
"Pray to whom?" scowled Daphne.222Please respect copyright.PENANAROorCkSh1F
"Anybody who cares enough," shrugged Livi, and she was the first one to enter the portal. The others soon followed her lead, stepping into the abyss that awaited them.222Please respect copyright.PENANA70515FW18O
The cold, thick air engulfed Ane as she breathed in the chilly oxygen. A layer of foggy mist lingered over the muddy ground and a grey filter seemed to cover the entire scenery. Trees nor grass had hints of colour and the sky was a mere speck of darkness filled with dark clouds that could rain any moment. Aside from the incredibly grim landscape, the temperature was definitely a shock. It was... cold. Ice cold. As if somebody was subtly pushing shards of ice against their skin. It grabbed them by the throat, surprising them with coldness. Even the three more experienced ones in the Wilderness had trouble adjusting to the sudden drop of degrees.222Please respect copyright.PENANAJq0hMg7FWf
"It's... eerie..." murmured Marrie as she looked around. A cloud of thick, grey air escaped Marrie's lips and Ane watched it float and merge with the rest of the unpleasant sky.222Please respect copyright.PENANAl0x86iMiXF
"This is the true Wilderness," said Peita.222Please respect copyright.PENANAV4Jn3DDrcS
"We were not prepared enough," shivered Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANA9EkwwlNAZ1
"Do not worry," said Lemennie. "It gets better near Lily's York."222Please respect copyright.PENANAStIsiJjepi
"Why is Lily's York located so closely to the Wilderness?" asked Lewir whilst glancing around.222Please respect copyright.PENANA0WgpzUXa19
"It isn't. Let's say that there's a barrier just outside the Wilderness that spawns you at the edge of Lily's York."222Please respect copyright.PENANAumitNnarlq
"Another portal, Peita?" sighed Ane.222Please respect copyright.PENANAutTSfK1y94
"Protection is important," smiled Peita satisfied.222Please respect copyright.PENANAeAeERXKv3H
"Of course..." mumbled Ane and she clutched the grip of her claymore.222Please respect copyright.PENANAwg4YPnyPJj
"Best of luck. I hope we will all reach the end," said Vastice. They began walking.
"Is it just me or does it feel like something's quietly chasing us?" asked Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANAcVh7RmedaM
"Totally agree," muttered Marrie. She held her spear in both her hands. The silver-purple colour that shone over the spear reflected any faint light. Two blades at the end - one at the top and one right underneath the top blade - had been sharpened last training session, and Marrie was very happy with that decision as she new felt like she could be attacked any moment.222Please respect copyright.PENANAegLyxZ7rWT
"Who taught you how to fight with a spear? You seem like a dancing goddess when you're using that weapon," Livi said, and she subtly glanced at Marrie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAT3w7gQiOXm
"Hallan," smiled Marrie. "He said that it's good to know."222Please respect copyright.PENANAPTuj8DLejX
"You and Hallan were close, weren't you?" asked Jarco.222Please respect copyright.PENANA8yL6QMLdfw
"Incredibly," nodded Marrie. "Without him, I probably wouldn't be the person I am today. He is my uncle, always been there for me. Always took me out on adventure when I wanted to explore, ignored my parents' opinions."222Please respect copyright.PENANA3yoaWt7Os9
"Aren't your parents worried?" asked Bethil.222Please respect copyright.PENANAnPLvc7x24h
"Probably not," shrugged Marrie. "Let's not talk about me this entire trip though. I've some questions for Livi."222Please respect copyright.PENANAsdJwiu5edw
"Me?" asked Livi, brows furrowed.222Please respect copyright.PENANAPuIHqqfjHN
"You were the one to ask me about me," said Marrie. "Can you tell us about your family?"222Please respect copyright.PENANABNziZaujUb
"My family, huh?" mumbled Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANAErkolIKh8R
"Are you guys sure this is the moment to have some bonding-time?" muttered Daphne. 222Please respect copyright.PENANANAwldRRVtI
"Why not?" shrugged Bethil. "Better late than never."222Please respect copyright.PENANAGMZzzUo9iG
"I guess so. We've got to stay alert, though," replied Daphne.222Please respect copyright.PENANAPovqWqEvxo
"Well, my family's dead," Livi said blankly.
"Who did your family consist of?" asked Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANAib7kld7bgx
"Just... everybody you can think of."222Please respect copyright.PENANAghJX9TS60d
"Even children?" frowned Bethil.222Please respect copyright.PENANAW0JyxQGJwa
"How old do you think I am, Bethil?" scowled Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANAVa58Sp2kIK
"Couples start families early nowadays," shrugged Lewir.222Please respect copyright.PENANAMWDHZp3BBH
"What about you then, Lewir?" asked Livi.222Please respect copyright.PENANAozCybL0de1
"Guys, shush," snapped Peita, as she suddenly stopped walking to scan the area. Everybody was dead silent and the only sound that rang through the air was the ruffling of the leaves of the - surprisingly alive - trees.222Please respect copyright.PENANAAIrp7AWk93
"Look," whispered Daphne while she pointed at ruffling leaves in one particular tree. And then, the ruffled moved on to the next tree, as if whatever was on top was about to jump in a circle from tree to tree. 222Please respect copyright.PENANANgOjcQQo2q
"Is it a monkey?" asked Bethil quietly.222Please respect copyright.PENANAUTBvjcs3Me
"Monkeys don't live in the Wilderness," whispered Vastice.222Please respect copyright.PENANAwmUTtqTLV4
After Vastice's last word, the animal jumped out the last tree of the circle and attacked Jarco. It was an ugly creature of some sort, resembling a hideous imp. It had dark, leathery skin and filthy, long claws. Its tiny wings were the largest part of his tiny, fat body.222Please respect copyright.PENANAtAJC6GzcBR
"Get it off!" shouted Jarco as he was trying to get the imp off his chest in order to protect his own flesh.222Please respect copyright.PENANAfjIdDBF1c0
Ane pierced the side of the imp with her claymore smoothly and it yelped in pain as it crumbled on the ground. The dead heap of meat left a disgusting smell that spread through the air.222Please respect copyright.PENANAw4vG5P8Da3
"What was that thing?" scowled Daphne, clearly not impressed.222Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0Z2hrJqYS
"A forest imp," replied Peita. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAvwjEhhQSYp
"Feeds off fresh meat and breeds in caves. Looks harmless, but it can cause some nasty injuries," added Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKECAsSi0A2
"Those tiny claws were definitely not nice to look at," said Jarco.222Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6J2evY4gb
"Where would that imp be in the scheme of most to least vicious animals in the Wilderness?" asked Ane as she poked the corpse with the tip of her claymore.222Please respect copyright.PENANAIRUfBaOlmk
"Rock bottom," answered Vastice while he also poked the tip of his pistol against the creature.222Please respect copyright.PENANAKWF6rSLuNW
"Stop playing around with that imp," said Peita, denying a smile. "It's dead. Let it rest in peace."222Please respect copyright.PENANA0jGfP5sShC
"It tried to kill me," scowled Jarco.
"Yeah, but instead of him killing you, Ane killed him. It got its karma. Now let it be," replied Peita. "Besides, we're in their territory, not otherwise. They've got every right to attack us."222Please respect copyright.PENANAbiIIughH5f
"Fair point," muttered Jarco.222Please respect copyright.PENANAv69o4JELEe
"Are there lakes and stuff in the Wilderness?"222Please respect copyright.PENANAscsZQXZo7m
"Ponds, lakes, cliffs, mountains, caves..." hummed Lemennie. "Anything you can think of."222Please respect copyright.PENANAKphBOeuUw4
"Interesting."222Please respect copyright.PENANAK0ctCtHxvl
"Why?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA1l44gyH72S
"It just means that there will be a whole lot of different creatures with such a diverse landscape," replied Elliot.222Please respect copyright.PENANAYq1fEThgv3
Lemennie smiled a little at Elliot. He was smart, she thought. He's a survivor.222Please respect copyright.PENANAo0UbZLatnv
The group kept walking east. Peita informed them that if they'd keep up this pace, they should reach it by the end of tomorrow, possibly the morning after if plans would change. That brought them hope. They wouldn't wander around for days on end without knowing when they'd finally reach their destination. Something to look forward to.222Please respect copyright.PENANARke8ze0qNm
As they were walking, Livi still wanted to ask Lewir about his family, but she refrained from doing so. Maybe Lewir's family wasn't the best topic to bring up now, or maybe she knew that just like Livi herself, Lewir wouldn't appreciate being asked about their family.222Please respect copyright.PENANA1PcSRpd1bz
"We should have brought that imp," Ane said. "I am starting to get hungry."222Please respect copyright.PENANAIsW6FDLhb2
"Imp meat? Would you eat that?" asked Marrie.222Please respect copyright.PENANACAP8LrR0EM
"Definitely," responded Ane. "I think that when you are really hungry it does not really matter that much."222Please respect copyright.PENANAo5ijbXqkM2
"Imp meat is delicious," said Vastice. "When cooked right and prepared with love and the right herbs, it can be a feast for the stomach."222Please respect copyright.PENANAiSeztZ1zvs
"Except we are in the Wilderness without any of those spices you're talking about," countered Daphne bluntly.222Please respect copyright.PENANAvSI0mEZzFU
"Maybe we can find those spices in the woods," shrugged Elliot. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAzXIjY1GHpf
"We just have to be careful not to get poisoned by the wrong herbs..." replied Bethil.222Please respect copyright.PENANAIUnSTY7q4w
"Doubt that would happen," said Ane. "We have experts with us, right?"222Please respect copyright.PENANA8sUSZxVWAb
Ane shot a hopeful glance to the trio of Taverness.222Please respect copyright.PENANAfGQgsLSGBx
"Do we look like professional chefs to you?" frowned Peita. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAA8qJIEoKKs
"I actually have a notebook with all the correct spices and the information about the effects," smiled Vastice.222Please respect copyright.PENANA7B2evBl2ZO
"And I have a notebook with the solutions to possible poisoning," added Lemennie.222Please respect copyright.PENANAHSsgcdtIaT
"Oh, dear..." sighed Peita as she shook her head.222Please respect copyright.PENANAgNNshueJGq
"We can try to kill the next animal," said Jarco. "Hopefully it is a rabbit..."222Please respect copyright.PENANAnhGCNSDGPl
"Give me a deer. A rabbit isn't nearly half sufficient for this group," replied Livi with a boastful laugh.222Please respect copyright.PENANA0pNTwkvZWX
"I somehow doubt we'll meet those cute animals here," said Marrie with a grimace.222Please respect copyright.PENANA4qFb75cSyG
"Let alone edible animals," added Lewir.222Please respect copyright.PENANA7LOgyANoGa
"Fair point," smiled Marrie as she looked Lewir's way. The pair seemed to have made peace with their feud, but still didn't really interact all that much yet.222Please respect copyright.PENANAjDiOGFx7H6
"Whatever the case, I hope we shall find some proper food. It was a mistake not to pack any meat," complained Anevay.222Please respect copyright.PENANAAvLpPnEunQ
Their conversation was brutally interrupted by the deafening, frightening growl of a creature in the distance. It was deeper than a menrock and louder than a vultiffe. Merely one second later, another growl followed, but this seemed to be a different creature as the growl didn't resemble the first yell.222Please respect copyright.PENANAJD5yuBDAWF
"What in the name of the gods was that?" asked Bethil as the group abruptly stood still.222Please respect copyright.PENANAA2MMQscfjS
"Oh no... Is that...?" mumbled Peita. She didn't finish her sentence and instead looked Lemennie's way. 222Please respect copyright.PENANApcsQoLAMFq
"I'll go check it out. You guys, stay here. If you hear me yell, run."222Please respect copyright.PENANAaTq3o1sAK9
"Are you sure you'll go alone?" Daphne asked.222Please respect copyright.PENANAzUmJnVX3fe
"I've more chance of survival than any of you. No offense." The demon headed towards the sound in front of them and sneaked between the patches of bushes and trees, staying low to avoid being seen. The held her bow ready at all times. It was magnificently crafted, by elves or another majestic race that made bows as light yet sturdy like this one. The faint, beige colour merged with the quality wood used for the bow. Beautifully curved and patterned, the bow was ready to shoot any arrows kept safe in Lemennie's quiver.222Please respect copyright.PENANAdyOGrs3Ysq
After some tricky manoeuvres and a surprisingly long distance, she could finally rest her eyes on the scenery that played out in front of her. Despite all the things that Lemennie had seen in her life, she was certainly still amazed by this.222Please respect copyright.PENANAovRG2xN1MN
A creature with a tail so long and a head so big that its body had no choice but to be so large and muscled was setting its horrendously large row of teeth in the flesh of the other creature. They had a similar shape, yet no similar size. They weren't dinosaurs, knew Lemennie. She had read a ton of books about the world that was behind the third portal, and dinosaurs were the first thing that came to mind when she saw these two fighting animals. No, these definitely weren't dinosaurs. They were smaller, yet a lot more proportionate and intimidating, with large, glooming eyes filled with a furious fire. They fought like barbarians, pushing and biting each other with their large, impressive claws, mainly leaning on their back paws that could squish Lemennie to a piece of sad flesh. A solid nine metres tall, guessed Lemennie. She was just a tiny dime in comparison with them. She watched their long snouts reach out for each other, just to bite one another. This was weird. Usually, the same animals wouldn't fight each other. So why did they attack each other now?222Please respect copyright.PENANAwV182606qk
Lemennie returned to her group and shared the news with them, describing the animals with large hand motions, talking about how dangerous they looked and how she had no clue as to why they were truly trying to kill one another.222Please respect copyright.PENANAelrv7LAvx5
"We can just ignore them," decided Peita. "Maybe that's for the best."222Please respect copyright.PENANAZZ3TaUDcUK
And as if the creatures had heard Peita's idea, heavy footsteps created a rhythmic quake. The group tried to balance themselves by holding onto the trees around them.222Please respect copyright.PENANA788Eo0WyBY
"Shit. Do you think that it's one of them?" asked Peita alarmed, facing Lemennie. 222Please respect copyright.PENANAKYL9oFW1Gg
Lemennie turned around to where she came from, and through the trees she saw a familiar animal run their way. The silence answered the question soon enough, and she cursed loudly.