Chapter 13: The Lady and the Knight (1)
Luan looked at her and smiled to himself. What's with that face's expression? She looks like the world's just lost any meaning to her. He took the loaf of bread and tore it into smaller pieces, giving her some to eat.
"Thank you…" She held back her sobs, as she slowly chewed.
'Is the food really so horrible?' Luan wondered, taking a bite himself. He didn't know much about the flavours, but the meat tasted the same as always.
The tavern was a very busy place, all voices mingled together. It would be difficult for an ordinary person to follow the conversation, but the knight was different. His hearing was exceptional, and he could pick up words spoken on the other side of the room without any struggling. The soldiers spoke of the battlefield that was getting active again.
He has been away for a long time already; he needs to return as soon as possible. Randel's county was about five days of constant ride from the mountains that separated the west from the rest of the kingdom. Once he crosses the natural barrier, it would take him another 10 days before reaching the military camp.
Ash was a strong stallion with plenty of stamina, but the problem was the girl sitting next to him. Her distinctive silver hair and amethyst eyes.
Arianell Fiore.
She probably doesn't even know, how famous she is among those serving under Randel's banner. For the citizens in the kingdom, he was the celebrated hero, the epitome of nobility and strength. But the soldiers surviving with him every day know him as the foolish father, who could speak about his precious daughter, whom he hardly met, all day.
His little princess was left at the county in the hope she would be living a luxurious, comfortable life, but as count Randel was an extraordinary warrior, he just happened to not have much common sense. The human relationship was complicated, especially among the nobility, who regarded the pure bloodline to be sacred. If his daughter is running away from home, her life might not be as pink as the rose garden he wished for her.
But Luan wasn't the type to meddle in someone else affair. He would help her if they were going in the same direction, as he knew about the safe house the captain has in the west.
For many, the west was a nightmare they wished to never encounter. That place was filled with poor, criminals and all kinds of scoundrels. Leaving people besides, it was the country where not even grass would grow. But even though it has an awful reputation, the people still gathered there. That's because most of the housing was provided for free for workers, and they were excluded from paying taxes.
The Kingdom of Alviraz was divided into four regions. The south, which was nicknamed the kingdom granary, was full of fertile fields. The north wasn't so fitted for growing crops, but a good system for nourishing the talents produced many outstanding scholars, magicians and researchers.
The East under the leadership of the capital city was a hub of trading where many merchant companies resided, and new trends started. It was the most desired place to live if one could afford it.
And then there was the west with the huge Forest that made a natural border to a kingdom. A mystical place overrun with intelligent magical beasts was the second nightmare of the kingdom. The first one is the demons attacking the human race since they could remember.
While the Forest was the only wall protecting them from demons' full invasion, it was also enchanted by strong ancient magic. The spell was like cancer, eating away the land of their kingdom. Wherever forest fog reaches, the soil will become cursed, leaving nothing alive to stay on it.
After finishing their meal, Luan expected her to start speaking, but the girl silently lamented the lost money over the horrible breakfast. She was rather carefree like she didn't care, where she was going as long as it wasn't Randel's mansion again.
"I need to move west," he said, and she almost dropped the cup she was holding. "Where do you want to go?"
"W-west, too! I'm going in the same direction! Uhm, my family is living there, and I want to rejoin them…"
Suin thought about it before, and she decided on a cover story. The easiest way would be to pretend to be a runaway maid, who is going back to her family, as the nobles were too harsh on her. She grew up on the farm before and did all the housework by herself, as she was used to living alone. Even without modern appliances and machines, she believed the maid's identity would suit her the best.
She started blabbering about her family in the west, and how she missed them, without knowing, that Luan knew she was lying from the start, but decided to go with her story.
"Let's go," he stood up without further delay and headed out.
To take her west wasn't difficult for him. The safe house was close to Deneb, one of the major cities in the region. He can leave her there and then rejoin the battlefield a few days later. Count Randel should be indebted to him for the rest of his life because Luan hasn't agreed to escort his daughter at all.
"Mister, wait for me!" Suin ran after him, as the man moved quickly. She envied his tall and sturdy body, and the ability to make huge steps. What took him one move, was like two or three of hers.
Ash was already prepared and only waited for them to join him. As Luan mounted the horse, Suin was unexpectedly immersed in another problem. Does she need to ride the same way as yesterday?
Her cheek turned pinkish when she remembered how close they were. Ash was a big stallion, but two people still needed to lean against each other, as the space on the saddle was very limited.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone