Bab 119: Saviour?
"Shall we make a brief stop, Your Highness?" Octavius asked, his voice edged with worry as he noticed Luciana's fatigue. She nodded, grateful for the chance to rest while Nightmare quenched its thirst at the hot springs nearby. They had been riding for two days without respite, fearing that any pause would mean swift capture.
Luciana felt both hunger and cold seeping through her, having left all her belongings behind in the wreckage of the carriage. Her only focus had been on protecting Nemesis, putting him under a divine spell that allowed him to sleep throughout their journey—a spell Octavius advised against, reminding her it could sap her strength. She felt the cost now, yet, as they stopped by a gushing hot spring, she welcomed the rare chance to wash Nemesis and ease her own exhaustion. She blessed the spring, relieved it was untainted, and bathed him gently, regretting she had left behind his bag with clothes, herbs, and potions.
Octavius, meanwhile, scanned the terrain, eyes sharp for any signs of pursuit. His concern wasn't just for the soldiers tracking them; if word spread, they risked becoming targets across neighboring regions. As Luciana bathed, her thoughts drifted back to Erebus. A wave of helplessness overcame her, and she pressed a hand to her swollen belly, whispering, "My children are my priority." She resolved to be stronger for them, lamenting that fear for her unborn child had held her back from using her powers to save Erebus or Cornelius.
After finishing her bath, she quickly dressed, and Octavius urged her back onto Nightmare. "They've found us," he said regretfully, his gaze fixed on a dust cloud in the distance, raised by approaching riders. "Hold tight," he warned, and Nightmare launched into a full gallop.
Octavius steered Nightmare towards a river, its deadly currents rushing over moss-slicked stones. He calculated the risks, then dismounted to help Luciana down. Using his flight, he crossed the river effortlessly, but Nightmare, as a fire species, resisted, growling and stamping. Octavius grabbed its reins and coaxed it forward, but the creature bucked furiously, throwing him into the water. Luciana gasped, shouting, "Octavius!" as she watched him struggle in the current.
After a few desperate moments, he re-emerged, reins still in hand. He took a deep breath, fighting against the torrent to guide Nightmare onto the river stones. Slowly, the steed relented, stepping carefully across the slippery path just as their pursuers arrived on the opposite bank. The soldiers cursed as their garrons halted at the sight of the churning river.
One soldier raised his musket, eyeing Octavius as a target. "Remember, Draco's orders! We can't harm the woman," another reminded, but one soldier, undeterred, took aim and fired. The others grimaced at his impulsiveness, watching as the shot struck Octavius's thigh. He grunted in pain, sinking to one knee, blood soaking through his trousers and pooling around his boot. Luciana moved to help him, but he lifted a hand to stop her.
"I… I'm fine, Your Highness," he assured her, staggering to his feet. He mounted Nightmare, his face drawn and pale. Luciana could see the effort it took to remain composed as blood continued to soak his right leg. Her heart clenched, and she reached out to heal him forming a channel with her divine energy, but her power barely touched the wound.
"That gunpowder…" Octavius murmured between labored breaths. "It's crafted to kill Amanécerians, draining their life force on contact. Lethal for both humans and demons." He turned to her with a weary smile. "One bullet won't send me to my grave, so save your energy."
As they rode on, Luciana noticed his breathing growing heavier, sweat beading on his brow. She insisted on bandaging his wound to stem the bleeding, though he kept urging her to preserve her strength. The road became rougher, each step jostling him as he fought to stay alert.
With the horizon darkening, Octavius's thoughts turned to their destination. "The ship departs in two days. If we miss it…" He didn't finish, and Luciana bit her lip, uncertain if escape was even possible.
By evening, they reached the borders of Embercrow territory, a small village caught in the struggle for survival. The remnants of what must have once been a thriving settlement now lay in disrepair. Shadows of desperation haunted the faces of the villagers, who cast hopeful, yet wary glances toward the newcomers, as if they might carry something—anything—of benefit.
Luciana kept her head low, pressing closer to Octavius while holding Nemesis tightly in her arms. She pulled the cloak Calypso had given her closer around her face, thankful for its warmth during their frigid nights of travel. As they trotted further into the heart of the village, Octavius's strength finally gave out. He slumped sideways, falling from the saddle in a sudden, lifeless collapse that startled Nightmare.
The beast reared back, whinnying furiously, and Luciana clung desperately to the saddle, her hands tightening as the steed bucked uncontrollably. "Help!" she cried, her voice taut with fear as her eyes clenched shut, bracing herself against the violent movements. She barely dared to move, terrified that one wrong slip might send her tumbling down with Nemesis in her arms.
The villagers watched, wide-eyed and hesitant, none daring to approach the furious creature. Each kick of Nightmare's hooves sent dust spiraling around them, keeping them at a distance.
"Someone! Oh, God!" Luciana's mind raced, panic rising as she held on with all her strength.
"Nightmare—halt!" a voice commanded from the crowd, deep and muffled. Nightmare's ears flicked toward the sound, and with a fierce charge, the beast turned to confront the speaker. But just as suddenly, it stopped in its tracks, lowering its head as it sniffed curiously at the stranger's outstretched hands.
Luciana slowly opened her eyes, trembling and disoriented, and her first thought was of Nemesis. She looked down to find him still peacefully asleep under the influence of her spell. Relieved, she glanced around and saw that the villagers had encircled Octavius, lying unconscious on the ground.
"Please, help us!" she called out, her voice urgent and pleading. "He's injured!" But her words met only hesitant stares, the villagers exchanging uncertain glances as they took in the scene.
Desperate, she turned back toward the figure who had miraculously tamed Nightmare's frenzy. "Please," she begged, her voice breaking. "Help him. I'll repay you however I can."
The man paused, looking at her intently, as if trying to discern something. "My lady?" he asked softly, recognition dawning in his eyes. He reached up and removed the cloth covering his face.
Luciana's breath caught. Relief surged through her as she recognized the familiar features before her. "Sir Jafar?" she whispered, the name a mixture of surprise and overwhelming gratitude.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone