Bab 86: Chapter - 85
Jenny followed Gizelda out of the lord's office, past Anderson and a few other servants. Gizelda glared down anyone in their path, not that any made the mistake of trying to stop them. Anderson followed behind but also apparently knew enough to stay quiet. This was a new version of her friend Jenny hadn't seen before. Gizelda had always been confident, bordering on arrogance, but now, she had this aura around her. One every servant would recognize from miles away. Someone not to be messed with.
It took a few minutes to reach the room. "Wait here," Gizelda commanded the guard without looking at him. She opened the door and entered. Jenny followed.
The room was a mess. The bed had been overturned, and the mattress lay haphazardly against one of the walls. The cabinet's door was busted, with all Jenny's belongings scattered about. Jenny went straight to the inner room. Her private room. Inside, the small table with Gizelda's picture and other memorabilia had been thrown aside. The drawings were removed from the wall, except the duke's image. The one pinned to the wall with the dagger.
Gizelda looked at everything with interest. "If I didn't know, I would think you wanted my husband dead." The duchess's tone was one of barely contained mirth. "Why did you keep it?"
Jenny shrugged. "I will. Someday."
Gizelda laughed. "Haha. Don't let Anderson hear you. He's oath-bound to protect the man."
Jenny moved opposite the table, and the area of the room had nothing other than empty walls. She counted the wood panels from the door, crouched, and then pushed the panel in and up. With a groaning sound, the wood moved, revealing a small alcove in the wall. From inside, Jenny fished out a heavy coin pouch.
Gizelda peered over Jenny's shoulder. "You have enough?"
Jenny nodded and placed the pouch in her bag. She turned, grabbed both of Gizelda's hands, and pushed the woman against the wall, hands trapped over her head. Jenny kissed the duchess. Gizelda gasped, but she soon kissed back like it was their last time.
Jenny pulled away, face flushed. "Gods, you're so beautiful."
Gizelda smirked. "I like this version of you, but blonde Jenny has my heart."
Jenny stepped out of the manor, spear in hand, and felt happier than she had been for years. Ever since Gizelda married and moved to the capital, life hadn't been the same. Jenny had just endured one day after another, not knowing life had fled her. It was a shame to separate from Gizelda again. It almost made Jenny want to go back in time and reconsider her decision. Almost. Not that it mattered anymore. She was a wanted criminal. She might not ever be on the side of rightness again. It was so very worth it.
With the biggest smile on her face, she went to grab her badge and buy livestock for Biscuit's ritual. Jenny also wanted some magic herself. She noticed her regeneration didn't work like her pet, but that was fine. She preferred not having natural magic to being dead. And with the ritual, magic was just an animal away.
Jenny crossed the streets under the townsfolk's eyes. It was the smile, wasn't it? She couldn't stop smiling. Even waved to all the gossip grandmas sneaking glances from their windows. It wasn't the duck, the goats, or the pig. No, it was the smile.
Maybe she hadn't thought this through: buying all these animals. But what was done was done. Jenny retraced the steps she remembered, leaving the cobblestone path under a hidden trail. Soon, she was at the grotto entrance. She ducked in and pulled along the goats and the pig.
The scene inside wasn't what she had expected.
Bee sat holding Biscuit. Whisker grazed at some of the nearby leaves. Bee and Biscuit were trying to talk with the same church warrior they saw in the inn. Shit. How had they found them? She juggled the duck and held the spear. It probably looked ridiculous. "Who are you?"
The heavily armored warrior looked at Jenny, the duck, the goats, the pig, and the spear. He looked up and closed his eyes. Took a deep breath. Muttered something before addressing Jenny. "I'm Templar Robert Thomasson," Robert said, opening his eyes and looking at Jenny again. "Jennifer?"
Jenny tried to hide her surprise. "Jennifer? Who's that?"
Robert shook his head and sighed again. "Don't bother. Isabella already told me your name."
Bee shrunk at the call out. Jenny gripped the spear even tighter. If it came to a battle, she'd attack first. Even if that meant letting go of the duck. "What do you want?"
With creaking movements and that annoying sound of metal against metal, Robert got up. He picked his sword, hooked the scabbard on his belt, and arranged the shield on his arm. "That depends." The man said when he was done. The weapon remained sheathed, but Jenny knew it didn't change anything. A warrior could pull a sword free in the blink of an eye. "Will you come if I invite you to meet the inquisitor?"
Jenny scoffed. "And never see the sun again until you burn me in the town square? I know how you church savages behave."
Robert's face turned grim. "I disagree with the extreme cases, even if they are needed, but most people with the curse aren't burned. We help them. It is hard, but the taint can be cleansed."
"That's not happening." Jenny denied instantly. The goat tugged at the rope tied to her waist and almost pulled Jenny out of her stance. There was a beat of silence before she asked back. "What do you mean by cleansing the taint?"
Robert took a step forward. Jenny swung her spear on a threatening arc. The templar stopped and raised his hands. "It can be done. Depending on how severe it is, it might take years, but it can be done." The man gesticulated and seemed about to take another step.
The goat bucked again, this time harder. Jenny looked back at the animal, which looked agitated.
Robert's eyes were drawn to the animals, maybe for the first time since the conversation started. "What are the animals for?" His hand, Jenny noticed, rested on the pommel of the sword. An unconscious movement or subtle threat?
"None of your business." Jenny shot back but had to shift her stance. The other goat, maybe spurred by the first, also started to pull on the rope, bleating.
Robert looked from the animals to Jenny, then to Yuki. "Please," the man begged, "you're dealing with things you don't understand. Please, let me help you. Come with me to meet the inquisitor."
Jenny gritted her teeth, ignoring the ruckus of the animals behind her. Even the pig started to squeal. "No."
Robert sighed, looking defeated. "You leave me no choice then." His hand moved to the pommel of his sword. Jenny threw the duck at the man and all hell broke loose.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Rotund_Elf
Rotund_Elf Thank you for reading. Next chapter Wednesday.
I want to build at least a small backlog of chapters, so I'll skip Monday release. Thank you for reading.
— Bab baru akan segera rilis — Tulis ulasan
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone