บท 28: Sweet Departure
When their meeting was finally over, the team was given a room to stay inside the mansion.
Celina and Shiela stood curiously outside a white door, on its borders was affixed with sinuous filigree steel, a flower molded from gold hanged upon the door's center portion, the maid unlocked the room, and slid it open. An affluent odor reached their noses, their eyes surveyed the room, there was two beds leaning upon the wall. Bright lanterns were slapped on the walls, illuminating the room in pleasant yellow.
The beds were wrapped with laces and curtain on all sides, somewhat concealing anyone inside it.
They were on the third floor of the mansion, Celina neared the broad glass window, she pushed it, letting the moonlight color her face, pale. Infront of her eyes was the shadowed town, it was now lit up, torches like stars began to glow, with the absence of the demons, the people must have returned to their homes. However sadly enough, she heard this will be townsfolk's last night, in the early morning everyone here will flee the kingdom and become refugees.
Behind her, Shiela stretched her arms and yawned like a cat, she slumped into the bed without hesitation and succumbed to her exhaustion. "Good night, Cel." She said weakly.
"You too." Celina answered.
She eyed the dark landscape a little longer, appreciating its beauty, she whispered into the lonely air of night. She sighed. "I hope this will be over soon."
***
The other room was more spacious and they had more room for movement, the beds were plain looking, and the designs on its interior were more casual.
Don and Reston were on a single table, facing each other, atop the table was a chess-like board, there were several wooden, coin-shaped pieces on the board. There were symbols etched on the upper face of each pieces, the sword symbol signified a warrior, the wand signified a mage, the rock signified a golem, the dagger signified an assassin, the two crowns were for the Emperor and the Empress.
Don was composed, his stare was more lax yet at the same time keen. While Reston seemed uneasy, he scratches his head every second or so, everytime he moves a piece, his fingers were hesitant. He stared at Don with suspicion. "You're up to something, are you not?" Reston said.
Don chuckled with a shrug. "Who knows."
Reston assessed the board. "Right now his Empress and Golems will be easy to capture several moves later, Will he not see through this? Or this is probably his set up. That's impossible, not matter how good he is, he probably can't see that far." He thought to himself.
Reston made his move, just a second later, Don casually advanced a piece readily as though without consideration.
Reston stroke his shaven beard, he narrowed his eyes. "This brat, is he playing blind or does he not take me seriously?" He said in his mind.
Don leaned back to his chair and yawned, he was probably not in the mood for this game.
Reston took the oppurtunity to plan and capture the golems and the empress while Don was spiritless, since they were one of the pieces that gave several advantage to the player. He carefully plotted out his next steps, then afterwards, he made his move.
After each of them moved their pieces plenty of times, at some point Reston saw an opening, he quickly cleaned Don's Golems pieces away from the board.
Reston smiled after taking the Golems down, Don seemed to have taken this seriously, now that he leaned his face forward.
After several moves from both sides, Reston finally captured the Empress, with that out of the way, his win was crystal clear. But Don left his seat and rubbed his tired eyes.
Reston chuckled. "So, did you accept your defeat?"
Don smirked. "Well, it's the opposite, why don't you look at the board."
Reston's confident face fell, he turned his eyes on the board, he slapped his cheek in dismay after seeing the board. "Hahaha you got me." He said.
Don smiled. "You were too preoccupied on capturing my Golems, and you forgot to protect your emperor. " He said.
Reston sighed after seeing Don's Assassin have managed to snuck close to his Emperor piece. "You got me good, well how about another game."
Don recalled this will be the last time they ever get to play Sashin, so he might just as well play another round. Though his exhaustion turned him weary, regardless, he knew it would be rude to turn him down. Don returned to his seat, and then they played again.
There was a clashing noise just close to their ears, Reston couldn't focus, he sprang up and stomped his foot. "Could you keep it down!" He spat.
Radmun and Turner were swinging blades, Radmun's stances were awkward, yet his posture was daring. Their thrusts and swings were slow and dodgeable, they were obviously playing around.
"Radmun, for your handicap, I will not move from this spot." Turner said.
Radmun was somewhat irked. "Don't underestimate me, I still have some experience with blades." He charged then lunged his sword unto him.
When they both got close, Turner deflected Radmun's sword.
Radmun's speed caused him to end up bumping into Turner's chest, Radmun quickly stepped backwards yet was wide open, Turner readied his sword, he used the side of his blade to hit Radmun's head.
Radmun groaned from pain and covered his head with his arms, his weapon faltered from his clasp. "Hey, Turner that hurt a lot!" He snapped.
Turner laughed, scoffing him. "Sorry, it was an accident, my hand slipped."
Radmun gritted his teeth, he walked backwards then grabbed his golden bow. He smirked like a maniac. "Turner, I will tell miss Celina tomorrow, your death was also an accident." A flaming arrow conjured upon his bow, he nocked and aimed it upon Turner.
Turner chuckled nervously. "Hey, this spar was you idea." He said.
Radmun smirked wide. "Stay still, I promise this won't hurt, I'll ju---"
A fist battered Radmun's head, and Reston was found behind him, he fell down like a ragdoll as he emmitted an aching noise.
"Didn't I tell you to keep it quiet, I can't concentrate!" Reston said with a rough voice, he then went back to his seat.
Turner ended up laughing while hugging his stomach.
***
On the other room, Celina chuckled as she heard their muffling noise through the wall, they must be having fun. She couldn't believe she will part ways with them tomorrow. The short time she spent with them was quite enjoyable, she was looking forward in seeing them in the future, if hopefully things go as planned.
She eyed her forearm, and tried to muster her mana once again, then runes emerged drifting across her skin, it glowed as she struggled to let out an ounce of mana. She ended up gasping after it was no use, the runes slowly faded into nothingness, hiding itself once again.
She wanted to unseal her magic, but a question lingered in her mind. "What if I can't kill Blue?" Her fingers shuddered on that thought alone, and her eyes turned uncertain. "Is it better if my magic remains unsealed? And if I won't unseal it, then Zalgan could get revived and end everyone else." She rested her arms on the window sill, then put her head atop her arms. "Geez, I don't know what to do." She said in frustration.
A silver winged butterfly fluttered in mid-air, it was close to her face, her eyes followed it as it drifted, only to land on the window sill, it was near and within her reach. She appraised the butterfly and noticed its white wings was blotted with black blemishes. The dark marks could have turned the color of the wings ugly, but without it, its wings would be dull and plain looking. Perhaps, most things are more attractive if they have a stain or shade.
"Is this world made of just black and white?" She said with a puzzled look.
The butterfly fluttered once again and then landed on her elbow, she smiled then after flinching the butterfly soared into the dark sky, only to vanish completely.
***
The day came, the early dawn seared the clouds in blistering crimson, the sun crawled up, lighting the broad sky. After a good meal, the team prepared for their departure, they were found standing just outside the doorway, there, they faced the Baron and his son.
"We're truly grateful for letting us stay here." Shiela said.
The Baron chortled. "No need, you did a lot for our town." He said.
The boy stepped forward, staring at them with glee. "So, until next time, okay." He said with a grin.
Radmun laughed. "Of course."
Anna scuttled close to Turner. "Brave knight this is for you." She lent a blue flower upon him.
Turner chuckled, he recieved it with a wink. "Thank you, young princess."
Reston faced the Baron. "My Lord, what will be your plan from here on?" He said.
The Baron's back sagged, his face unconfident. "I'm not sure, but I heard Redwaters City have managed to organize a strong military. We might flee to that place."
Reston rubbed his chin. "Currently, it seems Prince Herazin oversees the place."
The Baron nodded and forced a smile. "Yeah, he's the Duke who is currently organizing an army to fight against the demons. I think the Redwaters is the last place those demons can touch."
Reston sighed in dismay. "It's too bad, other cities are being burned and wrecked into the ground. This chaos will only stop if other kingdoms will step in and end King Dersim's rule. "
"I hope so and I hope you will be successful on your task." The Baron said.
Reston chuckled. "Well, we have no choice."
Afterwards, they then left, the team then halted on the crossroads on the western portion of the town. Celina was now about to say goodbye to the team, she faced them with a smile.
Don lent her a knapsack made of leather, Celina took it, suddenly its weight heaved her down, she had to apply a force to keep it up on her chest. "What's inside this?"
"Potions and money, you'll need it, and remember to spend it wisely. I know you have a bad habit on splurging on wines." Don said.
Celina chuckled and didn't even refute it, she checked the bag and noticed three health potion inside it, besides it was a pudgy pouch which she presumed was full of coins.
She slung it up on her back, then stared at her team one more time. Shiela leaped upon her and gave her a warm hug, she rubbed her back. "I'll miss you Cel, be careful." She said.
Celina nodded and patted her back. "You as well."
When Shiela stepped sideward, Turner and Radmun came into her view. Turner sighed and scratched his head. "Look, about yesterday I was sorry, but remember to take care of yourself." Turner said shyly.
Radmun chuckled. "Miss, the next time we meet, you better have a familiar of your own. Because it seems every Pillar already had one."
It dragged Celina's spirits down somehow, but she forced a pleased look. "Well, I'm sorry for being so unreliable." She said.
Reston went close to her. "Before I forget since you're heading to Lanzud, I might as well lend you a letter." He dropped a sealed envelope on top of her palms.
Celina stared at it curiously. "What is this for?"
"Give this message to Princess Herana and Skylar, this is urgent and you might find them in Raxin." Reston said.
Celina nodded. "I'll make sure to give them this letter."
With a one last look, Celina gave her goodbye to the team.
Good bye Cel." Shiela said.
"Until next time." Turner said.
Radmun gave his a grin. "Be careful."
Don gave a nod
They turned around and at last they broke off, Celina waved her hand as the team was shrinking away.
Afterwards, she whirled and started her walk, her face slightly fell since the air was lonely. Only a breeze whispered on her ear, the awful silence of her surroundings forced her to sigh. It quickly became boring for a while without any voices from Radmun's team.
As she continued strutting, she encountered Blue, who sat down under a tree just beside the dirt road.
Celina halted for a bit, her mouth was in o-shape as they both exchanged gazes.
Blue sprang up from the grasses, and approached her. "What are you standing there for, we need to move quick." He turned away and continued on the road.
Celina displayed a weak smile, she then jogged to catch up with him. "Blue wait for me."
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