บท 43: Lord of Raxin
The night became old, the stars above shimmered like a glowing dust across the skies. The city's rooves were illuminated by the silky glow of the full moon, the streets below were dead silent. Torches lit up the environment, casting dotted orange glows through out the city's sillhouette.
Inside a certain room, it was lit up by a hanging latern, underneath it was Skylar, he sat as he constantly rubbed his chin, thinking deeply. Celina still haven't lent him the letter yet since she waited for them to be done. Celina came forward and sat opposite to him, she lifted the letter up for him to see, she jolted it on the air. "Skylar, this for you, from Reston."
Skylar nodded, he took it, tore it open and unfurled it on his eyes. "Only four months left for the upperdemons to be summoned huh?" He said in dismay. "What a headache our problems are piling left and right, we have a problem with the Freedom Seekers, with the Redwaters and now with the demons." He said with his words heavy and couted in frustration, and thus he struggled to compose himself.
Seeing Skylar was doing everything, Celina's eyes had a hint of pity. Skylar ended up sighing a lungful of air. He stood up from his seat and stared at her. "Celina, I'd like you to guard her highness for now, I need to take some stroll and breath some air outside, I'll be back."
Celina nodded, with a weak smile. Skylar approached and bowed down infront of Herana. "Well then your highness, I'll be back." He said, then went through the door. Celina's eyes followed him as he left the room.
Celina and Herana stood beside each other as they rested their arms on the window sill, the crusaders seemed to have returned since the ground below was empty. The princess currently don't have any protection, but currently, the royalties don't longer have much worth in this kingdom since their kingdom were crumbling.
Herana's arm shuddered as she gripped the sill tight, tears slid down from her eyes. "Celina, I'm mad, why does Uncle Dersim have to do this? I'm not prepared yet, and I'm just being a burden to Skylar." She said with her voice heavy.
Celina caressed her back. "Don't worry your highness, things will work out"
Herana shook her head, she sniffled. "I like how you can still be strong the ways things are now."
Celina chuckled. "I don't know about that." She sarcastically.
"Anyway Celina, where do you plan to go now?" Herana said.
"To your brother, Prince Hiro." Celina said.
"Ah Hiro, don't worry you can depend on him, unlike my other ugly brother, Herazin." Herana pouted.
Curiousity flickered in Celina's eyes. "I'm curious what happened between you two."
Herana took a deep breath, her face became frank. "I want to flee with the others to Kremis. But my ugly brother don't want to, so I'm forced to do this." She clenched her fists tightly.
It took Celina's interest, she was a bit surprised. "That might result in a war between you two, you know."
Herana shook her head. "No, no, we won't engage in a fight, I dislike fighting and killing more than anything. But I hope it will force my ugly brother to backdown."
Celina sighed. "That is quite hard, I hope it will be resolved without any of you drawing blades."
In a sudden, Blue's head emerged from the roof, he was found above the window and was oriented upside down, the girls squealed from shock, Celina fell on her buttocks while Herana shivered beside her. "Celina who is that?" Herana said.
After recognizing who it was Celina then sighed in relief, she sprang up and stomped her foot. "Blue, that scared me!" She barked.
"More importantly woman, are you done with the letter?" He said, his eyes surveying the room.
"Yeah, but I have to stay here for now." She said, crossing her arms.
Blue grunted in displeasure. "How many days?"
"Two." Celina said.
Blue smacked his lips. "Fine since as it happens I have something to see in this city, but after that no extension." He then pulled his head away and vanished from sight.
Celina then returned to to the window sill, she tried to lean her face away since the height below slightly startled her. Since the night was already deep, Herana went to her bed and slumbered elegantly with her fragile face.
Celina would have to stay for a while, while Skylar was absent. Then after he came back, Celina rented a room next door, letting the night flow away.
The sun came out if hiding, it's yellow light sweeped the entire city bright, Celina sprang up from her bed, she stretched her arms and yawned. After taking a shower she prepared her attire, she then returned to Princess Herana's room, where they were waiting. It felt refreshing to be bathed by cold water after her tiresome journey.
Skylar was found sitting on the window sill, with no fear of the height behind him, it was a tall drop. While Herana was on her bed with her arms close to her body, hinting her low self esteem.
A sudden repeated knock came from the door, since Celina was close she opened it herself, then a man in fancy dress came into view, beside him was a woman who had odd an clothing style. The well dressed man was slightly chubby, with a curling beard, he wore a silly, luxurious hat that had a tall feather that wagged everytime he moved his head.
The woman beside her had a blade draping on her waist, though unlike the usual sword, her sword were thin and perhaps light. It was odd since she doesn't look like a fighter. She had a charming, thin eyes, and a baby, rounded face that maintains her youthful features, she seemed kind and warm as a person with her thin smile. She had full bangs over her forehead and her soft, black hair was tied neatly on the back of her head.
As Celina's eyes continued to survey her looks, she noticed her clothing was new to her eyes, she wore a crimson clothing with pink flowers on its design, her sleeves were draping down close to her knee, and there was a sash that were tied on her waist.
Celina smiled, welcoming the unknown individuals.
The woman bowed down to her. She felt it was quite odd since she wasn't a royalty, but regardless she replied with a warm smile. "Umm, could I ask who could you be?" She said politely.
The chubby man chuckled. "My name is Lord Helrick, the lord of this city. And this is my wife Shekurya." He gestured to the woman beside her.
Celina gasped a bit. "What is the Lord of the city doing here?"
"I wanted to invite you personally to my mansion, I would like to give my thanks to the individuals who drove out those invaders." Helrick then looked over Celina's shoulder, eyeing Skylar. "And of course, I could never forget you young man who stopped an army of demons. So what do you say?"
Skylar crossed his arms, he paused for a bit, processing for an answer, at some point his mouth parted. "Okay, I accept."
Helrick seem pleased with a sudden smile. "We will be expecting you."
"Umm, can I ask, I don't see any guards here, so is it alright for you to walk here unguarded." Celina said, stealing his attention.
Helrick laughed at his words, which caused Celina to force a snicker. "I don't need one since I know my wife is better than walking with four guards.
Celina formed an o-shape with her lips. "Woah, is she that strong?"
"You bet, she's from the werewolf clan and she's adept in using a katana." Helrick said.
Celina pointed to her waist. "So that thing is what you call a katana, huh?
Shekurya unsheathed her blade, she lent it to Celina's palms, allowing her to take a full look. The hilt and blade was comparatively thinner, she tried to sway it on the air and noticed her swings were more nimble. "What a weird sword." Celina said.
Shekurya tried to hide her chuckle, "you would find it odd since it's not the same as your common bulky sword. Since we believe speed is everything, thus we need to reduce the weight."
"I think we need to start walking." Helrick butted in.
Behind Celina, Skylar's voice aimed towards them. "You can go on first, I have to wait til her highness is ready."
Moments later, basking upon the early sunlight, the sky above were as clear as the ocean, puffing out faint cotton clouds that circled the skies. On a street, the three tread across stone slabbed road, the streets had a sparse traffic of the citizens, walking to and fro, turning the whole place busy and lively.
On the sides of the road were merchant behind their carts hollering for attention, they displayed several goods to be sold yet the people seemed to have ignored them.
As the three ambled on the middle of the road, the people around glanced at them. "Lord Helrick, Good morning."
"Good morning, Lord Helrick."
"Nice to see you this morning, Lord Helrick."
Helrick smiled widely, he waved at them as though he was a celebrity, the people seemed to respect his presence. Then a little girl scampered to Helrick's front. Helrick crouched to level his eyes to the girl.
"Lord Helrick, thank you for protecting our city." She handed out a white flower.
Helrick chuckled, he rubbed the girl's hair. "Of course, I will do anything to protect your young smile." He then heartily recieved the flower.
The little girl then left with glee.
Celina smiled as she approached them. "I didn't know you were a beloved figure on this city."
Helrick grinned. "As a Lord my citizens are my pride, thus I must ensure that my city is safe."
"Well, I mean most of the nobles I knew often look down on the commoners yet you were kind to them, in fact you and Lord Shelmorn are kinda similar." She said.
Helrick chuckled. "Shelmorn is my friend, so he's still alive, huh?"
Celina nodded. "Yes, we left his town about a week ago."
Celina then darted her eyes from Helrick to Shekurya and back to him. "Anyway Lord Helrick how did you and your wife met?"
Helrick sighed as he peered inside his memories. "She was a refugee who found herself to this town, she was still very young when she arrived." His voice slightly weary and soothing.
Shekurya lifted a weak smile. "I owe you my life dear."
"What a lovely story." Celina then touched her lip with her finger as she tried to recall. "Anyway, didn't the empire warn other countries about hiding werewolf refugees?"
Helrick nodded as he bursted a word. "Yeah." He then patted Shekurya's shoulder. "That's why I have to hide her identity, but she can reveal herself when she's in the city though." He chuckled.
After they turned a corner, they entered a narrow path, it was quiet and a ghosty street. As they went deeper, suddenly Celina heard patters drawing close. Then men with drabby colored cloaks emerged from the dark alleys. They held a manic grin, eyeing Celina, it was obvious what their intent was.
Celina stepped forward, she held out her hand infront of them. "Lord Helrick and Shekurya, hide behind me."
Then a blonde man came forward, he faced Celina with captivating smile. "Yo, Miss pretty, I didn't know you were a Pillar."
Celina sneered. "So it's you guys, you're still alive, huh? Where's Zemur?"
"Who knows, but this time I won't lose." The blond man then charged quickly.
Suddenly, Shekurya grabbed Celina's shoulder from behind. "Allow me." She whispered.
Celina was forced to move backwards, Shekurya advanced swiftly like a fox.
The blond man smirked. "Another woman huh? Well I don't mind."
When both of them met, Shekurya swung her blade, it left several after-images as though her blade multiplied. After landing a strike, the blond man got slashed on his chest. He groaned in pain and didn't have a chance to strike back. He collapsed lifelessly infront of Shekurya's foot, bleeding on the ground.
Celina gazed at her in disbelief. "Awesome, what kind of technique was that?"
The men around them smacked their lips, they surrounded the three with a sneer. "Play time is over, this time we attack simultanously!"
Celina and Shekurya stood behind each other, they held their blades as they stood cautious and strong against the enemies.
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