Arrival: Tilia

Clank~

Clank~

Tilia frowned, she was most certain that she was underground. Yet the place was incredibly well lit.

The sound of metal against metal echoed across the walls. It was chaotic, the constant sound would bring someone a headache.

She ventured forward, the part she was in seemed like a unused area. It was hollowed out, yet a layer of dust was on the floor.

As she approached the sound she was soon greeted by a horrid sight.

Several dwarves were working away. Hammering and refining various weapons and armor. Yet they seemed hallowed, devoid of any emotion. Their faces were dull and exhausted. Yet they worked endlessly.

They paid no attention to her, focusing solely on their work. The heat of the place was suffocating. That much was obvious from the dripping sweat that pooled underneath the dwarves.

Tilia felt like something was amiss. She tried to gain the attention of a nearby dwarf, but they ignored her.

Frowning at the place she searched for an exit. It took around five minutes to find one, but as she left the cave she saw the sight of a sad looking village.

It was silent, almost ghost-like. As she traveled through the place she caught glimpses of people peaking through the windows. Yet no one came out to greet her.

As she walked a kid tripped in front of her. She was mildly surprised, for it was the first person she had seen outside a house.

She leaned down, "Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry! Please let him be!"

The woeful cries of a mother reached Tilia. She watched as the mother picked up her child and retreated slightly. The mother constantly apologized, fearful.

Tilia attempted to calm her, "It's alright, no harm done. Is everything alright?"

"Yes yes! Everything is fine!"

The child cried, "No! I want to see the knight!"

"Shh! It's okay!"

Tilia kneeled down and looked at the kid, "What knight?"

The kid pointed down the road, "Mr. Knight, he stands at the entrance to protect us!"

The mother shook, "I-I am terribly sorry."

Tilia shook her head, "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm not from around here, please tell me what is going on."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"The… the Knight made some sort of deal with the Lord. I-I'm not sure, but he's been standing out there for three days straight."

"Alright, I'll leave you alone now. Take care."

"Yes! Thank you!"

Tilia watched as the mother took her crying child back indoors. Her questions grew more in number, all without an answer.

Perhaps this Knight fellow could provide some.

As she followed the direction the kid had pointed towards, she soon found the entrance to the village.

As she was told, a Knight in a full set of armor stood still at the entrance. A helmet on their head she was unable to see their face. In fact she was unable to see any part of their body.

She approached the Knight, "Why do you stand here?"

The Knight didn't respond.

Tilia sat next to the Knight. She could faintly hear their breathing. She was positive they were alive and capable of speaking. So she would wait for a response.

After ten minutes of silence Tilia said, "I came here by accident. Through some unknown means I ended up in the cave behind us. What I found was a bunch of dwarves working like zombies. Although they are clearly not under any sort of control. Then a silent village filled with fearful people."

The Knight then spoke, a voice incredibly hoarse, "So you've seen the atrocities."

"I've seen, but do not understand."

"…The Lord has threatened this village. Forced the Dwarves to work endlessly to produce weapons and armor for selling. If they do not comply he will threaten the village."

"I assume they haven't revolted for a reason."

"…A family of three was killed to show an example. The whole village saw… even the children…"

Tilia's eyes narrowed.

The Knight coughed, "I found this village a week before. I was there during the execution. The horrific deeds the Lord has done to this place. The people… live in fear. The dwarves work endlessly to protect their families and friends."

"And you stand out here for?"

"I approached the Lord. Demanded to know his reason for his atrocities. I was met with laughter…"

The Knight coughed more violently before continuing, "I could not kill someone with such status. It goes against my code… Yet I could not stand idly by as this village was worn down!"

The Knight coughed, their figure leaning slightly from the force. Tilia stood, "I'll get some water."

"No… no need. This is not caused by dehydration…"

"Then?"

"…I made a deal with the Lord. He claimed that if I stood guard to the village for five days and nights without moving. Then he will cease his actions."

"You believed him?"

"I have no choice!"

"You would stand guard for this long for a village you don't know?"

"I cannot stand idle!"

Tilia nodded, "I respect your decision then."

"…Please, comfort them. I… I will take care of this."

"I can do that."

Tilia walked away, she heard a faint sigh escape the Knight. She held a calm demeanor, she kept her head straight.

Fury boiled within her, the horrid Lord who would extort a village for all its worth. There was no way they would keep their word!

She wouldn't let this stand. Even if she was supposed to stay low and gather information. She couldn't ignore what was happening before her very eyes!

She will not stand for it!