Ch 14 The Sickly Madame

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[Valewood Town]

I continued up the winding cobblestone road until Finally coming across the Fountain that Valia had spoken about.

It was a fifteen foot tall statue of an Aelven man standing strong with a broken sword and battered shield in hand....

I walked up to the small plaque of the marble statue and read it, It was printed in Aelven letters which somehow I could understand.

{Here stands the likeness of Lithrum The Stalwart, A Martyr for his people. Perished Valiantly at the Siege of Litchwood while valiantly Holding off the Accursed Human Sigfried while his people fled to safety.....A sacrifice which allowed hundreds of Aelves an escape from human hands. Their survival eventually lead to the formation of the Valewood Clan.}

I placed my hand on the marble fountain railing and spoke. "Your sacrifice will be avenged Lithrum, Thank you....without your sacrifice where would Natalka be now...." I muttered before tossing a silver coin into the waters.

Almost immediately I found the trail to the Church, It really was like that Vixen Valia had spoken about.

Standing at the summit of about sixty feet of cobblestone steps was a marble temple with Aellarith's symbol engraved intricately on a silver plaque.....The Devotion of the Aelves managed to turn it into a holy place even though it was not one of Aellarith's original temples.

Eventually I reached the top step and walked up to the engraved hardwood door which surprisingly opened before I even reached the handle.

An older Aelven priestess stood there with a gentle smile on her face.

"Sir, The temple has been cleared for your arrival please come in." She spoke while beckoning me inside with a warm voice.

As soon as I stepped inside my nose was filled with the sweet and complex scent of incense, My mind was almost instantly relaxed similar to when I entered a church back during my days in the Arkanovci, All the horrors and stresses of the world seemed to fall off my shoulders in an instant.

I followed the priestess of Aellarith further back into the temple until reaching a Great Hall where a carefully carved marble statue of Aellarith stood with a gentle hand extended as if beckoning for me....

"You will have as long as you need." The priestess spoke with a warm smile before exiting through the doorway where we'd entered and shutting the door behind her.

I walked up to the bright statue and instantly I felt Aella's presence before me, Her sweet honey like scent filled my nose as I knelt before the Statue.

My hand moved onto the smooth stone and I felt a tremble of power run throughout my entire body.

"Aella My Love....I miss you.....I can still feel your warmth on my skin on some nights...Your voice echoes in my ears even still...." I spoke while looking up at her marble statue, no response came except for the gentle warmth which spread throughout my very soul.

"I have met a Woman, her name is Natalka.....She has been invaluable in helping me get this far...I hope you two will get along once we reunite again.....I love you my Goddess....My Aella.....My Wife." I spoke and the golden Mythril wedding band on my finger glowed a bright golden hue for a few seconds before returning to normal.

I took a dozen necklaces and earrings which I'd taken from the Vault in Elisnore and set them at the base of her statue.

After setting the offerings down I stood from my knees and set a loving kiss upon the statue's extended hand.

"We will reunite soon my love." I spoke softly before walking slowly back and exiting the temple.

Aellarith's sweet scent still filling my nose intensely.

I took one look back upon her marble statue and I could almost see a faint smile upon its marble lips.....

Before long I'd opened the door and stepped out, The Old priestess had been waiting there on a small bench.

"Sir I hope your visit was to your liking..." The woman asked humbly.

"Of course, Thank you for the work you do in the Goddesses temple, here is a small offering from me.....Use it for those in need." I spoke while taking a pouch of four dozen gold coins.

The priestess peeked into the pouch and her eyes widened in shock at the sheer sum but she didn't dare try to return it.

Her Goddess had given her a vision of the white haired man after all and she didn't dare question such a man.

"I shall see it be used for charity, there are no beggars in Valewood, but there are needy children in the orphanage, Your most generous offering will be used to supplement and help them." The old priestess spoke with a humble bow.

"Thank you priestess, If you need anything please let me know." I spoke and she nodded solemnly before I finally made my way outside back into Valewood.

As I descended the long cobblestone steps, a skinny average faced Aelven woman rushed up and gave a low bow, her modest servants dress made me know her occupation instantly.

"Sir Hilandar, Madame Aeri Asks For Your Presence." The woman spoke.

"Miss, I do not know anyone named Aeri, Who is she and why is she asking for my presence?" I asked

"Lady Natalka's Mother....The Madame wishes to meet you in person." The servant Aelven woman spoke and bowed respectfully.

"Very well, lead the way." I spoke and the servant motioned for me to follow behind her as we walked down the steps.

"Sir Hilandar there is one thing you be aware of before meeting the Madame." The servant girl spoke as we passed the marble statue of Lithrum.

"Please I'd like to know." I spoke and she nodded before continuing.

"The Madame is quite sickly, She cannot handle conversations that are too long so please keep your conversations brief so The Madame does not overexert herself." The servant spoke.

"What illness, I'd expect the Mages of Valewood to handle any sickness quite easily." I spoke and the servant nodded grimly.

"The Madame's condition is unknown to me Sir.....but if I may be frank.... not even Caranea could fix the Madame after weeks of treatments." The servant spoke and I could hear the pain in her voice.

We continued walking for ten minutes to the higher level of Valewood, the higher we moved the larger and more beautiful the homes became.

It looked as even though no one in Valewood was living in poverty, but it was not an equal society, some were far more wealthy or powerful than others.

Eventually we reached a large intricately decorated mansion with a thick stone wall around its borders, Two Armed and armored Aelven guards stood at the main gates.

My sensitive ears also sensed several more patrolling inside the premises.....Seemed Natalka's parents were people of prominence.

As we reached the gate one of the guards stopped us.

"Sir, Guests are not allowed to carry weapons onto the premises, We can hold your blades until your departure." He spoke without any emotion.

He seemed to be a good guard only following orders so I wasn't upset in the slightest.

"I understand, Then Please ask the masters of the home if an exception can be made." I spoke respectfully.

He turned to the gate and called out.

"Invae!...Go ask Captain Luthien if....." The man spoke then turned to me once more. "Sir your name?" The guard asked.

"Kalinik Hilandar." I responded and before long the guard on the other side of the gate rushed toward the large home to fulfill his task.

The Servant girl beside me spoke softly. "Sir Hilandar you do not need a sword to meet the Madame." She spoke.

"This sword was a Gift to me by my Wife, I'll not part with it even if I were meeting an emperor." I spoke and immediately the Servants eyes moved to my hand where she spotted the Golden Mythril wedding band.

"I did not know you were married....If it is not impolite for me to ask, How does one choose a good partner?"

She asked and I could see the nervousness in her eyes....seemed she was having some doubts about going into a relationship.

"There is no advice anyone can give in choosing a partner, That is the job for your heart....but if you'd like to keep it going you need to speak frankly with each other, Whatever small problems you develop over time need to be addressed often before your honey turns to vinegar." I spoke and she seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding cutely.

"I will take your advice....Thank you Sir Hilandar." She spoke modestly just as the guard returned from inside the mansion.

"The Lord permits Sir Hilandar to keep his armaments." The Guard spoke.

before long the heavy gates opened slowly and I was escorted inside by the Servant girl and a guard.

Soon enough the polished wooden front door was opened and I was led inside, the main hallway was broad with large paintings on the walls.

The hallway opened up into a broad room with four leather couches and a small table at its center.

Natalka was sitting on one couch and her father Luthien on the other.

As soon as Natalka laid eyes on me a loving smile spread across her face.

"Master Luthien, Lady Natalka I've brought Sir Hilandar would you like him to visit the Madame immediately?"

"Yes, take him directly there Karla." Luthien spoke and the servant girl bowed before motioning for me to follow her.

"I'll see you soon." Natalka spoke as I walked past...she seemed a bit nervous.

the servant took a turn then began climbing a stairwell with polished wooden steps.

Before long we reached a deeper section of the Mansion, Everything was extremely quiet and my ears only picked up the clacking of our shoes and the light breathing from the servant girl.

The servant stopped in front of a door and knocked softly.

"*Knock *Knock *Knock...Madame Aeri.... I have brought Sir Hilandar..." The servant spoke and we both waited for a few long seconds until the crisp bright sound of a bell was heard.

The servant opened the door slowly and motioned for me to enter.

I walked forward and entered the dark warm room.

Laying on a large bed was Natalka's Mother laying placidly upon the large comfortable looking bed.

Then the door closed behind me and I could hear the clacking of the servant girls feet as she walked away down the hallway.

"So you.....are who my.....my daughter has fallen in love....with....." Aeri spoke at almost a whisper, then pointed at a chair set beside her bed for me to sit.

I walked over and Sat down on the Chair while her brilliant green eyes stared at me.

"I think she has Madame.....and I've fallen in love with her." I spoke and she nodded lightly.

"You certainly.....are more handsome....than that Valir.....but...do you have....a good heart....." Aeri asked weakly.

"Madame you can trust that I will never betray your daughters love.... or her trust.....My heart can love and cherish, but I won't lie... It can also burn with Hatred." I spoke and she nodded softly

"I...I have heard that you have slaughtered.....hundreds of....humans...defenseless humans...." She spoke and her chest heaved for a long moment before returning to normal.

"Yes, That is the hatred..." I spoke and she nodded softly.

"You are.....much better.....than that other one....you do not lie...Kalinik...You....Have my blessing....." Aeri spoke and her eyes fluttered with exhaustion.

"Madame before I go, What ails you? What sickness...." I asked and she caught her breath for a long moment before speaking.

"It is not.....a sickness...It is...a curse....Gray Death...." She spoke weakly, In that moment I promised myself to find a cure.

"Madame thank you for your time....Please rest." I spoke respectfully and she nodded before ringing the bell once more.

After a minute the door opened and the servant girl beckoned me to follow her.

"Don't.....don't lose.....the duel....." Madame Aeri spoke weakly just as I was leaving the room.

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[Minutes later]

I was once again in the Living room with Natalka and her Father.

When he saw that I'd returned he stood from his seat.

"You two may converse...but I know both of you are exhausted after your days of travel, Kalinik You will be provided a room in the northern wing...The Feast is in seven hours, I hope your skills match up with your blade...."

Luthien spoke before walking away to see his Wife.

I also noticed that Luthien did not look at me with cold eyes anymore.

Once Luthien was far enough away I turned to Natalka and spoke. "Is it my imagination or does he not hate me anymore?" I asked with a smile.

Natalka rushed over to me and wrapped her arms around me tightly.

"He never hated you dummy, He's just overprotective....And he's heard tales of your exploits...." Natalka spoke with a beautiful smile as I wrapped my arms around her lovingly.

"What exactly did you tell him?" I asked a bit worriedly.

"When I told him how you pissed on the face of Barthos's statue in his church he said 'now that's a man I'd be proud to call my son'...and I quote." She spoke and launched a surprise kiss onto my cheek.

*Mwua

"Did you tell him what I'd done before pissing on that pissdrinkers statue?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"hehe yes.....I was surprised that he really didn't mind....When I told him what you'd done he told me that it was a shame he missed the fun...." Natalka spoke sheepishly, I guess not even she knew how much her father detested humans.

"Good...Good.." I spoke as we both moved onto one of the large leather couches before sitting down while cuddling lovingly together.

*GROOOOWL...

Natalka's stomach growled loudly and immediately she turned beet red from embarrassment.

"Oh dont be so shy, I'm starving as well." I spoke and placed a little kiss on her cheek.

She jumped up from the couch and beckoned for me to follow.

"Lets go, I want to show you how good I am a....at cooking..." She spoke a bit nervously while taking me towards the Kitchen....

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[Elisnore Village]

"By Barthos.....What the fuck happened here..." A steward of the Therian Kingdom spoke in disbelief at seeing the hundreds and hundreds of fresh graves outside of Elisnore's walls, The stench of death still thick in the air.

"Lord Steward Garith, It is as I have told you.....Every single person left in the town was slaughtered....All dashed to pieces.....Not one single soul was spared...." Knight Captain Evander spoke with a solemn voice.

The Steward didn't respond, he simply urged his horse onward into the village, He quickly noticed that every person he saw was male and adults...not a single child or woman in sight.

The further they went into the village increased the stench exponentially but the steward made no effort to cover his nose or even complain, he simply observed everything carefully.

Eventually Evander guided the steward toward the church, None had cleaned or touched the walls until the King's envoy arrived....the Knight commander thought it prudent that whoever came saw the bloodshed with their own eyes.

As soon as the Steward reached the broken doors he froze and his hands trembled. "Good God...What beast would do this....In God's own house..." The steward's trembling voice was heard as he stepped into the church.

The suffering still lingered in the air, He saw the entire floor and most of the walls were completely showered in dried blood and gore.

He continued walking inside until reaching the statue of Barthos.

His usually white marble face had a large yellowed stain that dripped down onto his neck and breastplate.....Through the thick scent of death the Steward smelled the distinct scent of now dried piss...

"There was also a message sir.....Left in the Baronets vault.....Past the mutilated corpse of the Lady..."

The Knight Captain spoke a few minutes later both men were inside the lords chambers, The large dried bloodstain still on the large beautiful bed.

"Just through there Lord Steward..." Evander spoke while pointing to the opened vault door.

The steward walked forward and moved into the dark vault and spotted the dark writing on the wall, written in the Blood of a noble lady....

{KALINIK HILANDAR SENDS HIS REGARDS}

"The King must be notified....This shall not go unpunished..." The Steward spoke grimly.

"My Lord Steward....what of Elisnore...." The Knight Captain asked.

"That Wizard Jericho can stay and administer the town for now while you come with me, The King will decide the fate of Elisnore after he hears my report and your statement." The Steward spoke as his body trembled.

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Before long the King's Steward, Evander, and two dozen knights rode hard for the Capitol.

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