Lawless Region

Dahlia watched as the situation developed. She was relieved. It was fortunate that she didn't need to get her hands dirty. She didn't know how to explain the situation to the children, once she killed those traffickers. She didn't want to freak them out. She also didn't have any idea on how she will take those kids home.

She planned to take Timothy with her and worry about the other children later. But contrary to her expectations, another person came to the rescue.

Good thing, the guards also arrived immediately. She sensed their presence earlier for they were behind her the whole time.

She continued to observe the situation. It seems like the traffickers will be turned in by the guards. Everyone in the area were already leaving. They already took the children to safety and departed.

A few guards remained, including the man who saved the children. He started walking to his horse but stopped mid-way. He turned his head to her direction and stared for seconds.

Dahlia's forehead creased. 'Did he see me?'.Dahlia didn't know if she should leave immediately or not. She hesitated but still chose to remain on the same position.

'It'll be more suspicious if I move.' she said to herself.

He stared at her hiding spot then his green eyes flickered. He ceased his gaze and resumed his pace towards the horse. Then he was gone.

'That was close.'

Dahlia let out a sigh. For no particular reason, she felt an oppressive aura coming from the him. He seemed to have notice her presence for he stared at the same spot she was hiding in.

She recognized him. He was Sir Elias of House Syrion. He was a Duke who came from Turswelt. He was also one of the few knights she idolized, along with his father, Sir Alfred of House Syrion, a war hero.

Elias was popular among his peers because at the age of 20, he has achieved a lot and was considerably stronger than veteran knights. His own father trained him. He was already sent to war when he was 15.

In the battlefield, he was an existence one cannot trifle with. He was called the 'Black Eagle'. It was said that no one could escape his vision.

He was indeed as what rumours say. However, she was perplexed with why she didn't detect his presence when they were both tailing the wagon. She just noticed him when he jumped at the top of the wagon.

'Maybe, we're the same' she thought. But she rejected the idea. No. She would know if they were the same.

His aura was different and it felt familiar at a sense. She knows that she felt it somewhere but she can't pinpoint where she did.

She also remembered how his emerald eyes twinkled. Despite the darkness that surrounded the area, his eyes glowed.

She decided to head back towards the inn. 'At least Timothy is saved' she said. She scanned the area once more then disappeared with the wind.

When Dahlia was back in her room, she kept thinking about a lot of things. She was bothered by the conversation between the abductors.

"Lawless Region...." She whispered under her breath.

'Lawless Region.'

The name was familiar and intriguing. It's like she's heard it before. She suddenly recalled something. It was when she accidentally heard a conversation between her father and a visitor, when she passed by his study.

They said the words Lawless Region and at some point they mentioned her mother.

'Mother.'

Dahlia couldn't help but frown remembering her late mother.

She was 12 year's old when her mother died in a carriage accident. She was on her way home from visiting her hometown in the South. It was unfortunate that she was caught along the landslide that day.

Dahlia blankly stared at the ceiling for seconds.

Now that she thought about it, her mother never mentioned which place in particular. When she asked what town in the South, she never said any specific name of a town or city. She always changed the topic or left, avoiding the question. She was young back then, so she didn't notice.

Thoughts rushed to her head. Ridiculous speculations arose.

'Could it be?.. Mother was from the Lawless Region?'

'But How?'

Nevertheless, when she recollected the conversation the men had, she was confused. One of them clearly described how dangerous that place is. She even felt how his inside trembled when he mentioned it. He even stated that they wouldn't enter that place for they would surely die.

They also mentioned a witch, which made Dahlia even more perplexed.

'They are still alive?'

Witches were no where to be found at this era. It's been years since they were banned from entering the Kingdom. They used to be a part of the masses but ever since the conflict that arose hundreds of years ago, they were all exiled and executed.

Only a few managed to survive. Those who survived fled the kingdom.

The surrounding kingdoms, who received the news about the witches' migration, also sent their orders to capture and slay witches on the spot.

They have been known to be extinct for years. As for the reason of their executions, nobody remembered.

Dahlia was clueless of what they could have possibly done to be despised so much by the society. It appears that the root of the cause is an unforgivable sin. And since it was already a long time ago, people didn't believe in that kind of stuff anymore.

She was surprised to hear that there was someone who appears to have survived and she was even in the kingdom's territory. But come to think of it...

You can't consider the Lawless Region as a part of the nation. The place wasn't under the kingdom's jurisdiction. Meaning the kingdom's laws and policies don't apply to that place.

The more she thought about it, the more her curiosity peaked. It seems that she has to visit the place herself.

She has a lot of suspicions about the Lawless Regions. She thinks that her questions regarding her mother, her identity, her sudden crave for murder. And the witch.. will be answered by going there.

She wanted to meet this witch. If she has the power to grant any wish, then maybe she'll know what is happening to Dahlia.

Ever since that night, when she massacred the Duke's household, questions were bugging her mind. Like, what happened to her? Why was she suddenly so inhumane? Why did she lose some of her emotions? Why did she crave for killing?

After all the months that passed she never questioned nor wondered what had happened to her. She thought that she will find out in the future. But now, that she has a chance to uncover the mysteries surrounding herself, she won't let the opportunity slip in her hands.

'I have to go there..'

She combed her long hair using her fingers. She decided to stop looking for a land to buy. For the meantime, she plans to go to the Lawless Region.