Chapter 14: 125 years
As Jorael's revelation hit Cyn'Thia, she was at first left astonished, then recalling a distant memory she asked:
"T-Tor'Elkast the wise?!...
My Mother knew him, under another epithet… but… for him to be still alive…
And you… a Sage?!
How could I believe you?! But still…
You're talking my native language…
Oh… my head… I feel dizzy…"
"Just sit on the bed maybe?!" suggested Jorael while getting closer to the Elf.
"N-no, don't come near me! I'll sit on the bed…" she whispered timidly.
"I really mean no harm; in fact, I used all the money I had to save you from slavery…" pointed out the Traveler.
The girl sat on the bed gasping profusely, thinking almost that everything heard was not real and that their encounter did not happen. After few seconds of silence, she asked:
"Are you really a Sage?"
"Guess I'll have to just show it…" said Jorael while undressing, taking off his white shirt.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
I was right! You're a Human scum that wants to abuse me!!!" suddenly yelled Cyn'Thia frightened.
"Ugh… just look at my back…" sighed the Traveler while exposing his naked back to the Elf.
"W-what is that burn-scarred heptagram?! The mark of a Sage!?...
What about the wings?!" asked worried the girl even in more confusion.
"Oh yes, I'm also half Demon…" replied nonchalantly Jorael.
"W-WHAT?!" screamed Cyn'Thia before collapsing unconscious on the bed.
"Well, I guess it was a hard day for her…" said the Traveler as he was wearing back again his white shirt.
Then, he came closer to his inanimate slave to assess if she was fine. She was sleeping. Jorael took a blanket and covered her, then he sat on the floor meditating and keeping an eye on her.
After half hour she woke up:
"W-where am I…"
"Welcome back Wood Elf of House Cyn. Slept well?" asked smiling Jorael.
"…
I guess you really are a Sage." Replied the girl.
"Why an Elf from Vas'Cyn would be captured and become a slave?" asked the Traveler.
"…"
"Fine, you have your reasons to not reply. Rest assured that I won't harm you." Exclaimed Jorael.
"You really mean it?...
Then, why did you buy me and you were at the slaves' auction to begin with?" asked concerned Cyn'Thia.
"I've been here for few days, as I'm not native from here as you might guess. Slavers horrify me. They killed my family, my Mother, and my Father a lot of years ago. Now that I've come to the Human Empire, I saw with my eyes the extent of this Human's madness. Slaves are treated worse than domestic animals… they're treated like beasts. Most of them are Demons, in fact, you are the first Elf I encounter after my Teacher, and I was surprised to see you chained. I thought Humans and Elves were going along…" was telling the Traveler when suddenly he got interrupted by the girl:
"We were…"
"Not anymore?" asked curiously Jorael.
"How cannot you know this? It's an old story already…" replied Cyn'Thia upset.
"eh… I've got some holes in my knowledge due to an Old Man being asleep for like three centuries…" responded the Traveler. The girl started talking:
"300 years what?... Why everything you say just sounds crazy?!
Anyway, you should know that the Elven Realm closed its border more than a hundred years ago. At that time the trades between Elves and other races ceased. Humans almost didn't care, and from that time rogue Elves became targets for slavery. But, for Dwarfs, the interruption of commerce was seen as aggression, as they were reliant on the Elven Realm for a certain thing. Dwarfs were furious, they sent their army to the Realm's border as diplomatic measures failed, but also the Dwarven army failed. Out of spite, the Dwarfs cursed the Realm and literally destroyed the isthmus linking the Elven Realm to the Continent, creating an island."
"So, Dwarfs cut the only land passage to the Continent? That's crazy…
What did they want so badly from your race?" asked interestedly Jorael.
"Ugh… this is was hurts me just thinking about it. It is such a silly reason, but then again, Dwarfs are Dwarfs.
They wanted the Thundering Grass. It's an herb that grows only in our Realm." Replied aggrieved Cyn'Thia.
"An herb?! What's so special about it?" asked the Traveler even more interested.
"They smoke it. You know, Dwarfs' things… eat meat, drink beer, smoke herb…" responded the girl disgusted.
"oh… yeah those eyes. I can tell you also don't like Dwarfs…
Why your Realm decided to close its border?" asked Jorael.
"…"
Cyn'Thia eyes were suddenly saddened, and the Traveler could tell from her look that she was keeping inside of her an enormous amount of grief and sorrow.
"It's ok. If you don't want to tell I won't force you.
I'll tell you what I'm doing here. By request to my Teacher, I wanted to see the Human Empire, for… a multitude of reasons. I've already seen that a lot of things need to change, and I wish to put a halt to the trade of slaves. I've already entered the Titan Guild as an adventurer to move around more easily, and to gain information. That's what I lack. Information. I need to gather more of it if I want to resolve what's wrong here."
"How do you think you can change everything if you're alone?!" exclaimed out loud Cyn'Thia.
"As for now I'm alone, but many will gather for a good cause. Or so I hope." Replied Jorael.
"Well… I think you can say your not alone anymore now…" whispered the girl while blushing.
"Good! Now you should sleep…" ordered the Traveler.
"But… where are you going to sleep?!" asked Cyn'Thia.
"Uh… on the ground… don't worry about me…" whispered Jorael while turning his back to the Elf.
"If you say so…" whispered the girl before falling asleep.
…
The following morning.
"What's this warmth…
I knew this sensation…
Miranda?!" yelled Jorael whilst slowly opening his eyes.
What he saw was the mirage of someone resembling his otherworldly wife, that was sleeping beside him and kindly embracing him. The illusion spoke:
"Who's Miranda?"
The vision cast away revealing that the Traveler was hugged by the Elf girl, now awake and looking at him.
"Uhm… she's my wi… nothing…
More importantly, what are you doing here on the floor with me?!" asked surprised Jorael.
"Y-Y-you seemed quite troubled tonight…
You were having nightmares and screaming loudly!!!
I… came near to comfort you, and you stopped screaming…
That's what my Mother used to do to me when I was a child…" explained Cyn'Thia embarrassingly. Then, she worryingly asked:
"You were yelling so many names…
It sounded like you were battling someone…
Then it seemed like you descended into madness…
Is everything ok?"
"…
I told you I'm half Demon. The other half is Human.
Recently I let my wrath took over me, and I feel like I've lost something inside of me.
I don't know anymore if I'm more Demon than Human, but those terms in this world maybe are different…" explained Jorael as his gaze was lost in the void.
"I don't quite understand what are you saying. Was it for a good or bad cause that you let your anger explode?" asked Cyn'Thia.
"If I want to excuse my actions it was for a good cause, saving a slave. If I have to keep it real it was for a bad cause, awakening the revenge buried deep inside of me. So, it's not black nor white. It's in the grey." Replied the Traveler.
"The fact that it was for a good cause, and that you're acknowledging your mistake says everything to me.
I had some thoughts tonight when you were screaming in fear. I must apologize as you saved me and took care of me. Thank you.
You showed me that Humans are not all the same. Thus, I'll follow you until you as long as you wish…" said Cyn'Thia smiling with tearful eyes.
"…
Thank you. I promise; I'll free you from this slave thing when we'll leave the Empire." Replied Jorael.
The Elf just smiled and nodded.
…
The Slave and her Master left their room and arrived at the inn's counter for breakfast. Daisy was there with an odd expression, telling them:
"You Naughty boy… you are both smiling!
What happened tonight to relieve like this your faces?"
"None of your business Innkeeper…" replied jokingly Jorael while he sat on a stool.
"Master is gentle and kind…" whispered Cyn'Thia as she put her hands over her face as if to hide.
"Naughty boy is not naughty?!
I knew it from the second you entered my inn you're a Candy boy!" shouted with joy Daisy.
"Please Cyn'Thia, don't call me like that…" asked the Traveler.
"But I'm your slave, and I shall call you appropriately, Master…" affirmed the Elf.
Jorael sighed and started eating the infamous soup of the Mad Filly Inn, while his slave and the innkeeper burst out laughing.
After the meal, the duo left the inn.
"Where are we going, Master…" asked Cyn'Thia.
"Again, with this name…
we're going to the Guild headquarter.
I'm nearly broke and need to get some money.
I'll accept a contract…" explained Jorael while looking at the girl.
The Elf stood there in silence but her azure and green eyes told him that she was up to something.
The two of them walked to the North District and reached the Titan Guild building. They entered the Guild and the loud talks and chatter from all the adventurers in the hall suddenly halted. The people started admiring the beautiful Elf.
"uh… let's go to Catherine…" said Jorael as he was showing the way.
"Good morning Recruit Adventurer!
You're here for a new quest as I expected…
WHO IS THAT?!?!" shouted the secretary as soon as she saw the Traveler and the Elf.
"She's Cyn'Thia and she is…" was explaining Jorael but he got interrupted by Catherine who was yelling:
"A SLAVE?!?!
I knew you were a scum the moment you entered the Guild…"
"Do you hate slavery?" asked Jorael curiously.
"Of course, you pervert!" replied Catherine.
"Madam Catherine, Master is gentle and kind, please don't bully him, please…
Also, may I enter the Guild as an adventurer?" asked out of the blue Cyn'Thia.
"So that's what you were plotting…" whispered Jorael.
"Are you forcing a slave to complete your quests?!
You truly are a scum!" shouted the secretary.
"No, I'm not. Don't listen to Cyn'Thia.
May I have a new contract?" asked the Traveler but he got furiously interrupted by his slave:
"Master, I'll go whenever you go. Please madam Catherine. Register me."
"Fine. Here the module…" said the secretary whilst passing the paper to the Elf that started reading it and compiling it:
"Name: Thia
Surname (if you have one): Cyn
Age: 125
Sex: Female
Height: 1,7 mels
Weight: 10 stones
Hair color: Silvery blonde
Eyes color: One azure, one green
Particular features (if you have any): Wood Elf
City of Birth: Vas'Cyn
Class (Warrior, Mage, Assassin): Archer and Mage"
Once finished, the Elf passed back the registration module to Catherine, who started reading it. She then yelled out loud:
"125 years?!?!"
Jorael, surprised by Cyn'Thia age asked:
"You're 125 years old?!"
"Yes, but in Elven years I'm not that old. In Humans years I should be in my twenties…" explained the Elf.
"uh-um…
Fine. Archer and mage, I can see that…
Approved!
Welcome to Titan Guild Novice Adventurer!
I'll give your scummy Master the burden to teach you about our Guild!" said Catherine while her furious eyes were gazing at Jorael.
"Fine, fine. Catherine, any contract for my rank?" asked the Traveler.
"Yes… This one…" replied the secretary while giving the paper to Jorael that started reading it:
"Quest for Recruit adventurers or above:
Annihilation of Mole-rats
Herman, the chief of Teguria village issued a request to slay a nest of the aforementioned vicious Magic Beasts that are endangering the farms.
Reward 30 gold coins.
Warning! To receive the reward from Titans Guild this contract needs to be signed by whom requested it."
"Uhm… Teguria village is…" whispered Jorael after reading the contract wondering where the village was.
"Between The Gift and Rivella, in the farmlands. Are you really from The Gift and you're not knowing this?!" asked with suspicions Catherine.
"Oh, Teguria! Yes, now I remember… ahah…" said the Traveler while laughing.
Suddenly, the main doors slammed open making a lot of noise. Loudly footsteps and clenching of metal armors echoed through the hall of the guild. A handful of city guards arrogantly entered the building. The man that seemed to command the soldiers ordered them to halt, and then he began shouting:
"I am Captain Jonathan of the city guards. I am here for an official investigation. Who was the adventurer that completed the contract for madam Francine of the West District?"
As Jorael watched all the scene unfold in front of his eyes, he thought:
"Fuck."