9 It Is He Who Made Us, And We Are His

Quite some time had passed, and if it was not for the bonfire guiding us, it would've been hard to see, on what we were stepping on.

As Estella and I made my way towards the light, an alluring smell was wafting through the air.

It appeared that they had somehow brewed a stew, with dried meat and herbs found around the forest.

I held Estella's hands and we made our way towards a protruding stone. The moment we took a seat, one of the guards started serving the dishes.

"Hold on, where's Estella's dish?" I asked them.

I had noticed that they had skipped Estella, even though they gave me the soup.

That won't do. I had just established my feelings towards her, I can't just let them ignore her like that.

The guards look at each other with neither of them speaking.

In the end one of the guards reluctantly stepped forward and said, "there's none," he spoke in an imperative tone.

the guard had blond hair, and was the tallest out of the three. He had slanted eyes, and a washed appearance.

"What do you mean there is none?"

Even though I asked, I was pretty sure on what they implied. Since they couldn't actively bother me, they decided to lay their hands on Estella.

Really, how petty was that? I always thought, that there are no villains in the world. There are only people, who had conflicting ideals. After all, those regarded as villains, had friends too. They would also not want to be despised by everybody. They also had principles they stood for.

But after transferring to this world, I had realized how different everyone in this age were. In the era that I lived, the social reputation was regarded as way more important then it is now. In war, politics and relationships, everyone tends to be a bit more direct in the middle ages. Their interactions were filled with only their truest intentions. No false smiles, hidden lies, or underhanded tricks, only good old verbal truth.

"As a servant, should she not be able to make her own food? Why is it, that we have to do it? If she wants to eat, she should pick her own herbs," another guard interjected. This guard was a bit younger, and his facial features were sharper. He wore a necklace with a crescent moon, which made him look like a dog on a leash.

It seems like they are adamant about being in the right.

"What's there to pick in the middle of the night, you better hope that your mother comes pick up your dead carcass after I'm done with you."

"Agnes," Estella uttered, and pulled on my sleeve. I think she was indicating that she could do without food, but I disagree. She already looked malnourished. If she doesn't eat, how would she grow?

"With all due respect, but how she makes her food doesn't concern us," The last guard said. He was a plump guard, with brown hair and blue eyes. His nose was crooked, and his armor was filled with scratches.

"Hmm, Is that so."

Strike three. This is definitely strike three. No more vetoes, I'm going to rip them apart.

"Estella, let me show you one way of deciding your own worth, which is by showing ignorant fools their place."

I pull Estella towards me, in a swift moment and our shoulders hit.

"Hueh?"

"You, the plump one, what's your name?"

Surprised, the guard answered, "It is William, miss."

"William huh? I wonder how your wife feels about your philandering?"

"Wha-"

"No need to deny it. Too fat to be poor, but too scrawny to be a war maniac. Still I wonder, you got so many scratches on your armor, you must not be home a lot? There's a tan line around your finger, indicating a missing ring. It seems that you are dissatisfied with your marriage?" I continue shooting one statement after another, giving him no time to rebut.

Petrified by what i just said, the William was at a loss for words.

"But I guess the money's got you hooked. Wouldn't it be bad if she found out what you do in your spare time? That's some nice bracelets you got. Got them from your wife? But why would she give you so many. Unless, of course some of them are from another source. I guess it's something like a competition for that other woman. Is it perhaps the sister, or someone close then?"

Complete silence. Everyone Including Estella, stared at me with astonishment. The plump guards face has turned chalk white, and looked as if he had just aged a decade.

"Speaking of jewelry, that's a nice necklace you got there. Your name?" I asked the young guard. The moment I pointed at him, he froze up.

"Robert," he replied after a long pause.

"So, someone in your vicinity has fallen ill, hm? Wouldn't it be a shame if something happened to her?"

"How, how did you know?" Robert stuttered, and his body swayed.

"That necklace has a unique design. Not exactly something a young man would wear. Just like now, you like touching it when you are nervous. I guess it is a present by a female counterpart? But by whom I wonder. Someone that is important enough for you to become a merc and earn money. A trained upper body and a dark tan, you worked in the fields? Changing professions, hoping to earn some quick cash in the upcoming war, huh?"

I stare at him, to confirm whether what I said was correct. Judging by his reactions, I had to be somewhat right. My eyes narrowed, and I continued interrogating him.

"Saving money for marriage? No, that's not it. Doing this dangerous job is the last thing anyone with a bright future would do. I take it you have a more desperate reason. Debt or illness sounds pretty reasonable. Even though you have a tan, your complexion is pale. You have dark circles around your eyes, and your skin is loose, from the recent weight loss. I take it you have also contracted the disease."

"Im, impossible," the guard mumbled and staggered backwards. Seeing that I was right, the other guards also stepped away from him in a hurry.

"Your sister, your mother, your lover. Don't know who you hold dear, but it's not gonna be hard to find out when we are done here."

Williams face turns dark, and he looks like he chewed a bug. I feel like I'm going to see a lot of different shades on their faces today.

"Well, that leaves only one. So, what's your name?" I questioned the last guard. The fire continued to flicker in between us, while the tense atmosphere is stifling the air.

"You, you demon," he called me, while pointing his finger towards me. How rude.

"Well, I have nothing on you for now. Just keep doing your job," I told him and threw my hands up the air.

"What?" Perplexed by what I said, his eyes widened in astonishment.

"But for you two, I'll deal an appropriate punishment. Even though you aren't directly my guards, that doesn't mean I can't mess with you two. Do you think you can get away with offending someone like me?"

I pointed at them and hearing me say that, they both went on their knees and and stared at the ground.

"Wait, my name's Lidra. I wish that you wouldn't harm these men," a voice suddenly rang out. It was the voice of the last guard. He no longer possessed the arrogance he held in the beginning, and kneeled on the floor.

Well, just as I predicted. I knew he couldn't leave these guys alone. He had a tall and robust body, he must take his job seriously. Also, how he lead the conversation in the beginning, I guess he is the leader of that group. So it was no surprise that he stepped up for them.

"And why should I listen to you?"

"I beg your pardon, we are sorry if we have offended you in any way. In a moment of folly, we were blinded by idiocy. I'm willing to take full responsibility for my men," he exclaimed end also kneed down.

I wait for some seconds, before I nod.

"Alright, I shall forgive your offense, However, there will not be another chance, did I make myself clear."

"Yes, miss," the trio shout in unison.

Well, this has gone rather well. It's not like I have really forgiven them, but I can't push it too far.

I mean, I may have a big mouth, but if they ever decide to stab me in the woods, there's nothing I would be able to do. And the message should have been clear enough already, so this is a good conclusion.

In the end they served Estella her stew, which she tried to decline at first, but the guards insisted. After the wholesome meal, we went to sleep.

As we were out in the open, there was of course no actual bed. We piled a bunch of plants on top of each other, before beating it with a stick, to get rid of any insects. Afterwards we put some blankets on top of the heap.

"Estella, come here, sleep with me."

"Wha, Agnes? I don't think that is such a good idea."

"Why are you being humble again, didn't I say I want us to stand as equals?"

"No, this is not a problem of hierarchy, you know?"

"Enough, just get over here, I'm tired."

In the end, we shared a makeshift bed. I snuggled up to Estella, while she was hiding her face under the blanket.

It has been another tiresome day, so it wasn't long, before fatigue overcame me and I fell asleep.

While I did so, I had a dream.

In my dream, I stood in front of a figure. It was girl. She had long wavy hair and ivory skin, with eyes that glow blue. She had a small stature, but her sharp features made her look mature.

Her upturned eyes, and high cheekbones, made her quite charming.

Slowly, she descended towards me, one step at a time, which made her look like a goddess out of a painting. Only when she had approached me, did I realize that she wasn't wearing anything. The girl had ribs sticking out her chest, her skin was droopy, with occasional dark spots showing on her hips. Her hair was greasy, and her face looked oily. Even so, it was not enough to hide the natural beauty she possessed.

The girl took her thin hands and placed it on my face, for some reason, I did not feel any danger. Rather, I felt that my mind was soothed. Her small lips opened, and revealed a smile.

Afterwards, she drew near my ear, and whispered in a hoarse voice, "fuck off."

I was immediately jolted awake. Sweat had drenched my garments and I could feel my palpating heartbeat.

That girl, I think I know her, I've heard her voice before.

I began checking my surroundings and saw that I'm still in the woods, with Estella sleeping soundly on my side. In fact, she slept so well, I had to poke her cheeks. But she still did not wake up.

"Miss, are you awake?" Interrupting my thoughts was Lidra, who appeared out of nowhere. In his hand, he held a sword and he had a grave expression.

"What's the matter?"

"I think we have company," he said and clenched his fist.

In the distance, I could hear the rustling leaves.