Accusation of Witchery Act

Time frame: wartime

Ragnar slowly opened his eyes, his head still groggy from the week-long slumber. The first thing he saw when he awakened was Lady Sophia, asleep with one hand resting on his arm.

She had fallen asleep. Her head was resting on the edge of the bed where Ragnar lay. She appeared weak and pale, her face etched with exhaustion from the rigorous process of curing him and Qedren of the poison.

In the dimly lit tent, her breathing was soft and steady, with a hint of a raspy undertone. Despite her outer appearance, her power and proficiency as a healer were undeniable, a true testament to her remarkable character.

As Ragnar looked at Sophia, he noticed the intricate patterns forming on her skin, reflecting the complex energy flow that encompassed her.

Ragnar felt a sudden urge to touch Lady Sophia's hand, and as he did, he sensed an electric current pulsating between them. As he watched, the energy spread throughout their bodies, intertwining and connecting them in a way that words could not describe.

Ragnar was horrified at Lady Sophia's power. What she had done to him and Qedren was definitely not ordinary healer-level treatment.

Prince Ragnar checked the arrow wound on his body. His body was wrapped tightly with gauze, but when he pressed on the wound, he could feel flesh growing on his body.

But still, that much power must have absorbed a lot of energy.

He checked Sophia's face again. She was so beautiful in her sleep. Her hair was light brown with soft, silky strands when Ragnar touched her head.

Oh, he raised his hand quickly, surprised at how fine Sophia's hair was.

Ragnar straightened the clothes he was wearing and then got out of bed. Ah, it seemed he was in Cescil's tent.

Wait. Did this seem to be Lady Sophia's tent?

Ragnar felt embarrassed at the thought. He had been unconscious, lying on a bed belonging to a strange woman.

He checked his face covering. He was still wearing it. Sophia had kept her promise only to expose his wounded area. Ragnar remembered Sophia's words and face when he was in a semi-conscious state.

"Shush... shush... go to sleep... don't worry, I'll only expose your wounded area. I won't do anything you don't like, my lord. You can rest and entrust your body to me. I promise to take good care of you and Qedren." Sophia had said all that while rubbing his arm.

Strangely, his body was stiff and immobilized every time Sophia touched his arm. He tried hard to fight it with all his might. But he always lost. His eyelids felt heavy, and he finally fell back to sleep.

Just now, when Sophia had touched his arm, she probably had no energy left to paralyze him. Her energy had been completely sucked out.

What a pity.

The horror he had felt for days turned into pity. Since when did Sophia become thinner? Oh, her small blood-red lips were now pale and dry and peeling. Ragnar's hand gently rubbed those lips. Lady Sophia still hadn't woken up from her sleep.

Ragnar slowly lifted the petite body in his arms and laid her on the bed. Lady Sophia moaned softly as if she were fighting sleepiness but failing. She was too exhausted to open her eyes.

Ragnar straightened her arms and legs, then straightened Lady Sophia's head. Ah, so beautiful, Ragnar thought.

He had never seen a girl as beautiful as Sophia. He wondered what would happen once he defeated the Ostrill army and reached the capital of Everkeep. They said Everkeep was filled with beautiful women all over the city.

But Ragnar was sure that no matter how beautiful they were, they would not outshine the beauty of the girl in front of him. Oh, this was the first time he had felt this kind of feeling.

This feeling was terrifying and strange to Ragnar. Ragnar got up again and walked out of the tent.

*

*

*

A woman appeared in Sophia's dream, and though she could not quite place her, Sophia felt as though she knew her intimately. They were so close they might even be related, as their blood seemed to flow in perfect unison when they touched.

"Sophia, my beautiful daughter. Remember that you're special, and don't let anyone dim your light. Forgive me!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Forgive your mother for being unable to be there with you until the very end," she whispered.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and several men dressed as palace guards rushed in and dragged the woman away.

It seemed like a distant memory from her infancy, yet Sophia remembered it vividly. It was strange, and Sophia didn't like it.

Sophia found herself in a dense forest surrounded by tall, ancient trees. The air was crisp and cool, with the scent of pine and damp earth filling her nostrils.

As she looked around, she realized that she was not alone. A woman stood beside her, her eyes fixed on Sophia with a mixture of love and sadness.

"Hello, my dear," the woman said softly. "Do you remember me?"

Sophia's heart raced as she peered closer at the woman's face. There was something familiar about her, and yet Sophia couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I... I'm not sure," Sophia stammered.

The woman smiled wanly. "That's okay, my love. I'm your mother. I wasn't able to be with you in life, but I'm here now."

Sophia felt a lump rising in her throat. She had never seen her mother before, and yet she knew that this woman was telling the truth.

"Mother," Sophia whispered, the word almost foreign on her tongue.

"I know it's a lot to take in," her mother said, gently touching Sophia's arm. "But I need you to stay strong, my love. Your light is needed in this world."

Before Sophia could say anything else, approaching footsteps reached her ears. With a sad glance, her mother faded away, leaving Sophia alone in the darkening forest.

"Mother!!!" Sophia cried out softly, her eyes widening.

The dimly lit tent ceiling greeted Sophia's awakening as she realized she was lying facing upward. Startled, she discovered herself in her own bed and sifted through memories of her previous position before falling asleep.

Her attempt to separate poison from Ragnar's bloodstream flashed into her mind, and she immediately screamed his name, "RAGNAR!"

Wondering where that clueless human went, Sophia searched all around the tent and found nothing. Knowing that he disappeared quickly once conscious, she immediately blamed Ragnar for it.

Sophia hopped out of her bed and strolled outside while her mind tried to figure out why she was lying in Ragnar's messy abode.

Did Ragnar carry her to bed?

Sophia immediately turned red, strongly hoping she did not drool as she slept. She lightly tapped her cheeks to brush off the thought and focused on what she needed to do to find Ragnar!

Sophia stepped out into the cool night air, the sound of chirping crickets and rustling leaves surrounding her. The moonlight cast shadows across the deserted campsite as she began her search.

The glowing embers of the dying fire illuminated the outlines of the nearby trees while the flickering stars above twinkled in the vast expanse of the night sky.

Sophia slowly navigated her way past

  tents and equipment, her heart racing with anticipation, until she finally spotted a figure in the distance.

As she approached, she noticed that it was Ragnar, kneeling by Qedren with his back to her. His broad shoulders were visible through his darkly woven tunic.

Sophia paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the scene before her. The night sky and river merged together, creating a canvas of blue and black intermingling with twinkling stars.

She now had a decision to make – does she reveal herself to Ragnar or observe him from afar?

Ragnar stroked the head of his sleeping green dragon and hugged it tightly. Sophia faintly heard the sound of Ragnar's weeping.

Gamaaloth, a race known for their brutality in slaughtering their enemies, could actually cry!

He wept for his dragon, which was his weapon of war. Sophia didn't know their relationship was that close. Sophia's heart felt like it was being squeezed as she watched.

It was completely different from her perception of the Gamaaloth, who were known to be savage and ruthless warriors. But now, as she witnessed the emotional connection between Ragnar and the beast before him, she saw his true nature.

Her heart ached as she watched the display of affection between the two, and she couldn't help but feel moved.

Slowly, Sophia retreated, not wanting to disturb the moment between man and his beloved dragon. But as she stepped back, she accidentally snapped a twig under her foot, causing Ragnar to stop crying abruptly.

For what felt like an eternity, they both stood there, frozen in time. Sophia contemplated whether she should run away before Ragnar beheaded her for seeing him cry.

"Sophia," Ragnar finally spoke, his back still turned toward her.

"Y-yes?" Sophia stammered, her voice trembling.

"If you speak a word of what you saw here today, I'll sew those pretty little lips of yours shut," he threatened.

"Hm, do you think my lips are pretty?" Sophia couldn't stop herself from flirting, though she later regretted it as Ragnar seemed to be standing tall.

The massive body loomed like a giant, illuminated by the soft light of the moon. Its muscular form was both menacing and beautiful. Slowly, it closed the distance between them.

"Don't test my patience, Sophia. You've already put me to sleep for days, and I know you're running out of energy to continue putting me to sleep."

Sophia stumbled over her words. "Th-that... um... that's just the effect of the opium you've been taking... I...,"

"Liar." Ragnar cut her off with a big, raspy voice. "You think it's that easy to paralyze me? You used magic, right?"

Sophia stammered.

.