Lady Aveline's Journey Part 1

Lady Aveline's home in the central city near the palace was a place of quiet elegance. It exuded an air of dignified simplicity, much like its owner. The polished wooden floors gleamed in the soft candlelight, and the walls were adorned with tasteful artwork. Aveline had always valued a sense of tranquillity within her abode, a respite from the tumultuous world beyond.

On this particular evening, as she sat in her study, her thoughts were focused on the prophets words she had heard a year ago

'HELL SHALL DESCEND, NO ONE WILL BE SPARED! THE END IS COMING!' 

Most people took these words as those of a madman, but Aveline who came from a very religious background believed in them deeply, she interacted with the prophet multiple times since then, only getting the same information, she had never seen their face, and yet she still believed their words

Her musings were interrupted by the sound of approaching hooves and the clatter of armour. Aveline rose from her chair, her curiosity piqued. As she stepped outside, she was met with a sight that sent a chill down her spine.

Captain Reynard, the leader of her fellow knights, returned with the rest of their company. Their faces bore a stark expression of concern, a rare sight for these warriors.

Aveline's keen eyes quickly fell upon the young girl perched on the back of one of the female knights' horses, just now stirring from an exhausted slumber.

Without hesitation, Aveline rushed forward to greet them, many residents of the city backing off and looking at the knights confusedly after seeing their faces and the young girl

Avelines stoic facade concealed the turmoil of questions within her mind. 

"What has happened?" 

she inquired, her voice steady but laced with an urgency that mirrored the gravity of the situation.

Captain Reynard, a seasoned leader, offered a succinct but sombre explanation. 

"A…a second village near Ardenvale has been razed to the ground. Its people were slaughtered, only a hill of corpses remained amidst the ruins. We found this girl, the sole survivor….we believe she has gone insane. We are heading to the king's palace to report this horrific incident!"

Aveline's eyes locked onto the girl, whose gaze remained distant and cold, as if she had witnessed horrors beyond comprehension. Her heart ached for the child, and yet, her determination remained unshaken.

Kneeling beside the girl, Aveline gently spoke to her. "Can you tell me what you saw?"

The girl's response was chilling, delivered in a robotic monotone once again just like last time. "The lord of hell, Scythe, has descended to reap the souls of our kingdom."

'The lord of hell has descended?!... The prophet!'

Aveline's stoic countenance remained intact, but her resolve had crystallised. At that moment, she knew what she must do.

'I shall see the prophet,' she decided silently, her mind resolved to uncover the truth behind these dire events.

The group of knights continued onwards to the palace leaving behind a determined Aveline and a confused crowd of citizens

….

As Lady Aveline prepared for her journey to seek the prophet, she moved with purpose in her quiet home. Her thoughts echoed within her mind like a guiding mantra, each step and action meticulously calculated.

In her spacious study, she gathered her supplies. Aveline packed a leather bag with some dried fruits, a skin of fresh water, and a few coins of currency, just in case she needed assistance along the way. She then affixed the bag securely to her armoured horse.

Next came her armour, each piece carefully donned. The clinking of metal against metal resonated in the room, a familiar sound that was both reassuring and foreboding. She had trained tirelessly in her armour, and it had become an extension of herself, a shield against the dangers of the world. 

As she strapped on her plate mail, her thoughts turned introspective. "I've heard the prophet's words for a year, and now, I must seek answers from them. What could have driven the lord of hell to descend upon our realm?" 

Her fingers tightened around the leather straps, securing the last piece of armour.

With her armour secured, the kingdom's crest resting in the middle, Aveline reached for her weapon, a finely crafted longsword with an ornate hilt that had been passed down through her family for generations. She unsheathed it and admired the gleaming blade. "This sword has seen centuries of honour and duty. May it serve me well today."

As the sword found its home in its scabbard, Aveline mounted her armoured horse. She had prepared meticulously, but uncertainty loomed ahead. Her journey to find the prophet would take her through unfamiliar territories, and she was prepared for whatever challenges awaited her.

With a final deep breath, Aveline urged her steed forward, and they set off on the path that would lead her to the prophet's abode.