The Unsettling Truth

Time frame: wartime

As Adeline entered the bustling tent, the warm glow and vibrant energy filled the air. The news of Lady Sophia's return to the border of Clearport had spread like wildfire, drawing the healer girls towards her like moths to a flame.

With an elated heart, Adeline rushed towards Lady Sophia, her emotions overflowing. She embraced her tightly, savoring the warmth of their reunion.

The weight of responsibility she had shouldered during Lady Sophia's absence now lifted from her shoulders.

Tears welled up in Adeline's eyes as she looked into Lady Sophia's face, her voice filled with genuine relief.

"My lady! You have returned, and I am grateful beyond words. You have entrusted me with your duties, and I have done my best. Now, with your return, the burden is lifted, and I no longer have to live in fear."

Lady Sophia, her gaze filled with appreciation, gently placed her hands on Adeline's shoulders. "Adeline, you have been a beacon of strength and dedication in my absence. I am forever grateful for your unwavering commitment and the way you have carried out your responsibilities with grace. You have proven yourself capable, and I have complete faith in your abilities."

A sense of reassurance washed over Adeline, her worries dissipating like mist before the rising sun.

Lady Sophia's words filled her with newfound confidence and purpose. She had proven her worth and earned Lady Sophia's trust.

"Indeed, it is natural to feel afraid when faced with the prospect of living among Gamaaloth, like being surrounded by a group of monsters," Adeline complained with a pout. Lady Sophia couldn't help but chuckle at her candid remark.

That night, Adeline found solace in Lady Sophia's tent, sharing with her the events that transpired during her absence while she had been tending to the supplies in Everkeep.

Adeline recounted how Ragnar had taken over the hunting duties, shouldering the responsibility with surprising competence.

She also shared the tale of her journey to Gamaaloth's camp, and her attempts to establish cordial relations with the Gamaaloth, which unfortunately met with little success.

As Adeline spoke of the Gamaaloth's custom of acquiring women to continue their bloodline, a flicker of fear danced in her eyes.

However, that fear gradually faded as she revealed how Uzana had volunteered to escort her back to their camp without even being asked.

"How thoughtful of him," Lady Sophia praised, her admiration evident in her voice.

"The trip just now felt different. It felt like I had a monster protecting me from even worse monsters. Though, who knows? Making friends with snakes and wolves could be better than making friends with Gamaaloth?"

Lady Sophia, fully engrossed in Adeline's tale, listened intently. Her mind contemplated the significance of Adeline's words.

"Could Gamaaloth feel the same way about raising dragons?" Adeline pondered aloud. "Dragons are formidable creatures, protecting them from even greater and more terrifying monsters. But who or what could these monsters be?"

A serene silence filled the air as Lady Sophia absorbed Adeline's question. After a moment, she spoke softly, her voice carrying a touch of sorrow.

"Human greed," Lady Sophia replied, her words carrying the weight of truth.

Adeline fell into a pensive silence, recalling Uzana's words from their initial encounter. He had warned her about the potential dangers of Ostrill possessing dragons, suggesting that they might use them for far more nefarious purposes.

Did this truly reflect the nature of humanity?

Though wearing a faint smile, Lady Sophia understood the weight of Adeline's concerns. "Perhaps they are not as dreadful as we perceive them to be," she offered, her voice filled with hope.

"Let us hope that their actions in war reflect a certain level of ethical understanding. They may exhibit rudeness and arrogance, but true cruelty may not be inherent."

Adeline, however, interjected with frustration, emphasizing a deeper issue. "But their treatment of women is deplorable! They view us as mere objects, commodities to be bought and used solely for procreation. They fail to recognize the myriad abilities and potential we possess!"

Lady Sophia's voice trembled as she managed to utter, "Isn't that...?"

"What is it?" Adeline inquired, concern evident in her voice.

Shaking her head, Lady Sophia dismissed her thoughts. "No, it's nothing. Let's rest now. Tomorrow morning will bring us a multitude of tasks to attend to." With a sigh, she settled herself on the bed, patting the empty space beside her, silently inviting Adeline to join her.

A warm smile graced Adeline's face as she nestled beside Lady Sophia, their bodies close. In the tranquility of the moment, Lady Sophia spoke softly.

"Adeline," she began, her voice filled with genuine remorse.

Adeline turned her head slightly to meet Lady Sophia's gaze. "Yes?"

"I want to apologize," Lady Sophia confessed, her voice carrying a mix of sincerity and regret.

"For what?" Adeline questioned, her expression filled with confusion.

Lady Sophia sighed, her eyes reflecting remorse. "I have wronged you and the entire healer clan. But I will make amends, I promise. Let me find a way to make it right. However, hearing your story about Ragnar and Uzana just now has sparked a glimmer of hope within me," Lady Sophia responded softly.

Adeline's brows furrowed as she sought clarification. "What kind of hope?"

A gentle smile graced Lady Sophia's lips. "I am weary, Adeline. It has been a long day. Let us rest now, and perhaps clarity will find its way to us in the quiet of the night."

With those words, Lady Sophia settled herself more comfortably on the bed, signaling the end of the conversation.

"Go to sleep, My Lady. I'm sure you're exhausted from shouldering the weight of this long journey," Adeline comforted, her voice filled with concern.

At that moment, Adeline remained unaware of the impending fate that awaited the healer clan to be used as pawns in the war waged by Gamaaloth. Lady Sophia carried the burden of guilt silently, her heart heavy with the knowledge.

Later, Adeline learned that when Lady Sophia discovered the agreement forged by King Reinald and the Crown Prince of Gamaaloth, she wept bitterly before Elder Cryica, expressing her desire to end her own life.

She believed it was all her fault and that she had failed to protect her sisters. But Elder Cryica, a guiding presence and a mother figure to Lady Sophia after the passing of Lady Severa, managed to offer her a different perspective.

"Are you truly certain that Gamaaloth is as monstrous as you perceive them to be?" Elder Cryica spoke gently, her voice brimming with wisdom. "Have you not witnessed the mistreatment our clan has endured at the hands of the men from Everkeep?"

The words took back Lady Sophia, her eyes widening in surprise.

Elder Cryica continued, raising her brows in emphasis. "The men of Everkeep are known to be the worst offenders against our clan, and you, Sophia, married one of them. Is Gamaaloth truly worse than Sir Arthur? In the end, we must choose the lesser of two monsters, my dear child."

These words resonated deeply within Lady Sophia's troubled heart, stirring a glimmer of doubt and questioning the extent of the darkness that surrounded her.