Chapter 11

Elvira traveled to Berkton on horseback. She had left Onnanor after nightfall and had used the fast travel magic spell to land near the town. According to Wivior, the wizards would return to Berkton to capture the rest of the spirits. So, she avoided the Devil's groove forest and chose another path.

Riding through the high grass plains, Elvira was unsure how to succeed in her mission. Her gaze dropped to her neck, where her uncle's diamond was dangling as a necklace. She tucked it into her corset. 

It was better to keep it close and concealed. In a land full of strangers and danger, it was the only thing that could protect her from unexpected danger and provide her with familiar comfort.

Upon reaching Berkton, she went to the inn where she had previously rented a room.

"They'll be back sometime tomorrow, so if you want a room or something to eat, just ask." Elvira received an answer from the innkeeper himself. That time, his wife, Mrs. Harris, was nowhere to be seen. Also, the counter was a bit crowded.

She was about to speak again when a woman came from behind. "The wizards are not here yet, are they?" she asked.

"Ladies," said Mr. Harris, the innkeeper. "Just book a room and eat our fine food, and I'll bring the news of their arrival to your doors."

Everyone at the counter except Elvira immediately booked a room. Why did so many humans want to meet the wizards? It was not like that at the time of the festival. Maybe they were too busy hiding to notice their popularity among the humans.

When the counter finally became clear, she asked the innkeeper. "Why do they all want to see the wizards?"

"For the same reason you do. Hoping that the wizard's magic might change something in your life."

"It wasn't like that the last time," she said.

"You must have left the festival early, "began the innkeeper, "There were so many people with requests that the wizards had to leave in the middle of the night to avoid them. Some say they had to use magic to keep the crowd from stomping on them."

If that was true, she might not even get a chance to meet them.

Elvira pulled some gold coins from a pouch and put them on the counter. "I want to be the first one to know about their arrival. Even if they arrive at two in the morning, tell me."

The innkeeper gathered the coins with a hearty smile. "Of course, madam. Consider it done."

Elvira went to her room to get some rest. She dozed off thinking about her fake human identity in detail. She needed to talk about it. So why not practice?

A knock at the door startled her awake. Upon opening the door, she saw the innkeeper holding a lamp. "The wizards are here, and they are dining downstairs." 

Elvira rushed to the window. It was dark outside, and the streets were vacant. Nighttime was still scary for the townspeople because of the forest spirits.

In haste, she slipped into a silk dress and re-did her hair.

Elvira was a gorgeous young woman with full lips, a cute nose, big upturned light amber eyes, a heart-shaped face, and dark eyebrows. People often told her back at her coven that she resembled her father.

After untangling her hair, she scrutinized her body, which was perfect according to many men and some women. However, she seldom felt confident in her slim, thick body.

The thought of seducing a wizard was stomach-turning.

Men did enjoy the company of beautiful women. So, maybe her beauty would come in handy.

After giving herself a pep talk, she went downstairs to talk to Wivior. To her dismay, she didn't see him anywhere and only saw Everard, the tall twins, and a couple of other unknown faces.

Talking to Everard would be like throwing an axe on her feet. Perhaps the other wizards seated at a separate table would be friendlier.

"Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?" she asked them.

"Allow me to answer your questions," a chilling voice came from behind before those addressed could answer her.

Elvira turned around and saw Everard wearing the meanest expression on his face.

"I didn't want to bother you," said Elvira, averting his spine-chilling gaze.

"Looks like you already have, so ask away. I am the leader of this group, so you should only be asking questions to me."

"Fine. Can you please tell me if Wivior is here? I need to talk to him."

"Wivior is not here," he said, rolling his eyes at her.

"Well, is he coming?"

"Yes, he is coming. We have enough business in town, so we don't have time for your silly requests."

"But back..." she began.

"What back?" His voice raised. "We compensated well enough for your troubles in the forest. I don't owe you any more favors, lady, nor does Wivior. Stop coming to us for help in trivial matters. We already have enough on our plates."

"How can you say that without listening to my problem first?!" Elvira's tone was aggressive as she was sick of his rude remarks.

"Speak then. Is someone dying? Are you here for the cure of an ailment? Have the witches abducted someone close to you, and you want them back?"

Wizards were tasked with rescuing humans taken by witches for sacrifice. Interesting!

"No. But I am being hunted down by my fiancés and father's men..."

Everard narrowed his eyes at her. "Wivior told me your little story. It's not our problem, lady. You should have thought about it before leaving home."

"I did have a plan. I planned to run to my cousin in another kingdom, but he is not there and probably won't return for a month. Until then, I need protection. If they found me, they would slit my throat."

Nighttime backstory practice for her human character was paying off.

"You're asking too much. We can't offer you protection. Also, this is a domestic issue. Your father wouldn't execute you for running away. I suggest you return to him."

"What if I gave you something in return?"

He looked at her in shock. "What can you possibly give me?"

"Well, what do you want from me?" Elvira asked, unsure what to say next.

"You have absolutely nothing I want, so stop bothering me!" Everard moved away after saying that. 

There was nothing more to say to him. Her situation wasn't gloomy enough to receive sympathy from others. Having already fabricated a story when she first met them, she could only create issues based on that.

Taking directly to Wivior was her only chance.

By the time she woke up the next morning, the wizards had already left. They didn't return until after sunset. Fortunately, Wivior was among the group.

Elvira tried every trick in the book to get his attention through the massive crowd around them. People were so aggressive that they used magic to prevent them from jumping onto their horses. 

The wizards dismounted their horses and entered the town's second, where she didn't have a room.

No one was allowed to enter, and the door was sealed shut. After an hour, a few men came outside with Everard and let a few people in after interrogating them.

Elvira pushed into the crowd and asked someone about what they were doing.

"They had promised to help the people upon their return. Because they are short on time, they are only helping the ones most in need," the stranger answered.

Elvira stomped her feet in anger. Everard had already rejected her reason, so there was no way she was getting past him.

She walked in the opposite direction, hoping to catch some air outside the hustle and bustle of the town.

So much had happened in the past few days that she didn't have time to reflect on it.

  Her friend Serena had eloped with a human.

  Charlotte's clan was taken captive by the wizards.

King Agror had given multiple bad news.

  And now she was there to spy on wizards, which was a disaster so far.

Elvira walked mindlessly and lost track of time in anger over her current situation. She wasn't far from town when some footfalls came from behind. 

Turning around, she was expecting it to be a robber or a creepy fellow but found Wivior instead.

"You shouldn't walk here alone at this hour. Especially when an army is after you," he said.

Her shock was palpable. How had Wivior known she was there, and how had he gotten past Everard?