Chapter 8

The next day, he woke up and glanced at Irina lying on the bed, covered by a thin white sheet. He reached for his clothes and dressed quietly before sitting on a nearby chair.

A few moments later, Irina stirred, her brow furrowing slightly as she moved her hands across the bed. The absence of his presence made her tense, and a hint of worry crossed her face.

"Are you there?" she asked softly, her voice uncertain.

"I'm here," he replied, his tone steady. She relaxed at the sound, her shoulders easing as she turned her head slightly in his direction.

He picker up her clothes from the ground taking her hand a slowly helpring her stand up

"Let me help you get dressed"

Irina let out a small sigh of relief, grateful for his presence. She sat up in bed and allowed him to help her get dressed.

As he buttoned up her dress, he couldn't help but admire her beauty. The soft morning light filtered into the room, illuminating her delicate features and making her seem even more alluring.

And soon she was finally fully dressed

"Let's Get Going"He said to her as staying in this place for too long shoudn't be a good idea

Irina nodded, As she stood with his support. He guided her carefully out of the shack, the cool morning air brushing against them. Outside, the horse stood tied to a tree.

He helped Irina approach the horse, placing her hand gently on its side so she could feel its warmth. "Here, step up slowly," he said, guiding her as she lifted herself onto the saddle. He made sure she was secure before swinging himself up behind her.

Settled on the horse, he wrapped one arm around her waist to keep her steady. "Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied softly, though there was a trace of unease in her voice.

He paused before continuing, "I was thinking… we should go to castel morne later.., after we find a safer place. Is that alright?"

Irina's fingers tightened slightly on the saddle, considering his words. "Yes, I understand. It's dangerous to linger, and I trust your judgment," she said.

"Good," he replied.

The horse moved steadily down the path as the morning sun rose, warming the air. Irina leaned back against him. He glanced at her, feeling the quiet between them.

Leaning in, he pressed a brief kiss to the side of her head. Irina stilled for a moment before turning her face slightly toward him.

She leaned into him, resting her head against his chest as the horse continued its steady pace. Before long, her breathing slowed, signaling she had fallen asleep. He kept one arm securely around her, eyes focused on the road ahead.He looked ahead and sighed.

Now, he was returning to Sellen. She was his teacher, or master? It didn't matter. He was curious to see her without the mask she wore. The journey would take some time, but now that he had a maiden, he should be able to turn the runes into strength.

 ...

As the horse's pace slowed and the ruins came into view, the first chill of the night air brushed against them. Irina shifted, murmuring softly, "My Lord, it is very cold here," and pressed closer to him for warmth.

"We're almost there," he reassured her.

He brought the horse to a stop, dismounted, and tied the reins to a nearby stone pillar. Turning to Irina, he gently placed his hands on her waist and helped her down. She landed softly on the ground, her hands instinctively reaching out until they found his arm, holding on.

they made their way toward the descending staircase. 

A few moments later, the chamber opened before them, dimly lit by flickering light of the glowing gems that cast elongated shadows across the stone floor. At the center, Sellen stood, her back turned as she studied an old tome laid out on a cracked altar. 

Sellen turned at their approach, her masked face tilting slightly as if appraising them. 

"You returned," Sellen said, her voice smooth. "And with a.. women, no less."

"Come, take a seat," Sellen said, gesturing to a corner of the chamber where an old wooden table and two chairs now stood. "I've made some adjustments to ensure this place can be lived in, if needed."

He guided Irina to one of the chairs, helping her sit before taking his own. Sellen's masked gaze returned to Irina, sharp with interest. "Is this the maiden you found?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yes."

A subtle shift in Sellen's posture suggested curiosity. "I thought it might take you years to find one," she admitted. "Who would have thought you'd manage it in less than a month?"

"Fortune, perhaps. Or fate."

 "Fate is a strange guide," she murmured, before stepping closer and focusing her attention solely on him. "And now that you have a maiden. we could now take more steps futher my disciple"she said 

She turned toward Irina, her gaze sharp. "Now, let me teach you how to turn the runes into strength."

She paused before continuing, her voice firm and matter-of-fact. "Normally, a maiden can do this just by holding the Tarnished's hand. But... you're not a normal maiden. You became one through intercourse, which means it will require more than simple contact."

Irina glanced towards the voice of sallen, but Sellen wasn't done.

"You could engage in intercourse again to turn the runes into strength, but there's another option," she said. "You could simply hug each other. However, doing so may have a different effect. Not only will the Tarnished gain strength from the runes, but you might also receive a boost."

"..Ok, I mean... I would be very happy to do so," Irina muttered.

Sellen heard this and looked at the girl for a moment, a glint of interest in her eyes.

"Girl, what is your name?" she asked.

"Irina," she replied, her voice soft but steady.

Sellen's eyes lingered thoughtfully on Irina before shifting back to him. "Interesting," she said, the edges of her voice softening with intrigue. "Irina, you have potential. Should you wish to learn, my guidance will be at your disposal."

Irina's surprise was evident; she turned her head towards him, seeking his approval.

He gave a slight nod, his expression gentle. "It would be fine for you to learn sorcery, Irina."

A small, grateful smile touched her lips, and she nodded back.

As the conversation settled, Sellen's gaze grew more contemplative. Hours passed, and the room dimmed further as Irina, exhausted from their journey, drifted into sleep at the table, her breathing soft and steady.

With a subtle movement, Sellen reached up and removed her mask, the flickering blue light casting shadows across her now-unveiled face.

Her features were sharp yet graceful, beautifull long black hair.

"I suppose it's only fair for me to show my true face now," she said, a teasing lilt to her voice. "After all, you've brought me a surprise, and you seem to keep finding ways to intrigue me."

"You're quite handsome, you know," she continued, stepping closer, the silence stretching as if to test his resolve. "It's a shame you haven't spent more time with me."

The air between them thickened, her presence magnetic. She tilted her head slightly, observing the subtle reaction in his expression. "Tell me," she said, voice dropping to a near whisper, "is it only fate that keeps drawing you here, or something more?"

"Fate, perhaps," he said. "But maybe there's more to it than that."

Sellen's lips curved into a subtle smile, satisfied with his answer—or lack thereof. She reached out, a mere brush of her fingers along his arm, her touch as light as possible.

Sellen's fingers brushed lightly against his arm before she pulled back.

"If you want to get stronger, you need to start with a good weapon," she said, her eyes focused on him. "Find a blade or staff that suits you. It'll be more than just something to fight with—it needs to feel like part of you."

He nodded.

"But that's not enough," she continued. "You need runes. The more you collect, the better. Find as many as you can."

"Ok..." he replied, processing her words. He had noticed something odd during his recent experiences—whenever he died, the runes he had gathered seemed to stay with him. It was as if the runes were not lost when he returned.

Could this mean he could collect an endless supply of runes?

He didn't feel the need to tell Sellen about his ability just yet. for now, it was better to keep it to himself.

"Well, rune farming it is, then," he muttered.