15; Interlude II: The Beautiful Stranger I

Kieran has never felt as free as when she was surrounded by nature, with the woods enclosing her in all directions and the stars freely shining above her. She breathed deeply, enjoying the cold air as the moon above with her three stones stood proud in the dark sky, watching over the countless denizens that prowl through the forest. At that moment, a deep satisfaction thrummed within her. This was all she had ever wanted: a dangerous but exciting venture that pays really well and through which she could increase her strength while having the freedom to do whatever she wanted and go wherever she desired within reason and ability. Here, in the midst of the glades, she felt as endless as the forest itself. Her affinity sang with the trees, a smile blossoming on her young face, until an unbidden memory tore through her reverie and her mood sank.

Looking at the sky, she knew exactly the reason why. Around this time of the year, almost all of the learning institutions established since the monarchy was founded all those years ago would be gearing themselves for the recruitment of young, agile minds in order to provide the lucky few with the opportunity to walk down one of the three fabled paths. Once, four years ago, she was one of them, a naïve girl with a nature affinity barely blossoming at the late age of 16. Her heart was filled with desire and hope to join the famed halls of the Dawn Academy as a nature mage, an affinity that was rather rare in her small village. But when she finally arrived at the gates of the academy after taking a journey of several days and overcoming a lot of challenges along the way, she got tested by a strange orb and was found wanting. Her affinity was nothing short of common at the academy. And to add salt to injury, her talent when compared to true prodigies was more like comparing a smoldering coal to a roaring flame. Even now, after all this time, a part of her still harbors some resentment, especially at the elders of the academy, who had ruthlessly crushed her hope for daring to dream for more.

But instead of breaking her, her heart was galvanized. She might have had no hope with the academy, but she could still make something of herself. And so, with the dogged determination a 16-year-old child could only have, she ultimately joined the Hunters Guild and then worked herself to the bone to make a living, using her meager gifts to prosper. There at the guild, she found the guidance she sorely needed, and now, after years on the field, she has become famously known for her unerring aim with a bow and arrow and her surprising versatility in her affinity. Her talent in magic might be lacking, but a combination of research, self-learning, and pure desperation found her finding her own path as a magick archer. They were very rare and far between, but the Hunter's Guild did have records of a few hunters who had successfully chosen the path for themselves. Fate rewarded her hard work with a team of her own, and it would have been great except for one little thing. She was trapped with a rogue who found a certain pleasure in driving her insane.

"Dinner is ready, princess." He rasped loudly as he came to fetch her, dramatically bowing like she was royalty.

Kieran's eyes twitched in annoyance. "You really should take caution, Morg. Anyone with a half of cultivation could hear your cursed voice from miles away, let alone a beast with sensitive hearing."

Morg only smirked in response.

"I have already swept the grounds around us several times, princess. There is not a soul to be found, not even a mark of any known predators. We are all alone here, your majesty, and I, for one, would gladly offer my company."

A not-so-subtle lecherous gaze was on his face as he uttered such words. Kieran felt his misshapen, dark eyes, seen above his cowl, graze all over her body, and she, used to such gazes, responded in the only way she knew how. She didn't hesitate to swiftly draw on her bow, pulling on her mana to form a brilliant green arrow on its helm, pointing its sharpened edge right at him.

"Try anything funny or suggest anything else wise, and this arrow will pierce the only treasure still left intact on your body quicker than you can unsheathe your blades."

They glared at each other for a few seconds, until the rogue chuckled, raising his hands in mock defeat.

"Haa, no one nowadays can take a joke anymore." He rasped in humor, which they both knew was fake, while taking a step back until he left her alone in the clearing.

Taking a deep breath, it was only then that she lowered her bow, the arrow disintegrating as she retrieved some of the mana she had used to form it. Her mana reservoir was not large by any means, but it won't be long until she advances to the second order, where she will get an opportunity to deepen, which will in turn increase her strength. 

Sighing to herself, she stifled her boiling resentment. Her life has turned into a series of never-ending trials, ever since she was spurned from the academy. She might have succeeded in becoming a hunter, but it was a hard trade considering she was one of the few females in this line of work. Early on, she had to learn very quickly how to defend herself, and it wasn't helped by the fact that, as far as her strength was concerned, she ranked near the bottom; her current status was barely elevated because of the versatility of her affinity. In this work, where many put their lives in danger almost regularly, any soul who possessed any healing arts or means was treated with almost universal respect. It was why she was assured Morg wouldn't dare try anything with her. Not only would there be a time where he might be forced to depend on her, but there was also another member in their little group, one who was quite a bit stronger than the two of them.

Taking the rogue's arrival as a sign her reverie had come to an end, she sheathed her bow and quivers of dried wooden arrows and then picked up her bag of rations before making her way to their campsite. She walked through the trees into another clearing where fire was dancing within a circle of stones where their hunt of a wild boar was roasting on a pike above it. The other member of her group, a man named Barlow, a bloke of large stature with muscles that rippled under his oiled armor, was busy tending to their meal, his large fingers dexterously sprinkling some seeds, salts, and other condiments on to the sizzling meat that made it smell like heaven. At the beginning, she used to be paranoid such a scent would attract the attention of most beasts that made the endless glades their home, but they were currently only on the outskirts of the forest. In addition, despite her cultivation, her experience had grown throughout countless battles, and thus she could reasonably carry herself with a certain confidence. Besides, Barlow was already a warrior of the second order, and his mace and shield had stood stalwart amongst many of the beasts that sought their lives. It is the whole reason why their group was formed. She was the ranged option, bringing death upon their foes from afar with her deadly arrows, along with an assortment of entrapping vines and some healing with her nature affinity, while Morg, the misshaped rogue, brought an end to all life with his agile steps and swift knives. He might like pushing her buttons, but he knew they all worked together seamlessly, so he wouldn't dare jeopardize their cooperation carelessly.

"That smells amazing, Barlow."

As the impromptu leader of their small group, Kieran always made the point to show appreciation when needed, except that the large warrior rarely spoke a word until it was an absolute must. He proved her point by grunting in response before he continued tending to the meat. Morg was not about to be ignored, though.

"Did you forget about me, princess?" He drawled, "I do think I deserve some gratitude for bringing the game after all."

Kieran only gave him a dead stare in return. "That's about the only thing you have done since we made camp. You certainly took your time to hunt it after you appeared, when we were almost done with everything. Your willingness to contribute is almost unmatched with your shamelessness."

Morg smirked as he brought his hands to his chest.

"Oh, how you wound me, princess; your words are daggers to my heart." Then he scouted closer to the fire and, therefore, their meal. "Besides, I don't mind helping with hunting as much as the big guy doesn't mind cooking. The last time you tried, the whole thing was charred to the bone. Ah I still can't forget the torture I experienced when that meal tore its way through my ass."

Kieran's face couldn't help but be flushed at his words. In her defense, she had grown up in a household where she only helped her poor father with hunting and taking care of animals instead of cooking. Her mother had really tried to force her into the kitchen, but her efforts became naught the moment she awakened her mana. Why would she learn to cook when the whole world was just begging to be explored?

"You are also a worse cook if I ever saw one, so this is really a pot calling the kettle black." Kieran tried to defend herself, but the rogue only sneered in response. He was just about to retort something that would have probably annoyed her even more when something twinged her senses, and she immediately crouched, effortlessly unsheathing the bow into her hand. On seeing her reaction, the rogue and the warrior immediately did the same: the warrior with his mace and shield, and the rogue with his sharp blades. She might be the youngest among them, but it was her sensitive senses that ultimately crowned her as the leader of the group.

And they were telling her that beyond the clearing, under the shadow of the nearby trees, something or someone was staring at them.

"I know you are there." She declared into the air, "Show yourself, or we would be forced to defend ourselves."

A moment of silence passed until a small movement made itself known.

"Please hold your weapons."A male voice could be heard as his form slowly appeared once he stepped out of the shadows.

"I come with no ill intention." The form resolved itself into the visage of a young boy, fully dressed in faded robes. Yet despite the shabbiness of his clothes or the lack of any kind of footwear on his legs, Kieran could still sense a strange elegance in him. The boy carried himself slowly but confidently, his face half concealed by a mask, and his dark hair peeking out underneath the hooded cloak. It was his eyes that caught her attention. The gleaming orbs were a riot of melded colors, deep crimson swirling in the dark waters, their apertures shedding a sheen of shimmering light. Without a shadow of doubt, Kieran knew she was in the presence of another mage, one whose affinity was most assuredly higher than hers, if only judging by his scintillating eyes when compared to her fading green-grass orbs. They were the most magnificent eyes she had ever laid eyes upon, and it took her a few seconds to realize that she was gawking at the stranger.

What?

"I caught a scent of your meal." He spoke, his voice somehow quiet and melodious. "I haven't eaten anything worthwhile in a while. Would you be willing to share? I have some silver to spare."

Morg's eyes practically shone at the mention of money.

"100 silvers and you will get a bite." He immediately proposed, his hidden tongue most assuredly leering at the stranger.

The young boy was taken back.

"100 silvers... isn't that too expensive?"

At his words, Morg's eyes narrowed, forcing Kieran to immediately interrupt in order to save themselves some face.

"Do not listen to him." She sent the rogue a glare at him, which he returned right back. "No meal of ours will ever be worth that much. We have no problems sharing, but before we allow you to join us, can you explain how you found yourself in the forest?"

The kid looked between her and the rogue before he sighed.

"I am hopelessly lost. I began my journey a little further in the south and thought I would try to cut it short if I passed through the outer fringes of the endless glades, but in this sea of trees without a map, I quickly lost my bearings."

Morg nastily smirked as he asked, "And where were you going, child, that you would dare risk your life by walking through this place?"

The child took a few seconds to stare at them before he replied.

"I'm on my way to the Dawn Academy. I hope to join their recruitment drive this year."

They all stared at the kid until Kieran saw fit to break the silence, even as a familiar flare of jealousy coursed within her.

"Are you really a mage, or a witch?" She tentatively asked as she took a step back before arming her bow again. "Your eyes say you might be a mage of very high affinity, but one can never be too sure."

The kid seemed so confused by her question. "I am a mage, as I awakened not too long ago, but why would you be asking if I am a witch? From what I heard, only girls get to be witches."

Kieran snorted. "You would think so, but the shorelands are bigger than you would think. It takes all kinds of people to become either of them." She paused before she continued. "And witches are not known for their mercy."

The stranger chuckled, his infectious laugh eerily lightening up the mood.

"Well, you all have nothing to fear from me. All I seek are some food and warmth for the night, and possibly some directions before I get out of your hair in the morning."

They all stared at each other until Barlow ultimately nodded at her. She could see Morg was still dissatisfied, no doubt annoyed that he did get to fleece more money out of the kid. Pilgrimages like his were very common at this time of the year, and while she tried to convince herself that the kid might also get spurned at the gates just like she was, she had a feeling that he might just be able to achieve her shattered dream. Just using her senses and nothing else, she could practically smell the potential wafting off him.

But still, it was all up to the whims of the cosmos. It wouldn't hurt for her to be cordial with him, just in case the same thing happened to him. She didn't know his affinity, as it was considered rude to ask unless offered, but their group could always use an official mage in their hunts. Building a good rapport now when he was weak and untrained might just pay off in the future. These kinds of thoughts swirled deep in her mind. There was no need for her companions to know any of it.

"You are welcome to join us for the night." She told him while gesturing at their camp. "But what should we call you?"

The kid's eyes positively gleamed as he replied.

"Please call me Lucius." He practically bowed. "I'm very grateful for the generosity."

He brought himself closer to the flames, which made Kieran erase any doubts about what she had sensed before.

Under the blaze of their bonfire, the kid's eyes were even more enthralling as they danced and shifted along with the flames. When she also settled herself nearby, a large part of her found itself wondering if the rest of his face would be just as captivating as his eyes.