Chapter 3

After waking up the next morning and washing herself with water conjured by her magic, Lily donned her human disguise again and picked up a sword and sheath from a dead guard. She knew she couldn't show her magic freely in the human villages. The journey ahead was long and fraught with danger, and she had to be careful not to reveal her true nature.

With a deep breath, she stepped out of the shadows and into the light of a new day. The road to the capital was long and treacherous, but she had no choice but to press on. Halfway to the farming village of Pala, she heard the guttural growls of goblins echoing through the trees. The sight of the hideous creatures brought a grim smile to her lips; this would be good practice, as she had never used a sword before.

The pack of eight goblins saw her and charged, their rusty swords glinting in the sunlight. Lily's instincts took over and she sprang into action, her blade singing a deadly melody. Two swordsmen fell quickly, their lifeblood spilling onto the dusty ground. With a grace that belied her newfound weaponry, she deflected the first two arrows that whizzed by, caught the third, and threw it back with deadly accuracy, burying it in the eye of one of the archers. The remaining three swordsmen were no match for her speed; they crumpled to the ground with a resounding thud.

The two archers had their bows trained on her, but Lily was already moving, a silver blur that left them stunned. One had his head removed with a clean sweep of her sword, and before the other could react, she had closed the distance and sent his bow flying with a well-placed kick. The last archer tried to flee, but her blade found its mark and sent his body sprawling. The goblins lay lifeless, a testament to the power she had harnessed in the name of vengeance and the desire to save the only person she had ever felt anything for.

She wiped the blood from her blade with a piece of cloth she found on one of the dead goblins, sheathed it, and began the final stretch to the village of Pala. Her thoughts were full of excitement for the battles ahead.

Without further incident, she arrived at the entrance to the village just as a group was leaving. They waved at her and approached, their eyes taking in her disguised form. The man in front of the group spoke to her, "Greetings young lady, we are adventurers," he began, his voice gruff but friendly. "We have heard that a pack of goblins is attacking travelers on the road between Taly and here. Have you seen any sign of them?"

Lily met his eyes with cold confidence. "I have," she said in a bored tone. "They tried to attack me, so I took care of those insects." The group exchanged glances, surprised at her dismissive attitude. The petite elven woman standing behind the first man, dressed in flowing robes and holding a staff, took a step forward, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "All by yourself?" she asked. "By the way, my name is Helen, the healer of this party, this guy," she pointed at the man Lily had been talking to, dressed in bulky armor with a large shield on his back and a mace strapped to his side, "is Martin, our tank, this is Bernd, our archer, " she pointed at a guy in leather armor, a tricorn hat with a feather sticking out of it on his head and a bow slung over his shoulder, "and finally Mary, our swordswoman," she pointed at a muscular woman in light metal armor with a sword at her hip.

"My name is Bella," Lily said, giving a false name. She gestured to her own sword sheathed at her side. "And I would say I can take care of myself," she said with a hint of disinterest. She began to walk past the group, their eyes following her like a magnet. Bernd called after her, "What about the reward for killing the goblins?"

Without breaking stride, she tossed the answer back over her shoulder. "I don't care, you guys can have it." The adventurers looked at each other, a look bewilderment on their faces. Who was this mysterious girl who could dispatch a pack of goblins as if they were mere pebbles in her path?

The sun was setting by the time she reached the village tavern. The wooden building was adorned with a swinging sign that creaked softly in the breeze, a carving of a frothy mug under a crescent moon. The tavern's warm glow spilled out onto the street, a beacon of comfort and camaraderie. She pushed open the heavy oak door, the scent of roasting meat and the murmur of conversation washing over her.

The bar was crowded with weary travelers and locals seeking refuge from the day's toil. She made her way to the bar, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of trouble. The bartender, a young man with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, nodded in greeting as he wiped a mug with a stained cloth.

"A glass of milk, please," Lily said, her voice low and collected. The bartender, surprised by the unusual request, complied without question. As she sipped her drink, the cool liquid soothing her dry throat, she asked casually, "Do you know of any decent inns around here?"

The young man behind the counter looked up, his eyes scanning Lily's form. "Well, we have Angela's Inn, right by the marketplace. Take the first right after the square," he said with a friendly smile. Lily nodded her thanks and took a last sip before setting the mug down with a gentle clink. The coins she had collected from the dead Empire soldiers glittered on the countertop as she slid them over to the bartender. "Keep the change," she said, her tone hinting at the promise of more if she returned.

The walk to the marketplace was short, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the village of Pala grew quiet. The cobblestone streets were empty except for the occasional stray chicken pecking at the ground. The warm glow of torches and candles from the windows cast a soft, flickering light, painting the cobblestone streets a soft orange hue. Lily found the first right as instructed and followed it, the cobblestones giving way to packed dirt that spoke of less frequent travelers.

Angela's Inn was a quaint two-story building with a thatched roof that looked like it had seen its fair share of decades. A wooden sign with a carving of a sleeping fox swayed lazily in the evening breeze, creaking with every gentle gust. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from an open window, and a single candle burned in the foyer, casting a warm glow that spilled onto the dirt path leading to the door.

Lily stepped into the cozy embrace of the inn, the heavy oak door groaning shut behind her. Inside, the walls were lined with shelves of books and trinkets, a testament to the travelers who had passed through and shared their stories. A crackling fireplace in the corner offered a welcoming heat.

Arriving at the inn, she was greeted by a motherly woman who looked to be in her 40s. Her round face was framed by auburn hair pulled back in a neat bun, and her eyes sparkled with a warmth that belied the fatigue etched into the lines around them. "Hello, dear," she said, her voice a soothing balm to Lily's weary soul. "How can I help a pretty young woman such as yourself?"

Lily's smile was genuine for the first time in a long time. "A room for tonight and breakfast for tomorrow, if you serve breakfast." The woman's smile widened. "Normally we don't serve breakfast, but for someone as lovely as you, I'll make an exception," she said, her eyes twinkling. "My name is Angela, and if you need anything else, don't hesitate to call. I'm always here."

Angela took Lily's payment and handed her a key attached to a wooden pendant with a carving of a sleeping fox, just like the one on the sign outside. "You're in luck," she said with a warm smile. "Room 203 is our best. It has a view of the moonrise, perfect for someone with such beautiful gray eyes."

The stairs creaked softly as Lily ascended, the soft light from the candles flickering up the stairwell like a warm embrace. The corridor at the top was quiet, the doors to the other rooms closed, the only sound the occasional snore or whisper of the night's first dreams. Room 203 was at the end of the corridor, the moon's silver rays peeking through a crack in the curtains and painting a striped pattern on the floorboards.

The room was small but cozy, the walls decorated with simple tapestries depicting scenes from the village and the surrounding countryside. A wooden chair sat by the window, the perfect spot to watch the moon rise, and a wardrobe stood against the opposite wall, filled with the scent of lavender and the whispers of countless stories of travelers past. The bed was a welcome sight, its thick blankets beckoning after the day's exertions.

Lily's mind was a whirlwind as she washed the day's grime from her body and clothes with water summoned by her magic. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction from her victory over the goblins and the weight of the task ahead. The Empire was vast and powerful, but she would destroy it, no matter the cost. The image of the murdered Bearkin family in Taly fueled her resolve.

After drying herself and her now clean clothes with the help of warm winds, Lily sat at the small wooden desk in her room and studied the map of the Night Kingdom she had stolen from one of the fallen soldiers. The path to the capital was marked with the symbols of various settlements. The closer she got to the capital, the stronger the empire's influence would grow.

Her heart raced as she traced her finger across the map, her thoughts racing with her. She knew that her true nature as a Foxkin could never be revealed. The Empire had a bounty on all Beastkin, especially the Foxkin. But she couldn't let that deter her from her mission. She had to stay focused, stay sharp, and stay one step ahead of the Empire's grasp.

With a deep sigh, she rose and approached the window, pushing aside the curtains to gaze upon the night sky. The moon, a waxing gibbous, hung low in the sky, casting a soft blue light that bathed the world in a serene glow. It was a stark contrast to the anger and rage she felt within herself. The sight of it soothed her, reminding her of her heritage, of the power that was hers to command.

Lily took a moment to gather her thoughts and strength before retiring for the night. As she lay on the comfortable bed, the gentle whispers of the night lulled her to sleep, her dreams filled with images of the princess she had sworn to save, and the horrors she would bring upon the Empire.