Chapter 26

Osha had to be more direct to convey the subtle implications to Liam, "Who informed Annia of my departure to the realm of the gods? It's strange enough that she can reside there, but who is giving her information?"

"It seems her relationship with the gods is extraordinary," Liam realized.

"It's even possible that, for some reason, she is doing things the gods want. Of course, this is just my speculation," Osha waved his hand. "I think it's best for us to forget these speculations for now and see how things unfold."

Liam nodded. So far, Annia had been very peculiar. Everything she did had not been accomplished, nor had it been pursued, but this situation could not continue indefinitely.

After leaving the temple, Liam returned to the camp and called for Alec. He instructed him to go to Milia's clinic with this astonishing news, "Remember, on the way, let Heidi go to Milia's place too. Let them discuss it, and don't rush to oppose High Priest Osha's arrangement." Liam instructed Alec carefully.

When Heidi arrived, Millia had just returned from gathering herbs outside the city walls. They exchanged a knowing glance, embraced, then walked side by side into Millia's modest clinic.

As Millia brewed tea and prepared small biscuits in the dining area, Heidi shared the priests' recent discoveries. "I've been pondering this for a while, but perhaps we've been misguided from the start," Millia said, handing Heidi a steaming cup of tea and taking a sip herself. "She targeted me right from the outset."

Heidi furrowed her brow, looking puzzled. "Do you have any prior acquaintance with this annia? Perhaps some past conflict during your youthful wanderings across the continents?"

Millia shook her head. "No, I've pondered this as well. I truly do not know this annia; she seems to have appeared out of thin air. I've had William investigate as well. She arrived in Lawrence City merely a few years ago, accompanied by that paralyzed old man, claiming they sought refuge with relatives from the northern tribes. Of course, this is undoubtedly a fabrication."

"How then have you earned her ire? What could she seek in retaliation against you? Surely, it couldn't be related to Kenny?"

"No, it appears she harbors no genuine feelings towards Kenny."

The two women conversed in hushed tones over their tea for a considerable time until Alec arrived with news concerning Liam. Seeing Heidi present, he smiled with relief. "Heidi, I was just about to seek you out. Liam suggests it would be best for you and Millia to confer."

"Oh, what's happened?"

"Startling news! annia has somehow persuaded the High Priest and Liam to allow Millia to treat her father, Morrison, who is incarcerated and afflicted with madness."

"What?" Both women placed their tea cups on the table simultaneously, confirming Millia's earlier suspicions. annia was indeed targeting Millia.

"And on my way here, I encountered several brothers who were on duty at the city gate today. They reported seeing annia entering the city in the morning, unimpeded."

"Very well, allow me to go meet with her," Millia stood up, and Heidi followed suit. "Or perhaps I should accompany you. This individual may prove difficult to handle."

"Fear not, we shall ensure her safety," Alec reassured them, his enthusiasm palpable since being promoted to squad leader by Liam a few days prior.

"You go first to the temple, ascertain if the High Priest has any directives. I shall be fine with the leader," Millia consoled Heidi, hastily grabbing a coat and exiting with Alec.

Millia proceeded alone into the council chamber's dungeon, a dimly lit corridor with only a few lamps casting light, most of the rooms shrouded in impenetrable darkness, save for a distant corner illuminated by a solitary lamp, the only room guarded at its entrance.

Approaching, the guards nodded, opening the iron door for her entry. Inside, four stone walls enclosed the space, devoid of windows, the air thick with staleness. Randomly scattered on the floor were several bundles of straw, alongside two dilapidated chairs.

Lying upon the straw heap was a figure wrapped in a gray, creased coarse cloth robe. Upon noticing someone entering, he propped himself up with his hands, lifting his head to gaze at the newcomer.

Millia looked down at him, the backlight obscuring his features. She turned and cautiously seated herself on a chair, gently inquiring, "Are you Morrison? My name is Millia; I have been assigned as your healer."

The man seemed to shiver all over, drawing back and lowering his head even further. "Please, don't be afraid. I'm not here to interrogate you. Are you annia's father?"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied as if in a trance, then fell silent again.

Millia gazed at him for a moment, then felt a sudden tightness in her chest, as if struck by lightning. She began to tremble violently, stood up, took down an oil lamp hanging on the wall, and crouched down to bring the light close to Morrison's face. He turned away, as if afraid of the light and the truth. It was a face marked with wrinkles of sorrow, yet still familiar to her.

"Oh, father!" Millia exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

Ten years ago, on a stormy night, her father, Odessa, had led the young Millia, fleeing through the wilderness. They were pursued, they were driven out. They sought refuge in caves, fought beasts, and struggled to survive in the wilderness. One day, her father brought back a man he said was his friend. This friend, about the same age as her father, had come to help them out of sympathy for their plight. He brought with him plenty of delicious food, clothing, and medicine, truly a savior who had come to their aid. 

That evening's meal, which was a rare moment of joy in their long days of wandering, was deeply etched in her memory. In the damp cave, where the cold and darkness often kept her awake all night, it was this friend who brought a warm blanket that night. Millia remembered hugging that blanket, almost crying herself to sleep immediately. The next morning when she woke up, her father was gone, and she had since begun her life of wandering alone.

These fragments of memories flashed through her mind like broken pieces of a mirror. Each shard cut deep, causing her to shed hot tears and blood. "Father, is it really you?" Millia reached out with trembling hands to touch the old man but stopped midway, as if this were a fragile illusion that would shatter at a touch.

"Well, it seems I've arrived just in time to witness this touching scene," annia's voice came from outside the cell door. At some point, she had stood there, watching them coldly. The guards at the door were nowhere to be seen, as annia pushed open the iron door and walked in.

"So, have you two recognized each other?" annia chuckled heartily, taking a few steps closer and staring at Millia. Her eyes sparkled with intensity, her lips trembling slightly, a fervor in her that seemed like a blade finally tasting blood.

Millia turned her head angrily to look at her, at a loss for words for a moment. This situation had taken such an unexpected turn. She demanded sternly, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"What do I want? I am simply like you, like all elves, seeking justice and fairness for a lifetime," annia controlled her emotions and replied calmly. She sat down calmly on another chair, "Now, let's start treating our father's madness."

Morrison, not Odessa, should not be here. He bowed his head even lower. He could not bear to look at these two girls in front of him, both of whom he felt indebted to. Ten years ago, on that night, his good friend Morrison, despite opposition from other elves, had insisted on coming to the wilderness to find him, bringing a large amount of relief to him and his almost unbearable daughter. Morrison was an elder of the elves and the only one who suggested forgiveness for Odessa.

That evening, they shared drinks and poured out their hearts, then walked hand in hand under the moonlight. Midway, they argued. Odessa stubbornly refused to admit his crime, unwilling to return and face punishment, even if it meant implicating his only daughter. Morrison, angered, started grappling with him, and in the scuffle, Odessa accidentally pushed Morrison off a cliff.

As Odessa recalled this, he closed his eyes in pain. He had killed his friend, who had sincerely come to his aid in adversity. Afterward, he wandered in the area around the river domain, living in obscurity, until captured by an organization. It was a woman named annia who captured him, forcing him to change his name to Morrison. She beat him, threatened to kill his daughter Millia, made him a servant, forced him to do illegal things, and ultimately, to kill. He was powerless against this cruel organization. At the same time, he recognized that this woman was the daughter of his good friend Morrison. Perhaps, this was a form of redemption.