The long day of unexpected scenarios squeezed every ounce of energy from Ashalain, tortured by Natalak's doing. The door creaks— soaking wet, she didn't account for her muddy boots stained on the marbled floors. Yet before she could even digest, Ashena came with a warm welcome.
"Ashalain, you're back. I've missed you," Ashena says, snuggling the paladin.
"I miss you too," Ashalain responded, hiding her emotions behind a despondent expression.
As for the traveller—
Not knowing he was in the belly of the beast, Natalak was in a delightful mood—admiring the beauty of the room, the furniture, the design, the porch, and the small library.
"Looks like I had to spoil myself for a bit here."
Sitting on the bed, he suddenly thought of the library.
"I'm not mostly fond of being a bookworm, but gaining something would suffice a little. Best to read something." He stood.
Towards the library, it was a well-kept, neatly arranged area where old and new books were separated. Picking the books that interest him most, he then finds a chair to sit on. Alas, he found a hidden spot, hidden from the view of the door, and then he let his mind do the work.
'Tails of Mystic Magic', the front cover says. Uninterested, he returns to the shelf.
"The Duel of Wisdom and Trickery… Seems nice, I'd better give this one on my list." Natalak mutters, putting the table.
"The Path of Bread and Ale." Natalak expressed, then put it back on the shelves. "The Lady of Norreveil, The Paradox of a Goddess… Oh, Dull Blade? What is this for?" Natalak continues muttering the context of the books.
"Ah… The Ladies of Troubles…" Natalak yawns, too tired of reading women's troubles.
Until one incredibly old and dark book catches my interest.
"The Child of Prophecy"
"In the time of fire and desolation, when the men of Vashkeil are in chaos. When the elven kingdom tips their arrow to sheared teeth, when the dwarves clad themselves with steel and iron, it was in a world of chaos and destruction, swallowed by power, war, greed, and darkness. A time where the sons of Vashkeil would turn their backs on one another, it was a revelation, so to speak."
"When the world of Vashkeil is in turmoil, and in chaos came one of Erodul in skin: Lu'dorel, the friction in flesh, in his approaching empire's collapse. Mortals faced near extinction, and in such dreadful times came the regulators—the champions of the equilibrium of existence as to the universe. To set the balance of Vashkeil, Lu'dorel was defeated and shattered. But some of the ancients say, Lu'dorel signifies the end, for he signifies the end and the beginning."
Without finishing the book, Natalak had fallen asleep silently in the chair.
While asleep, Ashalain had already bathed and went towards Natalak's room. She was told someone occupied her old room, but didn't she listen, for she's in a desolate day... too tired to hear her sister's words.
As she enters, there's no presence to be felt, only the sound of rain.
Removing her apparel, exposing her womanly figure, Ashalain searches for a nightdress to wear. A gorgeous body of a woman whose light pale skin, warm like the morning sun, is smooth and soft as she spreads her scenic blond hair.
Finding and wearing apparel for the night, but Natalak was still well hidden. Tired and stressed, she fell asleep on the bed, ending the night.
Early to wake like a rooster, Ashena prepares herself. Rambling along the mansion, hoping to rouse Natalak, she hesitates.
"I shouldn't wake them up since they're very tired last night," Ashena utters, passing their room.
An hour later, Ashalain was first to awaken. Worried, she walks along the aisle towards the porch to relieve a little of her stress. Standing at the porch, fresh cold air blemishes as mumbling lips blame her for being clumsy to a thief.
Thud—it was then she heard a book fall from the ground. Hesitating to investigate, she decides to check, in her eyes, the young man who stole her sword was there, leisurely sleeping, silent as the grave. Confused, relieved, and angry— shocked at what fortune had turned into, she wants to pummel. But she wanted to know why Natalak was here at her sister's place. In the end, she stands there, looking down, watching the sleeping man who naps like a cat.
During his slumber, Natalak felt a presence as if watching him. Ignoring, he then continues his rest.
Moments passed, and Natalak finally regained his strength, but when he opened his eyes. To his surprise, all his world shattered into pieces as he faced Ashalain sitting right in front of him staring him in the eyes with cold-bloodedness. Trying to move but nothing, trying to speak but no words come out from his mind, all he can do is look sideways, not wanting to stare right back at her.
"I had cast a paralysing magic when you were still sleeping like a dog," Ashalain says, "Getting up from her chair." From a few steps away, she grabs his shirt as she interrogates the man.
"SHIT... How in the hell did this happen!" His mind was in a scramble.
Her hand sways, dispelling the silence spell she cast.
"Just who are you? Did you do something to my sister? Why are you here in this place? Are you one of those mages?!" Her voice wasn't loud but full of fury.
Firing him with tons of questions, Natalak keeps to his silence, waiting for a moment to speak.
"I see you want the hard way then." Ashalain grits his teeth.
Distancing herself from Natalak, slowly, then the paladin cast an unknown magic. And from her spell, his body begins to boil as if roasting in the face of the sun.
Squeaking in anguish, Natalak gripped the arms of the chair; there was a slight drainage of the paralysing spell he could tell. Slightly for a minute, his teeth grit in pain as his eyes turn watery.
Before Natalak could be presented for death, the agony diminished. It was there; visions were blurry, but he could see Ashena firmly grip her sister's arm.
"That's more than enough, sister," Ashena spoke. Her voice was sharp and carried anger.
Just as the paralysis spell begins to dispel, Natalak can feel his body dwindling to numbness; the pain, however, still urges. It was the most painful thing he'd ever felt, as blood oozed from his lips.
"Just what kind of bad luck did I have this day?" Natalak's mind was in a migraine, or rather, being seared inside.
Near the end of his life, slowly, he falls from the pits of oblivion. Fading, he could hear the two arguing.
"You're finally awake. I was hoping you would be in a coma." Ashalain spoke, intently eying Natalak.
A single glance— Natalak can tell the paladin was looking for more torment. It was his own fault to begin with, and pray he hopes to escape this situation.
"This woman!"
"Now there's something I want to have a word with you." She scoffs; her words were primal to the ears.
However, when she followed a question, Ashena came. Upon her sister's entrance, Ashalain walks out of the room devoid of uttering a word.
Recovering from the spell that Ashalain furnished, Natalak grabs the spatial bag hidden under the bed. Revealing the sword, then one he stole from Ashalain.
For Ashena, the moment he saw the small bag vomiting the sword. Her perception of the traveller didn't change; rather, she was intrigued. Natalak saw a slight shift in Ashena's expression, but he was more interested in escaping the mansion than in entertaining the lady.
"I already know what happened between you and my sister." Ashena implores after she'd received the sword.
"Your sister?"
"Yes, she's my older sibling, particularly since we're twins. She kept hassling me for friending a thief. But you know what, she was once kind and compassionate back then when she had him."
"I see, so what happens to both of them?" Natalak blurted, which made Ashena feel tentative.
After the long pause, Natalak was ashamed of his sudden query.
"Um... is it okay for me to depart. I mean, my troubles won't send me to the dungeon."
"That won't be necessary, I've already talked to my sister." Ashena stood
"I-I see… I'm grateful to you then. So, is it okay for me to be on the road?" Natalak stammered, twiddling his fingers.
"Only if you help me finish breakfast. And you haven't finished your tales from Earth."
"Oh, sure, I would be grateful," Natalak answered, while flustered begins to fill his face.
Once giving a little compensation towards Ashena before departing, Natalak finds himself facing the other sister.
"I've returned your sword, and I apologise for what I've done to you." Natalak nods as he distances himself from the paladin's zone.
Appraising his actions, exclusive of answering to his words, Ashalain remembers the scene where his bag swallows the sword whole. The more the paladin ponders, the more she gawks at Natalak's bag.
"Wait! Would you tell me who you are?" Ashalain's calls.
The traveller merely gave her a thumbs-up, ignoring the paladin's call, and then ran across the busy town square.
Ashalain tries to chase Natalak but the bustling crowd wanes his track. Heads turn at every corner, but he was far too gone.
Leaving the paladin behind, a door rings as the shop's door opens.
"Greetings, young man, what can I do for you?" Greets the shopkeeper who was busy fondling through the clothes.
"I just want you to replicate these kinds of clothes." Natalak then reveals his earthly outfit.
"This is one fine design you requested, young man." The old shopkeeper said, unfazed by the wet fabric.
"Just do what you can and tell me how much it costs for all five pieces," Natalak says, feeling uncomfortable making conversation.
Examining Natalak's earthly clothing, she then slowly estimates the cost." I think it could cost seven coppers."
Paying the costs, Natalak then asks where to find some trinkets and odds.
"Head to the market area, young man. You might be in luck today; I heard the merchants are full today."
"And where would that be?"
"Ahh, so, you're a foreigner here."
Natalak nods— tired of chatting, and without even answering the shopkeeper's words, Natalak just went towards the exit.
"I'll be back after two days or so," Natalak answered, before closing the door.
"What a strange man indeed." So says the older woman.
Along the road full of lively people, he finally found the marketplace. And when he suddenly came across a bookshop.
"It would be wise to get a blank book to write something while travelling in this land," Natalak whispers.
After asking the storekeeper for a blank book, the man responded in disappointment.
"I'm sorry, lad… but this is all we've got. You can look around other stores."
Out of stock, Natalak had only a large blank book containing seven hundred pages. However, it didn't matter, as he immediately bought the book.
"Do you know a shop that sells quills for writing?" Natalak asks right after he'd received the book.
"Well, we have some. Though if you want a better quill, walk towards that path." The man then points to where Natalak came.
"Then go east, there you will see the store that you need." The man continues.
Expressing gratitude to the man, he then went to the shop that the man had pointed out. And while Natalak was stocking some supplies, Ashalain went to the guild for a congregation with her party members.
Running towards the guild to contact her comrades.
"Oh… so you've finally got your sword back," Baron said, sipping a mug of ale.
"Where's sir. Garrick?" Ashalain ignores.
"That old man went to your place looking for you," Baron answered.
"I see, can you contact him?"
"I can, but it will cost ya," Baron said
"Okay, I'll pay… just get Sir. Garrick."
While Baron went searching for Garrick, Mishel inquired why Ashalain was in a hurry.
"I will soon tell when we all gather." She answers her.
Minutes later, Baron and Garrick finally arrive, holding a meeting at the table. "Since you got your sword back, what are the things we're discussing?" Baron implores.
"Nothing much, we just have to follow and investigate a man—" Deprived of finishing her words, Baron quickly disengages upon hearing her request.
"Ugh, I'm already tired from the past quest. Can you take a break once in a while?" Baron hastily withdraws from the meeting.
"Wait, Baron, I didn't—" Ashalain calls.
"Yada-yada-yada…" Baron tiredly replies as he saunters towards the guild bar, ordering a drink.
"Urgh, Baron one day—" Ashalain groans, rubbing her forehead.
"Leave him be, so what's this all about?" Garrick spoke, eyeing Ashalain intently.
"I don't know, but there is something on that man that intrigued me."
"And his name?"
"Natalak, he comes by the name Natalak." Ashalain then brings a piece of cloth from Natalak.
Requesting Mishel to use her magic, a divination to see his track him, Mishel slowly accepts the fabric. Through Mishel's concentration, a white light engulfs the cloth, disintegrating it until the small piece of fabric disappears.
"Found him, he seems to be, stocking some supplies at the market."
"Good, he hasn't left town yet." Says the paladin, placing her fingers on her chin.
After rehearsing the mind, Ashalain asks Mishel if she still has the polymorph spell that can change one's appearance.
"I only have three scrolls, but it might take me time to cast since this isn't my type of magic."
"That will do." Ashalain nods.
Resuming the divination. "He seems to be going towards the front gate—" Mishel stops, the spell had lasted.
No moment to waste, Ashalain quickly gets up from the table and runs towards the exit, but Garrick halts.
"Ashalain, I would like to have a word with you in private." Garrick seriously implies.
"It would be wise to keep Farenggar at bay." Garrick continues.
"What do you mean, Sir Garrick?" Ashalain responds.
"I recommend that you best shroud the blade. The mirage won't help conceal it in the long run. And there's someone I first need to speak with before joining you."
"Dully noted, then we're headfirst." Replied Ashalain.
At the front gate, hiding at the corner of the alley, Mishel cast the polymorph spell, turning Ashalain's appearance into a different and younger woman. At the same time, Mishel changes her appearance before they rush towards the gate.
Finally gathered some supplies near the market. Natalak ventures to where he once fought the two creatures. Where he felt the presence of darkness after ending the varmints' lives, and when he was out of town, Natalak came across a carriage with an old couple.
"Excuse me, do you by any chance travel in this direction?" Natalak announce, hoping for a ride with the old couple.
"Oh, you mean this road. Yes, we're going to Aghraim, you can hop in with us." Says the older man in a crippling voice.
As the wagon begins to set in motion. And not long while Natalak begins to sleep again… a habit of sleeping leisurely, a young woman came running towards the wagon asking for a ride. She seems to be in her twenties, but what surprised Natalak most was that she wears enticing paladin armour and a sword sheathed at her waist.
"Is she a high-class adventurer? Bah, fuck it, I'm going to sleep." Natalak concludes before dozing in slumber.