"Who-who am I?" Natalak points his fingers at himself.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" A frantic tone, Ashalain hints.
"I'm a human."
Ashalain looked at the truth-seeking orb and saw that no darkness was being created.
"What about your bag, did you steal it by chance?" Implores Ashalain.
Brooding for a second. "My father gave it to me." Natalak smiled upon seeing that his words didn't tell any lies.
"Your father?"
"Yeah, maybe."
"And what sort was your father, if I might ask. Is he a mage, a knight, a wizard or a veilmage?"
Natalak hides his smile, not for confusion or manipulation, but rather for his own benefit of entertainment.
"Well, he could be all of them," Natalak answered, but his mind was filled with laughter.
True enough, the lie detector didn't give a single falsehood coming out of his mouth. Ashalain was stunned, unsure whether he was telling the truth or secretly casting manipulation magic on the truth-seeking orb.
"Are you secretly casting manipulation magic?" The paladin questions.
"No, why would I do that?"
Ashalain glanced at the truth-seeking orb, to see no signs of change. Confused, she remembers her being unable to sense his presence.
"Then, do you know anything about veilmages?"
"Yes, I know about Veilmage," Natalak replied, fingers fiddling in anxious excitement.
Ashalain's eyebrow lifts in mixed emotions, of stupefied and annoyed reaction. "Then what is a veilmage, then, Mr Natalak?"
"Well, veilmage is a word, isn't it?"
Natalak looks at the orb—validity, his words didn't give a single lie. Amused by his trickery of words, Natalak hopes for more questions to be given, when suddenly—
Grabbing his collar, "You think this is some joke! My patience is wearing thin, young man! So, unless you don't want to feel what I've given you at my sister's place, feel free to jest as much as you want!" Exclaimed Ashalain before putting him back on his chair.
Natalak was silent, not out of fear, but rather, he was mortified. Scolded by a woman wasn't the type he wanted. Towards Ashalain, she too was in stillness, soothing her vexed emotions.
As silent progress, Natalak was pondering a way out. He stood without a word, trying to check whether the doors were locked. True enough, no matter how hard he tried to twist the doorknob, it wouldn't budge.
"The room is sealed by magic." The paladin spoke.
Ignoring the paladin's words, Natalak goes towards the window, and undoubtedly, the windows were shut tight. The more he tries to open it, the burning sensation slowly enters his flesh. He looks at the metallic fork—using it as a lever, he tries to pry it open, but the fork gradually turns red-hot iron.
"The hell with this world!"
Reinstituting himself in his seat, Natalak couldn't do anything but stare down, waiting for Ashalain to utter another word.
"Um, is there anything you want to tell me?" Natalak spoke to Ashalain, whose hand was on her forehead, kneading, rather than sedating, her frustrated emotions.
The paladin took a deep sigh.
"You're not a Veilmage, are you?"
"No, I'm not, and what the hell do I know about that Veilmage and stuff. All I know is a word, and I'm a human, that's all."
Ashalain glances at the orb, and true to his words, the orb didn't create another black spot. It reverts into its clear white form. Disappointed—she then thought about how his relic works.
"Could you take out the things that you've taken from the dwarven tunnel. I need to give a report to the guild." The paladin suggests, pointing towards his bag.
There was nothing he could do but accept the paladin's request. Slowly, then he roots out the items he ransacked. Gradually, the room was filled with dwarven metal scraps.
To the paladin, her expression changed; she, however, was beginning to feel embarrassed. Looking at the man, desperate to make money, even garbage was at his mercy. It was very degrading for her as a noblewoman.
"That's quite enough," Ashalain suggests, unable to look at the frantic man.
Again, stuffing all the pieces back, Ashalain had one question to ask—
"I had one other question to ask. During our battle with the entity, it was rather more interested in you than in me. Did you perhaps take something from where we've felt the lich's presence?"
Her inquiry struck Natalak to the core—his mind was in chaos, hesitating to answer, because his greed clouded his emotions. The orb is still on the table waiting for him to utter a lie. The book, the one he discovered from the skeleton, but his mind was shouting about what if she confiscates it? What if it was taken from him? Who knows, the books might give him a fortune or more.
He needs to answer, for if he doesn't, Ashalain might suspect something, and she is not someone to challenge. Then he wagers even if his jaws might be broken.
"Can't you just leave a man alone. Why are you so fixated on me? Look— we can forget about this, I'll leave, and we'll never see each other again."
"Me? Fixated on you?" She scoffs in disbelief.
"Yes, the subject change! Stupid homosapien."
"There you go again with your raging emotions. I bet most people would turn away at the sound of your voice. Heck, even children would avoid your feverish presence." Natalak implores avoiding the paladin's furious expression.
"Come again?" Ashalain's atmosphere suddenly boils after hearing his arguments.
"I said, from your impatience and stupid actions, you're like a chaotic fire that feeds people to their death."
Out of the sudden, Natalak was rammed into the wall. Ashalain's hand was tightly grasping his neck, locking his head. The strength that Natalak felt from her hand was like a hydraulic press slowly tightening his throat. Now, adrenaline surged not from scuffle, but the struggle of survival from the paladin's hand. Only seconds passed, and Natalak was already sweating with fear.
"You think you're so full of yourself, you and your words." Ashalain sneers, ready to snap Natalak's head.
"I-I think… you-you just proved my point." Natalak articulates, gasping for air.
Ashalain punched, shook, the building trembled, and the walls near Natalak's head. Her strike was so violent that the seal dissipates, for without the seal, the stonewalls would crumble away. Thankfully, only cracks and small craters were visible.
Realising the consequences of her actions, Ashalain relinquished Natalak. Storming out without saying a word, she meets Garry climbing the stairs, investigating the cause. Garry could see the paladin was full of distress; tiny tears fell from her eyes.
The taverner rushed to their room and saw Natalak coughing, rubbing his throat.
"You alright?" Garry spoke, assisting Natalak.
"I'm fine-I'm fine." Replied Natalak, still gasping for air.
Garry looks at the damaged wall and soon identifies the person who caused it.
"I'll be heading down."
Natalak nods once his breathing turns normal.
"Damn, did I overdo it?" Natalak was holding his left face, still sweating, still assessing what had happened. "A punch like that could turn my head into a cracked egg."
Once organising and fixing the room, the traveller brought out his pouch of coins and counted how many he had left. 'I laughed, poor sod.' Natalak glanced at the table and saw the truth-seeking orb left by Ashalain. He goes downstairs, looking for any sign of the paladin, and is relieved upon seeing no traces of her.
"Um, can I ask you something?" Implores Natalak, after ordering a drink.
"What's on your mind?" the taverner answered.
"About the damage on the wall… will I be the one to pay?"
"That won't be necessary. This inn is in partnership with the guild; she'll be the one to compensate for the damage. I don't mind sending letters to the adventurers' guild. Considering she's one of the respectable noble houses in Ravalind, she knows the protocol."
"Ah, I see, then can I ask you something else?"
"What would that be?"
"Well, I managed to pick some stuff," Natalak said, showing him four scrap pieces, their colour was light grey, heavy to the touch.
"Ah, I see what you're up to. These are dwarven metals, quite the common version, but if you manage to find a black dwarven metal, that is one rare metal to sell."
"A black type? Could you tell me how much it costs?"
"I think it's best to bring it to my brother; he'll know the market for these metals. I'm more of an innkeeper."
"I thank you then." Natalak nods before exiting the inn, returning to Ravalind.
The hours of flight on the road, the traveller was analysing the orb.
"I'm a woman." Natalak said, waiting for the orb to answer.
Accurately, a dark spot begins to spread.
"Ah, so this is how it works." Amazed, he shoves it into his bag, deciding whether to return it or keep it to himself.
While on the road, he accidentally tumbles down while chasing a caravan. In frustration, he mumbled in anger.
"Damn this road! double damn this world of monsters! And triple damn that nuisance, primitive, barbaric blond woman." Natalak grunted in anger, kicking the stones, watching as the caravans slowly hasten away.
Unaware, he didn't see Ashalain leaning on the tree, fully recording his voice. As he vents his frustration, he subsequently feels a cold atmosphere grasping his spine.
When he turns around to see who the person was—
"Oh… It's you." Natalak greets, ignoring her vexed aura.
"You were saying?" She glares with a murderous expression.
Natalak didn't respond, but ignored her presence and slowly walked away.
"Just ignore her." He mutters when Ashalain suddenly grips his arm, squashing his muscle, but not too tightly.
"Will ye let go of me!?" He groans in pain.
She smiles, a devious smirk. Watches him struggling with her overwhelming raw strength. Without breaking a sweat, she overthrows him to the ground, locking both of his arms. There she positions herself, sitting atop his stomach, gripping his hand. The ground sparkles, and a white flame bursts from the ground.
"Am I going to be ritual?" Natalak tries to shake the paladin away, yet he feels as if a boulder is pressing him down.
"Unveil thee…" Ashalain whispers.
Casting her magic that can detect and draw out demons and evil that is harboured within a person. But all she found was nothing but a normal person without magic, a simple person without any abilities.
Ashalain frowns in mystification.
"Just who really are you?" She expressed disappointment before ending her spell.
Sweating, heartbeats in turmoil— by then, a group of royal convoys arrives at the scene. A sensible and stoic man stops the carriage. Clearing his throat, the knight in golden armour, holding a spear or maybe a lance as his weapon,
Blushing in embarrassment, Ashalain quickly stands to her feet.
"It's not what you think, Sir Lacaren." Ashalain stops her magic when a man emerges from the royal carriage.
By his passing, all the men bow down to the prince of Aghraim, the eldest son of King Helmes. Even Ashalain bows to him as he walks towards her. A quite handsome person, showing kindness towards Ashalain, but for Natalak, he felt somewhat different.
"Who might be with you today, Lady Ashalain?" The prince spoke in a very charming voice.
To Natalak, the words he spoke and the expression he showed indicate the prince has feelings for Ashalain.
"What the heck did I find myself… I'm really desperate to get the fuck out of here!" His mind is shouting to run his legs.
For a moment, the paladin notices Natalak trying to set his distance. But she quickly grabs his arm, pulling him, pressing his head to bow down, except Natalak was persistent in bowing. So, with great pressure, she grips his hand, squishing his muscles and veins, causing him to groan in a whisper.
Ashalain didn't want them to know that he was carrying a magical bag, a powerful item, one sought by every kingdom. When the prince saw Ashalain tightly holding his arm, there was a hint of disgust in his eyes.
"Prince Harith, this is just my companion; we're travelling to Ravalind," Ashalain spoke.
"This brute, can you just give me a break!" Reckons Natalak.
"Well, my father and I were also going to Keshoval. I would be pleased to join us from our travels." A charismatic tone, the prince implores.
"I am thankful, Prince Harith, but I must decline your offer; we're but on a quest today." Replied the Paladin.
The prince, expressing a disappointed look. "I see… Then perhaps would you like to attend the banquet there at Ravalind if you're done with your quest?"
"Thank you, I'll see to it once my mission is done." Ashalain answered.
"May the gods watch over your journey, and godspeed to you, Madam Ashalain de Shilvia." Prince Harith nods before returning to his royal carriage.
Guarded by more than forty people, well-equipped, consisting of elite mages, paladins and royal guards. To Sir Lacaren, placing one of his on the chest, he bows in respect before joining the royal procession.
Until they were good as gone, Natalak rested there at the grassy ground holding his squished arms. Breathing from the pain, he saw Ashalain tailing, he didn't flinch or move, he just sat there facing the cold breeze.
Lying her hands close to where his injured arm—
"Don't move, I'll cast my healing spell." A green flame engulfs his injured arm, and in minutes, his wounds recover.
Silence for a minute, Ashalain spoke again. "My healing is still developing; it may not be as good as Sir Garrick's, but it might be enough."
The traveller nods— weary and tired from Ashalain's actions, and her exploding demeanour. Perceiving her own problems, she tries a different approach. Not her usual boiling attitude, but her calm flame.
In silence, the two then journey the road…
"About the bag you carry." Comes Ashalain. "You best keep it a secret from others, this world is full of many things. The relic you hold is not something for a common person to hold."
"Hmm…" Natalak nods.
"There's a town nearby, we might reach there before nightfall if there are no wagons to ride. I'll talk to Sir Garrick about this."
When suddenly, a man galloping a horse that of a knight stops at their place, calling Ashalain. Along with the messenger was a magical bird.