The 'child' with the moustache cleared his throat and said, "I am Tiny Kin, the chief of the Tiny Clan. We look after the North side of Ancea's border. May I ask for your name?"
Amethyst didn't immediately respond but she looked around, searching for Luveas and the horse but she found none. Her heart was restless."Before you get to know my name," she said and glanced at Tiny Kin, "I want to know something. Have you seen my companion and a black horse?"Tiny Kin caressed his beard. "I have not seen your companion but we have saved a horse from a vicious vampire."Amethyst widened her eyes. "Where is that vampire?" she asked frantically.Tiny Kin observed her mien. Interest sparked in his eyes."Are you not worried about the horse?"Amethyst responded, "You said you saved the horse, so, I have less worry about it. But, I'm worried about the vampire.""Why do you worry about the vampire? Have that vicious vampirAmethyst smiled at him. "I've just marked you as my travelling companion.""I've never heard of such a thing," replied Luveas, getting wary."It's a common thing in Ancea.""How common?""Traveling Companion Oaths are commonly used by sacred animals to bring in their new friends to see the beauty of Ancea.""Am I an animal now?" asked the perplexed Luveas.Amethyst hissed. "Shut up and listen!"Luveas pursed his lips and listened. Then, Amethyst continued, "An Ancean will mark a non-Ancean to gain entry permission from Nature. However, if the Ancean is harmed or died, the non-Ancean with the companion marking will never be able to enter Ancea forever. The permission is revoked instantly."Luveas was stumped. "What about the marking that I have? If you die, am I going to get chased out of Ancea forever too?" he was worried."Yes, and from now on, you should be careful not to get me hurt or you hurt yourself," Amethyst reminded him without revealing the truth."Oh," Luveas exclaimed. "Th
Luveas looked at her. "I'm not unhappy. I'm speechless. I've never asked anyone their age before..."He had no one close to share and ask such things. He had always been lonely since his childhood because he trusted no one after the passing of his parents. Amethyst said nothing when Luveas fell into a trance. She ate silently and after she was done, she went to lie down near the fire."Are you not worried that I might attack you?" asked Luveas after he placed the empty plate away. He noticed she didn't seem to be as wary as their first encounter.Amethyst fluttered her eyes open. "I'm not worried.""Why?"She inhaled deeply and responded, "...because the moment I die, Nature would have properly dealt with you, and you might need to go bid farewell to Ancea forever."Luveas looked around, eyeing the flora around them, fearing that something might smack him."Hmm, that's disheartening..." he replied.Ame
Luveas nodded and stayed silent throughout the journey. Their journey took another countless hours before they arrived at a village, a deserted village. There were cottages but, the buildings collapsed to the ground. The wild grasses grew abundantly, covering nearly half of them. The walking trails were all covered by dirt, remnants of the explosion, and moss took over some of the places. The smell of decay and burnt wood lingered in the air for there were lots of dried-up skeletons covered in clothes lying around; some still held swords and arrows. Some got arrows piercing their skulls and bodies.Amethyst froze where she stood. Her chest tightened. The memories of the horrendous day flashed in her mind. She could vividly hear the screams and cries of her kin floating around as if she had stepped back to the past; to the day when humans ambushed her, once peaceful and thriving, village.The elf covered her ears when their voices only grew loude
On the other hand, Amethyst pursed her lips and followed Luveas to the burial site. There, she saw mounds everywhere. Each mound was showered with flower petals.Again, the elf found her composure slipping away slowly. Her chest tighten as she got emotional. All of her people were lying there, resting in eternal slumber. She couldn't believe she'd be one among the elves in Ancea who mourned the loss of her entire tribe; she hoped some survived and hid in the woods...She glanced at Luveas. He was busy placing the bones in the holes that he had dug out. Her heart ached, but it wasn't because of anger. It was more like she was touched deeply by his unexpectedly humble side.Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, Luveas..." she said faintly. 'Now, I'm glad I marked you as my husband...' she added inwardly....After burying all the bones, Luveas went into the woods. "I want to find a flower that suits your sister," he said before he went fo
Amethyst nodded. "Yes, and please repeat after me...""Wait, wait..." Luveas stopped her. "What Oath are we talking about now?"Amethyst eyed him piercingly. "Are you doubting me?"Luveas shook. The elf nodded. "Then, since you have nothing else to say, then follow what I say. From today onward and until death do us part, say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Luveas hesitated. "Uh, that sounds so strange for an oath...""Just do it!" snapped the elf. She was getting impatient for she wanted to end the process soon. Luveas, despite his wariness, said, "From today onward and until death do us part...""Say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers.""...Amethyst Elan is mine and I, Luveas Dayn, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Amethyst beamed in satisfaction. Then, she glanced at his chest which was h
Luveas began, "During my childhood, my parents were killed. Humans ambushed us when we were picnicking in the palace backyard..."Melancholy danced in Luveas' weary eye when he revisited the painful memory lane. Humans appeared out of nowhere and killed his parents. Strangely, on the day of the former king and queen's assassination, not a single guard appeared on the scene. That moment was still a mystery to him until today."I was too young to understand anything and the one thing I knew was humans took me in as something they studied," he added painfully. His voice bore pure hatred when he mentioned 'studied'. Amethyst knitted her brows. "Something they studied?" She had no idea Humans would do such a thing to other races.Luveas nodded. "Humans studied the endurance of young vampires to estimate the strength of adult vampires. They wanted to find the best weapon to kill us if they could find our weaknesses,” he paused again, seemingly inhaling a deep breath although it wasn’t cert
Amethyst stayed silent. "You tell me how far you can go. I leave that choice in your hands," she said, trying to lead him. But, her mien stayed the same; no changes in her emotions. She was calm and fixated. Luveas fidgeted. "But, what if I want to take it too far? Would you allow it?"Amethyst smiled. "Of course, I would allow it," she responded. "You are the only person who gets such permission from me."Because of the spousal markings.Luveas eyed her keenly. "I might treat you as someone dear to me.""Treat me as how you like. I am yours, remember?"Luveas stayed silent. He forgot about that. After all of the fiasco during the day, he forgot about the oath.Then, he asked, "But, what if I want us to get intimate tonight? Would that become a problem for you?" He thought he ought to ask that crucial question for he had no idea what she was thinking.Amethyst smiled even more widely. "That would not become a problem. You are my traveling companion and we can get physically close..."
Luthien...Tobeyaz was working on papers related to problems in the territories of Luthien when Ealyas entered."A letter has arrived from Numany," he announced and placed the letter on the table. Tobeyaz, with a haggard-looking face, eyed the letter. His mood wasn't there yet."How did this letter get through the border?" he asked. His tone was sinister. He had handled numerous cases of vampires going against vampires; one blamed the other for being in cahoots with the humans by the border. Well, it was understandable that many cases of missing young vampires led to distress."It was catapulted into our forest." Ealyas' response was simple though sounded funny.Tobeyaz scoffed. "Then, throw it away. This must be one of those pesky humans' stupid games to distract our soldiers.""Are you sure of that?" asked Ealyas and scrutinized the haggard-looking Tobeyaz.Tobeyaz knitted his brows. When the knight asked such a question, it only meant something serious."The emblem on the envelo
For the next two days, Luveas spent his day ogling at his reflection in the mirror. He was excited that his appearance varied greatly than he anticipated."Do I look like my father or my mother?" He had been asking that question for two days in a row now. Amethyst smiled and responded, "I have no answer for that but I am certain you do look like them as one."Luveas beamed. He stepped away from the mirror and sat beside her. Then, he snuggled at her."I am glad to hear that..." Ever since he transformed, he became too attached. It wasn't unpleasant because Amethyst knew he had no one else to be with whom he could confide in his happiness but her. Also, she endured the urge to smack him. "Luveas, since your treatment is now done, have you been thinking of returning to Luthien?" she asked, dropping another question at him.Luveas flinched. He went into silence."I have never thought of that..." he answered.His gaze dropped. The time he spent with her made him forget that he was a r
It was yet another night where Luveas was already in bed, sleeping soundly. He was deep into the world of unconsciousness. Nothing could wake him. Amethyst stepped into the room with a bowl of water drawn from the sacred pool. She placed it beside the bed as she took a seat beside him. There, she sat for some time. One had no idea what was in her mind. Her silent gaze ran along the bandages that covered his entire body and face. Her gaze turned tender as time went by. But, sadness was visibly permeating her eyes. A smile, remnants of her courage, appeared on her otherworldly beautiful face. She reached out and caressed his head affectionately."Your wait shall end tonight..." she whispered.Truthfully, she had wanted to prolong his treatment. She wanted to buy more time to create moments for just the two of them that she would remember forever. But, she knew he might not have much time in his account. She knew she would be gambling on her life as soon as he got what he came here
Luthien...Tobeyaz was working on papers related to problems in the territories of Luthien when Ealyas entered."A letter has arrived from Numany," he announced and placed the letter on the table. Tobeyaz, with a haggard-looking face, eyed the letter. His mood wasn't there yet."How did this letter get through the border?" he asked. His tone was sinister. He had handled numerous cases of vampires going against vampires; one blamed the other for being in cahoots with the humans by the border. Well, it was understandable that many cases of missing young vampires led to distress."It was catapulted into our forest." Ealyas' response was simple though sounded funny.Tobeyaz scoffed. "Then, throw it away. This must be one of those pesky humans' stupid games to distract our soldiers.""Are you sure of that?" asked Ealyas and scrutinized the haggard-looking Tobeyaz.Tobeyaz knitted his brows. When the knight asked such a question, it only meant something serious."The emblem on the envelo
Amethyst stayed silent. "You tell me how far you can go. I leave that choice in your hands," she said, trying to lead him. But, her mien stayed the same; no changes in her emotions. She was calm and fixated. Luveas fidgeted. "But, what if I want to take it too far? Would you allow it?"Amethyst smiled. "Of course, I would allow it," she responded. "You are the only person who gets such permission from me."Because of the spousal markings.Luveas eyed her keenly. "I might treat you as someone dear to me.""Treat me as how you like. I am yours, remember?"Luveas stayed silent. He forgot about that. After all of the fiasco during the day, he forgot about the oath.Then, he asked, "But, what if I want us to get intimate tonight? Would that become a problem for you?" He thought he ought to ask that crucial question for he had no idea what she was thinking.Amethyst smiled even more widely. "That would not become a problem. You are my traveling companion and we can get physically close..."
Luveas began, "During my childhood, my parents were killed. Humans ambushed us when we were picnicking in the palace backyard..."Melancholy danced in Luveas' weary eye when he revisited the painful memory lane. Humans appeared out of nowhere and killed his parents. Strangely, on the day of the former king and queen's assassination, not a single guard appeared on the scene. That moment was still a mystery to him until today."I was too young to understand anything and the one thing I knew was humans took me in as something they studied," he added painfully. His voice bore pure hatred when he mentioned 'studied'. Amethyst knitted her brows. "Something they studied?" She had no idea Humans would do such a thing to other races.Luveas nodded. "Humans studied the endurance of young vampires to estimate the strength of adult vampires. They wanted to find the best weapon to kill us if they could find our weaknesses,” he paused again, seemingly inhaling a deep breath although it wasn’t cert
Amethyst nodded. "Yes, and please repeat after me...""Wait, wait..." Luveas stopped her. "What Oath are we talking about now?"Amethyst eyed him piercingly. "Are you doubting me?"Luveas shook. The elf nodded. "Then, since you have nothing else to say, then follow what I say. From today onward and until death do us part, say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Luveas hesitated. "Uh, that sounds so strange for an oath...""Just do it!" snapped the elf. She was getting impatient for she wanted to end the process soon. Luveas, despite his wariness, said, "From today onward and until death do us part...""Say my name, is mine and I, say your name, am hers.""...Amethyst Elan is mine and I, Luveas Dayn, am hers. I shall be granted freedom to roam Ancea just as her."Amethyst beamed in satisfaction. Then, she glanced at his chest which was h
On the other hand, Amethyst pursed her lips and followed Luveas to the burial site. There, she saw mounds everywhere. Each mound was showered with flower petals.Again, the elf found her composure slipping away slowly. Her chest tighten as she got emotional. All of her people were lying there, resting in eternal slumber. She couldn't believe she'd be one among the elves in Ancea who mourned the loss of her entire tribe; she hoped some survived and hid in the woods...She glanced at Luveas. He was busy placing the bones in the holes that he had dug out. Her heart ached, but it wasn't because of anger. It was more like she was touched deeply by his unexpectedly humble side.Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, Luveas..." she said faintly. 'Now, I'm glad I marked you as my husband...' she added inwardly....After burying all the bones, Luveas went into the woods. "I want to find a flower that suits your sister," he said before he went fo
Luveas nodded and stayed silent throughout the journey. Their journey took another countless hours before they arrived at a village, a deserted village. There were cottages but, the buildings collapsed to the ground. The wild grasses grew abundantly, covering nearly half of them. The walking trails were all covered by dirt, remnants of the explosion, and moss took over some of the places. The smell of decay and burnt wood lingered in the air for there were lots of dried-up skeletons covered in clothes lying around; some still held swords and arrows. Some got arrows piercing their skulls and bodies.Amethyst froze where she stood. Her chest tightened. The memories of the horrendous day flashed in her mind. She could vividly hear the screams and cries of her kin floating around as if she had stepped back to the past; to the day when humans ambushed her, once peaceful and thriving, village.The elf covered her ears when their voices only grew loude
Luveas looked at her. "I'm not unhappy. I'm speechless. I've never asked anyone their age before..."He had no one close to share and ask such things. He had always been lonely since his childhood because he trusted no one after the passing of his parents. Amethyst said nothing when Luveas fell into a trance. She ate silently and after she was done, she went to lie down near the fire."Are you not worried that I might attack you?" asked Luveas after he placed the empty plate away. He noticed she didn't seem to be as wary as their first encounter.Amethyst fluttered her eyes open. "I'm not worried.""Why?"She inhaled deeply and responded, "...because the moment I die, Nature would have properly dealt with you, and you might need to go bid farewell to Ancea forever."Luveas looked around, eyeing the flora around them, fearing that something might smack him."Hmm, that's disheartening..." he replied.Ame