A troublesome spirit in the form of a bird had been causing trouble in the village near the foot of the Mist Mountains. A number of elementals, spirit tamers and trappers had already tried to capture this spirit, but their attempts had all failed. Thus, the troubled villagers made a loud enough cry to the righteous Yaron Clan practitioners to help them.
The clan, in response, asked for a special investigation before proceeding. The Mist Mountains' dwellers were completely detached from the mortal world and its matters. All they cared about was music, worshipping the gods, practicing and improving their spirituality, and living a long life of peace. So they usually want to gather as much information as they can before leaving their sanctuary.
Still, they would always offer their aid to those in need, because one of their beliefs was that those in power should be the ones to protect. It was not a burden, and they believed they were doing something meaningful.
T
Happy holidays!
"I challenge you to a duel." Gasps filled the hall as the young nobles and apprentices heard Yaron Clan's leader challenge someone to a duel. Some wore excited expressions and the others were simply shocked. The elders in particular were speechless. "The lord will duel with Lady Zavebe. Did I hear it right?" the youngest elder blurted out as he looked around with wide eyes. "Yes," Lucian answered. A quiet cheer erupted from the nobles. Lucian was a legend. He was a promising martial artist and elemental user in his teens. He ranked first in his generation during friendly competitions. Later, he was promoted to a clan leader at a very young age and he made history. Other than that, his name was also always mentioned during the cold clan wars ten years ago. It was said that the witch hid in the Mist Mountains and planned a lot of evil deeds, but he would always catch her and hinder her plans. Until the witch was exposed and executed…
"Martin! Mart—!" Such a loud voice which could attract the enemy they had a hard time escaping from was immediately cut short.The teenage boy whose head was smacked hissed a curse."Keep quiet! What if it followed us here?" Martin, a merchant famous among these parts of the region, scolded the boy fiercely.However, due to the pressure, more blood flowed from the deep wound on his stomach and the previously complaining teen fussed again. He applied more force on the hand pressuring his stomach to keep it from bleeding uncontrollably. With tears in his eyes, he sniffed and talked."Alright, don't be angry anymore. I will—" The words were put to a stop. What will he do? Call for help and leave Martin alone in the woods?Upon realizing, the tears building up in his eyes instantly fell like waterfall, and he could not wipe them away in fear that once he lets go of the pressure on Martin's wound, he will die of blood loss.
Amaryah was once again eating like she was starved and Lucian could not help glancing at the maidservant behind her who was looking down on the floor. Gana felt his gaze, so she lowered her head even more, thinking, ‘I feed her five times a day with bowls and bowls of food, my lord! The lady's appetite should not be on me!’ The poor servant wanted nothing more now than to get swallowed by the earth or just completely disappear into thin air. Lucian finally realized the servant's silent wails and switched his gaze back to Amaryah who was doing an excellent job cleaning the plates. He felt that it was not polite to discuss things with her after seeing her lively appearance. After the waiter had served their table for the fourth time, Amaryah calmed down and started to see Lucian in front of her. "I want to stroll around later," she said while leisurely picking the meat out of the vegetable dishes. Lucian nodded. "Bring an attendant with you." Amaryah shook her head in protest, resp
"Are you implying that one of them might be led to the same tragic fate as me because of this?"Lucian repeated her words in his mind over and over. He thought that he had heard wrong, but when he saw Amaryah's unwavering gaze at him, he figured that he must have not."No, Amaryah," he replied with a hoarse voice. "In any case, the Yarons are timid and would quarrel with the nobles verbally at most. It would make the little nobles feel high and mighty, but you challenged everyone back then into a duel and pummeled them to the ground."Behind Amaryah, the very still and quiet Gana flinched upon hearing his Lord Lucian's words, making him notice her figure. Afterwards, Lucian nodded at her."Go clean the lady's room so she can rest," he ordered.Amaryah followed Gana's back with her gaze. Lucian thought that Amaryah was suspicious of the maidservant possibly telling someone about what she heard. He said again, "That young servant is loyal and tight-l
Amaryah had already admitted her true identity to Lucian, but the latter was not very surprised. He was more than sure in his heart from the first time they met again. However, Amaryah's revelations left him feeling complicated. What's worse, they were not able to continue discussing because a little noble interrupted them.With a trembling voice, he reported that a fight might break out between the group of nobles and the Yarons if they were late at preventing it. The noble was wearing a purple robe, as they left the Mist Mountains and it was not necessary for them to wear the Yaron uniform. Amaryah immediately recognized his purple outfit and the lilies embroidered at the hems of his clothes.Both Amaryah and Lucian followed calmly, but because of their previous topic, they wore serious expressions which rooted the nobles and the Yarons in place upon seeing their arriving figures. The two groups glanced at the Lord's and Lady's backs where a shivering shadow hid.
After having a closer look, everyone finally saw the stranger's face properly. He looked no more than twenty, probably about their little kids' ages. His features were plain, something common that was easily forgettable, and his complexion, which was shades darker than theirs, turned pale and wan. Being surrounded by a number of elites and nobles was certainly not a great experience — at least, presently, it was not."My name is Apple! I'm an apprentice merchant traveling with my master! We are currently trading some goods at the village near here!" he explained in one breath, making him pant a little after he finished speaking.The nobles looked at each other while the Yarons, who were tensed only seconds ago, gradually sensed that he was not someone dangerous and were naturally relieved. Lucian and Amaryah also met each other's eyes.Apple seemed to feel that most of them were still suspicious of him, so he continued to speak his thoughts."I have
"This… that... this is… lady…"Martin was too shocked to speak properly, uttering only a bunch of "this, that" and "lady" for half a day. Lucian was grateful for his lack of poise and he was able to prevent him from accidentally slipping Amaryah's name.Although these kids may not recognize Amaryah's face, they still know her name and grew up hearing stories about her. Because of the big scandal, Amaryah's name spread far and wide in Selaphiel. Her reputation could be said to give mixed feelings to the people.As a young girl raised in the Sachiel Shores, she was known as the prim and proper young lady of the Sachiels who was admired by their people and especially of the merchants. She was an elegant fighter and practitioner and got along well with her peers and elders due to her bright personality. Very unlike the other young ladies her age who were either too timid or too proud. Of course, it also was not a secret that there was one person
"What?" Lucian uttered in shock before he could stop himself. He turned his head to watch Amaryah who didn't look surprised in the slightest."Isn't this a rib?" Lucian then brought back his gaze to Martin.Martin nodded his head and glanced at Apple who had pursed his lips, eyes reddening a little. He was looking down, a bit dazed from a memory he would rather forget."It was a monster. It attacked us, and if it wasn't for the horses that had panicked before it could lunge at us, it could have probably hit my heart." Martin sighed shakily.Lucian looked at him with unbelieving eyes.Martin smiled at him and continued, "I know it must be difficult to believe because I am alive and in good health in front of you right now, but this is true. Apple and I had escaped while it was devouring our horses, but it still tailed us."He inhaled deeply before looking away as he recalled the terrifying events, then he tightly shut his eyes for a few seconds before looking straight at Amaryah."This
The sun had just risen in Selaphiel and the scene out the shores of Ho is bustling as usual.In contrast to the peaceful sound of lapping waves, the crowd is loud like always. Bargains and complaints are heard everywhere especially by the boats of the fishermen who had just arrived.However, the noise suddenly turned into silent murmurs when the neighs of a horse were heard from a distance.Approaching are blue-robed gentlemen in horseback which, in appearance, are unmistakably from a prominent clan.The young man leading is dressed formally, and one would immediately be able to tell he is of the Ho Clan, because of the crescent moon mark on his forehead.And he is not just any member at that, but is actually the young master of the main Ho family.The busy people continued their businesses in hushed tones, only pausing for a moment to bow and give respect whenever the wandering group would pass by their stalls.They are afraid not only because he is a direct descendant of the head of
"What?" Lucian uttered in shock before he could stop himself. He turned his head to watch Amaryah who didn't look surprised in the slightest."Isn't this a rib?" Lucian then brought back his gaze to Martin.Martin nodded his head and glanced at Apple who had pursed his lips, eyes reddening a little. He was looking down, a bit dazed from a memory he would rather forget."It was a monster. It attacked us, and if it wasn't for the horses that had panicked before it could lunge at us, it could have probably hit my heart." Martin sighed shakily.Lucian looked at him with unbelieving eyes.Martin smiled at him and continued, "I know it must be difficult to believe because I am alive and in good health in front of you right now, but this is true. Apple and I had escaped while it was devouring our horses, but it still tailed us."He inhaled deeply before looking away as he recalled the terrifying events, then he tightly shut his eyes for a few seconds before looking straight at Amaryah."This
"This… that... this is… lady…"Martin was too shocked to speak properly, uttering only a bunch of "this, that" and "lady" for half a day. Lucian was grateful for his lack of poise and he was able to prevent him from accidentally slipping Amaryah's name.Although these kids may not recognize Amaryah's face, they still know her name and grew up hearing stories about her. Because of the big scandal, Amaryah's name spread far and wide in Selaphiel. Her reputation could be said to give mixed feelings to the people.As a young girl raised in the Sachiel Shores, she was known as the prim and proper young lady of the Sachiels who was admired by their people and especially of the merchants. She was an elegant fighter and practitioner and got along well with her peers and elders due to her bright personality. Very unlike the other young ladies her age who were either too timid or too proud. Of course, it also was not a secret that there was one person
After having a closer look, everyone finally saw the stranger's face properly. He looked no more than twenty, probably about their little kids' ages. His features were plain, something common that was easily forgettable, and his complexion, which was shades darker than theirs, turned pale and wan. Being surrounded by a number of elites and nobles was certainly not a great experience — at least, presently, it was not."My name is Apple! I'm an apprentice merchant traveling with my master! We are currently trading some goods at the village near here!" he explained in one breath, making him pant a little after he finished speaking.The nobles looked at each other while the Yarons, who were tensed only seconds ago, gradually sensed that he was not someone dangerous and were naturally relieved. Lucian and Amaryah also met each other's eyes.Apple seemed to feel that most of them were still suspicious of him, so he continued to speak his thoughts."I have
Amaryah had already admitted her true identity to Lucian, but the latter was not very surprised. He was more than sure in his heart from the first time they met again. However, Amaryah's revelations left him feeling complicated. What's worse, they were not able to continue discussing because a little noble interrupted them.With a trembling voice, he reported that a fight might break out between the group of nobles and the Yarons if they were late at preventing it. The noble was wearing a purple robe, as they left the Mist Mountains and it was not necessary for them to wear the Yaron uniform. Amaryah immediately recognized his purple outfit and the lilies embroidered at the hems of his clothes.Both Amaryah and Lucian followed calmly, but because of their previous topic, they wore serious expressions which rooted the nobles and the Yarons in place upon seeing their arriving figures. The two groups glanced at the Lord's and Lady's backs where a shivering shadow hid.
"Are you implying that one of them might be led to the same tragic fate as me because of this?"Lucian repeated her words in his mind over and over. He thought that he had heard wrong, but when he saw Amaryah's unwavering gaze at him, he figured that he must have not."No, Amaryah," he replied with a hoarse voice. "In any case, the Yarons are timid and would quarrel with the nobles verbally at most. It would make the little nobles feel high and mighty, but you challenged everyone back then into a duel and pummeled them to the ground."Behind Amaryah, the very still and quiet Gana flinched upon hearing his Lord Lucian's words, making him notice her figure. Afterwards, Lucian nodded at her."Go clean the lady's room so she can rest," he ordered.Amaryah followed Gana's back with her gaze. Lucian thought that Amaryah was suspicious of the maidservant possibly telling someone about what she heard. He said again, "That young servant is loyal and tight-l
Amaryah was once again eating like she was starved and Lucian could not help glancing at the maidservant behind her who was looking down on the floor. Gana felt his gaze, so she lowered her head even more, thinking, ‘I feed her five times a day with bowls and bowls of food, my lord! The lady's appetite should not be on me!’ The poor servant wanted nothing more now than to get swallowed by the earth or just completely disappear into thin air. Lucian finally realized the servant's silent wails and switched his gaze back to Amaryah who was doing an excellent job cleaning the plates. He felt that it was not polite to discuss things with her after seeing her lively appearance. After the waiter had served their table for the fourth time, Amaryah calmed down and started to see Lucian in front of her. "I want to stroll around later," she said while leisurely picking the meat out of the vegetable dishes. Lucian nodded. "Bring an attendant with you." Amaryah shook her head in protest, resp
"Martin! Mart—!" Such a loud voice which could attract the enemy they had a hard time escaping from was immediately cut short.The teenage boy whose head was smacked hissed a curse."Keep quiet! What if it followed us here?" Martin, a merchant famous among these parts of the region, scolded the boy fiercely.However, due to the pressure, more blood flowed from the deep wound on his stomach and the previously complaining teen fussed again. He applied more force on the hand pressuring his stomach to keep it from bleeding uncontrollably. With tears in his eyes, he sniffed and talked."Alright, don't be angry anymore. I will—" The words were put to a stop. What will he do? Call for help and leave Martin alone in the woods?Upon realizing, the tears building up in his eyes instantly fell like waterfall, and he could not wipe them away in fear that once he lets go of the pressure on Martin's wound, he will die of blood loss.
"I challenge you to a duel." Gasps filled the hall as the young nobles and apprentices heard Yaron Clan's leader challenge someone to a duel. Some wore excited expressions and the others were simply shocked. The elders in particular were speechless. "The lord will duel with Lady Zavebe. Did I hear it right?" the youngest elder blurted out as he looked around with wide eyes. "Yes," Lucian answered. A quiet cheer erupted from the nobles. Lucian was a legend. He was a promising martial artist and elemental user in his teens. He ranked first in his generation during friendly competitions. Later, he was promoted to a clan leader at a very young age and he made history. Other than that, his name was also always mentioned during the cold clan wars ten years ago. It was said that the witch hid in the Mist Mountains and planned a lot of evil deeds, but he would always catch her and hinder her plans. Until the witch was exposed and executed…