Adventure

Osric has been limping through the forest for hours. The walk that took him thirty minutes yesterday now feels endless on one foot while carrying someone. At last, he breaks through the piles of ash and charred trees, stepping onto the still-green lawn before an unscathed mansion.

Elayne groans in his arms, her eyes fluttering open.

“Um, hey,” he squeaks.

She flings the cloak off. “Why am I naked!?”

“Hey, stop wiggling!” Osric’s good leg slips out from under him, and he topples onto her.

“Hey!” She shoves him off, then freezes as her eyes catch the red sun on her chest. “What is this?”

"That’s from Wrath," Osric explains, struggling to his feet.

“Wait… Osric! You’re alive!” She dives at him, knocking him to the ground again.

“Get off me — you’re naked!” He flails his arms.

Elayne backs off. Osric pulls off his own shirt and hands it to her. It doesn’t help much, considering there’s a big hole in it.

“I thought you were dead!” Her voice cracks as tears roll down her cheeks.

"Yeah, well, some stuff happened and I’m back," he blurts. "But now... I have to go on a mission."

"Okay! Where are we going?"

"You’re not going anywhere. I’m doing this alone." He hobbles past her.

"What!? I’m going too. I’m your assistant." She stops him by the shoulder

"No. You're not my assistant. You never were. I never needed or wanted an assistant. It was just a lie I made up." He throws her hand off.

“Huh?” Elayne freezes. “No, I’m the Sage’s assistant… and his tank!”

“No!” He spins around. “There are no Sages — there never were. You’re not my assistant, you’re not my tank, and you’re not my slave anymore either. You’re free. Go find your mother. And you two do whatever you want… away from me.”

He turns around without a second thought, hobbling up the porch.

"What’s wrong with your leg?" she shouts.

Her response is a slamming of the door.

Elayne is stuck. His words nip at her heart unexpectedly. After minutes of standing frozen, she hurries after him.

She is greeted by Osric, still struggling up the stairs. She freezes again, wanting to help him, but something stops her. She can only watch as he finally reaches the top. On his knees, he crawls down the hallway. His bedroom door opens — and then slams shut.

>>>

Elayne has been debating what to do for hours. In the meantime, she helps herself to some dried meat in the kitchen. Realizing she’s munching on meat — naked — she heads to her room to get a change of clothes. She’s stopped by her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. Her hair, and even her ears, are deep red — along with her eyes. She’s scaring herself with her own crimson gaze.

Eventually, she decides to head to his room, unsure of what to say. Tugging at the handle, it’s locked.

"Go away." His voice cuts through the door.

"Osric?"

"Go away!" Something hits the door. Then footsteps. The door cracks open. The door cracks open. Osric’s hand slips out, holding a coin bag, which drops to the floor.

"Here’s some money. Get out of here." The door slams shut.

"Am I really not your assistant?" Elayne tries the door handle again — locked.

"No. I never wanted an assistant, and I don't need your help."

"If I’m not his assistant... I guess I don’t have to be here," She murmurs, the words nipping at her heart.

She decides to listen to him and set out. Wrapping her black handkerchief over her head, she steps off the porch, wiping away tears.

>>>

Unsure of where to go, unsure of where her mother is, she wanders down the busy streets of Lumora, thinking she might try to find Angus’ estate — if she can figure out where it is…

Her nose stops her. She smells apple cider — and she can’t resist. She veers off course, heading into a tavern. Walking past mostly empty tables, she plops down at the bar next to three women: a ginger-haired woman in armor, a girl in purple robes with a large wizard hat, and a blonde girl holding a lantern-like staff.

“Apple cider,” she grumbles to the bartender.

He turns around with a wooden cup, unscrews the tap on a barrel, and pours her a drink.

She takes a sip then asks, "Do you know where Angus Lumin’s estate is?"

He simply shakes his head.

“We know where it is,” the red-haired girl next to her says. “We were just going there to ask about a quest. We’re a female-only group of adventurers. I’m Melina, the mage is Marjorie, and Mira’s the cleric.” Melina’s eyes slowly scan Elayne.

“We’ve been looking for another frontliner. You look like you know how to fight, and your sword’s not bad either. We’ll take you to the estate if you join our party.”

“Just take me there,” Elayne mumbles, turning back to her drink.

“Tough one, aren’t you?” Melina snarks.

>>>

The three adventurers lead Elayne through the city, taking her down a long, winding path along the hilly outskirts of Lumora. The evening sun bounces off the grassy hills, casting them in warm light.

"So, are you an adventurer as well?" Mira asks again, hopping in front of Elayne.

Elayne swats her away. Each question rakes at her nerves. She clenches her fists and stares at the dirt path.

They reach the wall and gate outside the Lumin estate, where an angry mob has gathered. Their shouts echoing through the evening air.

“What about your protection plan, Lord Lumin?” a male voice rings out.

“Our house was burned to the ground, and my baby is scarred!” a woman yells.

Elayne pushes through the crowd. She tugs on the gate — it’s locked. Deciding to scale the wall, she slips her fingers between the stone bricks and climbs up easily.

“Should you be doing that?” Mira’s shout cuts through the crowd.

“Ask him about our quest!” Melina yells as she scampers down the cobblestone path.

Elayne reaches the entrance. She bangs on the grand door — no response. She slams it even harder… and then again.

Finally, she hears the clink of a lock. The door creaks open, and a wolf-beastkin maid with tan fur sticks her head out.

“Who and who are—” She cuts herself off with a gasp as she yanks Elayne inside, shutting and locking the door behind them.

She leads Elayne by the wrist up the velvet stairs and down a long hallway, stopping at a door. She knocks, Helen opens the door.

"Mama!" She dives into her mother's arms.

"Elayne! You're Okay!" Helen bursts into tears. "What happened to your hair!?"

The maid shuts the door, leaving the two of them alone. They settle onto the bed in the small room.

Helen gently rubs her back. “I’m sorry about Osric.”

“No, Mama, he’s okay.”

>>>

Elayne explains everything that has happened since Helen left. She ends by lifting her shirt, showing her mother the sun emblem on her chest.

Helen gasps at the sight. “Are you okay? Does that hurt?”

Elayne shakes her head, dropping her shirt.

“I can’t believe he did that to my baby. I’m going to have a word with Osric.” She jolts upright.

“It’s okay.” Elayne tugs her down, sniffling.

“His words… they sting, don’t they?” Helen plops back down.

She can’t hold back the tears — they come streaming.

"Oh sweetie." Helen wraps an arm around her, pressing Elayne into her bosom.

“He said he doesn’t need me,” Elayne chokes out between sniffles. “Why did I train so hard? What do I do now?”

“Maybe it would be a good idea to go with those adventurers.” Helen rests both hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her back to meet her eyes.

"Really?"

"Get your mind off of him and figure yourself out. I saw your training. I’m confident my baby can handle anything an adventure would throw at her."

“Where’s Anne?” Elayne asks, still sniffling, trying to change the subject to get her mind off him.

“When I got here, Alec, Anne, and Caden had already gone off on a mission to expose the Prime Minister. I explained the situation to Angus, and he said he’d send his knights out there — but they were too late. Whoever destroyed the village was already gone. To think that the person responsible would be you.” Helen wipes away her tears. “Thank goodness you didn't kill anyone.”

Helen turns away. “It might be embarrassing to admit, but when my slave collar broke, I thought the worst — that you had both died — and I broke down, sobbing, unable to move. I'm so glad you're okay.”

“What about Angus? There’s a bunch of angry people outside.”

“Oh, he’s up to his neck in paperwork from all the damages. Let the adults handle that, dear.”

Helen wipes away the last remaining tears from her face. “Why don’t you go on an adventure? Hide your ears and pretend to be human. Go find yourself.”