Chapter 65 - No Limit

Feeling the dialogue was impossible, Gwen took the initiative of a final detail while they were preparing the horse.

_ Gwen: " If Jenna is dead and there is phosphorus there, then Moana must have fought and protected the children. I need to check the other bodies. "

With the guards' consent, Gwen checks everybody still available, hoping not to see a familiar face again. Then she freezes. Another burnt armband encircles a wrist. The burn makes it impossible to identify its color. Seeing this clue, she rushes forward to uncover the victim's identity.

_ Gwen: " It's not a small body, so it's not an orphan. I hope it isn't Moana. "

She opens the bag and notes Moana’s presence without any real emotion. Five seconds pass before she promptly closes it again. She stands up, uttering no words and harboring no thoughts. She heads toward the guard holding a binder.

_ Gwen: " I have one last question. "

_ Guard 1: " Make it quick; we’ve already wasted enough time as it is. "

_ Gwen: " Other than here, has anything else unusual happened recently? "

_ Guard 1: " Huh? No, not that I know of. "

_ Gwen: " I see. "

Thinking the discussion was over, a sound rings out.

_ Guard 1: “ Finally, our village has suffered a surprise attack, but that is none of your concern. “

This noteworthy information piqued the respective curiosity of the two young girls.

_ Gwen: " I'm still interested, though. Please, tell me more. "

A sigh escapes the guard.

_ Guard 1: " A group of Recluses infiltrated the village and attacked us. This group was accompanied by two other brats. "

_ Gwen: " Two other brats? "

_ Guard 1: " Yes. We were ordered to capture that group as well as the rest of the children. Apparently, they were in league together. "

_ Gwen: " A group of brats? Is he talking about the children? "

_ Ay: " And then what? " she said, joining the conversation with a menacing glare.

_ Guard 1: " They managed to escape. The drawbridge was lowered when we arrived, and there was no longer any trace of them in the village. "

_ Ay: " But… “

A complicit glance shifts toward the doctor.

_ Ay: " Have you touched them or not? "

The atmosphere grows tense as the doctor’s gaze falls upon the guard, awakening a dull sense of alarm within him. At this action, Gwen noticed out of the corner of her eye a sharp stream of water forming on Ay’s palm, hidden behind his back.

_ Guard 1: " What are you... "

_ Gwen: " What my colleague means is, where can we find them? They might have a connection to this disaster here. " she said, her hand firmly landing on Ay's shoulder, urging her to be cautious.

Regaining his composure, the guard continued.

_ Guard 1: " I don't know why you're so interested, but whatever. They left about two hours ago. But I don't know where they are and I don't care. Now, let us get back to work. "

_ Gwen: " Alright, thanks. We're leaving. "

The two young women head toward their prostrate steed.

_ Ay: " Why'd you stop me? I was about to smoke them all. "

_ Gwen: " We can't draw attention to ourselves. Besides, we’re not even sure those are the kids yet. "

_ Ay: " Stop bullshitting me. What other kids would go back to their village after seeing that? "

_ Gwen: " I'm with you, but we need to stay under the radar. "

Ignoring Gwen’s argument, the doctor drew closer to the horse, which was visibly out of breath.

_ Gwen: " He is at the end of his strength. Carrying two human bodies on a horse is difficult to sustain in the long run. "

_ Ay: " In that case, let’s give him a helping hand. “

A syringe emerged from the doctor's pocket, filled with a concentrated, unidentified pink substance.

_ Gwen: " What is this? "

_ Ay: " Dr*gs. "

Pupils widen.

_ Gwen: " Seriously?? That’s your helping hand??”

_ Ay: " I’ve got a stimulant in stock too, but it’ll take a while to kick in. "

_ Gwen: " That’s not the point. You're not seriously going to dr*g our only mount, are you? "

_ Ay: " So you’re suggesting we must go on on foot? " she said, turning back with a grim stare.

_ Gwen: " Don’t forget, there’s a two-hour gap between them. We’re not far now. Let’s give the horse enough rest before using him again and continue on foot. "

Then she approaches his partner in turn.

_ Gwen: " The children will also take breaks. That will further reduce the distance between us. "

Reluctantly convinced, the doctor puts away her syringe and leads the steed by the bridle.

_ Ay: “ Like it or not, you shall walk as well. “

A faint whinny came from the horse, as if it were demanding something.

_ Gwen: " He must be thirsty. "

_ Ay: " I know. Let’s get out of here first and find a stream. "