The Rugged Track

The sound of footsteps rippled through the forest.
Wet soil and bushes rustled beneath their feet as several figures moved carefully between the trees. Rainwater still dripped from the leaves above, occasionally falling onto their shoulders and cloaks. They avoided making unnecessary noise, trying their best no to attract anyone's attention.

At first, they walked cautiously, watching every step and checking their surroundings from time to time. However, as the distance grew shorter, their pace gradually became faster.
Soon, they were practically running, ignored their exhaustion and pushed toward through the rain-soaked forest

Then-
They suddenly stopped.
There were some people in the path ahead. The path they needed to take.
The group of men immediately move aside and spread out around the area, trying to avoid the entrance without being noticed.
Faint voices could be heard from inside.
One of the men slowly peeked into the cave.

"Three people,"

A young man with black hair, another carrying a sword, and a girl wearing church robes.
The man immediately raised his hand, signaling his companions to retreat.
However-
One of them slipped. The wet and uneven ground caused it.
*Thud
The sound echoed louder than expected.
The conversation inside the cave stopped instantly and before anyone outside could react, 

*Whoosh!
an icicle suddenly shot toward the cave entrance.

*Crash!

"Run!" 
The man immediately gave the order. All figures turned around and sprinted deeper into the forest.

Inside the cave, Rishi was already moving. He chased them without hesitation, but after several seconds he stopped.
The rain, darkness, and dense forest made pursuit impossible and one against four is unplausible. By the time he reached the edge of the trees, the group had already disappeared.

"Tch," Rishi clicked his tongue before returning to the cave.

Inside the cave, two figures were arguing.

"Glen, why did you attack them?" Aria asked. "What if they got hurt?"
"Aria..." Glen rubbed his forehead. "Listen to me,"
His voice remained calm, though slightly irritated.
"Someone who sneaks around and peeks usually doesn't have good intentions,"
"But... what if they did?"
"Then, they won't run?"
"What if they were scared?"
Glen sighed. "Aria, there were four of them. All adult men and they appeared in the middle of the woods,"
Glen continued.
"And I deliberately hit the wall,"
Aria blinked and looked confused.
"I wasn't trying to kill anyone. I wanted to alert them and see how they react, and apparently, they were really suspicious, either they did something illegal or they were the one who stole-"
Glen stopped mid-sentence, he doesn't want Aria to know about the beast cat deep inside the cave.
"Anyway, I know what I'm doing and I'm not a madman who killed everyone as I pleased,"
Hearing Glen frowned and raised his voice slightly, Aria immediately lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Glen. I didn't know,"
The guilt on her face made Glen calm down almost instantly.
He let out a sigh.
"No, I'm sorry too,"
Aria looked up.
"I know you're worried. I know it's against your believe but," Glen paused a bit, "The world isn't always as simple as you think it is,"
Aria remained silent and after several seconds she simply nodded without saying anything anymore.

Not long after, Rishi came back from chasing the unknown people.
His clothes were covered in dirt and his breathing sounds heavy.
"Glen! Let's go,"
"What happened?"
"I just slipped," Rishi's face became red.
"Oh? our prince ran all the way just to fall?" said Glen smug.
"Shut up... just hurry up, those people bother me,"
Glen face became serious and he nodded.
"I agree,"

The rain had weakened into a light drizzle by the time they left the cave. The three of them moved carefully through the forest and this time, they constantly checked their surroundings without missing anything. The only sounds accompanying them were the rain and the squishing of et soil beneath their boots. Eventually, they reached the place where they had tied their horses.

Everyone stopped, the horses were gone and the ropes hung loosely from the tree with a clean cut.
Glen crouched down and inspected the ground.
Several fresh footprints led north.
Rishi's expression immediately darkened.
"They stole the horses,"
"Looks like it,"
Glen stood up and looked toward Aria.
"Aria,"
"Yes?"
"We should head back to my home first, it's closer than the church and you can clean yourself before going home,"
Rishi chimed in.
"And I'm tired too,"
Without hesitation, Aria agreed.
"I'll follow your suggestion,"
With no horses and daylight slowly fading behind the clouds, it was the best option they had. They walked together in silence.
Glen and Rishi glanced at each other, they were about to discuss something, but they held it, they thought it was not appropriate for Aria to hear what they want to discuss.

As soon as they arrived at Glen's mansion, Glen immediately told Aria to clean herself before returning to the church. While Rishi somehow disappeared without anyone noticing.

Glen returned to his room.
He changed into clean clothes, drank a glass of water, and then went looking for Lucio.
"Lucio!"
"Yes, young master,"
"Prepare some clothes and towels for Aria,"
"Yes, young master,"

Lucio immediately instructed one of the maids to prepare everything necessary.
With nothing else to do, Glen went outside and sat on a bench near the front yard while waiting. 
Half an hour later, Aria finally appeared. Normally, she bathed quickly because she used the same bathroom as any other sister at the church but, the mansion's bathroom made her nervous because everything looked expensive, even the soup surprisingly looked expensive.

As a result, she spent most of the time carefully using everything, afraid she might accidentally break something.
"I'm sorry for making you wait," Aria said.
"It's fine," Glen looked stunned for a bit because she saw Aria with different clothes for the first time. She wore a loose one-piece garment with long sleeves and angle-length skirt. The simple design concealed mealy the entire body, making it modest and looks comfortable.
"Let's go!" said Glen while standing up.

The two of them headed toward the stable. Glen helped Aria climb onto the horse before mounting behind her. The horse trotted steadily along the quiet road beneath the warm afternoon sun. Neither of them spoke. The only sound was the rhythmic beat of hooves against the ground. A gentle breeze swept past them, causing her long hair to flutter in the wind and catch golden light. 

Finally, they arrived at their destination.
Glen jumped off first before helping Aria down.
"Thank you for today," said Glen.
"My pleasure, even though I didn't do anything, only became a burden for you," 
"Having you made me feel safer," said Glen while thought "Not that I can do anything reckless around you,"
"I hope we can meet again in the future, Aria,"
"Yes, I hope so as well,"
"I'm going back to the academy tomorrow, here is a parting gift,"
Glen handed a cloth pouch that he took from his pocket.
Aria received the pouch and curiously opened and looked inside it. It looked significantly small, brown, and ordinary. 
"What is this, Glen?" 
"It's a seed of the flower you like before, peony,"
Aria looked very happy with bright smile while placing some seeds onto her hand.
"A...um...Are you sure?"
"Of course, well, it will take years to bloom but I'm sure it's worth it,"
"Wait here," said Aria while turned back and walked fast toward the church. She entered her room and pick something from her drawer. She quickly went back to Glen who still waiting outside.
"Here, this is for you," said Aria while handing a wooden bead. 
"What is it?"
"It's one my bead that used while praying, it can help you receive holy many temporarily, I hope you save Glen,"
Glen didn't think much of it and receive the bead heart warmly.
"Thanks Aria," said Glen while he got on the horse. "Well then, see you later," 
"Take care, until next time," 
Glen rode his horse and disappeared from Aria's sight. After the farewell, Aria entered the church and went looking for Mother Anna.

*Knock knock
"Good evening, Mother, It's Aria,"
"Come in,"

Aria slowly opened the door. 
Inside, Mother Anna was writing something in a notebook. Upon seeing Aria, she closed it and smiled.
"How was your trip?"
Aria hesitated.
"It was...new and refreshing," Then she lowered her gaze. "But I think Glen is angry at me,"
Mother Anna raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think that?"
"I said something dumb and interfering him,"
"Did he yell at you?"
"Not really...." Aria stopped halfway.
Mother Anna smiled gently. "Did you apologize?"
"Yes, Mother,"
"Did he forgive you?"
"I think so,"
"Then there is no problem, isn't it?"
Aria just kept silence.
Mother Anna leaned back slightly. "People can disagree without hating each other Aria, it's a common thing when we socialized with others, the only you have to do right now is to see what other's perspective looks like, probably what Glen's did is bad in your eyes but try to learn other's what others thinking as well then I hope you guys can understand each other,"
Aria thought about it for a moment before nodding.
"Anyway," said Mother Anna. "Is there anything you want to ask?"
Aria straightened her posture.
"I have a question, Mother,"
"Go ahead, ask,"
"Do you think I committed a sin because I rode a horse with Glen?"
Mother Anna was kind of taken aback and stared at her for several seconds. 
"It depends on your intention,"
Aria suddenly became nervous. 
Mother Anna folded her hands and focused her gaze on Aria.
"If you ride together with the opposite gender because you have improper intentions, then it may become sinful.
She continued.
"But if there is no such intention and it is simply a necessity, then there is nothing inherently wrong with it,"
Aria looked even more confused.
"But Mother, how am I supposed to know? what if I think something isn't a sin, but it actually is?"
"Your heart knows more than you think," said Mother Anna with a soft smile.
She continued.
"For example, lying is a sin according to our teaching from the scripture, but there is situation where telling the truth can cause unnecessary harm," she continued. "Intercourse before marriage is a sin, but what if someone is forced to do intercourse, she is a victim of assault, it's unfair if it's a sin as well. Rules are important, guidance is important, but not every situation can be solved by rules alone,"
She reached Aria's hand and look at her eyes.
"Tell me honestly, did you have improper intentions while riding with Glen,"
"No, Mother,"
"Then, there is your answer," said Mother Anna while letting Aria's hand go. "Well for now, ask me again if you have another question, you should learn more before becoming a cleric, now go rest,"
Aria nodded and went back to her room. Her mind became clearer after talking with Mother Anna and she sleep in no time.

Back at Glen's mansion, Glen and Rishi were having a very serious conversation. Those two sat across from each other after dinner and their expressions were not pleasant.

"Who do you think those people were?" asked Rishi.
Glen crossed his arms. "I don't know,"
Then he added. "But I'm sure they are related to the cat, and I already asked Lucio to inform the Holy Order,"
"They were capable, the way they moved, the way they ran, I don't think they are ordinary people," said Rishi.
He continued.
"Glen... we should be careful, no I think... You should be careful,"
"I know, but let's leave this matter to the Holy Order,"
"Yeah, there is no benefit getting involved in this matter,"
Rishi stretched his body and groaned. Then, he slowly laid down on the sofa.
"Go sleep in your room,"
"Ugh..." Rishi reluctantly stood up and dragged himself away. 

After he left, Glen remained seated for a while and eventually he stood up as well. As he walked toward his room, Lucio suddenly appeared.
"Young master, I have something to inform,"
"Go on,"
"They found the horses, but they didn't find the culprits,"
"I see, tell me if there's any update,"
"Of course, young master,"

Soon afterward, Glen entered his room. He prepared everything for sleep and laid down on his bed. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't sleep.
The image of the beast cat kept returning.
The missing claws, the missing eyes, fangs, and the unknown people. Something felt really wrong especially the deeper part of the cave. After almost an hour staring at nothing but ceiling, Glen suddenly sat up.
"I can't sleep,"
The uneasy feeling in his chest only became stronger and without another thought, he stood up. Then, he quietly began putting on his clothes again and prepared for hunting again.
He was going back to the forest, to the cave.
Alone.