Around the corners

Making our way uphill, walking through the mountain’s tree line, my legs were starting to limp. Right now we are atop the clouds, the warm condition from when we were in the forest a week ago, turned into what you’d callーThe Arctic.

I deeply exhaled, my breath visible to the naked eye.

“It’s so cold… This region stinks… If this is worse, I’m worried about Brynheint… Imperial Vascht and Vanhaert are the only two with a warm climate.”

Annaliese had a look of disappointment, agreeing to what I’ve said.

“It’s… As you have guessed, Mistress Eilise. The air in our region is freakishly cold. Has her grace ever visited yet?”

“I HAVE NEVER VISITED THAT GUY’S REGION, NEITHER WILL I… Ahem, I’ve only visited two actually. Lotea's regionーFriedenswald, is one of the coldest I've been in, considering the capital is located in the mountainous region…”

“Really…? I expected mistress Eilise to have visited every kingdom… So would you not step foot on the capital of our region?”

“I mean, I’m forced to go on this journey…” I exhaled.

I’ll still refuse regardless… Just have to say that to her at one point.

Traversing our way through the tall trees, the atmosphere in the air shifted, our visibility cleared and in front of usーwe saw an Alpine lake in the distance.

“No way… An alpine lake…? If we didn’t go around no man’s land, I doubt I’d see this.” my mouth dropped.

Marieka, without a second thought went straight to the water, kneeling down and staring at her reflection.

“Wow!!! This lake’s so clear! This is drinkable right?” She turned to me.

“I suggest you not, Marieka. I’m worried your organs might melt. You're the only healer aside from me that can heal Annaliese.”

“F… Fair enough…” She stood up and stepped back from the water. “So… Do we rest here? And set camp?”

“We’ve been traveling for a week through this mountain, if we include no man's land that would make our journey around two and a half weeks. We can set up camp with no problem.” I summoned the tents and blankets. “Annaliese could you help me set the supporter?”

She nodded, stepping forward before immediately haltingー,

TING…!

Unsheathing her sword in a split second and blocking off an invisible strike from behind, sliding back from the recoil. The impact was loud and enough to shatter her sword if Annaliese were inexperienced.

My eyes narrowed, I approached Marieka and went in front of herーshielding her with my body.

Footsteps echoed, before a pink haired girl that had an ear and a tail approached us, coming out of the trees holding a white and gold sword that had the design of a council knight.

Draped in white clothing underneath and wore a deep blue navy portion of the cloak that spread down her arms like enormous wings.

The fabric was marked with irregular crescent white shapes that had the imprintment of Brynheint.

“....Brynheint? So, this is the person Annaliese was talking about…?” I muttered to myself.

Marieka behind me caught a hunch of what I’ve said.

“Ehh…??? A beastfolk…? I… Is she a bad person…?”

“That, I don’t know…” I shrugged.

Annaliese stood up and proceeded to take a stance. The girl’s ears perked up, her tail swinging underneath her layered clothing.

Huh… A beastfolk…? But I thought that…?

“You didn’t tell me you were here, Anna.”

I tilted my head. Anna..? Is that what she calls Annaliese?

Annaliese’s brows furrowed, the look of frustration smeared all over her face.

“She caught us. Even though we avoided no man’s land.”

“No no. I kind of predicted where you’d go.” She pointed her sword towards Annaliese, preparing for another attack.

The girl took a step forward and vanished.

TING! A loud clash before Annaliese was pushed back again from the strikeーDust covered the field from the clash before the girl slashed the fog away, her cloak swayed along the wind.

“Don’t hold back in front of your friendsーor is it that my technique got better?”

“You caught me off guard, that doesn't count at all, plus you’re using magic to add weight in your swing.”

Annaliese stood up and leaped, immediately closing the distance and causing the girl to block the strike using two of her handsーThen she used Annaliese’s momentum to swing her sword up, causing Annaliese to lose grip of her sword.

It went flying towards my direction, Annaliese turned around and alerted me.

I raised a finger to stop the sword in mid-air, pinning it to the soil.

“Okay, enough of the two of you. Would you mind explaining?”

Marieka leaned to the side behind me, looking at Annaliese's sword on the ground, then to the girl’s cloak.

“The same crest!!? They’re both on Brynheint!?”

The girl stepped backwards and sheathed her sword, Annaliese facepalmed before staring at her.

“This is the very reason I avoided her in the first place…” She turned to me. “As you can see, she would always attack me at first sight.”

“....Seriously? So this happens on a regular basis?” I gave a blunt expression.

The girl stayed silent, before going down on her knees and grappling Annaliese's legs.

“I JUST MISSED YOU OKAY?! No hard feelings…” Her personality took a sharp turn.

Marieka and I stood frozen from the scene.

“Astrid. For the love of the witches. Please stop doing that!! We’re not sparring in Brynheint anymore.” Annaliese brows furrowed.

“I KNOW I KNOW, it’s just that…” She turned to the both of us. “And uhm… You must be… Anna’s friend right?”

I covered my face.

⇔ ⇔ ⇔ ⇔

“Ahh!! I’m sorry for the misunderstandings my dear! I’m not evil or anything. It’s just every time I see the opportunity to spar with her… I take the chance…” She waved off.

“I was scared you know… I’m glad Varieka went to my aid.” Marieka exhaled.

A few hours after that, the sun was setting, Astrid introduced herself and we did the same in return. She helped us with setting up camp, though I’m glad I brought an extra blanket.

I took a deep breath sitting near the fire, and cleared my throat.

“You two were companions during your knight days…?”

Astrid nodded.

“Yep, that’s right. Before Anna became mister Ewald’s apprentice. We often clash with each other, the difference between us is the fact that I perceive magic. While she cannot.”

“Hmm… No wonder Ewald chose Annaliese, it was because of her raw technique right?” I tilted my head.

“That is correct! Ding ding!” Astrid snapped her fingers.

Curious, Marieka decided to ask. “Astrid, are you really a beastfolk…? I thought they were formally extinct?”

She smiled, placing a finger to her lips.

“That’s a secret… Let’s just say, I’m one of the remaining few that’s surviving. We can probably leave it at that.” Afterwards, she turned to me. “ーThough, I’m impressed, Varieka. That magic you used to stop the sword was beautiful. You are a royal mage in Ryven?”

“Just a normal and weak mage, with no status or anything of that.” I replied.

Annaliese covered her laugh before turning to look at me.

“Mistress Varieka, Astrid here is a big fan of someone. And I don’t think you’re capable of hiding anything from her.”

My eyes opened, holding my head.

Oh for fuck's sakes…

“ーBut don’t worry, Astrid can be trusted. However, If she says anything outside of here, I’ll personally capture you myself.” She turned to her.

“Scary~~, okay okay whatever you say Anna… So what’s the secret?”

I shook my head, frowning.

“You’ll find out either way if I do anything weird, so I’ll just go and say it. My name is Eilise Frediereke, the pointed hat of the Kingdom of Ryven.”

Astrid straightened, her ears and tail perked up, eyes wide open.

“You… You… You…” She stuttered, tumbling back as she fell unconscious.

Marieka jolted, staring at her as she laid on the ground. “Uhm… What happened to Miss Astrid?”

“Totally Mistress Eilise’s fault.” Annaliese replied back.

“Hey… What did I do…? So much for introducing… I’ll just explain the details to her as we go…” I scratched my head.