It is only through a greater enmity that enmity is overcome.
- The Traveling Scourge.
Weariness hung heavily upon my bones, and my muscles were aching from the weight of the day's burdens. I collapsed onto the carpeted floor of the wagon, the stress and strain of my exertions draining away, leaving only a liquid relief in their wake. Cordelia regarded me with concern, a desperate hungry hope in her eyes.
"Are you well, my lord?" she asked, her voice filled with worry and compassion.
"I am well enough, Cordelia," I replied wearily, my energy nearly spent. It took great effort to meet her gaze, but I needed answers to satisfy my curiosity. "You are Cordelia de Aserac, yes? I want you to know that the title of 'lord' is of little importance to me. Gilgamesh or Gil will suffice."
"Yes, my lord… I mean, Gilgamesh. Cordelia de Aserac. Apologies, again, my lord, for being so presumptuous. To be in the company of those who would do you harm! Truly, I was an ignorant fool. For declaring myself to be your servant before… I only wish to serve, yet I fear I am not worthy," she replied, her eyes downcast and voice stricken.
Though being called a lord did tickle my pride, I decided that, for the sake of expediency, such a fancy title would only be an impediment to further conversation. This Herald business was also a little distracting.
"Please, Cordelia. Again, Gilgamesh, or even Gil, will suffice. And rather than words, I would have you show your loyalty through action. However, for the moment, I accept your declaration of fealty," I stated magnanimously and with as much confidence as I could muster in my exhausted state. Inside, I was all but cooing with pleasure at being given another character to command as I saw fit.
Perhaps it was the lingering effects of having imbibed several Mana potions in such a short time, but I had regained another point of Mana. Just enough to cast an Identify on the latest addition to my entourage.
Cordelia de Aserac - Temple Knight [Human lvl. 18]
Stolen story; please report.
Health: 213/247
Stamina: 23/37
Mana: 1/10
As I was busy being awed by her impressive attributes, I was surprised by a sudden lurch, as our wagon began to move. I had to give Laes credit; he ran a very tight ship, for we had set off far sooner than I had thought possible.
"I feel your regard upon me. I pray you do not find me wanting. Truly, you are too forgiving," Cordelia rejoiced, her face growing flush with religious ecstasy.
"Quite. Enlighten me, please—how were you able to find me? And do you know a man named Amon Vanes?" I inquired flatly, pausing to take a swig of water from the flask at my hip. This discussion was probably going to be a long one. Game characters did, after all, enjoy their exposition.
Did I still regard these people as simply characters within the confines of a game? Such a notion caused me the tiniest twinge of guilt before my thoughts moved on to the next question. Did it matter if I saw these individuals as nothing more than a collection of data and algorithms? Yet, before I could continue down this line of idle contemplation, Cordelia's words cut through to me. "Our penance was to scour the lands for you. However, there were those who sought to expedite the process. The leaders of the Church petitioned the seers of the River God for news of you, Herald. Venal fools, all of them seeking a shortcut through the offering of gold, for 's trials are sacred," she intoned, her voice as smooth as silk, but with a passion and fervor in her eyes that spoke of a deep-seated belief in her cause. Me.
I chose not to dwell on the hypocrisy inherent in her words, for without those same venal fools, they might never have found me at all.
Lulled by the timbre of her melodic voice, I found myself drifting, feeling safe. There was a sensation of falling, followed by a glimpse of Cordelia rushing to my side.
*****
Opening my eyes slowly, I was greeted by the sight of the warrior woman looking down at me, my head on her armored lap. Smiling, she continued to dab a piece of cloth across my brow.
"You are awake, Your Holiness," she greeted me with a soft, contented smile. In this world, there were worse ways to be awoken.
"How long?" I croaked, eyes darting around the interior of the wagon.
"No more than a few minutes. You must rest. Be at ease, for your servant is with you. All is well now," Cordelia replied, her beauty magnified tenfold by her angelic smile, and her words almost hypnotic.
With little reason to resist sleep's call, I relaxed and surrendered myself to her care.