Chapter 56: The Raven Wrangler’s Disgust

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Murder in the nameless mountain, he calls it. Jess of Bevardis saw the cruel act of the lady of Asmara. The lady who spent her days being carried by someone and in thanks, she killed that man by stabbing him in the stomach when he was distracted.

He could never imagine how she could do that to him. He stared in amazement and shocked but never uttered a sound in order to live. He liked Arden for his selfless ways but he liked himself better. He could never fight the ascended knight and even though he saw the weird way she acted after killing Arden. He didn’t utter a word and complied with the lady out of fear.

She commanded fear and that was enough to make people like him follow her. So he followed her climb down the mountain. She slaughtered most of the bandits easily and when they arrive in the main road they manage to kill the riders that were threatening them.

The lady was so strong that he could not complain. He could only meekly follow her in the stallion that she ‘gave’ him in order for him to lead the way. He knew the way and quickly they arrive in a place called Gesoga. The place is remarkable and bustling. The streets are filled with activity and he could hear the occasional noises from the market place. The town’s walls and buildings were finely maintained. He could see that the road was well paved and the banners of the houses are fluttering in high regard.

The lady made her way to one of the houses and showed her sigil. She lost her armor and weapons but nonetheless, her sigil and crest weren't lost. She presented herself with a terrifying aura that the houses who thought of the meek ‘daughter’ of the Asmara were changed by the road.

They asked what happened but the lady answered them that her war band was destroyed by a Pyromancer-led war band and that other than her everyone was killed. Hearing this, they praise the lady and immediately sent ravens to the Asmara to inform them about the lady. They believe the lady out of the horrible burns she has on her face. They have known that the lady was beautiful through seeing her in balls but never they imagine that she would lie about losing her beauty.

The Houses accommodated the lady and he was paid compensation. He wanted to leave immediately but the lady warned him that ever he speaks of what he saw in that nameless mountain then she would personally hunt him down. She threatened that she would flay his skin and ripped his insolent tongue if he does.

He was afraid and threatened. He could not face the might of the Asmara family and as he was a normal Raven Wrangling Ranger, he could nod his head silently while trying not to show his disdain at the lady who killed someone because of her pride.

So he agreed and left the noble house while carrying the pouch of gold he had. Never he had so much gold in him, but instead of being happy he was rather disturbed.

He carried himself to a tavern and bought some beer. A tavern wench wanted to know if he needs warming in his bed but he had no appetite for the pleasure of the flesh at the moment. He could still see the murder when he closes his eyes. He killed men and slit throats before but a murder of someone who had pure intentions made his conscience hurt.

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The mood around the tavern was lively. He could hear the singing and telling of the bard in the distance. The harp of the man echoed as the other drunken sellswords hit with their tones and tales. He had no tale to tell and so he silently chugged his beer and ordered another beer until he was feeling a lot better.

He had gold to spend but for the first time, the gold in his pouch felt heavier. The giver of the coin made him unable to forget about the murder in the mountain. Why did she have to kill such good lad? He knew that nobles can be prideful and callous but never did he thought that they are this evil. The lady clearly was maddened and even though she should have rewarded that burdened man. She gave him the kindness of death and let him plummet down the mountain.

He prayed that the lad would survive somehow but the mountain was rather tall. He could not believe that anyone would be able to survive such height unless they have some ways to glide through the air and fly. That is why even though he saw how tough the lad was he could only hope that he survived. It bothers him that he just let him die that way. He was no coward but the overwhelming fear of an ascended knight brought him to heel. He’d fight for the man if he wasn’t facing her but nonetheless, it’s too late.

The beer made him mellow and somehow the stress he had got a bit lesser. He held the mug tightly and then strides near the harp player with a raised brow. The harp player oddly glances at him and told him if he needs anything. He told the harp player to play a song that would ease his heart. The harp player laughed and then played a rather solemn song.

He listened to the song for a while before giving a gold coin to the harp player. Striding out of the tavern and into the cold night he looked for an Inn and bought himself a room. Inside his room, he laid his back and then tried to squeeze his eyes to sleep only to feel no sleepiness coming to him. The scene of the murder replay into his head and he could only grit his teeth and call himself a coward for not helping. He lived his life in selfishness and all to himself. A man’s death should never bother him but nonetheless, he felt that the death of a good man was disgusting.

After sleeping in the Inn he woke up and went to the market to buy some fresh equipment. Along the grumbles, he heard a talk about the lady of Asmara’s valiant deed and the way she single-handedly killed a gray skinned Pyromancer in single combat and only returning with a burn scar. It was the talk of the town that the lady bragged in the houses feast about her deeds.

Knowing the truth, he could sneer badly and finish buying some leather pouches and bandolier. He bought a bag and then a water pouch made of animal’s stomach. He also had his leather armor sewn and repaired before buying a new capelet and a neck warmer. After buying, he went to the blacksmiths and bought himself a new bow and short sword. After that, he continued onward to the market to buy some rations for himself. He had a stallion so he just needed a new saddle.

It took him quite a while before finally being ready to go out again. He started looking for any caravan and presented himself as a ranger, A merchant saw him and gauge him before allowing jess to join his caravan and in turn, he asked where they were going. After knowing the location, Jess glanced at the house banners that flutter and spat on the ground. Pulling his hood up, he then followed the caravan leaving the town. Jess of Bevardis left the town of Gesoga with a new disgust.