Chapter 67: The Long Eared Guardian 7

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She observed his sleeping face. It felt soothing. Lafiel didn’t know why she was still inside the hollow tree. Arden already fell asleep near the hearth. She should move, yet she finds herself looking at the odd man. Not once he made an odd look at her. Usually, they would show disgust. She didn’t see any of it. She thought he must be good at hiding them but that was not it. She stayed to look at him. Her heart pounded with a thud.

Her face flushed and thought he must be really an odd one. She was never this welcomed and comfortable and somehow her thoughts begin to swim. I would love to be with him. She thought. Her mind was swirling and it wasn’t getting better. She tried to ease her thudding heart. She rubs her brows. She calms her breathing yet here she was agonizing about the guy who showed her kindness without prejudice.

Damn it, she cursed. Was she such an easy woman? She should be stronger than this yet here she was having lewd thoughts at the sleeping Arden. Was she not a maiden? She thinks. But that doesn’t excuse her into being someone with desires. Years, she stayed in the tribe yet no damn man was stupid enough to woo her or point their lust at her in fear of bearing a child with a half blood. She cannot blame them for that. So, love was something she only heard in the village mother’s tongue. She loved tales for she is also a fair maiden.

Maybe he will accept me for what am I? But isn’t he leaving when spring ends? She thought. Arden plans to leave once winter is over. And her tribe will continue their wandering. That what it is and she find that extremely sad. It was just a few days but she finds the days with him soothing. He didn’t hold any hate for her blood and he was nonchalant. Something about a man who is strong yet vulnerable at the same time made her felt like he wouldn’t do anything bad to her. This was all her instincts anyway, but so far she was right.

The wind blew outside loudly. The clamor it brings made the afternoon feel even more calming. She stared at Arden before pulling her heart back. She swore an oath. She swore that she will protect the life of the tribe she guards. In the short span of time, she has known Arden, she knew that a man like him who wouldn’t be a chained in one place. She knew that someone like him is burdened to travel. Her tribe knows that their home is the road. And she knows that Arden will not stay on the same road she walks.

She felt her heart ache. She smiled sweetly and looked at Arden. He will leave when springs come. And even if it’s short, she might as well enjoy their time together. Can she have that right?  So her hand moves along with her body. With fervor in her eyes, she went closer. She plans. She thought.  But it all stopped when her left eye saw the shadowy figure in the distance fog. She listened in to the sounds and heard thuds and clangs.

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She stopped. She needs to go now.

...

He arrives in the place where the nomad tribe is. He rode through the thick forest and the knee-length snow made him angry. His body was cold and if it wasn’t for the leather under his steel armor then he would be suffering from the blistering cold. His fur cloak wrapped around his steel armor didn’t help. His horse is shivering from the cold. He prayed he would last.

He saw the camp. He noticed the fire rising from their camp and prayed that they have noticed his presence. He’s head felt rather cold and gloomy. He prayed that they won’t start a fight. He kicks his horse and proceeds forward. Racing through the forest, his seven-foot tall steed showed that it can overcome the knee length snow. Do well, my boy. He prayed. His partner moved past the snow and arrived near the camp. He felt the mana around him being stirred. He was a knight but never an ascended knight. The way the mana stirs around felt like he was closing into a death trap.

The more he closes into the camp. The more the mana around him felt like it was going to strike. The mana of the half blood is dangerous. He learned fear when he faced an elf once. It was at the time he accompanied the heir he adored.

He galloped nonetheless. He can only be brave when there is fear. There are thoughts of retreating but his heart didn’t falter. He continued until he felt that the mana that was supposed to strike him was gone. His horse’s gallops could be heard. His steed was tall so it was obvious that someone in the camp would notice him. His armor also glistened despite the foggy weather.

He neared the entrance of the Camp and saw an elderly looking man wearing a fur hooded coat. The coat was thick. He nodded at the elder. The elder probably knew that someone like him would arrive. They are no fool. They can feel the lingering energy inside the letter as well. If they burned it then they wouldn’t feel him and he will not be able to reach his destination.

He followed the elder. He felt the stares of the nomads and prayed to the God of Light they wouldn’t suddenly raise their spears and skewer him. He can fight at least ten with his armor on. He was a knight, not an ascended one. His strength barely stoops to the level of an Ascended Knight or a Magus. He was a normal Knight you can find everywhere. A knight that was sent to do a job given by the sun’s crown.