Margaret dared not make a sound as she crouched behind the crumbling remains of a wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she strained to remain unseen. Her fingers tightened around Asha's hand, seeking solace in the warmth of her daughter's touch amidst the encroaching darkness.
As the figure drew nearer, Margaret's heart hammered in her chest, each beat a thunderous reminder of the peril they faced. She prayed silently that they would go unnoticed, that they could slip away unseen and vanish into the safety of the shadows.
“Mistral, what is it?” A deep and rumbling voice called out to its companion in a language she could barely understand. Her head throbbed as her mind forcefully tried to translate the words being spoken.
As the figure and his formidable companion drew closer, Margaret's heart seemed to freeze in her chest, her pulse pounding in her ears like a drumbeat of impending doom. She could feel the weight of the wolf's gaze upon her, its icy blue eyes piercing through the darkness with a chilling intensity.
Margaret's breath caught in her throat as she found herself face to face with the massive white dire wolf, its towering form casting a shadow over them like a looming specter of death. She had never seen an animal so large, so utterly imposing, and fear coursed through her veins like wildfire as she stared into its piercing eyes.
The wolf's fur bristled with an almost supernatural aura, its powerful muscles coiled like springs ready to strike. Margaret could sense the primal intelligence behind those piercing blue eyes.
With trembling hands, Margaret tightened her grip on Asha's trembling form, her mind racing as she searched for a way to escape the looming threat before them.
The wolf closed the distance between them, its large snout roaming over them cowering forms. Smelling its next prey no doubt. It opened its maw, wider than their own skulls forcing the two to inhale its rank breath and see its sharp teeth almost as large as a dagger and wide as the large sword the figure was carrying.
There was no other way. She had to run.
Without hesitation, she tightened her grip on Asha's hand and leaped to her feet, her muscles screaming in protest as she propelled them both into a desperate sprint.
The wolf's menacing growl echoed behind them as they tore through the ruins, their footsteps pounding against the cold, hard ground with a frantic rhythm. Margaret's heart thundered in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she pushed herself to her limits, every ounce of her being focused on one singular goal.
Escape.
But the figure in armor was not far behind, his heavy footfalls echoing through the darkness like the ominous toll of a funeral bell. Margaret could feel his presence looming over them like a shadow, his relentless pursuit driving them ever onward into the heart of the ruins.
How is he running so fast in armor?! Oh god, he’s going to kill us. I have to hide, somewhere…. There’s got to be somewhere we can lose them!
As they darted through the labyrinthine streets, Margaret's mind raced with the dizzying blur of fear and adrenaline. She could hear Asha's panicked cries beside her, the sound driving her forward with a desperate urgency as they raced against time itself.
She wouldn’t accept their lives coming to an end like this after fighting for survival for so long. There was no telling what this person or this monster would do to either of them. They wouldn’t end up like the corpses around the village, not if she had anything to say about it.
The figure's voice pierced through the chaos, commanding them to stop. Margaret's heart hammered in her chest as she pushed herself to her limits, every fiber of her being screaming for her to find a way to escape.
But just as it seemed they were on the verge of being caught, Margaret's instincts kicked into overdrive. With a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength, she pulled Asha into a sharp turn, narrowly avoiding the grasp of their pursuer as they ducked into a narrow alleyway.
For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed as though they had managed to evade their relentless hunter. But as Margaret dared to steal a glance over her shoulder, her blood ran cold with dread. The figure in armor was closing in, his form looming ever larger in the dim light of the ruins.
With a desperate cry, Margaret urged Asha to run, their footsteps echoing through the narrow confines of the alleyway as they raced towards freedom. However, just as they reached the end of the alley, Margaret's heart sank as she realized their mistake.
The wolf was waiting for them, its massive form blocking their path with an ominous growl. Asha's scream pierced the air, shattering the silence of the night as Margaret scrambled to a halt, her mind racing with terror. And then, as if by some vengeful force of nature, the earth itself seemed to tremble beneath their feet, rocked by an unseen force which blew the snow around them.
Buildings groaned and creaked, their worn foundations straining under the weight of the sudden upheaval. And in the chaos of the moment, Margaret's eyes widened in disbelief as she realized what was happening.
It was as if her life was flashing before her eyes. When she looked upwards only to see large fragments of the building falling towards them. Dust and debris started to block her vision as her blood ran cold. She held onto her daughter for dear life. Closing her eyes and praying, dreading what would come next.
Asha's terrified whimper pierced through the cacophony of crumbling stone and crashing debris. Margaret braced herself, ready to shield her daughter from the onslaught of falling debris, her heart pounding with fear and desperation.
She waited, and waited for the impact to arrive.
But then, to her astonishment, the expected impact never came.
Asha tugged at her sleeves then cautiously, Margaret cracked open one eye. Peering through the haze of dust and smoke to see what had saved them from certain doom. And there, in the midst of the chaos, stood the figure in armor and the white wolf, their bodies braced against the crumbling building.
With shaking hands, Margaret pushed herself up and got away from the field of danger as fast as she could. Confusion and bewilderment filling her mind as she tried to grasp what just happened.
“Mama?” Asha tried, pointing at the two figures who shrugged off the enormous debris on their backs and dusted themselves off without even trying.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“I’m just as confused as you are, sweetie.”
A part of Margaret wanted to get out of there as soon as possible and try again in another village maybe. But these two weren’t as dangerous as she thought they were. And come to think of it, those were just skeletons. He couldn’t have possibly been the one to kill them, right? And whatever he was, he was kind enough to help them.
If he wanted to kill us, he would have. Maybe I’m just over thinking things? He’s the only person around we can ask for help.
This was the first time they had seen anyone in such a long time. They didn’t understand anything about this new world but this man might. Despite the danger he poses, the kind act softened Margaret’s heart into staying. Although she flinched when they tried to approach her and Asha. How could she not? This man was a giant, the tallest person she’d ever seen, easily towering over mother and daughter.
Margaret’s neck strained just to get a good look of him. Upon closer inspection she could see his silver armor with its intricate swirls covered in a delicate layer of frost. Symbols that almost seemed familiar to her. The same way she remembered those swirls that were carved into the temple walls. At the center of his chest plate, a symbol caught her attention. An animal platted with sapphire and gold that resembled a unicorn with wings.
His eyes were peeking through the slit in his helmet, dark blue like the berries they gathered in the forest. They were sharp with a keen intelligence that made itself known to anyone who would see them. She’d never seen someone with blue eyes before and she was mesmerized by the way how many hues of blue there were in his eyes.
The way he moved spoke volumes about his confidence and capability. He was so sure of himself after performing such an inhuman feat. And the way the giant wolf seemed to trust him and understood his commands. Though the creature never wore a collar there was a fondness and respect in its eyes whenever it looked towards the figure that was undoubtedly a sign of its loyalty.
Suddenly he spoke. “Are you alright?”
“We’re…. Alright, thank you.” Margaret gently bowed, Asha nodding her head slowly while she hid behind her mother’s leg. Eyeing the stranger wearily with a noticeable pout.
“For saving us, I mean.” She added, with more sincerity than she anticipated after seemingly being chased and running for dear life against a would-be killer.
“Sweetie, thank the nice man.”
“No!” Asha huffed and glared at the figure. Clearly still sour after the ordeal they went through. The figure laughed at her daughter’s reaction.
“Asha!” Margaret chided her daughter, not wanting to give this person a reason to dislike them while he was the only one with a clear advantage between them.
“I’m sorry, she isn’t usually like that.” Margaret laughed nervously.
“Think nothing of it my lady.” The figure tried to reassure, he sounded amused. Margaret heaved a sigh of relief but stiffened with the question he asked.
“Pardon me for asking but… Are you not of these lands?”
She wasn’t sure what to say to that. He’d definitely think they were insane if she told him they were from another world and had been held captive in a magical temple. They’d probably be called witches and persecuted like in other parts of her world. But if the medieval aesthetic was anything to go by, she’d say it was a hard yes.
“W-why do you ask?”
“Your clothes… They….” He began with trepidation. Gauntlets holding his chin and his head cocked to the side. The wolf next to him, Mistral was his name? Did the same as it whined while looking at its master.
After a few moments of silence, the man responded. “Never mind. I realize it was a rude question to ask. Forgive me, but I believe proper introductions are in order.”
Slowly, he took off his helmet. Margaret's breath caught in her throat as the man removed his helmet, revealing his features in full. She had never seen anyone so strikingly beautiful, his dark skin glowing softly in the dim light, his long black hair cascading in a waterfall of midnight waves around his shoulders.
And then she noticed them—the long, pointed ears that peeked out from beneath his hair. An elf. A real, living elf standing before her, his presence filling her with a sense of awe and wonder. It felt like he had just stepped out of a movie. He was just…. So beautiful.
More beautiful than anyone she’d ever seen. Even the finest model on earth wouldn’t compare to his unearthly beauty. Hell, she didn’t think she could even be called decent looking while she stood next to him. We’re all elves like this?
"Wow," Margaret breathed, unable to tear her gaze away from him.
"You're...breathtaking."
Aaron's lips quirked into a faint smile at her words, a twinkle of amusement in his dark blue eyes. “You flatter me.” He replied, his voice smooth and melodious.
“I am Aaron Fixtral, Paladin of the Holy Order. And you, my dear lady?”
Margaret felt her cheeks flush at his compliment, suddenly aware of her own plainness in comparison to his ethereal beauty. She stumbled over her words as she introduced herself and Asha, the little girl eyeing Aaron with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
"Nice to meet you, sir?" Margaret said uncertainly, her voice wavering slightly.
"I'm uh, Margaret," she added, gesturing awkwardly to herself.
Aaron nodded politely, his gaze shifting to Asha. "And who is this young lady with you? Your daughter, I presume."
Margaret nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for Asha's reaction. But before she could respond, Aaron's comment about Asha's earlier scream caught her off guard.
Aaron's gaze lingered on Asha, his expression curious yet tinged with a subtle hint of suspicion. "What a precocious little girl," he remarked, his tone light but with a hint of intrigue. "That scream of yours was quite loud. Why, it felt like it could shake the earth!” Aaron joked, a wide grin forming on his chiseled features.
Asha's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she turned away from Aaron, her small hands clenching into fists at her sides. Margaret bit her lip, torn between wanting to scold her daughter and wanting to apologize to Aaron for the trouble they had caused.
But before she could say anything, Aaron extended his hand towards Asha, a gesture of peace and reconciliation. “May we start over?” He extended his hand for Asha to shake.
The little girl eyed it with hesitation, her mistrust evident in her wary gaze. With a hesitant movement, she reached out to shake his hand, but at the last minute, she pulled back and swatted his hand away before turning her back on him.
Margaret's eyes widened in shock as she watched the exchange unfold, her heart sinking with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could speak, Aaron erupted into laughter—a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the ruins.
“I suppose that’s fair”
Aarons features softened as he backed away from the cautious pair. Not wanting to overstep his boundaries further. “We seem to have gotten on the wrong foot. Is there anything I can do to make it up to the both of you?”
Margaret didn’t hesitate to reply. “Actually, yes. Can you tell us where the nearest town is?”
“One where… you know… people are alive.” She awkwardly gestured to their surroundings while hoping she didn’t sound too eager. Couldn’t let him know he had all the bargaining chips.
Despite how desperate she actually was. She and Asha had been hoping to find doctor and a warm bed for days. If this man really was a paladin, they could at least count on him to honor his word as a holy man.
To her relief, Aaron nodded.
“I do, how about I take the both of you there?”
“We’re fine on our own!” Margaret insisted a bit too loudly. Unsure of travelling with a strange they just met.
To her disappointment Aaron insisted. “The two of you look worse for wear and it isn’t safe for a mother and child to be alone in the mountains. As a paladin of the holy order, I have a sworn duty to aid those in need.”
Margaret considered his proposal carefully. This could either be their saving grace of the thing that would damn the both of them. Even if he had good intentions, they’d be at his mercy for the whole duration of the trip. She had no idea how long that would be.
An idea Margaret was all too uncomfortable with.
He could change his mind at any moment or reveal his true colors to them when it was too late. He could even be lying for all they knew.
“I- “She turned to her daughter. Asha was still clinging on to her leg indignantly but there was a steady flush in her face and ragged breaths that persisted till now.
“We’ll go with you.” Margaret acquiesced, Aaron lit up but before he could reply she pointed at the sword at his hip with a demanding glare. “But only if the sword you got there stays with me.”
“Pardon?”