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Greetings! It is I, Goedleimneidr. ^-^
Honestly, that so many have already started reading my story and that it has gained a good couple of followers (even favorites) baffles me. It is rather overwhelming but at the same time exciting. I will aim to release chapters as often I can. I will aim for at least 1 chapter a week but sometimes much more than that. Somehow I've gained the "Responsibility towards my readers" trait. However, due to my line of work there may be times I won't be able to throw chapters at the screen. Although it should be safe for a while. :)
Also, for those asking. Romance is not something I aim to delve much with but romantic elements may be included in the story. Regarding gender of said romantic prospect well, if any then quite definitely male. Reason is simple, it is an old dark fantasy world setting where sodomy is frowned upon (Does not mean people don't commit such atrocities.). Albeit Rhia may be a free thinker from a more advanced world, other people may not be like that. Thus if any yuri then perhaps a fling like relation but I fear more than that may take too much of the story considering the setting. *awaits shitstorm* Nothing is written in stone though. Reason 2: Rhia is evolving as a female character. People may think that upon changing genders they may decide going lesbo. However, I firmly believe (Read do not care as I have not delved much in those thoughts) that people can fall for a person whatever gender. x')
Also, I do not know how other authors work as they seem to be able to spit out chapters indefinitely fast. I however spend about 10-20 hours a chapter as I just keep rereading things (Bad trait) until I am satisfied. Albeit this chapter was rather fast made (6-8 hours) ((Not crazily proofread)). Might be inexperience as well. .
Regardless, feel more than free to voice your opinions and thoughts as I'd love to hear them. May even heed your advice. :3
Well that was all for tonight, hope you enjoy chapter 3 of Tales of Rhia.
Sincerely yours <3
/Goedleimneidr
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Chapter 3
-New Life-
If there is a god, then I hate him.
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Dusk is soon upon us and my first day will end soon. Ruffling sounds are made as Elain dig through clothes and trinkets in an old casket she had kept stowed away. “These are your things Rhia, I kept these for you all these years in case you would ever return.”
“So these are Rhia’s things? I’m sorry but I cannot accept it. What if she returns?” I solemnly say. It does not feel right to dig through another person’s things. Those are her memories, her things and they belong to her. Not some false pretence Elain makes me be.
“Nonsense child! You are Rhia, my beloved daughter and these things are your keepsakes.” She pulls forth a whole ensemble of clothes, boots and there are weapons as well. “Everything should still fit you just as the day you left.” She claims holding an old piece of leather in front of me, judging if it fits my figure.
“Whoa wait! It’s as if straight out of fairy tales” That old piece of leather seems to be a fitted, neatly embroidered leather armour for an adolescent girl. If this fits me somehow then I surely will maybe kill myself. Along to further the ensemble, a bow, dagger along with a sheath and quiver begs me to wonder what this Rhia did for a living. “There is no way in hell that I am going to wear that!” I say shivering at the thought of me wearing that, running in the woods.
“Watch your language!” She scolds. “Oh I recall the days you saved up enough to buy these things.” She says reminiscing of the past. “A huntress is only as good as her gear you said.” Wondering what I have gotten myself into I simply nod quietly. Worried that I otherwise will get further repercussions. However, I do hate to admit it but Rhia does have an excellent taste. Her style is something I would honestly fancy were I not the one to wear them. Even more so due to the rough fabric most clothes seem to be made of. It begs me consider how people can stand walking around without itching all over.
A hard knocking on the door abrupt the dolly dress up session Elain had planned. Thankful to whomever my saviour was, Elain clicks with her tongue as she moves over to the door muttering obscenities. We have yet to have visitors so this is kind of my first contact with the outside world. A world that I perhaps must face some day. However, today is not that day I muse grabbing a seat at the far edge of the bed. Although I cannot help but curiously peek at her opening up the door. Her demeanour is all but kind, emitting such murderous intent that even I feel a chill running down my spine.
“Miss Elain, I am ever so sorry. Should we perhaps come back at a later hour or?” It is a rough manly voice that seem to carry great respect, timidity and fear towards Elain. Makes me wonder what she has done to them or others to achieve that level of caution.
“Nonsense, what is it you seek?” She asks as I lean in further to listen, curious about whatever reason they have. They probably would not make their way here unless it was important as they seem to fear her.
“Thank you. My brother Madoc, he stupidly broke his wrist. Could you please heal him? We’ll pay good coin of course.” The voice never drops its sincerity, cautiously he chooses his words.
“Very well, come inside.” She urges them in.
Two men step inside and I hurriedly scuffle into the darkest corner of the bed. Both of them are largely built with a scruffy look about them. They most definitely look like people up to no good. Many layers of furs don their bodies in cover of the harsh weather. Their noses and ears red but their faces dirtied. Their long hair and beard even more so. Both axe and bow seem to be their weapon of choice. Were there a textbook example around for outlaw or brigand then there would be a picture of these two in that book. They seem to not have taken notice of me sitting here and I have no intention of changing that. Their focus but on Elain as if they dare not do anything else.
Elain swiftly procure two vials for the injured man. “Drink this first.” She says handing over a vial.
The man, brigand named Madoc looks at the vial for a few seconds. A few important seconds as if judging whether he should. With one fell swoop he drinks the whole concoction followed by loud coughing. “Gods be damned hag! Did you crap in the brew?”
The other brother’s face whitens. He swiftly hits Madoc straight in his face. Consequently, Madoc by the blow falls down on the floor with a loud thud. He turns with a nasty look on his face as he shouts at his brother. “Gareth you cunt! What the hell did you do that for?!”
“Madoc I told you to be quiet you stupid son of a!” Shutting himself up for a moment he turns with a pleading look towards Elain. “Oh please forgive us.”
If only looks could kill, then both of them would be dead. However, Elain simply sits in her chair giving them the silent treatment. As if some animalistic instinct took over, they both seat themselves quietly.
Elain hands Madoc another vial to which he looks towards Gareth with a pleading look. Gareth however gives no respite and Madoc decidedly sweeps the second vial’s content. “Oh this one tastes good.” He says with a surprised tone.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Now quick, give me your hand or you’ll be disfigured forever.” Elain commands to which Madoc promptly obliges.
“What are those brews?” Gareth asks.
“The first one for the pain, the second one which induces the pain.” She smirks as she eyes the brothers. “It makes the bones brittle and easily shaped. I would advise you to hold your brother still.” She says as she applies a lotion she had stowed away on his wrist.
“Bah this is nothing.” Madoc triumphantly says. “I barely feel the.” His sentence cut short as Madoc begins screaming.
Gareth hurriedly grabs a hold of his brother keeping him still as he screams loudly. Elain, holding the man’s arm had begun working the wrist with her thumbs. The crunching noises almost omitted by Madoc’s screams. Elain certainly lives up to her reputation. Cold sweat dribble down my body along with a nauseous feeling as I look at the brutality before my eyes. It almost lasts forever but with a swift move Elain procure a vial and swiftly slams it towards the wrist crushing the vial. Its powdery content with a puff, seep into the skin. The screaming ends. Madoc sweaty and pale look amazed as he easily moves his fingers, hand and wrist.
“How much?” Gareth asks who seem to be in a similar state as I. He looks at Elain with eyes of amazement and terror. However, it does not look as if this is the first time he has seen her work.
With a smirk she answers. “Three gold.”
“Three gold?! Hell no, that is what the church takes and they do it without the hurt!” Madoc shouts with newfound energy.
“As if they’d take you.” Elain recoils with a sneer.
“We’ll pay!” Gareth shouts quieting his brother. “Please shut up brother, we’ll pay.”
“Good, hand my daughter the gold.”
“Daughter?” They both ask looking about until they finally notice me seated upon the bed.
“Why isn’t she quite the cute cutlet” Madoc licks around his lips as he eyes me with a lecherous grin. A horrid cold rush as if in danger alarms my senses, putting them on the highest level. Never before have I been the target of such vile intent. It is as if I am raped by his eyes alone. “I’d just love to.” He continues but Madoc is cut short as Elain, with a swift move digs her ‘talons’ into his newly healed wrist. He screams as he goes down on his knees sobbing.
“No need to worry Gareth, it’ll heal in a day or two. A small price to pay.” Elain calmly says to the brother to which he hurriedly nods. “However, consider it the last time I accept any transgression from this man.”
Gareth with eyes of fear looks at me and treats me in an overly respectful manner as he hands me the gold. Clearly not intent on staying here a second longer he immediately makes way to pick his sobbing brother up and leave. However, he is stopped by Elain’s voice. “Is it not rude not to present yourself to her? Is it not rude to not ask her name?”
He promptly turns around and goes down on his knees in front of me. With eyes pleading he says. “Forgive this man. I am Gareth, son of Gareth and the older brother of Madoc, son of Gareth. May this humble man know your name O daughter of Elain of the Woods?”
“I am R-Rhia” Quite taken aback by the display I stumble on my words. Though I am frightened by him, I feel that he would not dare to hurt me ever.
“Rhia, such a lovely name. I hope we meet again.” He says but I am sure he is not quite so sincere. With those words though he promptly leaves with his brother. Elain looks at me triumphantly but I too am scared of her now. Never will I dare go against her.
It is practically night outside yet Elain is preparing a meal. We had cleaned up Rhia’s things saving me from the dolly dress up. Although I do believe that day will come sooner than later. The golden coins now in my hand, some foreign king or perhaps god roughly engraved into the coin. Somehow, I cannot stop thinking about those men that came by earlier. They probably did not earn these through honest work. Did they murder the people owning these before? Is it a lot of money?
As if sensing my feelings Elain break the silence. “Those men earlier are unfortunate men. Everyone carry their stories and reasons.” She slowly stirs the pot in a repeating motion. The cat, having deciding it fit to show up rubs itself against her leg. “However, those two are far from the worst.”
“Why do you help them?” I ask.
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Does not helping bad people make you bad as well?”
“Perhaps, do you think I am bad, that I am evil?” She asks with a dejected smile staring into the pot.
“I. I do not know. I do not know you really.” Honestly, I have no idea what to think of her. She seems to be kind but that is towards me as I am supposedly her daughter. Her treatment of Madoc’s wound leave much to desire as well.
Her stirring stops as she looks at me, straight at me. “Do you wish me to stop helping those people, if you will it then I will do so without question. However, let me tell you a tale first.” She slowly makes her way over and seats herself by my side. The cat following her jumps up into her lap. The cat purring for attention to which, with her hands she obliges. “Gareth and Madoc were not always bad people. They had homes, they had families. However, the lordship saw it fit to invoke the right of the first night with Madoc’s beautiful newlywed wife. Needless to say, Madoc fought against the guards but were easily beaten.”
The wind howls powerfully through the night. The flames heating the pot flicker and as if following the story, the room grows darker. “His wife had not returned even after days. Of course, Madoc began asking for his wife but were told to wait. Days went by and Madoc began turning mad with grief. He started to get rough with the guards. Getting beaten and torn all over until one day he manages to kill one of them. Of course, there were punishment to be had for the murder. The guard’s family torn as a father had been taken from them as Madoc’s wife was taken from him. Madoc hid himself in the woods but he did not think the consequences through.”
“I’m not sure I want to hear more.” I knowingly selfishly say. “It’s too sad, I do not want to know.”
“But knowing you must. His brother Gareth stood accused of harbouring his brother albeit not true. Gareth always were the smart one but his smarts did not help him. His family, his children and beloved wife were tortured for information then executed with lack thereof. He, forced to look pleaded innocence but they cared naught as they had already decided on his guilt. Madoc later found out about this. He somehow managed to sneak inside the prison and save his brother but far too late to save his family. They escaped but were branded outlaws. They later found out that Madoc’s wife had been killed upon resisting the lord’s advances.”
“I do not know what to say.” Makes me somehow wonder how my family back home is doing. Though I dare not say I lost them as I have not truly given up but it kind of feels the same. Slowly, surely tears begin to form as I feel my entire being growing mind numbingly sad. “I did not want to know.” Sobbing I hug my legs. Elain gently pats my head, stroking it softly. “But, Did Gareth blame Madoc for this?” I ask.
“He did, for a time. They later realized that they were the only family they had.” Elain rises up from her seat not minding the cat who races away. The gentle stirring now resumed as Elain return to the pot. “People have their reasons for doing things one way or another. Usually it is better doing what feels right for oneself, that way you can truly be happy. There are though consequences for one’s actions. Consequences one must live with. I love you Rhia. Perhaps one day you will feel the same about me. Well in any case, dinner is served.