Chapter 22:

I couldn’t stop staring in the direction where Vedem once stood, completely bewildered by the display of magic I’d just witnessed.

“He became so strong, so quickly. My sweet, sweet Axel.” Annabel muttered to herself, but I could hear her.

Her words hinted at the kind of relationship they shared, but I was still wondering what she really was. I couldn’t bring myself to believe she was a ghost.

I stood up and reached out to touch her shoulder, but my hand passed right through her. Was she actually...a ghost?

“Hey!” she suddenly shouted. “Don’t you know it’s rude to just touch someone like that? Especially a lady!”

Embarrassed by her reaction, I quickly apologized. “Sorry. I Just had to check.”

“I forgive you.” Her expression shifted to a bright smile. “But it’s a good thing Axel wasn’t here. He’s quite the jealous type, you know?”

How would I know? I didn’t really know him – and frankly, I didn’t want to.

“So...you’re really a ghost.” I whispered, still trying to process this new information.

“Not a ghost. A spirit.” She corrected, as if it were of the outmost importance.

“Is there a difference?” I asked.

“Of course!” she exclaimed. “Ghosts are fiction.”

And spirits are the real deal? Well, judging by her existence, I couldn’t argue with that...

Suddenly, her expression grew serious, as if she was concentrating. “Okay, so Axel says he needs to report to Alaric immediately. He can’t brush an explosion of that magnitude as just some regular hellspawns cleaning up.” she said.

The mere mention of Alaric again sent a shiver down my spine.

I had to get a grip. Sure, he was fearsome, but I couldn’t keep letting fear control me each time his name came up.

“What will he tell him?” I asked nervously.

She focused again. “He says not to worry. He also told me to remind you that the three of you are in this together for the long run.” She paused, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I assume he smiled when he said that. You know, that cocky smile he puts on when he thinks he said something cool? Well, it wasn’t even cool because he forgot about me! He should have said ‘the four of us’!”

I observed her silently, wondering what her relationship with Axel truly was. It was clearly romantic, but was it mutual or one-sided? Did he charm this woman so hard, that even after she died, she wasn’t able to leave him? Was she so madly in love with him that she refused to pass on? Either way, she seemed far too eccentric – and far too in love.

“What now, then?” I asked, shifting my focus.

“Now, we go to Lind!” She answered cheerfully.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You’re planning to come with?”

“Of course! Axel asked me to accompany you. He’ll meet us there eventually.” She replied with the same energy.

That’s not good.

With the imminent danger seemingly over after Axel blew up Vedem, I wasn’t planning on going to Lind. Nothing of what he revealed to me was ground-breaking, and I doubted the rest of his information would be much more useful. Therefore, I don’t need to waste anymore time with him. Finding help for Ren should be my top priority. The problem now was his ghostly lover. She might follow me wherever I go, and I had no idea of the extent of her abilities.

I decided to take my chances with her.

“Well, you can go to Lind on your own.” I said sharply. “We won’t be joining you.”

“What?” She looked baffled. “What are you talking about?”

“You heard me.” I replied firmly. “I’m done being a pawn in other people’s games. I’m not going to be one of Axel’s.”

“Luca, Axel doesn’t wish you harm.” She said, trying to sound reassuring. “He wants to help you.”

“If he wanted to help, he should’ve done it in that gods-forsaken treasury!” I lashed out, the brutal deaths of my friends flashing quickly before my eyes.

She looked saddened by my reaction but continued in the same calm tone. “Luca, I can’t say I understand how you feel. Losing your loved ones must have been a painful experience. But please, I beg you - trust me. Lind should be your next destination.”

“What’s in there?” I asked impatiently.

“Some of our friends live there. From our old party.” She explained. “One of them is the best healer in the kingdom - Sebastian Thornwood. Axel wants you to go to Lind so Seb can treat Ren.”

A party? I assumed she meant the days before Axel became a Champion. I recalled hearing about his companions in the bards’ songs. I’d heard plenty of those during my days in the orphanage, but that entire year was so miserable my mind had kindly repressed most of my memories of it. They were still there, just harder to recall than the rest of my life.

I glanced at Ren’s resting form on the ground, weighing my options. I knew I had to get her to a high-healer as soon as possible. Vorlexia had said she only had a week to live if I don’t. But Lind could be a trap as well. I couldn’t trust anyone, not after everything that happened.

Meanwhile, Annabel continued. “And our other friend, Leia - Seb’s wife - is incredibly knowledgeable about magic. She’s a real bookworm. We think she might be able to shed some light on the calcite’s secrets.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of my injuries and the exhaustion. Running away from a spirit, assuming that’s even possible, would be difficult in my current state. Ignoring her and going the other way could provoke a reaction I couldn’t predict or handle right now.

Eventually, I made my decision. For now, I would go along with hers and Axel’s plan. I’d head toward Lind, but I’d stay cautious, try to learn as much as I could from Annabel. If I sensed anything suspicious, I’d make a run for it.

I lifted Ren onto my back in a piggyback carry.

“Point the way.” I said to the spirit.

***

“So, you’re saying that I shouldn’t have been able to see you?” I asked Annabel as we took another break which I initiated. The pain in my entire body was daunting, and I couldn’t go more than an hour without resting.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!” She replied, her voice filled with excitement. “Ever since I died, only Axel could see me. To finally be able to talk to someone else...This is great!”

“But why in the world is that the case?” I asked, half-worried. I’d heard stories in the past that people who could see ghosts - or spirits, as Annabel would put it - were close to death themselves. Back then, when I didn’t believe in their existence, I brushed it off as nonsense. But now? I was starting to get nervous.

She shrugged casually. “I don’t know. Why does it matter?”

“Because it could mean something bad for me.” I replied. “Maybe I’m going to die soon, and that’s why I can see you.”

“Why would you think that?” She shook her head, her expression dismissive. “Axel’s been able to see me almost from the start. It’s been three years, and he’s still alive and kicking.”

Her words were somewhat reassuring, but something else bothered me. “Then why couldn’t I see you before?” I asked. “You were there all this time, weren’t you? During both conversation I had with Axel?”

She looked thoughtful, as if trying to find a logical explanation. But as her silence continued, I became clear she didn’t have one.

I sighed, uneasy about the possibility of my own impending death. Considering Vorlexia’s words about the archdemons coming after me - and the one that had already appeared in Vedem – it seemed like only a matter of time.

“I don’t know the answer, Luca.” She finally said, pausing briefly before continuing. “But yes, I was there for both conversations. I was in the treasury, too. My condolences for the loss of your friends. They didn’t deserve such a terrible fate.”

I ignored her sympathy as the memories of my lost friends threatened to overwhelm me.

“Couldn’t you have told him to intervene?” I asked, unsure why. Was I really blaming her for what happened in the treasury? No, of course not.

“I couldn’t.” She answered, her voice sincere. “If he had, they might’ve killed him.”

“Killed him?” I repeated, confused. “Isn’t he their comrade?”

Annabel sighed. “He is, but it’s not that simple. You’ve seen what kind of people Alaric and Leon are. Axel can’t just go against them on a whim.”

I stayed silent, mulling over her words. Guess it made some sense. Leon Valter was seemingly a nut-job, willing to kill anyone who stood in his way – he’d shown that when he directed his lightning at Elandor, heedless of Alaric Belton who was holding him.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

And Alaric himself...That man’s intense aura had already revealed enough about his true nature.

“How are you able to talk to each other from a distance?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“It’s love, really.” She said with a goofy smile.

“Love?” I questioned, feeling skeptical. I didn’t want to belittle her feelings, but love was just an emotion - it couldn’t explain anything magical in our world. But could ghosts even use minerals?

She shrugged. “It’s the only explanation I have.”

“Were you two together before you...died?” I asked hesitantly.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to be so careful when asking me things like that.” She said, a reassuring smile on her face. “It’s already been three years since I died. I’m pretty much over it at this point. And yes. We actually got married the week I died.”

Her words were uneasy to hear.

“How did you die? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Her answer wasn’t what I expected.

“Shadowsbane.”

I felt an ache in my heart as memories of my mother washed over me.

“You look sad. Don’t be sad.” Annabel pleaded. “I lived a happy life, albeit short. And I don’t feel that pain anymore.”

“No. It’s not that.” I said, shaking my head as I allowed myself a moment of sincerity. “My mother died from Shadowsbane, too.”

“Oh.” She said, her expression softening. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Luca.”

“It was a long time ago.” I replied dismissively, though the pain in my chest remained.

“The Shadowsbane is a terrible, terrible disease. For the person inflicted as much as for their loved ones.” She said, her voice heavy with sadness. Then, seamlessly, she brightened. “Can you tell me more about her?”

I was caught off-guard by her question. “W-Why do you want to know?”

She had a heartfelt smile on her face when she spoke. “It’s just that when I was sick, people always asked Axel and me how I was feeling - how I was holding up that day, what new symptoms I had. They never ever asked about anything else. I can’t blame them. When you’re bed-ridden, and the hourglass of life keeps running out, people focus on the end. But sometimes, I wished they’d ask about other things - about me. About how I was living, not just how I was dying. Axel always cared, but everyone else...It was like I had already died the moment I got sick. But I was still alive.”

I understood her words all too well. During my mother’s sickness, many of her so-called friends and acquaintances visited our home. They always asked me how much time she had left, as if that was something you ask a ten-year-old about his dying mother. No one cared about how she forced herself off the bed to spend time with me. Or how she continued cooking for us, three meals a day - despite the immense pain. And all the laughs we shared in our tiny kitchen as I began helping her out at some point. In the end, no one truly cared for her. I was the only one there when she died. And none of those people who had visited before cared about what would happen to me. That’s how I ended up in that despicable orphanage.

I wasn’t sure why I started talking - maybe because Lida’s appearance as my mother was still fresh in my mind, and I needed to clear those memories and purify myself of her. Or perhaps it was because I felt some sort of connection to Annabel, given her similar fate. But I spoke. “She was...a beautiful person. Not only in the physical sense of the word. She was kind and protective. My father died when I was five, but it was like she knew she couldn’t break down in front of me. Instead, she kept smiling and worked twice as hard to provide for us, even when the first signs of her sickness began to show.”

“She sounds like a remarkable mother, Luca.” Annabell said, a soft smile on her face.

“She was. And she never lost hope. When the healers gave her six months to live, she pushed through and lived for two more years. Her will to live was something I can’t even put into words. Even two months before her death, if you visited our house, you’d hardly believe she was dying. She hid the pain so well. Too well even...”

“I can see where you get your strength from.” Annabel said, her smile remained.

“She was incredible.” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Sometimes I just wish we had more time together...”

Annabel seemed like she was about to cry, but she wiped her eyes with her ghostly hands and spoke. “I’m sure she’s watching over you now.”

“Do you think my mother is still out there? As a spirit?” I asked suddenly, surprising myself. But if Annabel existed, could my mother still be out there too somewhere?

She looked thoughtful. “I’m sorry, Luca, but I don’t think so. Most spirits move on to the afterlife. Those who stay are...abnormal.”

“Abnormal?”

“Yes. I’m not even sure why I exist in this form.” She admitted. “Sure, it has its perks - I get to stay with Axel - but why? Neither of us knows.”

“But are there any backsides?” I asked, curious.

“Some. Yes.” She answered hesitantly, and I could tell the subject made her uncomfortable. I decided not to press further – there were plenty of other questions I still needed to ask her. I couldn’t be too impatient.

She had a sad expression on her face. “I’m so sorry, Luca. It was supposed to be a simple, fun walk to Lind, but instead I’ve made you recall all these sad memories. Please, forgive me.”

Her sincerity surprised me. She really seemed sorry, though I didn’t think she needed to be.

“It’s alright.” I said simply. “Let’s keep moving.”

***

On our way to Lind, we stumbled upon a traveling merchant along an intersecting road, leading a mule with a small wooden cart behind him.

Desperate for some food and possibly medicine to ease the pain I was in, I decided I was willing to trade with him. If we kept taking breaks every hour because of my injuries, the journey to Lind would double, maybe even triple in time - and that was a risk I couldn’t afford to take.

I laid Ren down behind a small hill and told Annabel to stay with her. My trust in others, even if they were spirits, was still very limited, so I knew I had to make the trade quick and return to her side.

“Stay alert.” Annabel warned. “People around here must’ve seen Axel’s explosion. They’ll be curious about it, and since you’re coming from that direction...” She trailed off. “Well, you get my point.”

As soon as I began speaking with the merchant, it was clear he was judging me by my injured appearance, and, as expected, he tried to rip me off.

“Two apples and one turmibark pill is the best you can offer for a pure moonstone?” I asked, dumbfounded. Even though I expected something like this, it was still infuriating.

“What can I say, dear costumer?” he replied, feigning innocence. “Selling and buying minerals is highly prohibited by the Ministry of Magic. I’m risking my neck just discussing it with you.”

He did a terrible job hiding his smirk.

“How stupid do you think I am?” I snapped. “You’re a traveling merchant. No one would ever know you bought it as long as you keep your mouth shut.”

He looked momentarily surprised by my boldness. “Oh my, I would never think of you in such a way, young sir. But you must understand, I have a wife and two children who rely on me. It’s very hard for me to take such risks.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Whether the family bit was true or not, I knew for a fact he wasn’t taking any risks trading with me. If he tried to resell the moonstone openly, sure, he’d face consequences. But if he just handed it over to the Ministry then, he’d get a reward. I’d lived and stolen in Willox long enough to know how the Ministry’s mineral policies worked.

“What risks?” I raised my voice slightly. “You could just lie and say you found it on the road and hand it over to the Ministry. I hear they reward citizens quite handsomely for such generous finds. No questions asked.”

He was visibly surprised that I knew this detail and tried to weasel his way out again. “Well, yes, but the reward isn’t as ‘handsome’ as you make it sound. Really, it’s not much more than what I’m offering you here. It all balances out in the end.”

I held back my own smirk, listening carefully. He had no idea how easy he’d just made this for me.

Raising my voice a little louder, just short of a shout, I spoke. “The Ministry of Magic offers fifty percent of the original price of the stone - a price set by interkingdom commerce. Last time I checked, a pure moonstone was worth five golden crowns. Fifty percent from that is two golden crowns and five silver pennies. Two apples and a turmibark pill aren’t even worth one golden crown. They’re barely worth five silver pennies. So, I’ll ask again - how stupid do you think I am?”

The merchant was visibly sweating. He clearly hadn’t expected me to know such details, but if there was one thing I’d learned during my street days in Willox, it was to listen. Listen and gather as much information as possible. Most of it usually turned out to be rumours or worthless gossip, but every now and then, I picked up something useful – like the Ministry of Magic’s policies.

“I want at least ten apples, or whatever other fruits or vegetable you have. Also, a quarter loaf of bread, and five turmibark pills. That should be worth around one golden crown and five silver pennies, so you’ll still be getting one gold more than what you gave me. Seems fair enough, right?”

The merchant sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

I would’ve preferred something more nutritious than fruits and vegetables - like meat - but I didn’t know how to cook over an open fire. I didn’t want to risk undercooking it and making myself sick. It was also a lot more expensive.

The merchant rounded up his cart and reached to the back, pulling out what looked like a small sack. He began stuffing it with fruits and vegetables, his movements methodical.

While he worked, I sent a few quick glances at the hill where I left Ren. Annabel was perched at the top, waving at me with a cheerful smile that caught me off guard.

The merchant, noticing my reaction, looked toward the hill as well, but it was clear he couldn’t see her.

“Hey, merchant?” I asked hesitantly, trying to gather information about our surroundings so I wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did with Vedem. “If I continue down that road west, I’ll reach Lind, right?”

He glanced up at me and nodded. “That’s right. I was just trading there yesterday, actually. Lovely place. Lovely people.”

I nodded slowly. It was reassuring to hear, but I remained on guard. Vedem had also been considered a friendly and prosperous village, and I already knew what really went on there.

“Is that so?” I asked. “What can you tell me about it?”

He shrugged, still packing the sack. “Well, it’s the second-largest settlement in this part of the kingdom. Second only to the city of Tehl, which is where the Baron resides.”

“The baron?” I asked, curious.

He paused, looking at me in surprise before continuing to pack. “Baron Santon Tremoux, of course. Very well-known household in the kingdom. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

“Oh, so that’s where Baron Tremoux resides.” I said quickly, trying to play off my question as simple confusion. I didn’t want to draw any unwanted attention.

Whether the merchant bought my explanation or not, he seemed content and nodded. “Yes. The land under his jurisdiction includes Tehl, Dureg, and Lind.”

“How far are Tehl and Dureg from here?” I asked, realizing that this information would be crucial if I decided to ditch Annabel and go elsewhere.

“Well, as you pointed out earlier, if you continue west at the intersection over there, you’ll reach Lind in a day or two. If you head north instead, you’ll get to Tehl in about the same time. And if you go south, where I’m currently headed, you’ll reach Dureg in less than a day.” The merchant explained carefully, it was clear he was trying to get on my good side after I caught him in so many lies earlier. “Regardless of where you go, all three are close to each other. Once you’re in one, a horse can take you to the others in mere hours.”

“I see. Thank you.” I nodded, realizing that Dureg was the closest settlement. “Does Dureg have a healer by any chance?”

The merchant shook his head. “Not that I know of, sorry. Dureg’s a small village, and pretty young, all things considered. Its residents usually head to Lind when they need a healer.”

I decided to test Annabel’s words about their friend.

“Really?” I feigned surprise. “Is the healer in Lind any good?”

The merchant chuckled. “’Good’ wouldn’t do him justice. Sebastian Thornwood is probably one of the best healers in the kingdom. He even treats the baron’s household.” He glanced around cautiously before lowering his voice. “It’s not widely known, but I hear he used to travel with the Dragon in the past. An ex-party member of a Champion must be more than just ‘good’, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded slowly, processing his words. It seemed this healer really was the best around. But I wasn’t convinced yet – similar things had been said about Vera before. And then she turned out to be an archdemon.

“By the way, you were coming from the east, right?” the merchant suddenly asked, his tone turning curious. “Did you see that crazy explosion from Vedem’s direction? I hope everyone there is okay, but it had to be a divine message or something, don’t you think?”

Divine? No, just Axel Bane.

“Yes, I saw it.” I answered truthfully. Lying here wouldn’t get me anywhere – there was no way everyone and their mother hadn’t seen it.

He seemed to expect more from me, but I remained silent. He spoke again as he pulled out a small sack with pills and carefully picked out five.

“You were coming from that direction.” He pressed, his curiosity was almost childish. “Did you see anything?”

“Not really.” I replied, wanting this trade to be over already so we could get back on our way.

“Oh, but surely you saw something – “ he began, but I cut him off, impatience brewing within me.

“First, you try to rip me off, and now you overwhelm me with unnecessary questions. What kind of a merchant are you?” I snapped, my tone aggressive.

He cleared his throat, visibly flustered. “I apologize, sir.”

Feeling my confidence grow throughout our entire exchange, I decided to push further. “Now add some clean drinking water to our trade for the discomfort you caused me, and maybe I’ll forgive you.”