“Mira! Mira!” Tella giggled as she ran towards her, “Daddy Delpho got a letter from the temple! The Harvest Festival is going to be a few days after we get to the temple! Can we go, please? Please?”
Pallik grunted as he dodged a practiced swing from Mira’s sword, “Yeah! It’s usually fun. We haven’t been since… Well, since we lived at the temple. It would be nice to go again.”
He caught his breath and attempted a surprise swing at her. She deflected the attack with the flat of her blade without breaking eye contact with Tella.
“I do not know,” She shook her head, “I’m unsure on if I would be allowed to go. I wasn’t last year.”
“What’s the Harvest Festival?” Jonen called from a chair nearby the dueling pair.
“It’s a big party!” Tella hurried over to show him the handmade flyer.
“Vimgraunt has one every year for the nearby villages to sell any extra from harvest,” Pallik jumped back from another swing, “It’s too close to actual harvest for Relya and Delpho to take us. We used to go every year with our mom and dad.”
Mira waved a hand to dismiss him from training. He laid on the ground and caught his breath. Tella ran up to them and handed the paper to her.
He panted, “They would sell herbs there. It was always a blast. You might actually like it.”
“Please, Mira?” The girl clapped her hands in a pleading gesture and pouted.
Mira looked over the paper with narrowed eyes. She handed it back to lift her shirt and dab at the sweat on her forehead. Jonen looked away to not notice anymore scars. Delpho gifted her a new shirt after they arrived, but it was still as baggy as the last one. He did notice that many of the villagers now wore the teal blue of the Travel Knight’s tunics during the day and wondered if that’s why Mira grabbed the clothes.
“My master wouldn’t allow me to attend a festival when I’m supposed to find him,” She sighed, “I can’t justify it.”
The brother and sister looked at each other. Without saying a word, they both grinned as they came up with a scheme.
“That’s too bad,” Pallik sat up and exaggerated, “There could be some supplies at the festival he would like. What about those specialty wines you have Delpho look for?”
Mira’s stoic façade cracked when he mentioned this. She scrunched her nose in thought. Tella immediately followed her brother’s line of thinking.
“They sell those hard candies you like there too,” She sighed before dramatically crunching the flyer in her hand, “Mama Relya says the candy maker will actually be there this year.”
The sparkle in Mira’s widening eyes made Jonen laugh. She raised her hand to stop the children from continuing and tapped a finger against her chin in thought.
“It would be quite shameful if I didn’t investigate the festival,” She paused and waited for the brand on the back of her neck to harm her, “I believe I could be allowed to attend for supplies and study.”
“Study?” Jonen’s eyebrow twitched upwards with the question.
“Mira makes excuses to have fun with us,” Tella grinned, “If she can get away with calling it study, then she gets to do it.”
“Sometimes the brand still hurts her, and she can’t,” Pallik dusted the dirt from his clothes and walked over to them, “Did it?”
“I’ve never been to a festival and have little knowledge on the appropriate behaviors. That would be useful background should I need to attend another during a mission,” She jammed the sword’s tip into the ground and walked over to the small group.
“Yes, and to act normal,” He playfully bumped his fist against her arm, “You can pretend it’s for fun, too.”
She shrugged in response and looked towards the setting sun. Soon, they would have to set off towards the temple.
“Pallik, thank you for the warmup,” Mira teased and bumped her hip against his, “It’s good to know I can move slow enough to make a believable dodging speed.”
“Warmup?” He groaned, “I can’t feel my arm from your blocks and my legs hurt from jumping away from your swings!”
“Then, you haven’t practiced enough.”
The clomping steps of a horse and creaking of wheels caught their attention. Delpho walked over with a moderately sized horse attached to the cart and motioned towards Mira. She nodded and walked to the older man.
“Are you sure I can borrow her?” Mira ran a hand through the horse’s mane, “The village may need her while we’re gone.”
Delpho shook his head and spoke in his native tongue, “It’ll be a quicker ride. You can protect the children better. Just make sure they come back in one piece, yeah?”
She scoffed, “Of course.”
Tella and Pallik threw their packs into the makeshift carriage. The village men had built a crude harness for the horse. The work horse could easily pull the load for the group. She didn’t want to ruin their generous gift, so she stood next to the horse.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t be armored as well?” Pallik grabbed a chainmail shirt from his bag, “I brought it with me.”
“I will be enough,” Mira shook her head, “Save that for practice at the temple. You’ve slacked off on your training and need to make up for it when we get there.”
The boy groaned and plopped down into the cart. Jonen watched as Mira pulled the armored bodice from a bag and began tying it tightly against her. He thought the black leather fit her form in a generous way to accent her nearly nonexistent curves. The multiple knives she grabbed from the same bag and slid into hidden pockets didn’t surprise him. In fact, after watching her fight the monster from before, he was glad she wore some armor, no matter how minimal.
Mira flung her cloak over her shoulders and clasped it against her. Now, she looked like an experienced traveler, rather than a common farmgirl. She tied the reins of the horse to the cart with enough slack to make the horse comfortable.
“Please take care of my children,” Relya whispered to Mira as she reached out for a hug, “I worry when they’re gone.”
Mira allowed the woman to wrap her arms around her. Jonen found it curious that she did not hug the woman back. As Relya backed away, Mira bowed formally.
“Of course,” She straightened, “On my life, they will make it back home safe.”
Delpho grasped her forearm, and they shook arms. Jonen watched as a line of people from the village came to say goodbyes. Many lightly bowed and Jonen wondered what they said.
He leaned over to Pallik, “What are they saying?”
“They wish Mira’s safety and continued protection.”
Jonen understood. She was this small crossroads village’s knight. Once the appropriate goodbyes had been given, Mira climbed onto the back of the horse and trotted down the left fork of the road just beyond the village.
“How long until we’re in Vimgraunt?” Jonen asked her.
“We should make it by tomorrow night,” She reached back and patted the horse’s rear to get it to quicken, “Just keep an eye out for anyone else on this path. Bandits tend to attack small parties.”
“About that,” Pallik grinned and pulled the shield from under some other bags, “Can I use this?”
“Hey! That’s mine,” Jonen reached for it.
“Pallik, do not rifle through other’s belongings,” Mira called over her shoulder, “I know you were seeking my things, again.”
Jonen caught her gaze and she winked. Pallik huffed and searched through other bags that might belong to Mira.
“What exactly are you looking for?” Jonen almost regretted the question as it came from his mouth.
“If I find a knife or anything, she said I could keep it,” Pallik looked up, “I can never find one, though. At least not the last few times we’ve traveled together. She’s good at hiding them.”
Jonen looked and saw a small, victorious grin on her face. She lifted the hood of her cloak to cover the auburn bundle of hair and looked forward. The children, nor most people that knew her, did not know her main magical talents revolved around weapon summoning. Though, to make things fair, she generally hid one small dagger somewhere for him to find. She wanted the teen to learn to find anything useful for himself and think of ways to hide weapons himself.
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“I don’t understand her,” Jonen shook his head.
“She’s not like us,” Tella yawned, “Mira didn’t grow up with anyone but herself.”
Jonen watched her subtly interact with the horse. Watching her stroke its mane and coo gently to the mare gave an impression of a much tighter bond. The horse snorted playfully and leaned into her scratching fingers.
The silent wanderer studied their surroundings constantly. She whistled lowly to ward off birds and other small creatures from entering the trail in front of them. She ignored the whispered conversation behind her, as it wasn’t the first-time others talked about Mira within earshot of her. The children only spoke nicely of her, which she wasn’t used to. It often made her smile that they thought so highly of her, but she would never tell them herself.
“She likes animals,” Tella rested her head and whispered, “She told me about a pretty bird she once had.”
“They’re nicer than people,” Pallik snorted, “At least most she’s met, I’m sure.”
“Have you met her master?” Jonen lowered his voice.
“Once,” He lowered his gaze, “He burned Delpho when they got into an argument. When Mira stepped between them to aid Dad, he whipped her… a lot.”
Jonen understood that he would never know her pain. He only knew he wanted to get to know her, save her even. Seeing her budding personality in the village caught his attention even more than he cared to admit. She reminded him of Shayleigh. A hardworking, sassy woman that would stop at nothing to help those she loved. He admired that.
If Jonen couldn’t protect her, the least he could do was be there for her.
“Do not speak of my master,” Mira spoke over her shoulder, “Please, I wish to forget his existence as much as I can when I am away from him.”
Tella yawned as the pale moon peaked over the distant horizon. Starlight glowed brighter and speckled the darkening night sky. Jonen adjusted one of the packs and laid his head down. Looking upwards, he saw a star arch across the night sky.
“Look!” Tella pointed upwards! “The goddess blesses another tonight.”
As Mira looked upwards, the hood of her cloak gentle fell. She smiled towards the sky. Jonen’s eyes linger on her for a moment before the woman looked over her shoulder at him.
“She knows when you’re staring,” Pallik laid down and crossed his arms, “It’s unsettling how much she sees.”
“Perhaps don’t stare,” She chuckled, “I am trained to know when eyes are on me, Pallik. It would be hard to do my missions if I couldn’t even tell that two men are staring at me when there are only sky and rocks around.”
Jonen bit his lower lip as his head sunk back into his temporary pillow. It wasn’t comforting to know that she knew when he stared at her.
“Well, then you should know you’re absolutely beautiful,” Pallik grinned at his flirtatious attempt.
“Thank you, Pallik,” She flatly said before urging the horse to move a bit faster.
Her cold response caused the teen to sigh heavily. Jonen chuckled as he closed his eyes and prepared to sleep. The rhythmic sound of rolling wheels over the worn, dirt trail caused his mind to ease and drift into sleep.
It would not be the pleasant slumber he needed.
Flashes of the wraith danced in his mind. The long-bladed glaive slashed through other soldiers and haunted his nightmare. He felt the foot kick his chest and plummeted in his dreams. The moment of his death from the fall or the wraith quickly approached. Slowly, it dived after him with spear in hand.
As the wraith stabbed into his midsection, he felt a calm, force entering his body. His dream shifted to the Saceidan plain where he last saw Shayleigh. The sunset warmed his skin as he relaxed. It was just a nightmare, now a pleasant dream. He waited for the beautiful green elf to appear. The longer he waited, the more sadness crept into his heart. He sat up to see a woman approaching. Her curly hair bounced, and her long, flowy gown twirled in the wind. As she approached him, the more her blurry features morphed into Mira. She reached out to him and as he sat up to grab her hand, his confusion caused her to disintegrate into the breeze.
“Halt!” A voice boomed across the wooded area.
Jonen began to sit up until he felt tiny hands holding him down. A blanket covered the cart, and he couldn’t see into their surroundings. Tella lifted a hand from his chest as he looked at her. She held a finger to her lips to signal him to be silent. Pallik had his hand around the rusty sword as he crouched just under the small wall of the cart.
“Who’s there?” Mira forced a tremble of fear into her voice.
Her eyes searched the horizon. She quickly spotted a dozen men with crossbows notched and aimed towards her. The mask rested in the easily reachable bag at her waist. Her fingers traced it lightly as the power licked at her fingertips –begging to join her. If the three in her cart would stay under the sheet, she could end this quickly.
“This is a robbery,” The voice chuckled as a dwarf stepped from behind a larger boulder, “The Razorclaw clan caught another bird tonight. Surrender your goods without hesitation and we will keep things peaceful.”
“Nar Vickel is leader of the Razorclaw,” She lowered her head as she searched for the sounds of her opponents circling them, “He should know my voice and my master.”
“Vickel is dead. I’m Nar Garlison,” The gangly dwarf grinned, “The new leader.”
Mira examined him with a look of disgust on her face. The badly scarred, yellow dwarf was inked to make himself seem tougher than his muscles gave away. She sensed no magical ability from him. She could easily decimate the small group as the wraith and continue moving. They were more of a nuisance than a threat.
“I have simple travel supplies and nothing else. If you let me pass, I will let you and your,” Mira’s eyes quickly counted the hiding places she heard the bandits scatter to, “—eleven men leave without harm. If not, I will kill all of you.”
Jonen struggled to his knees without making too much noise. There was no way Mira could handle a dozen men by herself. A monster one on one? Sure. Eleven bandits would surely overpower her. He had to help.
Jonen grabbed the shield from the floor and silently handed it to Tella. She cowered in a corner and blocked her entire body hunched behind the shield. He looked to Pallik and nodded slowly as he pointed to the girl. Pallik nodded and quickly put on his chainmail.
Garlison maliciously laughed at Mira’s request, “How do you know we only have eleven? We are much stronger. I’ve heard of you and your master. Vickel was weak. He died weak. I will bring us better fortune.”
“I do not have time to deal with bandits,” Mira sighed and lowered her hood to better hear her surroundings.
Her fingers danced along the surface of the mask and wrapped around the edges. The children knew to stay hidden in times like this. If it came to it, the carnage would be over in mere moments. She just needed them to stay hidden from her other form. They didn’t know that secret and that kept them safe.
“Vickel neglected to say what a beauty you are,” The dwarf’s rough whistle made Jonen’s skin crawl, “I’m sure your master wouldn’t mind paying for your return… after I’ve had my way with you.”
Mira growled in response, “You think me so easily conquerable? None of your men have even dared to take a shot at me. Most that have tried are buried in the floors of your hideout.”
“Maybe they want a turn too. I’m sure we can bring you back to our hideout and have a few fun nights with you,” He stepped closer and drew his blade, “I’ll teach you everything it means to be a woman, eh?”
In a moment of rage, Jonen gripped the rusty sword and threw the cart’s cover. He stood on his knees and looked around. His anger focused on the dwarf further down the path. Mira’s head turned to meet his gaze. Her normal yellow eyes burned a bright white as her hand retracted from the mask’s surface. Its intoxicating feeling faded from her fingertips.
“You neglected to mention your boyfriend,” Garlison’s gapped grin spread further on his face, “Perhaps I’ll make him watch, if I let him live.”
Even from the distance he was from her, Jonen felt the anger radiating from her like a sun of hatred. The whistle of a crossbow bolt flew past Jonen, nicking a section of his ear as he ducked. He looked towards Mira and saw a flying knife soaring from her head and a loud thunk as it stuck into the archer’s chest. The steaming fury in her eyes was palpable as she peered around at her quickly moving enemies. She tracked each opponent in her mind as the stepped forward to enclose the cart.
As the dwarf’s gurgling screams rang out into the night sky, she jumped backwards and gracefully landed in the cart next to Jonen. A harsh hand gripped his shoulder and forced him to the floor.
“Stay down,” She growled, “You are a hindrance in your present condition. Protect the children should I miss one.”
As quickly as she landed, she leapt from the cart and sprinted towards a nearby outcropping of rocks. Jonen looked up to see her almost elegantly dance with a sword as she released weapons from hands, hands from limbs, and lives from bodies. Jonen wondered where she picked up the sword, until he saw the sword morph into a long-bladed spear. She pulled another dagger from her vest and threw it at a crossbow bolt soaring towards her. It split in two and deflected.
Watching her battle reminded him of the dark wraith that nearly killed him. His eyes left her and anxiously searched for any approaching enemies.
When the latest victim’s cries of pains died down, Mira’s attention went back to the cart. Garlison stumbled towards them with his sword in his offhand, as his useful arm had a frightful gash that gushed blood. Jonen held the sword, ready in case he got close. The sound of quickly approaching footsteps caused him to turn and see Mira flip over the cart. She landed between them and the dwarf. The weapon she wielded reappeared in her hand.
“Call your men off and I will let you live,” Mira said as her outstretched hand grabbed an arrow flying directly at Jonen, “I told you to stay down.”
“I’ve already lost too much blood,” The dwarf laughed, “Why would I stop now? I’ll take one of them with me.”
Jonen felt the heat coming off her as her arm lit aflame. She seemed unphased as she gripped the man’s bleeding shoulder. Her blade swatted flying projectiles out of the way. The man screeched violently as she dug her fingers into his fizzling flesh. She kicked him away before making eye contact with one of the archers.
“Not one person has managed to hit me,” Her gaze narrowed and hissed, “If you wish to keep your life, I suggest you run.”
The violent woman looked around as other bandits dropped bows to pull out swords. Mira took this moment to punch the annoying leader in the nose with her flaming hand. The crunch under her fingers made her smirk. He yelped and gripped his burnt, broken nose.
“Fine,” Mira stretched her neck and arms to prepare for the fight, “We will continue then.”
The horse brayed and lurched onto its back legs as she tried to get free from the reins. Mira kicked the dwarf onto his back. She cut the tied reins and looked at Jonen.
“Get on the horse and go further down the path. Tella, you know the hiding areas,” Mira looked between the children, “Jonen, protect them.”
“What?” Jonen.
“Do not argue with me,” She growled as she kicked backwards at the badly injured dwarf.
“Let me help!” Pallik yelled, “I can help you.”
“You are not—”
“You aren’t coming back, Mira! I know that,” He grabbed the rusty sword, “Let me be in a real fight before you’re gone for good.”
She stared at him before she nodded, “The shield will keep you safe from most bolts. You will call if you see more people approaching when I’m busy.”
“Mir…Mira,” Tella whimpered, “I’m scared.”
“Jonen will protect you,” She deflected another bolt into the ground with her sword, “I cannot concentrate when your safety is a concern. I promise, Tella. I will find you later.”
Jonen grabbed the reins of the horse and grunted from the pain as he jumped onto it. Mira’s blade swirled impossibly through the air to block projectiles intended for them. Even Jonen couldn’t focus that well to tell their trajectory while preparing to leave. With one slight nod, Mira slapped the horse’s rear to send it rocketing down the path.
“Pallik,” Mira’s voice echoed with the wraith’s for a moment as she gripped onto the anger in her core, “If you are overwhelmed, run.”