The tranquil embrace of a Saturday midday wrapped around the world, a gentle lullaby of serenity. Birds soared across the azure canvas, their wings whispering the melody of unbound liberty.
A slender beam of light pierced through the slightly ajar window, unveiling a secluded chamber nestled in the heart of the mansion's vast backyard.
Constructed from robust wood and ancient stone, the walls stood as silent sentinels, their surface a mosaic of weaponry — daggers and bows displayed with reverence.
At the core of this solitary haven, the wooden floor bore testament to relentless toil, slick with the sweat of exertion and etched with the indelible scars of unwavering dedication.
There, a young woman of uncommon beauty and sharp intellect crouched in a half-kneeling stance. Each hand clasped a dagger, their blades capturing the dim light in a mesmerizing dance of shadows and steel.
Inhaling deeply, she unfurled into motion. Her movements flowed with a fierce grace, like verses of an unwritten epic, weaving through the air with a dancer's precision, her weapons an extension of her will.
Sweat cascaded down her lithe form, golden curls framing her face in a cascade of beauty — a harmonious blend of soft curves and sharp angles, her features a sign to a mind as piercing as her blades. Clad in light armor inscribed with forgotten words, she was a warrior sculpted into living art, an embodiment of strength and elegance.
In the shadowed corner of the room, she paused, eyes closed, in deep meditation. With rhythmic, controlled breaths, she conjured the image of her unseen adversary, feeling their presence as if they stood before her.
In a ballet of combat, she rolled with feline agility, her right hand executing a phantom strike with lethal precision. Her left dagger spun through the air, completing the circle of her imagined duel in a flawless symphony of motion.
With her palms raised at chest level, forming the perfect balance of yin and yang, she drew in the serenity of the moment, grounding herself in the harmony of her inner and outer selves.
After a moment of tranquil repose, she collapsed to the ground, her breath steadying. Her gaze drifted upward, locking onto the darkest corner of the room.
From the shadowed enclave, a man emerged, stepping into the dim light of the chamber. He handed her a towel, saying, "Good work, Miss."
Lisandra took the towel, wiping sweat from her face with relief. She took a deep breath, steadying herself after her exertions.
"Thank you, Jenson. But I'm still far from reaching his level."
"Don't compare yourself to your father, Miss. He has over four decades of practice. When he was your age, he wasn't near your level."
"Maybe," Lisandra mused as she opened the door. A gust of fresh air rushed in, playfully tousling her hair. "But it's not enough for an Eruption. What about the updates?"
"Your uncle, Nate Noctis, is determined to secure the next headmaster position at the academy, Miss. From what I've gathered, nothing is likely to change his mind."
Lisandra paused by the tranquil lake, gazing at her reflection. The rippling waters danced with her image, a captivating mirage where her eyes shimmered like the early sun but held shadows as deep as northern clouds.
Lisandra sighed, her thoughts tinged with worry. "If only he were here. I hope our business survives this turmoil. What's the public opinion?"
"The public is divided," Jenson replied. "There's no clear consensus. Some still see the Noctis family as the North's bad seed, while others are swayed by his campaign's propaganda."
"Any recent developments?"
Jenson hesitated, recalling the details. "The Fool was seen engaging in strange activities in the fairway communities."
He paused before continuing, "And there are reports of people felling trees in the valley near the academy, apparently on the mayor's orders."
"And my schedule for today?"
"Report to the church for your last duty as a deliverer this morning. Prepare your things for tomorrow. And lastly, dinner with your mother tonight."
Lisandra made her way from the lake back to her room, traversing the corridor between them.
As she walked, the delicate curtains fluttered in the breeze, their soft rustling mingling with the whisper of an icy wind weaving through the corridor. The chill of the wind bit at her skin, a sharp contrast to the lake's lingering warmth.
The corridor stretched before her, a passage of solitude she had traversed countless times. Each step echoed softly against the polished stone floor, a rhythmic reminder of the familiar path leading to her sanctuary.
In the heart of the corridor, breaking the monotony of polished gray stone walls, stood a striking blue frame. It was an oasis of color in the sea of gray, its vibrant hue drawing the eye irresistibly.
Within the frame, the portrait of a man commanded immediate attention. His features were rendered in shades of gray — short, neatly trimmed hair and a long, flowing beard — but it was his eyes that truly captivated. Painted in vivid emerald blue, his eyes seemed to pierce through the canvas, their intensity in stark contrast to the subdued gray palette that defined the rest of his features.
Viewed from the side, the portrait exuded an aura of wisdom, ingenuity, and paternal understanding. Yet, when faced directly, the man's square chin and intense gaze transformed, revealing the commanding presence of a respected leader.
"Thanks for the work, Jenson," Lisandra said, opening the door to her room. "Do you think it'd be okay if I just sent a jumping message to the church about my last duty?"
Jenson shook his head. "I wouldn't recommend that, Miss. It might not reflect well on your image, plus you still need to deliver the last batch of healing pills."
Lisandra sighed, conceding his point. "You're right. The gap between our pill business and our church relations is widening. I need to put in more effort to ensure everything runs smoothly."
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"Very well, Miss. I'll take my leave. Will it be the usual for lunch?" Jenson inquired.
"Yes" Lisandra confirmed.
In the profound silence of her room, Lisandra paused, her gaze sweeping over her belongings. Lavish tapestries adorned the walls, and priceless artifacts filled the shelves — tangible symbols of her wealth, status, and prestigious family background.
Her parents, defying the traditional aloofness of northern nobility, had been actively involved in her upbringing; their presence was a constant source of support and pressure.
Yet, within her, a relentless drive simmered — not merely to earn their approval but to affirm her own worth, a fire that burned with both passion and insecurity.
This relentless pursuit often left her overburdened, her mind a chaotic battlefield of aspirations and expectations, each clashing violently in the depths of her consciousness.
Lisandra often reflected on a northern adage: a mind without aspiration is like an iceberg — imposing yet cold and isolated. She feared becoming such an iceberg, grand in stature but hollow at heart, a chilling monument to unfulfilled potential.
The absence of a driving force, a vision for a better future, rendered one hollow, their essence diminishing until only a fragile shell of potential remained, unfulfilled and eroding with time's relentless march.
An overthinker by nature, she sought solace in the bathtub, tucking her knees close as the steaming water enveloped her, its warmth seeping into her tense muscles and offering a fleeting reprieve from her thoughts.
In the soothing embrace of steam and warmth, her mind replayed the cacophony of past voices, each echoing her trials and triumphs, their whispers blending into a haunting symphony.
The water became a reflective pool, mirroring not only her physical form but also the tumultuous torrent of thoughts swirling within her, each ripple a manifestation of her inner turmoil.
She grappled with her most formidable opponent — her inner demons, the self-imposed chains of hope and ambition that simultaneously propelled and confined her, binding her in a paradox of drive and despair.
Immersing herself fully, she closed her eyes, letting the water engulf her completely. In that submerged silence, the external world and her internal turmoil momentarily ceased, granting her a rare and precious stillness.
She existed in a void; her controlled breaths and empty thoughts were the only signs of her presence, as if she had become one with the water, a fleeting echo of her being.
Emerging from the water, she gasped, her senses jolting back to reality. Standing, she dried herself with deliberate, purposeful motions, each stroke of the towel a reaffirmation of her resolve.
Her movements were methodical and precise as she donned her light armor, securing each strap with practiced ease. She placed the daggers on her back and tucked the pills into her pouch, each action a step towards reclaiming her strength.
She tied her hair back neatly, a ritual that symbolized her willpower and her adherence to her family's creed — if one thinks too much without acting, their life becomes devoid of energy. This simple act was a manifestation of her resolve to balance thought and action.
Before stepping out, she draped a blue cloak over her shoulders, the classic attire of her family. The front was adorned with a silver crow symbol, its eyes crafted from blue emerald crystals.
Leaving the solitude of her room, Lisandra stepped into the lively streets of Baurous. The tranquil surroundings of her home quickly gave way to the city's bustling energy.
She moved with purpose, weaving through the crowd and expertly sidestepping wagons and playful children darting around busy merchants.
Her gaze was focused, and her steps were deliberate, tracing a well-known route etched into her memory. She navigated the streets with the ease of someone who had walked them countless times.
A left turn here, a quick double around the corner there. She maneuvered through an intersection and took a right turn. After advancing two more blocks, she reached her destination.
Before entering the church's office, Lisandra paused at the threshold. She bowed her head in reverence, her lips moving in silent prayer.
A moment of quiet reflection passed before she lifted her gaze and stepped inside. There, she found a priest absorbed in organizing papers.
He was a middle-aged man with light yellow hair, wearing a black robe that showed signs of the day's work, and with a faint ink stain on his left hand.
As Lisandra approached, the priest looked up, his attention shifting from the papers to hers. He studied her face thoughtfully, a meticulous observer of those who entered his space.
Then, his eyes caught the crow symbol on her attire, and his demeanor softened. A warm smile spread across his face as he recognized her family's emblem.
"Oh, Miss Noctis," he greeted her, his voice familiar. "How is your mother?"
Lisandra smiled warmly. "Father Bandi, she is doing well. Busy as always. And how are you?"
Father Bandi sighed tiredly, his shoulders drooping slightly as he shuffled the papers on his desk. Despite his fatigue, a smile remained on his face. Looking up at Lisandra, he replied with gentle weariness in his voice.
"Busy times, by the good Lord. Tell me, what can I do for you?"
Lisandra reached into her cloak's inner pocket, retrieving a letter. She extended it to Father Bandi, her expression serious.
"I would like to report my last duty as the deliverer."
Father Bandi took the letter, carefully unfolding it. He then opened an accountability book, flipping through the pages with practiced ease.
Finding the relevant section, he located Lisandra's name inscribed on a line. He handed her a pen, his finger pressing against the line as he instructed, "Sign your name, Miss. Then use the bloodletting lancet after your signature."
Lisandra took the pen, writing her name in elegant cursive letters. After signing, she picked up the bloodletting lancet and pressed it against her finger.
As Lisandra pressed the lancet to her skin, a single drop of blood emerged, falling gracefully onto the page. For the church, this act was more than a formality; it was a profound symbol.
The blood represented willingness, a solemn pledge etched not only in ink but in the very essence of one's being.
Her blood, mingling with the ink on the page, was a testament to her commitment, a tradition rooted in the belief that true agreements were sealed not only with words but with a part of oneself.
"Father Bandi, is your holiness available? I need to deliver the last batch of pills to him.”
"He isn't available right now. Ever since the recent incident with that old man, he has been preoccupied with crafting a new sermon for the upcoming week. I hope to see you in attendance, Miss Noctis."
"Thank you, Father Bandi. I'll be there."
"May the grace of our Lord be with you, Miss Noctis. Please send my regards to old Jenson."
Lisandra exited the church with rhythmic, disembodied movements, like a leaf floating down an invisible stream.
Her eyes were distant, reflecting deep thoughts, while her feet automatically followed the well-trodden path to her home.
Upon entering the kitchen, the warm afternoon sunlight filled the space, illuminating the silvery utensils scattered across the table.
Lisandra sat down as Jenson presented her meal: spiced beef and tomatoes, served hot with a bold touch of extra pepper, just the way she liked.
She ate quietly. After finishing her meal, she went up to her room, usually reserved for study. However, today, exhaustion enveloped her like a thick blanket.
Her eyes gently closed, and she gave in to sleep. Time passed, fleeting and intangible. Night descended, enveloping her world in a quiet hush, punctuated only by the distant twinkling of stars.