You never know how strong you are
until being strong is your only choice.
~Bob Marley
***
It looked like he wanted to ask "Is everything alright, Missy?" as he stared down in concern and brought his hand forward to help her but retreated it at mid-attempt.
The bearded-looking man frowned only for a moment before returning to normal. "Watch where you're going, woman," and passed a look one last time before walking away, pushing his cart forward.
Ravenna gulped, taking in deep breaths to stabilize her racing heart. Not because she accidentally bumped into the man, but because her words mimicked the dreadful memory of those monsters.
And she shuddered. They aren't coming. They can't find you. They aren't real... She internally recited. Those words were the only thing that kept her from letting dread wash over her sanity and body at the same time. It was actually what kept her sane over the years.
Watching the man fade into the distance, she pulled the pouch from her back, allowing a faint grin plastered on her lips at the sound of coins. This would do for two nights, she thought.
Then she looked back at the man, watching him struggle faintly. Just like her, it was difficult for many others as well and she could only imagine how hard it was for him. Maybe worse. Her eyes softened in regret and reluctance, as she fiddled with the pouch in her hand but she left nonetheless.
Ravenna made her way to the market. The stone houses of the village were ordinary and dull, made glimmer by the bleakness of winter. But it was market day, which meant the tiny square in the center of the town would be full of whatever vendors braved the brisk of morning.
She gathered the items that were due of stock and needed restocking in the house with the little amount of the money from earlier. Of course, she discarded the pouch, making use of a few coppers and the ones in her possession but made up for almost half of the items before heading home. However, most vendors barely allowed her to purchase anything from their stall, saying her presence always brought bad luck, and wherever she went, Ravenna always caught the words 'filthy whore,' making it almost impossible for her.
Finally, the outline of Fallen House Vale greeted her view, snowflakes tainting the bones and skeleton of the manor. Despite the scorched walls, no amount of ice could cover the horrendous look on it and its gothic flare only seemed like the angel—the snow—gave it a look of reprieve, before the sun set.
She kicked her boots against the door frame, knocking the snow from them. Bits of ice came from the gray stones, revealing the terror of the walls themselves. She yanked the door, the frozen iron handle biting in her skin like an asp but it was already open in the first place and her brows furrowed.
Did he step out? And her heart raced for no reason but the consequence if that ever happened.
She opened her mouth, "Ala-" but he was standing near the floor-to-ceiling window shrouded by thick curtains, holding something in his hands and a frown on his face.
Noticing her presence, his expression slipped to normal as his eyes flung towards Ravenna. He was all grown up now, the type to pass for a man in his early twenties. His long silver hair reached his shoulders, his tall height, and a normal figure built for a man. Although he was lean, nothing good food won't deteriorate with time.
With a small smile, "You're back," he welcomed, his deep voice a testimony of his maturity as he strides toward her.
"I am," Ravenna responded, letting him help out with the food items as they both walked into the kitchen, dropping them at the counter. "I noticed the door was open when I walked in," She didn't need to ask as she passed him a look.
"The magistrate dropped by today," He said and her heart sank. This was the third time he was dropping by this month with warning notices and the last time, he had given her just two months to complete the money. That was mainly the reason she had been working twice her usual shift and accepted night covers just so she could raise a tangible amount to secure their home before two months elapsed. What changed this time?
Before she asked, he handed her the letter.
Ravenna tore it open, eyes scanning the contents and every word seemed to elicit several reactions. Shock, dread, confusion, surprise, and vulnerability. Two days? Where was she going to get such an amount within two days?
"We owe a lot, Ravenna," Alaric confirmed, his eyes softening yet hardening at the same time.
She took in a deep breath and folded the letter securely, like it was going to shatter her if not taken care of. "I know," and she walked away, grabbing a cup of water, letting the coldness unheat her parched throat, then leaving half content.
There was little they could afford, and that includes water taxes. She had to fetch from the nearby village before dusk and preserve the rest for almost a week however, it needed refilling. Perhaps tonight, she thought.
"I'll think of something," She promised, holding a hopeful smile that years back, he would've thought it was that easy but growing up, everything was becoming so clear to him that the toll of it literally resulted in her weight loss.
No matter how much she tried to hide her skinny figure behind every thick cloth, it was always visible to him, haunting him. Her eyes sunken from stress, her feet wobbling out of the blues, and her hair radiating into a dull spark, just like her ocean blue eyes. But little did he know, as he grew and his powers turned stronger, Ravenna grew weaker and older as a result.
"I'm going to work at Thomas Glabberson's workshop tomorrow," He revealed, and Ravenna whipped her head toward him, eyes widening in surprise.
"What?"
"I'm going to work at Thomas Gla-" He repeated, but Ravenna cut in, her voice sharp and filled with concern.
"I heard you the first time, Alaric, but no." She said, walking towards him, shaking her head. "You can't go out. No one can see you-" Not at this point where everything and literally everyone is on full alert against creatures apart from humans. Everywhere she came across, there was news about the arrest and capture of Witches.
What big news would it be when they learn that a Nephmir existed? Ever since they captured a Mage five years ago, Ravenna didn't need to be told of how much experimental bodies Vladoryn has encrypted that little boy into. They might have turned him into their experimental puppets and each day she thought about it, it always had a way of making her heart clench when thinking of Alaric who was something far bigger and greater than Mages themselves.
"I've thought about it, Ravenna, and I can protect myself," His unrelenting voice sucked her words back. "No one would know who I am, or where I'm really from. And besides, no one would really care about a boy with a meager's blood just like everyone does with the rich."
Ravenna didn't know what to say.
Her voice was long gone, and whoever she stared at was someone no amount of 'nos' would stop. His scarlet eyes glistened with determination and it scorched Ravenna that she couldn't give him all he wanted. What he wants.
Clearing her throat, "When did you apply?" she asked instead.
"Three weeks ago-- I knew you weren't going to let me, so I had to wait until I got the job before telling you," He quickly added when Ravenna opened her mouth to retort.
How stupid of her to believe he was going to keep his promise of staying behind these doors and not wander outside them. Not just because of the risk of being caught, but the creatures after him. Especially the red-eyed raven.
Although, whatever that was never did again after that night but its unfriendly croak always seemed to remind her it lurked around, waiting for its perfect time to strike.
His eyes... she thought, waking at him. She wondered how he got the application letter but his response caused her to sigh in relief and also pound in dread.
"I emerged blind," he declared.
Refusing her thoughts to wander until she at least got to her room, "If I'm able to cover up the expenses before two days, you won't take the job." She held a firm gaze, the type that refuses no buts.
His gaze hardened in terror. "You cannot work-"
"I have better means of raising the money, Alaric, just as I've been doing. I've done so these past few years and covered almost half," Realizing even the past few years wasn't able to cover at least half of the payment, almost sent a wave of tripdation down her soul when she thought of covering it within two days. "and I can do it again. I just need to work harder this time and top it off with my savings." She added.
He looked at her. She knew that look. The look of restraint. That he was going to say something but held back, either not to hurt her or showcase the reality. How many men is she going to fuck to provide such an amount within two days? Hundreds? It wouldn't be enough. Thousands? Half will cover. Millions? That would cover full payment and leave her with some to take care of them for one year. But she wouldn't survive. It was impossible.
Ravenna gave a small smile and turned, walking away, leaving him fixed in his spot as he stared at her retreating figure, clenching and unclenching his fists.
For now, all Ravenna thought of was making enough money, either to flee away from Vladoryn if paraventually, it didn't work out—which she knew won't—and into another safer Kingdom or secure this manor. Even if it was going to destroy her forever.
***