Henry's eyes fluttered open. His vision swam at first, then cleared into the grim sight of armored bodies strewn across the ground. Knights and archers lay lifeless where they had fallen.
[HP restored: You've rested for ten minutes. Your health has been restored.]
Henry pressed a hand to the side of his head, wincing.
"That sound… that explosion… Where's the one who saved me?" His words dissolved into silence.
He stared at the fallen arches once again and notice they were no crystals floating above their dead bodies.
'The crystal?'
...
Elsewhere,from the village gate view , another pair of eyes surveyed the scene.
The high-ranking knight lowered his binoculars, face stiff with unreadable weight. The lenses had shown him more than he wished to see, his comrade, lifeless, armor cracked, his bodies strewn just meters from the forest.
"They're multiplying," he muttered under his breath. "More beasts than expected."
Boots pounded behind him, rhythm sharp, disciplined. A fresh batch of knights approached from the city walls, shields strapped, blades catching the late sun. They halted as one.
"Sir!" Their voices rang in unison.
The captain lowered the binoculars. "Beasts are roaming the forest entrance. Kill them and bring me their crystals. Stay alert they're cleverer than you think."
"Yes, sir!" The men moved as one, their synchronized march carrying them closer to the shadowed treeline.
It wasn't long before a figure appeared on the road ahead, a slender shape cloaked in robes, a veil hiding the face.
"Unveil yourself!" one knight barked.
The figure hesitated, then slowly lifted the veil.
The knights froze. Her pale white skin caught the light, her long hair spilling free like silver threads. A sculpted jawline, blue eyes gleaming like ice, her beauty was disarming. Weapons dipped unconsciously, discipline melting into desire.
A small squirrel peeked from her shoulder, eyes wide. Steel rasped back into position, swords aimed again.
'Dammit Sly, you've spoiled my charming spell'
From afar, the captain narrowed his eyes. "Fools…"
The woman raised her hands carefully, voice trembling with practiced sorrow.
"I'm an adventurer. I barely escaped an orc beast inside the forest. Please, let me return to the village"
The knights exchanged uncertain glances. One finally pointed.
"That creature, what is it?"
The squirrel ducked behind her neck.
"My pet," she replied softly. "I can't live without him. He keeps me steady." Her voice cracked, eyes shimmering.
The knights muttered, uneasy. One gave a sharp nod.
"Rack. Check the beast." The knight on the left stepped forward.
Her fingers slid quietly into her robe, curling around the hidden filstock. Her pulse quickened, one more step and his skull would burst.
"Enough!" The captain's voice carried like thunder. The advancing knight froze mid-step. All heads turned as the leader strode forward from the rear.
"She is an adventurer, let her through."
A quiet sigh escaped her lips and she slowly released her grip around the filstock.
Still, doubt lingered among the knights. One growled, "She's suspicious."
The squirrel chose that moment to peek out again.
The captain's sharp gaze fell upon it. "Young lady. There is a beast upon your shoulder."
The woman's reply came smooth, steady. "He is mine. I carry him always."
The captain studied her, silence stretching long. Finally, he nodded. "She is no threat. You see it as well, don't you?"
The knights hesitated, then, reluctantly, heads dipped.
The captain inclined his chin toward her. "Forgive their rudeness, fair lady. You may enter."
Her lips curved into a smile of delicate gratitude. "Your kindness humbles me. Though, perhaps these five should be punished for harassing me so."
The squad stiffened. The captain raised a hand in appeasement. "It will not happen again."
The squirrel whispered into her ear, voice bubbling with joy. "We're finally at the human settlement."
One knight blinked hard, staring at the tiny creature. 'It spoke… I heard it'. His throat tightened, but no words came, who would believe him?.
The squirrel caught his stare, wiggled its waist, then stuck its tongue out. The knight's jaw dropped.
"What… in the world is that?" he whispered.
Ignoring him, the woman strode past with an easy smile.
"We're here, Silver!" the squirrel said brightly, bouncing on her shoulder.
"Stay low, Sly," she whispered back. "We were too close just now."
"Wait!"
The captain's voice cut through the air. She stopped, turning slightly.
"I'm Rashford," he called. "And you are?"
"Silver," she answered, already moving again.
"If you need aid in Penta, come to me!"
"Thanks," she replied without a glance.
The squirrel tugged at her robe. "Did you really tell him your real name?"
"Yes, Sly. He seems trustworthy. Now back inside, stay hidden. We've reached the village gates." Silver whispered and just as she turned her back she noticed the high ranking knight walking few meters behind her. He was heading back to Penta village gate.