The long day of unexpected scenario squeezed every energy of Ashalain, tortured by Natalak's doing. The door creaks— soaking wet she didn't account her muddy boots stained on the marbled floors. Yet before she couldn't even digest Ashena came with warm welcome.
"Ashalain you're back I've missed you." Ashena says snuggling the paladin.
"I miss you too," Ashalain respond, hiding her emotions to her despondent expression.
As for the traveler—
Not knowing he was in the belly of the beast, Natalak was in a delightful mood— admiring the beauty of the room the furniture, the design, the porch, and the small library.
"Looks like I had to spoil myself for a bit here."
Sitting on the bed he suddenly thoughts of the library.
"I'm not mostly fond of being a bookworm but gaining something would suffice a little. Best to read something." He stood.
Towards the library, it was a well-kept neatly arranged were old and new books separated. Picking the books that interest him most, he then finds a chair to sit on. Alas he found a hidden spot, hidden from the view of the door, the bed to then he let his mind do the work.
'Tails of Mystic Magic' the front cover says. Uninterested, he returns to the shelf.
"The Duel of Wisdom and Trickery… Seems nice, I should better give this one on my list." Natalak mutters putting on the table.
"The Path of Bread and Ale." Natalak expressed, then put it back on the shelves. "The Lady of Norreveil, The Paradox of a Goddess… Oh., Dull Blade? What is this for?" Natalak continues muttering the context of the books.
"Ah… The Ladies of Troubles…" Natalak yawns, too tired of reading women's troubles.
Until one incredibly old and dark book catches my interest.
"The Child of Prophecy"
"In the time of fire and desolation when the men of Vashkeil are in chaos. When the elven kingdom tips their arrow to sheared teeth. When the dwarves clad themselves with steel and iron. It was in a world of chaos and destruction, swallowed by power, war, greed, and darkness. A time where the sons of Vashkeil would turn their backs on one another, it was a revelation so to speak."
"When the world of Vashkeil is in turmoil, and in chaos came one of Erodul in skin. Lu'dorel, the friction in flesh— in his approaching empires collapse. Mortals faced near extinction, and in such dreadful times came the regulators. The champions of the equilibrium of existence as to the universe. To set the balance of Vashkeil, Lu'dorel was defeated and shattered. But some of the ancients say, Lu'dorel signifies the end, for he signifies the end and the beginning."
Without finishing the book, Natalak had fallen asleep silently in the chair.
While asleep he was, Ashalain was already done bathing and goes towards Natalak's room. She was told someone occupies her old room but didn't she listen for she's in a desolated day... too tired to hear her sister's words.
As she enters, there's no presence to be felt only the sound of rain.
Removing her apparels, exposing her womanly figure, Ashalain searches for a night clothes to wear. A gorgeous body of a woman whose light pale skin, warm like the morning sun, smooth and soft like tender as she spreads her scenic blond hair.
Finding and wearing apparel for the night but still, Natalak was well hidden. Tired and stressed she too quickly fall asleep on the bed ending the night.
Early to wake like a rooster, Ashena prepares herself. Rambling along the mansion hoping to rouse Natalak, she hesitates.
"I shouldn't wake them up since they're very tired last night." Ashena utters, passing their room.
An hour later Ashalain was first to awaken. Worried, she walks along the aisle towards the porch for her to relieve a little of her stressed emotions. Standing at the porch, fresh cold air blemishes as mumbling lips blaming herself for being clumsy to a thief.
Thud— it was then she heard a book falls from the ground. Hesitating to investigate she decides to check, in her eyes the young man who stole her sword was there leisurely sleeping silent as the grave. Confused, relieved, anger— shock at what fortune had turned into, she wants to pummel. But she wanted to know, why Natalak was here at her sister's place. In the end she just stands there looking down watching the sleeping man who naps like a cat.
During his slumber, Natalak felt a presence as if watching him. Ignoring, he then continues his rest.
Moments passed Natalak finally regain his strength but when he opens his eyes. To his surprise all his world shattered into pieces as he faces Ashalain sitting right in front of him staring his eyes in cold-blood. Trying to move but nothing, trying to speak but no words come out from his mind, all he can do is look sideways not wanting to stare right back at her.
"I had cast a paralyzing magic when you still sleep like a dog." Ashalain says getting up from her chair. From a few steps away she grabs his shirt as she interrogates the man.
"SHIT... How in the hell did this happens!" His mind was in scrabble.
Her hand sways dispelling the silence spell she cast.
"Just who are you, did you do something to my sister! Why are you here in this place! Are you one of those mages?!" Her voice wasn't loud but full of fury.
Firing him with tons of questions, Natalak keeps to his silence, waiting for a moment to speak.
"I see you want the hard way then." Ashalain grits his teeth.
Distancing herself from Natalak, slowly then the paladin cast an unknown magic. And from her spell, his body begins to boil as if roasting in the face of the sun.
Squeaking in anguish Natalak grip the arms of the chair, there was slight drainage of the paralyze spell he can tell. Slightly for a minute, his teeth grit in pain as eyes turn watery.
Before Natalak could be presented to death, the agony diminishes. It was there, visions were blurry but he can see Ashena firmly grips her sister's arm.
"That's more than enough, sister." Ashena spoke her voice was sharp and carries anger.
Just as the paralyze spell begin to dispel Natalak can feel his body dwindling to numbness, the pain however still urges. It was the most painful thing he'd ever felt, were blood oozes from his lips.
"Just what kind of bad luck did I have this day." Natalak's mind was in a migraine, or rather being seared inside.
Near at the end of his life, slowly then he falls from the pits of oblivion. Fading, he could hear the two arguing.
"You're finally awake. I was hoping you would be in a coma." Ashalain spoke, intently eying Natalak.
A single glance— Natalak can tell the paladin was looking for more torment. It was his own fault to begin with and pray he hope to escape this situation.
"This woman!"
"Now there's something I want to have a word with you." She scoffs, her words were primal to the ears.
However, when she follows a question, Ashena came. Upon her sister's entrance, Ashalain just walks out of the room devoid of uttering a word.
Recovering from the spell that Ashalain furnished, Natalak grabs the spatial bag hidden under the bed. Revealing the sword then one he stole from Ashalain.
For Ashena, the moment he saw the small bag vomits the sword. Her perceived towards the traveler, didn't change rather intrigued. Natalak saw the slight shift of Ashena's expression but he was rather more into escaping the mansion than entertaining the lady.
"I already know what happen between you and my sister." Ashena implores after she'd received the sword.
"Your sister?"
"Yes, she's my older sibling, particular we're twins. She kept hassling me for friending a thief. But you know what, she was once kind and compassionate back then when she had him."
"I see, so, what happens to both of them?" Natalak blurt which made Ashena feel tentative.
After the long paused, Natalak was ashamed by his sudden query approach.
"Um... is it okay for me to depart. I mean, is my troubles won't send me to the dungeon."
"That won't be necessary, I've already talked my sister." Ashena stood
"I-I see… I'm grateful to you then. So, is it okay for me to be on the road?" Natalak stammer, twiddling his fingers.
"Only if you help me finish breakfast. And you haven't finished your tales from Earth."
"Oh, sure, I would be grateful." Natalak answered, while flustered begins to fill his face.
Once giving a little compensation towards Ashena before departing, Natalak finds himself facing the other sister.
"I've returned your sword, and I apologized for what I've done to you." Natalak nods as he distant himself from the paladin's zone.
Appraising his actions exclusive of answering at his words, Ashalain remembers the scene where his bag swallows the sword whole. The more, the paladin ponders, the more she gawks at Natalak's bag.
"Wait! Would you tell me who you are?" Ashalain's calls.
For, the traveler he only gave her a thumbs-up ignoring the paladin's call, afore he runs through the busy town square.
Ashalain tries to chase Natalak but the bustling crowd wanes his track. Heads turns at every corner but he was far too gone.
Leaving the paladin behind, a door rings as the shop's door opens.
"Greetings young man, what can I do for you." Greets the shopkeeper who was busy fondling through the clothes.
"I just want you to replicate these kinds of clothes." Natalak then reveals his earthly outfit.
"This is one fine design you requested young man." The old shopkeeper said unfazed by the wet fabric.
"Just do what you can and tell me how much cost for all five pieces." Natalak says uncomfortable to make a conversation.
Examining Natalak's earthly clothing she then slowly estimates the cost. "I think it could cost seven coppers."
Paying the costs Natalak then asks where to find some trinkets and odds.
"Head to the market area young man. You might be in luck today; I heard the merchants are full today."
"And where would that be?"
"Ahh, so, you're a foreigner here."
Natalak nods— tired of chatting, and without even answering the shopkeeper's word, Natalak just went towards the exit.
"I'll be back after two days or so." Natalak answered, before closing the door.
"What a strange man indeed." So says the old woman.
Along the road full of lively people, he finally found the marketplace. And when he suddenly came across a bookshop.
"It would be wise to get a blank book to write something while traveling from this land." Natalak whisper.
After asking the storekeeper for a blank book the man responded in disappointment.
"I'm sorry lad… but this is all we've got. You can look around other stores."
Out of stock Natalak only had a large blank book that contains seven hundred pages. Though it didn't matter and immediately he bought the book.
"Do you know some shop that sells quill for writing?" Natalak asks right after he'd received the book.
"Well, we have some. Though, if you want a better quill, walk towards that path." The man then points to where Natalak came.
"Then go east, there you will see the store that you need." The man continues.
Expressing gratitude towards the man, he then went to the shop where the man points the direction. And while Natalak was stocking some supplies, Ashalain went to the guild for a congregation with her party members.
Running towards the guild to contact her comrades.
"Oh… so you've finally got your sword back." Baron said, sipping a mug of ale.
"Where's sir. Garrick?" Ashalain ignores.
"That old man went to your place looking for you." Baron answered.
"I see, can you contact him?"
"I can but it will cost ya." Baron said
"Okay, I'll pay… just get Sir. Garrick."
While Baron went searching for Garrick, Mishel inquire why Ashalain was in a hurry.
"I will soon tell when we all gather." She answers her.
Minutes later Baron and Garrick finally arrive, holding a meeting at the table. "Since you got your sword back, what are the things we're discussing." Baron implores.
"Nothing much we just have to follow and investigate a man—" Deprived of finishing her words Baron quickly disengages upon hearing her request.
"Ugh, I'm already tired from the past quest can you just take a break once in a while." Baron hastily withdraws from the meeting.
"Wait Baron I didn't—" Ashalain calls.
"Yada-yada-yada…" Baron tiredly replies as he saunters towards the guild bar ordering for a drink.
"Urgh, Baron one day—" Ashalain groans rubbing her forehead.
"Leave him be, so what's this all about." Garrick spoke, eyeing Ashalain intently.
"I don't know but there is something on that man that intrigued me."
"And his name?".
"Natalak, he comes by the name Natalak." Ashalain then brings a piece of cloth from Natalak.
Requesting Mishel to use her magic, a divination to see his track him, Mishel slowly accepts the fabric. Through Mishel's concentrate, a white light engulfs the clothe disintegrating until the small fabric disappears.
"Found him he seems to be, stocking some supplies at the market."
"Good, he hasn't left town yet." Says the paladin, placing her fingers on her chin.
After rehearsing the mind, Ashalain asks Mishel if she still has the polymorph spell that can change one's appearance.
"I only have three scrolls, but it might take me time to cast since this isn't my type of magic."
"That will do." Ashalain nods.
Resuming the divination. "He seems to be going towards the front gate—" Mishel stops, the spell had last.
No moment to waste Ashalain quickly get-up from the table and run towards the exit but Garrick halts.
"Ashalain I would like to have a word with you in private." Garrick seriously implies.
"It would be wise to keep Farenggar at bay." Garrick continues.
"What do you mean sir Garrick?" Ashalain responds.
"I recommend that you best shroud the blade. The mirage won't help concealing it from the long run. And there's someone I first need to speak with before joining with you."
"Dully noted, then we're head first." Replied Ashalain.
At the front gate, hiding at the corner of the alley Mishel cast the polymorph spell turning Ashalain's appearance into a different and younger woman, while Mishel changes her appearance before they rush towards the gate.
Finally gathered some supplies near the market. Natalak ventures to where he once fought the two creatures. Where he felt the presence of darkness after ending the varmints' life. And when he was out of town, Natalak came across a carriage with an old couple.
"Excuse me, do you by any chance traveler to this direction?" Natalak announce, hoping for a ride with the old couple.
"Oh, you mean this road. Yes, we're going to Aghraim you can hop in with us." Says the old man in a crippling voice.
As the wagon begins to set in motion. And not long while Natalak begins to sleep again… a habit of sleeping leisurely, a young woman came running towards the wagon asking for a ride. She seems to be in her twenty-five, but what surprise Natalak most was, she wears enticing paladin armor and a sword sheathed to her waist.
"Is she a high-class adventurer? Bah, fuck it, I'm going to sleep." Natalak concludes before dozing in slumber.