"I am a what again?" asked Syliss.
"A spirit warrior." Angus relied
"and the voice in my head....is a spirit?"
"Yes."
"You both hear a tiny voice too?"
Angus and Ben nodded in agreement. "Yeah...sometimes." Ben said.
"This is a lot to take in.." Syliss sighed sitting on his wheelchair.
"We understand. You don't have to decide to come with us if you aren't ready." Angus said as both are about to stand and give Syliss time to think.
"Are you kidding me!? I can run now!" Syliss exclaimed in his wheelchair, "Well, okay not all the time...but still! This is the best thing that has happened to me!"
"O-okay but you understand we are fighting deadly demons and stuff right?" reminded Ben.
"Who cares!? For once, I can do something, something important. That I can do something. I'm in!" Syliss said cheerfully.
Angus and Ben both smiled in joy. "Well, then welcome to the group Syliss." said Angus, tapping the shoulder of Syliss.
"Thank you! I can't wait to fight those monsters!" Syliss replied
"Well, don't be to rash." Angus chuckled.
"I'm glad you are coming. I hope we will be best of friends." said Ben extending his hand to Syliss.
Syliss reaches for Ben's hand and shakes in agreement. "I hope so too."
Listening to their conversation outside the door was Agnes with a bandage wrapped around her neck. She peeks in and sees Ben, Syliss, and Angus, talking and laughing. Angus noticed her and she quickly hides.
"You know, you don't have to hide." Angus said suddenly arriving near her.
"I-I'm sorry for peaking." She stuttered feeling embarassed. "I just came to thank all of you for saving me and the town."
"Oh yeah, are you feeling okay?" asked Angus, concerned.
"Yes. I guess the bite wasn't that deep so I am fine." She says with a cheerful smile.
Even if the bite wasn't that deep, the venom should still have turned her into a vampire. Maybe I am over thinking this. Angus thought.
"Angus?" Agnes asked, seeing Angus spacing out.
"Ahhh...It's nothing." Angus keeps his concerns to himself. "It probably is nothing." He thinks
"Agnes! How are you feeling?" Ben says appearing from the doorway.
"Is Agnes there?" Syliss makes his way towards them. "Agnes are you feeling better already?"
"Yes, I am fine you guys. Thanks a lot for everything." She said with a cheerful smile.
"Agnes guess what? Angus and Ben are inviting me to go with them on an adventure! Can you believe it? Me? Going on an adventure, fighting evil? It's just unbelievable!" Syliss gushed
Agnes smiles, feeling proud for her friend. "That's great! You better not make trouble for them."
"He really does seem like a different person now doesn't he." Ben says to Angus as Agnes and Syliss talk.
"Well, he seems happier alright." he agreed.
As they continue on with their conversation, little do they know that in the distance something has been watching them. A large, black crow perched on top of a building, has seen the events that have transpired from the arrival of Alexandru. The crow observes them and pays close attention to Agnes.
When Ben and the others disperse, going about their own business, the crow takes flight.
The day goes by, and everyone goes about their own business. Angus is going around town using his power to help repair the damaged buildings and roads, Syliss is packing his belongings for the journey ahead, and Ben is at the clinic of the Inn, talking with Ricardo Da Vinci.
"You people are absolutely incredible!" said Ricardo with a smile, sitting on his bed.
"Not really, we were just trying to help." Ben replied feeling flattered, "By the way, I am sorry about the stone, but it seems to have picked a new owner."
"Don't be silly. If it was the stone's will I am in no position to complain."
"How are your injuries? Are you feeling better?" asked Ben
"I'm feeling better, yes. The doctor says I should be good to go in another day or two." He takes in a deep breath and says, "This place is really great, but I do look forward to going home. I have been away for a long time."
"You mean Romania?"
"Well, I did live there since I was studying under the priest. However, my home is actually in Florentia."
"You're from Florentia!?" Ben exclaimed in surprise. "So am I!"
Ricardo laughs at the coincidence, "Who would have guessed? I wonder how things have changed since? Especially after that incident years ago."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, this happened long ago, and I heard it from one of the merchants that just arrived in Romania. Something about a great fire that burned down half the city. But I am sure things should be better now. I was so worried I even sent a letter to my family, but it seems they were alright."
Ben's smile fades as images start flashing through his mind, and memories of screaming and heat fill his thoughts.
"Ben? Are you ok?"
Ben snapped out of it and forced a smile, "Oh yes. I am fine."
"I'm so sorry. Did you lose someone in that fire?"
"It's ok. Really. I-I don't really recall anything about a fire. I must have been very young then."
After a brief, awkward silence Ben said, "Hey could you do me a favor for when you go back to Florentia?"
"Sure! Its the least I can do." Ricardo said smiling, relieved the silence was broken.
"Thanks a lot." Ben replied looking bright and cheerful again.
Meanwhile, Agnes is pacing around the Inn with nothing to do, just lost in thought. "It was nice for the manager to give me the day off, but I really wanted to work today. Just to get my mind off all this." She happens to be walking towards the clinic when she saw Ben leaving in a rush. "What's he up too?" she wondered to herself.
She follows Ben around, hiding herself so she isn't seen. "Why am I hiding?" She thinks, as her cheeks start to blush. She had followed Ben to the front desk, where Ben asks for a piece of paper, as well as quill and ink. "I wonder what he is going to write about?" she whispered to herself.
"Maybe he is writing you a love letter."
"Don't be silly. Why would he.....he...he...." She turns around to see Angus beside her with a cheeky smile on his face. "A-Angus! W-Where did you come from!?" Agnes shouted, her face flushed in a deep shade of red .
"Well, I was on my way back to my room, but then I saw something interesting." Angus sniggered "Also do you usually talk to yourself? It is weird but cute." Agnes' face turns red and can no longer keep eye contact.
"So why are you hiding from him?" asked Angus.
"I-I don't know. He seems like he is busy. Y-Yes that's it. I just didn't want to bother him." She responded nervously.
"Ohh I see." Angus grabs Agnes' hand and drags her towards Ben. "Let's go see what he is up too then."
"What? Wait! Angus, let me go!" She said trying to resist.
"Hey Ben!" Angus called Ben.
"Oh hey Angus! Done with the repairs?" Ben noticed someone hiding behind Angus, "Uhm, Agnes is that you?"
"Y-Yea. Hi Ben." She greeted nervously.
"Hey. You don't have work today?" He asked smiling at her gently.
"N-No. Not today. The manager asked me to take the day off." She answered feeling flustered yet trying to hide it.
"Well actually, I think your manager was right. Are you feeling okay? You look really red?"
"I-I'm fine really! You don't have to worry!" she says erratically
Ben sees her acting this way and thinks "She looks...cute." He gets flustered as well. "O-Okay. I hope you really are feeling well."
Angus looks at both of them sighing. "Ah young love. Kind of irritating how oblivious this guy can be." He thought as he scratched the back of his head. "Maybe I should just leave these two alone."
"Well, I'll be going back to the room and start packing." Angus announced as he walks away, waving goodbye to the two.
Angus leaves, and Ben and Agnes stand beside each other, still too flustered to look at each other.
"Would you like to sit?" Ben says trying to break the ice.
"Sure. So what are you doing?"
"I'm writing a letter for my grandfather back home."
"That's sweet. I'm sure he is probably worried sick about you."
Ben smiles and nods in agreement. As he writes the letter, he and Agnes talk about each other. Their favorite food, color, place. Agnes talks about her job and the funny things that have happened, and Ben talks about his life in the farm and the adventures he has had recently.
"Spirit warrior huh? I must say it did surprise me when you ran forward and turned to smoke."
"I'm sorry. I guess I am just a bit strange." Ben chuckled.
"I mean Angus can control stone, you can become smoke, and now even Syliss, he can run now and shoot arrows made of light." She said in amazement, "You guys all seem to have this grand destiny ahead of you. It kind of makes me a little jealous."
"Well, to be honest its worries me a bit. I mean it is a big responsibility." Agnes leans in closer to him and holds his hand. Ben looks at her, his eyes widen and his heart races, as she smiles at him beautifully and says to him, "Don't worry. I'm sure you can do it. I believe in you."
They stare into each other's eyes, and their left with no words. Agnes' cheeks start glowing pink, Ben holds her hand a little tighter, and without them knowing, their bodies moved closer to one another. They tilt their heads slightly and start to close their eyes. Suddenly, the sound of crashing plates echo across the room. They moved quickly away from each other feeling flustered. They look away from each other, as the sound of the staff cleaning the mess passes the air.
"I'm sorry! I don't know what happened there." said Ben nervously.
"I-It's alright." She replied.
The mood became awkward, neither of them able to speak. The silence continued for a while until a man walked up to them asking, "Uhm Excuse me. Are you Miss Agnes Sanctus."
"Why yes I am. Is there something you need from me sir?"
"Good day milady. I have come to deliver you some news, regarding your father."
"Oh, I'm sorry to tell you this but my father passed away a few years ago."
"No, not Mr. Sanctus. I mean your biological father."
"What?" she said in disbelief as her eyes widened in confusion.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but could we talk in private?"
Ben starts to stand, understanding that it is a personal matter and he should not interfere. Before he could politely ask to leave, Agnes tugs on his sleeve. "Ben. Please don't go. I need someone with me to hear this."
Ben holds her hand and sits down beside her. He looks at her eyes filled with worry, and nods reassuring her. "If possible I would like my friend to stay with me as we discuss this." said Agnes, trying to hold back her emotions. Looking at how confused Agnes is, the man agrees "Very well."
The three move their conversation to the restaurant. On the table, a cup of tea rests in front of the man, and across the table sits Agnes and Ben, facing him. He takes a sip of the hot drink and begins to speak.
"Thank you for the drink. May I start?" he asked, as his hand shake placing down the cup of tea.
Agnes nodded in agreement, not knowing what to feel. "Why now after all these years? What am I suppose to do if he wants to see me? What is he even like?" She thinks. However, her thoughts were completely irrelevant once she heard what the man said.
"I have come bearing terrible news. Your father has passed away. He died 2 days ago."
"What?" she says feeling confused "Then why are you here now? What purpose is there telling me about this?"
"P-Please let me explain." said the man nervously "Your Father was Radu cel Frumos. The brother of the King of Romania, Sir Vladimir. Y-You are his daughter that resulted from an affair he had many years ago. Your mother died giving birth to you, and he felt that it would be best to hide you from the rest of the royal family."
"How do you know all this?"
"I was the one he requested to take you to that orphanage. My name is Leal, your father's servant."
"Does anyone else know about this?" asked Ben
"Other than me and Sir Radu, Sir Vladimir also knows about this. He swore to not say a word to anyone about it."
Agnes became speechless, as her mind scrambles in confusion. Questions filled her mind, repeating through her head. "I am the daughter of royalty? Why he abandoned me? Why tell me now? Did he even love my mother? Did he even love me?" She remained silent unsure what to feel.
"I know this must come as a shock to you. I'm sorry if I have caused you trouble. The main reason I have come here was to give you this." He hands Agnes an envelope with blood stains at the edges, and at the front a wax seal marked with a royal crest. "It is a letter for you from your father. It was his dying wish that I deliver it to you."
Her emotions take over and almost immediately, she pried off the seal and pulls out the paper. Although stained with blood in some areas, the text could still be read. The letter read:
My Dearest child,
You do not know how many times I have written this letter. I thought about how I could get you to forgive me, but I have come to accept that you may never will. I know you must have a lot of questions, but what's most important is that you know that your mother and I loved you very much. Her name was Lea Amare. I regret to tell you that while I was in love with your mother, I had been engaged to a different woman. I could never tell her that. One day she told me that she was pregnant with you, and I was thrilled. However, on the day you were born, your mother grew ill. Before she died, she held you close and kissed you sweetly. She told you she loved you with all her heart. After a few moments, she passed away.
With her gone, I felt weak. I turned to my brother for help, and asked him what I should do. No one else could know that I am a father to a child with a woman who was not my fiancè. In my moment of weakness I took my brothers advice and had you sent away, in hopes you would find a nice, and happy life. I regretted it, every second of the day.
I am deeply sorry for all I have put you through. Lastly, for your safety, do not come to Romania.
Love,
Your Father
"Why is there blood on it?" she asked.
The man clutched his hands together, and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. "Your father was murdered."
"Murdered? By who?"
"I don't know. When I found him he was already half dead. He simply handed me this letter he kept in his coat pocket, and asked me to give it to you."
Agnes stood up holding the letter in her hand. "Thank you sir. This is a lot to take in, but I would appreciate it if you would leave now."
"Of course. Once again I apologize."
"There is no need. Thank you for everything you have done."
"Oh, by the way. I would advise you to not go to Romania. Terrible things have been happening there. Take care miss." The man leaves without another word.
Agnes sits back down with Ben at her side. "I'm sorry Ben for getting you mixed up in all that."
"Don't worry about it." He responded.
"Ben?"
"Yes?"
"Will you take me with you to Romania?"
"What? Why?"
"I just have to know more about this. This can't be all there is to it." She said with her head hung low.
Ben looks at Agnes, he places his hand over her shoulder as she turns to him with teary eyes. "I will see what I can do. Why don't we talk to Angus and Syliss."
Later in the day, they both got Syliss and Angus together and told them the whole story. They both sat in awe, at the sudden turn of events.
"You are the daughter of a Sir Radu cel Frumos?" exclaimed Syliss.
"And he has been murdered." Inserted Angus. "Are you sure you want to go? There are dangers up ahead. The Vampires you saw last night were just the beginning."
"Yes. I am sure." said Agnes
"You might die."
"I don't care."
"Don't be stupid." barked Angus. Hearing those words Agnes' emotions turned to rage.
"What do you mean stupid!? Is it stupid to want to know more about your family!? Is it stupid to want to know about your mother!?"
Angus glared at her as if feeling irritated. "No. Wanting to know more about your mother or family is fine. What's stupid is that you do not care if you die." Agnes fell silent, feeling remorseful. "Do you realize what we would feel if you would get hurt? How Ben or Syliss feel if you were gone?"
"I-I'm sorry."
"Agnes..." Angus took a deep breath and spoke calmly once again, "...if you want to come with us, it will be fine. Just make sure to stay close so we can protect you alright?"
She looks up at Angus and Syliss smiling at her. "We will do what ever we can to help. I feel like even if I try to stop you, you will go anyway So I just wanted you to know that you shouldn't think about dying and we can keep an eye on you" Angus said smiling
"Yeah! And don't you worry. If anything happens I will defend you." Proclaimed Syliss
Her tears start to flow as a smile grows on her face. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Well, you better start packing. It's a long way to Romania." said Ben.
Agnes wipes the tears of her eyes and nods, smiling. "I'll go and get started then."
Early the next day, they all met at the center of town. Angus dressed with his usual hoodie, and Ben in his jacket. Syliss arrived a few moments later dressed in a long sleeved, blue tunic, and brass goggles on his head. He rode on his wheelchair with a bag tied behind it. After a few minutes, Agnes arrived. The three were amazed at her beauty. She walked towards them dressed in leather riding boots that covered her shins, a white, single piece dress that reached just above her knees, a white cape with a hood, and a small bag for her belongings.
As the sun rises in the horizon, they start walking along the path, saying farewell to the lovely town of Timisoara.