Monster.
The meaning of her name disturbed me. She was named a monster by the people she helped escape. It actually bothers me that she seems unbothered by it.
"Why were you given a name like that? Are you by any chance from the pure demon race?" I asked her forwardly since she looks unbothered by it.
"No my lady." She replied and then looked at Nikathon, he nodded at her as if urging her to speak more.
"I am one of those that escaped Vitlaus Burvis' laboratory." She stated.
"That name.." It was familiar so I rummaged my brain for it.
Vitlaus Burvis was a celebrated genius sorcerer in the neighboring Therodyn Kingdom, located southeast of our Elleveire Kingdom. He was a researcher and a well-known healer. He was known to be kind, good-looking and help those that are suffering from unknown diseases. He was researching on immortality and how to increase one's innate power. His research was his excuse not to let outsiders know where his laboratory was, only his disciples were allowed to know. The king of Therodyn supported him and even gave him an honorary title as an on-call advisor.
But behind all the facade, he was actually diving into inhuman experiments. He bought any kind of race he could buy on the underground black market or from the human traffickers. If a certain one he likes is not for sale, he would poison them and then use weird diseases as an excuse to take them away. A prince of Therodyn kingdom was curious about his laboratory that he sent spies to find out where it was located.
When his laboratory was searched out, hundreds of inhumane experiments were brought to light. Chemeras made from different parts of humans, beasts and non-humans were discovered in filthy, dog-like cages. Human captives, dead and alive, who were about to become lab rats were found in the dungeons. Their were treated like animals, their cells are where they eat, sleep, and discharge. Filthy wouldn't be enough to describe their situation. Wild demon beasts were also in the dungeon but are chained to the wall. Hundreds of remains were unearthed underground. Body parts of different races, some known and others unknown, were preserved in liquid-filled bottles and jars.
The knights that found the laboratory brought the surviving captives with them, including the Chemeras, back to the Therodyn palace. They were said to be given a place to stay in the palace and living expenses but sadly, they all died after a year. Vitlaus Burvis was never caught.
That was what my memory tells me.
Now, a woman not much older than me, is telling me that she was also a survivor from that person. If she is, she would already be in her thirties but she doesn't look like it. I looked her up and down for traces of aging or difference in race yet I found none.
'How old could she be?' I asked myself.
"I was injected with elf blood when I was fifteen my lady," she spoke as if she read my mind. "my body has never aged after."
"Fifteen?" I asked. "I thought you were just around thirteen since you don't look much older than I am."
"It has been thirty-one years since I was injected." She smiled sadly. Nikathon smiled and the others gasped in disbelief at what she said.
"So you are already around.." I counted, "..forty-six years old?"
"Yes my lady."
"But how did you get here?" I asked. " All survivors of the raid thirty years ago died in Therodyn Kingdom after a year. No survivors."
"I am not a survivor from the raid thirty years ago my lady." she clasped her hand in front of her and looked me to the eye. "I was an escapee the year before the raid happened."
She dropped another bomb that took all of us by surprise. By this time the people had gathered around to listen.
"T-then, how did you escaped?" an old man who came to listen chirped in. "It was said that there was never an escapee from that laboratory. It was said to be built to trap anyone who gets in."
"Unless you were brought out by order of Vitlaus Burvis." She smiled coldly.
"How?" I asked her.
" I died." She replied matter of factly.
Her answer made everybody's mouth drop and my eyebrow raise.
"You 'died'?" I questioned.
"I am not sure of what happened myself my lady." she answered. "I could tell you all I can remember if you'd like, but it will probably take a long time."
"I see." I sighed regrettably. "Then do you plan to leave with sir Nikathon and live with his kind?" I looked at her.
"I am planning to leave with them and then travel north again." she answered.
"Where do you plan to go?"
"I am unsure yet my lady, I plan to stay as far away from Therodyn Kingdom as possible" her forehead creased. "Hopefully, I'll get a job as a maid even with my looks."
"How about staying here and work for House Castellan then?" I urged, "We are hiring maids at the moment."
"M-my lady?!" she looked at me wide-eyed. "Are you s-sure you want to take in someone like me?"
"Sure, there is nothing wrong with having a you." I smiled. "Plus, you can continue to tell me how you escaped and what happened after you escaped from the laboratory."
She looked at me and tears started to flow down her cheeks.
"T-thank you.. M-my lady." she cried and smiled at the same time. I patted her on the shoulder and Nikathon patted her on the head.
"Thank you for taking her in my lady." Nikathon smiled at me. "I was really worried about her since she has no one with her. Even if she has elven blood running through her, she is still a little girl physically."
"Don't worry my lady.." Teras sniffled, "there are many things I can do even with this small body."
"Then I look forward to working with you.." I stopped before I call her by her distasteful name. "We should change your name. I don't like it."
"Then, will sir Nikathon grant me a first name?" she smiled at the stunned ox-eared old man.
"Why me?" He asked her.
"Because you are the only elder who accepted me into your clan without doubt." She smiled at him.
Nikathor looked proud at what she said.
"Astrid!" he suddenly blurted out before realizing he spoke too loud and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Astrid means divinely beautiful in our clan, it would suit you perfectly."
"Thank you." She smiled at him before facing me again. "Please call me Astrid my lady."
"Then I shall bestow you 'Uno' as your last name." I gave her a moon brooch that I had pinned on my dress. "From today forward, you shall be Astrid Uno."
"Thank you my lady." She curtsied to me and everyone clapped their hands. Nikathon looked like a proud father puffing his chest out.
"Let's talk about your job after we send them off." I told her as I looked at everyone. They have all finished preparing and are only waiting for us to move.
We all went to the gates together and the people who live close by left after some words of farewell. The rest proceeded to where the portal was located. I opened the portal and let the Southerners go in first since they had more injured people with them. Then I let the others follow after two hours per batch. Nikathor and his clansmen were the last to go through the portal. He told Astrid to take care of herself and to visit his hometown, Arven, which is up north sometimes. He thanked me again and left with his people. I closed the portal after everyone has passed through.
It became quiet now that only Astrid and I are left here. A gust of strong wind blew, shaking the tree leaves. I looked back and Astrid was looking at me.
"Let's go home." I smiled at her
"Yes eldest young lady."