I turned back to look at the bandit who laid unconscious on the ground as I weighed my options. I could tie him up and question him as he is a key witness... or should I not spare him... since what he last said in their conversation was quite...
As I contemplated on my desicions, voices echoed from the entrance of the cave. I mentally cursed myself for contemplating too long and searched for a hiding spot. My magic seemed to be unable to work, which was a bad thing to happen now as I was caught in between a rock and a hard place. I can't use light magic to refract the light to a different angle to throw them off like earlier. I spotted a chest, probably to store weapons, and quickly dove into it; hoping no one would think to open it.
***
"Damn, even the boss is out. Lucky we weren't here when the surprise attack occurred. Hahahha. What do you think Raoul?" a man questioned as heavy footsteps crunched on the dirt floor. They must be wearing heavy boots... or armour... I dared not to steal a glance at the risk of being found; so I settled for listening instead. Eavesdropping, perhaps, but no one but me knows that. Haha...
"Hmph, I doubt it'd be much of a challenge. The boss was weak. Isn't that why he hired us to do his dirty work? ... Can't believe you agreed to it. What an idiot." I assumed the man named Raoul said. "Huh, who? Me?" "... Obviously... Tsk. Raven, we better leave. Let him get caught. Our agreement ends tonight. If he blabs, you know what to do... ... Cover the tracks." Raoul continued as his voice faded off.
I sighed a sigh of relief, thinking that they'd both gone. Only to hear the crunching of footsteps leading straight to the chest I hid in. My heartbeat skyrocketed as I stared at the small crack in the chest. Someone is here... right in front of me... Shi--
"-earch the area!" a voice yelled from a distance, growing louder as I heard a tsk coming from above the chest. "You got away this time. But I'll get you next time." the man said as the sound of his footsteps faded off deeper into the cave.
I didn't move as I soaked in the relief from that nerve wrecking experience. Hard to calm down but at least I know the new batch of people ransacking this area might not know me...
"She has to be here! Leave no rock unturned! We MUST find her! It is our grave mistake as a knight if we can't even find her after losing her during the battle." a familiar voice rang throughout the cave. I perked up at the thought that it could be my knights but decided not to get excited as I may be wrong.
I sat quietly in the chest until the chest was cracked open in a sudden, blinding me from the light for a second. Oh no... I'm doo-- Oh.
"Miss Lily! I'm so glad it really is you. I was worried it might just be a lingering scent." Xavier said as he pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly. "Uhmm... Xavier?" I questioned as I patted him gently on the back.
Xavier gasped as he pulled back quickly and bowed his head in repentance as he apologised for his behaviour. "M-miss Lily! Please, forgive my indiscretion! I didn't mean to-... I'm sorry! I was just so happy to see you!" Xavier went on as he fervently bowed his head, making me think of the bobbing head doll usually seen in the window of cars.
"It's fine... I... I'm actually glad you did that... I was shaking pretty badly earlier... Oh, I mean... It was a terrifying moment... So... a familiar face calmed me down quickly." I replied as I smiled at him sweetly, taking in his droopy ears and puppy dog eyes. How cute.
"Xavier! Did you... Ah! Young Miss! Thank God you're safe! ... Xavier was so anxious, he was so swift to find you, that we couldn't keep up with his pace. Thank goodness you're alright. He had such a scary expression when he noticed the group of bandits talking about a girl they kidnapped." Xavier's tutor said as he patted Xavier on the back after affirming my safety.
"Wha- no... I wasn't... That... anxious... coughs..." Xavier muttered as his face flushed red and his tail drooped, wrapping itself around his thigh. I smiled as I then remembered what I had planned to do before the chaotic situation earlier. "Bring that man with us... Make sure he's tied up securely. I've got things to ask him..." I said, thinking of my phrasing as I mentally slapped myself. That obviously sounded like I was going to torture him. Sigh... too late to rephrase it...
As I exited the cave with my knights, from the corner of my eyes I noticed a flash of dark wisps cloaking the area. I spun around to search for the source, but it dissipated into nothing as I scratched my head at the sight.
***
"So... that's the apostle of light... Heh... hehehe... HEHEHEHEH!" a voice cackled in the darkness of the cave as their laughter echoed within every inch and crevice of the dark void. "Ah... I can't wait to see how our plans unfurl... Kekekeke... Lily..." the voice breathed as the laughter filled the empty dark space once more.