"I see… You're new here?" The woman in front of me asked as she continued examining my whole being.
"What kingdom are you from? Are you some sort of a spy?" I shook my head, refusing to say a word.
"What kingdom are you from?" she repeated.
I sighed. I need to think of a word. "Flauzia." Her brows knitted. Probably confused what kingdom did I just said.
I looked down to hide a smirk.
I cleared my throat before looking at her again.
"If you may excuse me." I was about to walk away when she speak up again.
"Flauzia. I haven't heard of that before." I stopped and turned around to face her.
"We are just a small tribe ma'am." I answered her in a small voice. She nodded and ushered her hands for me to walk away. I bowed a little before walking again.
I let out a sigh when I noticed that I was already far away from them.
Instead of continuing buying foods for stock, I decided to go home. I walked towards the insides of the forest.
"Damn, that was close." I whispered to myself while walking back to my house.
I went inside and saw Celestine and my other cat. I think it's best if I should give him a name.
'Kounder'
I smirked. What a weird name you have.
"Hey, you two. Let's go to the river." They immediately walked towards me as I gather weapons to be prepared in case of what will happen.
I looked down and saw them sitting while looking up to me.
I gestured my hands for them to follow me as I walk through the woods.
Minutes of walking, and at last, we heard the sound of the river. Celestine and Kounder quickly ran towards the water but Kounder stop.
He looked at me before sitting back near a stone.
"You don't like water?" He glanced at me before looking at Celestine who's happily playing in the water.
I sighed and was about to take off my clothes when someone spoke behind me. I quickly get my knife from my boots and turned around to face the owner of the voice.
"Stop," he said in a low tone. I looked at him closely and saw a man with a deep brown eyes. Thick dark brows. Pointed nose. Pinkish lips. Defined jawline.
"Who are you?" I asked him while holding the knife behind me. He was with his brown horse.
"I'm Asher. Son of the King of Kondemnia. I'm looking for an old woman. Who are you?" He asked me back.
"I am...Cia." I didn't lie. My name is Alessia.
He was nodding his head slowly before putting his sword back to his hips which I didn't noticed earlier.
"Cia...have you seen an old woman? Her name is Alessia. Known as the best fighter. I am tasked to look for her."
Shit. I knew it. They will find me sooner. But...old woman?
I wanted to laugh but stop myself.
I cleared my throat before answering him.
"I haven't seen someone here other than..." I look behind me, "...cats."
I looked at him again and saw him looking at me intently.
"Why are you living in this dark forest? Are you one of the people of Kondemnia?" I shook my head.
"Flauzia. But I transferred here for some reason. Don't worry, I'm not here for something. I just want to live a simple life here."
"Flauzia? I haven't heard of that before."
"It's just a small tribe."
"But no one is allowed to stay here." he told me seriously.
"If no one is allowed to stay here..." I looked at his eyes. "...then why are you looking for that old woman here?" I smirked inwardly.
"Because..." it looks like he was taken aback.
"Anyways, I can't help you with what you are looking for. Can you leave now?" I informed him respectfully. He nodded his head before looking behind me and back to me again.
"I will not tell the King about our encounter. Especially that he strictly inform our Kingdom that no one is allowed to stay here. Even just to visit." he said and was about to walk away when I spoke.
"Why?" I asked him. Why won't he tell his father that someone is living in this dark forest?
He looked at me again before answering.
"Just because." He said while looking at me intently. His eyes full of seriousness. He bowed his head a little before walking away with his horse.
I heard my cat made a noise so I quickly look at them and was shock to see Kounder in the water, trying to save his life. I quickly ran towards him and picked him up.
He was scratching my chest while he's in my arms. Afraid that he might fall to the water again.
"You okay?" I asked him and he made a sound. How did he get here anyway?
Instead of taking a bath in the river, I decided to go home. I'll just go back here later and leave these two in the house.
We walked back to our house but suddenly, Celestine stopped.
She was walking in front of me while Kounder was in in my arms.
"Celestine, move." I told her but instead of walking straight, he turned left and slowly walked towards the woods.
It was darker out there. I have never been there.
I was about to call Celestine when I heard a creak from where my cat is going.
What the heck? Is someone out there?
I followed Celestine and stopped in front of the big tree. I slowly looked up and saw a man, it looks like he is targeting someone.
"Hey!" I bravely called him. He quickly put down his bow and looked down to me. His brows furrowed before jumping down.
"You are?" I asked him.
"Deylan," He said in a small voice. It looks like he was younger than me.
"Why are you up there? And you're targeting who?"
"A mission. I'm from Kondemnia. Who are you?"
"Cia." He nodded.
"I'm looking for an old woman. Her name is Alessia. Have you seen one?" I shook my head.
"Someone asked me earlier too. Why are you looking for that woman?"
He looked at me seriously. A long silence enveloped us. I continued staring at him until he sighed, defeated.
"We need her."