The road was bumpy but the carriage driver navigated them well. We had been on the road for three days, about another half a day from Gehenna. I left Donatello behind begrudgingly to keep an eye on the villiage. He crowed and chirped in a weird way, but stayed like I asked him to. This was a monster expedition, I couldn't risk one of the knights turning on him when I wasn't looking. From the reaction of the other guards, it would be too tiresome to explain. As much as it hurt, it would be better to have him protect them because I would be unable to after. My chest hurt at the thought of his face and my unknown fate. Of course nothing would go to plan. In anticipation for arrival, I had adorned the dress that Meredith had given me when I left. I had changed in the carriage. Years of changing in my car to go to work made it easy but it was still difficult. I managed to fall forward after a buyout, my face landing I the opposite seat across from me. I kept dropping garments as I pulled them on, making it a herculean task but I managed to wrestle it on. It truly reminded me of something a Saintess from a fantasy book or show would wear. It was a form fitting dress, with a sweetheart neckline for the bust. Floral and butterfly lace made a turtleneck and sleeves, looping around with gold thread at my middle finger but left my palm exposed. There were blue crystal accents across my bust and touched of blue in the lace. The skirt was flowy and soft, embroidery of butterflies down it. On the train there was a intricate scene of a magic circle and rabbits and butterflies made in pale blue and gold threads. There were slits on either side that showed my legs almost seductively. They went up all the way to my hip on either side. I was wearing white lace stocking, a cool gold garter on either of my thighs. My feet were bear. With the outfit, I sensed a magical aura coming off of it. The garment was blessed, filling the space around me with warmth. Every once in a while butterflies made of light danced around me, as did the vision of light rabbits. I didn't know what the Blessing was on this garment, but my mana seemed more sturdy. I also couldn't feel the floor underneath me. My feet were warmed from magic, and there was a protective barrier under my feet to act as shoes. I recognized this garment as soon as I put it on. It was the sane one the statue of Diana wore in out chapel. I didn't know why Meredith would give me so precious or why. I also didn't know how it fit every curve perfectly. I still had my white fleece shawl around my shoulders because some of my scars were visible. The one on my calf very much so through the slit and the lace. Even though I was dressed up like a Saintess, I was just a dolled up lamb to the slaughter. I had been informed that I would be the only healer there, as well as the fact that each country sent out anywhere between one hundred to one hundred and fifty soldiers and mages. Meaning that I was responsible for healing anywhere between three hundred to four hundred and fifty people. The only did huge raids once a week, and then small hunting parties until the beginning of the next month Letita. It was already almost the end of the first week, and I couldn't stop my nerves from shaking. Lupin had sent word of our arrival time when we left Jarlvic, and had already told me that they would time their first all out raid for my arrival. I was trapped in this carriage otherwise. I slept and ate in here, only allowed to leave to go to the bathroom. Lupin had intentionally isolated me in there, mocking me and telling me that I was too frail for 'real work'. I would glare at him but bite my tongue, at most making a quip back at him. I was threatened by his presence however, my gut telling me to stay quiet around this man. Even when we camped out, I had a pillow and a blanket I brought from the sanctuary and slept on the red carriage seats. It was the Dukes carriage so the colours matching the asthetic he had of black, red, white and gold. The top of the carriage had crystals implanted in it for light, and the outside had the brand of a wolf of Hraesvelgr. No bandit dared to near us. I was looking out the window, watching the knights circle me and the treeline whizz by. Lupin was outside the window I was looking out now, looking a little bit darkened and annoyed. His expression made me even more nervous. He had told me that my presence was probably unessecary and only precautionary, but I knew he could tell there was a heaviness in the air. I could almost sense evil thickening the air as we got closer. It was a disturbing feeling. The road got worse and I heard stones and branches beneath us. Lupin turned to me and met my gaze with his scarlet eyes. I met it, refusing to turn away. His stare made me feel sticky, like spiders were making webs on my skin. It was unpleasant, calculating. Like I was livestock he didn't know was useful to him but hadn't made a full decision yet. He could only see my face not my attire, since I covered up my upper body with my shawl. I didn't want his eyes on me like this, but I knew that I would need to wear a blessed garment for my mana. He turned away, laughing to himself when he saw me pull my shawl closer. His gaze was clearly mocking, and my heart was pounding painfully. These kinds of looks I was used to from my old like and that nightmare of a mansion I escaped from. I hadn't encountered them for so long that they hurt me more than I remembered. I clutched my chest, stopping my swaying heart. My mind flashed to everyone in Jarlvic, feeling a soothing feeling take over my limbs.
"Its strange. The closer we get to Gehenna, monsters should be coming out and attacking us." The carriage driver-- Mason I believed-- called out. I thought it was odd as well. Not once had we been attacked on our drive. I thought that bandits wouldn't attack because if the heavily armed guards. I didn't even think about monsters coming out if the woods. Then again, I met Donatello outside of the woods and not only that but very close to the capital. It never occurred to me that his existence was odd there, or why he was there. I felt even more foreboding feeling creep under my skin.
"Let's count that as the Feronia's blessing." Lupin laughed outside. The other knights chuckled as well, and I scowled at the disrespectful behaviour. Feronia was one of Diana and Rivialle's children, and was intune with nature and animals. She could tame them with a look. Her descendants were passed down with that ability but two hundred years ago the house was wiped out from internal conflict. The power disappeared from the world completely, making the House Thyne become a laughstock that is mocked to this day. I rolled my eyes, not impressed with their carefree attitude. I was a lamb brought to the slaughter, and yet my butchers were carefree and tricksters. I gripped my skirt between my tight hands and lifted my head to look at the gems in the carriage like stars in the sky. No matter what happened when I arrived, everyone I treated would see the sky that night. I would make sure of that.
The forest reeked of evil. It was a thick brush of dense trees and vegetation. It looked more like a jungle than a forest. Fog rolled out of it When, tinted purple. It was was aura of darkness flooding it like a plague. The camp was pulled back about fifty feet from the forest. When I arrived, tents were laid out scattered. It was easy to tell who was who's. Pure white one's was the imperial knights, red ones being from the Archduke. Theosia was known very well for their wealthy and colourful attire. I was assuming that the luxurious purple ones were from there. As for Cretor, they were known for war and resourcefullness. The burlap and patchy one's with large weapons outside of it I assumed we're from there as we. I looked out the window and saw very minimal people milling about. They seemed to be patrolling, and they were all stiff.
"Alright milady, we are here." Lupin barked out loudly. He was probably trying to do it under the guise of trying to tell through the glass, but it was clear he was trying to make a scene. The knights from the three nations that heard started talking amongst themselves and shouting. I felt humiliation flood my system. This entire trip Lupin incessantly mocked me, trying to get a continuous rise out of me but I fed him no reaction. Now he was parading me like a showdog in front of the knights. The healers were know as greedy bastards in this world, and there was conflict between the knights and the guild. So I knew where their anger was coming from. Their raids and schedule was thrown out of tune because of their actions, and now I an innocent bystanders must suffer on their behalf. Very befitting with my fate. A small group gathers of about twenty men. I noticed that only one of the Archduke's men were included in that, a large buff scary looking man with a scar across his eye, bald head and fluffy greying beard. There were four pale haired imperial knights, three men and one woman. The woman was mesmerizing, her dark chocolate skin in contrast with her pale blonde hair. Seven were wearing thick leather armour, covered from weapons from head to toe and scars. This time the majority were women, four to be exact. Their hardened exterior screamed Cretor. The rest were all darker skinned and wearing colourful intricate clothing. Beads and gold tassles dangle from their clothes. Half were men and half were women. They all had swords and daggers at their sides and had jeweled eyes. My palms started to sweat. Again the novel was mocking me, and every man and woman here were stunning. The humiliation was immense, being paraded around in front of them while I had a subdued violin figure and average looks in comparison. Lupin mounted off his black horse and stood by the door. I slipped off the shawl from the shoulders and placed it on the carriage bed, taking in deep breathes. I could hear people talking outside, but my mind was racing. It felt like I was about to make a grand speech, my stomach churning. The door swung open and sunlight poured in.
"Let me introduce you to the 'saviour' that so graciously volunteered to be here." I could hear the sneer in voice. He held his hand out but when his smug eyes met mind he froze. His face suddenly turned a bright scarlet. I tried to be stoic but his scarlet face made me flush myself. I didn't know why he was suddenly flushed, but I was already humiliated from his previous actions. I ignored his open hand to help me down, and climbed down myself, the knights growing quiet as I did so. The dress swayed around me almost like magic, the butterflies and rabbits made of light flying around me more as I moved, something I was unaware of. It wasn't taking any of my mana to do that either nor did I really have any control. All eyes were on me-- eye in one case as one woman from Cretor had an eyepatch. I stood in front of them, pink faced and trying to hold back tears. I was never good at holding back my emotions when they were so fierce, and their gaze made me fidget. I felt exposed with such tight clothes on, wishing I had a hoodie and yoga pants at that moment.
"H-Hello. My name is R-Rhea. I will do my best for you." I stammered, bowing my head to them. I could only think about what they thought. A mere child bowing her head and shaking like a newborn fawn, I was pathetic to them. So tiny that a strong gust of wind could have blown me over.
"Where did that spicy attitude who called Lupin a jackass go?" I felt a hand rest on the top of my head, pulling me back to standing. I turned, to see the gruff voice belong to Mason. I hadn't seen him the whole journey since he was driving the carriage most the time and Lupin was the one who escorted me everywhere to mock me.
"She has a good eye." One of the Theosian women giggled, her braided hair glittering with gold beads wrapped I them. Her eyes were what drew me in-- a clear sparkling blue like two sapphires. They were even more stunning than Agatha's. The others laughed, and I felt like the tables were turning. Suddenly I didn't feel their judging gazes, but one's of relief. Lupin grumbled under his breath, glaring daggers at the woman. Her amethyst eyes glared back, and everyone laughed at his snarl.
"Welcome Lady Rhea." The large man from the Archduke bowed his head, the only one who remained stoic and level headed.
"Y-You can just call me Rhea." I offered them a small smile and they went quiet. The Cretor woman with the eyepatch prowled over to me and I tensed up, Mason's hand still on my head so I was immobilized. She had black hair down in a French braid, tanned and scarred skin. She wore brown leather armour with red accents, her arms completely bare to show her intense muscle definition. She was much taller than me, almost six feet so when she stopped in front of me I had to crane my head up. Her single ruby eye searched my face. She brought her hands to my face, and slapped them gently to my cheeks.
"How old are you?" Her question bewildered me and but I couldn't move my face from how she was squishing it.
"I'll be eighteen in three months." I tried to say with squished lips. Her face was still unreadable as she searched mine some more.
"You're too pure to see such tragedy." She let me go and wandered away closer to the forest and away from the crowd, as if she was expecting something. Her words were kind, but they were laced with knowing. It also wasn't the first time someone had referenced to me that way. The soldiers started to disperse, Lupin's grand act to embarrass me falling short. I didn't have to think about what that woman's words meant, because it was not even an hour later when the pounding of horse hooves were thundering the ground. Lupin was trying to find a place for me to stay, Mason setting up a straw bed for me in the medical tent in the middle of the sea of tents the size of a circus tent. They were clearly anticipating many wounded, and their assumption was correct. It was when we heard the clear scream of agony that my blood ran cold as ice. The raid was over, and the wounded were immense.