He breathed steadily, the cold air forming little mist puffs as he breathed out in simultaneous and even patterns.
Built like a lumberjack but with the face of an accountant a regular Kent type but with the silver hair and small horns characteristic of most dragon born. His clothes were ordinary so I surmised that he wasn't of royal blood and it was relatively safe to associate with him so long as he didn't cause trouble.
I remembered his eyes when he had held me before, the warmth of his chiseled body which made its form obvious even through his clothes, his eyes which had made me weak and willing to give up remaining strong in my mind. I inhaled and tried hard for a second, tried to forget them, the distinct silver in his eyes.
It does something to you.
Even now I still remember Jiya's eyes as they peered into mine. I shook my head to get rid of the thought and tried to focus on something else.
The tattoo like marks had remained on my arms forcing me to wear gloves to avoid any suspicious eyes.
But even as they'd remained it seemed only to be as a reminder of what I had done.
No power could be felt behind them and I still couldn't feel my core or even feel the world energy or ki for that matter.
It just seemed as if they had all disappeared. Forcibly taken from me when Jiya nullified my core.
I sighed, it seemed that no matter what I did, I simply couldn't escape the guilt.
The allure the power of hou gave me at that time had gone completely, replaced instead with regret, nausea and repulse even.
"You waited."
I turned to face him his eyes had locked into me again, his eyes, eyes that I could just sink into.
"Why do you follow me?" I breathed as he placed a hand on his forehead where the red mark had been.
He smiled again weakly this time as he adjusted his posture against the wall leaning back and finally looking away.
"May I know your name first?" He asked, he had a strong voice but at the same time calm and he seemed sincere enough, however. I couldn't let him know who I really am, "it's lily," I fibbed.
He looked at me with a seriousness that seemed as if he saw through me completely.
"W... Well?" I asked softly, had he seen through my lie?
He smiled again "would you be interested in pretending to be my wife?"
"Ugh!" I knew it! Why do I always attract the crazy ones?
"Haven't you noticed?" I asked softly "I'm human. Sworn enemy of your people."
"Hmm.." he seemed to want to be sure of his next words before saying them.
"I... just hate seeing what you're going through and you don't seem to have anyone, a family to protect you so I thought maybe if you were mine I would be able to at least keep people from hurting you."
"Are you really that stupid?" I asked in a more serious tone "I'm sure you know that doing something like that will only get you alienated as well. It won't protect me and it certainly won't protect you."
He sighed.
"Besides you're not my type." I stated before getting up "I'll only bring turmoil and chaos to your life so I suggest giving up."
He seemed hurt as I turned to leave but still "lily." He called and I paused, I wanted to punch him for not knowing when to take a hint, not that it would do anything to that hot... hmm.
I turned only partially just to show that I'd hear him out but I would still leave regardless of what he said.
He had taken out a handkerchief "there's blood." He stated motioning to the corner of his mouth.
"What?" I asked partially confused only realizing after, that he meant me.
I touched my lower lip and winced, there was blood on my finger tip.
I sighed.
And wiped the blood with my sleeve.
"I don't need it." I replied "but thanks."
I turned to leave.
"I live just on the outskirts of town, in the ugly red house by the forked path that leads into the woods, if you need anything, a meal or a room I'm happy to accommodate you anytime." He tried again.
I continued until I was far enough that he would no longer see me before holding onto a post to steady myself.
The dizziness from the punch earlier still hadn't worn off.
I wanted to puke but I knew I couldn't afford it.
I had just enough ember pieces to purchase a meal but it was hard since I risked getting into a fight every time I tried.
The man from earlier, I wonder what his name was?
The promise of a hot meal sounded pretty tempting right now but
I knew however that such a thought would only lead to trouble, for us both.
Now... I just have to leave town as soon as possible I'd get a meal at the next town as its too risky trying again here..
I pulled out my map, it was something I had acquired sometime ago it mapped most of the towns in the continent and the next town... I groaned audibly, it was pretty far, more than 2 days walk to the the closet one.
"Damn it! that's just my luck!" Complained a passerby as I adjusted my coat to hide my identity as much as possible before putting the map away. He seemed upset about something and he wasn't trying to hide it.
"Damn shadow legion army making things difficult for everyone using the gates to the town just because of some human scum!" his companion seemed to share the sentiment.
Shadow legion army? Are they looking for me?
Why?
My curiosity urged me towards the gate. Soon I was close enough to see the guards posted at the gate some woman in white clothes pointing and barking orders at them while they hurried in different directions fulfilling their commands.
Most of which simply stood guard bearing lethal weapons, Spears and axes even blades similar to the one I had taken from Jiya the same one which hung by my side hidden by my coat.
Still what drew my attention was the lady who seemed to be in command.
Who is she?
She seems different somehow, unable to put my finger on it I decided to get closer the gate.
It stood tall seemingly built to stop and invasion more than for commuters.
Then again saying it was tall just doesn't do it justice.
Luckily for me there was a building close enough, shorter than the wall yes and too far to help in anyway in climbing over it. That however wasn't my objective.
Stealthily I circled the building next to it careful not to let the guards see me.
Yes!
Most of the buildings here had stairs at the back that led to the roof and this one was no exception, of course with my enhanced physique I could easily leap to the roof but that wasn't an option now as I still needed to replenish my strength.
I really had no idea why I was so curious, maybe I just wanted to know why they were looking for me or why that lady seemed so familiar either way I made my way to the roof hiding behind one of the structures on top while peeking down on the mysterious lady who hadn't noticed me. Still shouting at the guards, I still couldn't make out what she was saying or what she looked like with her back faced to me but I could tell that she was really beautiful and in a hurry.
Her blond hair reflecting the sun as she turned here and there.
So curious, why is it that she....
I gasped audibly when she suddenly turned in my direction.
That...
That bitch!
My blood instantly boiled with rage!
She was the third person from that time! One of the persons who one took master!!
Without thinking I leaped from the roof at her pulling my blade midair bringing it down on her with all my might and fury! It rebounded with a resounding clang pushing me back a few feet.
She had parried the blow with her own sword one far greater and more majestic than my own.
Regardless of this I dashed towards her using every last drop of energy I had attacking her again and again each time she parried I would hit harder and faster but she would easily keep up with me.
There was only one option!
Pulling back the blade I aimed the point at her sword trusting with the weight of my whole body behind it.
If you keep blocking my advances the only thing I can do in return is to go through your defenses!
I intended to go through her sword, or at least break it, but that gave her the chance she'd been looking for. In a flash my blade was deflected upwards and her blade aimed at my neck.
I was now completely surrounded by soldiers.
"Lower your blade," she ordered "slowly!" She was fiercely beautiful, her looks could put both mine and Jiya's to shame.
I did as I was told, "why are you looking for for me?" I seethed as she took my blade.
"Looking for you?" She replied as she handed it to one of the soldiers. "Who is?"
Eh? Does she not remember me?
Or perhaps...
She held up her blade and it subsequently disappeared seemingly sucked into a ring on her hand.
It was an item I knew all too well, a subspace storage device. Wasn't the one Jiya had the last one?
Two of the guards placed their hands on my shoulders signifying that I not move or else.
"I'm looking for this man," she stated holding out her hand as a guard placed a rolled up poster in her hands. She quickly unrolled it, showing me the portrait.
This was undoubtedly the man who had saved me before but he was definitely dragon-born not human.
"But this man doesn't look human," I interjected finally able to suppress my anger. "
"And why would he?" she added before "Do you even know who I am?"
I shook my head.
"I'm vehatra, protector and representative of the humans." she mused folding her arms and smiling "Your quite skilled at using your blade, so ill make you an offer!"
"Eh?" this had caught me completely by surprise. "you're Vehatra?" but that, cant be … I am...
She ignored my query.
"There quite a number of humans here and my job is to protect them but since you attacked me that makes things difficult even if you are human." she waved the two guards away who bowed and went back to their post. "I'd like to keep an eye on you but I'd prefer not to let those skills go to waste by having you imprisoned, so join my brigade as my number two."
"Why would I join you?" I asked.
"I can see that you've had a hard time with..." she pointed at my face the punch earlier had probably left a noticeable bruise, "You seem to like getting into fights which means I can use you. Not to mention if you join, you'll have three square meals a day."
I sighed, another crazy one.
She held out her hand assuming that I'd already accepted her request. "I'm Aurelia." I looked at her hand and then back at her. "You lost , so you're mine and under more formal conditions I'd love to accept another challenge not that you'd win but until then you're mine loser, so don't make me drag you."