"It's not impossible," Lord Phraselm whispered to himself that Iulian and the maid heard. Marriage is not impossible, he meant.
Both made a soundless chuckle. They know for sure that Lady Radelaine's best interest is becoming Lord Phraselm's.
"I think it's time for us to let the young lady rest. Let us take our leave and go." Master Bingen flashed a smile to Radelaine and the men in the room individually, "Don't leave the lady alone tonight," he said to the maid and turned his back, and out of the room they go.
They walked the same route they walked that leads to the library. Phraselm is a little nervous about the way Master Bingen is eyeing him now and then.
"I know, you've liked the lady for a long time milord and I don't know why she ended up in your manor without her family by her side when she is sick but I did not ask for I don't want to pry..." he paused in words and his walk, "... but I am a Magistri from the temple and customs are my values, I have to say it breaks my heart that even nobles nowadays are losing these customs."
Lord Phraselm, an advocate (lawyer), never really cared much for customs and traditions when there has been a clear boundary between the canon law and the crown for the longest time. Things have changed since the territories were divided.
He meant no disrespect to the temple, however. His mother was a follower and their principles were kept intact according to their beliefs. He didn't mean to offend Master Bingen so he is feeling guilty.
Master Bingen proceeded to walk and as they reached the stairs he said, "Truly, I am in no position to meddle in your affairs as noble people. You made no hindrance to relive the town to assuage. Need not bother the words of this old man who also has old traditions so I hope you forgive my outburst." with deep regret, he apologized.
"Magistri, not a trouble at all. I did not wish to affront you in any way." Lord Phraselm negated the Magistri. He somehow feels obligated to abide by the customs now that he is reminding him.
Master Bingen admires the status that serves the people in this town, Little West. His family has been running the small town to little milestone victories; explored a route for trading in fish port, opened a marketplace for shopkeepers and traders, and more.
The Magistri sighed and continued, "I'll have your servants see me off. It's a pleasant opportunity to see the young lady again." He went down the stairs with the servant.
Master Bingen couldn't defend more of these customs that were established by the temple as the temple itself defies it. He is ashamed of what it had become.
"This is why we need a 'lady of the house', isn't that right?" Iulian said as he is trying to lead away the sternness that they had. He meant that if Sir Herelph Nemago isn't looking for a new wife, the heir should then be but to Lord Phraselm, Iulian is steering to get him to lament the death of his mother.
Lord Phraselm looked at his cousin with a strict-bearing demeanor.
"That is not what I meant cousin. Well... should we work on the contract for the mercenaries now?" Iulian objected to the way Phraselm looks at him.
"I was looking for you about it, let's go the hall. " Lord Phraselm remembered he has some other things on the list he has to do before he could fall into his deep slumber.
He was just winding up Iulian, not serious about it. He knew he was just trying to divert the conversation earlier.
"Yeah, I figured when I saw you holding that parchment," Iulian replied as he point his finger at his hand still holding the parchment.
They went down the stairs and then to the right where the hall is to discuss the matters for the contract. This was rather a long-stretched task for the Advocate Lord Phraselm and his Legal Proctor Iulian owing to the fact that the mercenary company of Little West has gotten a little difficult to set a deal with.
"Mr. Mockler demanded to increase by 3 marks of gold. They're delusional about that because that's 3 marks higher than a farm hand. I'm starting to think they are demanding us instead of the King." Iulian reported that they sat in the hall at a long table for 15 people.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
[BACK TO THE GARDEN FOREST WITH LADY GEIYRA, LORD PHRASELM, & IULIAN]
Lord Phraselm picked three winter cloaks Lady Geiyra was talking about and almost immediately what he heard from the officials stunned him for a second.
"Only two sets of bones were found and one was burned so much there were no remains; human ashes were believed to be found. Seeing these townspeople's bodies out here, it's safe to say the witch made her escape."
With no time to lose, he gathered fruits, chicken eggs, and a few more things he can carry that he thought will be needed and returned to the forest giving a detailed effort to not get caught.
He left Iulian and Lady Geiyra moments ago to gather some resources that'll last them for tonight.
There should be six bodies, he thought to himself. But they only found two. Lord Phraselm finally cleared his assumption that somehow, somewhere, Lady Radelaine is safe.
That she's just somewhere taken by those knights he knew not of but has placed his trust in as of now. Heretofore, that's the only conclusion he can believe.
He finally got back safe and saw they have already set up a fire. He sat beside them as if nothing happened.
She's alive.
It's unfortunate that there are those that didn't make it. It's still too early to assume things for whether or not it was the Sarsheden couple. But Lord Phraselm is going to take whatever news he can get to keep his mind all there.
She's alive.
"We need water for the eggs and pot," Iuliān said as he rummaged through Lord Phraselm's gathered resources.
"I'll go get water, there's a small lake over there." Geiyra suddenly stood and volunteered. Both men looked at her dazed.
"Oh no, I'll go." Iuliān grabbed the pot that Geiyra took.
"I also like to be alone." She added making Iuliān lose the pot. He understood her and although unsure he just nodded.
She left right away left with her arms hugging the pot.
"She won't get angry while she's alone right?" He whispered to Lord Phraselm.
"I won't." Geiyra not too far enough, she heard him whisper jolted him out. In response, he nodded again to her. Iuliān got scared for a bit there.
Now they're left doing nothing but letting their thoughts fly about again on the things that just happened; the fervid lament that Iulian witnessed with Lady Geiyra and Lord Phraselm who have begun to take a more sanguine view of this catastrophe.
"We can't just do nothing," Iuliān blurted in his thoughts as he continued to lose himself in the sound of the bonfire..
They both sighed in unison after a few seconds of silence.
"She said something about going to the palace. She's about to bring her red lightning there to kill the royal family who expressed displease in Lady Geiyra's actions and then... she killed those who burned her house...." Iuliān faced Lord Phraselm and begins explaining another bright idea he have. So bright he can get blind.
This time, he's sure this will keep Lady Geiyra safe and everyone in Takèif.
".... and her eyes will only turn red when she's angry. Think about it Lord Phraselm, we don't need to worry about taking her somewhere else. Takèif is the only place she has a lot of anger... How about we take her to Acairè?"
"And what? Leave her there?" Lord Phraselm answered Iuliān as he bite into an unwashed apple he probably picked from the ground earlier — or did he not, he doesn't remember.
Iuliān stared at him briefly before saying 'No' with a tone.
He was about to speak again when he got distracted by Lord Phraselm who is just there staring ahead with an open mouth.
"What's wrong with you?" Iuliān said squinting his eyes curiously.
Looking at what Lord Phraselm did after, made Iuliān's upper lip pulled upward and made a guttural sound of nauseating distaste.
"Ugh~ Disgusting!" Iuliān shook his head side to side with clear look of disgust.
"That apple is rotten." Lord Phraselm said wiping his mouth after spitting the apple in his mouth.
Obviously now it is, turns out the plump and reddish color on one side hides its dark and distasteful secret. Fool
"I need water." He said now slightly pulling his lips away from each other. Ach the after taste.
"We don't have water- Listen!" Remembering Iuliān was about to say something, he didn't mind Lord Phraselm's excruciating face of disrelish — with exaggeration.
"Alright, okay, so! We'll go to Acairè!" He said seriously looking at Lord Phraselm waiting for his response.