*Lucretia's POV*
*Chapter Warning Self Harm*
Sienna and her parents approached as Alexion walked away. She smiled at Plight, cuddling him. "How was last night?" Sienna asked, concern in her voice.
"Last night was fine. I played with Dean." I told her.
Her face went blank for a moment and she said, "Oh right, Dean, that's lovely. Was it fun to play with him?"
"Yes. We went down the water slide he thought up, I don't think it's done yet, because he said lights will be put in to keep kids from panicking. We chatted a lot, and he's really sweet." I told her. I was curious about the blank expression, but didn't ask.
"Aww, awesome. I am glad you made a friend. Friends can be hard to come by." Sienna said.
"Did you all have a lovely night?" I asked.
"Yes, we all talked all night. It was a lot of fun, even when Alexion was being grouchy." Sienna replied.
"You are like sunshine." I told her. "Like a ray of happiness spread about as dandelion seeds blown on the wind."
Sienna smiled, as Plight agreed with my sentiment. Alexander looked proud of the compliment to his daughter. And Sylvia suggested we all go eat.
I declined, saying I'd rather not. I'd need to be patient and wait until Plight and Sienna would take me to town. Or I may get lost again. I am terrible with directions.
Instead of joining them, I decided to investigate an intriguing smell. Wondering between the houses I found an odd situation. A young boy, spotted me and rearranged his clothing quickly. His puppy brown eyes were reddened and he was alarmed to see me. As he put away a small knife.
I'd never seen someone do this activity before, slicing oneself. Back home the servants did it to bleed into cups for us. This boy, I couldn't find a reason for it, but he did seem quite upset. My throat tightened uncomfortably with the desire to feed, though I didn't need it.
"Talk to me, boy. I'd like to know why it is that you cry." I said to him.
He didn't want to. I saw that in his eyes, but with my vampiric charm, he could not resist but to answer me, "My sister left me after our parents died. She went to the Capital to whore for money. I couldn't do anything for her."
I picked the boy up and said, "It is not on children to do for others. It is on children to learn and grow. You sister made her choice, now you can choose to grow up healthy and strong."
"I can't. I have the falling sickness. I'm not much good for anything." He said.
My face brightened. "Is that all? You've seen that elf, yes?"
Confused, the boy nodded.
"He can cure that. Let's go ask him, hm?" I asked the boy. He didn't reply, but I brought the boy with me anyways. "You have to promise not to slice yourself anymore, though. Ok? You aren't alone, even if it feels that way."
I approached where they had joined Alexion to have a meal. Politely, I said, "Excuse me, Alexion, can you or Plight cure epilepsy?"
"Yes. I can." Alexion said. He gestured for me to set the boy down, and I did. He then blessed the boy, curing him.
An auburn haired half elf lady was approaching, a concerned expression on her face. He must be one of hers, I figured. I made sure I released the charm effect I had on the boy.
"Is everything alright?" She asked suspiciously.
"This one had epilepsy? I fixed it. Are there others like him?" Alexion asked, ignoring her inquiry.
"I wasn't aware." She replied, in a tired tone.
"Do not forget to rest, Eluvian." Alexion recommended.
"Thank you for bringing the child." Plight said, then to the child, "Are you alright? You appear to be bleeding."
The child didn't appear to want to say, and it wasn't my place to tell about the wound the child'd gave himself. So, I remained quiet, wondering away once they were preoccupied by the child.
I went out of the caves entrance and climbed to the top of the cave. I'd wait here until after lunch time. I didn't want to bother anyone anyways.
It wasn't until after lunch time that Sienna and Plight emerged from the cave. Followed by her parents. I climbed down, while they looked for me, greeting them once I was on the ground. I pointed to where I'd been.
"Is it time to go to the other town?" I asked.
"Yes. Alexander has friends he wishes to speak with, and I had said we could take you to acquire that scroll and some other things you might need." Plight answered.
With that, we crossed the bridge, and kept going. When we crossed another bridge I spotted the town. I felt personally offended at myself. I'd been so close to two towns and had failed to find either on my own. How stupid of me.
The guards greeted Plight and Sienna. Recognizing them, and letting us all in. This town was very close, and put together, to the one we'd stayed in.
"There's so many people!" I said, surprised. Had I seen so many people wondering about their lives before? No. No I had not. "Wow, what a cute town."
"I remember those feelings quite well, walking into my first town." Plight reminisced.
I seemed to entertain them with my amazement. Alexander excused himself to, then he and Sylvia left us. Plight guided us to what he called Tibin's shop. It was cute from the outside, but once we'd entered I was amazed.
All sorts of odds and ends were everywhere, and surely, I've seen a lot back home, but this was a shop! I'd never been to a shop before. Plight guided me through the purchase. I didn't have any gold on me, but one of the treasures of the Zelaria's was more than good enough to make the purchases I needed, I even got some gold off of it. I was glad I'd collected the few things I had.
Plight took us to a place called a Bakery. Sienna got some things called 'cookies' and 'elven pillows'. Both of which she seemed to enjoy significantly. She even summoned Undine to try the elven pillow, once we'd gone outside.
Undine made a rainbow appear over town while eating the sweet treat. "I do believe the spirit enjoyed the pillow. I didn't know spirits could eat." Plight commented.
"Elemental spirits can eat. If they wanna. Undine loves sweets and soft textures." Sienna said.
"I believe she thoroughly enjoyed that then. Obviously, with the rainbow." Plight said.
Undine hopped off Sienna's shoulder and took off towards one of the stalls, we followed Sienna as she followed Undine. When we'd reached there, an odd old woman was sitting calmly with a stone bowl that had gold veins running through it. Undine was splashing in the bowl.
Sienna giggled and said, "Hello, Miss. Undine's come to see you, I see."
The old woman looked up and smiled. "Yes, I can see your little friend here is drawn to enchanted waters. Quite the playful little thing. But, she must also learn the difference between enchanted waters and my stew."
The nifty little bowl of water became a pot of stew, and Undine was holding up a carrot with a surprised look of horror. The woman flicked the carrot from the spirits hands and said, "Now, now. those are so fickle to get just right."
Undine pulled a rude face and went back to Sienna and spoke to her. Sienna smiled helplessly and said, "You should have asked, Undine. The Mundane is that way."
"A fine lesson to learn. On top of look before you leap." The old woman commented. She looked up at all of us, "Well, then. Aren't you all quite the... collection?"
"Are we?" I asked her.
"Yes, yes you all are. Two particularly bitey ones and one beloved by the spirits. Quite the odd collection indeed." The old woman said. "And where might you all be heading?"
"Eventually I'll go to Ymir's Town." I said, "But I don't know about today. Or them."
"Well, if you're going to the desert, then might I suggest steering clear of that very tall mountain?" The woman said.
"How come?" Sienna asked, curiously. "Is it dangerous?"
"It certainly can be. But mostly, the ones at the top are a little rowdy if they are awoken. Could lead to some very interesting weather, though." She said.
"Yes? Are they great ones?" Sienna asked.
"They certainly seem to think so." The woman nodded to herself. "Ooh. I do have something for you." She reached into her shelf and brought out a single blue mushroom. "If you would," She reached it out towards me. "If- easy request. If you would simply throw this into the sand. Whenever you should get there."
I accepted the blue mushroom from her, "Why?" I asked.
"It will be very amusing." She replied.
"Very well." I said.
"Very kind of you to go with the whims of an old woman." She said.
"Old in appearance, I suspect." I smiled.
"Old in a great many ways. Appearance being one of them." She said.
"Would you know what happened to the Acheron family? Or is that too far from your sight? Or even the Zelaria family?" I asked her.
A sad look came over her face and she said, "I am sorry for your losses, sweet child. But those answers are one in the same. And alas, I cannot give it to you yet."
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Because I couldn't bear being the reason you march to your doom." The old woman said.
"Oh." I said. "That's ok."
Sienna rubbed my arm lightly. "Thank you. Granny." She said.
"You're welcome. I will see you all again soon. Well, most of you." She said.
With that we headed off, with Plight taking us to the Guildhall. Undine poofed, done being in the town. He told us that we should sign up to be part of the guild so that we aren't limited on where we could go based on having no identification.
I'd not realized that was a possibility, so I willingly agreed. Sienna didn't want to at all, and Plight wasn't going to make her. I filled out the paperwork as directed by Crowley, Plight had called him. Plight waved at the other secretary and she snubbed him, turning back to her papers.
After the paperwork, Crowley led me outside through a back door. This is where he said he was testing my combat skills. I informed him I didn't know how to fight, only to use spells, and most of my spells were defensive, or to trick others. He told me that was alright, and I can try my very best anyways.
The secondary problem was that I didn't want to hurt him. This wasn't an option. I had to do it. With a borrowed staff, I attacked him, striking him firmly. When it was his turn, I naturally dodged his attacks, twice, before he managed to hit me. It bled nicely before my bodies regeneration healed it. He was pleased enough with the results, and took us inside.
He finished up what paperwork needed to be done and handed me a card. He gave me instruction to prick my finger and put the blood on the small square on it. I complied and my information, along with my appearance, manifested on the card. I showed it to Plight and Sienna.
Crowley suggested to them, that I be trained with some kind of weapon, but said I did well during the test, just lacked confidence. Je added I was very good at dodging. Sienna said they'd train me.
Plight and Sienna went to the guild's quest board while I sat at one of the tables and wrote a letter to Phintias Vanidestine.
[Dearest Phintias,
I will admit, I had been looking forward to meeting you. Being home all the time had grown quite dull. I've heard very little of you, Father didn't wish to speak much.
And now, he cannot. I do not know what arrangements you have made to gain permission for a marriage between us, but if it was gain on your side, that is impossible. If you were meant to pay, or send anything in return, you'll be happy to hear that's no longer the case.
A mere three days ago, our home was attacked. Every has died. The house and all that was with it has perished. I am the only one who remains. Which is such a dreary word, isn't it?
To be honest, I have no idea how I survived the last few days. I'd woke on the beach once everything was destroyed, some miles down the mountain. Once I'd climbed to the top I slipped and fell to the bottom on the other side. How embarrassing, no? I'd blacked out once more then. I don't know if you've experienced that, but I must say it was quite terrible.
Another thing, I do not know the way to Ymir's Town, where you are, and I am ignorant of the world. There is a couple who say they may accompany me there. Though, I have found a place I may temporarily stay, if you've decided from this letter that you no longer wish to marry. I also have no way to contact you at the moment, aside from letter and transfer scroll.
What else should I write to you of? A man I met, Plight, said that if I joined the adventurer guild that I will not be bothered much and can come and go from towns. Not that I am very good at finding my way. I fear my sense of direction is shoddy at best, non existent at most.
I shant be of much use to you, or anyone, I'm afraid. Never mind that, I shall tell you about this odd little town. It seems mostly made of orphans and thieves. A place where Azerime once lived.
Sorry, I'll begin again. This town is beside Dueling Rivers in the North. It's being built in a cave. A charming idea, no? The woman in charge of making it, I haven't met her, but she is allowing one of our kind to live there with her.
Plight told me that I should keep what we are secret, that bad things will happen if people know. Unfortunately, I did end up revealing it to one person. He is a funny man. Cheered me up after I'd spent most of the day mourning.
He's made this splendidly fun thing that he is calling 'Water Slide'. Have you heard of it? It's a smoothed out tunnel connecting two separate pools of water. They are at different heights, so it's really fast.
Well, there. I haven't much to tell you. I don't know what you'd like to hear, or if the prattle would just annoy you. And I don't wish to be a bother. Please respond to me, so that I may know one way or another what I should do.
With my best regards,
Lucretia Acheron.]
With that I folded the letter, addressed it with his name, and sent it to him. I hoped it wouldn't irritate him. Sienna and Plight had already walked back over to me by now. I told them I was all ready for whatever is next.
Plight had turned in two quests that he and his friend had completed. So they were now Bronze Adventurers. I was 'porcelain' rank. He was going to take us on a quest titled, 'Help Human Home.'
We went out to go find the person listed on the quest. 'Human'. If we're being honest, that concerned me quite a bit. But I didn't argue. We found him near the guards barracks. His Common was so terrible Sienna asked if there was another language he spoke. There was. Draconic.
With the language barrier broken down, we learned we'd need to follow them, nearly a day and half away from Dueling Rivers. Sienna cast sending to her father to let her parents know she's be heading out on a quest.
We then began the process of following Human to it's home. We walked for several hours. Sienna had summoned her familiar and chatted with it for a bit.
It was close to dark when I received another letter. It read:
[Dear Lucretia,
I am sorry to hear of the death of your family. It is good to that you have found people to take refuge with. I am still very much inclined to go through with this marriage. If you wish, I could have someone sent out to Dueling Rivers to bring you here.
Until such a time that you have arrived I will be anxiously awaiting you.
Sincerely,
Phintias Vanidestine.]
I shared the news of the escort and my welcome with Plight and Sienna. "I would feel better if you let us escort you to Ymir's Town." Plight said.
"Why is that?" I asked. "Wouldn't it be easier on you if he sends someone for me?"
"Easier yes. But you don't know if he's behind your family's death. I'm sorry, but I don't want you to get hurt." Plight said.
"I hadn't even considered that." I admitted. "I don't know anything bout him aside from he maintains the library and works with the Sultan."
"Then let us take you there, so we can look into this and help keep you safe." Plight said.
"This is the second time my family has been wiped out. The second time I was the only survivor... Perhaps I am a target. Should you really take that risk?" I asked. "My first family, the Acheron family, lived well deep in the Lowerdark of the Underdark. They were considered untouchable..."
Plight seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. Then he said, "My family lived deep in the Underdark. They feared what was inside me and trapped me in a some kind of box for years. I don't know how long I was in there, but one day the lid opened and my family was dead. I had long since been lost in madness from the hunger, so I didn't even have the chance to look for survivors or clues. All I could do was hunt... I don't know if you're being targeted, or if it's simply someone hunting our kind, but I know I'm not going to let you go with some unknown person that might hurt you."
My head felt light and I froze. Staring at him blankly. "The ancestor?" I asked. "Are you the ancestor's vessel?"
Plight froze, too. Staring at me in utter shock. After what felt like an eternity he finally managed the word, "Yes."
And I didn't care. I flung myself against Plight, sobbing, and clinging to him as if my life depended on it. In this world, it was us two left over from our families deaths. I felt his arms encase me, tears falling from his eyes as his head was buried into my neck. He held me just as tightly as I held him.
Sienna had begun lightly rubbing our backs, and soon we'd gotten the tears out and had started to calm down. He looked at Sienna and said, "I have a sister... Or a cousin... I don't know, I don't care."
"That's wonderful, Darling. I am so glad you found each other." Sienna said. "Let's take a break from travel. We'll have a meal and we can chat comfortably, ok? I'll talk to Human."
After a brief commentary between Sienna and Human, she summoned Galder's Tower, giving us all a safe place to be for a while. It was a kitchen and lounge, then a bathing room and study, and at the top two bedrooms.
Human seemed to enjoy the kitchen. There was a bunch of food in it. Human cooked food for themself. Sienna gave us some raw meats and she ate some, too, and cookies. We were in the lounge room, and Human went up to the bedroom Sienna allowed him use of.
My eyes were all puffy and I sat in a comfy lounge chair, still stunned. I wasn't sure what to say. It's not like I remember which of the Acheron's were my parents, and I don't even know which Acheron he was. That information wasn't available to me. The Zelaria's only relayed to me what they knew as people who owed the Acheron Family a blood debt.
Looking at Plight, I could tell he was just as surprised and emotional as I was. Sienna said, "Isn't it amazing you accidentally found each other? I'm truly so glad for you both. How are you feeling?"
"Still a little in shock, myself." Plight said.
I nodded and said, "It was completely unexpected. We look very different."
"Indeed we do. Must be from different sides of the family?" Plight said.
"I don't know. I was just a baby when they were killed off. The Zelaria's had a blood debt to our family. They raised me as a result of that." I said. "The things I know are based on what the Zelaria's knew. Any relics of our home they may have had are gone, except my ring and the toy."
"That's very unfortunate." Plight said. "Anything you have heard, even second hand, will be more than anything I had ever known."
"Our family was known for collecting debts and removing obstacles that would prevent them from having their way. You and I would be considered weak and inconsequential." I told him, "They were exceedingly wealthy. Partially due to enslaving the murderous masses of the Lowerdark."
Plight looked disheartened, he said, "That's about what I expected."
"Our family did as all Underdark citizens do. Down there it's subjugate, serve, or die." I said. "It doesn't make it the right thing, but I can see where it would be the preferred thing."
"True. Underdark civilization is not usually easy going." Plight said, "But we don't have to live that way up here."
"I haven't. There are some friendly places in the Underdark, I hear." I tell him.
"Maybe I can see those one day." Plight said.
"Would you really want to?" I asked, curious. "There isn't a lot of food options down there. I can give you our families ring when you go, so it can help keep you nourished. I'll warn you though, it'll still hurt to not feed."
"That's alright. If I ever go down there I will be prepared." Plight said, then looked at Sienna, "And hopefully have strong allies."
"You can expect me at your side at the least." Sienna told him, smiling.
"Is the ancestor .... pressing?" I asked.
"Thankfully, he only rears his head when I am beaten to the point of unconsciousness." He said.
"I wish the Zelaria's had taken you with them, too." I told him. I took out the toy and showed it to him, "You don't remember it?"
"Unfortunately, I was locked up very early." He said.
I offered the toy to him, smiling, "If you have a baby, you can give this to them. Our family has passed it down for centuries. Hug it and you'll feel better."
He placed his hand on it, declining. "It's alright. You may pass it on."
I nodded and said, "Ok. But if you change your mind, say so. I'll do what I can for you."
"Thank you." He said. "What did the other family do?"
"Mother was vain. She was constantly looking to acquire new shiny things. She spoiled her sons, ignoring her daughters, mostly. She enjoyed siring vampire spawns. Though, Father put an end to that. It was the only time he struck her that I know of." I told him, "Father did a lot of trading with the other continent, and the Underdark. He managed the family and saw to our training. If we didn't excel there were punishments. They weren't very affectionate people. Order was what they valued most."
"There is a family of a very different sort that I'd like you to meet at some point." Plight said.
"I wonder how much older you are. I suppose it would be hard to know with what our family did to you." I commented. "I'm sorry that I could do nothing for you."
"You were a very small child." Plight said. "I will not hold it against you for not being able to help me."
"You are kind. Kind enough that you do not hate me for what our family did. There are many who can not separate fault like that." I tell him. "I'm glad you lived."
"I am very glad you lived as well." Plight said.
Our conversation trailed off. It wasn't uncomfortable though. I cuddled my toy and looked around the lounge room.
"You're kind of child-like. Do vampires age differently?" Sienna asked.
"We age slowly until we reach majority. That would be in the twenties, were we human. I am uncertain at what age I would be considered. I only know I have lived for just over one hundred sixty-one years." I told her. "Nanny may have coddled me too much. I miss her dearly."
"Unfortunately, I have no idea how old I actually am." Plight said.
Sienna kissed Plight's cheek. "That's ok. None of the books I read ever specified such things. It also, though, did not mention that vampires can reproduce."
"Perhaps it depends on the bloodline. Many vampire lords can not reproduce without consuming an excess of blood. The Acheron's did not have such a difficulty." I commented.
He side eyes Sienna a little and said, "That's good to know."
Sienna tilted her head at him and said "Is it?"
"It's.. may.. maybe.." Plight said, embarassedly.
Sienna turned Plight's face to her and kissed him. She cuddled him and said, "Without magic, it's extremely difficult for an elf to concieve. We are not a very prolific race. Only during the peak of the solstice or equinox, for less than an hour, twice a year, can I potentially become pregnant."
"Oh... Oh. Ok. Ok." Plight replied. I wasn't sure if he was pleased with that, or disappointed. Certainly embarassed.
"Did you want me to be?" Sienna asked, curiously.
He stammered quite a bit then said, "...I don't know... yet."
She giggled at his distress, turning to me. "Did you want a bath?" Sienna asked me.
I smiled and said, "I will take one. You are a cute couple."
He smiled and said, "I think so, too."
I got up with my bag and headed to the room she indicated was the bathroom. It would feel wonderful to feel the hot water. She used Message to explain to me how to use her bathroom.
It was divine indeed. Bathing in the hot water. Another thing it did was cause my skin to redden and the bite scars to stand out more.
I wondered if Phintias would treat me as warmly as Plight was towards Sienna. If I would be able to treat him as affectionately. I wondered if he'd feed on me like my family had, or worse, like Colt had.
Most of my family had only done so once, and it hadn't hurt so badly. Colt wanted it to hurt. If I cried, he liked it more. It frustrated him when I stopped crying. But I didn't wish to give him the satisfaction.
What would life be like with Phintias? It wasn't my place to complain. I'd agreed to marry him, and he says he's still keen on the idea. How would he feel about his scarred up bride to be? Plight's home is this cave town.
I wanted to ask Phintias these questions that had me so scared. I hadn't cared when my family had been alive. I could've returned home if he wasn't to my taste. But now I was uncertain about everything.
What should I do? I truly had no idea what was going to happen in the future. And that terrified me. Then again, my sense of security had been robbed from me. Just a mere couple of days ago.
I finished with my bath, feeling glum. Drained the tub, dried off and dressed in fresh clothes. I wondered if they realized Human wasn't a human. They'd had to have, right?