"Just a second, Lieutenant. She felt a touch on her arm from the healer, who had been silent all while.
"Yes?"
As she drew nearer, the woman suddenly reached up and grasped Tessa's face in her fists.
What are you doing? Her flesh was penetrated by a piercing fire that caused it to burn to the bone before turning ice cold. The healer retreated just as swiftly as she had come. Sweat dripped onto the triangular tattoo she had between her brows.
"A gift," the woman replied. She then covered her face with her palms. I said, "Temha, Lieutenant."
When Tessa stroked her face, she felt for her scar but couldn't feel anything. How did the healer act?
"Lieutenant?" Through the open door, the guard's voice was audible.
She had to be mistaken because the healers had informed her that the scar could not be fixed. Tessa followed the guard down the hallways after blinking away the last of the peculiar chill that had been lingering in her face.
Despite the hour being early, nobody was present. There was no one in the halls, on the balconies, or in the training area. Before dusk, there were still two bells to ring. Where were they all? Even the guards for the hallway were nowhere to be found. Though it wasn't necessary, her thoughts wandered to the security risks that this could pose. She was no longer in command of the protection of the inner keep. Given the effectiveness of the warrior force, someone else would likely have been sent to perform her duties already.
Two guards saluted as they approached the south gate and flung open the doors. The scene in front of Tessa caused her step to stutter.
Just ahead, a sizable closed carriage with four white thoroughbred horses and two armed Land of Light horsemen at the back was waiting. The blazing candles on the keep walls reflected light off their thin, golden helmets. However, it wasn't the odd sight of these weird soldiers that had her in custody. It was the sight of the Warrior soldiers, who were lined up in six lines thick and stood behind the vehicle. They stood still as she descended the stairs, their right hands placed over their crescents.
What were they doing here together?
The messenger she had earlier seen in the hall emerged as the carriage door opened, motioning for her to enter. The Warriors started chanting, "The land will burn red!" as Tessa walked slowly and met their gazes. A new moon will appear. In a warrior's hand will be the entire world.
It was a procession and the height of respect. In this fashion, warrior heroes were dispatched to battle. In this manner, burial plots for fallen warriors were sent. They were preparing to send her out tonight—to war or to her demise? Nobody knew.
Her eyes started to tear up in fury. She hurriedly shut them, not wanting to let a drop of water fall. Despite receiving praise and acceptance, which was what she had always desired, she would not be able to return to her own country to live. She most likely wouldn't return to this region. She placed her hand on her forehead and touched her crescent before raising it to the sky. It was a soldier's salute before going to battle. a soldier's salute after accepting death. As Tessa boarded the carriage, the warriors resumed their chant and began smashing their swords against their shields.
I apologise to the Lieutenant for how things were handled. The light messenger began to converse as he sat down next to her. The waggon was the most opulent thing she had ever seen, lined with leather and fur. He slipped on a pair of light white gloves before leaning forward and lighting an odd candle that didn't catch fire. We were unable to be diplomatic about this exchange because time was of the utmost importance. The carriage started to move when he gave the wood behind him three knocks.
Tessa observed, "Being treated delicately is not something I am familiar with," as they descended to the warrior village, hearing the chants die down. She concentrated on the messenger of the light in an effort to control her feelings. "However, if you want to be kind, why don't you start by telling me who you are, where you're taking me, and exactly what this urgent matter is?"
The weird carriage light caused some of the man's hair to look readable as he smiled. I'm sorry once more, Lieutenant. I neglected to say hello. Although you can call me Geus, my name is Aegeus.
"Gues." Tessa gave the unusual name a try before closing her eyes. "Where and why are we going?
The messenger's slender brows arched in contrition. I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to respond to any further inquiries.
"This trip will last at least three days. Tessa scowls. "Wouldn't it make more sense to tell me about the reason for all of this now so I can get ready if it's a time-sensitive situation?"
Gues stated, "What makes sense is not for me to decide.
Tessa gradually reclined as she did so, no longer astonished by her painless mobility. "So, are you a puppet?"
"Trying to prod me into disclosing information is a waste of your time, Lieutenant," the Lightlander said with a smirk.
She shrugged unconcernedly, saying, "I have plenty of time to waste. She questioned, glancing at the peculiar flame, "Can you tell me about that?"
Geus took in her look before grabbing the tiny square thing. It's a light box, I guess.
Leaning forward, she peered inside. She added in discussion, "I'm sure you can't tell me what fuel this is that requires no fire. "To keep hundreds of rooms lit on gloomy winter days, you guys must need a lot of it."
"If only we had that much red oil... Geus' eyes lit up as he covered his lips with a palm. "I underestimated you, Warrior; you look young."
Tessa kept a level gaze on the man. She had learned the oil's name, that there was a finite amount of it, and about the size of their keep. Don't worry. It wasn't first done by you. If you can answer one more question for me, the remainder of the journey will go smoothly.
"What do you want to ask?"
Tessa put her hands on her legs and tried not to exhibit any signs of nervousness. "Are they going to kill me?" you ask.
Geus pulled out a tiny brown ball from the inner pocket of his coat while still looking shocked. "Look at this," I said. The ball was thrown her way by him. Tessa had no trouble catching it. She flipped it over and gave him a perplexed look. "What does this mean?" you ask.
My apologies, Lieutenant. I guarantee you'll have all the answers when you awaken.
Upon waking? She took a closer look at the item in her hand and, for the first time, noticed the fine powder it was covered in. Her gaze quickly landed on Geus' gloves. She hurriedly dropped the ball, but it was already too late. Darkness descended in the subsequent instant.