It felt as if a whole week had passed when she had woken up.
Her lips were parched, and the lingering soreness in her body was hard to ignore. A raspy and painful throat greeted her attempts to speak. She managed to sit up, her surroundings still hazy.
With a slow, deliberate motion, she moved the cover away from her body and gingerly lifted her shirt. The wounds were closed, but the pain persisted, a constant reminder of her recent ordeal. Her shirt fell back into place as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Aerendil entered the tent, the brief flicker of relief in his expression giving way to his usual stoicism. "You're awake," he stated, offering her a water flask. "Here, Elanor said to give you some water. I'm no expert but all the bleeding must have made you thirsty."
She couldn't help but notice how he parroted her words from their first meeting, making her wonder whether it was a genuine order from Elanor or merely an excuse to check on her.
"How long was I out?" she inquired, taking the offered water.
"A few hours, it's the middle of the night," Aerendil replied, and her surprise at the brief duration was evident. Gerald must be some sort of medical genius like Aleistor.
Aerendil sat by her side in silence, watching her intently, his gaze growing increasingly uncomfortable. "What is it?" she asked after finishing the water.
Aerendil shook his head. "Nothing. How are you feeling?"
She gingerly flexed her wrists, wincing at the pain. "Hurts."
"That's to be expected," Aerendil reassured her. "Healing closes the wounds but doesn't magically take away the pain. Do you need some—"
Aerendil's words were abruptly cut short as the tent flap flew open.
"Aerendil, hey, I just wanted to check on yo—uh, the human," Freya stumbled over her words, her cheeks tinged with a telltale blush. Aerendil tilted his head, seemingly oblivious to the blush as his expression remained unchanged. Freya shuffled to his side.
"Is there a problem?" he inquired.
Freya hesitated before responding. "It's just—"
Another head poked through the tent flap, and Rune's furrowed brows observed the scene inside. "What the? Is this some kind of party or something? Freya, your jealousy is embarrassing. Get out here, it's OUR turn to keep watch, not MY turn."
Freya's eyes widened; her gaze fixed on Rune. "Shut your trap, you mangy beast!"
Aerendil raised an eyebrow. "Jealous? You can check on Mani anytime you wish. Why are you jealous if I do so this once?"
Rune scoffed. "Like hell, this is definitely not your first time in there."
Aerendil stammered for a moment before clearing his throat. "Well, of course. She could have died, and none of us would have known if I did not check."
Rune rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Freya, hurry up." He promptly disappeared from the tent.
Freya, presumably relieved that Aerendil misinterpreted Rune's quip, excused herself and left.
Mani just watched the interaction in uncomfortable silence. She wanted to tell Freya that Aerendil was all hers and put an end to this awkwardness. Mani did not want to be a part of this.
"Please kill me already," Mani muttered to herself.
"What was that about?" Aerendil asked as he turned back to Mani.
She just shrugged and looked away. She couldn't bring herself to explain.
Mani attempted a topic change. "Oh, and thanks, I guess."
Aerendil's furrowed his eyebrows. "For what?"
"You were the one to carry me here, no? I remember."
"Oh. Yes, it was no problem. You're too valuable of an asset to die."
"Oh, gee thanks."
Aerendil turned away and there was a hint of pink on his cheeks. So he wasn't as nonchalant about it like he wanted her to think.
Is he embarrassed?
"Go to sleep and rest. We're resuming the journey in the morning."
He left, leaving Mani alone.
Well, at least I have a tent and a bed now.
***
Mani awoke to Olfina nudging her. "Rise and shine, human. It's time to go."
A groan left her lips as Mani sat up. She blinked a couple of times to get rid of the sleepiness from her eyes. "So early? Right after being pierced by a hundred glass shards by a glass subsetter?"
"Don't be so dramatic. It wasn't a hundred."
Mani rolled her eyes and left the tent. She felt the weight of the shackles on her wrist as she dragged the chains along. Strangely, all the bodies of the bandits were gone. She didn't even want to ask where they took the bodies.
After a final checkup from Gerald, Elanor escorted her to her cage and locked the door. At least they had the decency to clean her cage overnight.
A new cloth was draped over Mani's cage, and their journey resumed.
After the harrowing experience of nearly losing Mani, the elves were noticeably more vigilant. Most of them rode alongside her cart, with Elanor leading the group.
As they reached the border of Shamir, Mani finally learned how they had infiltrated Minervah. Several guards stood at attention upon their arrival, raising their weapons until a well-dressed man in opulent robes stepped forward.
A casual wave of his hand made the guards lower their weapons, and Mani managed to catch a glimpse of a coin bag being passed from Elanor to the nobleman.
After a quick weight check, the noble nodded in satisfaction and stepped aside, allowing their passage. The guards followed suit, clearing their path.
So that was how they got in. They bribed a noble... but aren't nobles supposed to be rich? Mani was left to wallow in confusion as they passed into Fejuhn territory.
The ten elven soldiers removed their hoods as they passed the border, shedding their cloaks to reveal their armors beneath. Aerendil, in particular, wore a rare expression of sheer happiness.
"We made it! It's finally over!" Olfina cheered.
Freya shushed her, "Shh, Olfina. The mission is truly over once we reach the main dungeons."
"We're practically there," Rune chimed in with an unusual cheerfulness, quite distinct from his usual demeanor.
Elanor chuckled. "Yes, we will all be able to return to base once our mission is truly accomplished."
Mani didn't know how to react. They were happy that she was going to be imprisoned and then used for whatever plan they had.
Aerendil cast a glance at her cage, seemingly unaware that she was observing him. He seemed lost in thought for a moment, but his attention quickly returned to the path ahead.
Elanor noticed his contemplation and rode up beside him. "You did well, Aeren. None of this would have happened without you. Mother will be proud to have you back."
Aerendil smiled at her with a nod. "I look forward to seeing her again."
The elves were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice they reached their destination in no time. Mani saw the high walls of the city. The white bricks that made up the walls were magnificent and gave a pristine first impression.
As they approached, Elanor shouted something, and the gates swung open. The citizens stopped to watch the soldiers; their curiosity piqued.
Many citizens stopped whatever they were doing to watch the soldiers. The ten elven soldiers rode through the crowd, their imposing presence evident. The crowd of elves murmured among themselves as they pointed at Mani's cage, covered with a cloth.
"Make way!" Elanor commanded, and the crowd obediently parted.
The crowd's attention wasn't solely focused on Mani's cage; it was also shamelessly directed at Aerendil. Though Mani couldn't discern their words, it was evident that they recognized him.
Curiosity about his identity surged within her once more, prompting her to make a mental note to uncover the truth as soon when she could.
The soldiers came to a halt before an imposing structure. Two lofty towers stretched skyward, crowned with pointed roofs. The combination of white walls and marble columns lent an air of elegance to the building, belying its true nature as a dungeon.
An elven man, donned in armor that matched Elanor's golden-green attire, greeted the group with a crisp salute.
"You have arrived. I assume the target is in there?" he inquired, gesturing toward Mani's cage. She quickly stopped peeking and backed away.
"Correct. The mission was a success. Let us proceed to the next phase," Elanor's voice bore not only authority but an additional layer of something more profound.
"Of course," the man replied, and the sound of soldiers dismounting their horses filled the air. "We'll take it from here."
With a swift tug, Rune unveiled Mani's cage, and she blinked in the sudden influx of sunlight. Finally, she had a clear view of the man within. His hair was completely white, and his beard was a matching color. The wrinkles that were carved onto his face was a testament to his old age.
The man's attention drifted from Mani to Aerendil.
"The youngest Haleth. It appears the rumors of your return were accurate after all," the man spoke in a dignified manner.
Aerendil clasped his hands behind his back, standing with a newfound resolve. "Sir Galad. Indeed, I've returned to pledge my loyalty to my people and seek redemption."
The old man scrutinized Aerendil for a moment before he turned to Elanor. "Better keep that boy in check. We do not want to lose another valuable military asset."
Elanor, her arms crossed, offered a retort. "I don't take orders from you, Galad. Focus your concerns on the human, will you?"
With a nod, the old man signaled a group of guards. "Guards, escort the human to the dungeons."
The guards acknowledged the order. Elanor unlocked the cage door, and they proceeded to lead Mani away, her arm held firmly.
"Hey–Ease up on the force, will you? I'm not going anywhere," Mani hissed but her protest fell on deaf ears.
As Mani and Aerendil briefly locked eyes during her passage, he swiftly averted his gaze.
Mani descended a lengthy flight of stairs beneath the building, the pristine white surroundings giving way to cobblestone bricks. The guard holding onto her arm shoved her into a singular cell and they locked it right after.
"Well, rude," she muttered under her breath as she surveyed her surroundings.
It was a small cell with only one shabby bed. Two shackles were mounted on the walls and Mani hoped that it wasn't for her. There were no windows, and one wall was made up completely of metal bars.
She heard footsteps approaching and the last person she expected revealed himself.
"Ma- Human."
"The brat, Aerendil."
He loomed just outside the bars, his hands clasped behind his back. He observed her for a moment before exhaling. "Well, this is goodbye then," he finally acknowledged.
Mani didn't even know how to react to that. What is she even supposed to say? Goodbye? He noticed her hesitance and looked away.
"So, this really is it then? I don't even know what I'm supposed to say. The only reason I'm here is because of you," said Mani, glaring at him.
"Yes, that is true," Aerendil nodded slowly, "I must leave, I was only granted a few minutes to bid farewell."
"You're leaving Fejuhn?" Mani inquired.
He shook his head. "No, not just yet. I'll remain in Fejuhn a while longer with Elanor. However, most of the others will be leaving."
He glanced down the hallway and sighed. "Farewell, Mani."
"Whatever," she said, plopping onto the shabby bed.
Aerendil lingered for a moment, his gaze fixed on her, before finally departing.
Alone in her cell, Mani contemplated her uncertain fate.