Ignis and Adrian rode out of the east gate and turned north-east towards a thick forest known to be the habitat of the infamous Turq Tribe. The tribe is known to be highly exclusive. They are not welcoming of anyone outside their tribe and especially detest the Nobles and the Royals. The tribe only maintains a bare minimum level of communication with the outside world.
Despite their sour attitude towards the others, the tribe is patriotic, made up of special mages and are considered one of the strongest fighters of the land. In the last war against the monsters, they actively participated and followed the orders as if they never had been unfriendly to others. The females and children of the tribe stayed back to protect the land from surprise invasions.
Adrian informed Ignis that their next stop is the tribe settlement. The tribe is facing issues and that needs to be addressed. They slowed down when they reached the edge of the forest. The forest grew dense the more they went inside.
Ignis wondered how Adrian is able to roam in their territory without the tribe's knowledge.
"Adrian, you are not planning to assassinate me here, right?" Ignis heard Adrian laugh heartily ahead.
"If I had to, I would have killed you much earlier. So just calm down. We are near our destination"
After a few more minutes of riding, she saw thick roots of various old trees protruding out the earth all over the road ahead. They had to get down and walk with their horses for the rest of the journey.
Ignis trudged clumsily, feeling tired by every step.
"Ignis, just hold on for some time, we are almost there. The road is slippery as it rains most of the day. So be careful where you place your leg"
"I... am fine. I just... need some... rest. Don't worry I will not fal - " Ignis slipped on one of the moss covered roots. Adrian quickly got hold of her shoulder and saved her.
"Do not leave my hand. Stay beside me" Adrian said and started walking again.
She looked at their clasped hand and a relief spread on her face "Thank yo - AAAHHH" there was a slight rustling and a man jumped straight down from a tree right in front of the couple. Ignis screamed, jumped in shock and hugged Adrian tightly.
"Welcome brother" the person chirped.
"How have you been Levi?" the King replied. Ignis moved her face to face the smiling Adrian. Her eyes widened when she saw his hair have changed color to all charcoal black, similar to her.
"What.. what happened to your h - " Adrian quickly turned her to face the boy.
"Ignis, meet Levi, he is destined to be the next powerful mage of this Land" Levi looked like a boy with a man's body. She didn't say anything to the mage, simply kept staring at him.
"Sister Ignis must be in shock. I wanted to surprise you but it seems I made a mistake" Levi lowered his eyes, looking sad.
"She will come around. Don't worry. Can you escort us to the chief?" Adrian dismissed his worries, patting the boy's shoulder. The boy nodded and guided them to the settlement.
"Ignis" Adrian gently shakes her. "Listen, no one knows about my identity here, so do not mention my silver hair. Understood?"
Ignis kept looking at the boy ahead who suddenly started sprinting when they came out in a clearing. She saw him meet a few other boys who looked young but were strong and heavily built.
They all looked towards Adrian and greeted him eagerly. The greetings were not the usual polite bows, but, hard pats on the back or shoulder with big hugs.
Soon Ignis saw an old lady walking towards them. Although there were no expressions on her face, she carried a sense of pride and strength with her. Adrian smiled at her and walked towards the woman taking both her hands in his.
"How are you Lara? It's been a long time hasn't it?"
The woman gave him a curt nod. "Sir Adrian, has the King sent you here?"
"Yes, he read your letter and wants to assure you that he is working on it. Here is his acknowledgment" he passed over a letter to her. "Also, I am getting married".
There was a short silence, the woman and the boys looked surprised. The next moment, everyone started screaming their congratulations. Ignis saw, just for a short second the woman's eyes twinkled with happiness before she pulled her expressionless mask back. Adrian turned to Ignis and called her over.
"Lara meet Ignis. Ignis this is Lara, the chief of the Turq Tribe" he turned to Lara and promised her to send an invitation once the dates are decided.
"I am not sure, if we will be able to attend your wedding Sir Adrian, but I wish that Goddess Aqua will bless you both with a long and happy life"
"Oh c'mon Lara, you are part of the King's council. You can leave the forest for the King but can you not do the same for me?" It was the first time that Ignis saw him talk animatedly in front of someone.
"Your King never bothered to join the council and show his face to me"
"But has he ever not listened to you? Cut him some slack, he is a busy man"
Lara ignored him and came towards Ignis. "Join us for dinner before you leave" she gently patted Ignis's cheeks before walking back towards the settlement.
"Brother Adrian, we are going to get refreshed before helping the ladies with dinner. Do you want to join us?" Levi asked him, pointing a thumb to the edge of the cliff.
"No, I am good. I will meet you for dinner". The group left heading towards the far end of the cliff.
"Adrian, have you trained here, by chance? Why do their bodies look like yours?"
"Mine is better than them. Do you want to check?" he immediately took the hem of his tunic but Ignis stopped his hand.
"No, I am not curious" Ignis lied. She was curious alright. "Why are they going there to get refreshed?"
"You wont like to see what they are doing. Anyway, stop drooling over young kids. You have already hurt me thrice today. I am not forgiving you anytime soon" he started tugging her towards a two storied house, built near the edge of clearing.
She squinted her eyes towards the group and saw a boy jump off the cliff. She felt her heart leap to her throat making her stiff. Soon after, many boys followed the suit and jumped one after another.
"Are they jumping off a 40 meter tall cliff or am I just seeing things?" Ignis asked not believing her eyes. She felt Adrian stiffen.
"That's ... their usual entertainment after a day of labor. All the friends would gather and go for a dive" he chose his words carefully.
"But they could just go to the beach. Why would someone jump off a cliff to feel refreshed?"
"Because it's thrilling" Adrian shrugged as if it was not as dangerous as it looks to be. He stood such that he was blocking her view. "They feel good overcoming their fear. It sets them in a good mood"
"Adrian, have you tried this?" Ignis asked him curiously. "How are you so sure that it feels good?"
"I did" Ignis felt her heart pick up the pace. "It was fun" he added a smile.
"Really?" she asked him in a low voice. Ignis could feel her stomach acting weird imagining him jumping off the cliff. "Were you ever hurt?"
"Never... it really feels good in the depths of the water, where no sound reaches you. It's just you and your own voice" he smiled genuinely before taking her to a closer cliff where a part extends out like a flat cone from its main body. When they approached the tip of the cone, Ignis sat down on all four and looked below. She saw blue green giant waves rolled over to hit the cliff only to form a large white blanket of foam.
Without any warning she felt herself falling off the Castle window, the sea below turned to hot sand. Her eyes widened when she was about to hit the surface.
"Ignis... your hand" she was pulled back in the present. She saw her hand outstretched below as if to stop something from falling.
"I - I am scared of height" she felt her stomach twist and eyes loose focus. "I am feeling dizzy".
"Ignis? Ignis can you hear me?" Adrian called her but she couldn't move. To add to her predicament, Ignis heard a hiss which only grew louder by passing seconds. She closed her ears and assured him that she will be fine. But it came out as if she was assuring herself. She felt him lift her up in his arms before losing consciousness.