The Black Port stirred with a hushed anticipation of dawn.
The air, still cool from the night's embrace, carried the tang of salt and adventure.
Amanise stood up from her chair barely recognising herself.
Or more accurately Soren's body.
She was dressed flawlessly in a clean, black tunic and trousers that snugged her round slim figure.
Just like the fashionable leather black gloves she wore on her hands.
Her curly raven black hair was straightened after long painful hours only made her alabaster skin look paler.
The only vibrant colours on her skin was her silver cross necklace, her ruby cufflinks, red lips and her daunting vermillion eyes.
Though the clothes weren't extravagant. It looked stunning.
I am beginning to love medieval fashion statement.
The maids behind her bowed leaving the cabin room.
Amanise was glad that they weren't aware it was her that committed murder.
Or it would have been lethal.
She wondered how she was saved though.
Remembering the duo from last night.
She shivered.
She moved to the bed near the window and sat down.
Recalling everything she thought about last night.
First of all, this reality was real, not something she dreamt of and she wasn't aware of what was outside of the cabin in this world.
The dangers that laid there.
The memory of the Soul Contract resurfaced her mind.
She plopped her body to lay down on the bed tired.
This is not Earth. And from the looks of it there are things like magical powers. Almost as if I am in a novel.
She rubbed her forehead feeling headache encroaching her skull.
The bullet hole in her throat has healed and left no traces.
And her body seems more stabilised apart from the excessive coughing.
Which was good.
I will live.
But there is something else...
She sighed.
Closing her eyes in embarrassment.
Since she couldn't fall asleep last night she began experimenting on herself.
To hear the different voices in her head.
The first one that sounded like the devil on her shoulder.
And the mechanical voice that surfaced the floating runes infront of her.
Her experiments yielded no efforts.
Almost as if she was day dreaming.
Maybe there is a requirement to access them again.
I shouldn't give up yet..
Sigh.
I haven't received any memories of Soren either. So am still very ignorant of everything.
She internally facepalmed her forehead.
Either way, she was supposed to be leaving with the Monster Syndicate.
For her new role.
After Hamlin shows her something.
Eyes still closed she reached her left hand under her pillow.
Pulling out a white envelope from memory.
She brought out the letter in it.
Rereading it again.
She was instructed to be prepared by dawn so she could move with him, somewhere...
Nervousness coursed her veins once more.
Her jittery nerves were all over the place.
Calm down you can do this.
Breathe.
Remember your purpose.
A knock sounded on her cabin's door.
She sat up quickly.
"Come in."
The door creaked open.
A tall dark figure wearing a monocle framing over his left gray eyes, clad in a finely tailored doublet of deep, rich velvet, he exudes an air of quiet sophisication. The doublet adorned with intricate silver embroidery hugs the torso emphasizing a poised and upright stance.
Beneath it, a crisp, white linen shirt peeks out, it's high collar and ruffled cuffs adding a touch of refinement.
He's trousers, made of a durable yet luxurious wool are tailored to perfection tapering neatly into polished leather boots that gleamed with every step.
Completing his ensemble was a long, flowing cloak of midnight blue, lined with soft fur to ward of the chill of the cold morning winds that breezed into the small cabin.
Looking at him, Amanise felt all the fascination for her clothing deflate like a balloon.
Rusts and Ruins!!! Compared to him I look so underdressed and small.
Why is he even dressing like that where the hell are we going.
Should I have told the maids to dress me in that suffocating corseted blue gown instead?
She saw his eyebrows rose at her attire.
"Trousers for ladies?"
His grey eyes assessing her.
Damn! Should I just go and change before Alaric comes and curses my poor fashion sense?
"Well I wanted something that wasn't too restrictive and comfy. So I told them to get me these. Though it was hard to find a young lad's clothing that would fit me."
Her lips stretched in a cheeky grin hoping she didn't look embarrassed or unsure of herself.
"You look good. But since we don't want to be having attention drawn to yourself on your first day after your 'timely' murder... Wear this."
Amanise winced audibly at the noticeable sarcasm in his words but caught his midnight blue cloak he tossed.
It's heavy.. Shit.
Having a hard time initially wearing it she succeeded soon after. The cloak swallowing her lithe body.
Smell of dark spices mixed with the salty sea seeped into her nose.
The combination was comforting.
Struggling with the urge not to dip her nose into the cloak and concentrating on what was infront her, she asked him the question that kept bothering her.
"Where are we going?"
A demure smile played on Hamlin's lips.
The cloak that once covered his head was now gone. His brown hair pulled back into a pony tail. It made him look much older and matured than his age.
And extremely hot.
He had long hair?!
"We are going to a place you should have been if we didn't save you. Or you will be in future if you happen to misstep. Mind you this is just an icing to the cake compared to what we usually give."
His grey eyes twinkled in amusement but was exceptionally sharp.
She feared it would cut her.
Well aware of the underlying threat in his words. She smiled. Covering her head.
"Lead the way. I will follow."
Hamlin's gaze lingered on her for a second before he turned back moving forward.
"Make sure to bring your dagger. Miss Grimshaw. You might need it."
I am always with it.
But you don't have to know that.
Lifting her head high and swinging her hips Amanise moved.
Cultivating a new persona for her new life.
Walking out if the cabin she stood on the weathered wooden planks, her breath visible in the half-light.
It was dawn.