Damien
Arielle's behaviour had been expected, but I was still disappointed that she didn't want to talk to me. Although after this encounter, I was less broken and happy to see her again in good health.
I bought a horse off one of the hunters in the village and rode back to the capital. Dreaded thoughts passed through my mind as I thought about what awaited me back at home.
Last thing I wanted was the situation to take a nosedive to being even worse than before. But as I finally got home, I got my answer.
At the capital's entrance, I was met with a large group of people leaving with their belongings. No questions asked, I already knew that it had gotten worser.
What was worse? There were no guards on duty at the entrance.
With a sense of alarm rising within me, I rode fast and hard for the Manor. On the road, I couldn't fail to notice the depressing state of matters.
