Chapter - 29
"You were able to take down the Umbragore, and by yourself. That's quite impressive," Seraphina remarked, a note of genuine admiration in her voice as Jacob handed her a few mission parchments along with the monster parts from his completed quests. She couldn't help but marvel at his progress. Jacob had been severely injured by mere Seralisks not long ago, yet here he was, successfully tackling an Umbragore, a notoriously difficult creature to track and kill.
"I've gotten a bit better is all," Jacob replied modestly. Seraphina handed him three gold orins and four silver orins for his efforts. Jacob pocketed the money with a satisfied nod.
"Miss Seraphina, are you free tonight?" Jacob asked, causing Seraphina to look up at him in surprise.
"Why do you ask?" Seraphina said, curiosity piqued.
Jacob took off his cowboy hat, revealing his tousled hair, and rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit he hadn't yet shaken.
"I have a few questions and things I'd like to discuss," he began. "You've been incredibly helpful to me since I arrived, and it's clear you know a lot about the world. If you don't mind, I'd love to spend some of your free time learning more. I could really use your guidance."
Seraphina's eyes softened, and she nodded immediately, flattered by his request. "I'd be happy to help. I'll be free around eight from the guild. How about you pick me up from my home at nine?" she suggested, scribbling her address on a piece of paper and handing it to him with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Miss Seraphina. I truly appreciate all you're doing for me," Jacob said, taking the piece of paper and carefully tucking it into his pocket. He gave her a polite nod before making his way out of the guild hall.
The rest of the day, Seraphina found it difficult to concentrate. Her mind wandered to her wardrobe, considering which dress would be appropriate for the evening and what jewellery would best complement it. She wanted to make a good impression on Jacob, not just as a knowledgeable guild member but perhaps something more.
As she finished her shift, she hurried home, eager to prepare for the evening. She chose a flowing, emerald green dress that accentuated her figure. She paired it with a delicate silver necklace and matching earrings, her thoughts drifting to Jacob and how this was an opportunity for her to know him better.
A knock on her door made Seraphina go to open it. When she did, she found Jacob standing outside. Seraphina couldn't stop herself from biting her lower lip, even though she reckoned it might make her look overly eager.
Jacob had cleaned up well, she thought to herself. He wore a crisp white shirt tucked into a new pair of dark jeans, both likely recently bought. Despite the change in attire, he still wore his familiar, somewhat odd hat. To be honest, Seraphina had grown fond of the hat, thinking it complemented Jacob's rugged looks.
"Good evening, Miss Seraphina," he greeted her, offering a slight bow that made her giggle softly.
"Good evening, Jacob. You look quite dashing," she replied with a smile. Jacob, ever stoic, simply nodded.
"Shall we?" he asked, extending his arm.
She took it, feeling a pleasant warmth spread through her at the touch. "Lead the way, please. I'm still not very familiar with the city and don't know any fine dining spots," Jacob said.
Seraphina patted his arm reassuringly. "Don't worry, leave that to me. I know just the place."
As they walked, they chatted about various topics. Jacob recounted some of his recent missions, and Seraphina shared anecdotes about her time at the guild. Their conversation flowed easily as they walked through the cobblestone streets of the city.
After a pleasant stroll, they arrived at a quaint little restaurant tucked away on a quiet street. The soft glow of candlelight flickered through the windows, casting a warm and inviting light.
"I chose this place because it's never too crowded," Seraphina explained as they entered. "The food is excellent, and it's a perfect spot for a quiet dinner where we can talk at ease."
They were seated at a corner table with a view of the small garden outside. The waiter asked them about their orders, which Seraphina handled, before leaving them in a comfortable silence.
"This place is nice. Quiet and cozy," Jacob said, glancing around. "Thank you for bringing me here."
Seraphina smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I'm glad you like it. It's one of my favourite spots in the city."
As the two dug into their meals, Seraphina asked, "So, Jacob, what is it you wanted to discuss?"
Jacob put down his fork and took a deep breath, meeting her eyes with a serious expression. "Miss Seraphina, there's something I need to share with you. You've been incredibly kind and supportive ever since we met, and you deserve to know the truth."
Seraphina tilted her head slightly, curiosity and concern evident on her face. "What is it, Jacob? You can tell me anything."
"I... I've lost my memories," Jacob began. "Three weeks ago, I woke up in chains, captured by slave traders. I had no idea where I was or how I got there. The only thing I could remember was my name. Everything else was a blank."
Seraphina's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively reaching for his across the table. "Oh, Jacob, that sounds horrifying. How did you escape?"
Jacob nodded, appreciating her empathy. "I was lucky. When they realized I could use magic, they panicked and let me go. Apparently, I'm a mage capable of harnessing faerium, though I had no knowledge of what that even meant at the time. I just tapped into a power I felt inside me and managed to get away."
He took a sip of water, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Since then, I've been trying to navigate this place on my own, piecing together what I can. The only person who's been a real friend to me here is Thorne, the innkeeper where I'm staying. He suggested I become a monster hunter to earn a living. So, that's what I've been doing."
Seraphina was silent for a moment, her hand still resting on his. "Jacob, I can't imagine what you've been through. It must have been incredibly difficult to face all of this alone. I did notice you seemed unfamiliar with some things, but I never imagined it was because of lost memories."
"It's been a challenge, to say the least. But people like you and Thorne have made it a bit easier. I wanted to tell you because I trust you, and I need your guidance," Jacob said.
Seraphina squeezed his hand gently. "I'm glad you told me, Jacob. You don't have to go through this alone anymore. We'll figure things out together. And don't worry, I'll help you with anything you need."
"Miss Seraphina, other than my name, there's one more thing I remember. The name 'Cursed Lord.' Do you know anything about it?"
Seraphina's brow furrowed as she repeated the name to herself. "The Cursed Lord... It's an old legend from the time of the goddesses," she began, tapping her finger thoughtfully on the table. "The Cursed Lord was a human who had reached the pinnacle of strength. His control over faerium was unheard of. A being of great malevolent strength, he was only defeated by the four goddesses working together to kill him."
Jacob's interest was piqued. "The four goddesses?" he asked, this being the first time he had heard of them.
Seraphina's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't know about the goddesses?" she asked incredulously. When Jacob shook his head, she continued, "The goddesses are central to our world. Each mage is taught to worship one of the four goddesses, believing them to be the source of their faerium."
Jacob thought about it and made a mental note to read some books regarding these goddesses.
"Miss Seraphina, let's get back to the Cursed Lord," Jacob said. "You mentioned it's a story from long ago. Have there been any recent sightings of this Cursed Lord? Any news of his reawakening?"
Seraphina shook her head. "No, nothing like that. But there is a prophecy, believed by the Cult of the Dark," she said, her voice dropping. "The Cult of the Dark is a group of evil mages who wreak havoc across all the kingdoms. They believe that one day, the Cursed Lord will awaken and kill all the believers of the goddesses. Only those loyal to the dark will be spared and given control of the world. That's all I know."
Jacob pondered her words, wondering what they meant and how he fit into all of this. "That's a lot to take in," he said finally. "But you've told me more than I expected, and I'm really grateful for your help and understanding."
Seraphina smiled warmly. "Jacob, if you ever need to talk more about your past or anything else, you know where to find me."
After finishing their meal, Jacob stood up and extended his arm to Seraphina. "Shall we head back?" he asked.
Seraphina took his arm. "Yes, let's get going," she replied. They walked back through the quiet streets in a companionable silence.
As they reached Seraphina's home, she turned to him with a soft smile. "Thank you for tonight, Jacob. It was... enlightening."
Jacob tipped his hat slightly, his expression softening. "The pleasure was all mine. Thank you for listening. It means a lot."
Before he could react, Seraphina leaned in and quickly kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight, Jacob," she whispered, before hurrying inside, leaving Jacob standing there, surprised.
He stood there for a few moments, processing the unexpected gesture, before shaking his head with a small rare smile. Turning, Jacob walked back towards the familiar inn where he was staying, feeling a warmth in his chest that hadn't been there before.