In the outer realms of the Eastern Kingdom, near the border, lies the town of Jerut. The two lovers lie out in a field of high grass, their belongings strewn around them. The memory of that day by the gravestones floods Slash's mind as he sleeps.
"Slash, wake up…" Sodina's face shines from the afternoon sun as she looks down at him.
"How long have I been asleep?" Slash wonders aloud, sitting up to meet Sodina beaming at him.
"For some time now, silly." Sodina touches his smooth cheek lovingly "I protected us with magic so we could sleep in broad daylight without being attacked."
"Thank you, baby, I appreciate that," he answers, staring at his beautiful wife.
Sodina smiles. "You're looking at my breasts, love, not my eyes.""Sorry for my manly instincts."
"I know that my man is going to look." Sodina giggles while rising from the ground, offering her hand.
"You know me too well," he answers, letting her pull him up.
The pair begins to walk slowly toward the town in the distance. Just then, a wolfen runs out of the forest, heading right toward Slash.
Slash is ready. Seeing the beast approach, he pulls out his sword and cuts the wolfen across the chest leaving a gaping wound. The blood splatters over Sodina's skirts and Slash's coat as they continue to walk forward.
"Since we met Ella, there seems to be an increase in monsters throughout the kingdom," Sodina murmurs.
Slash sighs, looking off into the distance. "I know, love, it's tragic." Sodina looks at the ground, wondering when the bloodshed will end.
"Don't look so gloomy," Slash says. "It is only part of our journey. We are merely warriors, trying our best to make it through this life. I know the blood will continue to bother you, but eventually, we will never have to fight again." He pulls her in for a sweet kiss before they move along. "Until then cheer up and know that you husband is here for you."
Sodina looks up at the sky, at the sun glimmering with delight.
They approach the city gates of Jerut and walk through them. Clouds gather above the town.
"Everything is going to be okay," he says.
"These travels can be too much for me, love," Sodina whispers.
"We will need to explore as we continue to dive deeper into this mystery," Slash replies. "Whoever poisoned you is still out there."
Sodina runs forward with a skip and hop, trying to shake off the blood on her summer dress.
"If I could just use magic to clean my dress," she mutters.
"I know, baby. How great would it be if you could use magic every time you get dirty?" Slash looks over with a smirk on his face and waggles his brows.
"Hey, don't be like that." Sodina beams. Her long red hair blows in the wind.
Slash looked at her in admiration, knowing the poison is still impacting her significantly. How does this woman do it? She continues to fight on with poison in her body, he thinks to himself. So brave.
They still have so much to explore, and they need to find a way to remove the poison from Sodina. Traditional medicine yielded no results. Al Slash can think about is her and the troubles she is going through. What an amazing wife he has, regardless of the pain and suffering.
Sodina skips forward, slightly off balance, jumping in the puddles of the city streets. Raindrops fall in a light drizzle.
"I just love how the rain feels on my body, Slash!" she exclaims. "I will wash the blood off my dress!"
Slash looks into the distance and sees stores upon stores that resemble every other city they have ventured into. This city is packed full of everything a traveler might need, even thugs.
"The local knights probably let the back alleys roam freely, full of crime," he mumbles, though Sodina can hear him clearly.
"I wonder how many unsolved murders happen because of those scoundrels who roam in the darkness." She shivers as they make their way through the busy cobblestone streets. Her eyes explore the two-story homes and business that all look the same except for the signs on the front of them.
I wonder if we can make some money being bounty hunters and bringing those criminals to justice, thinks Slash.
"Keep an eye out for a guild, my love," Slash yells after Sodina.
She looks back in approval as she continues to skip and hop through the puddles.