"By the way, you said I looked like someone you knew, whom might that be?" Aeloria asked with a curious tone.
'That was a lie, how do I answer that?'
"A childhood friend of mine." Zilel answered shortly.
"Really? What we're they like?" Hanon's voice cut through their chatter.
"I see the great oak. Since you're already here, might I trouble you with protecting the two as I go take a look?" Hanon looked at Zilel as he spoke.
"Don't worry, leave them to me. But, are you sure about going alone." After the fight scene he witnessed as he observed the two a day before, he wondered how the Protector could be so confident.
"I'm coming with you," Aeloria said in a tone that left no room for arguments.
"No you're not, this would only take a while." Hanon assured. 'Thornsleepers are tricky, you'd never know what they have under their sleeves, even if you're the Cannibal, it's best not to take chances.'
Aeloria had grown fond of the protector through the time they've lived together, more enough to worry about his safety. She was not going to lose another person. Even if victory was certain, she would rather go with him than await his return.
"I'm coming with you regardless." Aeloria's tone was stone cold this time.
"How about we all go? I don't feel too comfortable about dividing our forces. This way, we can have a proper way to respond when something unexpected happens." Krazel stared at the new expression of resolve on Aeloria's face. It's not an expression you would often see on a maiden's face.
Zilel observed Aeloria and came to a conclusion that her action meant she cared for the protector deeply.
Hanon sighed, folding his arms. "Fine, let's go together, but remember to stay close."
This time, it was Hanon's turn to walk beside Aeloria, however, he did not smile.
"Pardon me, Lord Krazel, but are they engaged?" Zilel could no longer contain his curiosity and asked.
"Who knows? I wondered the same thing."
"Stay close by me and do not stray," Hanon said to Aeloria. In a normal occasion, she might have joked about it, but the look on his face said otherwise.
Meanwhile, as they prepared for the inevitable confrontation ahead, Ramius was making preparations of his own back at the inn.
Walking down the narrow corridor, he stopped and opened the door to his left, stepping into one of the many inn rooms.
Jerice sat on the bed as though lost in thought. Her crystal blue eyes which stared into the distance settle on the new figure in the room. She pulled the blanket over her shoulder to keep the morning cold at bay.
"I remember locking the door the night before, so how were you able to enter?" Jerice had a suspicious look on her face when she spoke.
"A lowly door can not keep me from seeing my wife."
"For someone who had yet to perform the necessary ritual of engagement, you sure call me your wife more often." Jerice teased with a gentle smile.
"The ritual will be held in Runevale, under the witness of the All-mother , lady Nyxelene." That was when she noticed, he was fully dressed, it was as though he was heading somewhere and decided to inform her first.
Ramius saw the lost look in her eyes and asked.
"Where does your mind wonder?"
"Are you going somewhere?" She answered his question with a question of her own, wearing a disappointed look the entire time she spoke.
"Oh, that? There's something that requires my immediate attention. I won't be in touch until later in the evening, I hope my loving wife would understand." Ramius crawled into the bed beside her. He pulled closer in an attempt to press his lips on hers, but she pulled away.
"I will not give you permission to my body until the engagement rituals have been completed," Jerice spoke in a firm tone.
"But why? Earlier you said it was okay?" Though he did not understand, the feeling he had when he planted his lips on her yesterday stayed with him. It felt like a sense of belongingness but more. And in this moment, he would love to experience that wonderful feeling once more before he went after any bloody Thornsleeper.
"That was the case before I agreed to be your wife." Her breath gently brushed his face as she spoke, looking at the disappointed look on the man's face. "I should have this much dignity before I can call myself the wife of the great General Strategist of Runevale, don't you think?"
"I guess that's a fair judgement." The disappointment on Ramius's face was vividly evident.
"But I can allow this…" she then pushed her head forward, planting her lips on his cheek. "Stay safe."
Ramius smiled and stood, preparing himself to leave.
"You are not going to ask where I'm going?" Ramius asked standing by the door.
"It is not my wish to hinder your activities. But there's one thing I want you to know."
"Oh, and what is that?"
"I don't want to be a widow before I even get the chance to be engaged ritually." Jerice added, swinging her legs down the edge and revealing a light-green sleeping gown that outlined her frame at the right curves.
Ramius observed her for a while before speaking.
"I will keep that in mind." He left after speaking those words, leaving Jerice with mixed feelings.
Meanwhile, The group of four had now reached the base of the tree, and there stood a single man in a black cloak.