Night had already fallen hours ago when the small group arrived near a vast forest. It marked the boundary of the duchy.
They stopped beside a stream to wash and quench their thirst. Selen wanted to camp there for the night, but she knew perfectly well that the duke would refuse. She glanced at the dark mass of trees looming ahead and shuddered. There was nothing more sinister than a forest swallowed by darkness, with the wind whistling in your ears.
"Couldn't we camp here for the night and leave at dawn?" Selen tried anyway.
The duke, his hair still wet from bathing in the river, ran an irritated hand through his black hair, sending droplets of water onto Selen's face.
"We'll rest after we cross the forest," he replied, leaving her behind as he mounted his horse.
Selen sighed. This time she couldn't argue, since she wasn't particularly tired. Either she admitted she was afraid of dark forests, or she followed along anyway. The choice was quickly made. She mounted her horse and followed the duke and Sir Howard.
After a few minutes of galloping through the forest, the duke suddenly stopped. Selen guided her horse closer to his to ask what was happening, but she was suddenly lifted, and seconds later she found herself seated on the duke's horse.
"What the—" Selen tried to say before the duke covered her mouth to silence her.
She looked up at him, searching for an explanation for his strange behavior, and it was when she saw the focused, almost predatory look on his face that she understood—he had sensed something. For her part, Selen already had cold sweat running down her back just from the sounds echoing through the forest.
"There are at least a dozen of them," the duke said to Sir Howard.
"And they look strong," Sir Howard replied.
"We'll deal with them quickly," the duke continued.
Selen was about to remind them that she was also present and that their secretive discussion was starting to irritate her when she finally sensed what they were talking about. They were literally surrounded by heretics. Their dark energy was unmistakable. They must have been waiting for them here from the beginning. Selen thought she had known from the start that there was something wrong with this forest just as the duke suddenly urged his horse forward at full speed. She had to cling to him to keep her balance as he zigzagged through the trees.
Selen felt liquid splatter across her face. At first she thought it was water from the duke's hair again, but when she touched her cheek, she realized it was the blood of the heretics he was cutting down. He was incredibly fast—so fast she could barely follow his movements. If Selen was stronger than him in magic, she had to admit that the duke possessed both mastery of the sword and experience that had honed his combat instincts.
"Something strange is happening!" Sir Howard shouted.
Selen had almost forgotten about him. She had been too busy mentally commenting on the duke's attacks.
"You're right. They're regrouping," the duke replied.
"What does that mean?" Selen asked.
"It means we're retreating immediately," the duke said, spurring his horse.
"I don't understand. We were winning, weren't we?" Selen exclaimed.
"Yes. And that's exactly the problem."
At that moment, the moon finally emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating the forest. Selen saw three heretics stationed at the forest's entrance, as though waiting for them.
"Damn it. Those bastards planned everything," the duke muttered, stopping his horse.
Selen was about to demand an explanation when she saw magical circles forming around them. That was when she understood—the earlier fight had only been a distraction. Their true plan had been to encircle and trap them. Selen prepared to summon magical swords, even if it meant revealing her abilities, when the duke suddenly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her off the horse.
"Listen carefully. The moment you see the light, don't breathe. Do you understand? They're going to release poison made from dark magic," he told her before dropping to the ground.
Selen could have told him that dark magic had no effect on her, but she played along and lay down as well. When the light appeared, it was quickly followed by a violet gas that surrounded them. Half-risen, Selen watched the heretics collapse one by one. Such dark magic must have required their sacrifice to be activated, she thought.
She located Sir Howard and created magical chains that wrapped around him and the duke. Dragging them as far away as possible, she finally collapsed, out of breath. She had to admit to herself—cardio was not her strength.
After a few minutes, she stood up and checked on Sir Howard and the duke. The duke seemed to have fared better, while Sir Howard had blood flowing abundantly from his mouth.
Selen sighed. She had no choice—healing magic would not be effective in their current state. She pulled a knife from her boot and pierced her finger, then opened Sir Howard's mouth and let a few drops of her blood fall inside before doing the same for the duke.
She then went to the horses, which had also collapsed. Unfortunately, Sir Howard's horse had already died. Selen, who loved animals, gently caressed the poor creature one last time before standing.
She returned to the duke, placed his head on her lap, and gave him a vigorous slap.
I have never taken so much pleasure in slapping someone, Selen thought.
"Your Grace, can you hear me?"
Color had returned to his face, and seconds later he opened his eyes. He sat up abruptly, hitting Selen's chin in the process.
No good deed goes unpunished, she thought as her chin throbbed.
"Stop trying to get up. You're as fragile as a newborn," she informed him.
He ignored her and attempted to stand anyway—only to collapse back into her arms.
"How are you able to stand while I can't?" he asked. "I suppose this is the moment when you stab a dagger into my heart and flee."
Selen shot him an offended look. It was true she could have done that—but the idea had never even crossed her mind. She didn't know why, but although she loathed using her blood to heal others, she had never once considered abandoning them. After what had been done to her in her previous life, she had sworn never to mutilate herself for anyone again.
"At least promise me you'll save Rose… please," the duke continued, likely taking her silence as guilt.
She could have let him continue just to see how far he would go after that please, but they were not safe yet.
"Your problem, as I've said before, is that you think you're the center of the world. What benefit would I gain from stabbing you now after dragging both you and Sir Howard until my arms gave out?"
He looked at her suspiciously.
"So you're not going to kill us? Why?"
"Are you seriously asking me why I'm not killing you?"
She sighed and helped him sit against a tree. He was as heavy as an oak.
"Sir Howard was badly injured. I doubt he'll recover in less than ten days."
"I'll be able to ride within an hour. Ah yes, the horses are all dead, I suppose."
"Not all of them—and you know that very well. Just as you know it was me who treated you and Sir Howard. When will you stop testing me? Or do you truly believe I'm an idiot?"
He smiled.
"I've experienced that poison several times before. Not in such large quantities, but I know it would have taken me at least a full day to recover. As for Sir Howard, he would certainly be dead. And you're right—I'll stop testing you."
"And?"
"Thank you for saving Sir Howard and the horses."
Selen could hardly believe her ears.
"And yourself?" she asked.
"I would have survived," he replied with a shrug.
She almost slapped him again.
"So you're willing to go that far just to avoid owing me anything?"
"Exactly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to rest so we can leave as soon as possible."
Selen spent the next hour bitterly regretting helping such an arrogant man.
They detoured at the forest's edge toward a nearby village. After reserving two rooms at an inn, they settled Sir Howard in one while the duke rested in the other. He had made a scene about refusing to rest, but since he was still weakened, Selen had won the argument quickly. They planned to leave in the morning and leave Sir Howard under the village physician's care.
After checking on Sir Howard with the doctor, Selen decided to check on the duke as well. She had noticed that Rose's location remained fixed in the port city, but that could change quickly. They needed to cover the remaining distance as soon as possible.
She knocked and asked permission to enter. When he allowed it, she stepped inside.
"What are you doing sitting up?" she asked, finding him seated on the bed.
"I didn't know you cared so much about my health," he said ironically.
"You may do as you please, but I'm the one who'll have to deal with a half-dead travel companion."
"How is Howard?"
So it was concern for his knight that kept him awake, she thought.
"The doctor said he'll wake in one or two days."
"It's incredible, isn't it? You possess the best healing magic I've ever seen, and dark magic doesn't affect you."
She could feel his curiosity, but answering would change nothing.
"Rest. I'll keep watch," she said, sitting on a chair.
"Shouldn't I be the one giving the bed to the lady?"
"Since when am I a lady to you? Have you forgotten that just yesterday I was the impostor whose real name you didn't even know?"
"And that's still the case. Let's make a deal. I'll sleep if you answer two questions."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"I'll answer two of yours if you answer two of mine in return—and then you sleep."
He thought before accepting.
"I'll start. What is your real name?"
"Selen. Now my question—how did you get that scar?"
"Selen has no family name?"
"You asked for my name. You have it."
"Very well. Which scar?"
"The one on your temple."
"I got it when my uncle tried to kill me. My turn—what really happened to the emperor's knights? I don't believe they were heretics."
She knew he was trying to extract information.
"I eliminated them. Satisfied?"
"Healing magic and combat magic? You must have been blessed."
"I've answered your questions. Good night."
"You're not asking your last question."
"No. I have nothing more to ask. Sleep."
She leaned back and closed her eyes. About ten minutes later, she opened them again when the duke began to snore.