It was Risa's turn to harvest herbs and potatoes that day. Jehan remained in the house to prepare for another potion-making task that he had to do as the Master Mage ordered. She soon learned that aside from the two elements that Jehan could use, he was also a talented potion maker. It was one reason why the Master Mage decided to take the young man in as his apprentice.
"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?"
Risa could seriously roll her eyes many times that day because of the way Jehan would ask that question over and over.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I'll be alright? I'm already 26 years old. You don't have to treat me like a child, you know."
"You're 26 years old and yet you're still not married?"
"Shouldn't I be asking the same question to you?"
Jehan smiled and shook his head. "Alright. Fair enough. But be careful on your way there. Take the shortcut, if you have to."
This time, Risa smiled before nodding. "I know that. Thank you for reminding me." With that, she took the woven basket and faced him. "Anyway, I'm heading out."
Though she didn't want to do it leisurely, she couldn't help walking a little slower to feel the wind blowing. Her mind still lingered on the time that the Brathos attacked her. Brathos was the name of the dog-like dark creatures that attacked her, according to the book she had read and also what the dragons told her. She still couldn't figure out the real reason for those creatures attacking her that day. Though Lady Enlari said that she'd investigate, Risa had no idea about the progress of it at all.
As much as she wanted to ask the female mage, all she could do was wait patiently. She was aware that Lady Enlari doesn't give information until she confirmed it herself. Then again, she had no idea how long she had to wait for the answer to show.
Though Risa wanted to take the shortcut just so she could return home earlier, she ended up traversing the long route. It wasn't a covered one, unlike the shortcut. But she wanted to see the view of the kingdom's capital from the hill.
She had no idea why she kept stopping at one point along the route as soon as she reached it. It could be the magnificent castle or the bustling noise of the capital that -- in some way, somehow -- she longed to hear.
Risa chuckled bitterly and shook her head as she reached the spot by the hill and eyed the Angarth Castle. Even from afar, it truly looked grand.
According to Jehan, that castle stood for more than 600 years as the symbol of the Kingdom of Revia. The original castle from 1,500 years ago that stood for 350 years was destroyed during one of its worst wars and barbarians ravaged the second castle in an invasion. It was when the Riseffa Dynasty started that prevented wars and invasions of the kingdom and peace were maintained. But then, the rulers of the dynasty had tried their best to prevent the dark entity from reviving and attempting to destroy the world for that long, as well.
She had learned of the dark entity's existence from a book that Jehan lent to her as part of her hobby reading. She was glad that her dragon listening ability had allowed her to understand the language and letterings of this world. From there, she attempted to know more about dragon listeners. But since it was a rare ability, she had only read a little information about it. The only way for her to learn more about it was to find another dragon listener.
In short, she had to talk to the Second Prince of Revia -- Alathil.
Even at that moment, her heart beat faster just by mere thinking of that name. She couldn't understand why it was happening. Could it be a link or something? They were both dragon listeners, after all.
'That's crazy.'
Maybe it was crazy. But since when did her adventures in that world start normal, anyway?
"I'd better head out to the field before Jehan scolds me again for being late and tease me about my age."
When Risa felt satisfied after looking at the castle from her position, she proceeded on her way.
<Please... release me from this curse...>
Her eyes widened and she halted to a stop.
'What was that?'
Did she hear it right?
With wide eyes, she faced the castle. She didn't know why she had the urge to look there. But she heard it clear.
"That voice..."
She was sure she heard it before.
<Help me... please...>
Okay... This was truly scaring her already. But at the moment, she couldn't even move. She knew she was trembling. If it was from fear or uncertainty, she wasn't sure.
And then she frowned. She could feel a strange pull as she continued looking at the castle. Then again, why would she even feel such a thing? Like it was beckoning her to go there.
<You'll find me here... I know you will...>
It wasn't a voice full of despair this time. It sounded... confident, for some reason. Like a person having faith in someone. She had no idea why, but she ended up smiling sadly at the thought.
Could this still be a part of her sealed magic?
xxxxxx
Risa finally reached the field after taking a while to calm herself because of what she heard. Well, it wasn't easy considering that this was the first time she heard that voice.
'Has it?'
She couldn't shake off the feeling that it wasn't the case at all. But since her memories were still foggy even to this point, there was no way she'd be able to figure out the truth about it. As much as she wanted to trust her instinct, she didn't know how long she could keep up doing that.
Risa proceeded with her harvesting job as soon as she could tell that the herbs and even the potatoes could be harvested already. Accompanying Jehan as he did this helped her learn it. The young man didn't ask her to harvest all of them, and so she was done in no time.
As she looked up, she smiled at the sight of the sun that the trees blocked. It was weird for her to marvel at such a sight, but she couldn't help it. It wasn't every day that she would be able to appreciate looking at this view.
"Hiro would be looking at me strangely if he saw me doing this..."
At the thought of her half-brother, Risa's smile faded. Without a doubt, she missed her brother. But at this point, she didn't know what to do.
'I wonder how he was doing without me.'
Then again, she didn't even know if she was dead or alive in her homeworld after the car hit her that time. As much as she appreciated waking up after that terrifying experience, she had the desire to know what happened after all that.
This time, she traversed the shortcut as she knew she had to go home already. Looking at the castle already took up a lot of time and she didn't even notice. She also didn't want to make Jehan worry again after the attack that had happened to her.
But for some reason, her movement started slowing down as her heart pounded loud. And there was only one reason for that to happen.
Someone was following her and she became aware of it. The wind around her was telling her to stop and feel and surroundings a bit, for some reason. Though it was strange that she was able to discern that, she was glad that it happened.
"I'll walk for now... and then I'll see what occurs after that."
She did just that. A few moments passed, and now she was sure someone was following her. She could hear several footsteps, even though they were light. Her heart pounded faster because of that.
'What's going to happen now?'
Risa picked up the pace and dashed towards the soil path which she knew would lead her easily to the Master Mage's house. But she was only halfway there when a person blocked her path, causing her to scream.
"Yo, young miss! Why the rush? We just wanted to play with you."
This man's grin – or should she say, this knight's grin – sent a chill down her spine. She took a few steps backward until she stopped upon sensing another person behind her. She rashly turned and saw two more grinning knights.
'Seriously, why am I surrounded by hyenas right now?'
Okay, something was wrong with the way her mind came up with that retort even in her situation.
"Play with me? Sorry, I'm not at the right age to play with any of you, rascals. So get away from me!"
But even with the conviction of her words, it didn't seem enough to scare or even get her point across. Did the knights in this kingdom usually act like this towards women?
"That's not going to happen, young miss! So you're coming with us."
"No, I won't!" As if she'd truly decide to go with these lunatics! Not even in her wildest dreams.
Risa was aware that she still couldn't control her ability at this point. But she'd better find another way out before any of these guys lay a hand on her. If the wind could help her do that, the better.
Then again...
"Who told you to stalk a young woman in the middle of these woods? You should be ashamed of yourselves, you idiots!"
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