II

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Arc II Chapter 21

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18th Anima Lunar VIII AAC 753

High elves rarely tended to meddle in human affairs. Either because of disinterest, or because of apathy. The actions of minor races were of no concern to them. Elves cared little about the wants and needs of the lesser races, just as the falling rain cared little about the arid land below. It was the natural order of things, never questioned throughout the centuries.

Their culture dictated reservation and restraint when it came to humans, but elven customs did not forbid spying from afar.

"You saw what I saw, did you not, Arwing?" Nelaeryn directed his question at his companion, asking for confirmation.

"..." Arwing was leaning against a nearby wall, eavesdropping. Her curiosity had been equally piqued. His companion nodded, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. "Hehehe, I did."

"What is so funny about it, Arwing?" Nelaeryn frowned.

"Hehehe." Arwing did not cease her sheepish laughter. "Nothing. Seeing the great and wise Nelaeryn in such a state amuses me."

"..." Nelaeryn's frown deepened. Arwing and her teasing nature ... "..."

Arwing pressed her advantage. "Oh my, you are even showing your undignified side. How unbecoming of you. The prime and proper Nelaeryn, flustered by the sight of a mere human girl. What would your ancestors think about you? You bring shame and dishonour upon your family."

"..." Nelaeryn pinched the bridge of his nose. "Woman, you are trying my patience."

Arwing stopped her teasing. "Do not worry, Nelaeryn, I would never besmirch my esteemed colleague. Nobody at home will ever know."

"..." Nelaeryn bit his lips. "I hope so, but I do not understand ... Do you not think that we should tell them? It might be wise for them to know."

Arwing wore a faint smile. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. That being said, we are not here to interfere in human matters, Nelaeryn. Whether the adventurers know, or not ... In the end, it is quite ... irrelevant."

"..." Nelaeryn pondered his words. "That might be true, but why are you going to such lengths for her? The girl is suspicious, Arwing. You saw the sprites congregating around her. They were dancing around her, as if attracted by her. The girl is clearly aether sensitive, possibly even a magic user. All without telling us. I do not trust her, Arwing. The girl is hiding something."

"I see ..." Arwing offered a benign smile. "You might not trust her, Nelaeryn, but I do. And that is all that matters. Not to mention, the girl elicits my academic curiosity. She is such an interesting specimen. No need to spoil all the fun by telling them, Nelaeryn."

"..." Nelaeryn's gaze lingered on the human girl. "If you say so, Arwing. I hope for the sake of us all that you are right." Her origins, her identity, remained shrouded in mystery.

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The spirits convened around her. The sprites sought her vicinity, a testament to her unnaturally high aether compatibility. It displeased him. Her powers were a rare gift for a mere human, a rare gift even for an elf of noble birth.

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The day ended, and night arrived. The events of the day had ruined their timetable. The entire affair had cost them valuable time. The dread wolf attack and the explosion had forced them to postpone their expedition into the arsenal. At least, it took little persuasion to convince Arwing and Nelaeryn. Their elven clients were quick to agree.

"..." Lambert grumbled. His mood was not the best. Just a single day here in Valentia and already so many hassles. This was supposed to be a simple escort mission, a simple bread, and butter mission. How wrong he had been. The world was conspiring against him and his party.

And all because of a mysterious amnesiac forest girl and her creepy doll. First, her appearance and the ambushed coach. Now, the dread wolf and the mother of all explosions. The girl was slowing them down. They lost more than a day because of her, for sure. They were way behind schedule, and unfortunately, they were not paid for overtime.

At least, the provisions would last. The girl was a veritable glutton considering her age and height, consuming significantly more than her petite stature would suggest. The girl was devouring their supplies like a voracious caterpillar. Seriously, where was all the energy going?

They were lucky that they had packed additional supplies, as usual, more supplies than strictly necessary. For the time being, they had supplies to spare.

Lambert glanced up from the bonfire, gazing at the culprit responsible. The girl and her doll had fallen asleep, tightly wrapped in their warm blanket. He could bet that she was dreaming about how to decimate their supplies further. He would certainly not put it beyond the evil little demon.

"Lambert." Iris finally appeared, her expression serious.

"There you are. I already thought you'd forgotten about me", Lambert joked.

"..." Iris did not laugh. Her serious expression remained unchanged.

"Not in the mood for jokes, I guess?" Lambert remarked.

Iris sighed, her voice sober and stern. "Lambert, ... we need to talk."

"..." Lambert's senses sharpened. This was serious. "What's the matter, Iris?"

Iris took a seat beside him, close to the bonfire. "The girl ... I checked on her ... I also checked her mana level."

Lambert raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you would check her when we return to Freyburg? I thought the matter could wait."

"..." Iris tentatively nodded. "I thought so too, but things have changed, Lambert. The girl saw them."

Lambert was unable to follow. "Saw whom?"

"That's the point, Lambert, nobody saw them. Not you. Not Rudolf. Not Michael. Not even I! I was not able to see, but she was, Lambert." Iris shared her frustration, her voice increasingly tense.

"..." Lambert blinked in confusion. "Iris, I don't understand ..."

Iris interrupted him. "Lambert, the girl is aether sensitive. The aether, the spirits, they surrounded her. The sprites ... She sensed them. She saw them. Their traces were faint, but I felt their presence. They were unmistakeably spirits."

"..."

"Do you know what that means, Lambert?" Iris continued. "Despite all the years of training, despite all my experience, her aether perception must easily surpass mine. This can't be the product of natural talent alone. There must be something about the girl."

"... ... ..." Lambert had fallen silent, watching the bonfire intently. The twig in his hands was occupied with steering the smouldering embers. "Did you tell her?"

"..." A heavy sigh escaped Iris. "Obviously not. I told her I'd check her for injuries after her little confrontation with the dread wolf. She readily cooperated."

"And what did you find; Iris?" Lambert glanced at their trusted mage and companion.

"..." Iris paused, her tongue hesitating. "Nothing, Lambert. I found nothing, absolutely nothing. My spells didn't react. No response whatsoever. As it turns out, her mana reserves are laughable for her age. Mediocre at best. The girl is average. The average of average. My readings tell me that she's nothing but an ordinary girl ... Perhaps ... Perhaps I was wrong, Lambert, and she's really just an ordinary girl ... Maybe I was just imagining things ..."

"... ... ..." Lambert was staring at the bonfire, sunk in thought. He did not like what he heard. "You know, Iris, I've got somehow a bad feeling about all of this. A mysterious girl with amnesia. Found in the middle of the forest. A creepy doll at her side. Strange magic. The more I think about it, the more it sounds like some horror story ..."

"Seriously, what was I thinking?" Lambert despaired. His shoulder slumped. "Why did I have to pick her up? The girl will get us into nothing but trouble ..."

"..." Iris rewarded poor him with a benevolent smile and pat on his shoulder. He deserved a little encouragement, did he not? "Don't be too harsh on yourself, Lambert. You did the right thing. You made the right choice. We couldn't leave her just like that, all alone. We'd to help her, Lambert."

"I guess, you're right, Iris. We had to help her." Lambert sighed in exasperation. "Though, I want to point out that right choices alone don't pay bills ... They certainly don't pay for food and lodging ... Because I've got the uneasy feeling that we'll be stuck with the girl for quite a while."

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