Chapter 7 - II -

 

The next thing that she knew, Lily was at the office of the Sekhtem town militia.  A female squire had just finished tending to her wound, and a splint was also put in place at the back of her thigh, where she was shot.  She tried moving it, but…

 

“!!!”

 

Terrible pain shot through her leg that Lily jolted at her seat.

 

“Such a horrible wound you got there, missy!”

 

“!!!”

 

A familiar voice made Lily turn around.  Behind her was a tall man—the guy that she met at the town gates and challenged her to a duel earlier.

 

“We meet again, missy!” the militia leader had a different ambiance this time.  He was friendlier compared to when he was on his sentry duty, “My name’s Sir Dane, and I serve the King as the captain of Sekhtem’s Militia.”

 

Lily gave the best greeting that she—as a knight—could give, despite her condition.

 

“Ah, don’t move too much, missy!” Sir Dane stopped her, “You’ve been injured; good thing your wound is relatively harmless.  It didn’t bleed too much, and we’re able to close it with the bandages and splints.”

 

“Thank you, Sir!”

 

“No, this old man’s just doing his duty.” the militiaman laughed, “Though if you don’t want that to make a mark on your skin, you should at least try to ask Her Holiness to heal you with her magic.  That good saint is as busy as she is right now, I reckon.”

 

“…”  Lily remained quiet the moment Maddie’s name was raised.  She knew that this kind of wound would be easy for her friend since the human saint was the only one in all of Chersea that possessed the power of the gods to heal.  But for now, she doubted if she could return to that place.

 

“Ah, anyway, here!” Sir Dane had a bowl of soup and bread brought before Lily, “Eat some food and regain your strength.  And while we’re at it, can I ask you some questions?”

 

Lily nodded, signifying her intent to cooperate.  It’s been a while since she last ate something good, and so she decided to have an understanding with Sekhtem’s militia…as long as it didn’t bring harm to her goal of staying in low profile.

 

“Right.” Sir Dane pulled a chair over as he watched her eat, “Alright, the first question.  Miss Lily Tamriel, you’re  an upper-class noblewoman, right?”

 

“!!!” Lily almost choked on her food.

 

“Nah, it’s no use denying it to me.  Even if you say otherwise, your behavior gave you away.” Sir Dane laughed heartily, “Knights and lower nobles are usually arrogant and full of airs.  Commoners and serfs are all meek and servile to us militia.  You, however, reeked of good manners befitting a princess!”

 

“Kof!  Kof!” Lily was now choking, literally.

 

Sir Dane ordered the female squire to help her breathe again, “Well, your reactions tell me I’m right.  Anyway, I’m not exactly trying to pry on your circumstances, missy.”

 

“What do you mean, Sir?”

 

“Ah, I’m just trying to warn you.  You see, our King had recently established good relations with the emperor.  And so, a lot of imperials come and go in this kingdom, doing their business and other stuff.  You get what I mean?”

 

“Err…sorry?”

 

“Alright.” Sir Dane then signaled the squire to secure the door and the windows of the room where they were in, which she followed.  And then he continued, “Look, you know the imperials, right?  They may seem like quiet and business-like people, but they secretly capture us ‘northern barbarians’ to sell as slaves in their country.”

 

“What?  

 

“Yes…” the elderly knight explained further, “You know that the only type of slavery allowed by Her Holiness is the voluntary one, right?  The one where if a person falls into deep debt, he could pay it off by allowing himself to be enslaved.  However, in these parts, the Imperials would capture unsuspecting citizens and forced them into it.”

 

“Does your king know about this?”

 

Sir Dane just nodded, “Of course, our king won’t allow it…at least officially.  In all honesty, he was powerless to stop the trade, or he’ll risk war against the empire, to which, we’re hopelessly unprepared.  And I feel like our majesty’s colluding with these fellows, sacrificing his people for his own gain.  You know how much money a slave can bring in.”

 

“Wow…” was all Lily could say.  Seasons of holing up inside the Holy Palatial Gardens had made her unaware of the things around her.  

 

“I think that man who attacked you was one of those imperials engaged in slave trading.  We recovered a pair of manacles in the town square.  Perhaps they took an interest in you; for clearly, you’re not a usual knight.”

 

“And so, that’s the reason you singled me out, too?”

 

Sir Dane only smirked, “Well, I also miss fighting a worthy opponent.  It’s been long since there’d been a war; despite that, I like it this way.  The only ones who are excited about it are those young enough never to experience a battle.”

 

“Why are you telling me this?”

 

“Who knows?” Sir Dane shrugged, “Maybe some old geezer is fed up of the situation and is trying to let others know of what’s happening, even if the king forbade us to speak about it.  On the pain of getting his tongue cut.”

 

Lily could find no words to say upon hearing that.  It’s not that slavery was strictly forbidden in the large part of north Chersea, unlike in Nerfes; but to encourage it at the expense of the people was something even she couldn’t comprehend.

 

“…”

 

At the back of Lily’s mind, visions of Maddie and Kuro returned.  She knew that if she’d just tell those two about the situation here at Calabria, they’d spring into action.  

 

However, Lily resolved to herself that she won’t have anything to do with the Holy Palatial Gardens…at least, for now.

 

 

The downtown Sekhtem was already bustling once again with activity when Lily decided to continue on her journey.  Sir Dane had offered her proper accommodations, at least, until her injury heals.  But she decided to move on.  Using a pair of makeshift sticks, Lily took some time to get used to walking with it, though she mastered it quickly in the end.

 

“…”

 

Hobbling around outside the militia office and supporting herself with her sword, Lily stopped for a moment and looked around.  Sekhtem is a pretty big city compared to the tiny, upscale Arles, and the private enclave of the Holy Palatial Gardens.

 

“…”

 

The Iron Princess.

 

It’s been a while since she last heard someone call her by that nickname.  Lily almost forgot about it until that incident earlier.

 

“…”

 

And yes, she’s confused who was that person who attacked her.  There’s no doubt that it’s a slave trader, but coincidentally, that man knew her and her past.

 

Did she fight that person before?

 

Or was he involved in other things that she did?

 

Or worst, maybe that man could be one of…

 

Lily shook her head to remove all the negative thoughts.  Looking at Sekhtem and its many cobblestone streets, she was peering into an uncertain future.  Nevertheless, Lily had already resolved herself to confront it ever since she decided to leave the Holy Palatial Gardens.

 

Starting at this moment, she will be a brand-new person.  Someone who doesn’t need anyone, nor is needed by anyone…

 

 

“Ah!  Look, there she is!”

 

“!!!”

 

A child suddenly came running towards Lily and gave her an inquisitive stare.  By this time, she had already walked quite a distance from the militia office, but not too far to exit the entire town square.  Lily thought that having a pair of crutches would solve her walking problem; turns out, it’s difficult to walk using it.

 

“Hello there, Miss Knight!” the young girl greeted her.

 

“Uh…are you talking to me?”

 

“Well, who else is in here with a pair of crutches?”

 

“…”

 

“Hey, Grandma!  I found Miss Knight!”

 

“Mariya!  How many times I should tell you, show some respect when you talk to knights and nobles!?” An old lady with an irreversible injury to her right eye appeared and hit the young girl in the head.

 

“Don’t worry!  I think Miss Knight is kind; just look at her face!”

 

“Stop it!” she hit her young companion once again.  Then the old lady turned to Lily, “I’m very sorry for the insolence of my granddaughter, Lady Knight.”

 

“Ah, it’s okay!” Lily smiled.  To be honest, she didn’t mind having someone like that speak to her that way, maybe because of her long time of servitude under the saint had taken root in her character.  And also, having painful problems concerning her crutches, correcting a young girl’s straightforward mouth was the last thing on her mind as of the moment.

 

The old lady, however, quickly assisted Lily and asked her granddaughter to do the same.  The young girl found a resting place for her, and after shooing away some more able-bodied fellows loitering around, they took her there for a break.

 

“Ah, milady!” the grandma began the moment they sat down, “I’d like to ask for your forgiveness concerning my granddaughter.  If possible, here is the money that she took from that strange fellow who tried to kidnap you.”

 

“Huh?  Why are you returning this to me?”

 

“Well, it’s because of it you are injured right now.  And if you didn’t wake up in time, your fate could’ve been much worse!  All because my granddaughter sold you!  At least, let me pay you back for the inconvenience we caused.”

 

“Ah, there’s no need for—”

 

“Please!  I insist!” the old lady countered, “And you, Mariya, you better show your apology as well!”

 

Mariya then sheepishly bowed before Lily and apologized.  But she also added, “Miss Knight, I also helped you there!  I didn’t shout earlier just because for the sake of it, see?”

 

And now Lily remembered.  In the first place, she wouldn’t be able to wake up in time, had it not for someone shouting and making noises with marching footsteps…

 

So this is that person who made that, huh?

 

“Ah, please be at ease, Madame.” Lily happily assured the old lady, “Your granddaughter here helped me by making noises that roused me up, and she also outwitted her enemy.  I would return the money to her, because she earned it, fair and square.”

 

“Alright, Grandma!  We got our money back!”

 

Grandma bowed before Lily in gratitude, “Thank you for your kind understanding, milady!  If there’s anything that I and my family could be of help, please ask!”

 

“Ah, it’s okay.  I’m fine!”

 

“No…I insist.”

 

“Really, I’m good.”

 

“I insist, milady!” Grandma’s aura became threatening, “In fact, I wouldn’t mind if you stay with us for a while, until your injury heals.  Could you even walk far in that condition?”

 

“Ah, I wouldn’t refuse anymore if I were you, Miss Knight.” Mariya said, “Once Grandma sets her sight at something—or someone—you could say it’s a done deal.”

 

“…”

 

And with that, Lily found herself a home to stay in for a while.

 

 

For about several miles east from Sekhtem, near the northern coast of north Chersea, one would find a small village of around 50, or more, people.  The name of the place was Hagena, and most of the villagers there lived on the catch from the sea.

 

It was here that Lily was taken to stay with Grandma and her granddaughter, Mariya.

 

“Ah, this is our village, Hagena.” The old lady introduced, “Most of our young people here work as fishers, and some, like Mariya, her brother, and I, often visit Sekhtem to trade in our catch.”

 

“Oh…so that’s why Mariya can carry me like this?”

 

“Yes, of course, milady.  I ask for your forgiveness if you didn’t like it.”

 

“No, on the contrary, I felt good.  I afraid I’m the one who’s imposing on your granddaughter.”

 

Grandma chuckled, “Don’t worry, Mariya’s a tough nut with carrying loads.  You saw how easy she pulled the cart you were on earlier, right?  Well, she takes after me.  When I was younger, you could say I’m strong enough to hurl logs at the enemy during the old wars.”

 

“Ah!  So you’re also a veteran of the old wars, Grandma?”

 

“Why yes!  I was a squire back then, serving in the army of the crown prince of Nerfes.”

 

Upon hearing that, Lily fell awkwardly silent.  She was feeling poorly enough to keep talking about some terrible memories from the past.

 

“Are you okay, Miss Knight?” Mariya asked.

 

“Ah, yes…I am!” Lily quickly regained her senses, and she attempted to change the topic, “Uhh anyway, so you’re someone from Nerfes?”

 

“Yes, milady!” Grandma laughed, “I, my daughter and her family, including Mariya, were from Nerfes.  All the people in this village come from that kingdom, as well.”

 

“Eh?  All of you?” Lily was surprised to learn about that. “If so, what are you doing here in Calabria?  Did you get involved in some disaster back in the past?”

 

“Well…you could say it’s a disaster, alright…” Grandma had a nostalgic look on her face, “However, it’s not a calamity that you think of.  If I may describe it, this disaster took a human form and terrorized us for a long time…”

 

Lily was getting increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation the longer the old lady narrated her story.  Nevertheless, she let her finished speaking.

 

“We’re refugees, Miss Knight!” Mariya proudly declared, “We left Nerfes and eventually settled here!”

 

“Refugees?”

 

“That’s right, milady!  We were forced to leave our lands in that country.  My family—my husband, my three sons, and Mariya’s mother, who is my only daughter, were massacred at the order of that she-devil who lords over our lands back then.” There was a hint of anger and bitterness in the old lady’s voice as she narrated her tale. “And in fact, this eye was blinded not because of battle, but because of the whims of that cursed woman.”

 

Lily kept her silence upon learning about the cruel fate of her companions.  She was quivering, and cold sweat was forming on her forehead.  Yet she tried her best to hide it.

 

Mariya checked on her once again, “Are you okay, Miss Knight?  You’re getting pale!”

 

“Oh right, sorry!  You must get hungry.  Come, enter my humble home.”  Grandma motioned for Lily to come in.  And she added, “By the way, my name—or formerly, that is—is Margie Guggenheim Horn, squire of the House of Benfall, the noble ‘servants’ of that accursed aristocrat, the Bloody Witch of Meldech.”