Chapter 4 - Worshipped Light

  "Dame Claire?" Ren rubbed his eyes and examined her face again to make sure. Bright round eyes, a small nose, long brown hair, it really her. "Uhm, do you usually not bring an escort with you?"

  Ren looked around for a guard or anyone keeping an eye on her and found nothing of the sort. He thought maybe they were closely hiding somewhere, and that his help was unwarranted.

  She only chuckled in response and lifted her hood back over her head.

  "I appreciate your concern, but no, I don't bring guards with me everywhere I go. I'm not important, I don't think." She said as she links her arm with Ren and led him to the side of the street where there were less people. "Now, you've saved me a great deal of trouble. And I'd like to reward you for your noble gesture. Do you have anything in mind, perhaps? Nothing too outlandish I hope."

  Ren wasn't expecting a reward, really. He just didn't like the feeling of standing by when he knew he could do something about the situation. It would be foolish to turn her down though. Sir Van said last night that it was disrespectful, especially to nobles. He already had an answer in mind but was thinking this through some more. Though he barely knew this person, it'd be a waste to ask for some coin and be done with it.

  "Well, I was planning on buying myself a new weapon today. It might come in handy tomorrow." Ren mused.

  Claire perked up and smiled when she heard this.

  "That's perfect! I'm sure you'll find what you need where I'm headed." She beamed. "Do you know your way around the city?"

  "Not in the slightest. It's my first time here and I was meaning to ask around for where the best shops were."

  "Lady Lumina's light shines upon us. I'm sure she'd led you here to save me from my troubles, so I could help you in yours." She prayed, clasping her hands together. "With that said, would you kindly escort this poor girl on her way to do her errands? She'll be glad to show you around town if you'd like."

  Claire playfully asked Ren to accompany her. He was unsure wether this was how she usually acts, or maybe she was only trying to make it easier for him to accept her offer. He didn't have anything better to do, anyway, so he agreed to follow her.

  The pair strolled into the busy main road leading them to the commoner's district. According to her, this was the fastest way to the industrial district, where all the finest weapons were made. She said there was someone she had to meet there.

  Along their path, the dame would occasionally buy fruits from a few stands. There was also a small bakery she'd bought loaves of bread from.

  "I hope you don't mind. But I'll be stopping by the church for a quick visit. You're welcome to go on ahead. It's a straight road from here to the smithies." She explained. She was rummaging through her purse for coin.

  "That won't be necessary." Ren stops her. "I'd like to see what the church here is like, if that's alright."

  "Oh, it's nothing fancy—but if you insist, then we're headed this way."

  They didn't walk much farther and had reached the center of the district. It was an open area with a large well in the middle. On one side was an office of some kind. On the other side was the church. It was in fact, nothing fancy, just a normal rustic wooden church. Judging by the number of children running around the place, it served as an orphanage too, much like the church back in Inari.

  "Would you like to come in?" Claire asked. "I'll only be dropping these off. It won't take long."

  "I'll wait here." Ren nodded.

  Claire nodded back and walked inside.

  "It's Miss Claire!" A boy shouted when he noticed her.

  A number of children came running towards her and had surrounded her within seconds. They all looked excited to see her. Unfortunately, the heartwarming scene was immediately interrupted as they heard the clouds rumbling. Before they knew it, rain had come pouring down. Claire hurriedly led the children inside the orphanage, while Ren rushed towards the nearest building, the chapel.

  He dried himself off at the entrance before walking inside. Looking around, there wasn't anyone here except for a little girl who was sweeping the floor. The girl noticed him but continued cleaning anyway. He sat down on a bench in the farthest row.

  The chapel was almost identical to the one back at home, two rows of wooden benches facing an altar at the front. There were large arching windows on the walls, all covered by a high ceiling. The only thing different was the mural on the wall behind the altar. It depicted the same Goddess, but this one was holding a sword in one hand and an open book in the other.

  "She's so pretty isn't she? Goddess Lumina~" The little girl said. She was done cleaning it seems as she sat on the front row. "My name is Lily, what's yours?"

  "I'm Ren." He couldn't see her from where he was but answered anyway. He stood up to walk closer to her. "How come you're all alone here, while the others were playing outside?"

  Lily didn't respond. Ren made it to the front row and glanced down from beside her. He saw a frail young girl playing with her makeshift doll. It was made of straw and had buttons for eyes. He stood there and took a closer look at the mural instead, not pressing for an answer. Maybe it wasn't the best thing to ask her, in hindsight. Seems he was going to be stuck in this awkward situation for a while. The rain didn't show any signs of stopping.

  "It's-" Lily spoke up. "They don't like me too much. It's 'cus I'm ugly… not like the Goddess."

  Ren mentally slapped himself. He felt bad for not reading the room better. He was racking his brain for the right words. Glancing at her again, he noticed that the girl had several burn scars on her skin, all the way to her face. It must have been tough for her.

  He sat beside her, still facing the mural.

  "Say, do you ever pray to the Goddess?" He asked in an attempt to change the subject.

  "Mm-hm." She nodded vigorously. "When I wake up, and before I sleep."

  "That's good. And what do you pray for?"

  "I pray that there are no more wars in the world." She replied with conviction. "No more starving and sadness. No more pain."

  Such a wonderful place she described, sadly, would never become real. Despite being raised in a church, Ren had never been religious. They were always told to pray. But he found it hard to put his faith in a Goddess who refused to grant the wishes of a girl like Lily. He was well-versed in the teachings of this church. It was practically drilled into his mind throughout his childhood. And even then, it made him believe all the more that the Patron Deities of this world were wicked and cruel beings.

  "I pray for the same thing, you know." Ren belied his thoughts, refusing to be the one to take away the hope in her voice. "What was it that the priests say?Lumina's light will guide the way-"

  "Trust in her for she is fate." Lily faithfully recited.

  "That's right." Ren couldn't resist and pat her on the head.

  Memories of his time in the orphanage were flooding back in. That tiny little flame of hope in him had been long gone. And here he was now, trudging through life, trying to survive. Often he would wonder what all the struggling was for.

  "Uhm, Mr. Ren?" Lily snapped him out of his daydreaming, his hand still atop her head.

  "Oh, sorry about that."

  "No worries, it felt nice!" Lily expressed.

  This girl was stronger than him in more ways than one, he thought to himself.

  "So what's his name?" Ren pointed at the doll.

  "You mean what's name. It's Lumi. She likes flowers." She corrected him.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  *

  Ren spent his afternoon playing with the girl and her doll in the meantime, while he waited for the rain to stop. She was smiling and laughing a bunch by the time the skies would clear up. Claire found them in the chapel soon after. They said their goodbyes and were back on the road. Ren promised he'd come back to visit Lily when he can.

  There were less people on the street now after the rain. The pavement was still wet and the pitter-pattering steps of the ongoers along small puddles could be heard everywhere.

  "I'm glad to see you playing with Lily back there." She mentioned. "She'd been through so much already, at such a young age."

  "Do you always set aside bread for her when you visit?" Ren was curious. He saw the dame hand the basket she was carrying earlier to Lily, it had a whole loaf of bread left inside.

  "I do. It's the least I can do for her, and the children." She said. "But alas, no amount of bread will ever be enough."

  "They're lucky to have someone care for them like you, Dame Claire." Ren spoke honestly. There wasn't anyone like her in his time in the orphanage.

  "You flatter me." She giggled. "I only get to visit every once in a while. It's not often I get to go outside like this. Even now, I have to head back to the castle as soon as I finish my tasks, lots of things to prepare."

  "Sounds like you have a lot on your plate." He remarked. Ren couldn't believe that a person like her existed, a person providing charity out of nothing but the kindess of her heart, a person who easily trusted a stranger because they helped her. She had to have a different reason behind all this. "I've been wanting to ask…"

  "Ask away."

  "I don't mean to offend you, but how could you trust a stranger so easily? I'm just a nobody." Ren voiced his doubts.

  This got Claire thinking for a moment.

  "Hmm. I wouldn't exactly call you a nobody if you were hired to be a bodyguard for the princess." She reasoned. "An ordinary mercenary wouldn't exactly be here for no good reason. In truth, being in Sir Gildas' company is proof enough already that I can trust you."

  "Still, nothing was stopping me from taking your purse for myself earlier, or taking advantage of your kindess when you offered a reward. Hell, I could've been in cahoots with those kids who stole from you this whole time." Ren argued.

  Claire stopped walking and looked him in the eye.

  "But you didn't do any of those things, did you?" She questioned. "If you're confusing my trust with naivety then you are sorely mistaken, Mr. Ren. I simply believe in my own judgement. And I've felt no malice from you thus far."

  Ren sighed. Her words made sense, but was it really that simple. He relented as there was no benefit in antagonizing her only to justify his doubts.

  "I—suppose that makes sense. I'm sorry for doubting you." He apologized.

  "Oh, it's nothing to apologize for. I can tell from this that you're a cautious man." She gleamed and continued walking. "A fine trait to have in your profession."

  Ren took her candid observation as her way of telling him that she was a good enough judge of character to be fine on her own.

  "Let's quicken our pace, shall we?" She urged, wary of the time. "I wouldn't want to be late for dinner prep."

  They hastened their steps and eventually crossed over to the industrial district. The whole area was lined with smithies, tailors, woodworkers and all kinds of workshops. Compared to the rest of the city though, this place had to have been the most unkempt. Most everything was covered in grime and soot. It was probably from all the smoke coming out of the countless chimneys around.

  Ren was starting to see a pattern in how the city was structured. This whole time, they had been walking away from the center of the city, the castle. And the farther out they went, the more densely packed the buildings and the population were. Now that they were closing in on the city walls closest to the edge of the forest, the living conditions were hardly comparable to where they were staying. He wasn't seeing any more of those runic lamps and devices, instead there were regular torches. There were hardly any guards patrolling as well.

  He was concerned for the dame's safety. But eyeing her, she didn't seem bothered in the slightest. Ren was thinking that maybe he was wrongly accusing her of weakness again.

  "Here we are." She announced, looking up at a smithy's signboard.

  It had a crest of an anvil and two swords on it. The sign spelled 'Brand's Armaments'.

  They entered the storefront, ringing the doorchime. But there was noone on the counter to greet them. The shop was filled with all types of weapons and armor, displayed on the walls and shelves. Ren was about to browse the wares when a gruff looking man wearing a leather apron appeared from the backdoor. He was taking off his gloves while appraising his customers with a stern gaze. Not the most approachable store clerk, Ren thought.

  "Mr. Ragnar," Claire spoke up first as she pulled her hood down. "Have you been well?"

  "Ahh, is that you Miss Claire?" He said in a northerner's accent, with a gruff voice matching his tough exterior.

  "Indeed it is." She bowed. "My friend here wishes to buy a new weapon. I've led him to the right place, won't you say?"

  Ragnar scoffed. "Feel free to look around, lad."

  Ren gladly obliged and started searching for a good weapon. He preferred shortswords when given a choice, but a shorter blade like a dagger works fine all the same.

  "Is Miss Nova around?" Claire inquired. "I was supposed to meet her here earlier, but the weather got in the way, unfortunately."

  "It was pourin' a while ago, aye. But the lass won't be too upset I imagine." He said before cupping his hand beside his mouth. "NOVALIA! Get over here!"

  A crashing sound could be heard from the back, like someone had knocked over a table of pots and pans.

  A girl who was also wearing a leather apron and an odd pair of goggles came rushing to the door that Ragnar came from. She was out of breath and her ginger hair was all over the place.

  "What is it? What happened? It wasn't my fault, Pa. I swear!" She panicked as she slid off her goggles.

  Her eyes were a shade of green that Ren had never seen in someone's eyes before.

  "Miss Claire here wanted to talk to ya'." He calmly explained.

  "Oh. Oh, right." Nova sighed in relief. She turned to Claire and put on a more serious look. "Is it, about particular thing?"

  The dame nodded.

  "Alright, come with me to the forge." Nova told her and left as fast as she came. Her accent was a lot less prominent than her father's.

  Claire didn't follow her yet and instead walked over to Ren. She grabbed his hand and swiftly placed five gold coins in his palm.

  "This is-"

  "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ren. This is my thanks for your help today." She cut him off with a smile before he could refuse. "Be sure to say hello, should we ever meet again."

  Ren didn't know what to say. This was way too much for a token of gratitude. He'd never been in possession of this much money in his life. Claire saw his conflicted reaction and tried reassuring him.

  "Aside from your due reward, consider it as payment for escorting me through the city." She rephrased. "Surely a mercenary such as yourself wouldn't refuse a handsome payment for a job well done?"

  He pocketed the coins, grateful for the lucky streak he was on, recently.

  "Maybe a fool would pass this up." Ren smiled, feeling smug. "Thank you, Dame Claire."

  A doubt still lingered in the back of his mind. But he at least had the courtesy to thank her.

  "Till then." Claire turned around and waved a hand as she was leaving. She nodded at the shopkeep as she passed by him.

  After the dame left the room, Ren took out one of the coins from his pocket to make sure it wasn't some kind of illusion. He bit into it and sure enough, it was as solid as any other coin.

  "Doubtin' yer employer, lad?" Ragnar said, keeping an eye on him.

  Startled for a second, Ren shoved the coin back in his pocket.

  "Ehm, just an old habit." Ren said.

  Ragnar didn't seem particularly interested and was now tidying up some of the wares displayed behind the counter.

  The owner of the store saw him receive a large chunk of money. Ren was hoping the shop owner didn't have prejudice towards mercenaries. He might get ripped off because of it. But the man seemed friendly enough towards the dame.

  He continued browsing and happened upon a crate full of daggers. And it was the one on the very top of the pile that caught his attention. He picked it up to get a better look at it. It was a fine blade, about as long as his forearm. It had a good weight and balance to it that felt comfortable in his grip.

  However, what set it apart was the small markings on the pommel. Ren was thinking that this was maybe a rune of some kind. He didn't know that they were making weapons with runes on them now. But none of the other equipments on display had these markings on them. He went over to the counter to ask.

  "Could I ask you about this blade, sir?" Ren approached.

  The owner raised a brow when he saw what blade he was referring to. He took the dagger and examined it.

  "I don't recognize this one, must be my daughter's. Where'd you get this from?" He wondered.

  "There's a box in that corner, full of these blades." Ren pointed.

  "Ahh, that's where she throws all her rejects. Bit of a perfectionist, that lass." He groaned. "Tell you what, I'll give this to ya' for free if you buy somethin' else with it."

  "Free? Is it broken?" He had to ask.

  "Nova threw it out, there has to be somethin' wrong with it then." Ragnar reasoned matter-of-factly, placing the dagger back down.

  "There's some markings on the pommel, is that a rune, maybe?"

  "A rune?" Ragnar thought for a moment, then a look of realization came to him. "That must be why she threw it out. She's a runesmith. Probably tried puttin' one on steel. That never works out well. And whatever spell this rune is, I got no clue. Why, yer a mage or somethin'?"

  "No, but I found out I can use them quite well when it's carved on a sol stone." Ren placed his runestone on the table. "Ever seen one of these?"

  "By the faiths, how'd ya' get yer hands on this?" He immediately recognized the stone in front of him. "I've been told they're not supposed to be sold to the public yet. Did the dame hand you one? If you bought that from someone then you better be tellin' me who it was that had the gall to get a leg up on us!"

  "I didn't buy this from anyone!" Ren snatched the stone off the table. "I got it from our captain just a day ago."

  Ren told him the truth. He only wanted to ask if he was selling runestones since his daughter was a runesmith, he didn't mean to upset him like this. And honestly, he was a little scared for his life. The man in front of him seemed like he could rip a person's throat out if he wanted.

  Ragnar eyed him suspiciously but backed down.

  "Yer one of the mercs that I've been hearin' about then, huh? For the wedding tomorrow." He calmed down in an instant, like he wasn't about to maul him a moment ago. Come to think of it, Ren was now seeing how much he and his daughter were alike.

  "Y-yeah. We were hired as bodyguards for the princess tomorrow." He confirmed. "I was going to ask if you were maybe selling runestones, but I guess you're not."

  "Aye, we swore not to sell them. It was the dame, in fact, that went around to every runesmith in the city. Or at least, those who know how to craft a runestone." He recalled. "I suggest you don't go about showing that stone to every fella who mentions runes."

  "I have a feeling it won't be staying a secret for long. But I appreciate the advice." Ren speculated. More than half a hundred men from the company already got their hands on a runestone. A lot more people will know about it, sooner or later.

  Ren went back to the shelves to find a different item he'd be interested in buying. He settled on a well-made shortsword, a tad longer than the dagger. Ragnar wrapped the two blades in cloth for Ren. He wouldn't wan't to be seen openly carrying these around before the grand event tomorrow.

  *

  "Is there no other way, Miss Claire?" Nova asked anxiously, biting her nail. "I don't want to leave. We came to this city with absolutely nothing to our name. But my father—our family built this place from the ground up. He'd be worried sick if I ever left."

  "I'm sorry, Nova. You would know well enough that The Seer's words are not to be doubted." Claire solemnly expressed.

  Nova was pacing back and forth, eager to find an alternate solution to all this. She did not have much time left to decide.

  "What if I stand my ground here? I can plead my case. Surely, they'd understand that it was all for the better. It's not like we've hurt anyone!" Nova suggested.

  "The fact remains that you've conspired with us thus far. And when the inquisitors inevitably figure this out, you will be sentenced to imprisonment." She shot the idea down ruthlessly. "Or perhaps, worse, I fear."

  "W-worse than imprisonment?" She gulped.

  Claire pulled out a letter from her pocket.

  "Read this if you wish to come with us. Written within are the details of how you can save yourself and your family from suspicion of treason." Claire hands her the letter, holding Nova's trembling hands in hers. "Please, Nova. You're the last I've yet to convince. Nothing awaits here… but a tragic fate that should never befall such a kind soul like yourself."

  Not a sound could be heard, except for the crackling embers of the forge. Claire pleaded with her eyes, for Nova to make the right decision.

  She looked out the window and saw that it was get ting dark outside. There was still much to be done. Reluctantly, she let go of her hands, walked to the exit, but hesitated. She was about to leave her friend she'd grown fond of for the past few years. But there was nothing left to say.

  "W-wait!" Nova called out. "I almost forgot. Can you give this to her?"

  She threw a stone towards Claire. It was a runestone, glowing faintly. The dame caught it, but was unsure what this was about.

  "I managed to do it." Nova said with a triumphant grin, albeit forced considering the situation. "As always, Her Highness was right. The placement of the engraving didn't matter at all, nor did the size. Perfecting the rune carving was what did it."

  From the very first conception of the modern technology known as runes ten years ago, The Sage had relied on a certain individual to test the limits of what could be done. The first ever rune was created here in this forge, by none other than the extraordinary talent known as Novalia Brand. Runesmiths of today had learned and based their techniques on her creations.

  There was no question that whatever it was that she deemed important enough to give to The Sage, was a breakthrough or an achievement of some kind.

  "I'll make sure to let her know." Claire promised, an air of sorrow surrounding her. "Farewell, Nova."

  She opened the door and left without looking back. There was no need for tearful goodbyes.

  After taking a deep breath, composing herself for a second, she brought up her hood and made her way through the narrow alleyways of the industrial district. If it were any other time, the dame would've taken extra steps into making sure she was safe. Any time she had errands here, she'd make sure not to get recognized by any of the passerbys.

  Yet, today, Claire had much in her mind. She was distracted, complacent from the safety of travelling with her recent companion.

  Gradually, tiny droplets of rain began to fall once more until it was pouring again. She couldn't afford to run late in returning to the castle tonight. With no other option, she trudged through the downpour, hurrying her steps. But in her hurried strides she failed to notice the two armed men in her path as she bumps into them, knocking her down to a sit on the pavement.

  "Hail the Sol's light! We were right! It really was the dame." The thug sneered. "Turns out it was worth the wait, eh?"

  The men brandished their knives and cornered her. Claire noticed that they both had a distinct symbol of the Sol marked on their necks. They're members of those wretched doomsayers, those cultists.

  She was biting herself for being so careless as she pulled out a concealed blade under her dress, not liking her chances of getting out of this unscathed.

  "I wouldn't do that, missy." The cultists moved in closer. "Now give up and quit struggling if you know what's good fer ya'!"