???'s POV
Uh, what the hell is this damn forest, if it wasn't being protected, I would have cut my way to the river. Anyway, when I get to the river, the city should be in just a few hours.
I continued making my way through these thickets, I was already able to hear the river. What I was able to hear as well, were a wolf and apparently some kids.
Huh? I guess I will have to make detour. I can't let them die.
*Sigh*
And so, I rushed through to the kids, I was in no great hurry, because this wolf, when alone, won't rush thoughtlessly, it will first determine level of dangerousness of its prey. So with my current speed I would be able to come right in time.
As I was progressing my way, suddenly for just a brief moment I sensed a presence of someone frightening, someone whom I have never seen. This made my heart race as if I was facing death, that's what my heart was telling me. My eyes were wide-open, my breath was heavy as if I was being choked. I was terrified, but what terrified me even more, was that I didn't sense or hear that thing, it just appeared from thin air.
I rushed in my full speed. I had to find out what it was and, if possible, to save the kids. When I came close to the small clearing, I saw how the crystal wolf charged to the kids. Without hesitation I shot a small amount of mana like laser beam that went through the wolf's head like nothing, killing it. It was but a mere basic mana control, but that was enough for this wolf.
In any case, when I came out of the trees and looked at the kids, I saw… nothing.
"Eh? Just kids?" I said out loud confused.
I was stunned for a few moments before I realised that the presence was gone and so did the fear. I was both relieved and concerned me. If it went into hiding and I was not able to sense it, we would most likely be doomed.
"Hey, kids, are you okay? Was there anyone else?"
Dominique's POV
"Y-yes, we are fine thanks to you, Mister."
My heart was still about to jump out of my chest and I didn't quite let my guard down yet. In this utter darkness I could barely see anything especially this man.
"Are there anyone else? Or any more animals?" He asked, while slowly coming out to the moonlight, getting closer to us.
"We didn't see anything else, only this wolf." I replied.
"I see."
When moonlight finally revealed him, it was quite a handsome young-looking man, with sharp yet manly face features, with long dark grey-ish hair freely descending down, to about a level of his stomach, part of which was going down his chest. He also has a pair of horns, like mine ones but curved, symmetrically to one another yet quite chaotically. He was tall and really fit I dare say. His clothes were unusual as well, it didn't look like anything local, more like from far away.
"What are you two doing here?" He started asking questions about us and I wondered if he could help us.
"We fell into the river and got carried away by the current."
"So, you got lost and I assume that you were in Kenua, right?"
"Yes." I answered and right when there has been a pause between questions, I asked: "By the way, Mister, can you, please, help us get home? It's currently night and it's dark and scary. A-and what if we come across a wolf again?"
Judging by his face, he didn't really care about this situation, yet he replied: "Don't worry kid, I am going to this city anyway, so I will help you. First, let's get closer to the river bank."
"A-alright."
We immediately set off and as we were following him, Alice seemed a bit strange. After some more time she whispered to me: "*Domi, are you sure we can trust him?*"
"*Yeah, why not? He saved our lives.*"
"*Okay, but… I am still feeling uneasy…*"
As we came to the river bank, we continued walking upstream. I was curious about why we were doing this, so I asked him: "Mister, why are we going so close to the river? This part of it is wide, deep and wild."
"Because it's easier to get to the city and we won't get lost like this."
"Makes sense. Oh, by the way, what's your name, Mister?"
"I didn't tell you? Hmm, I must have forgotten, my apologise. I am Lucius Larmanas. And what about you?"
"Oh, I am Dominique and she is Alice."
"Good. Are you guys hungry?"
Surprised by this unexpected turn of event and already starving, I said: "Oh, yeah, quite a bit *stomach's grumbling*. Ha-ha…" I was a bit embarrassed, this sir already saved our lives and agreed to help us, and now he is giving us his food.
"Here, take this." He handed me a small bag, inside were dried meat.
Grateful, I replied: "Thank you!" Then I gave one slice to Alice and took one for myself.
When I tried to give the bag back, Lucius said: "It's all yours, I don't need it anymore."
"Eh?" Alice and I said simultaneously, then I added: "But when you get hungry, what are you going to eat?"
"Yes, what will you do, Sir?" Alice supported me.
"Haha *smiled slightly*, don't worry about me. I have eaten about an hour ago and the city is only a few hours ahead. By the way, I have already thought that you couldn't speak, young lady."
"Huh? I-I can speak, I just didn't have anything to say" Alice's face showed more than enough to understand how puzzled she was, and I wasn't any better.
I have the same question: why would one think so?
Lucius Larmanas's thoughts: For god's sake, how was I supposed to know, huh?
After this confusing, to say the least, moment, we continued on our way in silence. Only Alice and I exchanged the words from time to time. This continued for some more time.
While walking in the silence I was reflecting about today, when, all of a sudden, I was brought back to earth by sir Lucius: "Kids, are you tired? If yes, then let's make a stop here and have a rest."
I looked at Alice while she looked at me, we nodded to each other and answered: "Okay."
We sit near the river bank, on a relatively safe distance from both the river and the forest. Sir Lucius gathered a few sticks and logged in a short time and started the fire somehow.
It wasn't particularly cold, but the night was making itself felt and bonfire made it much more comfortable and relaxing. Sir Lucius also brought us two big logs, on which we leaned.
Alice leaned on both me and the log somehow and apparently fell asleep. While resting for some time, I finally made up my mind and asked: "Sir Lucius, how did you start the fire?"
Sitting in front of me on the other side of the bonfire, without a long pause he replied: "I am an awakened, of course. Didn't you notice it when I killed the wolf?"
"Oh, yeah, right…"
After this I didn't ask any more questions and soon after I joined Alice with my head falling back and dropping to her head.
…
Upon awakening, it took me a few seconds to realise that I was being carried in Lucius's arms along with Alice.
"Sir Lucius, what are you doing?" I asked at a loss.
"What does it look like, kid?" He replied with his ever-nonchalant look.
All this fuss woke up Alice: "Ah? What's going on, Domi? *Yawn*" She asked all sleepy. No wonder she was like this, in addition to her having sweet dreams, it was midnight yet, but with a surprisingly bright moon tonight.
"We seem to be carried by sir Lucius for a while now. By the way, sir Lucius, can you put me down now?"
After being put on my feet, we kept on going to our destination. It was long and tiring, nevertheless possible. Eventually, after yet another few hours of walking, we were able to see the light, coming from many torches from guards looking for us.
Spending a few more minutes and making haste, we got to the bridge that will bring us to the other side of the river. Once we traversed it, no time was spent before Alice and I rushed to our parents.
"Mum! Mum! We are here!" I was shouting the best I could and after falling into my Mum's arms I continued: "I am so glad to see you, Mum! I was so scared!" My eyes became wet, with each second more and more, the tears were coming.
"So am I, Darling. I can't describe with all the words in the world how worried I was!" The sounds of relief and at the same time unease were heard in her voice.
Alice also was shouting something like this to her Mum, but I didn't hear what due to me doing quite the same thing. However, she was crying her eyes out, that's what I have heard for sure.
While still having a pinch of strength and energy, I tried telling Mum about sir Lucius: "By the way, Mum, there is one man that saved our lives."
"Hm, and who is this?"
But before I said anything sir Lucius started by himself: "Greetings, lady Cecilia. It's an honour to meet you again." He said bowing at the same time.
"Oh, sir Lucius, hello. The honour is all mine. So, it was you helped our kids out. Then I am relived. I apologise but let's continue our talk a bit later as I have to tale care of my son."
"Of course, lady Cecilia. I will wait for you…
As they continued to talk my last bit of strength faded away and I quite literally passed out of exhaustion.
To be continued…