Three days had passed and so far they had yet to experience any form of attack whatsoever. But their guard remained up regardless of where they went. The conversations grew less, with Callista as time went on asking Isolde to remove her armor.
During this time she was unsure of whether did it to get close to her or with something else completely in mind. But despite her orders, she stood her ground stating that she was a Reuthar knight and would remain resolute to the king. The two docked out of a somewhat shabby town. The further away from the capital they went, the worse the state of things were.
"Your loyalty to Reuthar is admirable Isolde however I can't help but wonder for how long you'll be tied to their leash." Callista broke the silence with a taunt. She didn't bite as she remained silent. "It's a shame as you could achieve so much more but your vision is limited to this world."
Her words held a deeper meaning however Isolde saw it as an engagement tactic further pursing her lips. "We shouldn't come across any more towns till we get over the ridges." The coachman mused as the carriage headed further into a dense jungle, the road was worn out, at times shrubs covered the path and logs alike.
"Are you so comfortable with you own safety that you would have the time to poke at my status?" Isolde finally spoke, unable to take her games. "My safety? I've never once been at risk, it's you and the coachman who have been in danger. I wonder whether you'll make it Reuthar." Isolde clenched her fists, rage overwhelming her from within.
Callista noted her breathes, irregular and rampant assuring her that she had successfully triggered her. "I'm confident in my skills. After all I have my fault share of experience in the wild." Callista ignored her jab. "That's great to hear because you'll need it, can you still take off your armour for me? I want to see how big your breasts are."
Such words felt weird coming out of Callista's mouth. 'Wasn't she meant to be the daughter of James Vaewlyn and yet she's so vulgar. Unfit for a kingdom's jewel.' Her request of asking her to take off her armor didn't decrease at the slightest and that was what irked her.
She didn't know whether she was toying with her or she was serious. Her face remained deadpan as the carriage creaked at the path ahead. Uneven as the hollering of beasts could be heard in the woods. "We have a bit of a issue with the road ahead."
Isolde got off the carriage and examined, the thicket was unforgiving blocking their path. "I'll have to make a way then." She was baffled with the amount of clutter that presented itself only to torture her. Callista watched through the window, a playful smile plastering on her face.
Thirty minutes later and Isolde was done, her body drenched in sweat. "You can take off you armor if it's uncomfortable for you to wear." Her teases came as predicted. "If you tell me to take off my armor again, I'll shatter your legs and gut your throat." She lashed out, her words cold however Callista didn't seem bothered.
"But how am I supposed to pass time when your completely unbothered?" Isolde didn't bother with her anymore. "I preferred it when you were silent." Callista didn't bother anymore, her silence enveloping her figure.
***
The coachman went to fetch water, the two stationing their tent in the woods as freshly killed game slowly rotated over the fire. Callista hadn't peeped a single word since then making Isolde wonder whether she had misspoken. The silence comforting had now descended into something she couldn't quite point.
The closest word she had for it was maddening. "I'll go check the supplies." Callista didn't flinch at her words as she blankly stared at the fire. 'It would seem that everything's fine.' Isolde concluded as she exited he carriage only to realize that Callista was gone.
A quick malcore scan proved futile making her grit her teeth. What made it worse was that there were no traces that she could follow. "I managed to pool in some water, it should help us for-"
The coachman's words came to a halt as an obsidian dagger was lodged in his eye.
*Thud*
Isolde took a closer look at the dagger, it's crystal structure was definitely Callista but she had yet to see her. Her dome flared with the hope of protection. "Argghh!!!" She heard the screams from afar making her instantly dart over. The moonlight masked by the clouds made it even harder to navigate the unfamiliar terrain.
*Thirty minutes later*
The screams had dissipated into the night, Isolde revolted with what she came across. Multiple corpses lay all over, each of them with their heads severed with faces of shock and fear etched on them. Callista stood in the midst of it all, her cold gaze landing back onto Isolde. She didn't mutter a word before making her way back to he campsite.
All dressed in black, sole diced by obsidian strings, others amputated. A gory sight to come across. 'Did she really sense them from this far?' Isolde couldn't help but wonder before making her way back. It was then that she recalled the dead coachman that was now missing.
'For her to kill him she would know that the coachman was working with those bastards. But how did she know?' The question that plagued Isolde's mind never left as she remained awake for the rest of the night. Morning came, the stench of blood wafting through the air making her convulse. Stepping into the carriage, she was shocked with how peaceful Callista slept.
Her eyes drifted from her silky porcelain skin, her gray hair before finally resting on her hands. Warm and tempting to which she dared to close the distance waking her up. "Oh, you're awake." Callista didn't bother asking what she was doing, merely brushing it off as he alighted the carriage.
"We should leave soon." Her voice clear and concise as she looked ahead. Ridges came into view, dense lush woods teeming with strange and bizarre creatures. "How did you know that the coachman was working with them?" Callista didn't bother with a response as she made her way back in, ignoring Isolde's question.
Though bitter she had no choice but to make her way onto the coachman's seat and take reins of the horses. The road ahead got harder and harder to navigate but with a bit of her malcore it wasn't anything too outrageous. The silence hung in the air, weighing Isolde making her recall her words.
"If we're to make it out of this forest then we need to work together." She further added but the silence that followed was mind numbing. The stray hollers and cries of beasts now distant.
*Two Days Later*
The ride through the range was strangely peaceful. They encountered some beasts but they were easily dealt with. Into the distance, they could see Redfall's walls. "We should be there by the end of the day." Isolde mused as she got off the seat and into the carriage where Callista resided. Her gaze on her was flat.
"Are you tired?" Callista shook her head. "As much as you wish, I have a task to do and I won't compromise it because of you. You may be powerful but I still have principles that I won't ignore." The horses broke the silence, Callista sighed not with disappointment but with disinterest.
'I still can't believe that she's still thinking about that. It's not her but Jarren that I'm bothered about. With his so called death, I won't be able to spend any time with him. Maybe I should stage my death, maybe disappear.' She had been wondering on how to lose Reuthar's attention.
'If you really were to ask her about her armor, wouldn't it be better to simply take charge?' Jarren's words echoed in her mind. Isolde left the carriage realizing that Callista was in no mood to talk. 'Well I would but it was a joke at the time, however you're breaching the deal.'
Jarren's laughter echoed in her head. 'Of course, after all how is a corpse supposed to converse with the living?' She cursed inwardly as the carriage began to move once more. 'So you said that her name was Guinevere huh. Though that's no her actual name.'
Recalling about Jarren's interests, she was excited to meet someone as powerful as her. 'Yeah, though she may have a frosty temperament but I'm sure that the two of you could get alone just fine.' Her fingers drummed the window frame, her gaze landing on the palace coming up.
'What about the monster that killed you, should I kill it or...' Redfall was behind in terms of design in comparison to Reuthar. 'Not yet. After all it would be too shocking if you could, just let Guinevere handle that.' She let out a sigh of disappointment. 'However the scene at Redfall should intrigue you.'
Recalling the faces of contempt she got at Reuthar, she marveled at the thought of finally letting out her frustration. 'Just don't end the game so quickly, you might fail to savor every second that elapses.' His words final before the two ended their conversation. She heard Isolde talk with the soldiers about clarification before the two gained entry.
The sun had already set, the sky now slowly adorned with stars. "We're here." Isolde mused as she opened the door for Callista who stepped out. The two were welcomed with a servant, their smile perfect,their tone warm. "Welcome Callista Vaewlyn and Isolde Veyline to Redfall, the king is awaiting your presence."
The two followed, Isolde casting skeptical glances at Callista. "This time don't be as ignorant as you were with Atherion. Your father isn't here to save you." Callista faintly chuckled as she kept on walking down the halls. "I'll act the way I see fit Isolde." Her tone sharp before the two finally stepped into the royal court. It wasn't packed as Isolde had anticipated, glad that it was so.
"You must be Callista, Atherion said great things about you. I hope that you don't disappoint." The king mused, his tone warm as several gazes were cast at the two. 'Thus den of wolves is hungrier than the packs back at Reuthar.' For her thus wasn't a hindrance but a chance she would use to her benefit.
"Thank you King Roderic." Isolde said however Callista remained indifferent. Brows furrowed, glances of intrigue and shock shot at her. "Callista Vaewlyn, do you know who you're in front of? Quickly make an apology." The man that spoke sat two chairs away from the king, with the order she realized that it was the second prince of Redfall.
"I don't bow to insects. However if it irks you then come over and make me." Her taunts making Maelion grit his teeth. "This isn't Reuthar where you can throw your tone as you please." Before the situation could get out of hand, the eldest princess interjected. "Maelion, brother. As much as it pains you, she's here to help us so there's no need to make an enemy out of her."
Selindra spoke, her head supported by her hand as she tried to assess Callista with a glance. "Still sister, Maelion is correct, she can't just disrespect father and walk away with no repercussions." Thallan Greymoor, the eldest prince spoke, his tone stern unlike the rest of his siblings.
He found it ridiculing that they had to call in for reinforcements from Reuthar given that the two weren't on good terms as of late. "That's enough! Callista Vaewlyn, you'll have a servant show you your room before heading out. I'm sure that your journey here has been tiring." Though Isolde made another respectful bow, Callista took her leave without another word.
The royal family remained in shock with her attitude. "Father, how could you allow her to be so rude to you? What will Reuthar think when they hear about this?" Maelion posed, his fingers digging into his chair in rage. "I'm sure that father has an idea brewing, after all he's not one to let things slide so easily." Selindra added playfully.
"There's something odd about her. Atherion did mention that we shouldn't take her too lightly but he may have overlooked her hubris." Roderic chuckled recalling the letter.