"...What? The edge of the world? How can the world have an Edge?" Brutus asked bluntly.
The lady giggled, "Okay, it's not the literal edge of the world, but it might as well be. The wild-lands are a region that surrounds the living world."
"Huh? I still don't know what you mean." Brutus replied, perplexed.
The Lady sighed, "Fine, I'll tell you about it, come." The lady gestured to welcome Brutus inside the luxurious carriage.
"But My Lady! We don't even know who this man is! You can't just let him inside he carriage with you!" Mark reasoned.
Looking coldly at Mark, the lady replied, "Mark, am I someone who needs anyone's protection?"
Mark shivered, "N-no, my Lady, I apologise"
"Good", she replied, "now then, come inside", she beckoned at Brutus once more.
"Uhh, yes..." Brutus replied as he entered the cabin with wariness. Once seated, Brutus could see the tasteful interior of the cabin, the seats were made of high-quality red velvet and the floorboards and walls were made of a pristine black wood, where in certain spots, they were lined with priceless threads of gold. Outside the carriage window, Brutus noticed the silhouettes of strange, black twisting trees sprinkled across the landscape, too tall and too thin to be natural.
After admiring the cabin, Brutus settled his eyes on the mysterious woman, with silky brown hair that flowed down to her shoulders, which were revealed by her white, regal dress, which attempted to hide the beautiful woman's supple-
"Enjoying the view?" The woman teased.
Feeling his cheeks redden, Brutus replied, "Uhh, yeah... wait no... sorry"
Giggling once more, the Lady teased, "Never been taught manners, have you?" Continuing, the Lady said, "Anyway, before I tell you about the Wild-lands, I have some questions of my own"
Brutus tensed and replied,"...such as?"
"Well, for one. Who are you? How come you know nothing about where you are?"
"Ah, well, im Brutus, and to be honest. I was searching for a village or a sign of people, really and just ended up here after a lot of walking," Brutus said.
The lady studied Brutus for a long moment. "Really... you really did end up here after a stroll... unbelievable. I can't tell if you're the luckiest or unluckiest man in the world. But that doesn't really answer my question, who are you, Brutus? I can see you're a knight from somewhere, given your attire. But I've never met anyone who knows nothing about the Wild-Lands"
Getting more and more confused by the second, Brutus asked, "Hold on, why would I be lucky? From the looks of it, I've hit rock bottom when it comes to luck"
"Well, if you've crossed paths with me, then fortune must really favour you", the lady replied.
"And you are who exactly?" Brutus asked.
The lady sighed, "You really are clueless, did you not recognise the crest of my family on the carriage?"
"Uhh, to be honest, my eyes were looking at something else", Brutus said bluntly.
"right... Anyway, my name's Alicia Ironheart, ring a bell?"
'hmm... Ironheart, that does sound familiar. Ironheart...wait...' and then a sudden realisation dawned on him. "IRONHEART?!" Brutus blurted out. "THE IRONHEART?!" Brutus's back straightened instantly, not allowing himself to look uncouth in front of a legacy whose family holds half the Empire's military contracts.
"So you do know something", she teased.
"Well, it'd be hard not to know the family of a swordmaster. The Ironhearts produce warriors like the Commander of the knight order, do they not?", Brutus replied.
"Yes, that's true, now that I've introduced myself, I'll ask once more, who are you, Brutus?"
...
After hearing Brutus tell her how he got here and where he came from, leaving out the mention of Julia, once mentioning the betrayal. Alicia replied, "Hmm, I see, looks like you've been through something, haven't you, Brutus?"
"Yeah, I guess," Brutus replied. "Now will you finally tell me what the Wild-Lands are?"
"Sure, I guess I should tell you now. Hmm, well, to keep it short. The Wild-Lands are a massive, untamed region that spans nearly half of the world. Which is why I said it's the edge of the world, because it pretty much is." Alicia explained. "But how come a knight from the empire does not know the Wild-lands?"
Brutus hesitated before answering, "Well, in the knight order, I was looked down on because of my lack of a family, so I was denied a good education. And I was never sent outside my post. So, I taught myself what I was able to, but I guess it wasn't enough."
"Hmm, yes, I see, that clears things up then, oh, by the way, how old are you?"
"I'm... 18, why?"
"Just wondering, anyway im 19, so address me with respect, will you!" she prodded.
"Uhm, okay"
"Just okay?"
"Ugh... yes, ma'am", Brutus sighed as Alicia giggled.