Dusk approaches…
As the sun set its course to the west, it gradually sank below the horizon, giving way to dawn on the other side of Vashkeil. There, at the forest entrance, lies the group that survived an ambush.
Enemy corpses lie scattered, but the paladin had more urgent concerns than giving them a proper burial. Inside the wagon are only the old merchant, the wounded mother, and Ashalain. While removing the mother's thick clothes, she noticed a deep cut on her back. She was crying in pain, or perhaps fear of losing her child.
Green flames rapidly filled the wound, healing the torn cut within minutes. Moving to her leg, Ashalain asked the old merchant to remove the arrows while she prepared the healing flames quickly.
Even when it was done, the woman still clutched at the paladin, her hand gripping tightly to her arms.
"It's alright now, you're safe. No more of those people who will harm you." Ashalain gave a warm smile and returned with an embrace.
Outside… Not wanting to be seen by Ashalain, Natalak hurriedly drags the corpses into a line and quickly searches for anything that fills his desires.
"Um, may I ask what you are doing, sir adventurer?" Comes the young kid.
"Oh, I'm just searching for anything that might be helpful in our next travel," Natalak answered, but his mind was celebrating as he took their pouches.
"Quite a heavy wallet you guys had." The man struggles to hide his laughter.
"Here," Natalak adds, giving the child two pouches. "And best not to tell your uncle. Understood?"
Gleaming with delight, the child nods rapidly upon accepting the man's offer.
"Oh, almost forgot, promise not to tell the paladin."
"Yes, I promise." Nods the child, while he watches Natalak burgling the corpses, pulling rings and gemstones from their pockets.
Inside the wagon, the woman was put to sleep. And a blanket was given, taken from the merchant's goods.
"My nephew and I will prepare the camp."
"Thank you, that would be appreciated. But I would suggest that we make camp in the open valley; this forest is not safe for us to rest in. And one more thing—"
On the other hand… Natalak wanted to fully search their bodies, though when the curtains from the wagon slid open, he quickly changed his position— poking his sword on the ground.
"I-I lay them prepared for you to give them a proper farewell."
Given his words, Ashalain's expression turns disappointed, possibly bored with his childish reason.
The paladin sighs heavily. "Help me remove their equipment."
Just from her call, Natalak's face flashes in glee.
Pulling out their boots, their helmets, armours, and anything that was of value.
"So, is there any reason why we are doing this?"
"Hmm… We adventurers are to search for any critical relics or items that might cause harm to the people of this world. And… if there are any, it is our obligation to surrender them to the guild. In exchange, we received a sum of reward, but it depends on the value of the relic."
"Oh… so what about these items that hold no danger should we—"
Ignoring his query, Ashalain gathered the items and turned towards the wagon.
"I believe that these items should be worth the trouble. If by any means, you should best sell it to the guild's merchants. They have the proper ways of buying such commodities." Ashalain advice.
"T-thank you, Lady Shilvia." The merchant replied before he manoeuvred the wagon towards the open valley.
Conversely, Natalak glared at her with a withering look.
In response to his scowl of envy, Ashalain merely tithers.
"Come now, I know you've already taken their coins. It's the least we can give, since they are the ones who will fill our hunger."
Now that the corpses are without armour, the paladin can begin her ceremony. Blue flames coil through her hand, and with a touch to their head, the blue fire incinerates their flesh into ash. Leaving only their clothes behind.
"It is done." Kneels the paladin, as the wind carries their ashes.
Still, Natalak was upset as he followed Ashalain towards the open camp.
By the time they exited the bent tree, it was already dusk, and cold was starting to cover the land, the air, and the water. Too, the animals quickly seek sanctuary, and the group makes their camp.
Setting up tents, lighting a bonfire, and bringing out cooking utensils. Ashalain voluntarily parks the horses. In contrast, Natalak facilitates dinner with the boy. Smiling and sniggering, the two are, whilst Natalak tells Earthly modern jokes to the kid.
Taking the early night watch, the paladin heard the call of the woman. Rushing to see her distress, Ashalain saw that the mother was trying her best to descend from the wagon.
"Wait!" She calls, quickly holding her hand. "Hold me tightly," Ashalain adds, easily carrying her out of the wagon.
"Thank you, lady knight."
"Don't mention it, it is our duty as adventurers."
As the bonfire crackles and the cold breeze blows through the camp, the group soon takes their dinner. Bread, porridge and a slice of jerky were offered, but they tasted better when the stomach was hungry.
Three rounds of plate for Natalak were all it took for sleep to cradle his spirit. And before he could close his eyes—
"Natalak…" Ashalain grabbed his shoulder from behind. "I need you to take the first night watch."
"W-w-what?" He looks at her with a weary face. "…Can I do the second shift. I'm too tired for today."
"No."
"Oh, come on!"
"We're in a life situation here, Natalak, and complaining every time will get us all killed." Crossing arms, she uttered a tone that was too tired of the man's protest.
"Fine, but is there some potion or food that helps me keep through the night?"
"I don't have any, but if we are to reach my father's estate, I will reward you with twenty silvers."
"Make it forty."
Ashalain sneered, and what followed was a long gaze at the man.
"Twenty-five is all I can offer. If not, I'll see what the guild will give me."
Awaiting Natalak's response, the mother-to-be slowly came from behind.
"Um… excuse me, adventurers. May I have a word?" She spoke with a concerned face.
"Certainly, is there something you need?" Ashalain respond, helping the mother sit on the grassy floor…
"Thank you once more, lady adventurer. If possible, you're the only ones who might help them."
"Them?" Ashalain leans closer.
The woman nods. "There's a bandit camp nearby, possibly a four-hour trek from here. We were ambushed while headed to the capital. And with no resistance to offer, we were dragged to their camp, to be sold by those slave merchants."
"Then how did you escape from their prison?" Natalak implores.
"I, too, thought I'd escape those men, but they set me up for their amusement. And I thank Shar for my life, as to you too, adventurer."
"Do you still remember the location of that place?" The paladin said.
"Yes—" Nods the woman. "If you could bring me a map, I might show you."
"I'll go ask the ol' merchant for a map." Natalak quickly uprooted from the bonfire.
Given the map, she then traces the path that she had toured.
"If I'm not mistaken, there's a brook that leads to their hideout."
"I think I can track their location," Ashalain said, fingers placed on her lips, keenly scrutinising the map. "Can you estimate their numbers, the ones remaining at their camp?"
"I think I do, there were dozens of them. When we were brought to their camp."
"I understand."
"Um, but what about the wagon?" Natalak implores.
"That won't be a problem. I was informed that there will be a full caravan of merchants and other adventurers. And if my calculations are correct, they might arrive tomorrow morning."
"Oh…"
"Nonetheless." Sighs Ashalain. "We should take some rest." She continues casting dozens of sun-like orbs surrounding the camp.
Yet before Ashalain took the first rest, she gave something from Natalak. Its design does resemble that of a pocket watch.
"What is this?"
"That's a watch or a time watch. Just what kind of place did you come from?"
"Well, I don't know, maybe from another world."
Weary of making another banter, Ashalain slumps to her bedroll, provided by the merchant. Though four was the only thing the merchant had.
Not the darkest night, and as the beauty of the sky cultivates the constellations. His drowsiness soon faded… and while the four were sound asleep, he took this time watching and contemplating the nocturnal heaven.
To keep himself company, Natalak would study the provided watch closely. Much like those pocket watches, the inside, however, differs. It resembles a sundial. Divided into two, the right side represents day, while the other holds the night. And each of the four sides had the symbols of dusk, dawn, midnight, and midday.
Through the centre lies an hourglass, perhaps one hour every turn. Nonetheless, a line of embers can be seen slowly moving towards the centre of the night side. And that he understands what the item holds.
However, it still wasn't enough to wake him during the night as he shifted his attention to the paladin's sun-like orb. He poked and examined it curiously, like a child exploring. The only insights he gained were twofold: it felt warm to the touch, yet anything… be it an object or flesh would pass through it, as if it were ethereal.
Again, lost interest… Natalak surveys the four before he pours out all the coins he plundered. Little did he know, Ashalain was keenly watching his every action. Though when she saw him counting the coins, she soon lost interest and fell asleep.
"19, 20, t-twenty-one silver! And 23 copper… Sheesh!"
Quietly pouring all the counted coins into one bag, the traveller happily kisses it three times before hiding it inside his padded armour.
"Today's my lucky day," Natalak mutters, seemingly sneering in delight.
He sighs in relief, pondering his next journey when they head back to the capital. After a few more hours, the pocket watch shows that only a little longer remains of his night shift.
Yet before he could react—
"Natalak, you can take your sleep," Ashalain spoke as she removed herself from the bedroll.
"You're early."
"That I am… anyway, you can use my bedroll."
Natalak nods, "Then I'll leave the rest of the night with you." Before he quickly drifts off to sleep on the bedroll, within minutes he quickly falls asleep.
Shield secured tightly, and swords left unsheathed. Sitting in a crossed-leg position, she then placed the sword onto her lap. She had no need to feed the fire, for Natalak had already supplied it with enough until morning arrived.
As the firewood crackles and emits warmth to its surroundings, Ashalain looks up at the sky. Her gaze hardens as clouds cloak the nightly galaxies. She wonders if it will rain tomorrow. But something more troublesome crept within her spirit. Pondering the people that were held captive by the bandits suddenly made her hand shake.
She eases herself by tightly grasping her trembling hand. Ashalain then glances at Natalak.
"I'm afraid, Salvaril, please tell me what to do."