Repentance

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Chapter 45

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The sun was almost down as the never-ending snowstorm became more violent in nature. The howling wind blew over them, whistling through the trees, as a fierce gale threatened to knock them down. Leaving trails of white across the gray skies above them.

Seth and Genno followed Bruno in traversing through the tundra; they haven't spoken much in passing time, but it wasn't bothersome for the most part. They enjoyed the calming ambiance and peaceful silence as they took in the majestic forest around them.

Snowbirds flew around them in the snowstorm while singing sweetly through the trees. Their feathers ruffled in the cold, but it didn't stop them from continuing with their songs. Their voices were soft and beautiful, just like the way they sounded.

The sky above them was getting darker than usual, as though the storm itself was going to end them all in its grasp. But that didn't happen, as night was near them. Seth took a deep breath, enjoying the cool air, before exhaling. He has learned that there's something nice about the cold that somehow soothes him.

While his friends appear to have some difficulty fighting against the cold and snow altogether, he himself isn't affected like always. It's still surprising how the Holy Spirit is protecting them from getting seriously hurt by this dangerous impending winter.

After a while of walking, they heard loud footsteps approaching them from nearby as they all stopped and scanned their surroundings for anything that might be lurking in the forest. The three men know there will be trouble again, much to Seth's dismay.

Bruno sighed frustratingly, praying to any virtuous god to spare them from being assaulted by random beasts or anything in particular. "Please don't be the undead," wishing for them to not appear from the cover of snow and shadows. "I would rather fight any bandit instead of those things," he wished in a hushed whisper of this sentiment.

Genno agreed in absolute disgust with the creatures themselves, "It is most unpleasant to be dealing with those wretched things," admitting to that statement without any hesitation whatsoever as he had awful experience with them after almost meeting death's door.

Seth knows he or his companions will not die because the Lord is with them through their journey; nothing can get in their way and cause them to perish. He always believes that his faith can save them at any moment, even in the direst of moments.

As they huddled together in groups, awaiting whatever abomination might pounce on them, the three suddenly heard a twig snapping before them as it echoed across the silent wilderness. Their hearts jumped upon hearing that, immediately bringing their attention to the source of where that sound came from.

Much to their surprise, it was the elderly, robed woman holding a lantern as she stood a meter away from them. Her eyes full of bewilderment at seeing them at a place like this, "you gentlemen shouldn't be out here in this weather," the woman advised them kindly. "The undeads are restless in this part of the woods," she warned.

The three glanced at one another for a brief moment, unsure of what to do in this situation. Bruno raised his eyebrow at the woman, suspicious about her presence. "How are you out here all alone, ma'am?" The poet asked with a slight doubt in his tone.

He always must be cautious around people, especially when they offer their assistance so readily to strangers like these two men standing next to him. They could be bandits waiting to rob them blind or assassins sent by the queen to kidnap them. Either way, he has to play safe.

She frowned upon hearing that; she does not appreciate being questioned so blatantly. However, she decided to disregard that and focus on their safety above all. "I live nearby, and it's very dangerous to travel through here at night," the woman pointed out. "You should follow me to my house for the time being," she said, speaking to them.

Taken by her words, Seth smiled upon her. "We are happy to accept your kindness, and we will be honored to stay with you in your home," he said with gratitude to her offer. "I'm sure the Lord will bless your acts of mercy, kind maiden," speaking in a soft tone.

The woman flinched at the mention of the 'Lord,' although it didn't bothered anyone except Bruno, who was nonetheless still suspicious of this whole ordeal, as he isn't one who is so open to others without showing any sort of hesitation or caution.

Genno scratched the back of his head. "He is right; we are very fortunate for your hospitality," he said, speaking to her with respect that she is providing them. "Though, I would like to ask you a question as well," inquiring her as well before they go forth with accepting her proposal.

"Yes? What is it, young man?" She replied curiously.

Lowering his hand, "What is your name?" He asked politely, feeling that an introduction is the proper thing to do when getting to know other people. It is also polite of his nature as a person who seeks to learn about the culture and customs of those around him.

The woman hummed for a bit before responding, "It is Miria; a pleasure to meet the three of you." She introduced herself in turn to his question. The three men then departed away from the snow as they followed her through the thick snow in hope of finding a sanctuary away from the harsh coldness.

Miria led them past many trees and bushes, showing the way to her home. Meanwhile, Bruno walked at her side as his friend casually spoke from behind them, "How long have you been living here?" He questioned curiously, trying to make small talk while also wanting to learn more about this mysterious woman that just suddenly showed up in the middle of nowhere.

Her eyes narrowed as she tried to recall the days that had passed. "Let's see... about twenty-four months ago, I think that's the year," she stated bluntly with little effort, "anyway, it hasn't been easy surviving through the winter," sighing to herself in those days of memories.

Taking a mental note of this, he continued in questioning her, "I see, but why live in such a forlorn place?" Finding the prospect of living out here is rather bizarre for someone like herself. She just seems so out of place in being here with no family or friends around; he couldn't help being a little too suspicious after all.

The old lady played along with this interrogation, her pace slowing down as she spoke. "After the queen took over, me and my daughter fled here to escape the brutality of the empire," she answered truthfully, "but we both don't know how to cook or make a fire, so it's been tough for us to live in such conditions." Frowning sadly at the memories, she continued with her story.

"I remember how the soldiers searched every home and building looking for any sign of rebellion back at the city; they even executed those who refused to cooperate." Her voice became quiet, but just enough that he could hear her. "Eventually, we found shelter out here, but food was scarce and we barely made ends meet," she finally concluded of her reasons.

But he knows better than to trust any story. Bruno trusts his companions for what they have done to him; saving his life was what made him completely consider them as people to rely on at times of need. However, this woman wasn't like them.

"You don't sound like you're lying to me," he said with some doubt. "For all I know, you might just be trying to kill us off," challenging her statement with his own logic that made the woman raise her brow in return. "It wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to kill me," the poet continued, glaring directly into her eyes as though searching for any deceit within.

Hearing his accusation, Miria slowly blinked and remained silent for a few seconds before breaking the tension between them. She faced him once more, smiling gently as though nothing ever happened between them. "And you look like you aren't ready to kill either," the woman retorted confidently. "If you are so willing to kill me, then go ahead and try it, young man," daring him to do so.

This unexpected development caused him to remain silent, unable to come up with a response or action to prove otherwise. Bruno remained utterly speechless. He looked away in defeat, knowing that he couldn't challenge her wordplay at this point.

She is trying to turn everything on him, and it's working by making him look like the bad guy between them. Seeing his reaction, she smiled warmly at him. "Now that we both understand none of us are going to murder each other, can we please continue our way to my home?" She asked, making sure that everything was straight between them.

Upon nodding his head, he turned his direction ahead as the snow continued to fall on them. The two men quietly observed the whole ordeal from a distance while following them closely. Seth's expression was neutral, not revealing anything, while Genno held amusement in watching his fellow companions bested in conversation.

"Do you think we should be suspicious of her?" Genno whispered to the holy man, concerned about whether he should keep an eye on this strange old woman who was willing to bring a bunch of strangers into her home. "Perhaps Bruno is right; she might have ulterior motives with this act," he suggested grimly, careful of any unwanted surprises that might come.

Seth frowned at that, disagreeing with such paranoia. "No, I think she is being genuine in helping us," he replied calmly, his words reflecting a hint of confidence. "There is a chance of her lying, but what is to say that people have good intentions at heart sometimes?" Explaining his view on this matter.

This argument caught the other man off guard: "So you're saying it's fine for her to lie to us?" He questioned skeptically, his suspicions remaining the same as before despite what Seth has said. "It is about our safety, Seth," Genno stated sternly, emphasizing importance on that aspect above all.

He understood clearly what his best friend was trying to say here; however, what else can be done in this predicament? Seth couldn't decide whether or not trusting this woman was really worth the risk. "I know...it is better to see the truth of it before judging the outcome," he declared, thinking deeply about what to do from here on out. "For now, we will see what will become of this situation."

The monk's heart was eased on hearing that; seeing his friend take this approach alleviated his own concerns as well as easing his fears about possible consequences for doing such acts. On the bright side, he can now rest assured that he won't be the one who has to deal with being responsible for making the wrong choices later.

"I suppose that's fair," Genno conceded reluctantly, figuring out there isn't anything more to be done about this issue besides playing along for now. "Just be cautious of whatever comes our way," he advised wisely, aware of the dangers they will likely encounter throughout this journey.

His friend nodded in agreement with that. "Thank you; after what Nye did for us, it's wise to not blindly trust others no matter what happens," Seth said solemnly, thinking of the automaton that brought them into safety from the creatures that lurked in the darkness.

Bruno heard all of this from behind as he felt a tinge of guiltiness forming inside of him. Not only had he not rudely judged that woman in the cherry forest, but he was also being judgmental because of their overall appearance. An act like that doesn't seem appropriate if they were to be treated fairly by everyone else.

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.043 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 18:12, Dec 22 2024