CHAPTER 3 – New Party
The afternoon sun set its golden rays at the small hut of Payon. Galad, the Knight from the capital sat outside while starring at the green horizon. From afar, he can see the golden-haired Priestess standing near the river.
"Is she alright?" Galad asked as the Priest Rhys approached him.
"I guess." Rhys answered silently. He too was looking at the lone Priestess.
…silence…
"What are we going to do with her?" said Rhys as he turned to the dark haired Knight. Galad just stared at the horizon. Sighing he stood up and gave the Priest an odd smile before he went inside. Rhys sighed at Galad's reaction, "I think something will happen." sighing again, he followed him inside.
Tomaeto stood near the river holding freshly picked flowers. The soft breeze fan her long golden hair that she kept braided and her eyes were dry and tired of crying.
"May you all find peace in the hands of the Gods." She murmured then she threw the flowers to the river. She watched as the flowers were slowly washed by the silent river. "I will avenge your death." Hatred and anger burned in her hazel-colored eyes as she decided. Turning she went back to the hut and prepared herself.
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The stew was boiling and the roast meat was already finished. Wearing an apron and a chef hat, the fair-haired Priest peeked from the kitchen with a wondering look at Galad.
"Hmm… Did you eat all the apples?" he asked.
Galad was silently sharpening the blade of his sword. "No. Why would I?" he said absently.
"I was just asking. All the apples I bought yesterday are gone. I wonder who…" Rhys thought for a moment then gave himself a shake. "O well… Hey, Galad! I think you should call Priestess Tomaeto. This will be served in a few minutes."
Galad who was already sheathing his sword glanced at the Priest as if daring him.
Rhys shrugged, "I'm cooking!"
Galad rolled his eyes. He stood but halted at the foot of the stairs as he saw Tomaeto coming down. The Priestess was surprised to see the Knight. They starred fixedly at one another.
Rhys peeked and saw Tomaeto and Galad starring at each other. "Umm…Tomaeto this is Galad. The Knight who found you." He introduced.
Taking her eyes off him, Tomaeto bowed. "I am pleased to meet you. And I thank you for saving my life. How can I repay you?"
Galad just gaze at her, his grayish eyes narrowed. Turning his back, he returned to the table without any word that it made Tomaeto a little irritated. Not answering and ignoring her.
Rhys blinked and starred flatly at Galad. Shaking his head, he turned to Tomaeto. "Dinner is served. You can sit down and…" he noticed that Tomaeto was fully clothed. "Are you planning to leave?"
Tomaeto bowed again. "You had been so kind and I wish that the grace of the Gods be with you and secure your safety." She looked at them and continued, "But as for now, yes, I am leaving."
"Where are you going? And at this hour?" The Priest asked.
"I… I want to find the one who cause of the death of my family and avenge them. And I intend not to waste time." Her eyes shine with deep hatred and sorrow.
Rhys was shaken by the tone of her voice. "But you're not that well enough. And why don't you leave it to the Pronteran Knights. It is not our duty to take revenge."
"I don't trust the Knights of the Capital." She glances at Galad. The Knight didn't stir. He just sat there silently as if nothing exists. "Because if they can," Tomaeto continued. "they should have acted since that very day."
"But…" Rhys tried to persuade her to stay but Tomaeto had already decided and no one can stop her.
Tomaeto was about to leave when Galad suddenly spoke.
"Why do you want to avenge your family, Priestess Tomaeto?"
Tomaeto turned to him a little startled at the sudden address. "You know that the whole of Payon was attacked and everyone was killed including my family. They were killed without mercy…" she pauses as her eyes started to burn with tears.
"So you're planning to kill the one responsible for their death?"
"As a Priest I dare not try to take life, but I will make sure that they will pay for their evil actions. And killing them may not be enough for what they had done." She said firmly, her eyes fixed on the Knight's deep grayish eyes.
Galad smirked. "And where do you plan to look for the culprit?"
The blonde Priestess didn't answer. She just looks at him stubbornly.
"I see. So you don't know where to look. You're just going to waste your time looking for something you can't find."
"I can find them." She obstinately answered.
"And do you have any idea who to look for?"
"I … I … yes!" she finished. She seemed to be boiling inside.
"I didn't know that there are stupid and stubborn Priests. I guess the Sanctuary is not training its Acolytes very well."
"How dare you!" Tom murmured angrily.
Rhys was watching the two with a worried face. "Now calm down you two." He said nervously. Galad had never been like this before and the Priestess is really seemed to be truly irritated.
"You said you want to repay us didn't you? Then I'll give you a choice. Either join our party and help us in our task or leave and owe that debt forever."
Rhys blinked. Tomaeto stared in disbelief. "Why do you want me to join your party? You already have a support." She said pointing at Rhys.
"There are only two of us and we need all the support we can get. It is not that Rhys here is not enough but it is better to have two than one."
This time Tomaeto sneered. "A Knight that needs two baby-sitters to survive."
Galad just stared at her his ardent eyes fixed on the Priestess. "Think whatever you want to think but consider what I am offering you."
The Priestess frowned. She wondered what task they are up to that this awful Knight needs two support Priests.
"And," Galad added, "You might find what you are looking for if you join." He turned and left, leaving a confused Priestess.
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A child clad in an archer's garb, stood at the middle of a dark cave. Her blank silver-grey eyes illuminate the lustrous light that comes from a red crystal floating in front of her.
"Such beauty and light…" she murmured as she cupped the gem in her small hands. "No one can take you away from me. You're mine."
A soft sound of a bell rang at the background and a golden figure appeared behind the red-haired lass.
"You're back." The girl whispered without looking at the figure. She kept on mesmerizing the red stone. "Will you help me in protecting my precious?" she asked. Her face glowed as the gem started to pulse. She was only answered by a soft tinkling of bell and a misty laugh that echoed through the cave. The girl smiled contentedly.
Tomaeto opened her eyes. It was still dim and the cold breeze tells her that it is dawn. Turning to her side and covering herself more of her thick blanket, she tried to remember her dream.
"A weird dream." She mumbled wearily. She couldn't recall everything but the girl in her dream seemed to be familiar and the bell…
A knock from the door cut her thoughts. She quickly sat up as the wooden door banged open.
"Get ready. We're leaving in 5 minutes." Galad stood at the doorway wearing his heavy silver armor. A sword buckled at his left and it seems as if he's going to war.
"Where are we going?" Tomaeto frowned. "And who told you that you can enter my room without my permission?"
"This is no time for formalities. We want to see you downstairs in 5 minutes. So you better get moving." He left and closed the door.
Tomaeto stared. She couldn't believe the nerve of that Knight. She couldn't understand why she accepted that awful Knight's offer. Three days ago when she accepted the Knight's offer to join their party. And three days ago, he and Rhys kept on going back and forth to the cave without telling her what they are doing. Or what they are planning. They just left her to do the cooking! Now he will order her at this early hour to get ready in 5 minutes. This made Tomaeto's color rise. This is the worst party I ever had. She thought.
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Galad and Rhys waited for the golden-haired Priestess. Rhys silently sat at the table sipping his tea while Galad blankly walked back and forth as if in deep thought.
"Women are so slow." He murmured flatly.
Rhys glanced from the rim of his cup and smiled amusedly. "Women always want to look nice and pretty in front of others. As if you don't know them well…" Galad glared at him. "I was just jesting!" Rhys said waving his hand impatiently. "Don't be too serious. And besides, I told you to tell her yesterday so…" he stopped as he saw Tomaeto coming down the stairs.
Galad halted and faced Tomaeto. His face doesn't implore any expression but his eyes were sharp and angered. "Next time I tell you to come down in 5 minutes, you mustn't be late. Time is very precious and we cannot afford to waste time for your morning rituals." Tomaeto raised an eyebrow. Galad stared fixedly at her and without any more word he head towards the door.
"Are you not going to let me have my breakfast?" Tomaeto said suddenly. The dark haired Knight looked at her without any expression. Tomaeto hated his expressionless face. You can't determine what he's thinking about you. The Priestess jerked her head, took a cup of tea, and sat.
Galad's eyes narrowed. "You are wasting our time."
"Really? I didn't know." Tomaeto said sarcastically.
"Why are you being stubborn? A real Priest doesn't act that way. You're only showing how childish you are."
Tomaeto seemed not to hear. She just silently sips her tea. Rhys watched her uneasily.
"As a Priest you should do what you promised… to help us in our task." Galad added.
Tomaeto stared at him. "Help in your task?" she placed her cup down anger and irritation flooding her veins. "Do you think I can help when I don't even know a single thing?" Galad glanced at Rhys who silently shook his head. "Did you even bother to inform me what task are you two up to? Did you even tell me where you had come from? Or who had sent you? Did you? NO! You just simply threaten me to join your party and made me a cook for three days! While the two of you leave to do something, you didn't even bother to tell me! Again! Now you're telling me that I'm supposed to help in a clueless task. With you entering my room and ordering me as if, I'm your servant! I know that I owe my life to you but you have no right to do this to me Galad!" Tomaeto finished. She was breathing hard and was already standing. She didn't realize that she was already shouting.
Rhys stared with wide eyes. He never thought that a fine looking Priestess like her is very dangerous when angered. He had not seen a Priest with a temper like her.
Galad only watched her, his head tilted to his side. "You're much prettier when you're angry."
Rhys jerked his head to Galad and gaze at him as if seeing him for the first time.
Shivering and turning red, the boiling irritation Tomaeto kept exploded. Fire shooting from her eyes and veins popping in her head. Fanged teeth appeared as she shouted, "THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD ENOUGH! I DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS PARTY! FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO ANNOY!" clasping her hands she casts Teleport but Galad suddenly spoke in a taunting manner.
"Go then and break your oath. You will forever hold that in your conscience."
Tomaeto watched him surprised. Galad is blackmailing her. What a nerve! "So you're going to use that against me?"
"I'm sorry but I have to, if that is the only way to make you stay. But I promise to tell you everything at the right time. We just need all the support we can get."
"And when is that?" Tomaeto frowned.
"When the place is safer you'll know." Tomaeto puffed her cheeks and frowned at the Knight. Galad only stared. "As for now I think we should all go. We've wasted enough time." He turned to Rhys who gave a tight nod.
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A Knight and a Priest journeying together for what reason? Tomaeto thought as she watched the two. They journeyed their way towards the north of Payon, with Galad leading the party, followed by Rhys and Tomaeto bringing up the rear. Galad, a tall and muscular Knight. His grayish eyes were always sharp and firm. His stone-like face doesn't convey any emotions but what Tomaeto can see is that there's a hidden character behind that hard mask. And in spite of his serious appearance, he's handsome at some point. With his spiky dark hair falling elegantly at his face and grey eyes, women will not think twice to be with this man. But as for Tomaeto, he's nothing but an arrogant worthless Knight. Tomaeto glared at the Knight and stuck her tongue out. Not noticing that the Priest was looking amusedly at her. Tomaeto colored and blushed. She looked down to hide it and wished that Rhys would look away. What would he think? As a Priestess, she's not supposed to do such things. But what can she do? That awful Knight already ruined her temper. Rhys smiled before he turns back to Galad. His long fair-colored hair that hung loosely above his waist flowed smoothly as he walked. His blue eyes are like deep whirlpools of water. Galad is a head taller than Rhys is, but the Priest is certainly more handsome and charming than the Knight.
"We're here." Galad stopped in front of the cave. His ardent eyes watching the cave warily.
"What are we going to do in there?" Asked Tomaeto.
"You will support me and Rhys in case something happen. Just don't let your guard down."
"Are you not going to tell me what are we going to do in there?" Tomaeto emphasized. "Because it seems you are sending your soldier without any weapons or armors."
Galad turned and stared as if trying to consider her words. "You know how to support don't you?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then just do what you are told and no more questions." With that, Galad entered the cave followed by Rhys who gave Tomaeto a slight smile.
The golden-haired priestess glared angrily at the two especially at the Knight. Stomping off, she followed next.
It was dark and quiet. Aside from the three of them, no one seemed to be around. The air was moist and the smell of decay somehow stalks the walls of the cave. Tomaeto wrinkled her nose.
"Sheez, this place stinks. The last time I came here it was still ok, I wonder what happened?" she murmured.
Then a soft sound started to echo from both side of the cave – an eerie and ghostly sound. The smell grew stronger that Tomaeto wanted to be sick.
"Zombies…" Rhys whispered as he watches warily.
Then one by one, zombies started to emerge from the ground, enveloping the cave with ghostly sound and decayed smell.
Tomaeto rolled her eyes. "Oh, I hate zombies." Clasping her hands, a small white sphere began to appear between her palms and it immediately killed the zombie in front of her.
Galad was already killing dozens of zombies. As he thrust his sword to the ground, fire bursts from the earth killing his opponents that surround him. Rhys somehow uses Sanctuary that also kills the undead that enters the holy sphere.
"Magnificant!" Tomaeto casts and the drained power from her started to return once more.
"They're too many…" Rhys said as he shot his own Holy light at a zombie.
"I think they already know we're here." Galad murmured. "We must hurry."
"Who?" Tomaeto asked confusedly but Galad didn't pay any attention to her. The Priestess wanted to spank the bloody Knight with her wand. I'll turn you to a zombie if I could!
"Turn Undead!" A magical force hit three zombies dead. Rhys also casts Magnificant to speed up the recovery of his lost power.
"The two of you, follow me!" Galad shouted amidst the chaos as he runs towards the north part of the cave.
The two Priests followed him as more and more zombies appeared.
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