Chapter 13

Leaves crunched underfoot in the dark of night. Why had she agreed to this? She wanted to believe it was to save her new guild, but she knew it was something else. Something Andrew wanted her to feel. Rage. Not towards him, but towards the Bellus Morte. She was once abandoned as a child. Never to meet her biological parents. These people, Andrew claimed, did something even worse than abandon their own child. They kidnapped children from a home that could've provided a connection Cascadia would never understand. The closest she would ever be able to understand was the relationship she has with her adoptive father, Glacona. She wanted to see if what Andrew had said was true. If it was, she had no problems exacting punishment on them.

One thing bothered her more than anything, though, and that was how Andrew seemed to be able to read her mind and actions before she even committed to them. She knew she was being manipulated. She fingered the thin, silver ring clasped firmly around her neck, knowing this to be true due to this cursed devise Andrew had forced her to wear.

"Wouldn't want you changing your mind halfway through, or worse, giving away Broken Wing as the culprit, would we?" Andrew had asked, amusement in his eyes at Cascadia's refusal. She hated how easily he managed to get the thing on her neck. Now, certain topics were taboo, and he could control her movements more effectively as well as track her. That's what he claimed, at least. She knew of no magical device with those capabilities, but he so kindly proved that it at least drained her magic on command. She felt that first hand immediately after he got the ring on her neck. Punishment for insubordination, he had said. Whether he could truly track her with this thing, or prevent her from talking about her captors, that was yet to be seen. She hoped that wasn't the case.

She didn't see herself turning away from this task, however. Sometimes enemies had to work together against a greater evil, even if it did mean doing what she was told by that rotten man. She told herself she would only do this assignment and none other.

Cascadia made a mental checklist before entering the town. She needed her story to be believable if this would work. It wouldn't be too difficult, though. She really had been kidnapped, just not by some bandits who wanted a wizard, but a dark guild. The trick to lying well was adding a truth in the lie so you can believe your lie too. She was still young enough. This could work.

"Halt, who goes there?" Cascadia stopped, stiffening even though she had scented and heard the man awhile back. She was glad no one would be able to see her fear in the dark. She was glad dragon slayers were scarce, meaning no one could smell her fear. Or worse, smell what she was. She needed to appear to have potential, but she refused to let these people know she was a wizard, and a rare one at that.

"Please," Cascadia croaked, surprised at her voice. Yep. Pretending wouldn't be too difficult. It wasn't like that dark guild had been a five-star hotel. She still had the wounds from her fight with Brenden and Nele in Magnolia. "I've just escaped some bandits who kidnapped me. Please. Just help me for the night. I-I can't pay in Joules, but I've got some magic I can use."

The man stepped out of the shadows, sizing her up. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen."

"That's a little old, but we'll see." He muttered.

"Pardon?"

"None of you concern, little one." He said, a little to sweetly under the circumstances. It was too dark to make out much more than the man had dark hair. "Come with me. My village isn't too far. You may stay the night, but then I'll have you talk to the elder about any further deals"

"Thank you, sir." Cascadia said as meekly as possible.

"Call me Ice." Was all the man said before turning around.

Something about the way he said it made her believe that "Ice" was more of a codename than his actual name. She didn't bother asking. There was something in the way he walked that told her she wouldn't get any answers anyway. They reached a small cave before long, Ice ducking into it without hesitation. Mentally shrugging, Cascadia followed suit.

After walking for maybe 10 minutes in the darkness of the cave, Ice finally spoke. "You'll have to hold onto me for this part. The entrance isn't so friendly with newcomers. She may decide it's funny to have you fall continuously for 3 hours straight, or cause you to spontaneously combust."

"She?" Cascadia asked, intrigued. He must've meant the guard to the entrance. But why would she need to hold onto him?

"Come." Was all he said, grabbing her arm before stepping forward. Cascadia felt like she'd been punched in the gut for a moment and then she felt a sensation of falling, before feeling solid ground underneath her feet. Cascadia kept her eyes closed, trembling. What was that? "Always like that for outsiders. Only difference is she didn't kill you. Like I said. The entrance doesn't like outsiders."

She opened her eyes slowly before standing up. She didn't like sitting on the ground in enemy territory. "Welcome to the home of the Bellus Morte." Ice said before walking away, leaving Cascadia to hurriedly follow.