Wow, can't believe it's been years since I started this story. Miraculously I've found inspiration to write again, so hopefully I update a smidge sooner next time. And without further ado...
Chapter 2 : Drifting
"We should arrive at the castle soon," Ace says rather confidently.
I return the comment with a weak smile, barely able to feign belief in him now. All faith in his abilities were tossed aside after the first few wrong turns. We have gallivanted long enough for all the moss in this forest to grow tenfold.
He soon sends a reassuring smile my way as he hastens his pace. A meter of distance forms between us in moments as my step has become more of a stumble. It does not help that my feet surpassed aching long ago. What I would give to throw these heels into a fire. The thought of only heaven knows what on the ground keeps them firmly planted on my feet.
"I'm Ace by the way. Ah, it is a beautiful night for a stroll in any case. Wouldn't you agree?"
His voice is unnervingly warm given the situation. Having fallen a few meters behind, I pretend to not hear him. I cannot help but fret more about how filthy and tattered my dress is. Twigs and leaves now adorn the taffeta. Dirt continues to cake itself to the bottom of its delicately woven layers. Mother would lecture me for ages on how un-ladylike I am if she even sensed me near the house like this. I feel my anxieties heighten at the thought of my parents' disapproval.
In silence, we walk into a denser part of the forest. A peculiar feeling gradually overtakes me with each step. I would describe it as the uncertainty that hits when you realize the milk in your tea may have soured. Barely any moonlight penetrates the thick layer of leaves above, leaving me nearly blind. It is much gloomier than the maze I was in hours ago.
I confess I do not enjoy the dark. It leaves me with an unnerving, vulnerable feeling. It reminds me of… ah, this is not the time to remember.
As we venture in deeper, I manage to walk closer beside Ace. My billowy dress makes this no easy task. His form has become a gray shadow, but a dagger in his belt catches the light and my attention. I am unsure if its presence should comfort me.
Virtually on cue, the bushes rustle somewhere behind me. My weariness grows as I try to blame the sound on my nerves. The farther we walk, the more I regret my impulsiveness to follow Ace into the woods.
To my disbelief, a silhouette appears to shift behind a tree we pass. My blood runs cold. It is just the light playing tricks on me, right? Nonetheless, my heart beat pounds in my ears. I realize I have grasped onto Ace's arm firmly, the rough cloth of his cape digging into my fingers. He is unfazed as he continues on briskly, forcing me to catch up.
Just as I try to calm myself, a dark figure abruptly emerges before Ace and I. A scream escapes me and I reflexively scurry behind him. He unsheathes a long, silver sword from beneath his worn cloak without hesitation. The blade wielded at the shadow, Ace smirks in an ominous way, one that overtakes every trace of amity from his face. Perhaps he is not as trustworthy as I hoped.
The atmosphere around him shifts further as he swipes at the figure with a laugh. I shiver in dismay at the sound of his voice. I can hardly discern if I am more troubled by the figure or Ace now. Despite my growing doubts, I stay behind him, arms folded for a meager sense of security.
A male voice then languidly states, "What brings a knight and a cute, little lady into this part of the forest?"
Ace's tone is deep, authoritative, "State your business."
"N-nothing, really. Just making m-my rounds." A hint of nerves growing present.
The form suddenly disappears before us. My eyes shift everywhere in search of the voice's source. Ace oddly relaxes and remains in place.
The stranger continues, "I-I'll be on my way."
With precision, Ace lunges into a group of bushes to the right. I hear his blade pierce deep into the trunk of a tree. There is a yelp from the figure and the sound of tearing cloth as Ace swiftly reaches into the darkness to pull him forward.
I am surprised to see a fairly harmless looking man dangling from Ace's grip. His red and blonde hair becomes visible in the moonlight. It appears the blade only stabbed the man's black jacket as he looks unharmed, albeit shaken. Ace's swordsmanship is remarkable all things considered.
The young man begins to flail his limbs in panic. A pair of petite, brown mouse ears on his head captures my attention. My jaw drops. Those cannot be real!
"Well if it isn't Pierce Villiers, the gravedigger." Ace scoffs.
My disbelief toward the mouse ears falters at Ace's words. I have heard of the occupation in relation to a series of grisly murders back in England. Just my luck I would be entangled with dubious people barely a day away from my family.
The man's voice takes on a higher, panicked tone, "P-please let me go! I was only passing through! No harm done!"
With every plea for his life, he appears younger and more helpless. I cannot help but pity him.
Ace's voice deepens to a growl as he states, "You're much too close to the castle for my liking. Now tell me why my sword shouldn't get a taste of ya."
At that, I subconsciously take a few steps back.
"Y-you're here because you're lost, aren't ya? I-I can help!"
"Well then out with it! What path takes us to the castle?"
As the two discuss directions, my attention wanders back to the moving mouse ears and tail I have also noticed. The pink fur on the ears looks plush, sparking an urge inside me to pet them. Reminds me of the rabbit I followed, the decision that dragged me into this mess.
Pierce soon notices my attentive stares. Shaking my head, I remind myself of his profession, but find I cannot look away.
"What are you looking at?" Pierce says with a raised brow.
Ace sends me a stern look at the interruption, but I blurt out a reply nonetheless.
"I-I've never seen mouse ears on anyone before." I feel my cheeks flush lightly.
"Really? You must not travel much."
Shoving the gravedigger back into a tree, Ace gruffly ends our rendezvous with a terse goodbye. Pierce slumps to the ground, his ears twitching as he groans and rubs his back. Before I can protest, Ace ushers me back the way we passed through and our new acquaintance fades from view. I turn back only to have Ace grab my hand to keep me moving forward. I despise the blush I feel crawl up my neck at the sudden contact.
"W-was that particularly necessary?" I manage to stammer out after a few minutes.
I am all too aware our fingers are close to intertwining as we now walk side by side. His calm demeanor suggests this means nothing to him... I cannot help but feel my reaction is childish in comparison. He opens his mouth to respond, but unexpectedly loses his balance and takes me toward the ground with him.
The impact to the gravel is rough on my knees despite my numerous layers of fabric. Ace is hastily back on his feet to offer me his hand, but something rapidly pushes against his shoulder and he is on his knees with me.
We mirror each other's bewildered looks as we attempt to gather ourselves once more. Before I can stand to brush myself off, I feel something cold and metallic sit against my neck. I freeze. I watch as a man in a blue military uniform uses his heel to force Ace to bend forward. He presses a scythe-like blade to the base of Ace's throat, sending a chill up my spine.
With what little resolve remains in me, I propel myself back at my assailant to get free, only to have the person drive me down fiercely. The blade is replaced, pressing further into my skin. Tears begin to form at the corners of my eyes.
Ace smiles wryly towards me and sighs, "If Pierce had anything to do with this, you'll wish I had done more."