Nora pov

WHAT'S GOING ON!?

The plan had risks but we never thought it would end up like this...

I held the bleeding creature in my hand. It's white feather's stained red as it heaves its heavy breaths.

I have no idea what happened to Rudy. How long have I even been here?

I really shouldn't have let myself agree to this. I'm the adult here. I should've known better.

Because of my own selfish desire to be rid of this place, I have no idea what's happening to Rudy.

I feel exhausted. My mouth feels dry as desert to point that it's tearing itself apart nothing less could be said of my stomach.

I...-

Don't tell me I'll die here?...

What did we even do?

I thought as my body collapsed on the dirty ragged floor.

A month earlier..

It's been a month.

A dammit month.

Not a single news of a search party. What? Should I have expected less of those dammit-...

No...but Nanny Ania..Noelle..they should be looking for me by now?

Right?

They're fine right?

Worry filled my core at the thought that something might have happened to them.

If that is so, then I really need to get out of here.

Hah...how even?

Sighing to myself I looked at my surroundings.

The wood of the caravan reeked and it's way too dark. I've always been afraid of the dark but being in this dammit thing for a month makes you quite numb to it.

I heard a knock on the locked door. This is turning way too old. The only bit if sunlight I get is when Rudy visits me.

That's when I suddenly notice that the sounds where heavy and slowly opening the lock.

Not good...

Definitely not Rudy...

"Oi brat, Rise'nd shine!"

He said as his voice reverberated through the dark empty space as he pulled me out ignoring the fact that my legs and arms are bound.

Eyes adjusting to the change of light I saw him lift me to his shoulder like a sack of potatoes as walked towards what I see as a shabby cabin.

Along darin or stupid I couldn't really mind the risk of asking.

"Where are we?"

I spoke out I'd like to say with venom but my voice is way too hoarse for that. Yeah and yes call me a coward.

"None of yar' crap. Lest you feel like me shutting your mouth myself."

The burley man replied with absolute venom I wish I had.

A few moments later I ended up locked in some room.

Well at this rate I don't know if this is a step up, down or nothing different from my past situation at the back of the caravan.

Nothing much to do but wait in the dark, I ended up falling asleep.

Rudy pov

I sat the cooked meals inront of the men as I sat down at the corner with tiny share.

It's just one piece of meat and a slice of bread but this is more than what I usually get.

I always liked this corner. I hated them but the conversations the men had were occasionally entertaining and often useful.

"De' brats useless. It's been a month she's turning into nothing More than an extra mouth. At this rate, shouldn't we just put her in a sack in the river and be done with it?"

I heard one of them say. I can't deny it. Despite my thoughts, that the kid was likely from house Silva they should've likely sent a search party by now.

Now, I'm questioning myself if my plan would be even worth crap.

It's odd to be honest. It's way too far fetched that Nora's a commoner or a peasant.

The way she was dressed when she arrived. There's little reason for her to waer those if she weren't someone special.

She might be wearing something close to rags now after those guys sold her stuff but I still can't get my head around it.

"The river? We worked hard to even get the brat. We lost a week of loot while getting her. We should atleast get our money's worth. I gave the slavers a message. For a kid like that they could give us good money."

I overheard one of them say drunkenly.

Drinking again?!

Great, now I have to clean up after them again.

The slavers?

Not a good thing.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the cabin door.

" WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! RAT BAG! GET THE DOOR!!"

I heard them shout shivering my spine at the sound and in the language of my many nicknames.

Quickly, I ran to the door. Better not get drunk bandits very much as big as bears angry.

Opening the door I was greeted by a cloaked old man.

Looking the symbol of the badge he wore on his neck he's from the diamond kingdom.

It's winter already? The slavers from diamond kingdom only come around here during the winter.

But... it takes a while to get there from here..

Hearing footsteps behind me I saw the bandit quickly fix his drunken state as he pushed me aside stupid grin on the face.

"Sir Marin, it has been awhile! You usually arrive at the Solstice. Sorry, me and my brothers weren't able to prepare well for your arrival!"

Drew a drunk red haired bandit said.

Dammit, now what do I do...

I haven't got anything up my sleeve yet. Not to mention, this guy's from the diamond kingdom. He gets the kid I won't be able to get the magic knights in time or at all.

The old man, Sir Mardin, pulled of his cloak and looked around the cabin in disgust.

Looking at the clothes he's wearing, he seems like someone of high standing.

"It is f-fine."

Mardin said despite the fact his face looks like he's gonna puke.

"Let the brat take your coat. We don't have much but would you like a drink?"

Drew told the other man as he swiftly pushed aside handing me the blue cloak.

I watched as walked away. I knew one thing then.

I had to hide the kid.

I ran towards her room like my life depends on it. Without that kid it'll be harder for me to get out of here too.

I need that reward. I'm not gonna be a beggar or a crook.

I pushed the door quietly as my eyes then glazed at the dark droom a sleepy silver haired girl looking at me.

Before she could ask, I pulled her arm and dragged her out.

She tried to ask but seeing me placing a finger on my lips mouthing 'ssshh'.

She clenched her own tightly.

The bandit have near full reign of the the village. The only place we could run to is the village over.

It's not a good thing to travel without bringing anything but we don't have time.

Good thing they drank their arses off. Still this isn't easy. The others are guarding around.

If we get caught we're screwed.

Hearing footsteps I pulled myself and the girl into the nearest room.

Finally stopping the chase, I noticed her whisper to my ear.

"Rudy what's going on?"

She said warm lips and breaths to my ear. I found myself looking at her trembling face.

I should've known suddenly running off like you're gonna die if you don't will probably scare a person.

Maybe I should just tell her but hearing the footsteps fading away I opened the door and told her softly.

"No time to explain Nora-chan."

I took her hand and ran outside the cabin.

To my surprise, she fell down. She was starting to turn pale as she heaved her breaths.

"Rudy, what's going on?! I-in can't k-keep up!"

Nora said not looking good at all.

Seeing her this way, I ended up carrying her myself without even saying a word.

At this rate it would be stupid to think she can handle running off the next village over.

Rayaka village isn't too far. I've come there here and then when the bandits pass by.

It'll take a bit but it shouldn't take a day.

Though seeing her pale face we needed something more than that.

Seeing familiar faces in the crowd, I covered the girl with my larger body and took her somewhere slightly safer.

She's starting to really not look good at all. We aren't that far from Mr. Hark's blacksmith.

Funny, how it's the safest place since the bandits often get weapons there but everyone else is way too scared of them.

Mr. Hark is too but not as much as the others. Drew and the others aren't dumb enough to get rid of the only blacksmith in the village.

I didn't even knock when I arrived. The girl's breathing's getting weak.

Hark pov

I wiped my forehead at the heat. I had to be careful with this sword. I thought to myself as I watched its metal light in the flame.

I don't have the time to make another one after all.

I'm barely getting those ruffians of my sleeve these days.

It's good that they seem to be peaceful this month.

Winter is approaching fast. It's hard to get anything out of the other villages when they're so guarded on their stock harvest.

Suddenly I heard a loud noise at my door.

I ended up getting startled and dropping the word barely missing my feet.

Expressing my irritation I looked behind only to be greeted by a young boy holding a trembling little girl in his arms.

"Rudy!?"

I shouted the boys name.

"What happened?! She looks as white as ice!"

I said as I ran to get the other child off his hands.

In my arms in contrast to her cold appearance she was burning up like fire.

"I-i don't know at all, Mr. Hark. She suddenly just grew whiter quickly. We were just running. I didn't do anything!"

He said frantically as he gazed at girl.

Patting the girl's back, I turned away and lay her on my bed.

Feeling her forehead again, she was heating up terribly.

"She has a really bad fever. We're going to need a healer."

I had to act fast I couldn't just watch the child suffer like this.

Suddenly Rudy held my arm tightly his head moving side ways.

No?

"Kid, you can't be serious! She looks white as a ghost. I'm telling you now, she could really die!"

I said but the boy still insisted not to.

Seeing the look on his eyes I knew the answer.

"Does this have something to do with 'them'?"

I asked him.

He nodded to my worry.

I ended up sighing to myself.

I looked over at the girl. What am I gonna do?

I sat Rudy down on a chair as I went to the kitchen to get the girl something warm.

I ended up turning to moguro leaf juice it tasted bad and I don't know if it would help someone with a fever so bad but it should be better than nothing.

Seeing Rudy so frantic I handed him the cup assuring him that the girl would be fine one way or another.

The boy eagerly went to her slowly urging her to drink to which she complied despite ending up coughing at the taste.

Going towards her, I noticed something odd.

I didn't have very good mana sensing but enough to see if someone has a large amount or in this case lower...

"It's good thing that we didn't get a healer. I just noticed it but she's weak to mana isn't she?"

I said to the boy. Giving me a confused gaze as I nudged him closer.

"Weak to mana?"

Rudy asked.

"My mana sensing isn't great but there's no doubt about it. She hardly has any magic. I heard some people don't get magic but this is the time I'm seeing it. I sense a small amount but there's really hardly much. "

I said calmly to the boy.

"Wh-what do you mean? She hardly has magic?"

He asked me oddly enough rather venomous.

"My own magic is pretty useless. It allows me to see the mana in things but it's barely a gauge. I heard some magic knights can sense mana well despite not being their attribute."

I replied nonchalantly despite being slightly bitter.

"And as for what I said she has nearly no magic at all."

I repeated.

"I see..."

He mumbled to himself.

Hearing a knock on my door I went away to answer it.

I found myself looking at a burly young man, Miller.

"Hark, did you get my sword ready? The other's and I plan to raid the next village over we don't have enough supplies for the winter."

The young ruffian infront of me said.

I felt my heart shiver.

"U-uh yes! One moment, I grab it right away!"

I said as I closed the door. I need to warn the boy he can't be seen here considering what he just said.

"Rudy! You need to go! Miller's here. Please go somewhere else!"

I whispered frantically as I held him.

"Mr. Hark! She's still sick!"

He argued with me.

"I know but it'll cause more problems for the both of us if Miller causes a problem. "

I said as I urged him out the back door.

I pushed the two of them out but fortunately the girl seemed better.

Hopefully they don't run into trouble..