Chapter 16 - Envy

My spontaneous headaches are occurring more and more often. It seems that they appear at the most unusual times.

Lethita.

Lethita?

Yes I am Lethita.

Lethita.

Who else would I be?

I am talking to myself now.

I wonder if something is wrong with me. Could this problem be related to the head injury I had when I first arrived in Colhen? But it has already healed. Why would it still hurt?

I lift my head off the table in my room. I must have dozed off. I shake my head sideways to rid myself the peculiar thoughts. Taking a look outside the window, it is nightfall. Crickets sing their hearts out. The stars dazzle in the night sky. And the moon stares blankly in my general direction.

How long have I been asleep?

I get up for a stretch. My muscles have tensed from the contact against the hard wooden table and chair. The momentary aches disappear after flexing.

Meanwhile, my head has been throbbing ever since I woke up.

Maybe some fresh air will help.

My movements feel slow and sluggish, yet somehow I manage to exit the quiet inn. Everyone else is busy asleep in their rooms. The peacefulness really makes me wonder if the recent events were simply a dream.

I meet an unexpected returnee outside the inn. Covered in bruises, Fiona trudges back inside while clutching onto her left arm. It seems to be in a bad condition. Bits of blood are spilling from the corner of her mouth and her left eye is too stained to be open.

"..."

Fiona: "..."

We meet each other's gaze but we won't say a thing. I reach out to help her but decided against it. I'm not sure how to approach her after our dual.

And just like that, we pass each other in silence. Neither of us are willing to start a conversation, nor is there a need to.

I sit down on the rocks beside the dock and gaze at the water emptily. My reflection shines in the moonlit water. A grey haired boy with a face hardened and worn by the Fomor attacks.

I've come a long way. But what should I do now? I won't be getting anywhere with these requests from Colhen. The mercenary outpost isn't going to give out missions that are directly related to the Fomors. Maybe I need to find another source?

I think I will go ahead and look into Gwynn's request. The war needs progression. What better way is there to work towards that goal than with the Royal Army? So for now, I will listen to Gwynn and complete her task that she unofficially assigned to me. Thus, I turn around and head in the direction back to the inn.

Fiona watches as Lethita walks away without even batting an eye.

'Am I really that insignificant in his eyes...?'

Self pity swallows her within a blink of an eye. As of now, she never even dares to compare the two of them. But it still feels devastating to not be recognized.

Fiona has been in the training site for the past few days. Hoping to hone her skills through repetitive combat, Fiona over exerts herself in attempts to complete the trial. Meanwhile, Her record is continuously rising.

Slowly, the girl staggers back to the comfort of her room while holding on to her injured arm. The repeated force has placed a great deal of strains on her left arm.

Fiona crashes down on her bed for the rest she desperately needs. Hoping her arm would recover by tomorrow morning, she falls in deep slumber.

Yet another brawl with Wendshardt in my sleep. I've grown quite tired of the same repetitive fight over and over again for the past weeks.

Weeks, huh?

Has it already been that long ever since I arrived here in Colhen? The battle in my village is still as fresh as yesterday. Anger gathers within every time I think about it.

Having my mind occupied like this doesn't help at all.

Currently, my funds are secured. It is time to look into the relationship of the gnolls and the bell tower.

But first, I should check back in with the mercenary outpost. The captain should be back by now. It has been quite a while since he was injured at the bell tower.

I enter the outpost to find the usual sort lounging inside. Ceara is busy discussing matters with other mercenaries. She greets me with a wave. Marrec's sudden appearance from the entrance brings everyone's business to a halt.

Marrec: "I'm back! I've brought the captain with me."

Marrec enters with an unfamiliar face. I assume that's the captain. He has a face sharpened by many hardships and experiences. He is the true definition of a veteran. His rough figure reflects the amount of time he spent in bed. His short brown hair is shaggy and dirty. He must have been worried about the outpost affairs to neglect his own hygiene.

Aodhan: "Everyone holding up okay?"

Ceara: "Captain! It's great to have you back. Do you remember Lethita?"

The captain turns to look at me. His tired eyes seem to be gauging for a reaction. He is the second person in Colhen who has done this; first being Shayla.

Aodhan: "So you're the one who went up the bell tower. I'm Aodhan, captain of the Crimson Blades."

Marrec: "Captain. Urgent news. Lethita investigated the Perilous Ruins, and the gnolls attacked."

Aodhan: "Lethita fought with the gnolls in the Perilous Ruins?"

The captain takes a second look my way. Perhaps some opinion of me has changed. I may also have taken this the wrong way. The impression he's giving off is complicated. It's hard to interpret. Who exactly is Aohdan?

Ceara: "Yes, sir. Kirstie confirmed that the symbol on the gnoll artifact is indeed the Fomorian Emblem."

Aodhan: "Not good... So, the gnolls must be somehow related to the Fomor. But now is not the time to antagonize them. Marrec, tell the Blades the Perilous Ruins are off limits for the time being."

Marrec: "Will do, captain."

A smug looking fish-eyed mercenary smirks on the side. His appearance disgusts me and his aura is just overflowing with arrogance.

Fish-eyes: "Too late. Someone's already antagonized them..."

Marrec: "What are you talking about, Gallagher?"

Gallagher: "That rookie over there got a special assignment from the Royal Army."

He points his fingers confidently in my direction. As a result, everyone turns their attention onto me.

Gallagher. I will remember that name. You damned snitch. I didn't even take the assignment. I only went in for gold leather. How'd he even know about this? I don't remember seeing him when Gwynn talked to me.

Marrec: "What? Lethita! We're the Crimson Blades! We don't just do whatever the Royal Army commands!"

Aodhan: "..."

"I-"

Marrec: "Just because you saved the day at the bell tower, you think you can ruin our reputation?"

Aodhan: "Marrec."

Marrec: "What did that woman from the Royal Army say? Did she promise to get you into the Royal Army?"

Aodhan: "Marrec. Enough."

Marrec: "We're the Crimson Blades! If you're just using us as a stepping stone to join these Royal dogs, get the hell out!"

"..."

The outpost goes silent with Marrec's rage. I doubt words from me will have any effect. As I turn to leave, the captain grasps me by the shoulder.

Aodhan: "Marrec! Calm down."

Marrec: "But captain!"

Aodhan: "While it's not acceptable to engage in an operation without a superior's approval..."

Aodhan throws you a pointed look.

Aohdan: "It's also not acceptable to lose your head. You are talking to a subordinate, Marrec. A comrade. Don't lose your calm. Besides, you haven't even heard Lethita's side of the story."

Marrec: "..."

Aodhan: "I think you should calm down first. Go outside and get some air, Marrec."

Marrec: "Yes, captain."

Marrec slams the door behind him with a defeated look. Another brief silence follows after Marrec's exit. The captain sighs before turning towards me once more.

Aodhan: "Marrec isn't usually like this. He just gets riled up when the Royal Army is around. So... You've been staying at the inn, right? Now would be a good time for you to take a break. I'll talk to Marrec when he gets back."

Back at the inn, Tieve, in her priestess clothing, greets me in surprise. There doesn't seem to be anyone else in, just the two of us.

Tieve: "Oh hello, Lethita. I just got back from the temple. If I knew you'd be back so early, I would've cooked something up for you to eat."

"...Oh no that's okay. I'm not hungry anyways."

Tieve: "Well... If you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

I nod in response to the worrisome oracle. She suddenly leans forward to stare closely into my eyes. My own image is reflected in her sky blue eyes. I immediately divert my gaze away. She must have noticed my glum expression.

Tieve: "Are you alri-OH GOODNESS! Ellis?!"

A sloppy looking rug slowly rolls into the inn from the entrance. Seeing us sitting around a table, he turns to flop in our direction. Not literally, of course.

Ellis: "Hey Tieve... Hey, Lethita... May I sit here? If you don't mind...?"

Tieve: "Sure. Stay here as long as you want. You look so lost... Did something go wrong?"

Ellis's devastated face is certainly pitiful. I'd feel sympathetic if he wasn't such a buffoon. It seems like Ellis chasing after Gwynn didn't go very well.

Ellis: "...Gwynn was so enraged. I couldn't bear to face her. But I have nowhere else to go..."

Tieve: "Hmm. Is Gwynn the blonde woman in the Royal Army?"

Ellis: "Yes, ma'am."

The oracle laughs lightly. Her gentle chuckle surprised us both.

Tieve: Don't you worry. I have a hunch she's not mad at you at all!"

Ellis brightens up instantly upon hearing those words, albeit a little bit skeptical.

Ellis: "Do you really think so?"

Tieve: "Definitely! You can take my words. She must be waiting for you to come back."

Ellis: "In that case, I'll go back to her immediately. Thank you Tieve! Lethita, see you later!"

Ellis quickly dashes out of the inn. The oracle giggles at his reaction. The scene unfolded unexpectedly. I never realized that Ellis was so simplistic.

Tieve: "Not long ago, a woman soldier came to the temple looking for me
and asked if I saw a cadet named Ellis."

Tieve pokes at my cheeks. I'm taken aback by her actions.

"Moreover, are you all right? You have a look even worse than that cadet."

There's no hiding from her. I explain to her what happened.

Tieve: "I see. If I may... I want to apologize on behalf of Marrec. You see, Marrec desperately wanted to join the Royal Army. But he didn't get in. Now he despises them. Funny, huh? Marrec, Keaghan, and I all grew up together here in Colhen. The two of them both wanted to join the Royal Army, but only Keaghan made it. Now he goes back in forth between Rocheste and the capital. I hear he's been promoted many times already."

Tieve sighs while looking out the window.

Tieve: "And now Marrec's taking his frustrations out on you."

So that's what happened. A sigh of relief unintentionally escapes my mouth.

Tieve: "Hee hee, that quieted things down a bit. You look like you could use some of Brynn's tea. Brynn at the Magic Laboratory has delicious tea. I will write a letter to him on your behalf. Please go visit him."

So I go to the Magic Laboratory to talk to Brynn. Upon entering, I come face to face with a hooded man. The shadow from the hood covers the upper half of his wrinkled face. The rest of the cloak hides away his grown figure. He appears to be middle-aged. He walks away as if deliberately ignoring me.

Another man in a classy suit notices me as he's working on his magical concoctions. He stops his progress and greets me at the entrance. He is everything as the oracle described. A blonde haired male in his mid 20s. A clean handsome face that's just waiting to steal the heart of maidens with a glance.

Brynn: "This is the first time I've really been able to see your face. Ah, what can I do for you?"

I hand him Tieve's letter and he skims it. He then clears an area and sits me down.

Brynn: "Hmm, I normally never share my tea with anyone, but I will defer to Tieve's judgement."

Brynn gets up and heads to the back of the laboratory. An appetizing aroma fills the Magic Laboratory moments later. He reappears shortly after to bring me a cup of tea.

Brynn: "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Lethita. I'm finicky about tea. I wonder if it will suit your taste... Tea is an essential component of magical studies. I know much of great teas thanks to my research. And Tieve seems to love my tea. Magicians often say that they've become connoisseurs of tea, not magic."

Brynns notices my lost thoughts as I enjoy the exquisite taste of his tea. I have to admit, his tea is pretty damn good.

"I'm not good at small talk. My days are filled with reading and experimenting. You'd be surprised how much you can learn from books."

Somehow, he makes the words sound both condescending and compassionate.

Brynn: "...You look much better now. I'm glad that my tea managed to brighten you up."

"Thank you for the te-"

OOOOOoooOOONNNN

OOOOOOooooOONNNNNNN

A battle horn sound plays.

Brynn: "...That sounds like the battle horn to summon the Crimson Blades. You'd better hurry to the Mercenary Outpost."

"... That's not good, is it?"

Brynn: "Unless you like a bit of stirring in your life, no, that's not good."