Chapter Revised: 21/12/2021
Chapter 5: The Lonely Road.
Lucina sat crouched behind a bush, watching the road in the darkness of the night. Her hand was firm around Falchion's hilt as she looked left and right and every which way. A twig snapped somewhere in the underbrush. Lucina's breath hitched as her head jerked 'round towards it. She caught sight of a dark, black mass and her blood ran cold. Ever so slightly her sword moved from its sheath.
But then the moonlight revealed her foe; a mere stag. Lucina exhaled, relieved and yet somehow annoyed. She rose to her feet and moved onwards.
It had been a full day since Lucina had crossed the stony ford. She saw the sun rise and fall and now continued in the darkness on the lonely road, dashing between the trees, stopping every now and then to slump down between the bushes, watching and waiting. She had slept but for a few hours at most when she was too exhausted to go on. But she hadn't taken the risk of starting a fire and she woke up cold and stiff. At many times she thought herself as being too paranoid, and perhaps she was, but Lucina was convinced enemies were lurking at any point. Be it bandits or some other dark entity.
Navigating these woods slowed her travels to a crawl. Twigs, leaves, and dirt clung to her hair and clothes. Many a time she found herself wandering too far into the brush, having lost sight of the road, and she'd waste time tracing back her steps trying to find it again. Though all this she would bear if it meant avoiding an encounter with the black horsemen. For she knew it was them she was truly running from, not bandits.
Yet now in the darkness of the woods Lucina bore witness to nothing except deer, foxes, and other small creatures. In fact there hadn't even been any signs of foes at all since she'd crossed the ford last night. Perhaps she was alone after all.
She breathed a long sigh, relaxing a bit, although her paranoid mind would not allow her to relax completely. She stopped and eased herself against the hard trunk of a tree, stretching her sore muscles out in front of her.
Having been walking for the better part of an entire day, she felt exhausted. Her body ached with every movement and the constant strain on her energy levels was beginning to get to her, making her head feel heavy and dull.
She massaged her temples a bit to try and dispel some of the weariness, then brought them down to graze across her now maskless face. She'd put it away a long while ago, stored safely in her travelling bag. It hindered her sight too much to be of any use on the road. Not when she needed a keen eye at all times.
Hunger ate away at her and she resolved to pull out a chunk of the stale bread and two strips of the dried meat she'd taken from the bandits. Munching on them with a soured face as she tasted their bland and unpleasant flavour. But it was food. She allowed herself then a few sips of water. Small ones, not even enough to parch her thirst. Even though her throat yearned for the cool liquid to satiate her ever present thirst, she had not the luxury to search for streams while on the move. It was too risky. So the water had to last.
She would like to have thought she was rationing her provisions well, but there was no telling how long she'd be on the road. She could only hope civilization was near, for Lucina truly didn't know how long she could withstand being out here with so many foes always on the back of her mind.
'Am I even going the right way?' she thought idly. There was no way to tell other than where the road would lead. The stars were no help, as for some strange reason she could not recognize any of the constellations. Another worry for her already troubled mind.
She finished her meagre meal and sat for a moment against the tree. Her ears strained to listen for any odd sounds, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. The cold wind had died down a bit, allowing for her to retain some warmth at least. Her exhaustion was beginning to catch up with her though. And she could not stop her eyelids drooping as the tendrils of slumber grasped at her, pulling her deeper, and deeper….
She saw it; a shadow moving in the corner of her eye. Lucina bolted upright, Falchion drawn. She stared wide eyed into the dark, panting heavily, watching and waiting. The shadow appeared again and her heart almost skipped a beat.
That was until she saw its movements matched her own. Lucina sighed, sheathing her blade. If even her own shadow cast by the moonlight spooked her then she was definitely far too paranoid. But now she didn't feel like staying put any longer.
So continued her lonely march in the wilderness. Night gave way to dawn. The sun's rays peeked out from beyond the treeline, bringing light to the forest once more. The woodland began to thin until she at once broke out of the forest to see an undesirable sight: an endless grassy plain of rolling hills and rocky mounds, with scarce a tree to hide her from the road that cut through it.
Lucina grimaced as she gazed down upon the far expanse, knowing well this was her only path. She could not turn back–that meant certain death. Nor could she turn away from the road and travel the unknown wilds. So, with an inner resolve that was not quite steady, she marched onwards. This time walking openly upon the road.
Long was her journey in these wild lands. Her throat yearned for water, yet she did not dare to drink anymore than needed. Her legs burned underneath her, lumbering along the scarcely-travelled road. Lucina's fatigued mind craved rest but she would not on this open path. Not until nightfall.
She strained to think how long she'd travelled thus far. Three hours? Four? And yet Lucina felt she'd not made even a dent in her journey. When all lands were the same desolate and empty wilderness, it was hard to judge how far along things were.
The treeless glades weren't the most worrying either. There still hadn't been a single sign of anyone living here. Not a soul had been seen. Nor a village. Nor even a hamlet tucked away into a far off grove. The presence of bandits at that ford would surely mean people travelled this road. After all, there had to be somebody around to rob.
But the only signs of any civilization were stone ruins, though scarce they were. Some still standing tall, others barely peeking up from the ground, having been sunken into the dirt from centuries of abandonment. People clearly had settled these lands, albeit a long time ago. She wondered more than a few times why there was no one around. What had happened for people to abandon such a place? It was worrying to her, troublesome at the very least. She could not help but feel a rising sense of anxiety grasp at her that she perhaps was not going the right way. All the while she kept glancing back behind her with the fear of pursuit ever on her mind.
Then there was another sight that sent chills down to her core. Hoof tracks, likely from multiple horses along the dirt. To whom they belonged, she shuddered to think of. She instead pushed these worries to the back of her mind.
Hours later, the long road came to a crossroads and she was presented with two options; left towards empty wilderness or to the right, the same. Her head swiveled back and forth between the two paths. Indecision wracked her mind. Which way should she head? Which way would bring her to a town the fastest?
The longer she stood the less sure she became on which way to go. Each direction looked just as desolate to her as the other, stretching endlessly for miles along a worrying path. The stones were spread far and wide. A blanket of grass and weeds grew between making it hard to even tell a road lay there at all. All suggesting that this road was seldom used, or perhaps even abandoned entirely.
A growing sense of despair grew steadily within herself. She could not help but feel she'd made a grave error. Perhaps neither of these roads led to any town. Perhaps the only enclave of civilization existed on the other side of that ford she'd crossed two days ago, and she had fled into wild and abandoned territory looking for salvation where there was none.
Unconsciously, her hands tightened around the straps of the bag slung across her back.
She let out a frustrated puff of air, continuing to stare off into the distance as if hoping one path would call out for her to follow. Or for a sign to tell her that this was the way. But she saw nothing, nothing at all. Not here, not a hundred leagues behind her.
Was this to be her mission, she thought, wandering lost in the wilderness running from an unseen enemy while Grima built up his strength half a world away? Was she to walk these lands aimlessly waiting for the day her father was killed all over again!?
Lucina gripped her pack and threw it to the ground in anger. She then dropped to her knees, head hung low, and in her growing frustration she slammed her fist into the dirt. Tears threatened to flow from her eyes, but she held them in tight. Instead, she took a deep breath in and out. She could not despair now. Her path was not so dark that she couldn't find her way. Hope was not dead yet.
She looked up again. 'Left, or right?' she thought once more, 'Left, I will go left'
It was a chance, a gamble. But that mattered little to her now. She picked herself up from the dirt and continued left into the far empty lands, hoping beyond hope that it would lead her to civilization.
At sundown Lucina slumped against the base of a tree. The only tree in the wide planes for many miles. She could see some more in the distance, grouped together in little groves. But those were too far off for her aching feet. So beneath this tree upon a hill overlooking the road was good enough for her.
A cold wind blew against her. Shivering, she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. A fire was out of the question still. Whomever traveled the road would easily spot her, and that could not be risked while she slept. Thus would she simply have to brave the cold for another night.
She smoothed out a patch of grass beside the tree and lay herself down. Sleep was slow to come, but at last she slipped away into an uneasy slumber, troubled by worry of the road and by the chill that settled that night.
She woke before dawn, her body stiff as a rock. Lucina grimaced as she pulled herself up to a sitting position. It was a fortunate night it seemed; she was still alive and her pack was still beneath her.
Taking the time to once again observe the lands around her, Lucina saw no one. After a scarce few bites to eat and a sip of water, Lucina rose to her feet, returning to the road.
The air was bitterly cold again, but Lucina kept moving. Keeping watch over her shoulder as she had always done. Always vigilant and on high alert. And yet today, she felt exposed. With every step forward she felt a pit in her stomach grow deeper, and she started to become anxious of one thing or another.
Currently it was something about what lay ahead. The winding road lay barren, just as it always had, yet she could not shake the feeling that something was out there.
Lucina stopped. She could not continue, not until she saw what was ahead, if nothing but for her own sanity.
To her left, the ground sloped sharply upwards several feet. Lucina raced to climb it, stopping when she reached the top. She looked out onto the endless grassy plains and to where the road led, hand tight around Falchion's hilt. She saw nothing, of course. The lands remained empty as they've ever been. What brought her to think otherwise, she could not say, but she stayed for a while searching carefully amongst the rolling hills.
"Nothing," she said in a small voice, "there's nothing out there."
This attempt to reassure herself worked somewhat, yet the pervasive anxiousness would not leave her. She stepped further inwards of the raised ground, away from the road. There she found a rock and sat on it staring out across the land.
For what seemed like hours she watched until her eyes grew heavy and she closed them for a moment only to open them again. A slight noise caused her head to turn immediately to her right. A bird flew by with no apparent direction or purpose. Its flight path erratic. Then, with no warning, it spurred and flew west with haste. Almost as if it was fleeing. Panicked chirps rang clear in the air until the distance drowned out its calls.
Then she heard nothing. No animals, no insects, only the sound of her own breathing could be heard in the eerie quietness. The wind that blew through the tall grass had died down making it seem as if the entire land was holding its breath.
Lucina stood up. Her little rest was over. Every battle-hardened instinct told her to get moving. Now!
Yet as soon as her body made for the road, a fierce chill ran up her spine. It made her stop right in her tracks, hairs standing on end. A deep dread began to arise within threatening to claim her very being. But she resolved herself. There was nothing out there, there never was. She forced her body to take one step forward, and another. The grass crunched underneath her steps, somehow deafeningly loud.
And then she heard something else; a deep rumbling. Rhythmic and heavy. Like the sound of hoofed feet stamping against the dirt.
Lucina gasped and drew her sword, her heart now pounding in her ears. Whips striking roaring horses sounded in the distance as galloping hooves came barreling down the road. It was too late. Lucina dropped to the ground and pressed herself against the hill to hide her form from the road. The stamping of the horses became louder, and she broke out into a cold sweat.
They blew past with all haste upon the road she'd just been on. Fear washed over her as she stayed crouched low with not even the nerve to open her eyes. Lucina didn't see what it was that went by. But she knew, from the very depths of her soul, she knew it was them.
Then as quickly as they came, they were gone. Towards where she had been, and far away from where she was going. Lucina rose from the ground, panting heavily. Her head swam and she bit down the urge to upheave her breakfast. The shock of the riders left her strangely thirsty, and she gulped down mouthfuls of water.
At last, she climbed down from the hill and stepped back onto the grass grown road. She looked upon the footpath, seeing fresh hoof imprints in the exposed dirt from not just one horse, but multiple. She sucked in a sharp breath. Evil patrolled these roads. Lucina began to wonder where exactly this path was leading her, doubting once again that this was the right choice. But she had no other way.
It was painfully clear that the road was too dangerous. She would have to travel into the wilderness heading due north, the same as this road. Lucina didn't like the idea of potentially getting lost in these unknown lands. But it was either that or the riders would come back round to find her.
The former seemed much more preferable.
Lucina stood bent over, hands on her knees as she took deep breaths. She was sorely regretting leaving the road. For many long hours she'd trudged up and over hills aplenty and climbed even taller downs.
Lucina lifted her head, glaring so intense to just about burn a hole through every cursed hill in this land. But her latest obstacle remained unchanged. In front of her was yet another series of sloping mounds of grass and dirt and rock. It mocked her. Standing proud in its arrogance, unforgiving to any travellers who might want to cross.
But she wasn't done. She had to get through this. Lucina gritted her teeth as she straightened out her back, making towards the series of hills. One foot after another she trudged on. Her legs cramping, her feet aching. Finally, the hills were crossed, and she stood triumphant at the base of the farthest mound. She sighed deeply and collapsed at the foot of the hill. A rest seemed well earned.
As she looked at her surroundings, Lucina felt a sense of familiarity. The ground at the base of the hill was strangely flat, stretching far in either direction. Dirt was clearly exposed through the patches of grass and weeds, but there were also smooth stones spread across.
Lucina groaned—she'd found the road again. With gritted teeth she rose to her feet. No matter how safe it seemed or how much her aching body craved rest, it was not worth risking the danger of the open road. Though while she was here, Lucina thought to take a quick cautionary listen. At first, she heard nothing, but then...
Clop...clop...clop.
She froze, eyes widening with fear. Her head jerked towards the incoming sound; the heavy and lumbering steps of a four-legged beast—a horse. It was coming further up the road from round a bend. The hilly ground prevented her from seeing what exactly it was, but she felt she knew.
Clop…clop…clop.
It was too late to flee. Lucina rushed to hide herself amongst tall stalks of weeds and grass that grew opposite of the hill she'd come down. She ungraciously collapsed to the ground and silently waited for the rider to pass. She tried to steady her hollow breath, but she could not take her eyes off the road, watching in desperate agony as the rider came closer. The pattering of the horse's hooves became louder and louder; the rider was nearing the bend. Lucina held her breath in anticipation. Her hand gripped Falchion's hilt so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Lucina couldn't help but doubt her decision once again. She should have gone right at that crossroads, that would have been safer.
'Fool! I'm a damned fool!'
At last, the rider came into view, and Lucina stared quizzically at the sight before her. It was a horse indeed. Though rider-less, and its coat was a warm brown rather than a striking black. The horse was saddled and bridled, and it appeared to be walking aimlessly along the road. Lucina listened closely for any footsteps that followed the horse, or for any shouts from its owner, but there was only the horse. Lucina furrowed her brow, where was the rider?
She rose to her feet; her eyes darted back and forth, just in case. She could use a horse. It would make escaping any threats that much easier. She walked onto the side of the road, making sure that the horse had a clear view of her. She tried to make as little sudden noises as possible; the last thing she wanted was the horse to get spooked.
The horse then saw her, becoming rigid and huffing loudly. Lucina stopped.
"Easy now, easy now," she repeated softly. She gingerly took a step towards it. The horse stood in place.
"I'm not going to hurt you, it's alright."
Closer now she came, and she held her hand ever so slightly out towards its long face and at the same time reached for the loose reins. The horse looked at her, somewhat curiously but so far it didn't seem like it was going to bolt. Finally, she came within reach and slowly stroked her hand along the side of its face while making sure the reins were firmly in her grasp. "Easy now, easy now," she repeated again. The horse was surprisingly calm.
She continued to brush her hand gently along its face and down its mane. She could the feel firm muscles and the softness of its hair. This was a good horse. She wondered what could have possibly happened to its rider. Surely someone wouldn't just abandon this horse, especially not one as strong and capable.
After a short while of stroking her hand down its mane, Lucina thought it was time to try her luck and mount it. Moving quickly, she placed one foot inside the stirrup and leapt onto the saddle. The horse huffed, shaking its head. "Woah boy! Woah!" she said, pulling the reins. The horse was quick to calm, finally becoming unopposed to its new rider and she could direct it as she pleased.
Lucina then started her horse forwards into a light trot down the road.
The road went ever on. Passing over fields aplenty. Over hills, low and barren, then sweeping far right for many leagues passed rocky downs. By midday, the land began to shift. What was once endless grasslands was now filled with shrubs and bushes. Trees were becoming more commonplace until at last when she rounded a hill she could see the road pass through a thicket of woodland. From where she was Lucina heard birdsong loud and clear, and she saw small critters skittering about from low bushes, or in high branches. She even saw some deer grazing far afield.
'So, there is some life to this land yet,' she thought with a smile. With her mood brightening, Lucina commanded her steed forth. Entering the shade of the trees, Lucina's spirits rose even higher. The very air smelled fresh, like pine and oak. Just as a forest should be. The sun glittered through the leaves. Even the biting cold had died down, letting the sun's warmth gloss over her.
It was only a few moments later when something on the road caught her eye. There was an odd shape near the path. Upon coming closer it appeared to be a person, face down sprawled along the wayside.
She drew up beside to see a lifeless corpse in the dirt. On it was a loose chainmail shirt from which a dark green cloak was wrapped around. She knew this to be one of the bandits, his person matched perfectly. And he seemed tall as well.
She could not place any certainty on who had slain him, yet she knew only one enemy that could have: the enemy that she'd been fleeing this whole time. And from the looks of the state of the corpse he had met his end only recently. Her gaze darted all around, searching frantically for any sign of foes either hidden amongst the trees, lying in wait to ambush her, or cantering down the road atop black horses.
A sudden crow cawing and flying away from a tree made her jump. Her horse started to become restless, danger was near. She could not linger, she had to leave. But then something caught her eye once again. From the corpse of the bandit rose a faint smoke. Not the smoke of something being lit aflame, but rather it was purple in colour. It almost looked as if it came from...
Lucina jumped as the corpse suddenly jerked and pushed itself to its feet, groaning in an inhuman manner as it did. It stumbled around clumsily before turning towards her and Lucina all but gasped in shock. A familiar eerie mask was set on his face through which glowing red eyes peered at her.
'Risen!? So soon in the past?'
Her thoughts were interrupted however when the Risen-turned bandit rushed her. She drew her sword and with a crack of the reins Lucina charged forward. Her blade whooshed through the air as she struck the Risen's neck. The head came clean off, fading away in a cloud of thick purple smoke until nothing remained. The rest of the corpse did as well, and all was quiet in the forest once more.
Lucina grimaced. Such a terrible end for a man, even if he was a mere thief. No one deserved that horrible curse of being turned into a Risen by Grima's wicked means. She at least took heart to know it was not the soul that was resurrected, for Grima had not that authority.
A heavy ruffling in the hedge behind her and Lucina reared her horse around as two more Risen sprung out onto the road. Their arms and armour bore striking resemblance to Ylissean soldiers.
She whipped the reins and spurred her steed into action. She rode past one, swiping her sword down as she did. Falchion struck true, and the Risen faded. She then reared her horse around and rode down the other then stopping to watch her final adversary fade away.
Before she could relish in her victory, a shadow lunged from the bushes. A hand gripped her thigh and ripped her from the saddle. Lucina's back slammed against the dirt, knocking the air from her lungs as she came face to face with a snarling Risen.
Suddenly, her horse bucked, and its hind legs slammed into the Risen's jaw, shattering the lower half of its mask. Wasting no time, Lucina shot for the opening, thrusting her sword into its head. The risen faded and she dropped to one knee, leaning against her sword for support.
'That was much too close,' she thought. Risen were tricky. For the most part they attacked mindlessly, and one would know they approached from miles away. Yet in the rarest of times, they showed an unnatural cleverness that surprised many a great tactician. They'd set ambushes and traps. Maneuvered their troops brilliantly. That however was only in the presence of a Deadlord.
She looked towards her steed. Seeing him cheekily munching on some grass pretending as if nothing had happened.
"Well done, boy," she said with a small smile.
But it remained strange to be assaulted by risen, especially in the past. If this was the point in time the outrealm gate was supposed to take her to, then the Risen wouldn't appear for some time yet. It was possible for a few troops to have followed them through the outrealm gate, but the bandit was clearly newly reanimated. Perhaps those loyal to Grima were already more active than she wished.
Something in the bushes alerted her again; two red eyes peering at her deep within the forest. Lucina grabbed hold of her blade and stood straight, watching carefully.
Then suddenly the figure vanished in a rush of stamping feet, moving far away from her. Lucina stayed still for a moment, searching the trees with her sword hand ready. Lucina clenched her fists. Ill thoughts came flooding into her mind. But whatever that was, it was likely not coming back.
She furrowed her brow. To her it appeared to be a Risen, but Risen never ran. They were mindless, unwavering in combat. That's what made them so deadly. Risen could not be routed, they couldn't be sent running before a cavalry charge. Yet that one had. It was strange to say the least, but she paid it no mind for now. There were other, much darker foes that stalked these lands. She remounted and continued down the road.
The night grew dark. Lucina sat against a tree, her steed munching lazily on the grass beside her. Despite her best efforts she'd found riding in a saddle with her wearied body grew too unbearable too fast. Frequent breaks were needed, and it slowed whatever progress she could make. Nightfall had then come all too quickly. So, while still under the protection of the forest, Lucina decided to make camp for the night.
Yet as she lay on the firm earth, with her wearied mind and sore body, Lucina could not seem to fall asleep. She rose up and reached for her pack in hopes that something to dull her hunger would help.
As her hands rummaged through her pack, she felt nothing but inedible supplies. Lucina sucked a sharp breath. She had no more food.
"How?" she said aloud, "how did this happen!?" She was sure she had enough for at least another two days!
"Damnit all!" She then threw her pack in frustration. Lucina sighed, taking a swig from her water flask. At least she had plenty of water.
Lucina tried once more to sleep again, shutting her eyes tight. Her stomach now rumbling ferociously after the reminder of food. She tried taking a few deep breaths in and out.
"Gah! It's useless!" she said. Lucina stood up. Her hunger was too much to sleep right now. A walk would help, maybe scout ahead to clear her conscience.
Her walk took her to the edge of the forest not very far from where she was camped. There the forest ended rather abruptly, leaving only a series of rocky downs that stretched for miles. Yet there was something about these hills that left her feeling uneasy.
Firstly, there were no more trees. No hedges, or bushes. Or animals at all even! Much like the hills she'd travelled a day ago. But there was something else. Upon the hills was a thick fog, illuminated in an almost eerie glow from the pale moonlight. Contained within the fog, Lucina could make out a series of large stone markings and ruined structers spread out far that were clearly man made. As she looked deeper into it, she could make out something else lingering near the ruins; large dark shapes that brought an uneasiness to her as she watched them move through the mist like a boat would sail the seas.
Lucina tore away her gaze from the hills. She was just seeing things. Fatigue had begun to take hold. Perhaps she may now steal a few hours rest.
As soon as she reached her camp Lucina did something that surprised even herself. She started a fire. Perhaps Lucina truly was going mad. Either from lack of sleep, hunger, or a whole host of other reasons, but she didn't care for the risks right now. She wanted a fire, and fire meant comfort. Even if there was none to be had in these cursed lands.
As she lay herself beside the fire, Lucina felt a warmth not felt for many days. Then, slowly, she drifted off to sleep.
It was just a couple hours before sunset the next day when she came to a crossroads. To the left, the road stretched deep into a far and wild country, but to the right the road led to a rather sizable hill. Said hill was not of much interest to Lucina, but what was more interesting was the village that was built in and around it.
It was a rather modest settlement. Around a hundred stone houses were arrayed around the hill, with their windows facing west. A few smaller homes appeared to be built further up and into the hill itself.
More importantly, this was not a ruin, like so many other structures she'd seen thus far. She could see light pouring out of the windows of the houses, and the road leading to it seemed well travelled, all good signs of inhabitants. She couldn't help but let a wide smile break out onto her face as her spirits rose higher than ever. Civilization at last!
She felt rather silly now about her despair at the crossroads. But then again, who knew this path would lead her here? She idly wondered what awaited her should she have travelled right instead. Paying it little thought, she spurred her horse forth toward the village.
The road led straight towards a deep dike where a large and thick hedge stood on the inner side, appearing to be a sort of wall for the town. Over the causeway to where the road pierced the hedge there was a large wooden gate through which a few more dwellings were built just beyond.
As she approached, she found the gate to be wide open with a gatekeeper sitting just behind the entrance. Once he saw her, he sprung up in surprise and immediately stood in the doorway, barring Lucina from entering.
"Halt!" he called out, "what do you want and where do you come from?" he asked gruffly.
Lucina paused, taken aback by his demeanour. She'd not expected such harshness. Though judging by the way he scowled at someone he didn't even know, this was likely the way they always acted when strangers came to their settlement. Despite that, she thought it best to be civil.
"I'm looking to perhaps ask someone for directions, I've seemed to have gotten lost along the road."
The gatekeeper looked at her curiously, "you're an awfully young lad to be travelin' these roads alone. To where ye be heading, might I ask?"
"Ylisstol, the capital city of Ylisse. Would you perhaps know where that is?" Lucina asked.
He stared at her darkly for a moment before shaking his head, "Ah, ye be a strange fellow lookin' for strange lands I'd say. Never heard of Ylisse before."
Lucina stared at the man in silent bewilderment, this was the second person to tell her that. Just where had she ended up? Was this truly the past? She buried the thought, Lucina trusted Naga to not deceive her.
But what would she do now? Lucina did not want to rush back out into the wilderness so soon. With the sun setting, she couldn't stand to travel anymore that day. She needed somewhere safe to stay for a moment, some place to collect her thoughts.
An inn would work. She'd never been to one, but she'd heard stories of these establishments existing before Grima. A bed, food, and refreshment for coin. They were all over Ylisse in the past. This was a sizable town after all, surely there had to be one here.
"That's unfortunate," she said, "but if I may take your leave, I'd like to find some lodging. Is there any to be found here?"
"Aye, if it be lodging you're looking for then make for The Pony. It's an inn just up the road. But a few more questions from me, if you please. What's your business with this Ylisse? And what might your name be?"
Lucina frowned. "My name and my business are my own to keep," she said to him, not liking the look of the man nor his tone of voice.
The man nodded, "Your business is your own no doubt, but it's my business to ask questions to any outsiders that come to Bree, and you're a strange looking fellow. I've not seen any fellow with blue hair before, nor eyes so blue to match."
Her eyes? He could see her eyes?! She lifted her hand up to her face and her heart almost dropped to her stomach. Her mask wasn't there! She'd almost entered a frenzy until she remembered she'd taken it off a few days ago, leaving it stored safely in her pack. Nonetheless her fears of being discovered were also dissuaded. If the gatekeeper hadn't heard of Ylisse he wouldn't know it's royalty either. Her identity was safe for now.
"And not to mention you're armed," he said, eyeing her sword, "I won't be letting you through until you at least tell me your name."
"Fine! My name is...Marth. Is that good enough for you?" she said with annoyance clear in her voice.
The gatekeeper nodded, "Alright young sir I meant no offense. Can't be too careful with outsiders. There's talk of strange folk abroad." He moved from the open gate to let Lucina through.
Lucina paused, still considering his last remark, 'Strange folk? He didn't mean the...'
She glanced behind her, staring far into the wide wilderness. She perceived it then to grow darker in her mind and an icy chill ran down her spine. For a moment, she thought she'd seen something out there, a figure amongst the trees. She squinted her eyes to look deeper into the forest...
"Well? Be quick about it," the gatekeeper suddenly said, pulling Lucina away from her thoughts. She gulped and started her horse forward and through the gates.
Upon entering, she got a better look at the town, seeing its many houses sprawled about. There were folk going to and fro, not raggedly dressed but instead clothed in fine linen. She halted her horse, taking in the sight. Looking upon the well-meaning folk she felt at ease, and it was as if a wave of relief washed over her. For the first time in many hard nights, she felt safe.
"This town, what kingdom is it in?" she said over her shoulder to the gatekeeper.
"Kingdom? You must really be lost, lad! There's none in these lands. We look after ourselves in Bree. There's not been a king nor lord of the lands since the days of the old kingdom. Lost to the grass a thousand years ago it was. But we here in Bree remained, just as we always have."
Lucina nodded at the new information, though it did not satisfy her in the slightest. Wherever this "Bree" was located, it was certainly not on Ylisse.
But another thought occurred to her as she looked over her shoulder at the gatekeeper. There was just him to guard the gate, and he was no soldier. He didn't even have a weapon. Not to mention the hedge surrounding the town could barely even be called a wall.
Lucina reared her horse around to look at the gatekeeper sideways.
"Do you know what's out there?" she asked.
The gatekeeper shook his head, "Trees, hobbits, some other less-than savoury folk. Ain't nothin' we've to be worried about."
It was just as she suspected. They didn't have a clue what she'd seen.
"If I were you, I'd keep these gates shut at all times, maybe have a few extra men up here as well," she told him.
The gatekeeper scowled, "Aye? And maybe you'd like to rally them up and take my post yourself, eh? I'll not have some blue-haired outsider tellin' me how to keep the gates, now off with ye!"
Lucina let out a sigh, she tried. Nothing much to do now if he didn't want to listen. She'd just have to warn someone else who wasn't such a grouch.
She continued her horse forward. She would have tried to convince him further, but she was weary from the road. There was also something about the gatekeeper that unnerved her. A quick glance over her shoulder saw that the gatekeeper still stalked her with a wary eye, but eventually he turned away and went back to his post.
Now that she was free of his scrutiny, she pulled her mask from her pack and set it upon her face. She would not make this mistake again. Even if they were ignorant of her lineage.
She followed the street of the village up a gentle slope, passing a few detached houses and many of the village inhabitants, who peeked at her curiously as she rode by. Some had even stopped outright to gawk at her openly. It made her feel uncomfortable at the very least, but she tried to pay it little mind.
She stopped her horse in front of a rather large building. There, a wide arch led into a courtyard. On the front of the arch was a sign hanging from it of a white pony reared up on its hind legs. A door under the arch led to the inside of the inn from which a warm light poured out. From inside the alluring smell of fresh bread being baked reached her nose, making her stomach ache. Above the door, painted in white letters, read: 'The Prancing Pony by Barliman Butterbur.'
She dismounted and led her horse under the arch and into the courtyard, which seemed to contain a rather sizable stable. She then stepped inside the inn, leaving her horse standing outside. As she entered the smell of baking bread became overpowering, making her stomach rumble ferociously.
She stood for a time beside a large wooden counter where many barrels were stacked behind. She examined the seating area of the inn, which had a rather inviting and cosy look to it. A fire was already crackling in the hearth at the far wall. Candles were lit at each table, coating everything in a warm glow. Already there were a number of patrons seated, smoking from wooden carved pipes and drinking from tall tankards.
"Well good evening young master!"
Lucina jumped at the sudden voice from beside her. She turned to see a fat man with a balding, bearded head and a reddened face standing behind the counter. He had a white apron on and was drying off a few mugs with a cloth.
"Why! I've not ever seen someone so blue before! And that's quite the mask you have! Visiting from some far-off land, eh?"
"You could say that," she said.
He hummed, "if you'll pardon my wondering, where are you coming from?"
"Ylisse." She felt the need to keep her voice low, just in case there were any eavesdroppers. She didn't plan on being here long, and she'd rather not have people know too much about her.
He looked away with squinted eyes as if trying to search his memory, "Ylisse...Ylisse? Hmm, now I sometimes get far off travellers at my inn, and I've not much in the way of remembering from all these strange places they've come. One thing drives out the other so to speak, but no one's ever said to me they come from Ylisse. Not quite sure if I've ever heard that name before."
Lucina gave a small sigh, she somehow expected this. First the bandit, then the gatekeeper, and now him. Clearly no one in a hundred leagues from here had ever heard of her homeland, which only meant that Lucina had quite the journey before her.
"It's...far from here. Are you the innkeeper by any chance?" she asked.
"I am," the man nodded, standing a little straighter as he did, "Barliman's my name. Barliman Butterbur at your service. What can I do for you then, young master?"
"I'd like a bed please, preferably in a room to myself, and stabling for my horse if you can manage."
"Aye, that we can." He peered out of the door at her horse from where he stood, then turned and hollered over his shoulder, "Hi! Nob! Get out here, you woolly footed slow-coach! Nob!"
"Coming, sir! Coming!" A small man then bobbed out of a door, so small that Lucina almost mistook him for a child, though his voice and mature face said otherwise. He walked about barefoot, his feet covered in thick hair, almost like fur. Upon seeing Lucina, he stopped and quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Nob! This young master needs his horse stabled, fetch Bob and tell him to find some room, double sharp!" Nob nodded and trotted off quickly out the door.
"Right then young master, with me if you will." Butterbur then hurried off up some stairs, Lucina followed close behind. He led her to the very end of the long hallway that ended with a small wooden door to the left. "Aye, if you fancy a room to yourself, I'm afraid this is all we can manage."
He opened the door, and she entered a rather cramped room with hardly enough space for her to even walk in. A small feather bed took up most of the space. Just beside it was a small square table and a stool tucked underneath. A wooden basin for washing was in the other corner, just behind where the door opened into the room. Above the bed was a single window, big enough for her to climb through, should she need to. Or perhaps she would open it just to get some air in this place. It smelled dreadfully musty.
"It's a little tight but you're a small lad so I'm sure it'll suit."
Lucina gave him a small smile, "It's good enough for me, thank you Mr. Butterbur."
"No need for thanks, young master, I'm here to serve. Just be ready to pay in the morning. Is there anything else you'd like before I'm off?"
There was certainly one thing. She couldn't help but notice how dirty she was. Her hands were covered in dirt and grime, and her clothes were much the same. She was by all accounts foul and dirty, more than a traveller should be.
"I'd like to wash up, hot water would be preferable, but if not, then any water is fine. And I'd like some soap if you can manage," she told him.
Butterbur nodded, "It's no trouble, young master, I'll be up in a moment with anything you need for washing. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be trottin. It's going to be busy work tonight I feel. And I've not got six legs nor six eyes neither!" He then turned and was about to take off but halted as he seemed to remember something, "Oh! It slipped my mind to ask if you'll pardon, but what may your name be?"
"Marth," she said without hesitation. Though it felt useless to keep up the Hero-King facade, she just felt better using a false name.
"Marth...strange name, but I'm not one to judge. Odd folk of all kinds have been stayin' at the inn lately, though none with blue hair…. ah, pardon me if you will. You'll be wanting supper, I don't doubt, though you'd not be wanting to eat in this old closet I'd think, so come on down when you're ready and I'll have Nob bring you something. Oh and, I don't know if you had a mind to join the company tonight, but they'd be pleased to welcome you. We don't get many travellers from far off lands these days, and we'd like to hear of any news or tales from the outside. Alright then Master Marth, I really must be going now." And at last, he was off down the hallway and disappeared down the steps.
Lucina let out a sigh, relieved to be finally rid of the man. Butterbur seemed like a nice fellow, and she was sure he meant well, but he just seemed capable of an endless stream of talk. Despite how busy he said he was.
She at last turned to her room, eyeing the alluring feather bed before her. But she knew she could not rest just yet. She instead pulled the wooden stool out from underneath the table and sat down. She leaned her back against the wall, one leg crossed over the other, and patiently waited.
With her fingers drumming against the wooden table, she tried her very best not to nod off then and there, which seemed a monumental task as the minutes passed. Her exhaustion was catching up with her, as well as her irritability in not being able to rest after a hard journey.
After what felt like an eternity, a hard knock on the door and the familiar voice of Butterbur alerted Lucina to the return of the landlord. She opened the door swiftly to see Butterbur with a few pales of steaming water as well as that short fellow, Nob. He carried another pale in one hand with a jar of soap and a towel in his other. They quickly filled the wooden basin with the steaming water and were off in an instant.
"Take all the time you need, young master, but just be down in time for supper!" said Butterbur on his way out.
The heavy wooden door closed behind them, and Lucina immediately rushed to lock it. Now that she was completely alone Lucina relaxed a bit. She went first for her braid, unfurling her blue hair and letting it cascade down her back. With her fingers running through it, she could feel the dirt and grime that had found its way into her locks, and she wished dearly that she'd brought a comb with her to the past.
Lucina let her hair be, and finally began preparing for the long task of ridding herself from the filth of travel.
Lucina curled up underneath the warm linen sheets of her bed. The day had fallen far past the evening now, and she could faintly hear the muffled voices of the townsfolk that were piled into the common room downstairs.
She had just spent the last hour and a half scrubbing herself the best she could. The soap was certainly quite the help in that. And when she finished she'd even scrubbed the dirt from her clothes, which were now sprawled across the room either on the floor, or over the stool and table. A faint dampness was on them, but not dripping wet.
She would have ignored the dampness of her clothes to continue on downstairs, but she found the feather bed far too tempting. And so she'd uncovered the sheets and lay down. Just for a moment.
All the while her stomach growled ravenously, and she could do nothing but think of the supper Butterbur had promised. She thought of bread and stew and meat, food she'd not eaten fresh for almost a year at least. All bread in the future had to be twice baked to last, and meat needed to be dried for travel. Yet even those were rare commodities since all forms of agriculture were constantly at siege from the risen. She'd foraged for nuts, roots, berries, small lizards, and even insects for as long as she could remember. Or nothing at all in the worst of times.
Though here in the past she knew wheat and barley grew aplenty, and livestock could live and prosper. The people could be fed well. Settling down and enjoying the luxuries of peace; something Lucina was determined to protect.
And protect it she would, when the time came for it. Right at this moment all she wanted was a small bit of comfort, which this feather bed was certainly providing. Lucina didn't remember the last time she slept on a bed. Probably before Ylisstol fell. But this one seemed softer than any she'd ever slept on. Or perhaps she was just too used to the dirt.
She felt her eyelids grow heavy, forgetting about all the troubles of the world, and even forgetting her intense hunger. Until the exhaustion of her journey caught up with her, and sleep took her.