Golden Promise

A Witch Hunter In Action

Ethelinda and Engel got off their horses as they approached a small town called Faymouth. The young witch huntress had felt exhausted from the three-day journey, not allowing herself to get any sort of sleep since she left Enoora. Her ice-grey eyes bore into Engel’s as they stared at each other with the understanding that they were going to spend the night in this town.

“Faymouth is at least three miles away from Princess Nyla’s last sighting in Milforn. Well….according to this map at least,” Engel stated, his tone dropping off, in the end, a bit as he pondered on how quickly they could reach there.

“We’ll have to send a letter that she and the minister will have to stay put, so we can meet up.” She replied, her voice tired from the journey. She grabbed the reins of her stallion, as did Engel, and they walked into the town.

Faymouth was unlike Milforn. It was an established town with the latest architecture standing before them. The markets gave off an arabesque feeling, whilst the rest gave off a modern Victorian feel. The town was incredibly gorgeous. The young hunters made way for the electrically run carriages to pass through, having them stare in awe at how advanced everything was. Faymouth was just over the border from Enoora, so the rules about magic did not apply here. Ethelinda’s memories of her mother talking about the advanced kingdoms and town rushed like a flash flood. Her eyes quickly snapped back to her front, as if she were trying to get rid of it somehow. Engel looked at her confused but chose to ignore the odd behaviour.

“We need to get ourselves a place to sleep. Plus, we need to fetch some supplies.” she voiced, absentmindedly. A carriage she did not see coming started heading her way. Engel quickly pulled her close to him by the waist. She leaned up against his torso, muttering a quick thank you before pushing herself off him.

“You need to be more careful.” He reprimanded, his voice warmer than any blanket. The history between them was deep, loving and bitter. They had gone their separate ways, and Engel had even gotten engaged to a beautiful opera singer. Something that Ethelinda was deep down bitter about. They continued walking with their stallions beside them. A large pastel blue building stood before them. ‘Faymouth Great Stay’. It was a bold title. They had a stable at the very front, a large stable indeed.

“It’s perfect,” they said in unison, looking at each other weirdly before entering the establishment.

The reception was incredibly plain but cosy. Ethelinda decided to enter and have Engel look after the horses. His eyepatch was scary enough to scare some people from getting near their horses. She walked up to the receptionist's desk and rang the small silver bell placed there.

“Welcome to Faymouth Great Stay, how may we assist you?” Ethelinda tried to pinpoint where that smell was coming from.

“Down here.”

The huntress peered over the table and was met by a small male fairy wearing a pastel green suit. Ethelinda could stand there with wide confused eyes, before muttering out what she needed.

“Two stalls, and a bedroom with two beds. Just for a single night,” A holographic screen came up, and her order was typed in. Three keys were given to her. One of the keys had a chain with the number and the letter ‘2A’ on it.

“That’ll be six hundred moons.” Ethelinda took out a golden card with Milhorn’s name written in italics. She tapped and the payment was accepted. She grabbed the keys and headed back to Engel.

“Two horse stalls. One bedroom, two beds.” She explained each key, her eyes bearing into his as she did so. Engel snatched the stall keys, not appreciating how Ethelinda was talking to him. He walked the stallions to their respective stalls, amazed by how spacious it was. He locked the door and walked back to Ethelinda, who seemed shocked and alerted by something.

“Can you smell that?”

“Smell what?” He replied, confused by her behaviour.

“A ninval is close by.” She curtly replied, grabbing the sword at her hilt.

“What on earth would a Barcroft creature be doing here?” Just as he made those remarks, the ninval came crashing through a shop’s wall and into the town square. He stared at her. No wonder she is at the top of the league. She could sniff anything with magic in it.

He grabbed his double blade’s hilt.

“Let’s show this town how we do things.” Engel spoke, a broad grin on his face.

“That was corny.” She fired back, unable to contain her smile.