Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

After deliberately abandoning two of my companions, against what I told them and their warnings, I found myself recalling the scenery…

And it was devastating that I hardly would’ve known because it didn’t look like how I remembered it. I recalled being amazed by the mere arch gate of Khanliwa, thinking that Temog wouldn’t be bested when it comes to that, considering the nature of their ruler, that is, but it’s… it's filthy and covered in moss. The sheen of the letters was seemingly fading, weathered with age and negligence.

What happened to Temog? Were they attacked? What happened to them? Why does it look so much worse? I could feel my heart fall to my stomach as side-by-side comparisons appeared in my head, where they were overgrown flowers that looked as if they exploded from inside of the buildings. Where are the lanterns hanging on every roof edge?

I looked around and saw… pain. Disappointment, deprivation—what is happening in Temog? To think even Pa-Hyake is in this state is...

They made a stop in the middle of the town as the head of the house, the father, looked at me from his spot at the front, next to his wife while their daughter slept behind them,

His droopy eyes stared at me weakly after exchanging glances at his wife, who nodded at me, “This is as far as we can accompany you,” he said,

I nodded with vigor, snapping up straight, “Yes, yes—this is enough, this has helped me plenty, thank you so much,” I blurted, I didn’t want to hold them up, they look like they have enough problems as it is. I jumped down from the inside of the wagon and I could tell it was more than late.

Night time was long over, I slept while inside the wagon, and did all I could to not make as much noise as possible. I didn’t want to bring more inconveniences into their way, moreover; I was itching to get out anyways, I wanted to see things nearer. Maybe things don’t look this bad up close, but no.

It was way more depressing seeing the cracking wood edging on the brick walls, the dried remnants, and staining caused by the once crawling flowers. It used to be a bustling city, not it looks like a deserted town. I could see some people starting to wake up, but they weren’t leaving their houses. They just took a peek from a small c***k of opening their doors and closed the door again. I feel like I’m walking alone in this place.

Which is bad, because that would mean I’m being unusual, and unusual people tend to stand out. Standing out is the last thing I want as the runaway ex-wife. There are a lot of layers I need to peel in this situation, but first things first, I need to find lodging. Now I can’t say I have expertise in this place, which is an irony by itself because this is technically where I’m from.

Yet I barely knew anything about the buildings themselves. The only ones I knew were the place where Lykus brought me to eat, to buy jewelry, and to Lady Illescent. Which is sad now that I think about it. She must’ve been heartbroken when she heard I was missing. That is, if we have the relationship I think we did.

‘Well… not missing, I ran away.’ I just wonder how they announced that to the public. Maybe they made it seem like I was kidn*pped, who knows?

I walked along the cold and gloomy streets, hoping to see one of the signs indicating an offer for a bed for rent, and by some benevolent luck, I did find a rundown inn, a distinct darkening starting at the edges of its door and from the group up.

“Hm… homey,” I joked to myself as I entered. It's even sadder on the inside since even the candles didn’t look too happy doing their job and poorly lit wherever they were placed, and it was somewhat mysterious how little they lit the room. There were a lot of them.

There was a counter on the left side of the entrance, but it was vacant. All there is on that table is what could possibly be a guest list and a small bell. Looking around, I suppose this was made to be used, so it should be okay if I rang it, right? I picked it up hesitantly at its long handle and just as I lifted it up, about to ring it, I heard a click right behind me.

The sound of a door shutting softly, and a lethargic plump woman came out, I kept my head down as she walked behind and past me and to the counter where she tiredly opened the notebook for me and prepared the ink and quill by its side,

“How long will you be staying?” she asked.

“A day at most, please,” I replied, and she hummed,

I picked up the quill and wrote in the necessary information, all fake of course, and prepared my payment. She hummed with a nod, not meeting my eyes as she gestured for me to follow her upstairs to my designated room. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, just as much of a slump as the whole place is. I actually felt relieved that there’s at least a comfortable-looking bed.

I plopped down the mattress and sighed as I stared at the dark wood ceiling. There is a lot to unpack here and all of them are just emotions. I couldn’t go out until I could see enough of a crowd forming, now about what time that would happen, I have no idea. I sighed and shifted into a more proper position after taking off my shoes and cloak. Having myself completely covered with the blanket. There’s nothing wrong with getting a few hours of naps, perhaps. It’s not like I have a schedule to catch.

If anything, as long as things don’t get too crazy around here, I could stay here for a while until I spot Lykus, not even going to the castle. Maybe I’d get lucky and spot him here in the city. He’ll need something, I suppose... I mean, maybe he’d want to eat out, or maybe have his cape professionally mended by Lady Illescent. He’s got to need something from this desolate city, eventually.

Speaking of which, why is the city even in this state? I was expecting loads of knights walking around the area, maybe something reminiscent of its former glory. I didn’t know what I was expecting, actually, but it was certainly not this…

I don’t want to admit it, but now I’m worried about Lykus. Is Temog really recovering from an attack? What about the neighboring towns? How are they holding up? Then again, who would dare attack Lykus’s kingdom, right? I know he must’ve been disoriented for the first few weeks, but he’s likely to get back in his stride, right? I mean—he’s Lykus. He’s a very spirited man, if I ever seen one.

Either way, all this thinking is just hindering me from a leisurely nap. I don’t know when this could take a turn. But the moment it does take a turn…

I wonder if I’m ready for it.