Her Trail

18

Days after, Sir Betram told me to pack the important things I needed for the war. We don't know if it'll take months but I readied a lot of things. One thing I learned from Sir Adalius is that wars aren't just a one-day battle, they take years and if lucky enough, months after it started.

I think I had one large chariot only for my things. In days, I asked several craftsmen to make me things for operations, especially the most important ones. I know it will be very hard to operate but I am hoping for the best and I am trusting my experience and knowledge as a Doctor in my previous life.

It took me a day to swallow my relationship with Papa right now but I cannot blame him, and I cannot blame myself either. And instead of keeping myself occupied by those things, I decided to practice my skills again, I decided to read books about medicine in this world. I learned a lot, really.

I also stumble on some books about wars, it made me really nervous. I think I will see some real magic there, I will also encounter monsters that each empire will use as a strategy to make the offensive fighters stronger.

And now, I am inside a chariot, my chariot is in the middle, beside me is the chariot for my things, and on the other side is Sir Adalius.

In front is Papa's chariot with the other chariot for the trusted Knights or high ranking Knights like Sir Betram. Behind me is brother and some knights as well, in addition to that are the weapons we needed, the things all of the persons here bring. It's like, over a hundred chariots running together.

From what I heard, using this vehicle, we will reach the place for like half a month. There were already skilled knights at the center of the war and from what I heard also, the silent war is already starting.

Hours passed and I slept for a bit in the comfortable bed of my huge and expensive-looking chariot.

There were also cabinets here with foods and tea, but I don't have any appetite to eat nor drink when I wake up. I just stare at nowhere, still gathering myself together.

I almost screamed when an arrow went directly into my chariot, right in front of my eyes, and it hit the wall of the chariot.

I shiver when I realized that I almost died... one wrong move and that arrow will hit me directly on the head.

I cannot open my mouth to ask for help or even scream because of the shock. I was too startled to even move.

I look at my hands and I saw them shivering from fear and shock combined. Who would... who wanted to kill me

"Elora!" I heard voices coming in my direction, and when the door of my chariot opened, I saw Papa's worried face and brother's face immediately. Behind them are Sir Adalius and Sir Betram.

The knight who is maneuvering my chariot stopped.

"F*ck!" I heard Father curse as he went inside the chariot to hold my hand and to see if I was hurt.

I cannot bring myself to say something or even move because of the shock that is rushing throughout my body.

"Are you fine? Are you hurt somewhere? You are sweating, your hands are even cold!"

Suddenly, brother appeared.

"Elora, Elora!" He tried hard to shake me.

When I was able to gather myself I revert my eyes away from them to see the arrow that hit the wall of the chariot.

They saw me look at that so Father immediately get it and throw it outside.

I never saw him this mad, with veins showing on his forehead, his face is too red because of anger. He never show this kind of anger when he told me words when I broke his rule and when he told me the harsh words last day. But now, this kind of anger could kill me, I can sense and see that. Even I was scared.

Father's head turns to Sir Betram who is outside the vehicle.

"Betram. Bring whoever did this, even if they are in a group or one person only. This is an order from your Duke, never show your face in front of me without those animals."

I gulp when I heard his threat. And the ever-loyal Sir Betram nodded seriously like he wanted to do what he was told to.

"Elora..." now, my Father's eyes showed his concern, far from what he told me to never run towards him. It turns out he will be the one who will run towards me after all.

"I-I am fine," all I could mumble.

They both sighed in unison. Brother sat on the chair in front of the chair-like bed.

Papa is beside me, still staring at me with all seriousness and I swear, it's making me nervous as hell.

"Are you mad at me?" he suddenly asked.

I shake my head right away. I do not know, Duke, but I am not comfortable even though I miss your warmth as my father.

"I am staying here. My senses are good enough to detect possible danger, I will guard you," Papa said with finality when I did not answer his question.

"I'll stay here as well Father Duke. Her bed is big enough for the two of you, and this chair is also like a single bed so I'll sleep here for the remaining days of our travel."

They made that decision after all that happened.

It was awkward at first but I found a way to avoid that, and that is by sleeping all the freaking time except when I had to eat and wash.

When the night came, Papa decided to let the three of us stay on his chariot because it was larger, and it was literally like a room, it was made of metal as well that made it prone to weapons, it's for our safety.

I told them that I'll use my own chariot but it turns out to be a wrong decision especially because of what happened a while ago. I should have listened to Sir Betram to have the more secure ride.

The travel goes slow, or it's just like that for me because I am with my brother and father and my relationship with them already has a dent due to the things that happened.

Days ago, Sir Betram already capture those who tried to harm me, but they are all weird because they only say one thing.

"Kill Elora Ember Fleyr," that's what they said.

It sent me creeps that they were like hypnotized puppets. Father didn't let me intervene and see those men after that. I think everything just pop up my last bubble of delusions. Even here, I am not safe, but that doesn't mean I will let those things keep me from owning this trail.

Yes, I am scared for my life, for everything that might lead me to death, it's all better than what happened to my past life, right? This time I wasn't the one who will end my life if ever that happened.

From what I heard, it seems like only wizards can do things like that. But why? I don't understand, why would they go to that length just to harm me? I didn't even do anything to them.

Suddenly, something pops up in my mind. The saddest scene in Elora's life... the death of Mother. She died while we were riding a chariot, and before I fell unconscious, I heard weird noises and I saw violet and green lights from somewhere.

The thought that everything was staged give shivers down my spine.

I am scared... because it will be heartbreaking if ever I find out that my mother was killed.

She was the first one who loved me and embrace me in the days I was my real self when Elora was showing all her truthfulness. Back then, the Duke and brother were so cold and only Mother gave her— me, warmth.

Another dawn and dusk arrived, and now it's already night. We are in the middle of the forest, it's too dark that our only light was the moon and the stars.

But there were lights inside the chariot. Brother is already asleep as well as Papa. The others are probably sleeping right now, and only a few of us are awake now because it's in the middle of the night already.

The chariot is only moving automatically with the help of spells and until now, it amazes me.

I open the window for a bit, as I put a rocking chair in front of it. The moon is full and the stars are shining brightly, it's beautiful.

The wind is cool but it isn't too cold. Everything is neutral that it almost takes my breath away. Wow, night, in spite of darkness screams beauty and peacefulness, something I wanted to possess.

"Can't sleep?" I was startled when I heard Brother's deep voice.

My gazes went to him immediately, his hair is messy and his eyes are still sleepy.

I nodded in response.

"Hmm... Elora, can we talk seriously?"

That made my heart beats so fast, I don't know but every time ask to talk to me in a serious manner, I can't help but feel really really nervous.

"Y-Yes."

He get a chair and he put it in front of where I am sitting.

I gulp and I blink multiple times as I watch him move seriously.

"W-What are you going to talk about, Brother?"

I close my eyes tightly because my nervousness is showing, why did I stutter!

"Calm down, Elora. I am still you brother, you don't have to fear talking to me."

I pouted and I nodded my head.

"Then... what do you want to talk with me?"

"Are you distancing yourself from us? I noticed your indifference ever since the day you run past me crying. Father Duke said he raise his voice on you when you entered his harem."

I didn't respond to what he said because I don't even know what to say to him.

"Was it because you got hurt from his words? And even the words he said when you told us about your plan? But what about me? Did I do something wrong, Elora Ember? Why was I a subject for your anger too?"

I sighed.

"I told you, I am not mad and I understand Father for raising his voice on me when I broke his rule. I also understand that he only said the things he said that when I told you I'm going with you to the war because of worry. But brother, I also realized after those that after all... after all, I shouldn't depend too much on the both of you. How will I stand strongly in times of need when I am this weak? You see, shallow words cut deep inside, and what scares me the most is the vulnerability that I have. I am too fragile that even words can shatter my dreams... or rather, delusions that I can manage to live this life happy, with all the beautiful colors and rainbows. I'm sorry if you were disappointed by this Elora, but don't you think it's time for me to decide for myself and to practice standing on my own so that when everyone leaves me and everything falls apart I have a great foundation to hold myself together still?"

His forehead crease at what he just heard but before he could open his eyes, someone speak.

"Leave you? Do you really think, Elora Ember, that we could leave you hanging? Do you think when everything falls apart we weren't there to stand with you?"

My eyes widened when I saw Papa sitting on the bed. He is looking at me, hurt and serious.

I open my mouth but I chose not to say anything and I revert my gaze away from him.

"Elora... my daughter, do you think I can do that to you?" My ever cold-blooded Father's voice shows he is hurting and it stings my heart.

"I-I am sorry," all I could say.

"I am sorry for the things I've said, I admit that I was wrong for saying the same harsh words I said to your brother, I admit that I shouldn't have said those but supported you instead. But Elora, do you really have to avoid us? Hearing your mindset hurts us... Damn."

I played with my fingers as I tried to control my tears from falling. I think I am no longer breathing fine because I am also hurt to hear his words.

Because of that... I don't know anymore. I don't know if I am also doing the right thing, or if the right thing really exists. I just... I am lost.