A Drop of Moonlight

Chapter 15: Flee

Rufus stood like a reliable mountain before Diane and Harold. Due to the cloak that he is wearing, no one could really see his face and determine his expressions or what he is feeling. But with the hand that was hidden beneath his cloth was gripping a dagger tightly, just waiting for a slightest wrong approach for him to make a bloody field.

Denise knew some of the habits of Fedikano and Rufus after living with them for a couple of months. While they are as peace-loving as most elves were, the two were more murderous than those typical elves. While she hasn't met any other elf other than those two, she trusts the tales told by her uncle who had the actual honor of meeting and interacting with an elf before.

Elves tend to shy away from violence. But Rufus and Fedikano? It would be good if they don’t attack their perceived enemies at first sight. After all she saw them mercilessly unalive a stray beast that terrorized their home.

“Rufus!” Denise said as she took a step backward. Her priority right now is to protect the youngest and most vulnerable member of their party right now. Engaging in thoughtless fights will not give them any benefits and only endless trouble.

Rufus snapped out of his state and tried to relax upon hearing Denise’s call. He tried to be welcoming to the approaching people. Still deep routed subconscious reactions are really hard to control.

“Hello.” A young man greeted as he and his group were close enough. “Are the three of you native of this place?”

“I’m afraid we are not.” Denise replied on behalf of their group. “We are travelers who had lost our way after encountering a disaster on the road.”

The young man looked disheartened hearing that they are not natives. He gave them a sheepish smile and said that they are also the same. Though the reason why they were lost was that they had brought the wrong map of the area and ended up in the middle of nowhere.

Denise gave them a look of understanding as that was how she ended with the slavers. Fool as she was, purchasing a dud of a map and ended up somewhere not her destination. With a couple of bad luck, she ended up on her way to be a prized slave.

Though she shares the feeling and sentiment, she is not at ease with their presence. As to not impose themselves and potentially bring another disaster on their way, it would be better if they would just leave and not interact with them further. As of the moment, Denise really does not trust herself with how abyssal her luck was nowadays.

The young man seems to understand that they are uncomfortable and keeps a respectable distance from them. After some pleasantries, they parted on good terms. Much to Denise’s relief that no blood was spilled.

“They could have taken us in.” Harold voiced out after not speaking for a long time. “With them, our safety from outside forces will be guaranteed.”

“Things are not that simple Harold.” Denise said as she pointed a direction that they should be taking as to lose the group in the distance. She remembers a quite inconvenient route that they can take and decides that this is the way for them.

“See that innermost carriage? That is a duke’s symbol. Anyone who used that symbol means they are someone with considerable connection or might be a member of the ducal family. As who we are now, we cannot afford to offend them.” After giving her directions to Rufus of where they will be going, Denise did not give a little lecture to the little devil as to why they must avoid contact with those people.

“Dukes or not, they don’t dare to treat me badly.” Harold said with arrogance in his tone. As a descendant of a family of magic users, he had the capital to say those words. Though they are not dukes, Degrandes are an exceptional family that even the royal family is careful interacting with.

“Yes, if you are older and already a well-known figure in the upper circle as you were born to, that would be the case.” Denise refuted the arrogance that is rearing its head. “Remember you are here in the middle of nowhere. You have nothing to prove yourself as a member of your house. You are only lucky that I recognize you as a member of your family as I know the traits well enough in ways most people do not.”

“How did you even know these traits you speak of that other people cannot seem to recognize?” Harold asked as he decided that he needed answers right now rather than arguing with Denise.

Denise’s expression briefly showed grimace before reluctantly saying. “Blame my luck. I don’t want to be connected with your house if I was given a chance. When I get home, I ask you to relay a certain message to someone.”

“Who might it be?” Harold asked with curiosity, beaming in his very words.

“That would be something after we get somewhere near your family’s territory.” Densie said as she dodged the child's question.

“They are following us.” Rufus said as after he noticed that the people behind them seemed to be intent on keeping pace with them.

“This is troublesome.” Denise said with a sigh. “My hands are tight today Rufus. Do what you think is the best for us. But no killing please. There is already too much blood in this forest.”

Rufus understood and chanted a spell under his breath. At the end of his chant, a soft wind blew before them before disappearing like it was not something they just felt. Moments later, there were cries of a beast that rang out in space.

Denise’s nerves were taut and she was ready to run as soon as the beast would show its tail. Rufus on the other hand was unfazed, fully aware of what was the beast that gave out that cry. Regardless of each of their thoughts, it was clear that the beast possessed a certain level of danger that no one present wanted to confront.

“Follow me.” Rufus said as he yanked Denise's shoulder and prompted her to run along him.

Without much thinking, Denise ran with Harold on her back who was strangely too quiet at the moment.