A Drop of Moonlight

Chapter 2: Escape

Denise used healing magic to ease the elf’s suffering. It is not her forte, but she knew enough about the magic to make it useful in tricky situations. Plenty of practice lets her know more than just the basics to make it useful for her own use.

The elf was in a much more comfortable state now. Their labored breathing was no longer ragged and some color was added in their skin. Though they are naturally white in complexion, she could see that they are more alive compared to the deathly pale earlier.

In their comfort, their eyes closed down with gentle brows as soon as Denise was done with her treatment. Seeing them in this state, Denise carefully shielded their face from prying eyes just in case that the slavers were unaware that they had actually captured an elf. Out of cautiousness, she had the elf’s cloak cover their upper face and made sure to conceal their ears.

Still not calm about the capture of an elf, Denise decided that she will mess up with these people and make them learn a lesson they will never forget. As a Liam, she has vowed to never allow injustice to happen if she can help it.

With a cold and rational mind, she watched the slavers finally settle for the night. She looked at them cooly as they went to their tents and the guards switched once again for vigil. With a condensed coldness in her eyes, Denise murmured words under her breath.

Denise preferred the sword and vowed to live as a swordsman who will protect people worthy of her protection. But as her mother's daughter, she has a gift with magic. Magic that she rarely uses, yet something so natural with her.

The wind picked up at her words. Gently the wind caressed her face before the strange gale died down. Savoring the sensation, Denise closed her eyes like a cat enjoying a gentle patting.

Peaceful she might look, the aftermath of her spell was nowhere peaceful. It didn't bring a visually devastating impact, however it did damage to the slavers in ways they can never recover from. Groans of discomfort came out of the slavers mouth who was enjoying their sleep. Suffocating unease filled the guards as the night went deeper. And lastly, beasts seem to be surrounding and watching them from afar, waiting and prowling for a chance to take a bite at them.

Denise smiled as she heard their agony. She relishes their suffering for doing the unthinkable. And she will make sure this will continue on for the rest of their lives.

The elf, who had gained some relief, stared quietly at the interaction of Mana and the girl through the gap of their cloak. A thoughtful look flashed in their eyes before disappearing like it never happened. All these little details are unknown to the girl who is wrapped by Mana.

Certain that they are too preoccupied with their own pain and suffering, Denise breaks their cage effortlessly and heaves the elf to her back. She walked out of their cage like she was never a prisoner. Instead she was like a child who had finished playing house and was bored of the game.

And of course she did not forget to get some weapons that were laying around. While magic might be helpful to her, it was never her choice of weapon and she does not like using them. A dagger or two was a better alternative than magic for her and thus she took a couple nearby.

As she was leaving, she saw the dumbfounded look of the other captured slaves. Some look at her blankly, others look eager, yet one thing is certain they wanted to be out of their cages. Perhaps she knows how it feels to be in their shoes, Denise asked for Mana to release them.

“I trust that you will forget what happened tonight.” Denise looks at the still not reacting slaves. “Those men cannot torment you now. Whether you earn your freedom or not, it is yours to make.”

Without looking back, Denise took off with the elf on her back. Young she might, she knew that they would cling to her if she stayed, she saw a familiar glint in some of the slaves' eyes. A look that she does not want to recognize or want to acknowledge.

Without any destination in mind, she wandered around the forest. She wanted to bring the elf back to their home. However, the home of elves are inclusive and shy from outsiders. They almost never invite another creature in, and those who were invited were forever honored.

Sighing at what she should be doing, she thought that it would be better if she would find a place for shelter temporarily. It would not do her good or to the elf she has with her if they keep walking in the dark. Beasts might be a reasonable existence, a monster is a disaster to encounter if they are unlucky enough.

Finding a rather sturdy tree, Denise judged a thick branch as a good place to rest for the night. There was a snake when she landed on the branch. Looking straight to its eyes, Denise smiled and the snake left the branch without any fuss.

Laying down the elf securely on the branch, Denise noticed them shivering. Their figure clung into the cloak they are wearing. They looked all too pitiful and Denise cannot bear looking at them like that.

Reaching out to a leaf nearby, she whispered some words upon it. Finishing her chants, the leaf shone and it lightly shook. The wind picked it up and hovered above her. And with a single flash, a green blanket was made.

Denise covered it to the elf as she took another branch to sleep on. Unlike the elf, she does not feel cold. Her body temperature was always on the hot side so cold nights were never a problem for her. That said, her brother was the opposite of her, he always was cold. Almost like ice on certain days, which was a great thing to stick with to cool down during the hot summer season.

Speaking of her family, she was only gone for days now and she missed them already. It made her want to run back home and be in her mother’s embrace. Though her brother was a jerk for most of the time, there is no doubt that he is a reassuring figure to have around.

“Stop thinking about it Denise.” Denise said to herself. “You’ve made your bed, lie on it. If you want to return, make sure to accomplish something to make them proud.”

Gazing at the half moon above her, Denise affirmed her decision to run away once again. That before she can make something out of herself, she will not head home. She will be someone who will be more than a child of her mother and she will be more than just a child known in the fief.

As if encouraging her, the moon looks so soft to her. It was as if she was in the presence of her own mother. And perhaps thinking so was not so far, after all her mother says that the moon connects their family. No matter where they are, as long as the moon is in the sky they are connected more than the blood they all share.

“Well, I guess this is good night.” Said Denise as she closed her eyes. “See you on the evening lady moon. Please look after me and my companion, may your sister’s rays fall upon us upon our wake. And may your gentle guidance will cover us from the covetous eyes of the monsters.”

Finishing her prayers, Denise let herself go and fell asleep. Without knowing, a set of footsteps was coming in her direction.