The Fine Print✔️

Chapter 15

As soon as I jump out the magical window, I find myself in a dimly lit tunnel. I look for the source of the light but find none.

'It's me.' I hear Weredra's voice unexpectedly and look around. 'The tunnel is magical, just like the window.' She pauses and continues hesitantly, 'Though, I don't remember how I came across it.'

I nod and walk where the boots were leading me. A few minutes later, Weredra speaks again, 'Cover yourself with the cloak. You are near the exit.'

 I nod again and do as told. Soon enough, I see the end of the tunnel. It's an opening beyond which I can't see anything else.

I exit the tunnel and look around. The moon is full. There is a slight chill in the air, nothing I can't deal with; my boots click as if reminding me that I was here on business, and I start walking again. I have only taken a few steps when I recognize the place; it is the first village we had arrived in the day before.

Keeping myself hidden, I follow the voices that drift over to me. I can hear three voices: two men and a woman. They seem to be arguing.

"We are starving, and you are telling me that the king refuses to listen to your pleas!?" A sharp, clear voice accuses.

"I am done explaining it to you, Fei. I can't put my family in danger anymore." A deep mature voice retorts.

"Father, let us go." The third voice finishes and pulls the older man towards him, "I am sorry, Aunty, if we don't do this, not only our family but everyone else in the village will also suffer. Moreover, look at it this way, the heavens have blessed us with a good harvest this year. If we live frugally, we can make ends meet."

The woman sighs and turns away, "Why should we be responsible for feeding other kingdoms when our people are suffering." With that, the woman becomes one with the night.

I follow the father and son duo, who start pulling a cart out of the village. As soon as they exit the village premises, about ten heavily armed guards join them.

"I hope everything is as it should be?" One of them asks, lifting the cloth covering the merchandise.

"Yes, it is." The young man replies. "Now, will you please hand over my sister?" He adds in a small voice.

The guard kicks the man in the gut, making the man wince and stagger back, "Were you not instructed to keep your mouth shut?" He asks rhetorically.

The young man nods; his father falls to his knees, "Sir, please. She is to be married soon. If the word gets out that... "

"Shut up!" The guard growls, "Take them prisoner!" He orders his men.

"No! Please!" The men beg as two pairs of muscled arms grab them.

Unable to remain silent anymore, I take off my cloak and come to their defense, startling not only the guards but the two men I was trying to rescue.

Even before the other guards can realize what is happening, I have dealt with the two guards who were assaulting the villagers.

"Run!" I yell, but it falls on deaf ears as the two villagers stand rooted to the ground. Having enough on my plate, I don't tell them twice, hoping they will use their brains and busy myself with taking care of the rest of the soldiers.

Barely minutes later, I have incapacitated the guards, all of who are lying on the ground withering in pain.

"Who the hell are you?" One of them enquires; I smirk, "Vagabond." I point at all of them and continue, "From now on, these people are not alone. If you try and hurt them- Ouch!" I yelp, for just then, someone hits the back of my head. I turn to look at the culprit and am shocked to see that it is the father I had saved moments ago!