Valtava: Dragon Sword

Chapter 24

Tony ran out of the tent and scanned the scene to see soldiers dispersed among the grass, some awake and some dozing off into sleep. It was nighttime now, with a few campfires illuminating the area. He tiptoed behind the tent and made sure he was not in sight of any of the soldiers, and he walked up to a horse and began to untie it from a pole.

"What are you doing so sneakily? Trying to steal one of our horses?" Tony jumped at the voice and turned to see Fennie walking up to him, her arms crossed.

Tony quickly released the rope and stammered, "I-I..."

Fennie let out a laugh. "I was just joking with you, what are you so flustered about?"

Tony cupped his hands and asked politely, "Fennie, I hope you don't mind if I borrow one of your horses for a night. I have an urgent trip to make."

"Oh? What is it?"

He thought for a moment, trying to decide how to answer, but he decided it would be best to be honest. "I have a friend whom Jackie spotted at the Hollow Men's camp. I wanted to go there and see if it's really her."

"Her?" Fennie asked curiously. "Looking at your startled face, I guess I shouldn't be stopping you."

"Thank you, Fennie," Tony said in relief. "If anyone is looking for me, please tell them I'll be back by daylight."

"Wait, it's better if I come with you. If something happens to you, I don't want to be held accountable." Before Tony could stop her, Fennie untied her own horse and got onto it. Seeing he could only comply, he got on his horse, and the two of them made their way in the northern direction.

After a few hours of travelling in the darkness, they spotted a few campfires scattered in the distance. Knowing they were nearing the Hollow Men's camp, they got off their horses, secured them to a tree, and cautiously continued the remaining way on foot. When they got near, they hid behind some bushes and observed the scene quietly. There were around a dozen tents there, and they could make out the shapes of a few hooded men perched around the campfires.

"Do you see her anywhere?" Fennie whispered.

Tony scanned the view for a feminine figure, but there was none in sight. They crept along the perimeter of the camp, and finally Tony's eyes landed on a girl dressed in a black robe, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail. She was sitting alone at a campfire with her back to them. Adrenaline built up within Tony's body, and he brushed the leaves of the bushes aside and cried, "Ada!"

The girl turned around, revealing her face. She was wearing an iron mask that extended from the tip of her nose to her chin, leaving her eyes exposed. Tony felt a chill down his spine as he recognized the fine almond shape of her eyes, but this time, they gave off a fierce glare that he hadn't seen before.

"Quick! Lure her away!" Fennie pulled on Tony's hand, and they ran off away from the camp. Ada picked up a spear lying next to her and promptly followed them into the woods.

After a while of running, Tony stopped and turned to face the masked girl. "Ada! Is it you?"

She didn't respond but held her spear up, ready to strike. "Who are you two?" she asked through a muffled voice.

"Ada, I'm Tony! Don't you recognize me?"

Before he could say more, the girl lunged forward with her spear, forcing Tony to duck out of the way. She swung at his chest, neck, and legs, missing him with each move. When she struck at his arm, he grabbed onto the handle of the spear, anchoring her to a stop. He took the chance to reach forward to her face and pull her mask away. As he did, her face became exposed under the faint moonlight, allowing him to see the remaining of her features.