The Forest Chronicles

Chapter 5

"Now, we really need to find that Victoria girl." Alexander said. Jason was crushing the RoseTrim leaves that Alexander had collected earlier and was making a healing potion for emergencies. Alexander sighed, sitting by the puddle Jason was putting the leaves into.

Jason nodded, he put the newly made potion into a small vile. "I know, Alexander." He stood up, so did Alexander. Then the two started walking North. Well, Alexander claimed they were heading North, but they surely were walking to LampShade. "Hey, Jason." Jason looked toward his friend who was staring at the sun. "Yes?" Jason raised an eyebrow. "Why did that guy not like Victoria? He called her a 'freak' and an 'outcast'. Is she mean, Jason?"

Jason stopped to think about what he was going to say. "I don't know if she is, Alex. But I do know that you should stop staring at Helik. He'll burn your eyes if you keep inflating his ego." Alexander laughed. "His ego?" He repeated. "His ego is already bigger than his halo!"

Now Jason laughed. "True!" Then, as soon as Jason stopped talking, he ran into a person. "Oh, my gods! I am so sorry!" The person had dark skin, but was oddly pale, a blue eye, and one of pure moss green, a pair of glasses laid on them. Clothes that had much black and crimson. The clothes were actually all black and red, with some white sprinkled about. "Oh, I should be the one apologising. I was the one who was walking directly across from thee and caused the collision." The person bowed. Alexander shoved Jason to the side and put his hand out. "Hello! My name is Alexander! We're heading to LampShade!" The stranger shook Alexander's hand.

"I, myself, am on my way to New CrowSin-" The stranger cleared his throat. "I meant to say LampShade." Jason raised an eyebrow at the stranger. "My name is Benjamin." They bowed. "Well, what part of CrowSin are you going to?" Jason put his hand behind his back. He held a dagger. One of silver. Jason had an off feeling about his person. "A friend's residence." They replied.

...

"You know Victoria?!" Alexander's grin was wider than the 17 oceans, but not freakishly wide to where it could be compared to the Giant Tadpole. "Yes, yes, Lady Knolas and I are quite friendly with one another." Jason walked behind the chatting two, planning the millions of ways he could- What was he thinking?! Jason wouldn't kill anyone! Why in the heavens would he even want to? Benjamin wouldn't hurt them! Nor their quest.

Jason slid the dagger back into its sheath. Alexander and Benjamin were laughing at something Jason was too busy contemplating why he felt worried to listen in. "And then that is when Lady-"

"When will we get there?" Jason didn't want Benjamin to finish. He didn't want a delay. "Oh." Benjamin cleared his throat again. "We will arrive at my master's residence soon." Jason sighed quietly.

...

"Here we are!" Benjamin coughed; he covered his mouth. "I apologise for this." He said. "But now, I must go." He started walking away, his pace quickening. "That was weird," said Alexander. Jason nodded. "You're right." Jason stared at the large, cobweb covered double doors. He walked towards them, Alexander following behind. Jason took the door knocker and pulled it then let it go. The knocker then hit the door and a small thud erupted.

Jason looked to Alexander, who was looking at Jason. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Alexander asked. The two nodded. Jason grabbed one handle, while Alexander grabbed the other. "Hello?" Jason called out. He heard tapping, then a groan and glass smashing. Before the two was a giant machine, it was bleeding oil. The oil had stained the wooden floor. Left and right by the machine was a flight of stairs. Behind the creaking monster was a cloaked figure. Now, behind the figure was a glass vile, similar to the vile Jason had the healing potion in, smashed to millions of pieces.

"H-Hello...?" Jason asked, his voice shaky. "We are looking for Victoria Knolas. We hear that she's very smart for a lady." The figure stood up. "Smart for a lady." They repeated. Her voice had an odd accent, one that was similar to the one present in Benjamin's voice. "So, women aren't as intelligent as men?" Jason blushed. "Oh gods, no!" He responded. "So, have you seen her?" Alexander asked, nervously. The stranger pulled down her hood and allowed her black cloak to fall to the floor.

The stranger wore a snow-white collared shirt, above it was a half-way unbuttoned white-striped, black vest, gloves of coal black leather, brass goggles, many necklaces of silver, on one of the chains held an eye-shaped locket. The iris was four-squared chequered blue and brown, mimicking the figure's eyes. Her left was brown, right was blue. They had a similar glow to them, a glow that the stranger who insulted Victoria from earlier that day had.

"You are something," she said, moving her goggles to her hands. "I am she."