LUNAFEY

CHAPTER 30

Cedric's POV

As soon as Bay and I mounted our horses, I rode as fast as I could. Normally, I wouldn't want the stress of riding all the way, but I hadn't opened any portal gates to the Winding Villages, I never saw the need to. However, we also needed to make a trip to the palace to see the king. Although I had a gate at the castle, going back to the castle just to use a portal when the Winding Village was so close to the palace would be an utter waste of time.
"Cedric," I heard Bay call out. What does he want? Can't it wait until we reach the Winding Village? "Cedric!" he called again, his voice laced with a hint of urgency. I wondered what the point was; he usually calls me Richer when he's not supposed to, and now he's using my disguise name, Cedric, when Luna's not even here.

I decided to slow down, and Bay caught up beside me. "Yes, Bay?" I responded, my tone neutral.

"I was wondering why you're in such a hurry," Bay said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We could have our own special adventure, just the two of us..."

Really? was all that came to mind as I sped off again, knowing it wasn't anything important.

As we approached the Winding Territories, we slowed down, and I noticed a man clad in a tattered black cape, hunched over, and pulling a cart behind him. The stench of rotting flesh wafted from him, while the cart reeked of putrid tomatoes and vegetables. I wondered what was amiss as our eyes met, and he hastily averted his gaze. I caught a glimpse of his deformed figure beneath the cape.

"What's a thrall doing all the way up here?" I pondered aloud, nudging Bay. He nodded attentively, and I suggested, "Let's follow him." We trailed the thrall as he led us into a village, the sun dipping below the horizon. He went from stall to stall, collecting rotten vegetables from the local sellers.

"What does he want with those?" Bay asked, curiosity etched on his face. I shrugged, equally perplexed. "I don't know."

The thrall's trail led us into a cave, where flickering lights was seen within. "Why follow a thrall?" Bay asked, in his voice, was skepticism.

"Well, when one appears, something bad is sure to follow," I replied, rubbing my forehead as if warding off a looming headache. "There's probably a witch nearby." I turned to Bay, nodding towards the cave entrance. "We should probably go in."

Bay hesitated, his eyes widening with concern. "Um, Cedric, isn't that dangerous?"

I flashed him a reassuring smug, smile. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

Bay raised an eyebrow, squeezing his forehead in a mirror of my earlier gesture, and let out a resigned sigh.

"It's always so dangerous with you, Cedric," Bay mumbled under his breath as we approached the cave. The stench of rotten food and flesh wafted out, the same pungent smell we'd detected on the thrall earlier. We ventured deeper, and at the cave's end, we found the thrall, covered in mud, cowering at the sight of us. He fell to the ground, hiding his face with his hand.

"We won't hurt you," I assured him. "Just tell us who you work for."

Bay intervened, "He doesn't understand you, Cedric."

But to our surprise, the thrall stuttered, "N-No one."

Bay's eyes widened. "Oh, he speaks!"

I rolled my eyes at Bay's astonishment. "Of course, they speak."

I crouched down to meet the thrall's gaze. "Why would you be hiding out here, of all places? How did you become this way?".

"Tell me, and I will help you," I said, my voice gentle. This time, he slowly turned to face me, his eyes locking onto mine. "Horder!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "Horder!" he repeated, as if the name itself held significance.

I maintained my composure, nodding encouragingly. "Tell me all about it," I said, offering him a hand as I stood up. He hesitated for a moment before taking it, his gaze searching mine.

As he stood up, hunched over, I placed my right hand on his head. It was a gesture only Harbingers like myself could make, one that came from centuries of learning to reverse curses and heal the mind and soul. Since following this man, I had sensed a deep sorrow, pain, and sadness emanating from him. I could tell he hadn't harmed anyone but himself; his anguish was self-inflicted.

I felt a pang of sympathy for him, but I also knew he might hold valuable information.
But first, he needed healing. A warm, golden light enveloped his body, our signature Harbinger healing light. The thrall's twisted limbs began to shift and contort, slowly untangling, his hunched back straightening. Skin once marred by dark veins cleared and smoothed, revealing a healthier complexion.

The air vibrated with the hum of renewal as the thrall's body transformed. His features refined, and his eyes brightened, like a lotus blooming from the mire. The once-deformed thrall now stood before me, reborn.

At first, the thrall's face contorted in a mix of pain and trepidation, his eyes scrunched shut as if bracing for the unknown. But as my energy coursed through his veins, his expression began to shift and relax. The thrall's eyes, once closed, now shone with unshed tears, his face radiant with gratitude. As he gazed upon his newfound form, he fell to his knees again, overcome with emotion. He sobbed, "Thank you, thank you!"

Bay's mouth remained agape, stunned by the transformation. I placed a hand on his shoulder, and he quickly looked up at me, his eyes wide with wonder. "Tell me all you know about this Horder and everything she's planning," I said, a hint of a smile playing on the corner of my lips.

***Hi, I'm was going through somethings, so I'm a bit slow in writing, but I'll post more chapters as much as I can**
Thanks for your encouragement, NataliababaraM❤️💝💖💖