The Lost Orb [PFS #1, The Bearer]

45 "Reinforcement"

THIRD PERSON POV

WARS, CONQUEST, genocides. Flags falling down. Battlefield stinking in bloodshed. She has bathed her hands with that before. Not until she wakes up and everything doesn't flow the same as the old days anymore, the days she once considered haunting.

She once believed she's unredeemable. Her sins were beyond atonement and she never seeks to wipe the slate clean. She's destined to die with bad marks in her palms.

But she still found light in the midst of her chaos, a major absolution offered to her.

She didn't dare refuse it, because her gut had been screaming for it to purify her soul, and so she bit when it came to her naturally.

But after many years in the custody of tranquility, it felt surreal to encounter another disturbance again. Now it's not caused by her, she's not the one seizing land, but rather, it's the opponent's subjugation that led to this.

It wouldn't be a problem if it's only her who will be affected. But people's lives are at stake, and she couldn't afford to lose many, not in her reign.

Dagundong ng mga kabayo ang patuloy na bumabalot sa pandinig niya, walang tigil sa pagbuga ng mahamog na buhangin ang bawat daanan na kanilang nilalagpasan. The armed sentries were with her, giving their maximum effort to keep up with the rhythm of her horse's hooves.

Dumiin ang hawak niya sa tali at lumalim ang tingin sa daan. She can't believe it. The highest class she entrusted things to work clearly fabricated their schemes under the pretense of forming an alliance with the neighboring kingdom she once uplifted.

Wala na siyang magagawa dahil huli na niyang nalaman ang lahat. Ang hindi lang niya lubos maisip ay ang kakayahan nilang idamay ang isa pang class sa kanilang plano.

Haider Arquezza, the leader of them, clearly wants the heir to fall under the protection of her place of origin. It was the opposite of her plan though - to continue hiding her from either side. But after all those efforts, he chose to defy her given order.

Despite the sting of betrayal, she wants to understand the reason behind his choice. She stretches her stiff neck, eyes continue locating the way leading to the source of the voice earlier. It must be convincing enough for her to consider forgiveness.

Gumitla siya sa kaniyang pwesto at nawala sa malalim na pag-iisip nang maaninag ang isang babae sa kanilang harapan. Nagkalat ang fallen souls sa paligid nito, they were unconscious but surely not dead.

The young woman is only staring at the blade she's holding, knees anchored on the ground and motionless, as if she's currently battling with her own thoughts. The dagger just resting above her palms displayed a clear view of her inner conflict.

Her horse pace dwindled, na sinabayan ng mga sentries na nakasunod sa kaniya. The young woman who seems about to numb her knee on the ground, held her head up to her with eyes full of wonder.