LOVE IN THE SHADOWS OF TIME l LINGORM

CHAPTER 7

 The next morning, LingLing found herself wandering the village, scanning every face she passed in search of Orm. 

Her mind was alive with questions and half-formed theories. She replayed the scene from the night before, analyzing every movement and expression of the cloaked figure, the way she'd stood, the confident way she'd wielded her sword. 

She couldn't shake the feeling that it had to be Orm... and yet, she'd never seen Orm that way before. 

 Eventually, she reached the marketplace, which had already been cleared and repaired by the villagers. 

People bustled around, trading and haggling as usual, though hushed whispers and furtive glances still lingered in the air.

 It seemed everyone had something to say about the mysterious woman and her guards who had fought so fiercely against the bandits. 

 "Did you see her? She moved like she was dancing," one woman whispered to another, her voice brimming with awe.

 "Not just any dancer," her friend replied with a grin. "She was a warrior! Did you see how she took down those bandits?"

 LingLing listened carefully, her curiosity mounting. The rumors were spreading like wildfire, painting a picture of the mysterious cloaked warrior as a hero, a protector from the shadows.

 She couldn't help but smile. If it really had been Orm, the whole village seemed to view her as a legend in the making. 

 Just as she was deep in thought, she caught sight of Aon striding across the square toward her, his face split with a broad grin.

"LingLing!" he called, waving her over. "Have you heard? People say that woman—whoever she is—came from another town, sent by a noble family to protect the village."

 LingLing raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really? And what noble family would that be, I wonder?" She crossed her arms, amused by how quickly tales grew with each telling. 

 Aon shrugged, looking as mystified as she felt. "Who knows? But it makes sense, doesn't it? Someone of her skill wouldn't be just anyone... They say she's a noblewoman's guard, or maybe even... a noble herself."

 LingLing chuckled, but Aon's words struck a chord. Could there be some truth to it? She'd known Orm as a kind, gentle friend, a humble villager. 

But the sight of her in that cloak, the fluid movements, the calm authority in her stance—these didn't fit the Orm she thought she knew. And what about the guards who'd been so ready to follow her every command? 

 As she mulled it over, she caught sight of a figure at the edge of the square. The hood was gone, but there was no mistaking Orm's profile as she inspected the remains of a stall, as if considering the damage from last night's attack. 

 LingLing's heart gave a little leap, and without thinking, she made her way over. 

Orm didn't notice her approach at first; she was frowning slightly, her brow furrowed in thought as she picked up a charred piece of wood from the stall.

 "Busy morning, isn't it?" LingLing said casually, making Orm startle slightly before she turned to face her.

 "Oh, LingLing," Orm said, her usual warmth in her voice, though a flicker of something unreadable crossed her eyes. "Yes, everyone's talking about last night. Did you... hear the rumors?"