Servant To A Zealous Master

CHAPTER 6

Now is the more dangerous part of our mission, as we tread within the dark land. A place where the sun never shines and thus, we will have no reprieve from the dark. What's more, we ware both starving, since I'd gotten rid of the tainted food from the abbey.

Thankfully, the other supplies, namely the medical ones, are just fine, but we have another problem. The lack of nutrients is making us both weak, especially my master. He walks as far as he can before he nearly collapses, but I'm able to brace him and we carry on.

The next threat the darkness throws at us, are rabid dogs. They snarl and snap as they close in upon us. My master is in no shape to fight. All he can do is defend himself.

I take on the menace and keep the majority of the snarling canines away, but there's only so much I can do. And there seems to be no end to them.

A torrent of ice and blue fire rains down upon us. I cover my master, but it's not necessary. As every jagged piece of ice and flame, either evaporates, or dissipates. The dogs aren't so lucky. Those that don't flee are impaled and/or incinerated. The fight is over, but I don't consider us the victors.

I look up, a woman clothed almost entirely in blue, floats before us.

"Hello," she speaks with a voice that angel's would envy, "I can see that you both require my assistance. Follow me and I will revive your weary bodies."

She doesn't wait for a response. She simply turns and begins to float away. I raise my master and let him lean against me. Thankfully, the walk is not long and we soon find ourselves inside a humble house.

"Sit," the woman instructs us, "I'm just about to purify some meat, please sit and we will sup together.

I help my master to a chair at a nearby table and I take one as well. I watch the woman place a plate and sizable hunk of meat on the table. She then encases it in ice and sets a blue flame to it. The ice melts quickly and when it's all melted the fire goes with it, leaving behind a thoroughly cooked hunk of meat.

My master and I eat voraciously, while our hostess eats only a little.

"On behalf of me and my master," I relay, after having my fill. "I would like to thank you ma'am."

"Sypha," she replies. "My name is Sypha. I am a mage who has assisted the clan of Belmont before, or have I mistaken your identities?"

My master is still busy eating, so I responded in his stead. "I am a servant to my master, Alphonse Belmont, the current head of the clan."

"Servant?" she asks. "Since when do the Belmont's take servants into battle?"

"It is only a recent tradition," I inform her. "One started after the great Richter Belmont, barely came back from his quest. So, they employ ones such as I to serve their needs and look after their well being."

My master finishes his meal, stands and bows before our hostess as he kisses her hand. "I am forever in your debt, dear lady," he says to her.

"Not at all," she returns. "After all, I do not live in this dark land for my health. And it is best that we get to know one another since we'll be traveling together."

"I beg your pardon," my master responds.

"Oh, didn't I say," Sypha replies. "I intend to go with you. That is if you have no issue with a woman joining you."

My master holds silent a moment. "There is no issue," he at last returns. "So long as you understand that I am in charge."

"I can concede to that," is Sypha's response.