The sun was high as the three continued forward. Luna forced herself to shrug off the wrongness of the stillness they had left behind. Luna was ahead of Lyzal and Saros as she remained stuck in her head; the gift of the bow still lingering in her thoughts.
Lyzal had caught up to Luna, “You should combine your livine with the arrows.”
“What?”
Luna paused and watched Lyzal walk off, confused by what Lyzal had just said. Saros had continued to walk past, leaving Luna alone once again. She pulled out an arrow, staring at the length. Realizing she was being left behind, Luna started walking again, trying to focus her livine into the arrow. She couldn’t help but wonder how it would survive the release.
The days had teeth. Constant attacks weakened their resolve. Although the weight of the bow did not change, it seemed to be easier to lift as time passed. However, Luna found herself dragging. She couldn't imagine how Lyzal and Saros felt. Even though they were maiaaks, all the fighting had to be getting to them. Luna thought they would become quiet while being tired. But Lyzal seemed to snap quicker, and Saros couldn't seem to help himself but to argue back. Luna thought back to how it had entertained her before, but now she just wished for them to relax.
If the days had teeth, then the nights held the bite. Whatever was hunting them in the night didn't leave after the witches. It had been watching them this whole time. As the nights progressed, it kept inching closer. Luna had learned to stay up through the night. A regrettable decision. But the dread of having Lyzal and Saros watch the night for her left her feeling heavy. Not that the sleep that came felt restful. Somehow she was more tired waking up from the night than she was from the day's exhaustion.
How many more can we take?
As the sun rose, Luna's feet dragged. Lyzal and Saros were walking slower, but she couldn't tell if they were doing it for her sake or if they were too tired to keep the pace up. Either way, she was grateful that they weren't leaving her behind. The thought of when a maiaak would attack them crossed her mind multiple times, when she suddenly realized that it was almost midday and they still hadn't been attacked. Doing a quick scan of the area, there actually weren't any maiaaks around. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she wondered if the night was bleeding into the day.
“Why are we alone?”
Lyzal, who had been mumbling annoyed noises, stopped and scanned the area. Saros, who was between Luna and Lyzal, turned to face Luna. Bags had formed under Saros’s eyes. Not a lot, but just enough to be noticed. With the silence, the sound of metal meeting metal, voices could be heard, and the familiar sound of animals echoed. Luna's heart skipped a beat as she realized they were probably near the village, Izyn. She ran past Saros and Lyzal, and made way for the noise. Luna stopped just as the forest opened, with Lyzal and Saros close behind.
Staring at the entrance, there was no line of defense like Lumevale had. But it had just as many people, maybe even more. Something about the village seemed to be more cheery compared to Lumevale, and the villagers were more talkative.
Luna took a few steps closer to get a better look. “Is this Izyn?”
“Must be,” Lyzal spoke from behind, also staring at the village. “That, or we’re lost again.”
Saros approached with a wide grin. “Ah, familiar territory at last.”
Lyzal and Luna both turned to Saros, who started walking towards the village without an explanation. Letting out a reluctant groan, Lyzal followed. Luna, confused, wasn’t sure what to do with the minimal information provided. However, with Lyzal going in as well, regardless of the lack of wanting to, Luna figured it couldn’t be that bad. So she followed suit.
Looking around as she walked through, the village seemed like any other village besides the nonexistent defense. Luna wondered what was making everyone so cheerful. She noticed no one seemed to pay her any mind as she walked by. A few stared at Lyzal and whispered as they walked past, but no one seemed on alert. Catching up to Saros, who had found himself surrounded by female humans., they all seemed to fancy him, as Luna could overhear giggles and happy squeals.
“It is such an honor for you to come visit us, Lord Saros,” Luna could overhear one girl speaking.
“Would you care for a drink?” Another offered.
Saros’s grin simply widened, but it didn’t seem dangerous. Then Luna paused. One of them just offered him a drink. A drink of what? Water? Alcohol? There was no way they were freely offering their blood, were they? Lyzal stood next to Luna with her arms crossed and an unamused expression hanging on her face.
“Thank you, ladies, but would you know where my travel companions and I can take lodging?” Saros gestured to Lyzal and Luna, who were standing behind him.
The girls looked past Saros, a glare forming in their eyes. As they looked back at Saros, the glares immediately disappeared.
“There’s an inn a little further in.” A girl chipped in.
“Wonderful. Thank you so much, ladies.”
Saros pushed past the girls, who reluctantly made way.
“Come, ladies.” Saros smiled at Luna and Lyzal.
Lyzal rolled her eyes, but quietly followed Saros deeper into the village. Luna kept looking around as she followed close behind. Most of the girls waved in Saros’s direction, while the men gave acknowledging nods. Getting to the inn, Saros let out a satisfied sigh. Luna’s eyes widened. There was no way this was an inn. It looked more like a nobleman's residence than an inn.
“What is this?” Luna asked.
“Hm? The inn.” Saros smiled and walked up the stairs.
Luna watched Saros walk in nonchalantly. Lyzal followed next, leaving Luna alone, standing in the shadows of the inn. Quickly dusting herself off and straightening herself out, she walked up the stairs. Getting inside Luna no doubt looked like a tourist as she stared agape at the interior design. A large chandelier lit the room with its candles, while there were candles hanging on the walls as well. Statues stood tall on tables that decorated the room.
“Hi, can I please have three-” Saros’s voice echoed off the walls.
“Don’t bother.” Lyzal interrupted as she stood unimpressed.
“Two rooms, please.” Saros turned back around to face the man, flashing him a charming smile.
“Of course, my lord.”
The man quickly grabbed two keys, then walked around holding a hand out. Saros tilted his head, confused.
“Your bag, sir?” The man asked nervously.
“Ah!”
Saros took off the bag and handed it to the man, who took it with a grunt. Saros had a glint of amusement as he watched the man struggle with the bag up the stairs.
Luna’s heart sank as she watched him climb the stairs with the bag on his back. Then she glared at Saros. Feeling the stare, Saros looked back at Luna with an innocent look.
“He offered.”
With a chuckle, Saros followed the human up the stairs. Luna and Lyzal continued to follow Saros. Towards the back, the man stood in front of a door, unlocking it.
“This is for the young lady.”
“Great. You can leave the bag in her room.” Saros instructed.
The man looked confused, but did as instructed, putting the bag in the room that was deemed Luna’s. Going down three more doors, on the same side of the hall, the man opened the next room.
“This room is for you, my Lord,” he bowed. “I hope it’s to your liking.”
Luna looked into the room from behind Saros. While the room that was presented to her had a bed and a table, Saros’s room was much larger. It had a large bed, a couch, and a door on the right wall, showing it was connected to another room.
“It’s perfect.” Saros smiled.
The man seemed delighted, and bowed again, taking his leave. Once the man was gone, Saros folded his arms and looked at Luna with what seemed like a smug look.
“Want to step inside?”
Luna tensed as if she had been caught red-handed. With what, she wasn’t sure.
“N-no thanks. I’ll go to my room now.”
“Mhm. Oh, if you need to use the washroom, just come to my room.” Saros pointed at the closed door, which Luna was eyeing.
Luna could feel her face heat up. “Wha-what’s wrong with the washroom in the hall?”
Saros’s smile grew. “Nothing. But isn’t the idea of not sharing with a bunch of strangers intriguing?"
Luna wasn’t sure how to respond, so she said the only thing she could say. “Thank you.”
Saros’s eyes closed as he continued to grin. Luna went back to her room, with Lyzal close behind. Lyzal closed the door behind her when Luna turned.
“Are you going to stay here with me?”
Lyzal looked away. “I’ll sleep outside.” She went into a corner, leaning against the wall, arms folded as normal.
“Why… are they calling him their lord?” Luna finally asked.
“Don’t you get it? We’re in a sanguinist village.”
“A sanguinist?” That term sounded familiar.
“You thought I was joking back in Lumevale? This is a village dedicated to nephirs. Nephirs are like their gods.” She scuffed out.
Luna tilted her head, having a hard time comprehending what Lyzal was saying.
“Their… god?”
“Whatever makes them happy, right?” Lyzal shrugged, not giving Luna her full attention.
Luna stared at Lyzal, waiting for the joke, but Lyzal had stopped talking. Slowly tearing her attention away, she pulled out her pouch and counted her coins. She desperately needed supplies. After their fall in Lumevale, Luna lost almost everything.
“I’m going back out to look around,” Luna announced.
Lyzal shrugged. “Do what you want.”
Luna looked back at her coins, slightly disappointed. Was she expecting Lyzal to follow like she had been the entire time? No, things are different now. Clenching the bag, Luna got up and left the room. She looked toward Saros’s room and wondered if she should invite him. But remembering how tired they all must have been, she left Saros alone.
Luna took her time looking around. She got stares, but she couldn’t tell what they meant. She listened to the surrounding crowd.
“That’s the human the nephir brought with him.”
“She’s so lucky.”
“I wish I belonged to a nephir.”
Luna could feel the hair on her neck stand up at these comments.
“Hey, you.”
Luna turned at the call. It was a young lady, about her own age. She had a basket that was neatly covered. “You’re the human who belongs to Lord Saros, right?”
“Belong? Well- Uh- I- I mean, we’re traveling together-”
“Great. Then, can you please give this to him? I hope they’re to his liking.” She smiled sweetly.
“Um, sure.” Luna slowly took the basket.
The girl’s smile widened as she turned to walk away.
“Actually, can I ask you a question?” Luna spurted out.
The girl turned with a question on her face.
“Why do you like… Lord… Saros so much?”
The girl giggled, “What?”
“I mean, everyone in town seems to like him-”
“Of course we like Lord Saros. He and his kind protect us from the malicious maiaaks that roam around. By being allowed to live on their territory, do we have a sanctuary and even know peace. Do you not feel blessed to even be in his presence, let alone owned?” The girl’s question didn’t feel like a question, but more of a preaching statement.
“But aren’t you scared of them hunting you?”
“Hunt? Why would they need to hunt? We all would graciously feed them. For without them, we would have no protection and live in fear. To be picked by a nephir is such a high honor.” She clasped her hands together as if in prayer while closing her eyes and smiling.
Luna stared, unsure of how to respond. Putting on the best smile she could, she simply gave the girl her thanks. When the girl skipped off, Luna looked down at the basket. It smelled heavenly of baked goods. Did Saros like such things?
Shaking her head, Luna went back to looking around. Listening in on more conversations.
“I’m so grateful that a nephir has come. Do you think he’ll take one of us with him?”
“Why would he when he already has a human accompanying him?”
“You don’t know! Nephirs have many humans.”
“I am grateful for his appearance, but I can’t help but wonder when the King will grace us.”
Luna perked up at the title. Would the king really come to visit this village?
“King Rezolon will not waste his time coming to our village.” One of them snapped.
Luna looked at the group, and one girl had blonde hair and blue eyes, with a wide grin. “He’ll come. He’ll definitely come, and when he does, he’ll take me with him.”
Luna approached the group. Picking her words carefully, she interrupted, “Hi, I’m sorry, I’m new. Who is King Rezolon?”
“Dear child,” an older woman spoke, “how do you not know of the nephir king?”
Nephir king?
‘No. I follow my King.’ Luna remembered Saros speaking of a King that he followed.
“But he won’t make an appearance. This girl is delusional.” She added on.
“You keep saying that. But he will! He visits all of his followers. Including us humans.”
“Isn’t it a scary thought for a King to visit?” Luna thought any king visiting would be intense.
“Not at all! They say he’s kind and caring, and that he listens to everybody’s concerns.”
The older woman shook her head while making a disapproving sound. Luna couldn’t help but wonder if this girl really was delusional. After all, even her own people were calling her so.
Luna thanked the group and headed back to the inn. Getting to the door, it flung open, surprising Luna. Before her stood Saros.
“Ah, I was about to go look for you.” Saros spoke.
Luna stared at Saros. She was seeing the pattern that she was having a hard time finding words to speak while being in this village.
Saros tilted his head as he looked down at the basket. “What’d you get?”
Luna perked and held up the basket to Saros. “This is actually for you. A girl in the village gave it to me to give to you.”
“Oh?” Saros’s grin returned as he lifted the cover, revealing baked goods. “How delightful.”
“Do you really eat things like this?”
Saros looked at Luna, then turned his attention to the inn. Seeing the man, Saros smiled at him, then looked back at Luna. “Why don’t we discuss this inside?”
Saros had grabbed the basket, but stepped aside to let Luna in. Luna walked in, heading to her room.
“No, no, come to my room. More room.”
Luna froze, then closed her door, heading to Saros’s room. Walking in, she looked at the decorations and sat at one end of the couch.
“It’s not really for nourishment. But we nephirs eat other things besides human essence.”
“Human essence? I thought you drank blood?”
“It’s the preferred way if we aren’t trying to shorten your lifespan.”
“So you just eat this for the sake of eating?”
“Can’t understand it, can you?” Saros smiled.
“I’m not understanding a lot of things.”
“Like what?” Saros sat on the opposite end of the couch, playfully holding his head in his hand. Luna looked at Saros. “I’ll try to answer all of your questions to the best of my ability.”
Luna looked down at her hands. “Well, it’s not so much that I have questions, just trying to wrap my head around that nephirs are looked at as good to these people.”
“It’s because we give them permission to live on our territory, thus they don’t have to worry about other maiaaks. In exchange for our protection, we simply ask for human essence.”
“That’s it?”
“Well-” Saros cut himself off. “We have other uses for humans, but that’s essentially all we ask for.”
“Uses like what?” Luna tensed, staring into Saros’s eyes.
Saros stared back, then shrugged while looking away. “Depends on the nephir and what needs they have. But it’s nothing bad like how you’re thinking.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” Luna tried to defend herself even though they both knew she instantly thought of something heinous.
“Look, just know that the humans happily oblige. It’s not like we’re making them go or do anything against their will.”
Luna sat back, shoulders slumping. “What about King Rezolon?”
Saros’s eyes darted to Luna’s face. But he didn’t turn his head. Body tensing.
“Is he the King you spoke about? Is he going to come here?”
Letting out a sigh, Saros relaxed and closed his eyes. “Highly doubt it.” He started. “Our King isn’t known to hang around humans.”
“Because he thinks they’re disgusting?”
Saros chuckled. “Why do you keep going to the extreme? No,” Saros turned to look at Luna. “He just believes the humans' praises are a bit… much.”
Luna looked into Saros’s eyes. They had a newfound gentle expression to them. Luna couldn’t understand what he said, or the look on his face. Looking out the window, Luna saw that the sun was setting.
“We should go to sleep. We can finally rest in peace.” Luna commented.
“Wash up.”
Luna looked at the closed door that supposedly led to the bathroom. Looking back at Saros only to find him gone.
