Strangers

Chapter 2

Strangers

The light from the morning sun roused Catalina from her slumber first. Painfully she opened her eyes wincing as the morning light stung them, but the trial was worth it. She was happy to awake next to ‘her’ little bookworm clinging ever so sweetly to her. Catalina could not help but to gaze lovingly at the sleeping Lily and caress her soft face.

Catalina just wanted to stay like this forever, embracing Lily in her loving arms. Never had she been as happy in all her life as she was now, finally able to at least hold Lily within her arms. Quickly sadness began to set in and the recollection of why they were now in this situation made itself painfully obvious. It was due to the previous night when Catalina had learned of Lily’s traumatizing past, and that the knowledge that now was only a temporary sensation; jabbed incessantly at her heart like a dagger. Still, Catalina knew that they would at least be able to grow closer as friends.

As Catalina continued to watch over Lily, all she could think about was what, if anything at all, she could do to free her of her burden. The vast library at this academy might hold some sort of key or even some kind of important piece of information that may help her beloved's situation. Realization then washed over her. The reason why Lily always had her nose in the books was because she was trying to find out on her own! Why couldn’t you have simply asked for some help in your research!? You can be so oblivious sometimes!

Lily than began to stir and as she did so, she unconsciously buried her face between Catalina’s large breasts. “Hmm… Cat…? Mm… you’re comfy…” Lily mumbled, snuggling closer.

Catalina felt herself begin to blush as Lily’s silky hair gently tickled the skin of her chest.

“L-Lily…Wake up…” Catalina cooed, hoping to rouse Lily from her slumber.

Then after a few moments, Lily opened her eyes very slowly. It took her a minute to focus her eyes to the sunlight filtering in. Then she slowly looked up to Catalina's face and noticed the two soft, warm objects on either side of her own chin. Startled, she let out a yelp of surprise and hastily crawled away from Catalina and comically fell onto the floor and hit her head against the floor.

“OWW!!” Lily cried out as she clutched her throbbing head.

“W-What’s happening? Why are you in my bed? W-what just happened? ” Lily asked confusedly.

“You fell off the bed...and bumped your head." Catalina whimsically replied.

“To answer what you really wanted to know, we slept together because you wanted someone to comfort you as you slept.” She continued as her cheeks began to burn uncharacteristically.

“Oh...yeah...” Lily replied with bewilderment lacing her every word. “Hey C-cat, your face is really red; a-are you feeling okay?” Lily asked.

“Um...yeah...you were just…” Catalina paused and then glanced off to the side, thinking of something to respond with as Lily stared at her awkwardly.

Then let out an exasperated squeak as she covered her head with a pillow and buried her face in the mattress.

“U-um...okay...right then...see you later...” Lily replied confusedly as many strange scenarios flashed through her mind one after another; each one stranger than the last.

Lily then awkwardly dressed for the day and headed off to the library.

That...was…odd…of…me...Catalina thought to herself.

***

“Wow! It's a really nice day out today! Could it get any better than this? It's warm, breezy, and best of all...my allergies haven't even been acting up!” Samuel spoke out loud as he stepped outside of his dorm complex. The weekend had finally arrived! For him that meant that he'd be able to go into the city and hang out with his two closest friends, (ironically both women sharing similar social standing), Vivian Corthax and Reggie 'Spunky' Blackbill. Vivian was a timid half-elf who stood tall and gaunt, having long, straight hair down to her thighs. Her right eyes were always covered by those golden locks.

'Spunky', as she preferred to be called, was almost a polar opposite. She was a short and stout dwarf with short, curly, brown hair who always lived up to her nickname. Samuel had always admired this about her and tried (in vain) to learn from her example, but always fell short. He was too cautious and indecisive to effectively 'live life to the fullest!'. But today was a very special day and he wouldn't let anyone ruin it! Today was the start of the Freedom Festival, a weeklong celebration in which three hero's claimed victory, bringing an end to what has now been referred to as the Elder War.

"You talking to yourself again beaker-brain?" a rough voice from behind taunted. Samuel turned around to see his athletic (almost feral) roommate, Marshal Langwisk, tapping his foot impatiently.

"I suppose I am... sorry Marshal. You need something?" Samuel asked, slightly nervous.

“Yeah, you're standing in the doorway and I'm trying to leave. In case you've forgotten, I've got remedial work to take care of." Marshal retorted bitterly, his rough face looking more agitated than usual.

"Oh! That's right! You smashed your desk in Master Letharian's classroom after you got angry with Bulken in civics class..."

"Yeah, no shit. Now move it!"

"S-sorry." Stuttered Samuel: stepping aside as Marshal stormed past him as his long, brown, braided ponytail swished behind him like a cat's tail.

Since last summer, after they met, Samuel had wondered if Marshal did the things he does deliberately or weather he truly was all brawn and no brain. And what kind of nobleman doesn't have basic etiquette? Marshal certainly didn't seem to. If you got him mad, it was like kicking a hornet's nest. The true mystery was why such a warrior-type would be studying at an academy strictly for magic. There were plenty of wonderful military academies in Feywing, so why the Magical Institute?

Well, he does claim that Elvin blood runs through his veins. Even so, the bloodline would be so diluted by his human half at this point that even if some magic remained, it'd be no better than parlor tricks. Samuel Pondered. Either way, his idiocy won't ruin my day! "To the Bath house!" he exclaimed, pointing dramatically. Some of the other resident students passing him snickered at how silly he looked. Samuel then gathered his bathing supplies and off he went, whistling a tune he had heard from a wandering musician.

The bathhouse was mostly empty by the time he had arrived, which he preferred. As he prepared for his bath, he saw the mirror out of the corner of his eye and paused in front of it. The sixteen-year-old despised his appearance and the reflection of himself, likewise, glared back at him and wore the same disgusted face.

Samuel stood close to five feet eleven inches tall and his hair, as always, was unkempt and stood every which way. He ran a hand over his round face; he'd soon need to shave what little facial hair he had. But the longer he lingered in front of the mirror, the more he noticed the extra weight he was gaining. Dammnit! This really sucks...it’s no wonder why Lily never seems interested in me. Who would want to be with someone like me? He lamented.

"Maybe I could brew up a weight loss mutagen?" he pondered out loud while pinching some of his chub. "Could a brew really fix this though? Nah...no matter what, I'd still be the fat kid no one wants to date...I need to find out a way to lose it on my own; potions can only do so much after all.”

"Oh, what am I doing moping about? Compared to how Lily gets treated by the other student's, I should just let it go. I feel bad for her. She's not diseased; it's just a rare genetic mutation. But no one wants to listen to the facts...If only I could do something for her..." He pondered and then decided he should invite her to the festival!

“And with Spunky and Vivian, she might feel more comfortable around me! I... mean us.” He exclaimed and began to plan the date.

***

“Good Mornin’n strangers!” bellowed a Dwarvan barkeep as Gabriel and D’Jade walked down the stairs. Gabriel snorted as if it were a response, and moved his long, dark hair out of his face.

“What can I get ye two fer breakfast?” asked the Burly dwarf, as he eyed up Gabriel’s athletic build, running rough fingers through his long, hazel beard.

“Quit eyeing me like that, its creepy.” Gabriel snapped. Offended, the dwarf glared back at him malevolently. “I take it Curbert is elsewhere this morning? Probably is for the best. I’ll take the house special by the way.”

The dwarf mumbled some words in his native tongue as he went to take care of their order.

“Gabriel, wha’ was with tha’ little anger thin’ just now? ‘e might poison th’ food now…” D’Jade cautioned.

“He looked at me weird and it irked me.” He lied, fully aware that that wasn’t why. He sensed that tonight would be a full moon and he was on edge as a result. As he gazed out of the bar-room window, at the indigo sky and its rolling clouds, his memories shifted to the past.

It was seven years to the day and at that time Gabriel was only 15 years old, when he had decided to set out to explore the world. It wasn’t till he came across a small town known as Flare-Mortisia when he would realize where his place in the world was. When Gabriel first arrived in town, he was greeted by a mysterious middle-aged man wearing a strange, warped, bone-like plate metal armor and clothed in dark brown robes with a sigil etched upon it, which Gabriel would soon come to recognize as the Crest of the Elderkin Hunters.

Though the man was indeed kind and friendly to him, Gabriel couldn’t shake the ominous aura he was giving off. It was as if he was waiting for something terrible to happen.

“Say Mister, what’s your name?” young Gabriel had asked him.

“Hunter Ebonshire. Why may I ask?”

“I was just curious. I’m Gabriel Hawk!”

“Tell me Gabriel, how old are you? You can’t be more than 10. Where are your parents?”

“I’m 15! In my village I’m considered an adult!”

“My apologies sir.” he chuckled.

Thwap!

The dwarf slammed down their food so hard it Brought Gabriel back to the present. “’ere ye go outsider! Eat up an git! That’ll be four gold.” The dwarf replied, his burly and hairy hand outstretched. Gabriel gave the dwarf his payment and began his meal; all the while, figuring out the best way to find the Mistress of Carrion.

“Gabe, ye need ta stop spacin’ out like tha. Wha’ if a thief were around? Ye’d be broke an inna world of ‘urt.” D’Jade remarked and then Gabriel chuckled.

“Tha’ ain’t funny!” griped D’Jade.

“What I want to know where that Vessel is. I need to find her and take her back to the Elderkin Sanctum. Then, at least for the present time, my order can contain the elder evil till we can find a way to obliterate him.” Gabriel said as he sampled what vaguely resembled eggs and sausage.

“Why do you have to do this again?” asked D’Jade.

“My superior instructed me that the Mistress of Carrion needed to be brought back to the Elderkin Sanctum before the stars aligned in a certain way. That’s because we’re coming upon the 2,600th anniversary of Lliem-Edous’ entrapment. Our oracles have been receiving visions en masse of a warped and terrifying centipede-human hybrid…” he paused, then at length, “…if he succeeds in being reborn, his host will be annihilated at the reawakening. If that happens, Ta’Eel will possibly be eradicated, and reality will cease to be as we know it.”

“So another Elder War…these wars are really taking their toll, aren’t they? Will evil ever give up?” D’Jade Questioned.

“I doubt it, but that’s why my organization is trying to prevent a second one. And to just be clear, I will escort you to the Feywing Academy first. Rumor has it that it’s got one of the biggest libraries in all of Ta’Eel so perhaps I can find some kind of lead there.” Gabriel theorized as he began to eat the toast-like object that came with his meal.

“Sounds like a plan. An maybe th’ food there is more edible too.” D’Jade Jested.

***

As Lily meandered through the academy’s halls, she could not shake how strange the morning felt. It was as if she had stepped into a dream world so vivid that one could not tell if it were real or imaginary. Waking up with her face betwixt Catalina’s breasts had both been humiliating, but somehow pleasant. No, no, no! That was weird! Shake it off Lily, it was just an unfortunate circumstance, you are not a lesbian. We like boys…even if they think we are a freak of nature…

Lily began to feel the loneliness of rejection yet again. Who was she kidding? She was a freak in the eyes of most, if not all, who attended the school. As she began to lose herself within her thoughts, a voice suddenly stopped her. She knew who it was immediately by the partially muffled intonation.

“Oh! Uh…Hi Lily! Uh…fancy meeting you here.” Samuel greeted nervously; Lily face-palmed.

“He-hello Sam…To what do I owe the pleasure?” She politely squeaked. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’ Stupid! Now he might get the wrong impression…We don’t want lead him on, any more than we already have... Then again he should have guessed we’re not really interested. He’s nice and all…but…personal hygiene.

As she mentally chastised herself further, she didn't catch what Sam had been mumbling about and was only able to catch the tail end of his one-sided conversation.

“…So will you…at least think about it?” Sam asked.

Lily was so lost in thought that she didn’t even realize he was speaking to her. Well…this…is awkward…

“I’m sorry, what was that again?” she asked. This might not end well.

“Sorry…I…uh…must have stuttered too much. I tend to do that when I’m nervous, especially…around…you…” The last words were barely a whisper.

"Wait, what?"

“Uh…no-no it was nothing. I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Bye!” Sam began to dash down the hall, stirring up some laughter from other students.

“No Wait! What was it you wanted to talk about?!” Lily hollered back and began to sprint after the plump mage. How can a fat guy run so fast? She mentally whined. “Sam wait!”

Why are we chasing him again? Because he had something important to say. But we barely know him. We should still hear him out. But he will get the wrong idea! We don’t know that. As Lily continued to argue with herself internally, instinctively she began to cast a spell. Sam was perhaps moving so fast due to a haste spell; it would explain his unnatural speed for such an obese individual. Lily, determined to find out what was so important gave chase, weaving a magical web so as to ensnare the apprentice mage.

As the two rounded a bend, Lily saw the perfect opportunity to cast the web, and did so. Glowing strands of arcane webbing shot forth from her fingers and entangled themselves around his ankles. Samuel suddenly felt his legs buckle and swiftly drank a potion that would soften his fall and make it much less painful. Why is she chasing me! Should I even be enjoying this?! Samuel thought as he tumbled into courtyard, scattering a flock of pigeons in the process.

Lily, now having the upper hand, began to slow down when suddenly she hit a patch of grease and tumbled painfully onto Sam. Laughter rang throughout the courtyard, the loudest being the high-pitched trill of Regina.

“What’s the hurry snowball? Was the demon slut not good enough for a colorless freak like you? Decided to chase after fat-asses because you might get licked like a creamsicle?” She sneered. Her taunts became more and more harsh and insensitive each passing year.

Lily could hardly stand at this point and felt unbearable pain course through her leg. Under normal circumstances she would flee from this humiliation in tears. But she was absolutely certain now, that her fall was much worse than she though. Her leg was broken, and her cries of pain went unanswered.

Then she heard it, a voice beckoning her in the back of her mind.

“You have suffered by her hand by far too long child. Take revenge for once, savor it. You are more than capable of that, are you not?”

Her eyes shot open, in absolute terror. That was not a normal thing for her to think, but her physical pain was too overwhelming to seriously think right now. Then there came another voice, a vaguely familiar voice, one that demanded the utmost respect and dripped with power.

“WHAT IN THE NINE HELLS IS GOING ON HERE!!" the voice roared. Suddenly all laughter ceased, and everyone stared at the stranger entering the courtyard. He wore very strange attire. The robe was a dark brown with warped, bone-like armor plating running down his right arm on the sleeve and around his midsection. He appeared to be in his early to mid-thirties with long, dark strands of dull black hair that barely peeked out from under his leather cowl as well as a somewhat kept beard. In his left hand was an ashen staff made from what appeared to be oak, and on his left hip he had a sheathed katana resting in a sword frog that attached to his sturdy leather belt.

“Um…sorry sir, we were just hanging out with some friends.” Regina answered, somewhat confident that it would pass off as harmless fun or a simple accident. “Those two were being rowdy and uncivilized and we came to make sure they would settle down before they got hurt. You know how young couples can be, right?” She jabbed, and tried to look as innocent as possible.

The stranger paused for a moment, as if decipher something. Then he looked at Regina and the motley that had formed around her. His eyes were like dancing flames ready to consume a tavern.

“Really child? Then why have you not already sent for a divine caster to aid the poor, entangled ‘couple’." He spat. “You know child, that Grease spell you used on the young lady is what caused her this injury. So unless you intent to make good on your claims, I suggest you leave before there is another ‘accident’. We wouldn’t want a poor bystander to be consumed in a raging fire now would we?” the stranger threatened. For once in her life, Regina felt truly terrified for her own life, and hastily left with her motley. Quickly the new arrival made his way over to Lily and Sam. The girl was in so much pain, the break was much worse than he had thought.

“Miss, hold still for just a moment, this is going to hurt you briefly, but you will be as good as new afterwards.” He calmly said.

“I-It hurts so bad!” Lily cried as streams of tears freely flowed over her cheeks.

“I need to reset the bones and cast a spell.” Tenderly, he sat her up and waved to Sam for a bit of assistance.

“I need you to keep her in a sitting position; can you do that for me in your current condition young man?” He asked Sam. Sam nodded and did as he was asked. The stranger ran his hand along her leg and told her he’ll set it on the count of three. She grimaced and braced herself, but it was too late, at the count of two he set the bone. Pain shot through her and she cried out instinctively, then suddenly the pain vanished, as if it were never there. Gingerly she opened her eyes and saw the man’s hands hovering over her once broken leg emitting a strange golden glow. The pain was instantly gone, everywhere. She was so amazed that all she could do was gaze at the man in astonishment. A second later he dispelled Lily’s webbing effortlessly.

“Now, what were you two doing; Acting like a couple of fools?” The man asked, but much gentler than his voice was before.

“I-I-I-I’m terribly sorry sir. I simply wanted to catch up with Sam and…and…and ask him something important…” Lily whimpered.

“I-I’m sorry I ran. I was just too nervous to repeat myself…” Sam added, fixing his glasses.

By the Divines, they’re a couple of cowards. The stranger thought to himself.

“Well, be more careful next time you two. What you both have done was not only reckless, but incredibly stupid. You’re mages; act accordingly and refrain from impulse. Many-a mage had met a terrible end by being reckless, impulsive, or impatient. You two will do well to remember that.” He lectured sternly.

“Yes sir.” The two young mages replied in unison.

“Good. Now, perhaps the two of you could show me to the Arch-mage’s chambers and possibly the library.” Lily’s ears perked up when he mentioned the library.

“Um, yes sir. I actually volunteer there in my free time. My name is Lily Anne Rose, and this is my friend Samuel Hornbourke.” Crap! Why did we just call him my friend…? Damn it Lily you never know when to think do you?

Samuel looked over to Lily with wide eyed astonishment. I’m…her friend? He allowed himself to entertain the thought.

“Okay. Well Lily…Sam... You can call me Hunter. I once attended this very school but I am now here on important business and it’s of the utmost importance that I speak with Lord Feywing Shimmerleaf.”

“Sure. C’mon L-Lily. W-w-we should show him. A-and maybe we could talk…or something…”

“R-right, Y-you’re absolutely right. Y-yes…U-um this way, Mister Hunter.”

The three walked in silence as Hunter was guided through his old school. He had a feeling of nostalgia wash over him as he found himself once again wondering these very halls, both good and sad. After some time, his eyes fell upon Lily, and he began to ponder. It was about seven years ago to the day that he last saw an albino girl. Could this teenager be that same little girl that he and Gabriel had rescued from the doomed village of Havenfell? It would almost have to be seeing how rare the condition is. She couldn't be a vampire; if she were, she most certainly would have been ash by now. As they wandered, the question continued to nag at him, he could ask, but that could potentially bring back bad memories. He had gained his own on that day, and it was by far the hardest thing he had to do; to flee from a doomed village he knew needed aid but was unable to save due to the sheer number of horrors prowling the area. If he and his companions were to have remained, they would have met their end on that day as well.

***

Soon after Lily and Sam had led the mysterious Hunter to Headmaster Feywing’s chambers and spoke with the wizened elf lord; the two students were dismissed as Hunter began to inform Lord Feywing for the reason of his sudden arrival. As Sam and Lily walked side by side down the main corridor, Sam cleared his throat and stopped in the middle of the crossways; Lily took a few steps ahead and realized the Sam had stopped walking. Curious, she turned around to face him.

“Are we parting ways here?” she questioned as a strange felling fluttered about within her stomach.

“No actually. I wanted to talk to you; just us two.” He replied sheepishly as he fiddled with his hands. Then he looked at the floor and rested his hands on either side of him and unconsciously balled them into fists. C’mon Sam, it’s now or never had he thought to himself. Lily paused and gave him his full attention, adjusting her glasses as she replied, “What is it Sam?”

“I-I know that I’m not the best-looking guy and that I sometimes forget a bath once in a while. But for a long time now, I have really…really…liked you, and-and I know that what I am about to ask is a long shot. And that you had made it obvious from yesterday that you’re not really into me…” He trailed off, tears starting to well in his eyes. This was it; he was going to go all in. With a deep breath and determination, he opened his eyes and looked straight into Lily’s. What he saw was that her cheeks were beginning to turn into a complimentary shade of pink. The sunlight that streamed in from the grand windows lining the halls beamed upon them, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

“…But I want you to please give me a chance! You are more beautiful than any other girl I have ever laid eyes upon! Please Lily, let me have a chance to prove myself to you and to be your boyfriend! I’ve heard the rumors about you and Catalina; I know that others are mean and unfair to you just because you look a little different. But none of that matters to me. I like you for you, and to be honest, everyone else can go fry an egg! I-I know that this is…rather bold and…irregular. But please, will you consider me?” he urged.

Lily was speechless. She didn’t know how to reply or what she should do. The intensity was so great, and the pressure was almost overwhelming. She never really stopped to consider those around her unless it was just another mockery or insult. But Sam’s words hit her hard, and powerfully. It was as if her aged and weathered internal walls had finally been destroyed. It was like she was living in a prison that had long been forgotten, and now she was free from her entrapment. Last night she had made a choice to be vulnerable and accepting of Catalina and her friendship. And now Sam, who was usually a tad more reclusive than Lily herself, had just spoken with such sincerity and conviction that she had never even expected of him. W-What is this…this feeling? Why all of a sudden is all of this happening? Sam is confessing his love to me? Catalina too…is actually being sensitive and kind of…loving…to me as well? W-what am I to do? She pondered, still unable to wrap her head around the situation she now found herself in.

“If nothing else I would like to take you out on a date to the Freedom Festival. It starts in about four hours, or if that’s too soon, we could maybe go tomorrow. If we go tomorrow, we’ll have the full day to walk about the districts celebrating the festival a-and we’ll have more time to just, hang out and get to know each other better. I have a few other friends who are willing to come along if you’re uncomfortable with that idea. But if you want it just to be the two of us as well, I can also arrange that…” He trailed off, feeling a little guilty at the thought.

“I won’t press any more to convince you to be my girlfriend, but will you at least go on a date with me?” he finished, gingerly extending a hand.

Lily just looked at him, dumbstruck and confused. He was serious, he was genuinely serious. Lily looked him over again and noticed that he had actually cleaned up and had put on a very nice, musky cologne. His attire (despite a little disheveled from their recklessness from a few moments ago) was a well-kept and finely woven, blue scapular emblazoned with the Feywing crest; a golden crown flanked by entwined, flaming serpents with a fine gem in the center. The robes he wore underneath the scapular were common linens and were a pale blue. There were likewise many finely crafted belts and bandoliers on his person hold all manner of potions and serums. It was actually a surprise that none of them were damaged in any way from earlier.

Sam was a very talented Alchemist and chef, Lily knew this much, but aside from her own interactions with him and rumors around the school, she never paid him much mind. But now, after seeing the determination upon his soft and gentle face, she saw what he could be. A little exercise and kindness could do wonders for him ascetically. But more importantly, she had to like him for him and as her mother once told her years ago; beauty is only skin deep. She recalled an early memory from when she was seven and cried to her mother because another child had made fun of her by her appearance.

“Lily honey, you’re not gross or weird or ugly! Silly girl, you’re beautiful just as you are.” Her mother had told her as she held Lily in her arms and wiped away her tears. Lily remembered the moment clearly; it happened in a large, open field a little away from her home in Havenfell. It was a glorious field blanketed in flowers of all varieties and was one of the most often visited places in the village as well.

Lily’s mother had calmed her down and knelt before her; her mother wearing a lovely white and grey dress. The breeze picked up in that moment as flower petals danced about and caught themselves in the long, golden and curly locks of her mother’s hair; her sky-blue eyes gazing lovingly into Lily’s.

“Lily, I want you to always remember that beauty is only skin deep and that a person’s character is defined by more than their looks. That boy just hasn’t gotten to know you yet. I know! Let’s go to him and talk to him and his parents.” Her mother suggested.

“But what if he makes fun of me again and calls me mean names?” Lily asked her mother, afraid of being hurt again.

“I’ll be here with you! And I’ll tell him how it’s not very nice.” Her mother assured her.

“…If you say so mommy. You promise you’ll protect me?” Lily had asked.

“Of course!” she replied.

Soon afterwards, Lily became very good friends with the boy, and he had apologized and the two started anew.

Of course! How could I have fallen into that same trap? Vale, if you never would have teased me, then we never would have become friends. Thank you, mom, for sending that memory for me.

Lily hadn’t realized that she had begun crying at the memory, and now that her head was back at the present, Sam looked as if he had hurt her and wore a concerned look upon his face.

“I-I’m sorry Lily, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I-I’ll just go…” he said dejectedly.

“No Sam! Wait, you’re okay, you didn’t hurt me. I was just remembering a fond moment from my childhood. I’ve put up walls for so long, and now, you and Cat are tearing them down. I’m sorry Sam, I really am. I’ve forgotten that I’m not the only person with problems; I actually feel ashamed that I’ve been borderline selfish and not giving anyone a chance. If you can be patient with me, then I’ll…I’ll give it a chance. But, not to sound petty, I have some heavy baggage…” she admitted. And in an instant, Sam’s demeanor went from dejected to hopeful.

“I will do my very best for you, you’ll see! So…does that mean…?

“Date first.” Lily interrupted and then added softly; “But if things go well, then we can seriously consider becoming a couple.”

Sam was overwhelmed with joy! And then excitedly proclaimed; “Agreed!”

Lily then walked up to him and took a hold of his hand to seal the deal. Sam and Lily both blushed heavily and made their way to their respective dorms. On the way Sam had a burning after thought and asked; “Do I have to compete with Catalina?” Lily paused. With a playful smack on Sam’s shoulder, she bashfully replied; “N-no! I don’t think so? Maybe…?” she whispered.

“I see…” Sam accepted feeling a little disheartened. “Well, I’ll respect your decision whatever it may be.” He assured her with a gentle smile.

“Thank you.” She whispered back to him as she unconsciously hugged his arm.

“No problem.” He replied.

“So…tonight or tomorrow?” Sam asked.

“Let’s go tomorrow, that way you can go with our friends today and let them know you got a big date tomorrow! You don’t want to be rude to them now do you?” Lily sweetly replied. Sam was stunned; then kindly smiled at her.

“Nope! You’re right Lily. I’ll go and do that then, see you tomorrow!” he said as he ran off waving to her. She waved back. She hadn’t noticed before, but when he was by her side, she felt happy, but now that he was gone, she found that she actually…missed…him. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. She thought. Better go find something to wear! I’m actually excited! And then she was off filled with an excitement she hadn’t felt in years, with an actual smile upon her face.

***

Elsewhere, a caravan was travelling through a great forest to the City of Feywing, along the trade route. Out of all the travelers, one stood out the most, shrouded in dark, tattered robes and covering her head with a cowl. On numerous occasions during the time they all traveled together, someone would invite her to come closer for safety's sake, and each time the stranger would bat a hand at them as if they were a bothersome fly. It wasn't until one day remained till they arrived at the capital when the people finally heard her utter a phrase. One of young men had approached her this time, one that had taken a fancy to her.

"Just leave me be." She replied, her voice soft but unfeeling; the iciness of winter lacing every word. This startled the young man and caused him to recoil, falling backward.

"I-I just want to see you safe milady." he stuttered.

"How noble..." She replied, when a strong breeze suddenly came blowing through the trees carrying with it flower pedals and leaves, as well as the stranger’s cowl. Stunned at the sight of her, he could not think of anything more beautiful, or more exotic, as the young lady standing before him. The wind caught her long, show-white hair and he saw her fair, colorless face. It was as if gazing upon a porcelain doll made by some of the finest crafters in all of Oredasa.

"Satisfied, are you?" she asked. He could feel her piercing red eyes boring into his soul.

"Y-you're gorgeous..." he said, "Absolutely stunning!" She has to be at least sixteen! He thought as she winced at his compliment.

"Shut it, if you wish to keep your tongue. Flattery shall get you nowhere." she promised.

Soon after all was said and done and the caravan finally saw the city of Feywing off in the distance, they noticed that something wasn't quite right about her; it wasn't the white hair or her crimson eyes. What was strange was how distant, tormented shrieks and wails became louder, closer and more threatening as she steadfastly continued onward toward the city of Feywing. It soon became very clear, as dark clouds rolled in with a dreadful fog. Shapes soon became visible through the thickness of the fog accompanied by the nauseating stench of death and the droning of millions of flies. Dreadful corpses missing their legs dragged themselves along the ground, while others shambled on twisted limbs and crooked feet toward the caravan.

"Witch!", "Monster!" and "Demon!" where the cries she heard as the undead began to attack and kill every last member in the caravan, all but her.

"W-why would you do this to us! After all we tried to do for you!" the young man from earlier cried.

"I need resources and your carcasses will serve my purpose." she said matter-of-factly. Then came closer to him, "But...I will give you one thing, before you die." she cooed.

"...that kiss you always longed for..." His eyes widened as she drew closer...and closer...until their lips met. She could see the fear in his eyes, and he could see bloodlust reflected in hers. Soon it was all over as she drained him of what life was within him.

“The time is drawing near; and I've discovered your location, my dear...sweet...’sister’. Let's make this a family reunion to die for.”

***

The wild night winds whipped across the face of a wanderer as he approached the Gates to Feywing: armed only with a staff. His embroidered crimson robes danced about behind him in the wind: a bevor and a cowl made of thick leather protected his face from midnight’s chill, hiding his features from all that witnessed him, save for two green, glowing eyes.

It took so long; oh, so very long, but he had finally discovered the whereabouts of The Mistress of Carrion. With a whistle, a centipede as long as a wagon and as wide as a sack of flower slid beneath his robes and wrapped itself around him.

“Soon, your Creator shall be free.”