"I can't believe I'm working with- you."
The dissatisfaction in her tone made it sound like I was some plague she wanted to avoid. She squared up to me but her being so short, I didn't feel threatened at all.
"Did you enjoy the cinnamon muffin, Lana?"
I prodded.
"I hate cinnamon, thank you very much!"
"At least we have that in common."
But the little barklight wasn't having any of it. Lana turned her nose to me and crossed her arms. Abigail walked over and held her little sister close to her breast.
"Lana, stop pestering the dark vessel. She's going to help us get your friend back."
The child's cheeks bloated as she turned away from me. Their followers stood behind their goddess as they circled us in the library.
"A few days ago, group of my people went on a pilgrimage to the ancient ruins and the village nearby. Sixteen of them went first, and four of them, Caesar included, searched for them soon after. We haven't heard back."
Jade jumped in.
"That's the situation today, so our job is to go to the Cero Village and discover what happened to them."
"The Cero Village?"
I asked.
Abigail turned to me with a determined look.
"It's a small village west of here. They live on the land, but lately, they've been suffering from plagues. Our people were sent there to help them by treating their disease."
One of the followers added.
"It's just a common cold, but it's more severe for their small tribe. It was a simple pilgrimage, but with our members not coming back and the search team going missing too, we're far beyond worried."
"They aren't just numbers to us! T-They are friends and family."
Lana said. She bit her lips with apprehension. I could feel her fear for the people she cared for. I think it was her honest emotions showing that drove in how desperate this situation was.
"They are friends and family. Our people are worried about them so it's imperative that we find them and bring them back home."
The "goddess" said as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes. I could clearly see the worry in her too.
This wasn't like when Jade and I first confronted them. Abigail and Lana were showing their emotions. They needed help, at all cost.
"Friends and family."
I parroted.
Twenty friends and family have gone missing in only a few days. As someone who never actually had family in that kind of way, I don't believe that I could truly connect with them.
But that didn't mean I wouldn't help them.
"I understand. I'll do what I can to help."
I said, coyly.
I was still feeling the detachment to the idea of... family. But lost and sadness was an emotion I was well versed in.
"Good, thank you for your help, Feodora Cicer."
Abigail turned around.
"We leave at the top of the hour. Make sure to get all your gear for a few days."
"A few days?"
I asked.
"Yes, do you have other obligations, Feodora?"
Abigail pondered.
"No, it's fine."
I shook my head.
I didn't have anything I needed to get done but the idea of sleeping in the wild with a group of strangers made me worried.
"I'll have to find a place to sleep, far away from their camp."
Abigail and her group exited the library, leaving Jade and me alone again.
"Feodora, I know goal is to find the culprits of this case-"
"But finding their friends and family is our goal too?"
I finished Jade's sentence.
The knight smiled.
We were on the same wavelength.
"And that's why I like you, Feodora."
There I knew the driver Jade had to find the answers she needed. But that there was a side to her that truly cares for the people around her.
It would be likely that I'd face the culprit of this case. So, I closed my eyes and felt the destructive shadow crafts within me.
"The sooner this is over, the sooner I can go back to my simple life."
With that determination sending me forward, I exited the library too. When I got outside, everyone was packing up. They were bringing supplies on their backs. There had to be around twelve people of all ages, likely friends and families of those who went missing.
"Lana, we're going to find Marable, alright?"
A kid in the crowd of onlookers petted Lana on the back. The barklight seemed to be tearing up as I walked over.
"Eh?! What do you want?"
On the defensive, Lana barked like a dog.
"Is one of your friends missing, Lana?"
I asked.
That would make this mission much more dire for her, wouldn't it? She crossed her arms and turned away from me. Instead of answering me, her friend took the initiative.
"Yeah, her name is Marable. She played with Lana and was on the pilgrimage the other day. Lana is worried about her."
"Shut up, Precis!"
Lana shouted.
Just as Abigail said, these aren't just numbers but friends and family. I bent down and got to my knees. I wasn't good with kids because of my bullying from the past, but anyone could see that they needed this encouragement.
"Don't worry, if anyone can find them, it would be Jade."
The girl named Precis hoped in excitement.
"I heard Jade was powerful. She and our goddess are working together; nothing can stop them! They're going to find everyone and bring them back safely!"
The innocence in her words made me smile. However, Lana was still pouting, likely trying to appear tough around me.
I still wasn't sure why she attempted to take my weapon that day, but she seemed to still hold firm that I was the one at fault in that situation.
"Hmph!"
Lana pushed out before running to her older sister. I watched as they met, held each other's hand, and continued chatting away with her other followers.
"I wouldn't worry about Lana."
Precis said as we both watched her friend from afar.
"She's just trying to do everything for her older sister. She lacks the same powers as her and feels a bit inferior to our Goddess."
Precis explained as we watched the two of them.
"I see."
"Lana does anything to make her older sister happy. If something happened between you two, maybe she was trying to help her sister, and you got in the way per se."
"Perhaps."
I thought more about that day.
Lana said that her sister was looking for artifacts of the dark arts. Could it be that she saw my weapon as the perfect gift for Abigail? But that would also beg the question…
Why is her sister looking for artifacts of the dark in the first place?
"Feodora."
Abigail approached with her arms crossed. Her wings flapped as she got closer to me.
"Would you mind helping my group as they pack goods and supplies? An extra pair of hands would be appreciated."
"Oh, sure."
I rushed over and did as I was asked. There were tents, food, survival kits, and the like scattered about.
"So, how long will we be gone?"
I asked one of the followers.
"Around three days. It takes a day to get to the Cero Village. We plan to search around for a full day and head back, hopefully with everyone, on the last day."
I tied a few bags to the carts.
"Hopefully, we can find them."
I whispered.
The woman nodded as she threw another bag on the cart.
"W-Wait a minute."
It just occurred to me that sweet scent clouded my mind. I turned to see Abigail Pasco. We caught eyes with one another, and skillfully, she blew a kiss my way.
"Thanks dear."
Abigail chuckled cutely.
"She's good."
It was scary how fast she made me fall under her command.
Jade warned me, and I should have been on guard around her. This established that next time she wouldn't get me so easily.
"Before we leave, Jade, Feodora, I need to address my people."
The "goddess" said before walking to the middle of the steps.
We followed behind her, under the torii gates. People watched from houses and buildings as she raised her hands. The aura she produced was powerful. Jade put her hand on her hips and watched with indifference.
"People of the Barons, today a pain has fallen on our people. However, do not fret, for my family and I will do all that is in our power to make sure your loved ones return. So please, follow the guides of our group. Fellowship with your loved ones who remain here and pray for the safekeeping of the brave ones who are venturing out to find them."
Abigail closed her eyes and lowered her hands.
"It is faith, the way we find our answers. Because of faith, we seek the truth."
Cries of joy and happiness spread around the group as we all made our way down the street. It was like a mini parade as people tossed flowers, likely a thank you to their "goddess."
"Be safe, Lana!"
A few kids yelled out. All this attention was getting to me. I found myself hiding behind Jade. She was as tall as a tree anyway, and it would be best for me to stay in the shadows.
"Are you getting nervous?"
Jade asked, looking at me.
"Not nervous but there's just so many people around."
"Ah, that's right, you're a hermit."
"I'm not a hermit."
She smirked.
"Opal Jade."
Abigail called out as she approached her. They continued walking side by side as we made our way to the gates.
"What is it, Abigail?"
She nudged her shoulder on the knight and gave her a wonderful smile.
"I look forward to seeing what the soon-to-be head of the Knight Order can do."
"Don't test me…."
Interestingly enough, Jade gave her a vicious smirk of her own. I guess today would be the time to show her true strength in front of the entire Baron group. We'll a splitter of them.
"Have a safe trip, Jade!"
A group of knights met us at the gates. It went to show me that Jade has her subordinates as well. It felt like going through two different parades, and the attention was causing my stomach to swirl.
"Stay vigilant. I'll be back soon."
Not a long speech but one to get the masses going.
The field was wide, but we had a clear path to stay on. The place we were heading was to the far north in the mountains. There was a small village there and beside it was a ruin from time and time ago. They believe that the team may have found themselves trapped there.
We marched along for around a few minutes before a follower tapped me on the back.
"Hm?"
"You're Feodora, right?"
"Yes, I am."
The woman pointed behind us and what caught my eye was a particular red bunny. She sported that knights uniform as she rushed my way. Out of breath, Terra gathered her composure before turning back to me.
"Feodora! I heard you were going off with Jade on a mission."
"Did you need something, Terra?"
She paused before looking away.
"I heard about all what happened the other day. I read the knights notes detail by detail."
Terra scratched her cheek.
"Feodora Cicer, you inspire me to try harder to be a knight. And now you're off to help the Barons and solve Jade's investigation."
I looked away, feeling embarrassed by all the sudden praise.
"I know I'm holding you off from departing but I just wanted to tell you that your efforts make me want to fight harder. So, thank you for everything you do."
Terra praised.
She was honest. Even some may call her a little too honest. I wasn't sure what prompted her to find me and tell me this, but I decided it would be best to accept her feelings.
"Thank you, Terra. I-I don't know what to say, really."
"Good luck and I'll see you around when you get back."
Terra waved and ran back to the gates. I turned and made my way back to the large group.
"Terra's been wanting to talk to you since the other day, Feodora. I'm glad she found you. Sounds like soon you might have your own going away party."
The knight teased.
"I hope not."
I prayed.