“My name is Alaric, but you should follow how everyone addresses me so that you won’t attract their attention,” Alaric muttered while looking at the elf.
“I also told them that you are a vagrant so we’ll keep it that way while you’re with us.” He added.
“I understand.” Yvanna nodded indifferently.
Although she looked dirty right now, she couldn’t hide the grace in her every move, as if it was a habit that she had practiced for many years.
“Did you get those wounds from a human?” Alaric probed.
The elf’s shoulder trembled upon hearing his words.
Seeing her like that, Alaric sighed. “You don’t have to answer it.”
For a young elf like her, it must have been a terrible experience that left her traumatized.
I shouldn’t have asked her.
“We will be leaving soon. Why don’t you stay with the group while you are still recovering? Once we complete our task in Ryvaad, I will send you back to your home.” Alaric suggested. This was the best he could do for her.
Yvanna didn’t respond and just quietly ate the boar meat soup.
Alaric waited for a while, but when he realized that she had no intention of speaking, he took a deep breath and let out a sigh while shaking his head.
He then stood up and announced to the group. “We will depart at once after everyone is done eating their meal!”
“Yes, my lord!” The warriors responded in unison.
The snowstorm was getting worse and they might be stranded if they don’t leave soon. The horses had rested enough and everyone had already filled their bellies with the hot boar soup. It was time to resume the journey.
They didn’t bother to clean up the mess. Everything would be buried in snow in a few hours.
“Prepare to depart!” Alaric shouted to the group.
The warriors immediately packed their stuff and hopped on their horses.
While they were preparing to leave, Alaric walked towards the elf and squatted in front of her. “We’re leaving now.”
Hearing this, Yvanna nervously raised her head.
“P-Please take me with you.” She muttered in a quivering voice.
“We don’t have a carriage so it would be a bumpy trip. Are you sure?” Alaric found her pitiful so he was willing to help her.
Riding on a horse would open her wounds which might worsen her injuries.
Yvanna nodded. “You’re the only human I can trust.”
It hadn’t been long since they met, but she felt like she could place her trust in him. He was her last hope to return to her family.
“Alright. Let’s go.” Alaric stood up and reached out his hand.
Looking at his face, Yvanna prayed in her heart.
Please, I hope I’m making the right choice by following this human.
Yvanna grabbed his hand and allowed him to lift her.
When the warriors saw that Alaric was planning to take the vagrant along, nobody said anything.
They believed that he only pitied the poor woman.
However, one person had a different opinion regarding this vagrant woman.
It was Charles.
Is he really planning to bring that woman with us?
He felt that it was suspicious that his nephew was willing to go so far for someone he had only met a few hours ago.
Hmm…
Although he was curious, he didn’t reveal his thoughts.
This is making me strangely excited.
Charles pulled his eyes away from them and grinned.
…
The group continued their journey amid the heavy snow.
The road was becoming more difficult to navigate because of the thick fog.
If it weren’t for Henry, they might have been lost in the fog.
At this moment, Henry urged his horse to move closer to Alaric.
“At this rate, we might not make it to Ryvaad tomorrow, my lord. The sky is also getting darker so I think we should find a place to set up camp.” The old man suggested while looking at the darkening sky.
Alaric agreed with the old man so he immediately instructed the group to find a place to set up camp.
An hour later, someone found a narrow cave and reported it to Alaric.
In a place where everything was covered in snow, a cave was a good option to build their camp.
“That’s where I found the cave, my lord.” A warrior pointed in a certain direction where a hill stood.
Alaric followed his gaze and saw a cave underneath the hill. It wasn’t big, but it was more than enough to fit everyone in the group.
“Sir Aldrin, Sir Chulmo!” He called out.
The two Knights whose names were mentioned immediately came to his side. “My lord! What can we do for you?”
Alaric glanced at them and instructed. “You two, form a small team with five members each and check the surroundings. Report to me if you find anything unusual.”
Hearing this, the two Knights acknowledged his command with a nod. “Yes, my lord!”
“You may go!” Alaric waved his hand.
The two Knights quickly left to gather their members.
After they left, Alaric beckoned to Arthur and said.
“Sir Arthur, please go and check what is inside the cave.”
Arthur saluted. “I obey!” He then squeezed his legs and commanded his horse to move.
While waiting for Arthur to return, Alaric turned his head. “Yvanna, are you alright?”
Hugging him from behind was the elf who was fully covered by the fur coat.
“I-I’m fine…”
He could hear her labored breathing.
“Just hold on for a while.” Alaric could only pray that she won’t collapse.
“Mn.”
Alaric took out a rope and tied her to his body to make sure that she wouldn’t fall from the horse.
Yvanna understood this so she didn’t voice any protest, but the feeling of having their bodies so close to each other made her feel embarrassed.
She had never been this close to someone of the opposite gender.
Alaric was unaware of her thoughts. His focus was entirely on the surroundings.