The wooden gate creaked open, revealing a vast auditorium that seemed to stretch into an echoing infinity. Ash stepped through, following Anzhelina, and a low whistle escaped his lips unbidden. The sheer scale of the space was breathtaking, its high ceiling swallowed by the dim, strategically placed lanterns But it wasn't the size that truly captivated him; it was the figure at the far end.
A wolf-like demi-human in his human form, his features a delicate blend of masculine strength and feminine beauty. Sharp, intelligent silver eyes scanned the space, framed by a lean. A thick, soft, elegant tail, the color of charcoal smoke, curled gently around his legs. His most striking feature, however, was his hair. Pure white, long, and unbound, it cascaded down his back in shimmering waves, a waterfall of moonlight against the dim backdrop. He cradled a sitar in his hands, the polished wood gleaming softly. As Ash and Anzhelina entered, he was playing, the haunting melody weaving its way through the vast space.
The music was smooth, flowing, utterly captivating. It filled the auditorium with a symphony of delicate notes, each one resonating with a soft classical touch, carrying echoes of forgotten ages like the wisdom of a true sage.
Anzhelina stopped a distance away, offering a subtle nod to the musician. "Ash," she said, her voice quiet, almost reverent, "this is Kael. He will guide you." She turned slightly towards the wolf-like demi-human, who continued to play, seemingly lost in the intricate tapestry of sound. "Kael," she addressed him, her voice a touch louder, "I've brought someone."
Kael's long, slender fingers danced across the sitar's strings for a few more moments, the melody reaching a poignant crescendo before fading into a gentle, lingering whisper. Only then did he open his eyes, revealing a pair of silvery orbs that glowed with an inner, almost otherworldly light. A slow, knowing smile spread across his face, revealing sharp, white teeth that hinted at his lupine nature. He placed the sitar gently on the platform beside him, the silence that followed the music feeling almost tangible. "So," he said, his voice surprisingly warm and melodic, a rich baritone that resonated through the hall, "you are the one who seeks the path of the warrior."
A few hours later, Ash and Anzhelina emerged from the echoing stillness of the auditorium. Ritso, looking slightly disheveled but clearly trying her best to appear attentive, fussed over Ash like a mother hen. She held a plush velvet cushion, attempting to arrange it just so on a nearby chaise lounge.
Uren, the ever-present butler, stood nearby, a silver tray laden with steaming cups and an assortment of delicate pastries held with practiced precision. He glided towards Ritso and placed the tray on the small table in front of her. She devoured each miniature confection with gusto, her initial attempts at politeness quickly abandoned in the face of such temptation. Anzhelina and Ash exchanged a silent glance, a shared understanding passing between them. Ash shook his head almost imperceptibly. [Inevitable situation: Ritso is weak to good dessert.]
"Another one, Mister Uren?" she inquired between bites.
Uren looked down at her with a hint of weary resignation in his usually impassive eyes, offering a curt nod.
"Ahm.. sure miss ritso."
Ritso, mid-bite of a particularly elaborate cream puff that left a dusting of powdered sugar on her lips, finally noticed Ash and Lionheart's arrival. Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of guilt crossing her face as she realized she'd been caught in her moment of indulgence. She swallowed quickly, and exchange quick glances at dessert and them before a slight cough escaping her.
"Madam Lionheart! Ash!" she exclaimed, her voice a touch too loud, as if trying to overcompensate for her earlier lack of attention. She sat up straighter on the chaise lounge, though a few stray crumbs still betrayed her recent gluttony. "I… I didn't see you there. Uren was just… ensuring I was properly nourished, as you instructed." She gestured vaguely towards the decimated pastry platter, a sheepish grin spreading across her face.
Uren, simply offered a polite nod to Lionheart and Ash, his expression betraying nothing. He then discreetly whisked away the pastry platter, as if keen to erase the evidence of Ritso's momentary lapse in decorum.
Ash walked towards Ritso, a gentle smile softening his sharp features. He reached out and caressed her head. "Let's go outside for a while…" he said, his voice soft and reassuring.
.
Ash found a secluded spot beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak. He leaned his back against the rough, textured bark, a comfortable sigh escaping his lips. His gaze drifted towards Ritso, who was still blinking blearily, her eyes struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness. She looked like a startled owl, her face scrunched up in a comical expression of discomfort.
Ash Snickers at her current situation before He stretched out a hand, a swift movement, yank, he pulled Ritso down beside him, sending a flurry of fallen leaves into the air.
"Aaa!" Ritso yelped, caught completely by surprise. She stumbled slightly before righting herself, a visible pout forming on her lips. She glared at Ash, her black eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You did that on purpose, right?" she accused, her voice laced with mild annoyance.
"Maybe," he mumbled, his tone deliberately noncommittal.
Ritso's eyebrows twitched, her tail giving a small, irritated flick. "Huh?" she grunted, clearly unconvinced by his feigned innocence.
"Stupid jerk!". He taken a back by her words.
"What you just called me?"
"STUPID JERK!", She crossed her arms over her chest, her pout deepening into a full-blown sulk.
"It was just a joke chill out."
After a moment, however, the allure of their surroundings seemed to win over her mock indignation, and her gaze drifted away from Ash, taking in the panoramic view that stretched out before them.
From their elevated perch on the gentle slope of the hill, the city lay spread out like a vibrant tapestry. They could clearly see the main entrance to the city, and in the distance, the cluster of buildings that formed the nearby village where they had first arrived. Dominating the landscape, however, was the magnificent structure of Count Lionheart's mansion, its imposing architecture softened by the surrounding lush green landscape, making it a breathtaking sight of Murea.
"So tell me…" Ritso began, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. She paused, hesitant, fiddling with a loose thread on her hoodie before continuing, "What happened in there? When you were with Lionheart… alone."
Ash replied quickly, perhaps a little too eagerly, as if wanting to dispel any potential misconceptions. "We weren't alone!"
Ritso looks at him dumbfounded and more red as if she said something she doesn't have to, she mumbles through her words. "Wh-what yo-you two were not alone?"
He shakes his head looking at grass, "No, She just introduced me to a great fighter, just like we planned… His name is Kael. He seems… strong… knowledgeable… talented."
Ritso try to calm her rapidly beating heart and speak after taking deep breath away from Ash's perspective, "Is he .. ahm strong?"
Ash smiles and nod back looking at her.Ritso was taken aback by his uncharacteristic praise. This was the first time she'd heard Ash genuinely commend someone else's abilities without a hint of his usual boasting or cynicism. It was impressive, and a little unsettling.
He continued, his voice hardening with a newfound resolve. "I can now train… properly train before the seasonal carnage. I can save those slaves I couldn't save a few months ago." He clenched his fist, the muscles in his arm tightening visibly. Ritso felt a palpable heat radiating from his body. She instinctively reached out, patting his back in a gesture of silent support.
He took a deep breath, the tension slowly draining from his body. His expression returned to its usual inexpressiveness, though his eyes still held a lingering flicker of the intense fire that had just burned within him. "So, now you should go back to the Underpaths and help Kelly with the others," he said, his voice calm and steady, a clear dismissal in his tone.
Ritso looked confused, her brow furrowing. "Isn't Kelly enough there? I want to help you first… Muda… I mean, Ash," she stammered, her concern evident in her voice.
Ash's eyes softened almost imperceptibly at the slip of the old name. He understood the depth of her affection for Muda, but he also knew he couldn't drag her down the dangerous path he was about to tread. [I am not who she cares for; it's just my body, not me, and in return for this body and deception…I needed to protect what muda valued… Her, even if It meant pushing her away, creating a distance.]
"Go there, Ritso," he repeated gently, his voice firm but kind. "I'll be back soon. Wait for me. I've already calculated the difference in time. I can train for a year here in exchange for ninety percent of the first half-set in the Underpaths," he explained, his tone practical and reassuring. He paused, looking at her with a soft expression. "So, even training for a year, I'll still have enough time." He looked at her and offered a final, almost self-deprecating reassurance. "Don't worry, you'll get to see this ugly face a lot; don't worry."