“Master”? When did that start?
At first, he wouldn’t even speak to me. But then, subtly as flowing water, he began calling me “Master.” The change was so gradual, it left no real impression. I hadn’t even noticed.
Now, in this new life, fate has brought us together again, student and teacher. When he first addressed me as “Master,” it felt like a twist of destiny. I even questioned whether Matthias knew something.
“There she is!” A man’s voice boomed, cutting through the tense silence. “The lady! Quickly, someone call for the transport carriage!”
Armed knights flooded into Köbeck, their boots echoing on the cobblestones. The scene that greeted them was horrific: blood pooled on the floor, bodies strewn everywhere. In the center of the carnage, a frail woman and a young boy cowered, covered in crimson.
The knights instinctively drew their swords, their gazes wary as they fell upon Matthias, who held Odelliana’s hand tightly. But before any blades could clash, Odelliana stepped forward, her voice surprisingly steady.
“He saved my life,” she declared. “Sheathe your swords.”
The tension bled from the room as the knights obeyed, their blades disappearing back into their scabbards. Soon, the rumble of a carriage approaching filled the air. Odelliana, with Matthias by her side, climbed inside. As the carriage rolled away, carrying them out of Köbeck, it began its journey towards Anatolia Castle in the inner district.
***
The castle buzzed with frantic activity. Blair, awake for a harrowing day, looked ghastly. Bloodshot eyes underscored his haggard state. Lord Anatolia appeared a decade older, etched with worry.
Odelliana, upon her return, received immediate medical attention. Her body, battered by the massive assailant, bore the brunt of the attack. Diagnosis revealed broken ribs, a fractured right arm, and a shattered leg, rendering it unusable. Lord Anatolia’s face drained of color. Blair, fueled by fury, demanded an immediate return to Köbeck to capture and punish the perpetrator.
Devastated by the incident, Lord Anatolia declared his intention to raze the entire Köbeck area. Her initial plan to simply retrieve Matthias had spiraled out of control, threatening to obliterate Anatolia’s largest slum. Odelliana felt a sense of helplessness as the situation escalated beyond her control.
Köbeck, designated for eventual redevelopment, would likely fall victim to the Tribal Suppression War within a year anyway. The displaced residents, though unfortunate, would possess the tenacity to survive. After all, hadn’t they already endured the harsh conditions of the slum? Their resilience was akin to that of cockroaches; they would adapt. Perhaps this displacement, however brutal, was a preferable alternative to potential death or enslavement by barbarian raids during the coming civil war.
But a nagging doubt lingered. Köbeck had served as a haven for barbarians until the outbreak of war. Razing it… how would it impact the Great Barbarian Subjugation…?
“Odelliana,” Blair began cautiously, “about the boy you brought back…”
“He saved me,” Odelliana interjected firmly.
“I understand,” Blair sighed. “If it’s difficult, you don’t have to tell me everything, but any details you can share would be helpful.”
Unfortunately, the truth was impossible. Odelliana wove a believable narrative. “I was abducted at the market by a stranger,” she began, “dragged off to Köbeck. Likely, they intended to sell me. While being hauled away, helpless…” she trailed off, a flicker of fear in her eyes. I even stayed there overnight. My rescuer offered me a place to sleep and tried to provide food. However, things took a turn for the worse…”
“Worse?” Blair echoed, his brow furrowing.
“The man who kidnapped me must have seen the flyers oppa distributed,” Odelliana explained. “Upon discovering the substantial reward for my return, he planned to cut out my tongue to silence me before returning me to my brother.”
“Cut out your tongue?” Blair blanched, his gaunt features draining of color. He couldn’t handle it any longer, burying his face in his hands.
“…Thank goodness you’re safe,” he finally rasped. “Thank the gods you’re back alive.”
Odelliana couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. The journey he’d undertaken for his sister had morphed into a terrifying ordeal. What cruel twist of fate had condemned him to such suffering?
“I’m fine,” Odelliana insisted, though her voice lacked conviction.
“Does it hurt?” Blair pressed, worry etched on his face.
“I can handle it,” she gritted out.
“Handle it?” Blair scoffed. “You’re seriously injured – broken bones everywhere. This is far from ‘fine.’ Damn it all, we should never have come here. If only…” His voice trailed off, choked with regret.
“It was my decision,” Odelliana interrupted gently. “We had a good trip, even with the unfortunate turn of events. It’s bad luck, nothing more.”
“Bad luck?” Blair’s voice shook. “If anything had happened to you…” He couldn’t finish the thought.
“The important thing is, I’m safe,” Odelliana pressed. “A little banged up, yes, but alive. Honestly, I’m okay.”
Despite her outward calm, Odelliana felt a pang of guilt at Blair’s obvious distress. She couldn’t hold his gaze and averted her eyes.
