The Blue Pearl

Sharak… a name so familiar but this far out in the world it was very well a legend. Never before had he thought he would meet one from that "mythical" Guild of heroes, even if she was just a little girl.

Too late, he thought, the girl was too late.

Then again, even in time there wouldn"t be anything she could do, unless she was followed by an army. Their time had come; there was no future for their village or them, despite how much everyone liked to pretend otherwise. Their bodies were being eaten from the inside. The black fog had choked out every tree and plant in the area that could have fed them, and on top of that, that "nightmare" stood guard on anyone who tried to leave for help.

Lepin stared, only now realizing the strangeness…

How had she even managed to reach the village?

But before he could ask, someone was already approaching the girl. Even for him it was difficult to be certain who it was but judging by the height and steps, a woman and the only woman who would dare was Nicola. Their resident b.i.t.c.h. He felt his blood boil at the sight of her and barely kept himself from snarling. They foraged together yes, but not knowing which one she was usually helped him ignore her. But here out in the open like this…

"Welcome Olean of Sharak, what brings you to our humble village?" Nicola greeted the girl, spreading her arms under her cloak like asking for a hug.

Was she serious?

Lepin, it seemed, wasn"t the only one thinking along that line. Olean, who was steadying Tristan by her right, also looked equally confused at Nicola. Voice like honey and cream, she was a vile witch, wasn"t she? The worst kind. The ones who ate children and deserved to be burned at stake.

Olean looked to her side as if expecting answers there but there was nothing. Only Tristan, dazed, quiet and barely standing.

What happened to him? Lepin"s gaze floundered at the boy, one of their night watchmen… what was he doing out with the girl?

"…And why is Tristan with you?"

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Nicola asked, which Lepin did not like at all. The horrid abomination having the same thought as him made him want to scrub himself clean. A witch like her had no place in any decent settlement, least of all an ancient sacred one like theirs - The gateway to the Utsumi temple, Nirya"s abode. Lepin was certain the monster was here only as Nirya"s punishment for having her stay with them. Now they all suffered for their generosity. How could "she" survive when so many good ones did not?

"Ay him? I found him on the ground there." Olean pointed toward North at the forest.

"Oh, thank you for bringing him to us." Nicola said sweetly, removing her hood and pulling down her mask that had been covering lower half of her face. Olean nodded hesitatingly.

"I am Nicola, an alchemist. Tristan, son come here, don"t keep leaning on our guest." She said while stepping up to take Tristan in her arms. The boy shivered and so did Lepin. He had good instinct at least, despite his drowsy state. Nicola"s words were hooks that s.n.a.t.c.hed and pulled and then tore muscles.

"-Is it true? Is someone from Sharak here?"

Laanimere"s excited voice rang from behind them, pushing through the crowd only halting at the sight of Nicola. The young girl had been somewhat of a fanatic for Sharak, especially their Pearl, the so called Greatest hero.

"That …harlot! s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g with every decent woman"s head with her …her madness. Huh! Greatest Hero indeed…" Lepin grunted within.

It was not their place to go out there, fight battles, and slay monsters. A man"s job should be left to the man. Bear children, look after the house was what a woman was to do.

Lepin glared at Laanimere to make it known of his disapproval but the d.a.m.ned girl was not looking at him at all. If only her father had listened and had given her to him, he"d have had her schooled and proper in no time. What a waste! A pretty thing like that with more than just a good face…if only she was a few years younger. Her father had let the girl climb on his head, not controlling her when it was time. No wonder her mouth was so loud and foul. Not knowing her place, shouting wherever and whenever she was not needed. He would have liked to show her her "place". But too late now.

"Oh Laanimere, how wonderful that you"re here." Nicola turned, looking surprised but pleased. She gave the spooked girl a sweet smile and led the boy onto her. "Here, take care of Tristan please while I tend to our guest."

Laanimere didn"t want to, obviously, but not like she was brave enough to argue with Nicola. She held Tristan awkwardly. Though born in the same year, Laanimere was smaller for her age and barely came to his shoulder, and Tristan wasn"t even tall for his age. Seventeen in two months, she had already matured into a desirable but pet.i.te la.s.s, fit to serve a man only way a woman could.

Lepin looked at the ones around, seeing if anyone was glaring at him eyeing her little frame. His head searched the crowd, expecting all gaze at the new girl but one at him. And was he right… a set of eyes stared back at him. Less than half his weight since last month, the man was definitely Laanimere"s father. Kolte.

"Someone get the Elder!!!" Kolte Roared and both Lepin and Nicola scowled at him. A pity he was such a strong loyal dog of the Elder. Even the cursed guards from the town had feared to leash him. A month of starvation and hardship did nothing to lessen his intimidating structure. Although, he looked about half foot shorter from hunching with a loss of his muscles. Mess of dark hair and beard left most his face hidden, but the strong bones still could be seen in it.

"Girl, why are you here? And how did you get here?" Kolte stood beside Nicola and faced Olean. His voice was still profound and heavy that reached deep into anyone that heard it. But with his hand he was holding his daughter Laanimere, pulling him away from Nicola without even realizing it.

"I am here to hunt a monster." Olean answered almost casually looking up at Kolte. His ma.s.sive size did little to intimidate her; then again if she was here to hunt the monster, she couldn"t be cowered by Kolte.

"Killing a monster? You? Alone?" Kolte crossed his arms and regarded the girl that was half her size and looking up at him with only curiosity. "How old are you?"

"…I… don"t know." She answered after a hesitation and a shrug.

"Oh, poor child. What kind of life you have been living. Come with me, I will make you some tea." Nicola went up to Olean and rubbed her back. Her voice still like honey.

"Mind your business woman. Get your filthy claws off her." It was Kolte, he really couldn"t keep his peace with her. "I am taking her to the elder." He said and reached out for the girl"s upper arm.

"She is a guest, not one of your wh.o.r.es-"

"You bitc-"

"And didn"t you already call him here?"

"Actually," Lepin suddenly realized the time, and said pointing toward the absence of the sun, "We should all get inside first."

"Argue all you want, but inside, you d.a.m.n animals!"