Trials Of Life

Chapter 12: A Halt In My Journey

The next morning, Lukas found himself amidst the bustling square of Headwich, standing among a crowd of roughly forty people. He was well-prepared for his journey, his gear packed and ready. He carried a small bundle of provisions, his sword sheathed at his side, and a handful of potions clinking softly in a pouch. The square was alive with the chatter of fellow travelers, all waiting for the carriages that would take them to their respective destinations.

True to the clerk’s word, two carriages bound for Madock arrived promptly at eleven. The horses trotted with steady determination, eventually halting in front of the waiting crowd. The carriages were simple but functional, each covered with a stretched fabric lining that offered minimal protection from the elements. The fabric, patched in places, fluttered slightly in the breeze. Inside, the benches were arranged facing each other, providing a modest yet practical seating arrangement.

As the carriages came to a stop, Lukas observed the chaos of people moving towards the vehicles. The driver of the second wagon called out, “Not you, this one’s full. Move to the first one!”

With the crowd shifting, Lukas squeezed into the first wagon, where the space was quickly filling up. The interior of the wagon became increasingly cramped as more passengers boarded, their movements jostling him slightly. Amidst the flurry of activity, Lukas’s gaze settled on a figure in the back of the wagon. The person wore a dark hood and a face covering, but from the fleeting glimpse of their eyes and a strand of black hair, Lukas could tell they hailed from the east.

Just as Lukas was about to investigate the mysterious figure further, the driver of their wagon leaned in from the front, his voice booming with authority. “Alright, listen up! We’re only making one stop in Torrwr before heading to Madock. This trip will take three days. I’ll stop every few hours for rest and bathroom breaks. No refunds. If you want to get off, you get off where I say. Got it?” He barked, his stern gaze sweeping over the passengers. As various travelers nodded in agreement, he gave a curt nod in return, then pulled the curtain shut with a decisive flick of his wrist. With a sharp crack of the reins, the horses began to trot forward, pulling the carriage out of the bustling square.

Lukas tried to steal another glance at the enigmatic figure at the beginning of the wagon. The suspicion that had lingered in his mind for days intensified. Someone had been watching him. Cramped together with too many passengers, his view was obstructed, leaving him unable to discern much about the person cloaked in shadows. He shifted his gaze back toward the wagon’s windows, watching the crowded streets of Headwich recede as they moved away.

Settling back against the fabric lining of the carriage wall, Lukas closed his eyes, hoping to find some semblance of peace despite the unsettling atmosphere. Meanwhile, in the back of the wagon, Yumiko, hidden beneath her cloak, sighed softly as she concealed her face. Unbeknownst to Lukas, she had followed him onto the carriage, driven by her quest for answers about her brother’s killer. Her commitment to the angelic voice’s guidance and her own promise to uncover the truth gave her purpose. With Hiro gone, this journey had become her new destiny, shaping her new life and guiding her steps.

Night had settled in, cloaking the landscape in shades of deep blue and purple. A sliver of moonlight pierced through the gaps in the walls, illuminating the faces of the small family seated across from Yumiko. The father, a grizzled man with a somber expression, sat quietly beside his young daughter. Both bear similar traits to Yumiko: black hair and gray eyes. They both wore garments reminiscent of Yumiko’s homeland, Jinsoku, with delicate embroidery that hinted at their shared cultural heritage.

The little girl, no more than seven, looked up at her father with eyes brimming with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Her voice, though faint and raspy from a persistent cough. “Father, will Mother be there with Brother?” she asked softly in Jinso, the language of Jinsoku. The child’s words were laced with a hint of desperation. The father’s expression changed, lighting up for his little one.

Her father’s face softened with a tender smile as he gently drew his daughter closer, his rough hand resting on her small shoulder. “Of course, my little one,” he murmured reassuringly, his voice a soothing balm against the clatter of the carriage. He adjusted the worn, patched blanket around her, tucking it snugly. “Rest now so you can feel better. We’re almost there.”

The girl’s eyes, heavy with fatigue, searched her father’s face. “But I’ve been like this since we left the village… Am I going to get better?”

Her father’s smile remained, but it held a note of sadness as he stroked her hair gently. “You will, sweetheart, as long as you get plenty of rest.”

A shadow of worry crossed her face. “I would feel better with a healing potion, wouldn’t I?”

He continued to smile, though his eyes reflected a deeper concern. “Yes, a healing potion would help, but we don’t have the money for it at the moment. Just wait a little longer until we see your mother. She’ll make you some of her special miso soup.”

The mention of miso soup brought a glimmer of hope to the girl’s tired eyes. Her lips curled into a small, hopeful smile. “Really? Miso soup?”

Her father chuckled softly, his gaze warm and reassuring. “Yes, really. It’ll be just what you need to feel better.”

Yumiko, still wearing her hood over her head and a mask on her face, wanted to show them that she was the same, but she needed to hide herself for now. Instead, she addressed them in their native tongue. “Excuse me,” she began, her voice gentle yet firm. “Perhaps I can be of some assistance…”

As she spoke, Yumiko carefully opened her bag, her fingers brushing against the worn fabric as she searched. Her movements were deliberate, reflecting a sense of purpose and kindness. She retrieved two vibrant, shimmering healing potions and a smaller, equally eye-catching stamina potion. Each vial glowed softly in the dim light of the carriage, their contents promising relief and recovery.

She extended the potions toward the father, her eyes filled with sincere concern. “Here, these are for your daughter,” she offered, her voice warm and inviting.

The father’s eyes widened with a mix of gratitude and hesitation. He shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. “I could never accept such kindness from a stranger…”

Yumiko’s smile grew from beneath her mask, her gaze steady and earnest. “I would be deeply offended if one of my own countrymen refused a gesture of goodwill. The goddess of wind would surely find it disheartening if I failed to help a fellow soul in need,” she explained, her tone imbued with a reverence for her cultural values.

She held the potions out, her gesture firm but gentle, emphasizing the sincerity of her offer. The father’s resolve softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and appreciation as he accepted the potions.

The man’s eyes were filled with genuine gratitude as he held the potions, his voice barely a whisper. “I—I don’t know what to say… And from a fellow Jinashi, no less,” he stammered, his gaze dropping to the shimmering vials in his hands. He carefully placed them in his daughter’s lap, then knelt on the floor of the carriage, lowering his forehead in a gesture of deep respect. “I thank you profoundly for your generosity. I hope someday to repay your kindness,” he said, his voice muffled against the carriage floor.

Yumiko could feel the eyes of the carriage watching them in confusion. No one knew the relevance of what they were saying. Not wanting to be recognized by lukas and touched by the display of humility, Yumiko waved her hand dismissively. “Please, there’s no need for such praise. Please, think nothing of it,” she said, her voice gentle and reassuring.

The little girl, her eyes bright with admiration, looked up at Yumiko. “You’re really cool and have pretty eyes! Do you think I can be like you when I grow up?” she asked, her face alight with innocent enthusiasm.

Yumiko’s heart melted at the child’s innocence. She smiled warmly beneath her mask, her laughter light and genuine. “Of course you can!” she replied, her voice filled with encouragement. She found the girl’s curiosity and admiration utterly endearing.

The little girl was full of excitement and curiosity, “Why are you here? Is your family having financial troubles too?” she asked with a bright smile.

Her father’s expression changed abruptly, a look of concern flashing across his face. “Sora! Such questions are not appropriate,” he scolded gently. The girl’s face fell, her eyes shifting to the floor in embarrassment. She mumbled an apology to both her father and Yumiko, her cheeks flushed with shame.

Yumiko offered a warm, reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the carriage lamp. “Please, don’t be upset,” she said gently. “I’m more than happy to share a piece of my story with my fellow countrymen.” Her gaze drifted out of the back of the carriage, taking in the darkening landscape of the night. “I came here to search for my brother… But it seems fate has taken a different liking to me, and now I am finding a new path.” She said, her voice hushed with heartache.

The girl’s face fell as she heard the sadness in Yumiko’s voice, her small frame slumping with concern. She turned to her father, her eyes wide with empathy and remorse. “I’m really sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. She reached out, offering the potions back to Yumiko. “Please accept these… We don’t deserve your generosity.”

Yumiko’s expression softened as she gently declined. “No, no, keep them,” she said, her voice warm and kind. “I gave them to you because I wanted to help. I’ll be fine. Once I reach my next stop, I can buy more. I’m with the guild, you see.” She smiled beneath her mask.

The girl’s eyes sparkled with renewed hope, her excitement briefly brightening her pallid cheeks. But the burst of enthusiasm was quickly followed by a violent coughing fit. Her father’s face tightened with worry. Several people in the wagon watched with concerned expressions. Her father quickly retrieved one of the potions, his hands shaking slightly as he uncorked it. He held it to his daughter’s lips with a tender touch, coaxing her to sip the healing liquid.

The girl drank slowly, her coughing gradually subsiding. As the potion took effect, her tense body relaxed. Her eyelids fluttered closed, a serene expression settling over her face as she drifted into a peaceful slumber. Whispers emerged around the wagon. Yumiko tried keeping her face away from Lukas in case he was looking at her.

Her father exhaled deeply, a tear shimmering in the corner of his eye. “I can’t thank you enough,” he said, his voice breaking slightly as he managed a small, grateful smile. “She hasn’t been able to sleep properly since she fell ill. It’s been so hard on her…”

Yumiko’s smile grew, touched by the father’s gratitude. “It’s truly my pleasure,” she replied softly, her heart warmed by the small act of kindness she had been able to offer. Her gaze fell tenderly on the little girl, now nestled under a cozy blanket, her tiny frame curled up contentedly against her father.

The man’s hand moved gently through his daughter’s hair, his fingers working with a soothing rhythm. “They think she might have… the Silent Cough,” he said, his voice heavy with anguish and dread. The words hung in the air like a cold shadow. Yumiko’s heart ached at the sight of his tormented expression. The Silent Cough was known for its brutal grip and hopeless prognosis, a disease that struck fear into the hearts of many.

He continued, his voice growing more strained as he spoke. “We couldn’t afford the high costs of doctors back home. My wife heard that the nations in the West had better medical practices, so we came here hoping for a miracle.” His eyes never left his daughter, whose peaceful slumber was the only reprieve from their constant worry. His fingers gently continued their motion, as if trying to brush away not just the tangles but the heavy burden of his family’s suffering.

Yumiko sat quietly, her heart heavy with the weight of the family's suffering. The dim light of the carriage cast gentle shadows across the scene, amplifying the emotional depth of the moment. Her gaze lingered on the father’s anguished face and the fragile, peaceful form of his daughter, who was now finally asleep.

The silence in the carriage felt almost tangible, laden with the unspoken fears and hopes of the father. Yumiko’s own heart ached with the deep sadness of their situation, and she grappled with finding the right words to offer solace. Each heartbeat seemed to echo the father's silent plea for his daughter’s recovery.

Breaking the oppressive quiet, the father’s voice emerged, rough and filled with a raw, aching devotion. “Every night,” he said, his eyes locked onto his daughter’s serene face, “I pray to the goddess of wind. I would give up everything, sacrifice it all to protect her. Even if it meant my own life, if that’s what the goddess demands.”

His voice trembled with an intensity born from deep, unwavering love and desperate hope. He spoke not only to Yumiko but also to the unseen goddess, his words a solemn vow and an earnest plea. The father’s eyes were moist, reflecting both his profound devotion and the deep-seated fear that overshadowed his every waking moment.

Yumiko watched him, feeling the gravity of his promise resonate within her. The emotional weight of his declaration made her own heart ache with empathy. The strength of his love for his daughter was heartfelt, and she could see the relentless determination etched into every line of his face. His willingness to sacrifice everything for his child’s well-being was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The quiet of the carriage seemed to deepen as Yumiko processed his words, understanding the depth of his resolve. She felt a deep sense of connection to this man and his struggle, moved by his unwavering commitment to his daughter and his faith in the goddess.

Yumiko struggled to find the right words, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the Silent Cough. The disease was a cruel affliction, with a devastatingly high fatality rate and an agonizing progression. It began with a simple cough, but its grip tightened over time, stealing the victim’s voice, then their ability to move, and ultimately, their life. The inevitability of the suffering was almost unbearable to contemplate, and Yumiko felt a pang of helplessness.

Yumiko’s eyes met Lukas’s for a brief, uncomfortable moment before she quickly averted her gaze, not wanting to be seen. The tension in the carriage was palpable as the driver’s voice cut through the night air, sharp and commanding. “Hey! Get the hell out of the way!”

Suddenly, a frantic voice pierced through the chaos, “They’re coming!” The wagon lurched to a jarring halt, and the driver’s curses rang out angrily at the man who had dared to block their path.

Lukas, alarmed, sprang to his feet and peered through the front flap of the wagon. A figure in ragged clothing, his face a mask of desperation, was rushing towards them. “Torrwr is being attacked!” the man shouted, his voice tinged with fear.

“Get the hell out of the way!” the driver roared, stomping angrily. The wagon laid still in the middle of a dirt road, surrounded by dense forest and wilderness. The trees moved and swayed in the wind, adding some kind of uneasy atmosphere.

But the man, overwhelmed by terror, collapsed onto the ground. “Please! You’ve got to help me! They’re coming here to finish the job!” His voice was a ragged plea, tinged with a frenzied panic. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched his head, his body shaking uncontrollably. “Yes… those red eyes,” he whispered hoarsely, barely able to speak over his ragged breaths. “They were upon me—watching me. It’s only a matter of time before they’re here!” His words were a desperate cry, filled with a growing dread.

Both Lukas and Yumiko flinched with startled glances when the man mentioned the red eyes. Lukas’s face hardened with determination. Without a second thought, he bolted towards the back of the carriage and leapt outside, driven by a sense of urgency.

“They’re on their way! We need to go!” The man’s voice was frantic, his head shaking violently as he tried to convince the driver of the impending danger.

“Get out of the damn way, you crazy fool!” The driver roared, his arms flailing in exasperation.

From inside of the wagon, panic started to stir among the people. The Jinsoku father held his daughter tightly as commotion continued to stir, “What’s going on?” he asked, holding his ailing daughter close, turned to Yumiko, his face etched with worry.

Yumiko rose from her seat, her movements deliberate and calm as she stepped out the back of the carriage. “Stay here,” she instructed, her voice steady despite her rising anxiety.

The driver’s frantic eyes tracked Lukas as he charged toward the panicked man. “Get back in your damn seat! We’re leaving!” he shouted, his voice laced with desperation. Suddenly, the horses reared up, their hooves striking the air with frantic force as they whinnied and stamped in agitation. The vehicle shook violently, its wheels jostling against the uneven road. “What’s going on with you two?” the driver roared, his attempts to calm the skittish horses only adding to the chaos. His face flushed with stress, he tugged ineffectively at the reins, struggling to regain control as the situation spiraled out of hand.

Lukas stood over the stranger, who lay crumpled on the ground, trembling in terror. “What is this about red eyes?” Lukas demanded, his voice sharp and intense as he loomed over the man. The stranger’s fear was felt, his body shaking uncontrollably.

“Please…” the man pleaded, his voice barely more than a whisper, “Don’t make me go back to them.” His eyes were wide with dread, and his hands clutched at Lukas’s sleeves in a desperate grip.

Yumiko stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on the scene as she assessed the situation from a safe distance. Anger and frustration churned within Lukas as he grabbed the man by the collar and hoisted him up, his face a mask of determination. “What happened to Torrwr?” Lukas demanded, his voice thunderous with urgency.

The man’s head bobbed as he tried to steady his voice, “Bandits... dozens of them...” His voice faltered, slipping into a whisper. “We fought back, but the townspeople started collapsing out of nowhere. It was like they were cursed...” His eyes widened in terror as he relived the horror. “And then—those eyes! The man had eyes, watching us… watching me!” He shrieked, his panic spilling over.

Frustrated with the man’s incoherent rambling, Lukas shoved him roughly to the ground, his irritation boiling over. The driver, now frantic, barked at Lukas as he tried calming his horses, “I won’t tell you again! Get back in the carriage! You’re making them upset!”

“Look!” Yumiko’s voice cut through the chaos. She pointed toward the distant treeline, where a faint orange glow was visible, smoke curling into the sky. The city of Torrwr was indeed on fire.

A distant, chilling scream pierced the air, sending shivers down everyone’s spine. Lukas turned to see civilians fleeing in terror from the forest. Behind them, more than a dozen mounted bandits rode in grim procession, their faces twisted with cruel delight as they slashed their swords indiscriminately. Each person, one by one, was struck down by the armed men. The bandits’ laughter rang out, menacing and unchecked, as they advanced toward the carriages, clearly intent on their next victims.

“They’re here!” The crazed man screamed, falling backwards in panic.

“Shit!” The driver’s voice cracked with fear. “Bandits!” He shouted, reaching for a magical flare secured in a box at his side. With a desperate yank, he ignited the flare, sending a burst of bright, magical light into the sky. The flare exploded in a dazzling, fiery display, meant to ward off the approaching threat, but the men only continued their advance.

The horses, still spooked by the commotion, continued to rear and stamp in panic, their fear adding to the chaos. Despite the driver’s frenzied attempts to whip the reins and urge the horses forward, they remained paralyzed with terror, refusing to move.

“Go!” The driver pleaded.

Lukas surveyed the approaching bandits, his mind racing as he assessed their dire situation. The air crackled with tension as over a dozen men rode closer, their faces hardened by malice. Yumiko stood behind him, her fists clenched tightly, her eyes locked on the advancing threat. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest as the looming danger drew closer. The driver, now visibly panicked, called back into the wagon, “If there are any fighters, now is the time to get your asses out here!” Countless people inside started to panic.

Just as Yumiko prepared to summon her bow, Lukas's voice cut through the chaos. “Stay back!” he commanded, thrusting his arm out to block her and anyone else. “No one gets in the way!” The driver’s eyes widened with a mix of fear and confusion. “Get those people out of the wagons and into that ditch by the road!” Lukas’s voice was laced with urgency and authority. The driver hesitated, paralyzed by the gravity of the situation. “Now!” Lukas roared, his intensity leaving no room for doubt.

The driver, recognizing the gravity in Lukas’s gaze, sprang into action. He leaped from the coach and began directing terrified passengers toward the ditch, his movements frantic and disjointed.

Yumiko watched as the Jinsoku father carried his daughter from the back and into a ditch. This was not good. Several other families were on board. There were no additional fighters. Yumiko's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Lukas, his hands extended out before him. He hadn’t drawn his sword yet. Did he have another plan?

“You too,” Lukas shouted, turning his fierce gaze on Yumiko. She froze, uncertainty gripping her. Had he recognized her? She knew she could be of help, but Lukas’s stern command made it clear she wasn’t to intervene directly. “You will get others killed if you get in my way!” His voice was a harsh warning, as he began advancing towards the bandits.

Yumiko’s heart raced. She could take down three of the riders with her bow, but the rest would likely slip past her. With mounting frustration and a heavy heart, she began to back away, her eyes lingering on Lukas as she ran towards the ditch. Two of the bandits’ hands began to glow ominously, magic crackling at their fingertips as they prepared to strike.

“No! He’s going to die!” Yumiko thought, the urgency of the moment spurring her into action. She skidded to a halt, turning around. With a swift, determined motion, she summoned her bow, the weapon materializing in her hand with a satisfying weight, and a quiver appearing on her back. “Summon!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the tumult as she readied herself to fight.

With speed and precision, she quickly nocked an arrow, aiming it at the closet rider. “This is my destiny! I must guide him!” She thought to herself, following the words of the angelic voice from before. She steadied her aim as she led her first shot.