The Unknown Realm #4 (Waverly Stump and The 7 Realms)

XVII

"Do you know why they wanted him?" Vestri asked as she aided in packing up supplies.

Waverly glanced up briefly and thinned her lips, unwilling to answer. She did not wish to talk about Judson's past with Oculmus even though it was the past. She cradled her injured arm that was even more swollen now and streaked with defined red markings - the results of a merciless chain whip.

"They say you can self heal." She continued, eyeing the injury. There was a faint trace of anticipation in her eyes. "Why don't you heal yourself?"

Waverly almost chuckled. Had she thought about it? Yes. Did she want to do it? Not really.

She sighed deeply instead.

"Sometimes it is better to bear the pain."

Vestri nodded. "Alright. I admire that. Where will you go from here?"

Waverly turned to look at Judson who stood quietly before Neil while the latter spoke to him in low tones. It was not wholly clear what influenced the Commander's sudden change of attitude but it was apparent that it had everything to do with Judson's parentage.

"We are not entirely sure yet." She replied.

"I think whoever wanted him harbors a very evil motive." Vestri said, throwing a brief glance in Judson's direction. "They know about the war and they are looking to stir trouble again. It would explain why they are willing to give much as bounty."

"It is good then that they have failed."

"We'll find them, whoever they are, and put an end to this. I reckon they should have some kind of magic in their possession."

Waverly lifted a dubious brow. "Magic?"

"Yes." Vestri nodded and leaned against the frame of the table. A butcher had timidly let them do the packing in his slaughterhouse which was nearest the river.

"Phan añni are wild, senseless magical creatures. They cannot be controlled unless when put under a repression spell. This is the only way they can be tamed. And again, just one of those things are incredibly difficult to contain. An entire collection of them? This Prestidigitator has to be some kind of dangerous witch, high priestess or a conjurer. I suspect ancient Gypsie magic or the likes."

Waverly fell silent for a while before speaking up again. "If this person is dangerous as you say then why go after them? Will you not be overpowered?"

Vestri genuinely laughed off the question as if she had simply heard a joke. "I'd like to see them try."

Waverly smiled. The She-Elf was notoriously daring and bield, and rightly so. Snow Elves were usually the more reserved kind but she was more outspoken than most. Her boots held dark little semiprecious stones on both sides of the lacing but the lace itself was missing, leaving a bit of her skin exposed.

Waverly had the feeling that the Elfin had deliberately done away with her shoe laces.

"I will join the escort to guard you to your next destination." She offered.

"No!" Commander Neil intruded, walking towards the pair with Judson trailing behind him. "An légnes mir u'orist nohel thārn tana manyrion klis tamori pasat." (I have a feeling you would attempt to run off like last time)

"Andañnan, mir ganavi u'orist." Vestri said with her head slightly bowed. (I offer my apologies, Commander)

"I am yet to forgive your frequent incompetence, Vestri. You are roguish and unprincipled and have disobeyed my orders more times than I could count. It is very unusual for your kin to be so. . . wild."