This second group had actually landed a certain distance from the mountains, mostly because the Guardian didn’t want to interrupt the investigation of the Embermage’s airship. Now, he was looking at a holographic map again, making sure he was on the right track.
At the same time, Cless and Duran were watching Chrissy and Cala with the corners of their eyes. The half-dragon seemed to be enjoying the walk and the fresh air, while the odd ninja-like girl was constantly on the lookout, listening to even the slightest sounds. She looked like a panther, ready to strike.
“Where does this guy find such cuties anyway?” Duran whispered.
“I don’t know, but I think we’re going to enjoy this. They look nice.” Cless replied.
Magus was right behind them with Lucca, who seemed to be taking her time, just listening to the birds and looking at the horizon, trying to see one of the water orbs she had heard about.
Chapter 5: Outer Calm and Inner Fury
Without noticing it, the group came across a small village, almost hidden under a small extension of woods. The place was surrounded by a simple wooden fence, and on the inside they could see several cottages, likely inhabited by simple people. The village appeared to be one of those far-off places that are cut off from the rest of the world for months, where the arrival of a single traveler is already a special event.
“Well well… a typical village, in the middle of nowhere. This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the people of this world.” the Guardian said.
Lucca was inclined to agree.
“One of the best parts of traveling is seeing new places. I think we can make a little detour. Who knows when we’ll have another chance?”
The others didn’t object, since they were sure the other group could wait a few more minutes. So, they all walked towards the village and entered it through the front gates. They saw the small village square, surrounded by cottages and gardens, a modest temple that was the only stone structure there, a quaint inn and a few shops right next to several cultivated fields. A few people were out in the streets, most of them resting on wooden benches. They looked like average commoners, with their undyed linen clothing and mild manners.
A few children were climbing the nearby trees, looking for the best resting spots high among the branches.
The Guardian noticed a flock of sparrows flying right above the temple, and couldn’t contain a smile under his helm. He was quite fond of the cute little birds.
He felt a great peace as he watched the whole scene. A sense of harmony, of simple goodness filled him. A few people were intrigued by their presence and started staring, but he didn’t care. Then, suddenly, he heard a little girl crying, and his mind was immediately focused on that sound.
“Did you hear that?”
Without giving the others time to reply, he started running into one of the streets. In his haste he scattered chunks of earth in his wake, as his protective instincts kicked in. He wondered if one of the children had fallen off a tree, or if someone was being threatened by thugs. What he saw instead made his heart skip a beat.
In one of the back alleys, in a corner between houses, he found a young girl being savagely beaten by a fat man. The man kept lashing at her with a leather belt, and all she could do was curl up in terror. Her reddish hair was a mess, and her face and dress were covered with dirt. The man had a sadistic expression, but appeared to be completely sober. He was wearing a richly decorated green tunic with silver threads forming a complex pattern, and had a repulsive face, with a large nose and malicious dark brown eyes. His only bit of hair was black and oily, hanging from the left side of his head. He kept yelling at the girl and striking her harder and harder.
“I can do whatever I want, and nobody can do a thing about it! Nobody! And you have to do what I say, you little brat!” he shouted in an arrogant tone, his voice sounding detestably slimy and treacherous.
The Guardian looked at the scene, and in a split second his heart caught fire.
“Son of a bitch…!” he thought.
He felt his pulse rapidly increasing, along with a fiery sensation in his veins. He clenched his fists, and he almost seemed to swell with rage. Then, an inhuman roar left his mouth and he lunged forward, punching the man right in the face with a savage fury.
