Chapter 18: A NEW BEGINNING
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY IT WASN'T RIGHT TO GET HER FROM THAT TOWN, WASN'T THAT YOUR TARGET?", Said a loud angry voice, a devilish one precisely, the voice were coming deep from a strange looking forest, its trees were strange and different than normal ones, they were looking a bit frightening than normal trees, but they were static.
"YOU DIDN'T SENSE WHAT I SENSED FROM HIM.", Said another devilish sound, but it was a bit softer, a female one, that familiar sound was the same voice for the demoness that talked to Jaxith after he slayed the manticore.
"FROM HIM? I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT A HUMAN COULD IMPOSE A PROBLEM FOR YOU, FOR THOSE ZEALOTS I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT NOT US, WHY DID YOU FAIL?', Said the angry voice.
"I DIDN'T FAIL, I WOULD MAKE ANYTHING JUST TO BRING OUR ELDER BROTHER BACK, IT WAS ABOUT THAT HUNTER'S SCENT, NOT THAT HE WAS ABLE TO PUT DOWN MY LITTLE TOY.", Said the female demoness.
"HIS SCENT?", Said the angry demon.
"INDEED, HIS SCENT WAS, YOU COULD SAY, FAMILIAR.", Said the female demoness.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH FAMILIAR? DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT HE IS A HUMAN?", Asked the angry demon.
"HE IS A HUMAN, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT HIM, YOU KNOW HOW MY SENSING ABILITY IS UNIQUE, I CORRUPTED THAT MANTICORE AND SENT IT TO THAT TOWN TO WAIT FOR THE GIRL TO COME OUT THEN BRING HER TO ME, I DIDN'T WANT TO APPROACH THE TOWN TO KEEP PLAYING SAFE, I KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE WITH HER BUT DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO COME AND HUNT THE MANTICORE, AND THAT'S WHERE I PICKED UP HIS SCENT, AND I'M TELLING YOU THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING TO TAKE IT EASY, IF I TRIED TO ENGAGE HIM IN THE FOREST THEN I DOUBT HE WOULD BE KILLED EASILY AND WITH THAT I WOULD RISK EVERYTHING, THE SAME GOES IF I TRIED KIDNAPPING HER, I EVEN AFFECTED HIM WITH MY TOXIC MIND ABILITY BUT HE DIDN'T DIE OR KILL ANYONE FROM HALLUCINATIONS, AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PAIN THAT SPELL CAN DO, IT CAN MAKE SOMEONE SUICIDE IN MERE SECONDS, YET HE'S FINE AND UNTIL THEY LEFT THAT MANSION THEY WERE FINE, I WAS KEEPING MY EYE FROM FAR AWAY, BUT AS I TOLD YOU, I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK EVERYTHING BEFORE I KNOW WHO IS HE, HOW CAN HE BE MENTALLY THAT STRONG? WHAT WAS THAT AURA THAT I FELT FROM HIM?", Said the female demoness.
"WHAT AURA? WE LOST THEM NOW, WE CAN'T TRACK HER DUE TO THE DIVINE PROTECTION APPLIED ON HER, THAT WAS OUR CHANCE TO END ALL OF THIS, SO TELL ME WHAT WAS THAT AT LEAST?", Said the angry demon.
"I DON'T KNOW, IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE KNOWING ABOUT, YET FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS THAT, BUT IT FELT CLOSE, JUST LIKE I TOLD YOU, FAMILIAR, THAT'S WHAT IT FELT LIKE.", Said the female demoness, there was a little pause.
"I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS, ALL OF YOUR FEELINGS, BUT TRUST ME LIKE YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE, IT WAS WISE NOT TO ACT AGGRESSIVE, WE'VE WAITED SO LONG THAT IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO DESTROY ALL OF THAT BY A SINGLE MOVE, SOONER OR LATER WE WILL REACH OUR GLORIFIED DESTINY, BROTHER, WE WILL PATIENTLY WAIT FOR THEM TO REVEAL THEMSELVES BY ANY MISTAKE THEN START STRIKING FROM BEHIND THE SCENES UNTIL WE KNOW MORE ABOUT HIM, THEN FINALLY EITHER HE WILL FALL OR SHE WILL SUCCUMB TO HER TRUE-SELF AND SEEK SALVATION FROM THE RELENTLESS PAIN SHE WILL FALL INTO.", Said the female demoness, and with that the conversation reached its end, these two anonymous unknown entities voices completely stopped and that forest went quiet again.
The next morning was crowded at Orstone's local market, the sun was shiny, the horse neighs were loud and clear as they were everywhere around the market, the vendors voices were echoing trying to attract every possible buyer, that was the average day in a town like Orstone, trading was its main strength after all.
"That's insane! How can a simple cup worth forty gold coins? That merchant must be idiot.", Said Jaxith in amazement as he and Irene were walking out from a shop.
"That's a chalice, Jax, I told you that more than once, and no, he's not an idiot, he would probably sell it twice that price, some people like to collect these things just to show off.", Said Irene proudly, she has just secured for them a good amount of money, she handed the sack to Jaxith.
"Here, you said that we still need to get food for our travel, keep the money with you and do the talk, I'll tell you the best places to get what we need at a fair price, okay?", Said Irene.
"That's fine by me, lead the way.", Said Jaxith before they continued walking, but while moving they noticed that several people in the market were eying them.
"Jax, I'm not cool with these stares.", Said Irene worryingly.
"Relax, they're either recognizing the girl that robbed the mayor or that we're the ones responsible for saving them from the scarlet giant, either way you shouldn't worry, I heard the soldiers calling that you're not guilty anymore this morning, the bounty posters aren't around here anymore, so relax, if it will comfort you more then it's just a few hours before we leave, okay?", Said Jaxith.
"Okay, after we get what we want what will we do?", Asked Irene.
"Get back to Mr. Desmond, I need my coat back, should have gone dry by now, then we will see what horse we can afford to buy, that's my main concern for now.", Said Jaxith.
"We'll manage, I'm sure, as long as we're sticking together nothing will stop us.", Said Irene enthusiastically.
"Yeah yeah, sticking together will provide us food and shelter.", Said Jaxith sarcastically.
"That is not what I meant, old man.", Pouted Irene, Jaxith let out a faint smirk, then he looked cautiously at Irene, last night she had another similar nightmare, she did the same reactions that she did in the mayor's mansion, and yet she still doesn't want to talk about it.
"Anyway, let's get what we want now, we need to get out of town before it gets dark to still find time to create a fire and camp.", Said Jaxith before they continued moving.
After shopping for the goods they need, both of Jaxith and Irene were at the door of Mr. Desmond's stable, he noticed them and went out to meet them.
"You're back, got everything you need or was something missing?", Said Mr. Desmond politely.
"No, everything went smooth, Irene knows the streets like the back of her hand, even the good merchants.", Said Jaxith.
"Told you that you could count on me.", Said Irene proudly.
"That's perfect, then I assume you're ready for your departure, only the horse missing, right?", Said Mr. Desmond.
"Exactly, and I'm sorry if I'm causing any trouble with that, but I truly need it, not an expensive one as I told you before, just to manage.", Said Jaxith.
"Don't bother yourself with the price, just follow me, I got the perfect stallion.", Said Mr. Desmond before entering the stable with Jaxith and Irene following him into one of the stables were they found a strong black horse with a medium long hair and a furry feet, his shape was magnificent, the black skin was shining, his face wasn't young but still not that old, he was perfect enough to make Jaxith doubt that he will afford to buy.
"This is the black Legnican stallion, one of the rarest and valuable horses in all of Plistura, its unique ability lies behind its unique strength and endurance, their muscular structure is absolutely nothing but perfect, that's because their evolving across ages in the difficult environment of the mountains spread across Legnica, that also granted them high immunity against most of the disease, that boy has been with me for about two years and literally, he didn't even catch a cold, Vidin's environment is much softer than Legnica, and above all of that, no need to mention its captivating beauty.", Said Mr. Desmond, he was speaking passionately, raising horses was his passion before his job indeed.
"Mr. Desmond, I recognize this species, but I also remember them being one of the most expensive horses, I really appreciate that you're trying to get me your best one, but I'm really short on money.", Said Jaxith, Irene was looking sad after Jaxith's reply, it looks like she admired the horse from the first glance.
"Jaxith, son, who told you that I'll receive any money? You want something to travel with, and here it is, the best I can offer.", Said Mr. Desmond, Irene's face suddenly turned brighter after hearing this.
"No that will be too much Mr.Desmond, I remember people paying more than a thousand Plistura gold coins for an adult one, I just can't accept something valuable as that.", Said Jaxith.
"If that will make you feel better then after you're done with him bring him back, consider it as a payment for saving our lives.", Said Mr. Desmond politely, Irene was smiling, she was relieved that Mr.Desmond was going to let them get the horse.
"But I don't know until when I'll be needing him, anything can happen.", Said Jaxith.
"Then keep it, Jaxith, I found that horse when he was about one year old in the nearby forest where you killed that manticore, I didn't know what brought it here alone because that's not his homeland, two days after that and a large predator appeared in the forest, yes as you expected, after they killed him they found remains of a female horse in its lair, looks like they somehow escaped during some sort of a large merchandise transport, but the mother wasn't lucky after all, only her son survived, and here he is, I wasn't intending to sell it to anyone, but I got the feeling that you will take care of him, he's a good teenage horse with about three years old, so what do you say?", Said Mr. Desmond, Jaxith looked at the horse then to Irene, she nodded enthusiastically for him.
"Guess I don't have any other choice but to take him.", Said Jaxith while looking at the horse.
"Mr. Desmond! What's his name?", Asked Irene quickly, she couldn't hold her enthusiasm and just when Jaxith accepted taking this horse she asked immediately about its name, Jaxith looked strangely to her.
"Enthusiastic? Well he doesn't have one, so that's up to you.", Said Mr. Desmond.
"Just leave that to me, Jax, I'll find the perfect name.", Said Irene enthusiastically.
"Then it's done, I'll get him out.", Said Mr. Desmond before going to the horse and started opening its room.
"Come here, boy.", Said Mr. Desmond while getting the horse out and handling its bridle to Jaxith.
"Get acquainted with your horse, Jaxith, don't worry he's one of the calmest horses, reminds me of you.", Said Mr.Desmond before laughing.
Jaxith started petting the horse on his head, the horse started nickering from Jaxith's calm touches.
"Come on, Irene, why are you standing away? Weren't you so excited?", Said Jaxith to Irene who was keeping her distance from the horse.
"Ahhh, sure.", Said Irene in surprise, she was somehow zoning in there but started approaching the horse awkwardly, Jaxith looked at her weird attitude quizzically and just before she got close to the horse, the horse stepped back and neighed in a medium voice, looks like he got afraid from Irene.
"I noticed that since the day we rode the horse to the mayor's mansion together, why didn't you tell me about that, Irene?", Asked Jaxith worryingly.
"About what? Is there something wrong with the horse Jaxith?", Asked Mr.Desmond, Irene was looking to the ground in regret.
"Looks like horses can detect her demonic side and she knows this fact, that's why she was afraid from getting near of the horse, isn't that right?", Said Jaxith.
"Drop this, Jaxith, we still need a horse, it was a bad idea that I thought something will change this time, I'll ride behind you like always, they just tension for a bit.", Said Irene before turning around and started walking away sadly.
"Come back, Irene, we still can manage.", Said Jaxith, Irene stopped before turning and looked at Jaxith.
"What? Nothing will change, they never let me touch or ride them alone.", Said Irene while looking annoyed.
"Then you should have told me about that earlier in order to deal with him carefully.", Said Jaxith.
"Deal with what Jaxith? I just tried my luck with him but I'm telling you I tried thousand times before and nothing changes, so please don't raise my hopes.", Said Irene in an annoyed manner.
"Just do as I tell you, okay?", Said Jaxith, Irene looked at him for a brief moment before sighing.
"Okay, we'll see what you have in mind.", Said Irene.
"Now tell me, is his reaction the same as the other horses you've dealt with or there was a difference?", Asked Jaxith.
"No I don't think he's the same, he's much calmer, they always run away, he just stepped back and neighed for a bit and now he's calm again, but still maintaining his distance from me.", Said Irene.
"As expected from the black Legnican stallions, they don't get afraid easily, but still that horse is brave to maintain his calmness like that if they always run from you, what do you think about him Mr. Desmond?", Said Jaxith while looking at Mr. Desmond.
"He really doesn't get scared easily, that's a fact, the day when that giant demon that you killed appeared, all my horses went crazy from fear, except him, he was so calm and quiet, just looking outside at the hills through the window beside his room.", Said Mr. Desmond.
"That's good, let's try this.", Said Jaxith before putting both his hands under the horse's ears and started rubbing at a specific spot, the horse started nickering again and lowered his head, he was happy with whatever Jaxith was doing.
"Hey! What's that? I've never saw something like that.", Said Mr. Desmond in amazement.
"The horses have a small nerve under their ears in that exact spot, the black Legnican stallions love gentle rubbing on that nerve, you just have to know where and how to apply the pressure, Irene, get closer and do just as I do.", Said Jaxith calmly while nodding with his head to Irene.
"He will get away again, I don't think it's a good idea Jaxith.", Said Irene worryingly while looking at the horse.
"Just do it, get close, carefully, not fast.", Said Jaxith.
Irene listened to him and started walking slowly towards the horse who wasn't noticing her and looking down, Jaxith took one of her hands and put it towards that spot, he took her other hand and did the same with the other ear.
"Easy there, just relax don't get tensioned like that, you don't want him to feel any fear or tension from you.", Said Jaxith, Irene started getting confident, the horse opened his eyes and noticed her and nickered for a moment.
"Hey there, d-don't worry, I won't hurt you, in fact you're the only horse that let me touch him.", Said Irene calmly while continuing rubbing behind the horse's ears for a while.
"Put your hand over his head gently while still rubbing his ear with the second hand.", Said Jaxith calmly, Irene looked at him then nodded positively before looking back at the horse then raised one of her hands on his head then rubbed it too, the horse started neighing quietly in happiness, Irene smiled happily, she wasn't believing herself.
"Wow, I didn't expect to see something like that, how do you know about that? I've been raising horses since I've been a kid.", Said Mr. Desmond in amazement.
"My father was having a similar one when I was young, he told me about that trick.", Said Jaxith while looking with a smile on his face at Irene who was so happy and calm, just petting the horse silently with a wide smile.
"I see, now I assume you're leaving, right?", Said Mr. Desmond in a sad tone.
"Yeah, I can't stay for long, I just need my coat Mr. Desmond.", Said Jaxith.
"Just wait while I bring it with the other equipment of the horse, do you need any other thing, Jaxith? I really mean it.", Said Mr. Desmond.
"No Mr. Desmond, I really appreciate your help, everything you've done, literally.", Said Jaxith.
"Don't mention it, by the way, my wife made you a cake, both of you will like it, I'll cover it and bring it along with a dress for Irene.", Said Mr. Desmond before Irene noticed what he said and looked at him in surprise while still petting the horse.
"For me?", Said Irene.
"Yes.", Said Mr. Desmond.
"But why? I thought that you hate me just like the others.", Said Irene.
"Well, first of all I hated you because you're a thief, nothing more than that, your blood isn't of any concern for me, but also everyone deserves a second chance, and if that man trusts you, then I truly think that you're a good girl.", Said Mr. Desmond, Irene paused for a moment while still rubbing the horse's head, she was shocked from Mr. Desmond's reaction then smiled.
"Thank you, I really mean it.", Said Irene quietly while smiling, Jaxith was looking at her, she was happy from heart.
"Now I'll go, by the way, that dress belonged to my daughter when she was young, it will fit you perfectly.", Said Mr. Desmond before leaving.
After nearly an hour, Jaxith was walking the horse with Irene riding him beside Jaxith and all of them was out of town now.
"I still can't believe that I'm riding a horse alone for real, and he is the most beautiful horse I've seen, by the way does the black Legnican stallions have any other colors and the name is due to origin or they are all black?", Said Irene.
"All black with furry feet and long hair, they sometimes have a dark brown color but that's rare, the black one is the common.", Said Jaxith calmly.
"I see, anyway, thank you for making me get to know this great feeling, Jax, I've never thought that I would really get close to a horse, since you appeared a lot of strange things happened but in all of that you prove that you're really trying to help me, I'm just happy that you're with me, and you better know that I'll repay you someday for all your help, just remember.", Said Irene happily.
"Okay okay, I'll, now get ready, we're taking the road through the forest, we'll head west through the forest, this will save us time and also camping between the trees is much safer from bandits.", Said Jaxith.
"Whatever you see, as long as we've the best horse in history nothing will stop us.", Said Irene enthusiastically.
"Wasn't that supposed to be sticking together?", Asked Jaxith sarcastically.
"We'll add him now.", Said Irene proudly.
"Fine, by the way, did you find a name for him?", Asked Jaxith.
"No, I'm still thinking of a good one, I'll understand him first before picking a name that's suitable with his character.
"As you see, come on pull his bridle softly to the left to make him turn left.", Said Jaxith, Irene did as he told her and they entered the forest.
Two days have passed, they camped at nights, hunted small animals for food, everything went smooth, until the third day, they were at the final part of the forest.
Irene was on the horse like always and Jaxith was walking, he was letting Irene ride him a lot so the horse would start liking her more.
"Jaxith, I got an idea to test his intelligence.", Said Irene.
"Irene, he's intelligent, I know it since I saw him.", Said Jaxith boldly.
"Just listen to me, I want you to get his attention away from me as I hide behind that Large rock over there, okay?", Said Irene.
"You know that this is childish, right?", Said Jaxith while turning to her.
"Just do it.", Said Irene before getting down from the horse.
"That's not necessary.", Said Jaxith.
"Don't be boring, come on get his attention.", Said Irene, Jaxith sighed.
"Fine, come here, boy.", Said Jaxith while rubbing the horses ears and made him look to the other side, Irene started running away.
"Don't get far, Irene.", Said Jaxith.
"Don't worry, it has been three days and we didn't encounter any dangerous creatures, unless the rabbits were dangerous, anyway, I'm not getting far it's that rock over there.", Said Irene while running.
Jaxith looked around him and then looked at the horse while patting his head, he suddenly felt a strong headache that he grasped his head with his left hand and closed his eyes for about a minute, the pain was intolerable, he opened his eyes again to find that all the place around him was white!
The horse was still in his hand, it was like he fell into a large mist, and it came from nothing!
This isn't Irene's doing, he wasn't feeling well and the headache stroke again, this time he fell to his knees and closed his eyes, there was a lot of voices in his head, then suddenly he felt drowsiness, the voices in his head became a bit clearer.
"Jaxith wake up, won't you help your dad.", Said a soft female voice.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
darkash
darkash I'll leave the discord server link if anyone wanted to learn more about the novel, I have just made it as a way to narrow the distance between me and the readers:
https://discord.gg/PQs2FMvt9W
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