[MGM]: 87 - Interlude Luna

Luna was a hunter—she knew she was; there was no doubt about that. She thought like a hunter, moved like a hunter, and felt like a hunter. She was, in essence, more an animal than a human. Though, to be fair, she wasn't human at all.

The halls of the Feylance Keep were still and quiet; even the dust stood frozen in time. Luna walked with a quick and efficient gait, her footfalls silent yet forceful—calm and steady, like that of a hunter.

Her destination was a room in the main Keep—it was a place she had frequented quite a bit in the past few weeks. She rapped her curled fist against the door three times and then waited.

Quiet moments passed before her ears caught the sound of footsteps, and then the latch was lifted, and the door pulled inward. Arianna greeted her with a shallow smile to mask the fatigue weighing on her.

"May I?" Luna asked.

"Ah, yes." Realizing she was barring her entry, Arianna stepped to the side and allowed Luna to walk inside. She then closed the door.

The room was small—much smaller than would be expected of a noblewoman—with few embellishments and plain furniture. It wasn't her first time seeing the room, but each time, Luna was reminded of the noblewoman's candid nature.

"I heard about your decision," said Arianna, "that you want to travel to the Red Mountains to find the cure."

"Actually, that's exactly what I came here to discuss," Luna said, tucking a lock of golden hair behind her ear. "Before that though, tell me—how are you feeling?"

At her words, Arianna seemed to sag a little, the dark circles beneath her eyes more prominent than before. Luna knew her well enough to understand that she was too reserved to reveal her inner feelings. That she wasn't wearing a mask in Luna’s presence spoke of the trust and bond they had developed between them.

"I'm so confused, Luna," she told her. "My father is dying, while the Royal Family has seemingly abandoned us. There's someone plotting against us from the shadows, and all I can do is watch it happen. Helpless and weak."

Arianna sat upon her bed, the mattress sagging beneath her. She looked forlorn—looked betrayed and lonely. Luna felt hesitant.

She wasn’t someone who knew how to comfort others. That was more Tania or Pyra’s domain—maybe Cassia's, if you didn’t mind lies. Amara seemed to be the only one she could relate to, but even then, the Vampire was leagues better at everything else.

Luna was a hunter, so she thought like one. Her train of thought involved a logical assessment of the target—from the problem to the solution. It was a simple line of thinking, some deeming it even simpleminded, but it worked for her.

She sighed, walked over, and sat beside Arianna. "Look," she began, "I don’t know how to comfort you with flowery words. If the thought offers any consolation, then we’re going to find the people behind this, hunt them, and kill them."

Arianna smiled—and her smile was genuine this time. The smile of a person in the company of a friend or family. A smile of trust.

"I know," she replied. "I know."

The noblewoman leaned against the Wolfkin, the feel of her warmth acting to comfort her inner turmoil. Luna sat stiffly, her own feelings a little complex. She was happy that Markus chose to help them, but she couldn’t help but wonder if the trade-off was fair.

"Luna," Arianna said.

"Yes," she replied.

"If I asked you to bring me with you, would you take me?"

"It’s not my decision to make," she replied.

"Then if I asked you to stay instead, would you stay?"

"It’s a decision I’m not willing to make," she replied.

Arianna fell silent, her body inert. Luna didn’t speak, not wishing to interrupt her thoughts.

"What happens if something like the Guild or the Royal Family comes knocking on our door?" she eventually asked.

Luna replied, "Then you will handle it, just like any other issue that would arise. Besides, Amara will be there to lend assistance."

"I would rather you stayed," Arianna repeated.

Luna sighed. "I understand that you feel a little lonely in here, but we won’t be gone for long," she said. "And you have a responsibility to shoulder—and I understand that, despite your reluctance, you have no intention of abandoning it."

The two had known each other for less than a month, but their friendship had blossomed like a moonflower on a clear night. Luna had come to know the woman named Arianna quite intimately (though certainly not in the way one might expect), and understood her more than anyone would dare admit.

Feylance Barony had once been regarded as the fastest-growing region, thanks to its close vicinity to the End Forest. Hunters would flock from all over the Kingdom, and the economy had received a steady but effective boost over the years. But then, for some reason, the hunters had stopped coming.

Apparently, the Hunters Guild offered much better terms and benefits—and when an organization of such scale (that dwarfs even the Dukedoms) made such offers, the choice became self-evident. It had cost the Barony dearly. But as if that weren’t enough, relations between them and the neighboring regions had grown tense.

Greystone County was practically isolated, while the Leroux Barony presented a frosty countenance. This was evident in the state of their Keep, which employed a bare minimum number of servants and seemed to be lacking in upkeep. The lack of financial stability was slowly but surely pulling them toward inevitable disaster.

All of it would tragically culminate in their apparent betrayal and subsequent fall. On the surface, it looked to be a bad stroke of luck, but there was too much coincidence to simply label it as such and move on. Her hunter instincts denied that.

"True," Arianna replied.

There was another period of silence, followed by her rising to her feet and walking a couple of paces ahead. She then turned and, looking at Luna, smiled. "I guess I shouldn't keep you occupied then. Let me send you off."

Luna startled only briefly before she mirrored her smile, rose to her feet, and walked over. The way the dark-haired woman regarded her—with a thinly veiled interest, more than just interest, in fact—and held out her hand.

"Thank you, I would like to say again," Arianna told her. "That you would help a complete stranger—I cannot begin to put forth the words of gratitude."

"It wasn’t my decision," Luna said simply.

"But you chose to take or accept your part in it?"

"Yes."

"And that is enough," Arianna said, deftly.

"They must be waiting," Luna said. "Let’s go now."

They left the room, walking in quiet solitude. There was a strange harmony to the silence, as if in resonance with the peace of one’s mind. It was, indeed, what allowed Luna to reflect on the recent events with her friend.

Luna might be a simpleminded individual, but that didn’t mean she overlooked the clues. Arianna liked her—more than simple friendship would suggest. It frustrated her, knowing she didn’t share the same feelings, yet she knew better than to speak that truth during times like these.

Though Markus never quite suggested—or imposed, for that matter—that they belonged to him, Luna didn’t doubt that he would strongly disapprove. If it were Cassia, though, it might be different. But the point remained. Whether Markus wanted her for himself or not, their bond left little doubt of their growing relationship.

They arrived outside, the open grounds circulating with crisp morning air. A little ways ahead, Markus and the others stood tending to the horses. There were three, each bearing luggage filled with rations, some spare clothes, and utility items. They walked over.

"You're here," Markus noted, followed by a terse nod toward Arianna. There was some unresolved tension between the duo. Luna could tell that Arianna was feeling immense gratitude—as was evident by her following actions.

"Thank you," Arianna said, offering a shallow bow. "I will never forget this act of kindness. And though I have nothing to offer you, if you so desire, please don’t hesitate to ask anything. I’ll spend my life if I have to, to fulfill your wishes."

Markus raised a brow, surprised. "You're welcome," he replied. "But there's no need for all this. It was my decision, and I didn’t take it for some reward from you."

"Still, I shall remember this as a favor," Arianna insisted.

"Do whatever," Markus replied with a shrug. Then he looked at Luna and gestured with a subtle nod.

Luna looked at Cassia, standing beside her horse, and locked eyes with the Foxkin. She frowned and walked toward her steed. In but moments, the group had climbed atop them, looked down, and waved their farewells.

Then they rode to the horizons.