Trials Of Life

Chapter 25: Whispers of The Watchful

Yumiko tilted her head, her dark eyes narrowing slightly as she repeated the words. “Headwich Bloom? Isn’t Headwich the name of the capital?”

Her gaze drifted to the heavy pouch of coins Lukas had thrown onto the table, its weight unmistakable even in the quiet tavern. She didn’t know much about the Headwich Bloom or why Lukas was so interested, but the fact that he was willing to part with such a large sum piqued her curiosity. It had to be important.

Mary, sitting across from Lukas, nodded, her eyes following the lazy swirls of steam rising from Lukas’ untouched cup. “That’s right. Headwich means peace in the old tongue, Eldric. Fitting, considering those flowers can offer just that... peace.” She leaned back, her lips curling into a faint smile. “If used correctly, the bloom can lift certain curses, but mishandle it, and it becomes a deadly poison. Either way, it grants quick results—peace in death, or peace in life. That's why they named the flower after the capital—for peace.”

From the balcony, the distant hum of the waking city filtered into the quiet space. Below, the streets of the bustling market began to stir with life as merchants set up their stalls, and the smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the cool morning air. Despite the rising energy of the city, the tension at their table was palpable.

Mary’s gaze shifted back to Lukas, her expression thoughtful. “I have to say,” she mused, “I find it curious that you of all people are asking about this flower. Is there someone who’s been cursed?”

Lukas’ blue eyes met hers, unwavering, as he ignored her question and spoke directly. “It’s for my research,” he said bluntly. “I saw a quest flier at the guild headquarters back in Headwich. This plant could be the next step I need.”

Yumiko's curiosity deepened. She’d been with Lukas for several days, yet this was the first time she had heard of him doing any kind of research. She leaned in slightly, eyes searching his face. “Next step for what?” she asked, her voice probing.

Lukas’ expression darkened, his face turning cold. “It does not concern you,” he muttered, his tone final, shutting down any further questioning. He leaned forward, locking eyes with Mary. “But I have a good feeling about this. I’ve been thinking about it since I left the capital... dreaming about it, as if it were haunting me.”

Mary chuckled softly, her emerald eyes twinkling with amusement. “Dreams? About flowers?” She stifled a laugh. “Sounds like the kind of thing an old herbalist would be excited about. You sure this isn’t just some boring quest?”

The table shook as Lukas’ hand slammed down onto the wood, the force rattling the coin pouch. His voice was sharp and commanding. “Do you have information on it or not?”

Mary’s playful smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. “Relax,” she said, her tone measured, “you’re in luck. A member of my group was looking for some not too long ago. I can help you get your precious flower, but there’s some conditions.”

Lukas raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “What kind of conditions?”

Mary raised a finger in the air. “The first is that I get to go with you.”

“No deal,” Lukas replied instantly, shaking his head. “You know my terms.”

Mary let out a short laugh, standing from her chair and pushing it back with an exaggerated sweep. “Suit yourself. If you don’t want my help, then I guess you won’t be getting the bloom anytime soon.” She picked up her hammer that was leaning against the table and started attaching it back to her holster on her back.

Lukas’ jaw tightened as his frustration grew. He wasn’t willing to lose the chance to acquire the Headwich Bloom, but he also wasn’t eager to take Mary along. The silence stretched between them for a long moment, heavy with tension, before he finally relented.

“Wait.” His voice was low, tinged with reluctant annoyance. “I’ll allow it... but why must you come?”

Satisfied, Mary slowly eased back into her seat, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned back comfortably. “Because, my dear Lukas, no record exists detailing exactly where the plant grows. The area is uncharted, and without me, you’ll end up wandering in circles through a labyrinth of wilderness. You’d get lost.” Her smirk widened. “Besides, the bloom is rare and expensive. If there’s a chance of finding more than one, I want in. I know the terrain, and I have information on where we can start searching. So, you see... you really do need me.”

Lukas rubbed his temple, his brow furrowing as frustration crept into his voice. “Alright. Fine.” He glanced up, his expression sour with irritation. “When do we leave? The sooner the better.”

Mary leaned back casually, offering a shrug. “I can be ready as early as nine tomorrow morning. We’ll get a carriage to take us to the Evergreen Region. It's a four- or five-day trip, so pack enough potions, food, and other supplies. The flowers are hidden deep in a cave, so get whatever else you may think is useful for that.” Her tone was nonchalant, as if the journey were no more difficult than a stroll through the marketplace.

Lukas stood abruptly from the table, the legs of the chair scraping against the wooden floor. “I’ll gather the supplies for the trip.” His voice was low and clipped. He turned his sharp gaze down at Yumiko, who was watching him with quiet intensity. “You, on the other hand, are staying here.”

Yumiko’s dark eyes narrowed in defiance. “And why exactly do I have to stay?” Her words were sharp, challenging, daring him to justify his decision.

Lukas opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word, Mary interrupted with a smug smile. “She’s coming.”

Lukas shot her a glance, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation. “What? Why?”

Mary folded her hands together and rested her chin on them, her smile growing mischievous. “Because, Lukas, I want more flowers, and she can carry extra for me. It’s either she comes, or I don’t. I forgot to mention it before, but that was part of my other condition.” She glanced at Yumiko, a knowing twinkle in her eye.

Yumiko couldn’t help the slight smile that tugged at her lips. For once, someone was on her side, and it felt good.

Lukas’ fists tightened at his sides, the tension radiating from him as he struggled to contain his anger. Without another word, he turned on his heel, his voice gruff as he growled, “Tomorrow at nine, then. We meet at the city square.” He stormed out of the tavern, his footsteps heavy with frustration as he walked down the steps.

Mary chuckled softly to herself, watching him from above the balcony as he faded into the streets below. “What a baby.”

Yumiko glanced at Mary, still processing the whirlwind of the conversation. “Ms. Pearce—”

“Mary,” the woman corrected, stretching her arms behind her head with an air of casual confidence.

“Mary,” Yumiko repeated, a little unsure but appreciative of the informality. “Lukas mentioned that he has some kind of research going on... This is the first I’ve ever heard of it.”

“Oh, that?” Mary sat up straighter, her green eyes gleaming with a hint of intrigue. “He doesn’t tell me much about it either. But I’ve got plenty of information networks, being in a bounty hunter group and all.” She rested her elbows on the table, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. “I did a bit of digging on Lukas when I first met him. I was curious—trying to figure out who he is and if there’s any connection between him and those voices we hear.”

Mary’s gaze drifted down to the bustling street below the balcony. The town had fully woken now, the marketplace humming with activity. “I didn’t find any links to the voices,” Mary continued, her tone thoughtful, “but what I did find was that he’s been funneling a lot of money into the herbal and medical school in Daegheor.”

Yumiko tilted her head, unfamiliar with the name. “Daegheor? I’ve never heard of it.”

Mary gave a small shrug, clearly expecting the response. “It’s a remote town, way up in the mountains. Cold, isolated... not exactly a place people visit unless they have a reason. But it’s known for its natural springs, which help cultivate medicinal herbs. The whole town revolves around that. There’s not much else to it. If you’ve spent most of your time in this country, there’s little chance you’d have heard of it or been there.”

Yumiko absorbed the new information, a fresh layer of Lukas’ past unraveling before her. She had known him to be a skilled warrior, stoic and driven, but this side of him—his connection to medicine and research—was something entirely new. It made her wonder just how many more secrets he was hiding beneath that hardened exterior.

“I see…” Yumiko’s voice trailed off as her gaze settled on the half-empty cup of coffee Lukas had left behind. The steam had long since dissipated, leaving only the lingering bitterness of something unfinished. “So why was he investing in the school there?”

Mary leaned back in her chair, glancing up at the lattice ceiling of the balcony. The light filtering through cast a faint pattern of shadows across her face. “From what I could gather, he’s been pooling money into research for the Silent Cough. I think he’s trying to find a cure for it.”

Yumiko’s breath hitched. “The Silent Cough?” She felt a sharp jolt of shock run through her. “I only found out a few days ago that his father died from the disease…”

Mary nodded, her expression sympathetic but distant, as if she’d heard this kind of story too many times. “Yeah. He doesn’t like to talk about it. He’ll let a word or two slip, but that’s about all you’ll get out of him.”

Yumiko's throat tightened as she thought about Lukas. He had always seemed so stoic, unyielding, and hardened—yet beneath that cold exterior lay more pain than she had ever realized. Her voice softened as she asked, “Do you know how long… how long it took for his father to pass? I’ve heard the Silent Cough is a painful, slow death.”

Mary gave a slight shrug, her features clouded with a quiet sadness. “Don’t know for sure. Probably years.”

A heavy silence fell between them. Yumiko could only imagine what Lukas had endured, the helplessness of watching his father slowly fade away from a disease that had no cure. He had to endure that, plus the weight of her brother’s death, which seemed to haunt him to this day. She had often grown impatient with him, frustrated by his distant and sometimes cold demeanor. But now, understanding began to dawn on her. Maybe she had misjudged him. Maybe she had been too quick to assume he didn’t care about others.

Perhaps it was she who had failed to understand him all along.

Mary noticed the shift in Yumiko’s expression, the subtle sadness in her dark eyes. Without a word, Mary suddenly rose from her chair, her mood brightening as if she were shaking off the somber tone of the conversation. “Let’s not dwell on something so sad, okay?” She scooped up the large coin pouch from the table that Lukas had left, tossing it in the air and catching it with an almost playful grin. “How about we do some shopping? My treat.”

Yumiko blinked, momentarily startled. “We just met. I couldn’t accept such generosity—”

“Blah, blah, blah. Whatever,” Mary interrupted, brushing off the protest as she grabbed Yumiko by the arm and pulled her up from her seat with surprising strength. “Come on, let’s go!”

“Where are you taking me?” Yumiko asked, half-amused and half-bewildered as Mary practically dragged her toward the stairs.

“I said we’re going shopping!” Mary’s laughter was light as she tugged Yumiko through the quiet tavern and out into the busy streets, where the morning crowd was now in full swing.

At first, Yumiko found herself protesting, trying to wriggle free from Mary’s grip. “Wait, seriously, I don’t need anything—” But her objections fell on deaf ears.

The city was alive, the streets filled with merchants setting up stalls, townsfolk bartering, and the lively hum of conversations and laughter. The shops they passed were clean and neatly arranged, their vibrant colorful items a stark contrast to the heavier atmosphere of their earlier conversation. As they walked deeper into the market district, the tight alleyways grew more uneven, the cobblestone streets slanting at odd angles. Yet, there was something undeniably charming about it all—the narrow passages brimming with life, the small shops tucked away like hidden treasures.

Yumiko realized, slowly but surely, that she was having fun. Despite her earlier protests, there was something refreshing about Mary’s carefree energy. The way she so easily shifted the mood, her laughter infectious, had a way of lightening the weight on Yumiko’s shoulders.

They ducked through one alley, then another, the smells of freshly baked bread and exotic spices filling the air. Mary pointed out different shops as they went—everything from weapon smiths to herb vendors, to clothing stalls filled with intricate designs.

By the time they reached the heart of the market, Yumiko had forgotten her reluctance. She smiled to herself, realizing that maybe, just maybe, this was exactly what she needed—a moment to step away from the weight of their mission and just enjoy the simple pleasure of a morning in the city.

Most of the buildings in Ferloch were painted a crisp white, contrasted by intricate black latticework that crisscrossed the structures like delicate lace. Despite being in the bustling shopping district, the city exuded a calm beauty, with its clean streets and sea breeze drifting in from the nearby port. Ferloch, after all, was a marine city, its prosperity deeply rooted in the endless ebb and flow of trade across its large docks.

As they wandered deeper into the narrow alleyways, Yumiko's eyes gleamed with curiosity, darting from one elegantly crafted building to the next. The sight of well-kept shops and the faint scent of saltwater in the air brought a soft smile to her face.

Mary, noticing Yumiko’s wonder, couldn’t help but grin. “Nice, huh?” she said, glancing sideways at the shorter woman. “This city’s got wealth behind it, thanks to the ports. It’s easier to get goods processed and shipped here than in Headwich—cheaper taxes, too. We don’t get much tourism, though. But for a large city, it’s pretty relaxed. Hardly any crime to speak of.”

Yumiko turned her gaze toward Mary, surprised by how much she knew. “You seem to know quite a bit about this place.”

Mary’s grin widened as she nodded. “Of course! I grew up here.”

“You did?” Yumiko’s face lit up in return. “It’s a lovely city! I bet your family is quite comfortable here.”

For a brief moment, Mary’s smile faltered, her eyes darkening ever so slightly. But before Yumiko could take note, Mary shot her arm out and pointed to a nearby shop. “They’ve got some great potions here. Let’s get you stocked up for tomorrow.”

Yumiko blinked at the sudden change in conversation, watching as Mary strode ahead. Something in her gut told her that she had unintentionally hit a sensitive spot, striking a chord about Mary’s family. The slight shift in Mary’s demeanor wasn’t lost on her. But sensing that it was a wound better left alone, Yumiko silently followed, deciding to let the topic slide.

Mary was waiting by the store window when Yumiko caught up. She pointed again, this time more casually. “It’s not much to look at from the outside, I know. But it’s warm and quiet inside. The owner knows me by name, and I can vouch for the quality of their potions.”

Yumiko peered through the window. The shop’s interior was simple yet inviting, with rows of wooden shelves neatly lined with glass bottles of varying colors. Despite being a potion shop, which often evoked images of sterile counters and pungent smells, this one exuded a kind of homely comfort. “Yes,” she replied with a small smile, bowing slightly. “Thank you for the recommendation.”

Mary chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re way too polite, you know that? This world’ll eat you alive if you keep going around acting like that.”

They stood side by side for a moment, quietly observing the soft glow from the shop’s interior. It was a peaceful scene, the kind that made it easy to forget the dangerous world they inhabited. Inside, the warm lamplight bathed the bottles in a golden glow, their contents casting gentle hues of greens, blues, and reds against the shelves.

“Well,” Mary said, breaking the silence with her usual energy, “shall we?” She stepped toward the door, hand outstretched to grab the handle, when a voice from behind cut through the moment.

“Mary!”

Both women turned to see a man approaching at a leisurely pace. His appearance was rugged, a man well into his forties, with a neatly groomed beard that stood in contrast to his balding head. His armor, worn yet functional, bore the marks of long service—much like Mary’s. An unmistakable air of experience clung to him, but something about him felt... off.

“Daniel?” Mary’s voice carried surprise as she strode over to him. “What are you doing here?”

She instinctively extended her fist in their group's customary greeting. Yet, Daniel stared at her hand as though it was an unfamiliar gesture, his expression blank. A few awkward seconds passed before he weakly tapped her knuckles with his fingers, a gesture so out of character it made Mary pause.

“Sorry,” Daniel mumbled, his voice unnaturally stiff, the smile on his face barely reaching his eyes. “It’s been... a long week. I was just doing some shopping and saw you.” His words felt practiced, like someone running through a script they didn’t fully understand. “Seems like you’re doing the same, huh?”

Mary’s confusion deepened, though she kept her expression neutral. “Yeah... I’m here with a friend,” she said, gesturing toward Yumiko, who stood observing the interaction, her brow slightly furrowed. “We’re heading out in a few days. Just picking up supplies.”

Daniel waved briefly in Yumiko’s direction. She bowed politely, but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, catching the strange tension between them. Yumiko felt that it was weird Mary mentioned a few days even though they were hastily leaving tomorrow. Daniel’s gaze lingered a moment too long before returning to Mary. He hesitated, the stiff smile fading as his brow furrowed in thought.

Daniel’s gaze flicked back to Mary, lingering just a moment too long before he cleared his throat, his smile faltering. “I’m glad I caught you,” he said, his voice quieter now, as if weighed down by something more than just fatigue. He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small, folded piece of parchment. “The boss needs someone to finish this quest. I’ve got to get home to my kids, so... I thought maybe you could handle it.”

He extended the paper toward Mary, his hand trembling ever so slightly. Mary hesitated, her brow furrowing as she took the parchment. The texture felt worn beneath her fingers, as if it had been handled many times before.

As her fingers closed around the paper, the world around them seemed to shift. The bustling market slowed, voices becoming distant echoes. The air grew thick with an unnatural stillness. ‘Be careful. They’re upon us. Watching us,’ the same voice, ethereal and distant, whispered in their minds.

Yumiko stiffened, her breath catching as she glanced around. The people moved in slow motion, their movements blurred, as if time itself had been warped. She exchanged a look with Mary, both of them frozen in place, sharing the same silent, wide-eyed realization.

Then, just as quickly, the market snapped back to life. The noise returned, and people resumed their hurried pace. Daniel let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know you’ve got your own stuff going on, but maybe you can deal with this once you’re done with your thing?” His eyes darted to the street, anxiety creeping into his features as if he feared someone might be watching them.

Mary blinked, her pulse quickening as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. “What the hell was that?” she muttered, her voice low but tinged with confusion. Yumiko’s eyes darted around, searching for any sign that others had felt it too. But the crowd carried on as if nothing had occurred.

“I... don’t know what you mean,” Daniel stammered, his smile returning but lacking any warmth. “You should read that when you have the chance.” He took a step back, the same nervous energy clinging to him. “Sorry to spring this on you, but I’ve got to run. Just—make sure no one finds out about it. And since you’re going to the Evergreen region... this might be better suited for you.”

Mary’s heart skipped a beat. Evergreen? How did he know about that?

“Wait—!” she called, stepping forward, but her view was blocked for a brief second as a passerby crossed her path. When she looked again, Daniel was gone. Disappeared. The bustling street felt unnervingly empty where he had just stood.

Her breath caught in her throat. “How did he disappear so fast?” she muttered, her pulse quickening.

Yumiko stepped closer, her voice barely a whisper. “Did he say the Evergreen region? How could he know?”

Mary shook her head, her eyes fixed on the empty space where Daniel had been. “That wasn’t him. Something’s not right.”

Yumiko’s gaze flickered to the crumpled parchment in Mary’s hand. “You felt it too, didn’t you? When you took the paper, it was like time... slowed down.”

Mary nodded, her face pale. “Yes... and the voice—it spoke to me. You heard it too?” she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.

Yumiko nodded. “I did. It said to be careful...” Her eyes darted around the marketplace, the uneasy feeling growing stronger.

With a shaky hand, Mary unfolded the paper. The strange, angular writing of the United Republic’s language greeted her eyes, and her expression darkened as she read. “This... can’t be right.”

“What does it say?” Yumiko asked, her concern deepening.

Mary’s voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s from my group... and it says there’s an item we’ve been hunting for in the Evergreen region. The exact place where you, Lukas, and I are heading tomorrow.”

Yumiko blinked, her brow furrowing. “That’s too much of a coincidence,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing at the note.

“There’s more,” Mary added, her voice shaking slightly. She hesitated before continuing, “The last line... it says, ‘Go with the Eastern girl and the blonde man when you depart for the Evergreen region tomorrow.’” She swallowed, her fingers tightening on the parchment. “And it mentions a wand. How did my boss know of our plans, and know who you two are?”

The air between them grew thick with tension. Mary folded the paper and slipped it into a small leather pouch at her waist, her eyes flicking back to where Daniel had vanished. For a brief moment, she swore she saw something—shadows shifting unnaturally, as though they were alive.

Yumiko’s gaze followed Mary’s, her voice low. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

Mary nodded, her eyes scanning the street. “There’s something off about this. The voices, the letter... Daniel wasn’t himself. It’s got to be the goddess—all of this.”

Yumiko’s mind raced. “But why communicate through him? Why not speak to us directly? Why slow time and give such a cryptic warning?” She bit her lip, her confusion mirrored in her voice.

“I don’t know,” Mary replied, her voice heavy with unease. “But Daniel... he didn’t act like himself. He wasn’t following any of our protocols, not even the usual handshake. It was like...” She trailed off, her chest tightening with dread. “It was like someone else was pulling the strings.”

The feeling of something dark looming in the distance continued to gnaw at Mary, a chill running down her spine as her gaze fixed on the alley. Her gut twisted with a deepening sense of dread. “We need to move,” she said, her voice firmer now. “The shadows have ears. There’s a back door in the shop—we can slip out unnoticed.”

Yumiko hesitated, casting one last glance down the alleyway before following Mary into the shop. There was no denying it now—something far larger was at play.

Outside, the shadows stirred.

Two cloaked figures loomed in the alley, watching as the women entered the store. One, a large man with a sharp orange beard, shifted uneasily, his gaze narrowing on the entrance.

The man pulled a communication crystal from his pocket, speaking into it in a low, gravelly voice. “The man we were tailing... he dropped something off to two women in the market. Some kind of paper.”

The crystal flickered, and a voice crackled through. “Was it the location?”

“Most likely,” the man responded, glancing around the street. “We lost him. He disappeared into the crowd. Can’t even trace his magic… More importantly, it seemed there was some kind of holy magic that surrounded them for a moment.”

“Interesting. The master was right—otherworldly forces are aware of our plans. Follow the women. They’ll lead us to the next item we require. At the very least, they can tell us about the one’s aware of our presence. Keep me updated.”

The man grunted in acknowledgment, his orange beard twitching as he clenched the crystal in his fist, crushing it effortlessly. The shattered pieces fell to the ground, vanishing into the dirt as if they’d never existed.

Beside him, the cloaked woman grinned, her smile stretching unnervingly wide. “Does that mean we can fight them?” Her fingers twitched with anticipation, itching for action. For a second, her cloak slipped off her face, revealing a pair of hazel eyes that gleamed almost red for a second. Her eyes seemed inhuman, radiating with a sense of fear and danger.

“Patience,” the man replied, his voice a low rumble, pulling the cloak back over the woman’s face. “We have our orders. The serpent’s wand is our priority. For now, we tail them.”