Honor

Grace immediately went home. The sun was bright and the town is now full of people, she ran by the roadways as the townspeople greet her, she grinned and jumped haughtily at the carriages passing by. The merchants looked at her with disbelief while some just didn't bother.

Some got used to her boyishness while some would just throw looks, of course, who would've thought that the only grandchild of the witch governess cannot produce any magic, blessed with a female face yet acts like a male. The naughtiest maiden of the town, none other than Grace herself.

Grace arrived at the town market and stopped for awhile when she saw the noisy crowd of people murmuring and mumbling words she cannot hear. She crossed her arms with a curious look and made a few slow steps to approach the teenage girl who wore a white witch's robe. Mm? Must be grandmother's healing apprentice. Grace thought and immediately fixed herself.

Healing apprentices are known to be upright and gentle. Her grandmother picks the finest healing apprentices that cannot be compared to other alchemy towns. Some belittled Grace for that. Her grandmother has keen and sharp eyes yet the elder only looks at her granddaughter as some kind of peasant. Of course grace is aware. Playing deaf and not caring is too easy for her.

"Excuse me," she tugged on the white robe and stood straight. Although it may be a bit childish and disrespectful, Grace was rugged and tired from the running.

Also, she knew that she shouldn't be fooling around at times like this, she's already very late and she knew that a severe punishment is waiting for her in the Sorcery Tower. The ingredients that her grandmother needed for later is still in her basket, Grace felt stressed and sighed. Yep, I'm dead.

The apprentice immediately turned to her. The girl softly smiled. "Yes?"

"Did something happen?" Grace, the ungraceful child asked normally.

"Oh…" the apprentice looked at her in surprise. "You didn't know?"

Grace heaved a sigh. That's why I'm asking. She shook her head with a frown.

"The majestic knight from the city and kingdom of Vasha arrived awhile ago with some nobles to have a deal with the governess," the girl lost her smile. "They're now inside the sorcery tower. Just awhile ago, the governess looked really pissed and left the visitors while in the main hall."

Grace coughed and looked away with an embarrassed look. Her grandmother has always been polite to foreign visitors. She knew that the main reason why the old woman was pissed was because her useless granddaughter is late again, fooling and playing around the town.

She bid her thanks to the apprentice and breathed stressfully. How can she be so stupid? She didn't know that those travelers she saw awhile ago were 'that' important. Grace grinned. Then, if they're 'that' important, they can grant me riches more than I deserve!

With an evil plan, she hid her face in her cloak and ran like a madman.

"I beg your pardon?"

Conrad, the majestic knight's servant, stammered while introducing his masters to the cold and irritable Witch Governess. The old lady was younger than expected, she wore a black dress with shinning black crystals on magnificent silk. Her frown looked like she was glaring at them.

"Mistress, my lords were tasked for a lifetime by the elders to search for the Dancing Maiden who has been missing for a century, we-"

"How think your group was the first one to approach me? You make me laugh."

With a flushed face, Conrad shut his mouth and glance at his sires who seemed to be calm and poised. He felt even more embarrassed.

"You see, Madame…" Nicolas smiled charmingly. "The kingdom of Vasha needs its protector now. The goddess has abandoned us but we shall never abandon her. The elders believe that the Dancing Maiden cannot simply abandon its land. We were told about the prophesy… that our goddess shall return in this lifetime and-"

"And what does it have to do with me?" the Witch Governess was still hard as a rock. Her poised sitting position on the lectus made her look very intimidating, full of power and sorcery.

"The prophesy's pattern location from the book was lastly connected in this town, Mistress. We have traveled for a year now and the last journey stated was here. My lords are hoping that you might be able to connect with the Dancing Maiden, we heard that you're a powerful sorcery and that you came from the bloodline of spiritual guides." Conrad answered.

The witch governess raised an eyebrow. "I apologize gentlemen but I do not have any connections with the goddess of yours. I am only a poor old soul who awaits her death in this lifetime. Mayhap you got the wrong direction and information." the old lady spoke with harshness on the tone, yet polite words. "My bloodline did not come from spiritual guides, our clan practice sorcery even from the start."

Nicolas glanced at Linux who was silent from the start. He was surprised to see how calm his cousin even though they were rejected. Their one year journey to find the Dancing Maiden was not so hard at first, the people that they approached based on the clues of the book was always right, this was the first time that they made a mistake.

Or is it really a mistake?

Linux observed the old lady. He almost let out a bitter chuckle as the old lady kept on babbling nonsense. He knew from the start that she is no ordinary witch. She might be trying hard to sound sincere but Linux cannot be fooled easily.

Grace heard everything. She was just behind the shelf inside the room of Halnel. She was right when she thought about her punishment waiting outside, but instead she saw her grandmother's students gathering around the main hall. As if waiting for certain person. Of course, it's me, for my severe punishment. Grace pouted.

Grace almost got caught, luckily, the door behind her swallowed her and brought her in a dark and wide room full of books about sorcery. Grace leaned on the shelf as she catches her breath. Am I lucky today or what? Grace silently chuckled.

She was about to get up when she heard familiar voices. She peeked and saw them. The rich travelers and her grandmother who looks strangely young and elegant. Grace raised an eyebrow. Did she just used a spell?

Grace listened attentively to their conversation. Her grandmother was obviously irritable. All the while, Grace could just grin. Yeah, maybe I am really lucky today. The plan continues. Grace thought.

Afterwards, the conversation ended shortly as they all leave by the door. Grace's heart was pounding so loud. She knew that what she'll do is treachery, but she wants to give honor to her grandmother too. She will do this for the both of them.

Grace just found herself exiting and immediately returning to her own room. She packed her things and left a note on her bed. Her grandmother never really visits her but atleast the servant could give it to the old lady and make her read it. She also brought the magical herbs and mushrooms on her bag in case of emergency.

Grace sneaked outside and went to the stables. She wore a witch's cloak that made her unnoticeable from the people. She watched the rich travelers' depart only to go with them and leave the town.

Grace smiled. I have always disgraced you, grandmother. This time, I'll bring honor to you. I will go on a journey and help them find the Dancing Maiden. I'll wish for a core, and come back here with honor. Grace repeated the words she wrote on the note inside her head.

Meanwhile, Conrad grumbled in pain when the book he was holding burned his palm.

"What's wrong?" Nicolas asked.

Conrad gave his sires a surprised and bewildered expression. "My lords…" he looks down on the book. The line image map was burning scarlet. An arrow was made with Vashain letters.

"Go to the West," Conrad read outloud. "A-another location? I thought…"

"We'll go to the west," Linux said and went to his horse.