Chapter 12: Aftermath

I lay awake through the night, my mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. What was the plan? Should I use the elf as bait?

No. Never. My morality would never allow it.

Should I storm their land? A foolish idea. Even if I somehow survived, how would I even know if they were being held there?

Negotiation? That would require information—an abundance of it. I needed to know exactly who I was dealing with.

By the time the first rays of dawn brushed against the horizon, the scent of roasting meat drifted through the air. My gaze fell upon Sir Krow, crouched beside a small fire pit, expertly turning two rabbits over the flames. The sight of food did nothing for my appetite, but a glance at Alice told me she felt differently. Her eyes gleamed with an almost childlike hunger. Meat must be a luxury for villagers—let alone slaves.

"Alex, come and eat," Sir Krow called, his voice steady.

Then, with a softer tone, he turned to Alice. "Don't be shy. I've got two more rabbits, so eat to your heart's content."

I forced my mind into stillness—at least, I pretended to. Moving closer to the fire, I sat down. Sir Krow handed me a portion of the rabbit, the warmth seeping into my fingers.

"Eat while it's hot," he said. "You won't even notice the lack of seasoning."

I took a mechanical bite, chewing without thought. Meanwhile, Alice devoured her meal with the desperation of someone who wasn't sure when they'd eat again. When our eyes met, hers flashed with a silent warning—a primal, instinctive protectiveness over her food. But then, as if realizing how she appeared, she averted her gaze so quickly that I could have sworn I saw the faintest blush dust her cheeks.

Once the meal was finished, I spoke, my voice filled with resolve. "I need to know everything about House Veyra."

Sir Krow leaned back, thoughtful. "From what I know, they built their wealth on the slave trade and auctioning rare artifacts. They also sponsor the gladiator arenas. One of the biggest houses in the trade."

I committed every word to memory.

Then, I turned to Alice. Her face darkened, the weight of old wounds pressing down on her shoulders. She stared at the ground for a long moment before releasing a deep sigh.

"First of all," she said quietly, "I truly appreciate you saving me, Alex." She dipped her head slightly, a gesture of respect. Then, her voice hardened. "As for that cursed house… they're responsible for burning my village and taking my family—including me—as slaves."

Her attempt at maintaining composure was painfully transparent. I could see the grief behind her eyes, the way her lips trembled as she forced herself to continue.

"They took us and sorted us like cattle. Those deemed unworthy were executed on the spot. 'Less mouths to feed,' they said." Her voice wavered. "That's when they killed most of my family, including my father."

A sorrowful smile twisted her lips. "They were fortunate."

Then, a tear escaped, rolling down her cheek. "My mother wasn't so lucky. They killed her after…" Alice swallowed hard, struggling to push the words out. "After they deemed her as broken merchandise. Her captors… they… they forced themselves on her until she was critically injured."

A bitter smirk touched her face. "I was lucky compared to the rest. Because of my eyes, the raid leader declared that no one was to touch me. According to him, I would 'fetch quite a lot.'"

She exhaled sharply, as if trying to expel the memories. "They took us to House Veyra's main facility. A dark, miserable place with rows of iron-barred cells. Every cell was filled with people who looked… hollow. Hopeless."

Her gaze unfocused, lost in the nightmare of her past. "They marked me with a slave curse. It binds you to whoever holds the authority seal. They can kill you with a single command." She touched the mark on her neck absentmindedly. "To make sure we understood, they forced us to endure three days of pain from the mark. It was unbearable. You don't get used to it. The pain doesn't dull—it only gets worse. Every second, you pray for death, but it never comes."

Tears spilled freely down her cheeks. "After that… I just became absent. I understood then why everyone looked so hopeless. With this damn mark, I wasn't a person anymore. I was just… a tool."

She looked at me, her expression raw and vulnerable. "Sorry for the details."

My fists clenched. "Keep going. I know I can't imagine what you went through, but if you want to stop, it's okay. We can continue later."

She shook her head with a trembling smile. "No, it's o-okay."

She steadied herself before continuing. "I was meant to be one of the 'main products' in House Veyra's high-profile auction. But the man in charge of the storage facilities got bribed to report 'accidental deaths' due to malnourishment."

She let out a hollow laugh. "That's how I ended up being sold to that merchant. The one you saw in the village. He planned to sell me in the capital… but I guess he wasn't so lucky."

Alice sighed, a resigned sadness settling in her eyes. "Unfortunately, I don't know the layout of their operations. I was either transported in a covered carriage or had my face covered whenever I was moved."

Silence fell between us, heavy with unspoken emotions. But in that moment, I made a silent vow.

House Veyra needs to pay.

Alice's shoulders shook as she turned away, her breath hitching in quiet sobs. The fire crackled between us, its warmth a brittle contrast to the coldness of her memories. I hesitated, then stood. "I'll gather more wood," I said, though the pile beside Sir Krow was ample. She needed space, not scrutiny.

When I returned minutes later, she sat with her knees drawn to her chest, her tear-streaked face calm but hollow. Sir Krow had discreetly retreated to tend to the horses, leaving us alone.

I knelt beside her, keeping a careful distance. "Alice." Her name came out softer than I'd intended. She didn't look up, but her fingers tightened around her arms. "What they did to you… to your family…" I paused, searching for words that wouldn't sound empty. "It won't be forgotten. Or forgiven."

She lifted her gaze, her mismatched eyes sharpening like blades. "You can't promise that."

"I can," I said, holding her stare. "I *am*." The steel in my voice surprised even me. "I'm going to find my mother and Jol. I'll bring them home. But when I do—" I leaned closer, the vow from earlier igniting into something fiercer, "—House Veyra will answer for every life they've broken. Including yours."

A flicker of something—hope? Fury?—passed over her face. "Why?" she whispered. "You owe me nothing in fact i owe you."

"Maybe...maybe not." I stood, offering a hand. "But they owe me and *you* everything. And I'll make sure they pay that debt in blood."

For a heartbeat, she hesitated. Then her soft hand clasped mine. "you are different," she muttered, though the ghost of a smile touched her lips.

I nodded. "i know."

Sir Krow's voice cut through the tension as he returned. "We move at noon. Rest while you can."

Alice released my hand, her posture straighter, as if the weight she'd carried had shifted—not vanished, but shared. I turned toward the forest, the image of my mother's face merging with the memory of Alice's tears.

*Soon.*