Brigante Ark - Chapter 168

Alastor found himself in front of an ominous-looking manor.

It was early in the morning when he heard the loud rang of the bell from the clock tower. Then something happened to him. Light from his arm came out and flew away. His eyes tracked and followed it. As he ran further to the main street, turning one right and another left, he spotted the manor. The manor was never looked so welcoming from outside. The gate and the fence itself are covered by vines and roots.

The rusty gates open, beckoning him to move forward. Alastor reluctantly went inside. Alastor stretched widely as he approached the door of the manor. He relaxed with a groan. He thought he could have had a good sleep last night, but it turns out he can’t sleep either. He only had 5 hours’ worth of sleep and during his wake, he had to remind himself over again what happened back then.

The tower’s bell rang again. And the wooden door creakingly open.

The chandelier lit to life followed by the lamps, one by one waken up. Alastor held his sword, drawing security from it.

So far, this is the biggest manor he had ever been, but not as big as the glade. At the end of the two curved stairs are the heads of the dragons made from marble. The luxurious carpet laid down on every path his eyes had reached to see.

Alastor stopped in the middle. Various paintings are mostly made of abstract. Something had caught his eyes, on top of the wall, there’s an image of a woman. So pristine and milky, an image of a goddess.

Moonlight streamed through the windows when he heard footsteps upstairs.

She came with a finger brushed on the wooden railing on the stairs. She came down with grace and elegantly, moving as if she’s floating with only her white robe making a flapping sound. She brushed her hair and came to him.

Alastor let go of his hand to his weapon, he wasn’t sure if it is because the lady is not a threat or she made him awake. At a certain point, the lady stops on the last footing on the stair. From distance, Alastor can smell the strange yet beguiling perfume of sweet lilac.

“I never thought that there will be another residence of this realm. How curious.” Her voice is deep yet there’s a hint of feminity or even a femme fatale hiding in her white robe.

Something snapped on Alastor. He held the handle of his sword as she attempts to take a step forward.

“There is no need for the hostility. As you can see, I’m unarmed.”

Alastor grunted. “If so, then how come you’re still here? How is this possible?”

“Is that a question of a matter of how I remain alive or rather why I didn’t return to my homeworld?”

“Both.”

“I’m afraid that tale requires a breakfast. Come.”

Alastor was hesitant but he still followed her and came to the hallway. It appeared that she’s the only one who lives here. The thought makes him empathize with her a little.

He can see through the light the dusty footprints they made. Taking care of a mansion was too much just for a single person even if she’s a mage. As they venture, he saw an open room, inside were bookshelves filled with literary works, textbooks, and alike.

Despite being unused and unkempt for a long time he felt warm. Comfortable, a familiar wrapped of security.

The scent of a candle emerged as soon as they entered the dining room.

The lady motion and sat on her seat. The table on the other hand was rather long and covered on a creased red tablecloth.

“Is there any particular thing you want? Tea or do you prefer coffee?”

Alastor looked at her curiously, “I’d rather have water.”

“Very well then.”

In one snap of her fingers, a glass of water appeared on the table. Alastor sat down, he appeared to be perplexed.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t put any poison on your water.”

Alastor’s hesitation waned when he heard her words. The lady doesn’t to be hostile at the moment.

“You’re a mage?” He glanced back at her.

The lady conjured a sandglass and put it on the table. Alastor was unsure what was that for.

“I’d rather use the term sorceress.” She replied. “I’ll be forthcoming as much as possible, but first, who are you?”

“You can call me Alastor.”

“Mr. Alastor, forgive me for being uptight, but,” she paused, “you see, I haven’t met anyone for the last couple hundred years. I am quite intrigued about how did you end up here.”

Alastor doesn’t want to reveal as much information as possible. He doesn’t who she is or what her agenda is. Before he can come up with a story, the sorceress interrupted his thoughts.

“Mr. Alastor I want you to be honest. I dislike dishonesty.”

Alastor grunted and smiled. “Something is telling me you don’t like insubordination.”

“I am very well familiar with the torture.”

Alastor didn’t reply. He looked at her dark eyes before looking down. He shrugged, then nodded sympathetically.

“I’m also well aware of your distrustfulness, but I don’t know who you are nor what your intentions are.”

“It seems that we have the same character as well.”

“But, we won’t go anywhere if we don’t start somewhere, but first of all, you must tell me your name. It’s not fair that I reveal mine and you don’t. Where’s the hospitality of the host herself?”

The lady chuckled. “You can call me Noora.”

“Alright, Noora,”

Alastor told her about what happened, he wasn’t trusting but he’s hopeful that maybe this woman would give him some answers as to what is this place and how can he come back to the other world.

“Well, that’s fucked.”

“I know.”

“At least you managed to survive so far. That said, you’re already impressive.”

“Hm, and you?”

Noora looked down and saw the sandglass already filled the lower part. She looked back at him and winked.

For a moment, the mercenary reconsidered for a beer, but those thoughts would be completely forgotten as soon he saw two glasses and a wine floating and landed on the table. Next is the smell of ripe fruits and the scents of raspberry. And something else, the table bore silver plates, dishes, and cutlery. A turkey, already cut in pieces, slices of bread on the basket, and some meat deep dried were served in front of him.

Alastor paused, his face turned stoned and his jaw tense. His troubled thoughts are all over his face.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

Alastor snapped back to reality.

“Yes,”

“You look like you’ve seen some ghost or something.”

“For a breakfast, this looks a feast,” Alastor commented.

“Well, after all, you’re the first visitor I had for many years. I won’t hesitate to throw a feast for you. It’s not like there’s anybody else I live with. We can continue our discussion while we eat. Don’t worry, I won’t dodge you.”

“I wasn’t worried. Surprise. Most of the people I met have tried either to kidnap me or tried to murder me.”

“I supposed none of them succeed.”

“They all died trying.”

The lady poured herself a wine.

“Isn’t it too early for a glass of wine?”Alastor asked.

“Do not worry,” she replied, “A bit of consumption is not that big of a deal.”

Alastor grunted, “If so,” he raised his wine glass, “pour me.”

The sorceress threw him a grin, “As you wish.”

Alastor said, “A Toast for our health,”

“A toast for your health.” She professed.

Alastor raised a brow.

Noora continued, “I’ve been living here for hundreds of years. How do you think I’m not dead yet?”

Alastor grunted, “I’ll be damned.”

“Do tell me, Alastor. How’s the outside world?”

“Still full of shits.”

The lady cackles. “It appears that the world hasn’t changed. Not one bit.”

“Only it has gotten worse,”

“Tell me about it.”

“People in my time, they have invented far more dangerous weapons.”

Her interest was caught, “What weapons?”

“A bomb in the shape of a spear that is capable of destroying an entire city in one fall.”

“That’s terrifying and yet marvelous. People in your era managed to invent such as that, huh. I was hoping that it would revolutionary, but people, the only thing they know is power and domination, never caring to those who do not want a war.”

“True,” he continued, “Those wars of atrocities had shaken the balance of nature. Monsters are more often active than the last 90 years.”

“Now this is a tale I would love to hear.”

“I wasn’t at the time, but monsters such as Deziun Ale, Heligor, and Matras who were rarely appeared wreaked havoc on some countries, during the war, and their sightings steadily rose even now.”

“It’s not like I’m bragging, but I defeated a Heligor before.”

“How?”

“It was during winter. When the bards ceased their songs and the soldiers retired on their tents, the Slytherin breakthrough the barracks. The unexpected attack stunned our men who were drunk and sober. It took 13 lives of our men.” She drank and continued, “I wasn’t able to come at that time, but soldiers who aren’t sloppy as the others managed to hold the monster down. Little did know, I was already on its behind. I’ve struck the monster with the ash of mixed herbs of wolfsbane, northern axit, and trisitrat, and the odor put it into sleep.”

“Vixifot, isn’t it?”

“You know your history. You seem to have a history with a Heligor before.”

“It wasn’t much adventurous sound like yours.”

“I don’t think yours was bad.”

“We were out in the woods collecting logs when suddenly 20 feet Heligor appeared and tried to snack us. My fellow kid got hurt, 13 chicken wuss ran, and I was left fending off the monster until the rescue arrives.”

“You fought the monster with boldness, I say that says a lot.”

“I was twelve at that time. Nearly ripped my head open. If they didn’t come at the right moment, I would be on its silver platter.”

Awkwardly, Noora replied, “That’s quite unfortunate.”