As a child, she yearned for her parents' love and care and the tenderness they so freely gave her siblings. But as time passed, the ache dulled, replaced by a quiet resignation. She stopped expecting love, stopped hoping for gentle words or kind gestures. Without expectations, the pain grew more bearable.
Perhaps God had been merciful to her after all. She had never wanted to be an assassin, never wanted to stain her hands with the lives of those who had done her no harm. The grudge she was meant to avenge was not hers; it belonged to her father.
In the darkness, a faint smile curved Lara's lips. How ironic life was. She was a master of explosives and modern weaponry, capable of hitting a target blindfolded with unerring precision. Yet here, those skills were utterly useless. Fortunately, she had also trained in traditional weapons—spears, swords, and arnis—and those skills might prove to be her saving grace.
Her hacking abilities were unrivaled, not just in her country but across the globe. Who would have guessed she would find herself in a place without computers and electricity?
'How absurd!' she thought, her smile turning wry.
Nearby, Reya and Sandoz snored softly, their rhythmic breathing a stark contrast to her wakefulness. No matter how she tried, she couldn't shake the events that had led her to this strange situation.
A sudden voice from downstairs startled her.
"Girl, go to sleep! You're starting your training tomorrow morning, and you'll need all the rest you can get," came the stern yet familiar tone.
Lara froze, holding her breath.
"Reya and Sandoz have been snoring for some time now," the voice continued. "If you can't sleep, try breathing exercises."
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Lara asked, "Grandpa, how did you know I was not asleep? I haven't even moved."
"I can tell by your breathing," Jethru replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Lara sighed in resignation, her earlier tension melting away. She closed her eyes and began to visualize an endless line of white sheep jumping over a wooden fence, counting each one meticulously. Slowly, her thoughts grew hazy, and sleep finally claimed her.
The old man listened intently from his makeshift bed on a bench beside the ladder. When Lara's breathing finally evened out, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
'Ha! Finally, that girl is asleep. I should prepare some calming herbs and place them upstairs tomorrow.'
Lara stirred awake at the first light of dawn, the dim light seeping through the cracks in the wall and in the open window. She felt a heaviness in her limbs, a reminder of the fatigue that clung to her like a blanket. Her body was truly weak.
She glanced to her right and saw Reya, her wild black curls sprawled across the pillow, and Sandoz, who had curled himself into a tight ball, on her side. Both of them were still sleeping soundly. Their rhythmic breathing filled the air, tempting Lara to go back to sleep.
After a while, she gradually raised herself up, carefully folding her blanket before tucking it away. With careful and silent movements, she descended the wooden ladder. Noticing the old man's absence from the bench, she stepped outside to look for him, the crisp air wrapping around her like a gentle embrace.
Jethru was not outside.
Lara wandered to the far side of the house, her curiosity guiding her along a winding path that twisted through the bushes. As she approached the steep slope of Mount Roca, the sound of trickling water grew louder, leading her to the spot where waterfalls cascaded. Though the water feebly streamed over the rocks, lacking the splendor of the magnificent falls she had witnessed in the eastern side of Ourea, there was a quiet charm to this hidden gem. It was hard to believe that in centuries in the future, this cascade, vibrant and alive, would disappear.
The young lady who was still wearing the same dress as last night, carefully removed her nearly tattered straw sandals, holding them delicately in her hands. With a sense of freedom, she stepped barefoot onto the lush carpet of grass, where vibrant yellow dandelions pushed their way through the green.
She savored the delightful sensation of the cool, damp grass beneath her feet, each step releasing small droplets of dew that glistened like jewels on the blades. The fresh, earthy scent of morning filled the air, enhancing her connection to nature as she walked, fully embracing the moment.
'Freedom! What a wonderful feeling!' She signed contentedly.
Only a small area of the Galeya's Throne was covered with green patches; most were the color of gray rocks.
"So you are an early riser. I thought that noble ladies from the capital do not rise early."
The raspy sound of Jetrhu's voice suddenly broke through the stillness behind her, causing her to jump slightly. Though she prided herself on her sharp hearing, she couldn't fathom how she had failed to notice Jetrhu approaching. The air around her had been so quiet, yet somehow, he had slipped in unnoticed and was standing beside her.
"I am not a noble lady, Grandpa." She said in a guarded tone.
"Little girl, you are still so wary of me. You haven't accepted me as your master yet? Did you know that there are so many people who would do anything just to become my disciple, but here you are so guarded against me."
Lara turned slowly, her gaze locking onto the man with the striking white hair. He stood there, his presence commanding, as she scrutinized him intently. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension, and she held her ground, refusing to flinch. His eyes, deep and penetrating, seemed to bore into her very soul, filled with wisdom and intensity that left her both unnerved and fascinated.
The staring contest lasted for a long time before Lara finally broke her gaze and lowered her head.
"Then, from now on, I will call you Master," Lara said softly, lowering herself to her knees. She tilted her head down, her hair cascading gently over her shoulders, as a sign of her respect and submission.
"Girl, what are you kneeling there for?" Jethru asked with raised eyebrows.
Lara looked up, confused.
"Isn't there a ceremony for this?" Lara inquired, her brow furrowing with curiosity. "Aren't you supposed to tap my shoulder with your sword?"
"Huh? Do you think you are a knight? Get up!"