"I'm feeling much better, knight."

"I'm not a knight so you don't need to call me that."

"So what is your name, brave warrior?"

"You can call me Nyx." Siderius said. Nyx meant Snow.

"Thank you for saving my life, Master Nyx.

What are all these drawings?"

"These are blueprints for a tool that I want to make. You said the nearest town was 37 miles away, right? Do they have blacksmiths there? I need to borrow their forge to make some tools."

"I don't know for sure, Master Nyx. But we have a few forges in Avadine. If you can get me there, I can convince my father to let you use one. Free of charge."

"Your father?"

Nina nodded. "Ruben Arist. He holds a position in Avadine. It is a big city controlled by Count Rufus."

"Is anyone in your clan a witch?"

Nina shook her head. "Unfortunately no. Our family isn't blessed with magic. We are a normal clan, not a High Clan."

"I see. If that's the case, I can escort you to Avadine. In return, I would like to use a forge and also ask your help to acquire certain materials. Do we have a deal?"

Siderius reached his hand out.

"We have a deal, Master Nyx." Nina grabbed Siderius' hand. She held it a bit too long and consciously caressed Siderius' skin.

The hunter ignored it and acted like nothing happened.

"I have some ration here, my lady. It wouldn't be as tasty as the usual food you have but it would fill your stomach up nicely."

Siderius took out some pieces of hard breath and water.

"You're hungry?" Siderius said.

"I'm starving, Master Nyx!"

Nina grabbed the bread. It was as hard as a rock. She was very surprised by its texture and intended to take a bite immediately.

"Woah! If you eat it like that, it will break your teeth."

Siderius poured some water out into a small metal pot and boiled it. He threw some of the bread into the pot. It slowly melted and created a unique type of porridge.

"Us travelers need food that can stay fresh on the road for a long time. These breads had their moisture sucked out of them so they could be stored for months and years.

To eat it, you must quench it in water or boil it to create a porridge."

Siderius took out some milk and poured it into the metal pot.

Once everything was ready, he scooped a bowl out for Nina.

"Now you can eat."

Nina nodded. She tried the weird traveler's porridge.

"It is so good!" Nina licked the corners of her mouth. It was not as good as many luxurious dishes she had before. But for some reason, it tasted like the best thing in the world at that moment.

Siderius smiled. "Anything is tasty when you're hungry."

"Where are you coming from, Master Nyx?"

"I'm from the North."

"The North? Oh! That place is cold. I heard that it is covered in snow all winter."

"You heard right."

"I can't imagine what it is like up there. It must be hard to survive."

"Not really. The people there are very resilient."

After the meal, Nina stayed and talked with Siderius for a bit. He used that opportunity to learn more about her.

Her father, Ruben Arist, was an official in Avadine. The Arist Clan mostly dealt in trading and political affairs. Because they didn't have any witch, their power and influence were limited.

Count Rufus was a Lesser Witch. His domain was Southpara County. Avadine was simply a city inside the county.

They rested for the night and embarked to Avadine the following day.

Avadine was around 50-60 miles from Foglight Forest. It took them two whole days to reach the city.

Nina was behind Siderius on horseback. She held him tight every single time. Her hands wrapped around his hips tightly like she didn't want to let go.

Horse right could be bumpy. And Siderius knew that his god damn face had created another victim. He was too lazy to correct Nina.

Once he had what he needed, he would leave. The chance of them meeting each other again was very low. So he thought there was no reason to upset Nina.

He let the maiden dream for a few more days.

They arrived at Avadine the evening of the second day.

"Nina…"

"Yes, Master Nyx?"

"Do not tell anyone that the people who attacked you are knights. Just say that they are bandits."

"Why is that, Master Nyx?"

"Knights belong to a High Clan or the Royal Court. If their death is linked to your family, there will be trouble."

Nina nodded grimly. "I understand."

At the entrance, the guards immediately surrounded Siderius.

"Lady Arist! Is that you?"

"Guard! Arrest this criminal!"

The guards raised their spears. Siderius was unfazed.

Nina quickly shouted. "Stand down! He is the one that saves me and escorts me to the town!

If anyone tries to hurt him, my father will hear about this!"

The guards looked at each other before lowering their weapons. Siderius jumped down from Red first then helped Nina get down.

"Can someone inform my father of my return?"

"We're already on it, my lady."

Siderius followed Nina into the city. He led Red by the leash. Lycan sat lazily on his shoulder.

Soon, a noble rushed over to their location on a horse. He was a thick bearded man with a very bulky body.

"Nina! I can't believe it is you!"

Ruben jumped down from the horse and hugged Nina tightly.

"Farher! I'm sorry! I will never escape alone again!" She cried out.

"Don't worry, my sweet daughter! I'm here now! What happened to you?"

"I was captured by some bandits. They almost… They almost raped me. But thankfully, Master Nyx was there to save me."

Ruben looked over and observed Siderius. At first he thought it was a charlatan trying to fool daughter. But one simple gaze and he knew the man in front of him was dangerous.

He had a cloak made out of a grizzly bear. Some type of high-quality leather armor. The sword on his hip had some of the best craftsmanship Ruben had ever seen. He didn't understand why there was a second scabbard.

"Brave warrior, thank you for saving my daughter."

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