Chapter 307: Familiarity Of The Illustration

"An onslaught?" Samantha’s pupils constricted in shock, carefully absorbing the gravity of the story he told her. She felt a shiver course through her spine, summoning goosebumps on her tender skin. "That’s... devastating."

"It is," Brian nodded solemnly, picking one of the hardcover books and flipping open to a particular page where an illustration was made.

The vague picture depicted a defeated forest Fae, wings drooping in despair.

The forest Fae was on her knees, head lowered in submission, whilst her golden-blonde hair cascaded down her back to the floor like sunlight, and before her stood a demon, whose weapon was pointed mercilessly at her fragile form. The way his dark eyes remained fixed on the Fae, Samantha didn’t think she had seen anything more frightening than those oddly treacherous, but satisfying looks.

"It was said that the Demons who attacked came with a motive," Brian continued, "they decimated the forest Fae, extinguishing their existence from the realm. Although the ones who possessed beast plants were the primary target, they had powers that were capable of threatening the dark ambitions of the Demons. They assumed it was best to gain dominance over the Fae’s, to use their powers and sought their hunger for world domination. When they refused, they wiped out the colony when they weren’t watching, and not a single one was left alive, that was what we believed in until you came along, the last Forest Fae to exist."

Samantha looked up from the book to stare at the gleaming assurance in Brian’s eyes, and she returned her gaze back to the illustration. She felt an inexplicable connection to the illustration, as if a distant whisper from the past was nudging into her mind. She traced her slender fingers along the outline, captivated by the eerie familiarity.

The features of the defeated Fae mirrored hers in an uncanny way, stirring a sense of déjà vu that sent shivers down her spine.

"This..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she pointed at the Fae to Brian, "it’s like I’ve seen her before."

"This is just an imaginary drawing," Brian simply explained to her, making her lift her gaze from the book to him. "It’s a symbolic representation of the Fae’s plight."

"Who drew this?"

"Remember the old chief of my Clan, the one the healer introduced you to." Brian asked, whilst Samantha nodded, recalling the enigmatic old elf who made her uncomfortable due to his wary gaze, "His connection to the old-tale runs deeper than we can imagine, and he brings them to life with his mind alone. Due to his present age, he no longer has the strength to create such artistry, but he was the one who made this many years ago."

"Wow, it’s as if he witnessed these stories themselves," Samantha mused, unable to hide her intrigue, and when Brian nodded, his silver hair cascaded down his face.

"The chief Elf possesses a unique connection with the past, a bridge to the tales that shaped our history. One would say it’s a gift that combines knowledge, empathy, and the magic inherent in Elves as a whole."

"Is there a chance that I can meet with him, perhaps ask him more about the Forest Fae’s?" Samantha softly inquired, and she noticed how Brian’s eyes swayed away from hers, as if he was pondering on the matter, but before Samantha could tell him to forget about what she had asked, he was quick to reply.

"I can speak with him and get back to you on what he says." He suggested, "I can’t assure you of his will to a meet-up, but I can try to seek one on your behalf."

"Really?" The slight worry on her visage disappeared after Brian’s assurance, and she couldn’t help but stand up and bow her head in gratitude. "Thank you for your kindness! It means a lot to me."

"I feel ashamed having to have a Queen bow before a common elf like me." He equally stood up, "you’re not our Queen, but you are still a Queen from the North, that means I have to offer you some of my respect as one."

"Does this mean you no longer consider me an enemy to your people?"

"I would have, but your personality makes it difficult to see you in that kind of light." He remarked sincerely, "it is my first time interacting with a Queen from the North. I have heard stories about the King of the North, he doesn’t sound kind in comparison to you, but I trust that you are capable of ending this before it turns into a nightmare for everyone. That is why I’ve decided we’re going to take a look at the ship you would be using to return to your land. We’re going to confirm when the next shipment will happen, and get you prepared before then."

"Why do I have to come along? Won’t it be safer if you confirm it yourself and then tell me when you get back?" She crouched and picked up the books from the ground, then stood straight.

"Actually, you are right," Brian massaged the back of his neck with a maladroit laugh, and then he said, "but the ship’s manifest includes specific details about the passenger and their background. The good thing about them is that they are not from here, they only drop supplies and leave the minute they are done. It’s best if they see you for themselves cause I won’t be escorting you to the ship on the day you leave."

"What? Why? If you don’t escort me, how am I supposed to confirm if these people won’t abduct me and sell me to some whorehouse?" She asked in a mild state of panic, her brows furrowing into one of concern, unable to make herself forget what she has gone through before getting here.

"Nothing like that will happen, I know the commander in charge of one of the ships, he’s someone I’m more than familiar with so you needn’t be worried. It’s necessary to meet with him so you can both be familiar with one another, that way, it will reduce the risk of any complications during escape. It will be more dangerous if they find an unknown woman on their ship, so it’s best to ensure your safety."

"But why aren’t you coming?"

"There’s a chance I won’t, that’s why I need to take you there personally. Are you coming?" Brian asked, and his tone held a hint of assurance that it wasn’t out of force, but still, it was necessary for her to be there and see things for herself."

"Okay, but I’ll have to lend Grandma Elara’s invisible cape first." She insisted, and Brian had no issue with it.

"Tonight will be better, the path will be less crowded, and the guards on patrol will have a break for an hour or so, that’s when we’ll leave."

"Then I better get ready cause the sun has already set." She looked at the sun that was starting to disappear behind the horizon and quickly left, leaving Brian behind.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read