So, when he was confronted by group of women huddled together in a tight cave, he had no idea what to say. Should he start by asking for their stories? It wasn't like spending ten years Infront of a screen really helped him develop social skills.
He coughed, the corners of his lips curving upwards, a somewhat gentle smile appearing on his face, "Revera has guided us together" he softly prayed, his eyes glowing blue.
"Revera has guided us together" Rachel, awkwardly clasped her hands praying with him. The other rubbing their faces or standing idly, still not keen on joining a new religion.
"Sister of mine" He closed the distance and clasped her hand, causing her to stagger back, her ears twitching, as a blush crept up her face "Will you join me in worship" His voice like that of a door-to-door preacher.
Isabella cleared her throat, her eyes upturned, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. If Aegeon wasn't such a 'peoples' person he would swear she looked annoyed, he sheepishly scratched his hair looking away from Rached onto Isabella.
His gaze turning back to Rachel, his piercing blue eyes staring into her green, emerald eyes.
"Y-yes Brother" She managed to stutter out, still troubled by the ambush, her voice low, avoiding his gaze.
Thats new
He ignored it, looking around, there were more pressing matters to attend to.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak.
"What are your plans" Isabella beat him to the punch, sparing him a sideways glance, her arms crossed.
His mouth closed, a sour taste on his tongue. He shrugged and let her continue, it wasn't like the idea of speaking with them was so attractive infact, Aegeon silently gave her a thumbs up, it was times like these that made Aegeon think that every introvert should have an extroverted friend.
"This far from home, I doubt many of you even want to return." She looked at each of them, some frowning heavier than the others.
Ouch
It's not like Isabella knew how or why they got captured, but if they were this far from their home it was more likely than not, that they were sold by their own people. That or. He frowned. Their village was slaughtered, and they were a part of or all that remained.
His gaze lingered on Rachel, there was no way those prideful elves would sell their own kind. If he was honest, he was indeed curious of her story, it also helped that she was a newly turned convert to his church, although a background check to join his mysterious church wasn't required
Afterall Aegeon himself didn't really know anything about his church.
But an Elf so easily convinced to join a weird religion didn't really sit right with him.
The sudden notification scared him, making him flinch. Her alerts have been less frequent, he almost forgot all together.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Acknowledging voices in your head is the first step to insanity, so he ignored her and continued thinking.
Elfs were notorious followers of the world tree, or the goddess of nature and they were usually die-hard zealots. So far, Aegeon really had'nt met anyone simple in this forest. He cast a suspicious glance in her direction before shaking his head.
What would the other clergymen think if he was suspicious of his junior sister? The notifications from the system indicated that her conversion was genuine. Even if the System is a notorious piece-, maybe he shouldn't think that way, he thought while feeling a chill go up his spine.
"If I'm being quite honest, this whole forest is a powder keg, even here in this mountain we aren't safe" She glanced back at Aegeon, solicitating a nod from him.
Her thoughts weren't inherently bad, every time he had a conversation in this damned forest it was usually followed by death, his death most of the time, he shivered slightly.
"So, while I'd love to hear all about your individual plans, we simply don't have enough time." He almost picked her up and twirled her around.
She spared him a glance of disdain before looking back at the group.
Isabella really does have a six sense.
"As many of you know, she lightly touched her crest "I am the heir of the Grand Duchy of Boreas, we can reach my domain and then figure all of this out." She looked at them expectantly, hoping for a positive affirmation.
The others looked at Rachel, their temporary leader.
She nodded, "I can feel, the unease of the nature in this area." Her eyes serious, the clumsy looking elf nowhere to be seen.
"Good" Isabella spoke, with a certain hint of authority in her voice, turning towards the entrance.
"We should move now" She paused in her tracks, "Besides Rachel, who here knows how to wield a weapon?"
All of them raised their hands, except two of the human girls that looked like sisters.
"Come up to me and tell me what weapon you would like." They followed her direction, she conjured ice sculptions to their specifications. Each of them testing the plethora of weapons she made. The cold ice presumably not cold as not a hint of discomfort was evident in their faces.
Rachel looked off to the side, before using her power to craft a bow from wood.
"Remember only fight as last resort, I'm not exactly a blacksmith"
Not to mention those weapons are only made of ice, he thought to say but held back. He coughed before he patted her back and moving towards the front.
They followed Isabella and Aegeon down the mountain stopping right as they reached the entrance to the forest.
That golden-Hair-
"That golden haired prick is probably hunting us right now." Her words interrupting his thoughts. He looked at her with wide eyes.
Her cheeks puffed up as she grumbled "Don't look at me like that" She patted her crest "I will be the heir to the grand duchy" she said proudly, her nose pointed towards the heaven.
He wanted to smack her on the forehead.
"Hey" She rubbed her forehead, like she was actually hit.
His eyebrows raised, "You were staring" She spoke with a meek tone, shyly holding her arms.
Was it that obvious?
He probably didn't want a response. He turned towards Rachel, "Come forward sister" He could feel two holes being drilled in the back of his head by Isabella. He gestured her foward with a warm smile on his lips.
"Y-y_Yes brother?" She asked avoiding his gaze. "You wish to join me? Spreading the warmth of the sky mother?" The words came naturally off his tongue, like a sleazy salesman.
"Yes" her wide green eyes blinked repeatedly before her lips curved upwards, her smile instantly melting the snow around them.
Woah, they said Elfs were beautiful but this...
"Are you going to close your mouth?" Isabella asked annoyed, her arms crossed angrily.
He shook his head and placed a hand on Rachel's head
He chose yes.
Lightning wrapped around Rachel, until she was obscured by it. It twirled around her like a tornado, finally slowing down after what felt like an eternity.
The first thing he noticed, was that her emerald, green eyes, changed to a sapphire blue and pale blue marking were now under her eyes.
Her natural beauty was not changed but enhanced, something he didn't think was possible.
Lightning trailed along her arms, she clenched her fist probably feeling the new power she had.
Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, before she launched herself forward and hugged him, rubbing her head all over him.
He was caught off guard, but accepted the hug of his newly ordained sister.
"Thank you" "Thank you" She repeated as she cried onto him, his hand hovering over her until he made up his mind and gently stroked her hair.
"There there child" He softly cooed "We have found you now" She continued to cry letting out all her repressed emotions "You are no longer alone" He assured her as he gently reassured her.
Never in a million years would he think an elf would cry on his chest and his task was to console her.
Isabella almost tripled over. She tried to pry her off him. "Let go" Rachel stubbornly refused and continued to hold onto him.
"Watch out" One of the beastkin cried out as a silver arrow whizzed past the air towards Aegeon caught it right before it impaled Rachel onto him.
Shit