>>5882495You stop in your tracks as Jim calls out to you, wishing to know which side you fought for during the war. You could lie and say it was for the Empire. Perhaps that was the answer he was hoping to hear, being an Adrestian citizen. But you saw no reason to do so. You turned against your homeland and fought the Empire for five long years. You were proud of that fact, and you saw no reason to pretend otherwise. You turn around and answer Jim’s question.
>“I fought for the highest bidder.” You shrug your shoulders nonchalantly. “Against the Empire.”Jim’s jaw drops in awe. For a second you believe the man ready to either run away or chastise you, but instead, he smiles widely. “You’re her, aren’t you? The Witch…the one that came from Rusalka! You’re here to put a stop to the Count’s mad ambitions!” Jim laughs heartily. Though he claimed to not have chosen a side in this civil war, it was clear that he had a favorite he wanted to win. “Ol’ Charles doesn’t stand a chance if you and your band of cutthroats are here! Give them hell and avenge all those folks they’ve harmed!”
You turn your back to leave once more. From behind, you’re able to hear the whispered excitement and frenzy as your identity spreads around. Your reputation had travelled more than you could have imagined if even the remote residents of Snowcap had heard of you. Frankly, you didn’t care if people knew who you were or not. But at least this way, maybe your deeds and renown might give the rebels and Rusalkan Guard pause if they thought to stand in your way. If they feared Rex enough to stall their blades, they might fear you even more.
Following Jim’s directions, you head south towards the more mountainous region of Rusalka. Ordinarily, this sort of rough terrain would be made further difficult to travel by the copious amount of snow that would typically fall here. But as luck would have it, it was summer, and you have no such difficulties to contend with. Along the way, you expect to run into Rusalkan patrols, but end up encountering none. If what that man said was true, and the rebels really were planning an assault on the castle, it was likely that all guardsmen had been pulled there to wait in defense.
“You said the place you’re from was called Magnesia?” Ashe asks from beside you, curiosity evident in his tone.
>“That’s right. It was a small fishing village on the coast. A grey and dreary place, and utterly boring to top it off. I lived there alone with my father until he was called away to the war. Afterwards, I was looked after by some of the elders in the village until the Count came to spirit me away.”“Maybe we can stop by after we get back from Zanado.” Ashe suggests. “I’m sure they’d be thrilled to see you.”
>“Why?” You ask. “I just said it was nothing special.”“Still, it’s your home. I wouldn’t mind seeing it for myself, is all.”
