Chapter Text
“Gotcha.”
As if she were a famished predator stalking through the woods and unexpectedly catching sight of her favored quarry, Benedikta’s head snapped in the direction of a distant, blazing fire amidst the darkened forest. A fira spell streaked its way through the trees and burst onto a colossal arachne. The gruesome beast emitted its last screech before slamming down into the earth in silence. Its spindly legs curled inward.
Benedikta’s hazel vision remained fixed instead on the hooded figure who had just cast the spell, standing a few paces away from the slain beast - a man judging by his stature. There was a momentary pause as the hooded man slowly lowered his outstretched arm. He turned away and strode towards an injured man on the ground nearby leaning on a tree trunk. Kneeling down, the hooded man conjured flames from his hand which encircled the outstretched leg of the injured victim.
Benedikta’s gaze shifted towards a young, short-haired woman clad in green and brown leathers. She was holding a lantern and kneeling beside the hooded man, offering better illumination. Though the distance obscured facial features, Benedikta perceived a protective aura emanating from the young woman as she constantly made vigilant glances towards the woods surrounding them. This young woman would not be able to catch Benedikta watching them from afar as the skies tonight were overcast. In addition, Benedikta had already extinguished the light of her smoking pipe to avoid exposure some time ago.
Within seconds, Benedikta drew several conclusions upon analyzing the scene before her. The cloaked man was undeniably the rumored second Dominant of Fire, notorious for slaying the Phoenix thirteen years ago. The telltale evidence included the massive fira spell along with the vibrant healing flames which plainly marked him a fire Eikon. His powers surpassed that of a mere fire or healing Bearer. Accompanying him was a solitary bodyguard and a female one at that. It suggested that the Dominant did not wish to draw attention to himself yet he required the supplementary protection - the reasons why remained elusive.
Benedikta’s lips curved sensuously into a smirk and she arched a discerning brow. That’s him. The second Dominant of Fire…accompanied by his little pet coeurl. Looks as if he harbors a soft spot for the weak. How sweet….and sickening.
Her last thought made her sneer in disgust.
She continued watching eagerly as the hooded man’s flames subsided from his hand, leaving only the glow of the young woman’s lantern as the sole source of light. A weighty silence followed as the now healed man gingerly adjusted his leg. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude with great enthusiasm by clasping the hooded man’s arm. But it was the young woman who addressed the healed man instead. Benedikta could only hear the muffled conversation between them but no words. After a brief exchange between the woman and the healed man, the trio rose to their feet and parted ways. Slowly, the hooded man and the young woman disappeared into the depths of the dark forest, their lantern light gradually fading into the distance, leaving nothing but a faint bobbing glow.
The hunt is on, the Warden of the Wind whispered to herself and let out a soft snicker. She waited until they were completely out of sight before turning around and sauntering back to the Royalist camp. She was in no rush. Her coveted prey would be caught in her hands soon enough.
Grateful that she had taken the respite to enjoy a solitary smoke away from those godforsaken and malodorous Royalist soldiers, Benedikta twirled the empty smoking pipe between her green-tipped fingers. Relentlessly pursuing the meandering rumors of the second Dominant of Fire from Dhalmekia to Sanbreque had finally paid off. Every rotten drinking hole searched, every backwater alley explored, and every peasant forced for information by her Intelligencers had finally culminated to this. At the most opportune yet unexpected moment, the Dominant had wandered straight into her territory.
She was already envisioning the grand reception awaiting her along with the warmest of welcomes, in many senses of the word, from King Barnabas once she presented the Dominant before him. It would serve as the ultimate testament of her unwavering loyalty and devotion to the indomitable Kingdom of Waloed. With three Dominants at its helm, Waloed and its King would ascend to unmatched supremacy not only across Valisthea but the Continent and beyond.
That dirty traitor…he can finally be replaced.
Benedikta seethed inwardly as images of the traitor’s handsome and alluring features flashed in her mind’s eye along with his signature charismatic smile and husky voice. Even the mere thought of him had the effect of undoing her and awakened sensuous desires that no other man ever had or ever will. She scoffed and forced her mind to dissolve his image before it could kindle any further feelings.
Sometime later, Benedikta reached the reconnaissance camp with its bonfire still burning in the center. One of her Intelligencers was standing on patrol near the entrance and had noticed her stride in.
“My lady –”
“Summon Gerulf immediately. We have a Dominant to catch.”