Esme's POV
The meal was prepared by one of the best chefs at Eindrigin? I stared at the finished sauce on the plate, thinking it'd be improper to lick it clean.
Sora belched, then choked. Two maidens rushed to him before I could touch him. They had been completely deluded by his cuteness, waiting on him, hands and feet. At least that gave me time to concentrate on my meal.
"Mistress, would you want another plate?" Eidrin asked, calmly cutting a piece of steak with a knife and a fork. I couldn't tell if he enjoyed eating that with how straight his expression was.
I looked at the empty plates stacked on each other, then at my thighs. I'd like thick thighs that smashed a wolf's head to pieces, but I had few trousers to change into if these ones ripped.
I shook my head at Eidrin. "I'm alright. I need a walk to see around." That thought had swirled inside my head since I grasped the words the maidens spoke.
All three kingdoms spoke the same language but with different dialects. It wouldn't be hard to find my way around.
Outside the building, the carriage stood there. The door was still open from last time, and I confirmed that there's no rider. Was it controlled with magic?
I got inside the carriage, got out of it, walked around it, then out the motel's gate. "No need to wait when the adventures await!" I yelled out motivation, even as an illegal traveller.
There were only trees and tall buildings that likely served as mansions or inns around me. I kept walking down the street, locking eyes with any rider I met.
Many carriages moved on that road. We weren't in the village where everyone walked. Perhaps, the capital? This place didn't bustle enough so likely not. It was peaceful but promised extravagance.
My steps slowed as I reached an intersection; a small fruit market at the left and stalls of leather belts and shoes on the right.
Many traders were women, as opposed to my village where mostly men handled the 'outdoor businesses'. I walked down the fruit stall, and even further down. The amount of buildings reduced, and more trees.
"I smell a fire." My steps hastened.
Were they some nice ladies and gentlemen hosting a party? Eindrigin was known for their liveliness so I wouldn't be surprised. I found the smoke.
My face fell when I saw blood everywhere. Despite the horror, I only found parts of animals, poorly chopped, around the bloody table.
This wasn't a bonfire. No smart butcher would do such a bad job at cutting the meat, and leaving the parts littered. I scrutinized the area.
There was a small wooden cart under the table. It had dead rabbits and young foxes. A knife and a few blood-smeared axes were inside the cart as well.
And finally, two ladies were tied to a tree farther down. They didn't resist and one of them had bitten her lower lip till every part bled.
No one else was there.
Putting everything together, this was an assault. Someone stole their catch, had a feast in front of them, and left them tied. I revealed myself, walking towards the table.
"Little girl!"
Huh? Me? I turned to the ladies. One of them swayed her head left to right to get my attention. I grabbed the knife and went to them. "Who did this to you? Are they still close?"
Getting closer, I realized why she called me a 'little girl', they were both in their early thirties, though with smaller bodies. I cut their ropes, untying them.
The one bleeding from her lips brushed past me and marched to the cart. She must be really livid. I would be too. I wondered if her helplessness made her bite her lips, or if they had dared to hit her.
"Thank you." The other lady spoke. "A crazy bunch stopped us and stole our boars. Thankfully, they didn't care about the smaller games."
I watched how she elegantly picked out the leaves stuck on her clothes and legs, and re-tied her hair behind her. She was the pretty elegant type.
"What direction did they go?"
She paused, then frowned. "Why do you want to know? They're warriors so I'd advise you to go straight home. It's dangerous."
I folded my arms. "They will make more victims if no one teaches them a lesson, or do you plan to report them to their Lead Warrior? If so, I'd let it go."
She said nothing, except turning to a path leading down-river. That's where they went. The other girl returned to us, and pushed a young fox in my hands.
"Uh, why?"
The elegant lady smiled. "Mia can't talk so that's her way to thank you. But don't get in trouble. You're a traveller, right? Don't worry about us. My husband will report this later. Nothing might happen but it's still fine."
She walked out of the shrubs towards the cart. "We have enough leather so our business won't suffer."
She probably owned one of those leather stalls. I nodded and helped them pack some meat into the cart. If they felt like it, they could still make a good meal with the rest.
Now I understood why Uncle said our village was lucky to be so small and secluded that warriors never patrolled past. They could be a menace.
"Good-bye. I hope you enjoy the good part of Jusia!" The elegant lady waved as they left with their cart.
Jusia must be the region of Eindrigin we were in at the moment. That's not the name of their official capital so my guess was right.
"I hate bullies, Sanya."
"I also hate bullies."
Great. She wouldn't guilt-trip afterwards. I tied the fox's corpse to my waist and followed the path the lady had looked upon.
I had no clue how to use my heightened senses that were perks of a wolf, but I continued down that path, while checking for the scent of sweat.
My nose caught a rather sour one, mingled with smoke. "Found them."
"Practice Blood's Will."
"Now? I just want to give them a good beating, not kill them." I knew how dangerous Blood's Will was.
"The intensity depends on your emotions."
"Still. Later."
Why use magic when I could use my fist? I shouldn't attract attention. Eidrin and Sora might not even know where I ventured to.
A bunch of sweaty men, about five, were seated at a cluster of trees, roasting meat and laughing at their jokes. Those meats were boar's. I untied the fox on my waist and held it in my hands.
"Hey!"
All five turned their heads to me. Young, quite good looking men, but their behaviour was ugly. "Could I use your fire to roast my meat while engaging you in a lesson?"
One cocked his brows and his eyes swept my frame in a way that made my blood boil. When he licked his lips, his fate was sealed. He'd be a special pupil.
"You want to have fun with us? Sure!" They laughed at their stupid joke, and one of them stood up, grabbing his sword.
I was a little impressed that they could still tell I was picking a fight. "It's kind of you to allow me. Allow me to repay that kindness." I sauntered to them.
Another stood up, holding a stick used for adjusting the fire. "A small girl like you wants to play with the warriors of Eindrigin? You must be a foreigner."
"Brilliant." I stood a few steps away from him, looking directly at his eyes. "I am a foreigner. How fortunate you are to be taught a lesson by me."
"Get lost—" the other pulled my hair, but I grabbed his wrist and bent upwards. The crunch pleased me, and I let go. His sharp cry was satisfying.
I held his sword that I slipped out of his hold. "Don't grab a lady's hair. Lesson one." I met their surprised and furious looks. "Lesson two?"
"You bitch—"