B2 Chapter 7: Feartouched

“Welcome to our humble town. Enjoying the sight of the Dreadwood? You must be our guests from Brimstone, I presume?”

The mayor of the Village of Eleric, accompanied by two of his attendants, joined them on the cliff edge. Vale quickly rose to her feet, receiving the Mayor with a practiced smile. Caledon joined her, as Shiver remained seated, looking out at the forest with her Phobia on her lap.

“Mayor Galethorn, thank you for your hospitality. My name is Caledon Brimstone, and these are my companions, Shiver and Vale.”

“We heard of the tragedy that struck Brimstone, my lord. Our deepest condolences. Your father was a dear friend to our Highlady. A Highlord deserving of every ounce of respect that he was afforded.”

Mayor Galethorn’s gaze slipped to the black skeleton that accompanied them, that lingered a short distance away. Caledon winced as he noticed the veneer of hatred that burned behind the mayor’s empty smile. Caledon watched as two town guardsmen strode out from the city’s gates to join them, their eyes watching the skeleton closely, casting Vale barely concealed looks of revulsion.

“We all lost loved ones to the Rampage. I myself, my wife and only daughter. We know the pain the Revenants wrought.”

The mayor’s eyes lingered on Vale’s own, and Caledon watched as the cordial smile that Vale had painted on her face melted from it in an instant. The girl averted her gaze.

They had discussed keeping Triol at a distance. Caledon was sure, however, that attempting to conceal him would only backfire in their faces. Besides, it seemed as if House Flora was hardly ignorant to the fact that House Revenant continued to persist.

The Deathbringer, Vetrian Revenant, lived.

If Vale hid her undead and they were later discovered. Caledon was certain that she would end up joining them.

Caledon took a step forwards to stem the Mayor’s rage before he gained further momentum.

“Mayor Galethorn, I understand your apprehension, but these are my trusted allies. Vale and I-“

His gaze broke off to meet her own momentarily.

“-seek the same vengeance.”

The mayor let out a long sigh, his eyes finally coming to rest upon Shiver.

“Of course, Lord Brimstone, but you will forgive me if we take precautions. Tell your “friend” that her undead must be housed outside of the city while you stay within our walls. We would be happy to accommodate your brief stay here and to equip you with whatever provisions you need for your journey into the Dreadwood.”

His eyes glinted as he spoke, each syllable delivered with laboured breath.

“Highlady Solastra Flora welcomes you as her honoured guests. Do not hesitate to prevail upon me if I can be of assistance.”

Without another word, Mayor Galethorn withdrew, back towards the town.

“Hmmmm… I have a funny feeling. I might be wrong though.”

They turned to regard Shiver.

“They hate us.”

Vale stared flatly at her.

“Thank you for your observation, you crazy orphan.”

Vale sighed, planting her face in her hands, still reeling from the Mayor’s unfiltered hatred. Caledon just nodded his agreement to Shiver’s observation.

“They’re afraid of us. We should leave as soon as possible. A day or two at the very most, before departing for Viridian.”

“Don’t run off into the woods without us, lordling. I know how thrilled you get about… wood. I’ve got my eye on you.”

Caledon grinned.

“Shiver, just because I like to craft things, doesn’t me-“

Shiver waved off his reply, her cerulean eyes gleaming as they roved over the city gates.

“To more important matters, do you think this charming town sells popsicles?”

Vale and Caledon exchanged a glance and a sigh.

Despite everything, some things never changed. 

---

Their entrance drew a mixture of attention. They were received with gazes which struck a balance between distrustful and curious.

The Town of Eleric bordered the Dreadwood and was one of the numerous border towns that facilitated the delivery of grain and produce from the Dreadwood to the other cities. They profited from the lucrative trade generated by House Flora’s status as the grainstore of elven civilisation.

The wealth of the town was evident in its cleanly paved roads, and buildings reminiscent of Brimstone’s upper circle. Well constructed, benefitting from the abundance of materials that its proximity to the Dreadwood no doubt facilitated.

They headed towards an inn they had been allocated, courtesy of the Mayor.

“Excuse me miss? Why are you wearing that coat?”

Shiver paused as she felt a tugging on her hem of her coat. She glimpsed down at her side to notice a girl about Blaze’s age, staring up at her with wide eyes, filled with curiosity. Mousey brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore a bright red scarf. Her mother stood a short distance away, trying to call out to her daughter under her breath, casting them brief apologetic looks. It seems as if it wasn’t the cheeky girl’s first time offering her unsolicited comments to strangers.

Shiver admired the girl’s ambition. Like recognised like, after all. She fought down a brief pang of longing that welled in her chest, at the sight of girl that reminder here of a troublesome little rogue.

A mischievous smile reached her cerulean eyes as she crouched to face the girl.

“Hi there. This old thing? Tell me, have you heard of the elusive emberhare?”

The little girl shook her head. Vale exchanged a glance with Caledon. 

“The cutest bunnies you can think of. With a soft, ash-black coat. You envisioning them?”

The girl nodded enthusiastically.

“Now picture them - on fire. Flaming bunnies, hopping around the winterlands. Legends, said never to have been glimpsed for an age. My coat is made from their-“

“That’s it?”

Shiver choked as the girl interrupted her.

Then she stared incredulously as the girl’s expression of…

Boredom.

Nothing hurt more than the utter, unqualified disinterest of a child.

The wound was only amplified by the snorts escaped from behind her. Vale and Caledon coughing in unison to hide their grins that they exchanged. Before awkwardly wrenching their gazes away from one another.

The little girl continued onwards, heedless of the desolation that she wrought to Shiver’s sterling reputation.

“The Dreadwood has winterlions, shadow wolves, even phoenixes! The fire bunnies are boring! We have plenty of them in the Emberwood!”

The little girl harrumphed and proudly lifted her cloak to Shiver. Caledon, who stood behind them, stiffened at the young girl’s words.

“Mine is made of frostwolf hide. It keeps me nice and chilly as summer arrives. You should get one miss.”

An eyebrow twitched as Shiver watched as the girl proudly strode back to her mother, enshrouded by the thrill of victory. She yelped as her mother feverishly yanked her daughter away from them, chiding her with every step.

It had been a single-sided domination. 

“Hmph.”

Vale walked over to Shiver, laying a placating hand on her shoulder.

“Now, now, you crazy orphan. Let’s not cause any troub-“

“Impressive, little shit has potential. Reminds me of myself when I was her age. 8/10.”

Vale raised an eyebrow.

“And how exactly could she improve on that score?”

Shiver leaned back and crossed her arms, humming thoughtfully.

“Maybe if she injected more pity into it. Or pointed me towards the nearest tailor. She has potential. Maybe this town isn’t so boring after all.”

“Come on, Shiver. I’m going straight to the inn. I want to sleep in an actual bed. We’ve been on the road for days, and I’ve waited long enough for this.”

Shiver grinned at her.

“Your lofty goals never cease to impress me, princess.”

---

As Caledon and Vale returned to their rooms, exhausted from their journey, Shiver thought it was the perfect time to explore the humble town of Eleric. To draw herself away from useless thoughts.

She strode along the path, her eyes passing over quaint boutique shops that lined the streets. The people here lived peaceful lives, but they were wary of outsiders, if the glances they shot towards her were any indication.

In truth, she pitied them. They must have wanted to hate her, the stranger in their home. Then she watched in sick satisfaction as their gazes fell on the fluffy coat that enveloped her, and their eyes muddled with confusion.

If you couldn’t beat them, confuse them. 

Then Shiver paused, as she glimpsed an elf that did not look at her with hatred. Shiver strode to a a humble flower shop, casting a glance of admiration at the shopface.

“Pretty.”

Walking towards the flowers on display, Shiver gently brushed her fingertips against petals of gold, red and black. She admired the flowers arrayed with great care before her. She peered at black roses, with edges laced in gold. Sunflowers the size of her head that bore a golden sheen.

Flowers were a rare import to Brimstone, a luxury. They desisted quickly in the harsh winter. Without the light of the sun that readily greeted the Dreadwood, the succour of the Archcity’s lavaways alone were insufficient to maintain them.

Her breath caught as her eyes passed over another flower.

This one looked to have been crafted from frost. Its petals were latticed, like the makings of a snowflake, extending outwards from their core. White gems in the shape of teardrops protruded from its center, at the end of sliver-thin filaments. They delicately swayed in the spring wind.

“They’re Winterlilies!”

Shiver turned to regard the florist who greeted her with a smile. She was a young woman who looked to be about Shiver’s age. Brown hair was tied into two braided columns that fell on either side of her neck. She held a dark orange basket in her hands, filled with flowers, and wore a small, green bucket that complemented bright yellow eyes. The florist’s bubbly expression and bucket had reminded her of a certain archaeologist she was particularly fond of.

“Would yo-u l-ike one?”

Shiver took an involuntary step backwards.

Something was wrong. What was-

The elf stepped forwards again. Her friendly face twitched.

“F-free of c-charge.”

“Stop scaring the child! Shoo! off with you now.”

The florist’s approach was halted by a passing old lady. She was not unkind in the way that she halted the encroaching florist, a teasing lilt in her tone.

“What have I told you about being pushy with customers. Besides, how will you earn your keep if you offer your beautiful flowers for free! Shoo!”

For a moment, the florist’s smile dimmed, and Shiver felt a pang of guilt in her chest for withdrawing involuntarily. Then, she brightened at the sight of the old lady, and handed her one of the beautiful black roses, edged in gold.

The old woman graciously accepted it with a soft smile, before turning to regard Shiver.

“Don’t mind her dearie. She’s a sweetheart. Besides, you know the gist of it. Her Fear has almost progressed to the point of no return.”

The old lady shook her head sadly. Then she gestured to the florist, who had returned to tending to the flowers that adorned her shopface.

“She’s Feartouched. Watch.”

Watching the florist, Shiver’s eyes widened as she noticed the flowers that the girl passed momentarily-

Bloom.

Buds that lay closed, dormant, were invisibly nudged to awaken. Flowers that were drained of vitality, suddenly restored. The florist’s presence had a transformative effect on the flowers that she so carefully cared for and tended to.

“Miraculous, isn’t it? Yet so sad. She’s a kind, harmless thing tormented by a beautiful Fear. Don’t mind her.”

The old lady shook her head sadly.

“Our Fears come for all of us. So young. Yet she chooses to spend her last vestiges of Sanity bringing others joy. Turning her Fear into happiness. Bless her soul. A Fear of flowers, what a terrible, beautiful thing.”

The old lady beamed at Shiver, giving her an unimpeded view of her pearly whites, along with the gap between her two front teeth. Shiver returned the lady’s smile and coughed as the lady gave her a reassuring pat on the back before she continued on her way.

With another passing glance at the florist, the girl’s bright yellow eyes met hers.

This time, Shiver returned her kindness with a smile.

From one elf who faced their Fear, to another.