Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 382: [Bonus - ] The Ashen Whisper (IV)

Part 4: A Gamble for a Better Life

The cellar began to shake and Fravash’s hands gripped the arms of the chair, "What is this? Are earthquakes a common occurrence in Asheva? I have experienced this thrice now."

Arabella kept her feet apart and stood steady. Dust puffed out of the ceiling, the pieces of armour and the sword clattered on the floor. It was only around a minute long, but every second could be felt till the earthquake subsided.

While mild tremors still reverberated through the ground, Arabella signalled with her hands. "How would you not know of the rumbling?"

Fravash tested and was able to tap his foot against the floor. "It is a common occurrence then. What causes it? What can you tell me about it?" he stretched his neck forward.

...

Arabella stared.

He moved himself back and sat upright. "Please. I wish to learn."

...

"Nagarajan, the Great Sand Serpent."

"A beast?"

"An ancient one; a primordial beast, sure. I used to think it was nothing more than a folktale or a children’s story—most did."

"Have you seen it?"

Arabella shook her head.

Fravash lowered his eyebrows, "What do you know of the story, if I may continue to pester you?"

...

"You’re quite a fascinating captive..." She glared.

"Thank you?"

"I meant it as strange."

"Well, I am stumped as to how I free my binds and if you do not intend to aid in my escape," he reasoned while bobbing his head. "I accept my outcome, I just do not accept whatever comes after."

...

"The Great Sand Serpent is said to be a nocturnal creature that blends in with the sand despite its size and covers itself underground. It lies dormant in hibernation, only reawakening for a month every fifteen or so years.

When it’s awake, it travels beneath the surface and often causes earthquakes. Nobody in Asheva can truly confirm that they’ve witnessed this creature.

Those that have claimed they’ve seen it are taken lightly; which gave rise to all the stories for children, of a legend beneath the sands. Most people believed it to simply be a natural event that came around every fifteen years.

However, ever since the Great Fire of Burnetrout hit and the Black-Sand River was first being created, the earthquakes started regularly every night and went dormant by day.

Many more have now claimed to have seen it when it surfaces, but most still don’t believe. But the serpent has not gone into hibernation for years—that is what I believe to be the explanation."

He pondered for a moment before he looked up, "Has nobody checked on why this serpent is no longer dormant?"

"Nobody knows why. Nobody has checked because fortunately, it causes mild tremors and does not cause great damage... You doubt me, don’t you?"

Fravash looked to her, his mouth agape. "No, I believe you are telling me the truth."

She raised her brow and leered.

"It is what you believe to be true, I am not in a position to challenge that belief. Till I am proven otherwise, I will accept your word as truth," he replied.

For the first time, Fravash saw Arabella’s eyes soften, ever so faintly.

"What does it look like—the depictions of it, I mean," he spoke in curiosity.

Arabella tightened her lips. "It’s a large serpent that has a sandy-coloured body. It’s the size of a city and its skin is akin to constantly moving sand, as if it has rivers of sand running through it.

Some say its also speckled with white sand-like grains that make it sparkle under starlight and look as if the night sky had been painted on sand."

One corner of his lips rose, "Sounds like a majestic creature."

...

Arabella gulped and looked to the door once more. She lowered her hands and took a breath as she wriggled her fingers. It was... nice, to have a conversation.

...

"Young madam."

...

"You seem quite insightful. I have taken it upon myself to educate my unit and I about Asheva before we arrived. But we were not even warned about regularly occurring earthquakes so, there is a clear lack of information exchange between Asheva and Cravolta.

Or at least Asheva and Cravolta City—or anywhere north of the province for that matter. I do not know much of my captors or local factions. It would do me well to learn of them, if you could-"

"I’m sure they will be back any minute to continue torturing you."

"All the more reason I do not want to squander away my time."

"Your meddling already got you into this bind. I’d advise you to not dig yourself in any deeper."

"I mean you no disrespect, but allow me to decide when I am done meddling. You will not hear the end of me, I promise you that."

...

He took a deep breath, "You seem to have a lack of company, surely you do not mind occupying my time for the moment. You have already taken the initiative to stand there and do nothing."

"Fine." She huffed through her nose. "The Khathi Faction have ruled and dictated over Asheva for decades now. A new party is elected every four years through a majority vote.

The Nilla Faction is the only party equal to the size of the Khathi, both in terms of numbers and influence. But they always come in second in any election. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Outside of those two imposing factions, there are a number of smaller parties that try to take charge. The most notable out of them is the Revan Clan.

Needless to say, all these parties commit atrocities and crimes as if it’s as simple as breathing. But that clan..." Her fingers tensed up and looked as if they were going to crush something in her palms. "Those dirty sand-eating pig-fucking lowlives are the filthiest scum of them all."

Her breath quickened and she stopped moving her hands for a moment; she steeled herself and glanced over to Fravash. Fravash merely looked back without batting an eye, watching her hands for her next words.

"Frivolous crime after crime—women and children who cower at night in dread of being unjustly slaughtered or pillaged; it is as you say. This poison runs through the roots of Asheva whether you lie on the side of the street or sit on a bejewelled throne.

The Revan Clan are much more brazen with their misdeeds; the Khathi and the Nilla have more power to conceal them. What other atrocities the ruling powers of Asheva commit, I leave to your imagination," her eyelids fell and she stopped conversing.

"It is safe to assume the worst then. All the more reason an external force should interfere," he replied.

Her eyes narrowed, "You still truly want to attempt to save this horrible godforsaken town?"

...

"A disease running this deep won’t be solved unless you uproot Asheva from its foundations and start over." She scoffed.

...

A brief silence overtook him. While he eyed the floor of his cell, Arabella rolled her eyes and crossed her arms to watch the door of the cellar.

"Surely someone has to try."

Her brow twitched and her head slowly fell to the side to look at him with a mocking sneer.

"If a disease can spread and stay this long, surely a cure, given the same time, can do the same."

"You would not be the first to try."

He looked up at her with creased brows, "To protect Cravolta is one of the vows I took upon being granted my station; I see this town under my protection as well. It is my duty to at least try to help."

Arabella pressed her lips together.

"To do that," he continued. "I once again ask of you, please aid in the escape of my men and myself. I offer you the same reward I spoke of."

...

"You loathe how this town is—it disgusts you. Then help make a change, as small as it may seem," sweat went down his temples. "I am aware I may be asking for much, but I swear on my name I can help this town."

"It would take more than your lifetime to fix." She shook her head.

...

Fravash stared with closed lips.

Arabella’s brows furrowed uncomfortably... She felt her pulse quicken as she actually considered... She took a deep breath and faced him, "You reek of desperation, like a lamb that knows it’s about to be slaughtered. I will not trust you."

"Desperate?" his head fell and he gave out a chuckle. His shoulders went limp, "I suppose..."

...

"If the Khathi wants to deal with the forces of Cravolta by torturing me or anything else, then I suppose it is free to do so," he spoke.

Arabella pursed her lips.

"If nothing else, I ask of you that you see at least my nephew out of Asheva unharmed. He is still too young for all this business," he did not look up.

Arabella’s whole body turned and she walked up to the bars of the cell, "Who? Why bring a young boy here?" Her deep brown eyes glared into his head.

However, he was not looking at her to see her hand movements.

"Bang!"

His head jerked upwards.

One of the bars now had a dent in it from her kick. "Nephew? Why bring a young boy on a dangerous task?"

"H-he’s my squire in a sense, he trains under me. The boy lacks any sort of real experience and how was I suppose to know I would be ambushed by the Khathi? It was supposed to be an exploratory visit."

"Where is he? Was he with you before you got separated?"

_

"I am Lord Vagesh Keya! Release me at ONCE!"

Two men of the Khathi Faction were growing wearier by the minute—one plugged his ears with his fingers; one muttered in his language, to which the other seemed to agree.

The shouts of the teenage boy continued as he held onto the bars of his solitary cell. The small dungeon echoed his voice off of every dry brick.

Royal Guard in bits of chainmail and plate armour, held the sides of their heads or stuffed themselves in the corners of their small prison. Even they groaned and grew tired of the constant yelling from the neighbouring jail cell.

He wore no chainmail nor helmet; instead he wore studded blue leather that had been designed to look like everyday clothing. His golden light brown hair was dishevelled, but the curtain-like mullet was still present.

Among the studs of his leather armour were a few pearls and on the back of his right glove was a symbol of an open tome and a floating quill with the Sun hanging above, marking himself with the symbol of his house.

Compared to the Royal Guard, he did not remotely have an injury on him. Through strands of hair parted down the middle, his faded blue eyes glared, "My mother will hear of this!!" he banged on the bars some more.

The doors to the dungeon opened up and Arabella stepped in with a roughly put together Fravash and his auburn hair in a quiff. The two guards reached for their scimitars in haste, but Arabella put her hand up swifter.

"That is the prisoner!" one of the guards shouted to her.

"I’m aware. Unlock their cells, we need to let them out of Asheva, immediately."

The two men seemed to be able to decipher her signs, but they looked at each other before sneering in her direction.

Fravash kept his head behind her while the prisoners came up to the bars to watch the scene. "Uncle! I say we sentence these men to two weeks in the stockade for what they’ve done!" the teenager yelled.

"Shh," Fravash shook his head.

"I’m doing this for the Khathi’s sake. Sayyed entrusted me to know what to do, so I am taking responsibility. Release them at once, I will speak with Sayyed if there’s any disagreements."

They grumbled something in their language and grabbed the keys off a nearby wall. Soon, the unit of men and women donned their sets of armour and prepared themselves to depart the dungeon they were held in.

"Uncle, how did you manage to entice this woman into helping us? Did you have to give up something of great value?" Vagesh said with a hand over his mouth to his uncle who was much taller.

"Nothing but a promise for now, though I intend to fulfil it," Fravash whispered back. "Attention," he did not have to shout to his unit. "Draw arms. We will depart from Asheva at once."

They grabbed their previously seized halberds and stood at the ready. "Admiral Keya, this faction-"

"I am aware of the injustice, but for now let us return and recuperate before any other activity. That is an order," Fravash stated to one of the unit who stepped up.

"Very well admiral."

"What promise?" Vagesh who stood by the admiral’s side continued to hush. "She is from Asheva and you have your noble standing, she did not ask for your hand in marriage did she?" he furrowed his brows.

"Vagesh..."

"Despite her rustic attire, she appears to be striking," Vagesh’s gaze sat on Arabella who stood by the door with her eyes glazed over for the moment.

Although she practically sparkled with stars in his eyes; he blushed a smidgen, "She was perhaps raised here within this rich faction, aiding her charm. You must not fall victim to such tricks uncle."

"Does the crush you have on the princess wane?" Fravash teased as he noticed the boy’s stare.

Vagesh turned with a scoff, "Of course it does not, the princess holds my heart, why would that ever come into question?"

"Right. She did not ask me for that, merely some coin and safety. Though, I was the one who even offered it in the first place," he brushed off.

"How shallow," Vagesh replied.

"We are ready to depart madam," Fravash said aloud.

_

Royal Guard lifted a few sacks of supplies and thudded them into carts. Fravash tended to their captured horses and with the help of some of the unit, reattached reins and connected them to the carts while crickets chirped their nightly songs.

Arabella threw supplies into the cart, wary of the eyes of the Khathi Faction watching her from afar.

Vagesh sat in the back of one of the carts and hung his arms and head over the back end. "You cannot speak?"

Arabella shook her head as she placed a sack of rations into the cart.

"Will you be coming with us to the capital?"

Arabella shook her head.

Vagesh simply observed as she secured the goods. "Tis a shame then. You will not be able to witness the Royal Guard at their peak, instead of being ambushed from the back by cowards."

"Stealth and ambush are valid strategies; if they are not even prepared for that, then..."

Vagesh stared at her. "I... did not study sign language well..." he looked to the side, suddenly unable to meet her gaze.

"Usual day for me then. You talk bigger than your uncle and yet have even less to show for it. Perhaps meet my height first before boasting so greatly you little pup."

"Haha." "Hmhmhm."

Light snickering came from the Royal Guard moving about. They both turned to those who chuckled and tittered quietly. "What? What did she say? You will inform me," Vagesh raised his head like a meerkat.

The polite laughter continued as they ignored the frustrated thirteen-year-old.

...

Arabella’s eyes darted to the side and her thin lips curled up into the smallest of smiles. She had already watched the Royal Guard work in harmony and tend to each other; seeing them jest despite their situation however...

She did not notice Vagesh gawking at her, but she did hear the voice seconds after, "Do not smirk at my expense! You were mocking me, weren’t you?"

Arabella’s smile faded in an instant as she faced him. He immediately shut up for a moment, but then he whipped out a sabre with a black wooden handle and a blade that twinkled silver into the air.

He stood tall in the cart. "You will not be laughing at me when I finally awaken my affinity! I will rise through the ranks of the Royal Guard and take my rightful place as admiral, wrenched from my uncle himself!" he proclaimed.

Arabella blinked a few times, dead-eyed.

Vagesh huffed and sheathed his sabre, before setting his knees back in the cart. "I am destined to be at the princess’s side and protect her. It’s a shame that I cannot be one of your suitors."

"..."

"Are you done pestering her?" Fravash walked around and stood by Arabella’s side.

Vagesh scoffed, "I was not pestering. I am merely asserting the things I will accomplish to the world around me."

"Sure," he replied amusingly. "You are to depart now, so secure your seat."

"Will it be a day’s travel?"

"At least a few," Fravash took a deep breath.

Vagesh frowned, "A long journey back home then." He tried to look at Arabella in confidence, but ended up looking sheepish... "Farewell young madam, may we, meet again." He moved away from the back edge of the cart.

"Goodbye. Take care little pup."

Fravash smiled.

"Young madam?" She cocked her head to the side and raised a brow. "Is he not younger than me?"

"Oh he most certainly is. But it is just respectful wording truly. Do you dislike being referred to as such?" he queried.

"I’m fine with it, it’s just... none have really referred to me like that. The Whisper is my most common alias and that’s said in fear most of the time."

"Well, maybe it is about time you are given the respect you have earned."

Arabella ducked her head a little.

"In admiration of course, not in fear," he amended.

She let out a breath through her nose as a chuckle. Clouds were absent and every star shined brighter than the other. Even if there were not lanterns fuelled by magic, the moonlight alone illuminated much of the grounds and people.

It gleamed off of the admiral’s silverish armour that had lizard-scale-like patterns across and a large pauldron on his left shoulder. The emblem of Cravolta was decorated all over—a golden circle with a corona and four golden square-diamonds surrounding it.

His broad double-edged sword sat in its sheath and the round and flat pommel had a spike projecting out from its centre. He then continued to talk, "Is there no convincing you to join us; I did promise you safety and gold."

"...You will return, won’t you?"

"Most likely."

"Then I’ll wait till then. My mind is still undecided. Besides, keeping the Royal Guard imprisoned here is ill advised."

"That is fair," he looked at her. "I have been terribly rude; is ’the Whisper’ the only thing to call you by?"

Arabella tilted her head and pushed back a few strands of dark hair behind her ear that had come loose from being tied back. "Arabella Kaveri."

Fravash gave one slow nod, "For all of my unit and from myself, thank you Lady Kaveri."

She shook her head. "I am no lady, I am simply Arabella."

"It suits you regardless. I must ask one more thing."

"You’ve already pestered me all evening, I can do one more question."

"This will be the last, I swear," he beamed. "Why do they call you the Whisper? Surely it is not just because you are unable to speak?"

She tightened her lips and her expression became sullen. She closed her eyes and raised her open palm; her fingers moved in a small wave and with it came sand from beneath their feet.

It drifted in between them and slashed into the ground beneath as she opened her eyes. "A silent assassin who stalks her targets... is an effective one. You were bold to try and ask for my help of all people..."

...

"Yet it seems my boldness was not misplaced."

Arabella stared to the ground.

...

...

"Whip!" The three carts began to move and exit the estate. Horses clopped out in haste and Arabella glanced up with her brows furrowed. "Is there another cart or a horse not here? This is normally where they keep any seized carts or mounts."

"I swore it on my name, did I not?" Fravash walked past her and strode further into the estate. "I guaranteed your safety and I will see it through until the end. I will not allow you to deal with whatever comes next alone."

Arabella’s large eyes widened. "What in the world do you think you’re doing? This will end up causing more problems; do not tempt it. They will kill you."

Her aggressive sign language yielded no effect as his gaze was fixed forward. Arabella stomped and followed behind him...