Spear Of Retribution

Few weeks have past and the snow started to get heavier each day. Geraldine gives the extra stone to Aurelie since she became much more weaker due to the cold. Sitting on the fireplace, Geraldine took a tablet and throw it in her mouth as she watches the flame dancing. 

The whole place is surrounded by thick white snow and every day Alexjin and Maxwell would shovel the snow at the entrance. Nothing much happened to them and they go on in their daily chores. The training also stopped because of the snow and they are all cramped up in the house. It was also the time where Geraldine was able to take a good rest and focused on her poison intake.

"I'm so bored! Tsk!" Geraldine stretched her body and look back at the flames again. Deciding what to do to spend her time, she stands up and picks her cloak and pouch as she went to the stables to get a horse.

"Master, where are you going?" Alexjin approaches her with a curious look.

"I'll be going to town or else, I'll decay here because of boredom," Geraldine pulls the rope as the horse neigh. Alexjin could only watch Geraldine going away. 

She takes her sweet time and enjoys the snow that keeps on falling into the sky. Breathing out a cloud of smoke, Geraldine caught a snowflake on her palm and watch as it melts due to her body heat. 

She continued her journey until she arrived at the center of the town. All citizens there are wearing thick jackets and cloaks while Geraldine only wears a regular cloak that she always uses.

"Now, what should I do?" She murmured and look around. She doesn't have any plans to do in the town. Then she remembered that she needed a satchel for the Stygian cards so that she can carry them with her all the time especially when she needed to find them.

Going to the bagmaker, she didn't hesitate to put a whole bag of silver coins at the counter, "I want a satchel bag that is big enough to fit a whole book."

"Huh!?" The bagmaker looks at her with confusion, "Young miss, a satchel for a book? It's the first time I heard a customer request for a book."

"Yes, around this size…" She used her hand as a measuring tool and shows it to the maker.

"I see. Well then, let's choose a design," The bagmaker took something out from the drawer and placed it on the counter, "We have different designs around." He gestured towards the bag on display, "But we do have designs that haven't been made yet and these are the mini versions as an example to the customers. Although, they cost a bit much."

Geraldine pushes her pouch for the bagmaker to take which he gladly did with a huge smile and opens the pouch.

"Take your time, young miss," The bagmaker turned his back and count the silver coins from the pouch.

There are five mini bags in front of her. Three of the bags are dark colors while the other two are bright colors. For the design, she isn't very fond of it since it's too extravagant for her taste and wanted simple instead.

"These designs are too much for me, I want something simple that doesn't catch everyone's attention," She said to the bagmaker and leaves the counter to check the other bags on display.

As she looked at every single bag at the store, one bag caught her attention, she took it from the shelf and caress her hands over the material.

"That bag is the most unpopular one. Are you sure about what you picked? We have other simpler designs as well," The bagmaker gestured for her to go with him but she shook her head.

"This bag caught my attention especially the design. So can you make one for me except make the material like those mini bags you showed me? Make it as sturdier as possible and won't be destroyed after a long time," Geraldine said and handed the bag to the bagmaker and leaned closer to his ears.

"If your work reached my expectations. I won't hesitate to drop some few gold coins into your pocket," Geraldine smirked as she turns to the side and leaves the store, "I'll be back after two days to get the bag. I hope you won't disappoint me."

"You can count on me, young miss," The bagmaker waved goodbye as he hurriedly goes to work for his customer.

As Geraldine walked around the fountain, she saw some knights with a piece of paper and goes around to the people walking by. Lowering her hood, she was about to turn away when a knight called her. 

"Hey, you. Wait," The knight rush forward and stands in front of her, "I apologize for stopping you but were finding someone in this town. Could you tell us if you see someone with a face like this?"

The knight handed her the poster and she nearly stumbles when she saw the picture. It's a girl with vanilla-colored hair and red bright eyes, it was her.

"Who is she?" She coughs twice to clear her throat from trembling.

"She's the only young miss of the Duke of the North and we are finding her to bring her back to the residence." The knight sighs and rubbed his head, "I don't know why she's not at home especially to this harsh weather."

"I don't see someone who resembled her besides why would a noble lady stay in this small town?" Geraldine chuckled and handed back the poster to the knight.

"Well, it's true but you'll never know what's going on to that girl's mind. I heard she's like a cursed Geraldine. It's funny that she got a name only for those with divine powers." The knight laughed with amusement while Geraldine remained her composture.

"I see. So what's the reason you're finding her?" She asked as she stepped to the side.

"Haven't you read or heard the news?" When the knight saw that she shook her head. He sighs loudly, "What kind of town is this that didn't know the biggest news of the year. The first son of the Moulim's and the only daughter of the Gauthier's have settled the marriage between them."

Geraldine bites her lips to stop herself from scoffing," I see. Noble knight, are you from the house of the Moulim's?" 

"Ah, yes. The Gauthier's knights are rounding on the different area." The knight folded back the poster and slightly gives her a nod. 

"I see. Good luck on your work, noble knight." Geraldine immediately grab her horse and went away from there. She sighs in relief that the Gauthier's knights are not located in her area or else she'll be busted in no time since the knights of her family are not on her side.

She felt the cold air hitting her skin as she rides faster going to her house. As she arrived at the stables, she put her horse and went inside the house. She could hear laughter from the children which calm her a bit.

As she was walking inside, the snow from her cloak fell down and wetted the floor but she doesn't care. When they've heard steps from the door, their heads instantly snapped to see who it is.

Geraldine took off her cloak and just drop it on the floor as well and settled herself on the sofa as she's feeling dizzy.

"Master, are you okay?" Alexjin asked as he gestured the kids to make a hot tea which the children hurriedly go to work.

Geraldine didn't answer him and laid down on the sofa and cover her eyes as the light hurt her pupils. She could feel someone shook her but she doesn't respond and even swat the hand.

"Master, please drink this hot tea."

When Geraldine still didn't respond and completely laid still. She felt a hand going on her shoulder and pull her up. That's also the time when she felt something touching her lips and a warm liquid entered her mouth.

After sipping the tea thrice, she turned her head to the side as an indication that she didn't want to drink anymore. Murmurs are everywhere but she could not able to understand a word and just felt her body being lifted and a loud 'bang' followed.

Then she felt her body being laid on a soft mattress and covered up with a blanket and her shoes are taken away and was replaced with thick socks. Then she felt something wet on her forehead and she likes it.

"Her body is heating up," Aurelie whispered and touched Geraldine's neck, "I must need to change her clothes and clean her body. Now go out boys." She pushed Alexjin away and closed the door to give them privacy.

Aurelie took off the covers and started undressing Geraldine when a hand aggressive grasp her.

"Y - you must go. You'll d - die here."