Chapter 55:Forest

Atheline’s gaze went to a stall owner a few stalls down. He took Lily’s hand and stood up.

She followed behind him.

They passed through a large crowd of people that had already grown until they came to a stop in front of the stall.

The stall was smaller than the others but what they sold was what caught Atheline’s eyes.

Small intricate jewellery made from what looked like light spider silk attached with gems that seemed to have been infused with light itself.

He rarely came to the markets since he never lacked anything and didn’t see the reason to go.

Atheline leaned in slightly. "What’s this?"

The vendor, a high elf with silver eyes, smiled politely.

"Sun thread bindings, my lord, woven during the first light. They store Solar Aether and provide a soothing sensation especially during an emotional outburst of any sort."

Behind him, he heard a small chuckle before a hand picked up the glowing threads.

"You need one of these," she said in an amused voice.

Atheline rolled his eyes.

"Thats not funny."

The vendor glanced between the two of them his smile flattering.

"How much is it?" He asked while holding one golden thread.

"Fifty coppers," he said then added," You can also pay with Sunfire crystals, ten crystals for each thread."

Atheline’s eyes narrowed.

"Fine."

He passed him ten Sunfire crystals, since he didn’t have any copper; he had never even held one.

The vendor had the biggest smile as he took the crystals.

Atheline and Lily moved on.

"You know you got scammed right?" Lilith said.

Atheline shrugged his shoulders.

"We’re getting married, count this as a way of getting free luck points. Helping others, call it an offering to both the God and goddess."

Lily laughed softly despite herself.

"I’ve never known you to be charitable," she said quietly.

Atheline smiled.

"You’ll be knowing a lot about me after we get married."

She stared at him for a moment as they walked.

"You’re right."

Their legs led them out of the market, the noise reducing as they walked among trees and the moon.

"Did you like living in my palace?" She suddenly asked breaking the comfortable silence.

Atheline looked at her then glanced to the ground.

"I do, you don’t have to worry about me ever leaving you," he said a small chuckle escaping him," I should be the one worried that you will whisk away another handsome elf the moment you get bored."

She suddenly stopped and held his robes stopping him.

"What?" He looked at her in confusion.

"I won’t ever leave you ever, there is no one out there who is better than you."

Atheline chuckled and pulled her into a hug.

"I know, I’m not doubting you."

’

That had been a joke’

The forest around them was quiet, too quiet. Atheline let go of Lily and held her hand, her hand tightening around hers as they moved forward.

’

Can’t we just have a normal walk for gods sake’

Atheline had expected this, it was almost customary. There was no way everyone was delighted about the union between them.

"Something’s off," he whispered.

"I know, " she responded.

Her gaze swept around them, careless and too comfortable as though the assassins aiming for their lives were nothing but dead bodies.

They already were but here deliberate carelessness was enough for egg some of the assassin on.

A golden glow dropped from above, slicing at their joint hands.

It didn’t reach its target, a small gust of wind redirected the blade into Atheline’s free hand.

He hadn’t brought a weapon with him when he came out with her since they just wanted to spend sometime together without the face of everyone around them judging.

Atheline looked at the golden blade in confusion.

"This is new."

Lilith looked at it and shook her head.

"It’s temple-sanctioned, "she said instantly, " they are forged by light and blessed."

"Do they just give out these weapons for free?" Atheline asked.

A group of assassins dropped from the trees, surrounding them.

Four attackers from the front, three from the side, and two from behind.

"Is this the only amount sent?" She said in an amused voice.

"They’re probably here for me."

The glowing dagger thrown towards him from one of the assassins answered his question.

’

Deep breath, and centre one element just like grandfather said’

Wind burst out of Atheline in short concentrated bursts, sending him towards the assassin who dodged the blast but Atheline sent another.

He subconsciously stood in front of Lily despite knowing she was strong enough to protect herself.

"You’re getting used to your power," she said while observing him.

"I’m trying to."

Another assassin was before him blade aimed at his throat.

Atheline twisted to the side and caught the assassin’s wrist breaking it in the process.

Two came from both sides.

He exhaled softly, a burst of wind orb shot to the right knocking the assassin off balance.

Atheline’s hand came to his first attacker’s face.

He shifted his position as he pushed down bending as a sword swept over the place his neck should have been.

The assassin hit the ground blood pooling as his skull broke.

Atheline swept his leg across knocking the sword assassin off his feet before a burst of wind threw him across the trees like a doll but he landed on his feet staggering a little.

’

Yeah.. I’m definitely getting better at this’

He could feel his core circulating the pain almost negligible. Since he could at least pick one element at a time, he still chose the one he was more used to.

He wasn’t sure if he could operate the others without messing them up.

Lilith looked on as he fought a smile on her face. The feeling of being protected felt great.

It made her heart flutter that he thought of her first while fighting.

Her gaze moved around observing the battlefield, cataloguing every assassin’s movement. They had increased in number and strength.

She raised her hand.

Below every assassin, whether on trees or ground a magic circle appeared.

The world slowed as shadows bound them as they rose from the magic circle before they could even react.

Their shouts didn’t reach far as their bodies burst into blood spraying everywhere before they were pulled into the circle disappearing.

Atheline had stopped fighting after noticing her move. He stared in wonder as all the assassins died and disappeared into the circle.

’I don’t want to even know where they’re going ’

The forest returned to its former quiet.

"Thank you," Atheline said.

She walked towards him, her body swaying a little with the wind. Atheline could see the joy in her eyes.

"You don’t have to thank me," she wrapped her hands around his neck," I’ll always protect you."

Atheline chuckled.

"I wouldn’t mind that at all."

She burst into laughter her head falling back. Atheline watched her in marvel. She had been laughing a lot lately.

"You’ve improved."

She said after her short laugh. Atheline nodded.

"I’ve been practicing."

"To protect me.."

"Yeah..."

"That’s so sweet, " she smiled, " you don’t have to push yourself too hard."

’It would be better if you remained weak and dependent on me, such a pity’