Chapter 5 - The Stalker (2/2)

I noticed her at the edge of town. She sat on a fence nearby Solskin and Mordred, pretending to rest. However, she intermittently glanced at them. Suspicious. I slowed my pace to a casual stroll and walked toward the group. She looked up at me as I passed, and I saw a brief flash of recognition in her eyes. I continued the group and joined the conversation, carefully not telling the others about our stalker. As we continued down the road, she followed us. With my suspicions confirmed, I drew my new rapier and turned around, pointing it at her.

”Would you care to tell us why you are following us?”

She was shocked and took a few hesitant steps back.

”Damn, the jig is up.” She grumbled irritatedly.

Picking up her pace, she caught up with us and threw off her hood. She had short, unkempt, curly hair that completely covered one side of her face. She looked deathly pale and from her side, hung a pocket watch. I kept my sword pointed at her. With her finger, she pushed my blade away from her face and stated, ”Persephone Xenith. Apostle of Thanatos and servant to Hades. Who are you?”

Mordred stepped forward,

”I am Mordred Leporum of Shiria and the one with the golden hair is Solskin… What was it?”

”Brandrson.”

”And the buzzkill over there is Xavier. I don't believe you told last a last name.”

”Just Xavier,” I replied curtly. ”Why were you following us?”

”You seemed interesting. That is all. I have nothing better to do other than travel to the Capital, and it seems that you are heading there as well.”

She stared at me, searching for some little detail on me that had spiked her interest. I glared at her, and she dropped her gaze.

”Well, I suppose that you are right.” Solskin admitted. ”If we are all traveling toward the Capital, you can join us.”

”Yes.” Mordred agreed. ”The more the merrier.” Persephone raised an eyebrow at Mordred, and he just shrugged.

I ignored the rest of them and continued down the road as Mordred rambled on about the joys of traveling in a group. I always kept a few feet away. I was already irritated that Mordred and Solskin were tagging along. The addition of Persephone worsened my mood.

Mordred

While I was projecting an aura of camaraderie for everyone to relax, being the de facto leader, inwardly, my thoughts were racing. I needed more information! Earlier, when I was consulting with my peers on the possibility of extra-dimensional travel, they said it was merely a theoretical topic, and there was no evidence. I knew it happened, but what proof did I have, other than my faulty memories?

I felt as though it was connected: Xavier's odd spell and my own strangeness. I needed more time to ponder the subject.