Chapter 2

A week has passed by and Eryll and Petarian are taking Nehmet back to the healer. Petarian worked there, but he didn't know what was wrong, so going to his work and having others take a look helped them. Although without a reason why Nehmet was suddenly screaming, not crying, made both parents worried. Neither knew what was going on.

The healer's were no help either. A priest had even looked at Nehmet and found nothing wrong. Saranie was thrilled to know that a priest even found nothing wrong, evil or otherwise. Again that worried her as well.

Now the reason why she was heading to that town, other than Nehmet, was she spent only two days here and that was it. Nothing more. Zarquen, the village, wasn't close to her home and she had no reason to go there. So no one could predict her going there. Then she at least knew a few people from there because of Nehmet.

Once word did reach them about her, then she might need to figure something else out. Although she had no plans on showing her face or meeting Nehmet's family. It would be too weird. So hiding in the shadows as some beggar or something was her idea. Perhaps she could even live outside the city or something. She remembered a small forest just outside the city.

Now considering Nehmet was her and she was Nehmet, protecting him, her other body, was a high priority on her list. Even if she could return to Vellheart Kingdom or the orphanage, she would be putting them in harm by going there. She told them where she was from and if Refseler had accomplices, they could send people after her there. Not ideal.

Well she had about a month of travel to get there. Unless she ran into more patrols and had to avoid them. It takes a long time to shake people off her trail. It took her a whole week from when she left to now to finally be in a safe position.

Actually during that time, the fear of being caught and killed, helped her separate her senses from Nehmet. She was always in control of his body, but she could lessen it to a point where one could sleep and the other could be awake. Although the dreams were still weird.

---

"Don't be scared Nehmet. Your big brother will protect you." Aidelan softly said that to Nehmet. Saranie could still hear him even though she was dreaming and walking along a creek searching for some fish to eat.

"Aidelan, I see you're watching over your brother. Is he asleep?" Eryll came in softly being quiet.

"He just fell asleep mom. Is he going to be alright?" Aidelan asked worriedly.

"I… I don't know. Aidelan, you should know the truth. We don't know what's wrong, but everything we do know is that he is healthy. So we can only hope this is just some phase." After that her voice changed into something more cheerful. "I remember when you were learning to walk, you kept bumping into walls. Your father and I were worried that you had gone blind, but you were just too excited to pay attention."

"Mom!" He quickly caught himself, switching to a quieter tone. "Sorry."

"It's alright. We just have to keep an eye on your brother and hope everything is alright." Saranie heard a kiss sound then the two of them left the room.

---

Another week passed by and she had made it to the next village. She avoided many people and with the war, there were others who had their hoods up avoiding others who didn't belong.

Saranie looked over her tools. She had passed by a group of dead. Bandits by the look of it. Their clothing and armor, she was able to resupply from them. Nothing in terms of money or weapons. She had her leather armor from before, later gaining leather bracers for her arms and legs. Thankfully the hood she was wearing also came from the bandits and didn't have any affiliations on it. It was brown like the rest of her clothing. Her knife hooked tight to her new belt, with her money and dried food bag. She used a little bit of her money buying a water skin. Saranie had enough to last her a month if she solely relied on the money to survive.

With no events happening, the family slowly calmed down about Nehmet. Worried still, but grateful that he seemed to be doing fine.

The time spent with her new family was wonderful. At first she could tell they cared for Nehmet, even when their senses merged during a fight, but they hadn't stopped. Although he didn't cry, they stayed up all night with him trying to get him to sleep. She tried to be helpful in that area, but it was hard to force Nehmet to sleep when he had two naps prior that day.

Aidelan was a wonderful brother. Being careful and patient with Nehmet. He learned his lesson from before and if Nehmet was just a single person, would have really looked up to Aidelan. Saranie didn't look up to him, but she cared for him like her younger brothers and sisters in the past.

The room where Nehmet was in was some kind of study. Repurposed with a crib in mind. Nehmet had been around the house a few times and had seen how truly small it was. Eryll and Petarian's room was barely big enough for their bed and it was small for Petarian as his feet hung off the bed. Aidelan's room was closer to a closet compared to the study and parent's room, but he seemed to make it work.

Living in an orphanage, she had to deal with rooms like that. Although there were sometimes two or three other people sleeping in there. That was until they expanded the orphanage, but still cramped.

The military barracks and tents they would set up were big enough, but she had to share them with thirty to fifty others. At times like that it was much more cramped than this house. Each person had an ego and that took up a lot of extra space…

Saranie got a room at the tavern for the night. She sat at the counter listening to everyone talk. From people mentioning the war, some said it was over while others disagreed. Refseler put into perspective how it was not over for her.

She heard about roaming bandits and monsters. Criminals, including her included, popped up. At that she decided getting some rest was a good idea.

---

The next day she was followed. Probably too obvious heading up to her room after hearing her name. It was bright out, but the fog was thick. Quite interesting and it would help her get away. She led her pursuers around the village and hills, before pushing back towards the north to Zarquen.

She passed through some hills and trees then through a field of flowers before she noticed that it was midday. Muricottle, the horse's name, was sneezing. He was a strong horse for sure.

His name comes from Retii, who said that if she ever had a horse, it's name would be. While Saranie has ridden horses before, even trained in combat on them, she never had one more than a week. Muricottle had made it to two and she was thrilled to have him with her. He could be picky with his food, but other than that he was an energetic guy.

It seemed he had allergies though.

---

The study had a rug on the floor where Nehmet was lying down watching Aidelan play with some blocks. He was trying hard to find fun with the blocks, but kept them away from his brother so he wouldn't get hurt.

Their parents were out working at this point, so he needed to watch Nehmet. Though in the end he kept watch, no matter how boring it was.

"When you grow up in Nehmet, we'll go hunting together with dad. He took me hunting with him on my tenth birthday. You wouldn't remember that as you weren't born at that time, but it was fun. While blood is gross, but like dad said, I'll get used to it."

Nehmet made a sullen face at the mention of blood.

"Is something wrong Nehmet?" He carefully picked up his brother and checked him over.

---

"Why isn't dad home yet?" Aidelan asked Eryll inside the study.

"There are people who need his help. Aidelan, there have been attacks in the nearby villages. I don't want anything to happen, so stay close to home."

"Don't worry mom."

That was the first time Saranie heard there were attacks. She hadn't been to a village since last week where she escaped in the fog. So it happened recently and then the time for the news to travel. Depending on the location, she was looking at a week time difference.

If they were attacked and Nehmet died, would she die too? There was no way she was going to sit a fight like that out. She needed to hurry.

"Muricottle, we have to go. Can you make it through the night?" She had stopped to make a fire, but if she was on a time limit, she had to make time. Looking over Muricottle he was a little tired. "I'm gonna cast a spell for you. Get ready."

She used her lifeforce to grant Muricottle extra stamina. It's mainly used for a sudden burst of energy on the battlefield, but she wanted to extend the duration with her lifeforce. It took a lot out of her. She felt a little week and cut the spell off there. If it took anymore, she wouldn't be ready for a fight by the time she arrived. She might be able to cut down the travel time to five days if she really pushed it. Though if something was going on and where it was, patrols would be increasing.

"Let's go."

---

Three days later, Nehmet was listening to see his parents argue. It had been a very long argument. Going back and forth. Saying the same things, just using different words.

"We need to leave." Eryll did not want to stay in a city that was going to be attacked.

"If we are ambushed on the road, it will be all over. Monsters are coming whether or not we stay. Staying together with the rest of the village we can pool our might and fend them off." Petarian was trying to be reasonable, but he also would be up for leaving if there was a guarantee.

"I just don't want to be trapped here. If we leave now we can get away." Eryll had a point. If they did, they would be fine.

But if these monsters were being led around by a cultist or whoever, they were screwed. If monsters only acted on instinct, then they had a chance to travel. Being controlled and having the ability to coordinate attacks and push from multiple sides, they would have no chance. Not unless they had a regiment. Although Saranie didn't know who was guarding this town or anything, last she was there, they had taken most of the fighters to fight other battles. Maybe they have people stationed there, but Saranie doubted it. If they were fighting over this issue, others would be too. So any lords or officers calming the masses was out of the question.

---

As a healer, Petarian was sent out to help along the walls. It seemed they set up walls from the last time she was there. It was a good sign and she was getting close. She would be there by the night as it was midday. She had already snuck up and killed a group of monsters heading towards the city. A squad of twenty or so, so based on those numbers it was going to be a long fight.

She whistled towards Muricottle and rode towards Zarquen.

Aidelan was wearing a pouch with Nehmet in it. Eryll and him were with a bunch of other non-combatants or healers hiding away in the church. The reason Aidelan was holding Nehmet was due to his persistence and Eryll pushing him to hold on to Nehmet. She probably wanted to have her hands free to protect her children.

"The walls have been breached!" Someone shouted from across the church.

"That's too early." Another panicked.

---

"Faster Muricottle, we have to get there now." She had no intention of letting her new family die or Nehmet. He was her now for a month. There was no way she was going to risk her life or theirs.

Thankfully her lifeforce was topped off and her mana had a little missing from the previous fight.

---

"Aidelan, stay behind me. No matter what, protect you brother. I love you so much son."

"Mom… I love you too. I'll protect Nehmet, don't worry."

The doors were being breached, but the windows already had. Winged beasts flew in. Some skeletal and others with flesh. A single eye, stinger for a tail and completely black. They ripped people apart easily. It was a panic and now a death trap. If they didn't get out of there now, it would be all over.

---

Saranie was close and saw Petarian on the wall. She couldn't believe her luck. Sure he was surrounded by dark wolves, covered in darkness magic, but if she was coming up under him through a hole in the wall.

"Petarian, jump!"

He had amazing reflexes or already planned to do it. He was in the air, Muricottle jumped up, Saranie casted a slow fall spell on him and righted him on the horse.

"Thanks for the save."

"Your family is in danger. We are going to the church. The monsters are already inside."

Either he didn't want to ask or clearly not the right time, he didn't question how she knew his name or about his family.

---

Aidelan was just standing still in horror. Nehmet could see Aidelan's face, because he was facing that way. Saranie had him slap Aidelan to get him to move. Things were happening and being stuck was a terrible idea.

Eryll must have gotten out of her stupor at the same time as she called out to Aidelan.

"Follow me!"

She pushed people onto the floor. Running for her life and protecting her children. She pushed a man towards a monster instead of helping. It was a horrible moment and one she might regret, but her children were safe so far. Saranie felt bad for that man who was torn to shreds by the dark wolf because of her, but didn't care right now as this whole thing was a mess.

Aidelan was running behind her only to slip on blood and fall on his back. Best case as he had a baby on his chest and the fact that a shadow had quickly passed over the ground. Nehmet couldn't turn around, so Saranie guessed slipping saved both their lives. Now she praised either Aidelan's luck or his reflexes.

---

"Once we get there, as soon as we get your wife and children, take Muricottle out of here."

"What about you?" He was clearly worried for her. She was a little surprised that he had said anything, but smiled nonetheless.

"I'll catch up." She wanted to joke and say 'father', but that was too early and too weird to get into right now.

They both jumped off as Muricottle ran around to avoid getting attacked and burst into the church. It was easy to say massacre. She cut into the first wolf and shot mana darts at the stingers coming towards her. Pushing forward with Petarian, she saw that he was terrible with a sword. Compared to her at least. He was competent, but a much better healer. He got stuck at the entrance fighting.

She saved those along her path as much as she could. The most she was doing was making all the enemies come towards her.

"Eryll, Aidelan go now. I got you covered."

Eryll had been helping Aidelan up from the ground and hearing their names in this mess had quickly gotten them to turn towards her.

"Who are you?" Aidelan asked as Eryll lifted him off the ground, clearly pushing herself, to get to her husband.

Saranie didn't answer as a dark wolf needed a sword inside its head. It was going for her family and there was no way she was going to allow that. As she was pulling out her sword she jumped back as Nehmet saw a stinger flying down towards her. Using her dagger she sliced it up before retrieving her sword and running towards her family. In the distance she saw them getting on Muricottle… and waiting for her.

"Go!" She yelled and gestured towards them. She fired mana darts towards the wolves and stingers outside heading towards them. That got them moving.

---

Nehmet could hear their conversations.

"Are you three alright? Is that your blood?" He was guiding Muricottle through the streets.

"I just slipped dad, I'm fine. Nehmet is fine too." Aidelan was still in his mother's arms, but she set him between her and Petarian.

"We're good honey. I'm so glad you're alright." Eryll tightly hugged her family.

They passed by some smoke as Nehmet started coughing.

"Careful."

"I know. Is Nehmet good?"

Babies and smoke is not good. It got into his eyes. He was coughing like crazy and eyes were watering.

"I think something is wrong with him." Aidelan began to panic. Nehmet could feel Petarian's hand touch his back and cast a healing spell. It helped clear the smoke from his lungs and eyes. "He seems better. Thank you dad."

"Duck!" Eryll yelled towards their group as a stinger tried to take their heads off.

---

Saranie saw her family was still winding through the streets. She was cutting through buildings, monsters and anyone who tried to slower her down. By following their direction, she would be able to catch up to them. She was looking through Nehmet's eyes for any horses running around. It would help, but not yet.

She ran into a burning building. Stone and wood were collapsing, but she was running up a slanted wall towards the second floor as the next building's roof was still intact and would help her make time. Jumping out the window, she rolled on the roof across the street, got to her feet and ran. Any stingers heading towards her family, she fired mana darts their way. Based on their location, she was about to be on them. Jumping to the next roof, across the street by casting slow fall on herself, she saw her family below her and her from below. So strange to see herself.

"Keep going. I'll clear it out ahead." Saranie tried to call out to them.

---

"Who is that woman?" Petarian asked.

"I thought you knew her." Eryll guessed.

Aidelan wasn't paying attention at the moment. He was trying to calm Nehmet from the smoke before.

"Everything will be alright Nehmet." His smile was genuine in a complete disaster.

The only reason her family was alive was luck and staying in the city. If they had left it would have been over.

---

There was a wall down in their way. Saranie recast haste on herself. She needed to move faster and using her lifeforce to use a spell she had only seen once was the only way her family would survive. That was the last of her lifeforce and that weakened her, but she pushed on. If she did happen to survive, she would be paying for that tomorrow and the week after that.

Saranie and Nehmet hadn't seen any horses, so that was her only choice right now. It got her caught up with her family and she overtook them. Muricottle had to dodge many things, letting her catch up.

She pooled the rest of her mana into a ball and sent it towards the fallen wall. It detonated eliminating those near it and the wall. With it gone, Muricottle was able to jump over the hole and debris letting them through. She waved at them and went looking for a horse.

---

"Did she…" Eryll was at a loss for words. "Where will we go?"

"I don't know where it would be safe for us… The river! We can follow it through the forest." Petarian suggested.

"Are you sure?" Even his wife could tell from his voice he wasn't.

"It's our best choice."