Snowland Ballad[]
This is a story circulating in Northland, though no one knows if it's true, but a minstrel wandering the Northland collected it in an anthology... Two blond Aurorian orphans from parts unknown met in a Northland village and form a solid bond through mutual aid and acceptance. In addition, we will also get a glimpse into the daily life of Northland Aurorians in the story.
Introduction[]
Martha learned the cause for the death of the siblings' parents, which compelled her decision to leave Northland. She couldn't stand the guilt.
Volume XI: Deserter[]
Martha shoved the house door open to dead silence. The siblings' room was closed. She approached and tried to knock, but her hand stopped midair, hesitating.
"Five years ago, the village was hit by Eclipsites. Dorothy and Cruz's father was in a search party that didn't make it back... Later, their mother followed the trail only to run into Eclipsites. She returned with grievous wounds and died shortly after..." What the elder told her still rang in Martha's ears. "Don't be too hard on them. Everyone has a past they can't forget."
She hesitated some more, finally deciding not to knock. She turned and looked outside.
"Martha," said the dark-haired Aurorian waiting on the porch, "Have you decided to leave?"
"Let's go." She resigned with a sigh.
Suddenly, the room opened. Martha felt a tug. It was Cruz. "Would you come in, Martha?"
Inside, Dorothy sat silent on the bed. She turned when Martha entered and asked, "Are you leaving?"
Before Martha could answer, she questioned, "Is it because of me?"
"About today, sorry..." Dorothy's lips trembled. "It was very rude of me to say what I said..."
"No, that's not it." Martha crouched and looked her in her teary eyes. "I have to go."
"Why?"
"I'm a... deserter," Martha paused, "I'm from the Illumina Federation."
Dorothy obviously didn't know what Illumina Federation was, but she understood "deserter" full well.
"I just can't fight Eclipsites anymore. None of my comrades survived. I couldn't stand the fighting, so I fled until I got to Northland." Martha lowered her eyes. "Now, one of my old buddies found me. If I don't go back..."
"You don't have to go!" Dorothy exclaimed breathlessly. "Just tell your buddy you're very happy here! They'll understand... You can plead to the elder, he'll speak on your behalf..."
"You'll never leave us, right?"
"Dorothy..." Martha wiped the tear off the girl's face, "I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to your parents..."
The startled Dorothy paused for a while, then asked, "Is that why you're leaving?"
"I just can't stay with you... Please forgive me..."
Dorothy felt herself shaking. "So you choose to run every time?"
The air was thick with awkward silence. Martha couldn't find an excuse. She was accustomed to the role of a deserter, a front she clumsily put up that everyone could see through—and a disappointing front at that.
"Just go," said a defeated Dorothy, scooting backward as if to distant herself.
Martha got up, looked at Cruz, who stood in a corner, and tried to stroke his hair, only for him to also back away. She forced a smile and said in a low voice, "Don't leave the village for the time being. Keep yourself safe."
Martha left the room, put the dagger on the living room table and walked out of the house.