Chapter 51: Types Of Acranists
The environment was shrouded in a silvery fog, thick but not blinding, veiling the world in a soft, ghostly mist. Though obscured, the outlines of towering trees and the dew-kissed grass beneath remained faintly visible, as if the forest itself slumbered under a veil of dreams.
It was the early morning mist, dense, still, sacred in its silence, at a time when even the birds had yet to chirp their first notes.
Through this quiet shroud, three wooden wagons rolled steadily across the old trail of Devil Forest, their wheels crunching softly against the damp earth. Each wagon was occupied by four armored Guardsmen; garbed in leather cuirass and bear fur cloaks. The first wagon, however, bore a fifth figure seated among them, Hound.
Ahead of the wagons, three horses trotted with purpose. Mounted atop them were three riders. Flanking the left and right were two women, their postures upright and vigilant. The one on the left was Mildred, draped in a black cloak, her hood pushed back to reveal hair as black as night.
On the right rode Vi, also cloaked, her silver hair hiding within the hood, her eyes constantly scanning the woods for danger. Between them, riding with a composed ease, was Kaelor, his blonde hair tousled by the wind, his gaze fixed forward, deep in thought.
They galloped at first, hooves pounding rhythmically against the soft forest floor, disturbing the quiet. But after a time, the horses slowed into a steady trot, letting the rhythm of motion fall in line with the stillness around them.
Mildred reached across her saddle and offered Kaelor a waterskin. He accepted it without a word, lifting it to his lips and drinking deeply, the cool liquid flowing down his throat and washing away the dryness.
When he had had enough, he corked it and made to return it to her. But as he stretched the waterskin toward Mildred, a thought tugged at his mind.
"You’re an Acranist?" he asked, voice low but curious.
Mildred raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the question. She blinked, as though unsure how to respond. Kaelor then turned his gaze to Vi. "And you’re also an Acranist."