Hurdson was agitated. Without looking Miyu in the face, she gave a short whistle. Fernando released the girl and moved away through the bushes with a heavy step, disappearing into the grass, awaiting the next call.
—All right... you win —she said in a low voice—. I hope it really was just curiosity. But I can't just let you go like that.
Miyu collapsed on the ground, trying to get her trembling legs to support her. Before she could react, Hurdson grabbed her by the arm and pressed a cold object against her back, right between the shoulder blades.
—Hey... what are you doing? —Miyu asked, alarmed.
—If you try to talk about this with anyone, I'll hear it —Hurdson sentenced while configuring the device—. This is a tracker and a microphone. You can take it off in a few weeks; for now, keep it hidden under your clothes.
Miyu nodded, too terrified to refuse.
—I might come looking for you again —the woman continued—. Not to harm you, but I need you to talk to certain people about this. Do you understand?
—Yes... I guess. Thank you —Miyu responded, breathing with relief for the first time. Curiosity, however, peeked out again—. The red marks on your face... are they because you're a mage of the Legion?
Hurdson let out a sarcastic laugh, brief and dry.
—These marks are from birth, little one. And no, it doesn't mean that. I'm surprised you still doubt if I'm from the Legion.
—Miss Hurdson... you won't do anything to me if I stay quiet?
—Exactly. If you keep your mouth shut, this will be just a misunderstanding. And my last name is Leet; I prefer you call me that.
Miyu watched her as she finished adjusting the device. When Leet turned to leave, the girl regained a bit of her pride.
—You guys are evil! —she shouted, though her voice still trembled—. Although you don't seem that bad... the others are! You won't get away with it! The F.O.W. protects us!
Leet stopped in her tracks. She turned around and began to laugh softly, a laugh that sounded like sadness and mockery at the same time.
—Child... that's adorable. Seriously. I don't know how I could have thought you were a professional spy.
—The good guys always win! —Miyu insisted, clenching her fists—. Keep that in mind! I'll stay quiet, but one day you'll fall!
The woman's smile vanished, leaving a mask of absolute seriousness. She approached Miyu again and put a hand on her shoulder; this time her touch was not violent, but of a calm that was more terrifying than her shouts.
—Listen well. You might be too young to understand it, but remember: every side has its version. No one here is the good guy, little one. No one is even close to being one.
—Of course not! You guys want to destroy the F.O.W.! —Miyu countered—. They take care of us. What else do I need to know?
Leet snorted, containing a bitter laugh.
—If you only knew who wrote the history you've been told all this time...
Miyu went silent, confused. Her bravery wavered for a second, and she regained some of her childish naturalness. As the woman moved away into the thicket to pick up the books that had been scattered on the ground, Miyu couldn't help but drop one last question from a distance.
—Still… you guys have killed a lot of people. That doesn't justify anything… —she mentioned, her voice much more muted, hugging herself tightly.
—Do you really want to keep talking to an enemy? I'm surprised you haven't run away —Leet responded without looking at her. She approached the enormous dragon waiting hidden among the bushes and began to put the books in a bag that, strangely, was decorated in the shape of a bear—a childish detail that clashed completely with the danger emanating from her.
—I'm scared… in fact, I couldn't ask you anything before because I was terrified to get close, that's why I decided to follow you…
—Ha, did you suspect me enough to risk your neck? What makes you curious enough to do it?
—Before I go… I'd like to know something. Why did you get so angry with me for knowing Gronk'tar? —Miyu replied, looking down in shame and the terror she still felt—. You were carrying books that said phrases in that same language, so I thought maybe you knew it too. That you could be someone… like me.
Miyu closed her eyes for a moment, expecting an attack, but upon opening them, she was met with an unexpected sight. The girl had knelt in front of her. She opened a small jar and took a pinch of an ointment that gave off an aroma of ancient herbs and ozone.
—It's not common at all to see a human who knows this language, let alone a "normal" civilian —Leet murmured. With a delicacy that contradicted her previous words, she applied the ointment to Miyu's back, right where the impact against the tree had left a violent bruise—. Until I contact you again, don't talk to anyone about this. If you know this language, you are a target.
Miyu stood motionless, feeling the coldness of the ointment penetrate her skin, calming the pain immediately. —I know… my dad told me often. Still, I don't understand the reason for all this. People like you… you tried to… Do you do this to everyone? Why do you hurt people?
—You're lucky it was me —Leet responded, withdrawing her hand from the girl's back and wiping it on her pants—. If it hadn't been me, you'd be dead, or surely kidnapped. To be honest, I was thinking of killing you a minute ago, it's just that… I'm still somewhat sensitive with those your age.
—I know… in the end, you're not that bad. But I can't say the same for the others. —Miyu touched her shoulder, surprised—. Hey… my back doesn't hurt anymore. The blow disappeared.
—I guess I have a good hand —Leet replied coldly—. Child, the truth is I hate most of my companions, but I also hate lies. If stealing these books gives me a chance to know who I am, I'll do it without hesitation. It's my decision. If you interfere again, I'll have no choice but to fulfill my duty and kill you.
—Knowing who you are… —Miyu whispered, narrowing her eyes as she noticed that trace of humanity—. Hey… my brother and I are leaving here tomorrow. Don't worry about me, we'll leave and no one will know. If that avoids more deaths, I don't care if those silly books disappear.
—Well, that defines everything. Wise decision, child. Still, I'll have to look for you in the future. Does your brother know the same as you?
Miyu tried to look for an excuse, but her eyes betrayed her instantly. Leet, noticing the panic in her gaze, softened her expression.
—I won't do anything to him. But if he also knows, it's likely another of my companions will go for him. They are… a bit rougher. I'll try to tell them not to do anything —Leet mentioned with her usual stoic face—. When the time comes for you to come with us, you'll be able to know the full story. For now, go on your way.
—Thank you… Your face doesn't match your personality —Miyu said, sounding a bit more confident as she perceived that, in her own way, the woman was protecting her.
—Don't be overconfident. Children tempt my heart; it's my only limit —Leet responded with a small sarcastic smile that vanished as soon as it arrived.
Miyu began to walk away, leaving the woman and her beast behind in the forest. Just before getting lost among the trees, a shout from Leet made her stop.
—By the way! If you're going to try to be stealthy, try not to channel magic with that ring. Its essence is like a scream in a library for people like us. Something tells me you have natural talent… Don't do anything stupid!
—Thank you! I guess… —Miyu exclaimed, letting out an involuntary smile—. If I see you later, I hope you're this nice!
Without receiving a response, Miyu walked away for good. Where before she felt a sharp pain from the impact against the tree, now not even a trace of a scratch remained. The ointment was an almost miraculous medicine, leaving a metallic and fresh sensation on her back that gave her chills.
«Legion of Mages… in the end, bad people aren't always bad, right?» Miyu thought as she regained the path toward the school. «Ha… I think I have too much faith in people.»