Chapter 61: Body memory

The carriage waiting outside the castle was nothing short of magnificent. Crafted from dark mahogany, it gleamed in the early morning sunlight. Intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient runes adorned its sides, giving it an aura of both elegance and mystique.

The wheels were reinforced with steel, ensuring a smooth journey over rough terrain, and the interior was lined with plush crimson velvet, offering both comfort and luxury. Two black horses, their coats shining like obsidian, stood harnessed at the front, their eyes intelligent and alert.

As I approached, the driver, a burly man with a kind face and weathered hands, tipped his hat in greeting. "Good morning, Lady Elara. We're ready when you are."

I nodded, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The interior was spacious, with enough room to stretch my legs.

A small cabinet in the corner held refreshments, and a delicate chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals tinkling softly with the movement of the carriage. I settled into the soft cushions, my mind already racing with thoughts of the journey ahead and the task I had to complete.

The carriage lurched forward, and I watched as the castle and Seraphina slowly faded from view. The landscape outside was a blur of green and gold, the early morning sun casting a warm glow over the fields and forests.

Birds sang cheerfully in the trees, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax, lulled by the gentle rocking of the carriage and the beauty of the countryside.

Hours passed, and the scenery gradually changed from lush forests to rolling hills and then to rocky terrain as we ventured deeper into the eastern province. The driver occasionally called out updates, his voice steady and reassuring.

"Milady, we're making good time. We should reach the next village by dusk."

I thanked him and turned my attention back to the passing landscape. Despite the calm, an uneasy feeling gnawed at my stomach. Something felt off, a sense of foreboding that I couldn't shake. I tried to dismiss it as nerves, but it lingered, growing stronger with each mile we traveled.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, the carriage entered a dense forest. The trees here were ancient and towering, their branches intertwining overhead to form a natural canopy that plunged the path into twilight.

Shadows danced on the ground, and the air grew cooler, filled with the earthy scent of moss and leaves.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt, throwing me forward in my seat. I heard the driver shouting, and my heart leapt into my throat. Peering out the window, I saw figures emerging from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice. Bandits.

As the forest blurred past us, I replayed the fight in my mind. Every movement, every decision had felt instinctual, as if I had tapped into a deep reservoir of knowledge and skill that I didn't know existed.

My thoughts drifted to Seraphina, the one who had given me the dagger. She had always hinted at some hidden potential within me, something that I had yet to uncover. Could this be what she meant?

The rhythmic pounding of the horses' hooves gradually calmed my racing heart. I glanced at the dagger, now sheathed at my side, and wondered what other secrets it—and I—might hold.

For now, we had escaped, but questions swirled in my mind. What was that creature, and why had it appeared just as we were ambushed? Was it simply coincidence, or was there a darker force at play? And most importantly, what was happening to me? I had fought like a seasoned warrior, but I had never trained for such combat. Oh yeah right the body memory of the owner of the body.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice the driver's worried glances. He, too, seemed unsettled by what had transpired, but he said nothing, focusing instead on guiding the carriage through the darkening forest.

But for now, I would take Seraphina's advice: stay vigilant, stay prepared, and trust in the strength that had revealed itself when I needed it most.

It was only then that I realized what I had done. I had taken down a creature far stronger and more dangerous than any human, I had kill it , and I had done it with a skill and precision I didn't know I possessed. It was as if something had taken over my body, guiding my movements with a deadly efficiency.

The driver approached cautiously, his eyes wide with awe. "Milady, are you alright?"

I nodded, still in a daze. "I...I'm fine. What about you?"

He glanced at his wounds, which were thankfully minor, and smiled grimly. "I'll live. But that was incredible, Lady Elara. I've never seen anything like it."

I looked down at the fallen creature, a mixture of pride and fear swirling within me. What had just happened? And what did it mean for the journey ahead?

Before I could ponder further, the driver spoke again. "We should keep moving, Milady. It's not safe here."

He was right. We quickly gathered ourselves and continued on our way, the carriage resuming its journey through the darkening forest. I sat back, my mind racing with questions and uncertainties.

The eastern province awaited, and with it, more dangers and mysteries. But one thing was clear: I was no longer the same Elara who had left the castle that morning.