🩸 A prayer to Fortune (2)

Astrid hadn't visited Faline in a few months now. Fallen leaves danced with a fresh breeze and the city slowly got covered by the night's veil. Jean observed the sun as much as he could as it set below the horizon line. Astrid gave a gentle squeeze to his hand and let him be. He hadn't seen the sun in almost a year ; Astrid would not steal a second from that moment. Instead she wandered around the son and his other fighters. He gave his guidelines and orders for the night's combats and Astrid would take any information she got to beat her opponent. 

She had grown stronger lately. After years of merciless training, she had gained in muscle mass. Her shoulders were larger, her thighs had won some hard curves and her arms felt much more powerful to hit someone in the face. Hell, she was pretty sure she could even throw them now. The blade she carried for sword combats was massive as well - a real pain to master, but with its added weight and range plus years of practice, it was brutal now. Way stronger than the small rapier she used when she trained for sports as a teen. She was often able to deceive her enemies with her small size - which amused her even after three years - until she wrecked kneecaps and taught them respect in pain.

These three last years had forged her. Probably not for good - her love for violence on the ring was clearly not a healthy coping mechanism. Where Jean's flame had faltered, breaking his resilience, his heart and his rebelious spirit ; Astrid's had turned impatient, brutal, merciless, and more hot tempered than ever. He was skittish, anxious, afraid and depressive. She felt like an agressive stray mutt before a dog fight. Evolving in a circle nurturing cruelty and constraint did that to you. But there was no right or wrong way to survive, after all. 

Jean had caught whispers of desert and betrayal among other fighters ; something he clearly did not approve of but didn't report either. It still flared up his anxiety - and Astrid shared his worry. The price for betrayal was death. It was the fighters' problem - but one never knew how such a mess could end up. A burried part of Astrid even suggested that Jean and her could use the others escape to cover their own. It could work. Her guts highly considered it.

She had been careful to be on her best behavior lately - to be the perfect biddable puppet's in the son's eyes. Make him believe he was finally taming her so when she asked for a favor he wouldn't mind and view himself as a generous leader. So that was why as Jean savored the colors of the sky, Astrid approached the son.

"Our first encounter is in an hour," she bowed to him once he finished his speech. "May I take a few minutes to visit a shrine ? I haven't been able to in years. I won't be long."

"You, a worshipper ?" he snickered.

"An old family tradition. Please."

"Lower."

Astrid didn't hesitate for a second has she got on her knees and bowed. She would get him in the end anyway - ego was a low price to pay for revenge.

"You have brought me less trouble and way more money than usual lately. I will allow it. You have fifteen minutes - do not be late and do not get caught. You know who will pay the price if you do anyway."

"Thank you," Astrid bowed once more for good measure.

After a last nod of approval, she stood up and went for the shrine.

The place was empty. Withering flowers, fresh fruits, handcrafted masks and jewels adorned Fortune's shrine. In its center stood a golden bowl carved with intricate patterns. A ritual dagger made of metal and bones laid bare on it, waiting. Astrid kneeled in front of the idol respectfully. She remembered every moment and place she called for Fortune's help - and every minute the Patron answered. Three times already. Each decisive event another step bringing Astrid closer to freedom. Yet a freedom she hadn't acquired. As she charged her movement with will and intent, Astrid grabbed the dagger. She sliced the palm of her hand in a small cut and let a few tints of blood drop into the colored bowl. She would not use magic to heal this one.

"I first wish to thank you for your help. You have opened my eyes on my inner strength. You gave me the power to survive. It was not easy, but I thank you for that." Astrid took a moment. "And I need your help - again. I am trapped among the Crawreak. My partner is too. If I flee alone, he will die and I refuse to abandon him or risk his safety. I will be honest : I want revenge. I will pay the price you want for the Crawreak son. He has abused my partner for more than a decade in any way imaginable. He broke him apart to an extent I cannot fathom. He has abused me for three years now - to a lesser extent, but I feel myself cracking. I do not want to take it anymore. I am tired of feeling guilty for my own abilities. I am done punishing myself for what I am - and what I went through and survived. Yet, I do not want to leave peacefully either. So here is my plea : I am asking for your help to kill him. He will snap. He is a vigorous mercenary and I may not be able to take him on my own, but I can control an entire arm already. With your help, I might be able to do more. Just enough to hold his weapon in place - or snap his own neck."

She realized as she confessed it aloud that she did not feel any ire or shame towards what she planned. She grabbed a bottle of water she always carried in her backpack - except it was full of blood.

"I challenged him to a duel for practice so I could use my dagger. I offer you this blood I stole and collected from him." 

Astrid opened the bottle and poured it into the small jar, drowning her own.

"When the time comes, may you support me so I can drench the earth in his blood. Please, accept my sincere and heartfelt thank you, for all you have done for me. I owe my freedom to you."

Astrid put the now empty bottle back into her bag. She savored this moment of calm for a few more minutes before she stood up, bowed her head in respect once again, and left. 

For the first time in years, her mind was clear and quiet. She planned the slaughter of a man. And she was at peace.