The figure turned back to face the two who had just arrived in the small room. Immediately, Isel was relieved they had a human face. He had a clear view, and he was taken aback. They were extremely beautiful, as if they had been taken from a painting. Their features were perfect, jawline defined but not too sharp, and finely shaped nose and seemingly supple lips. Only one thing held them back from being akin to a divine being in terms of appearance: their eyes. They were wrinkled and visibly dark underneath, half lidded, dreary, and carried a distinct indifference. Isel was so caught up in the elegance that he almost forgot about the situation at hand.
As soon as they had turned Siphos quickly kicked at their knees, causing them to stumble backwards and release the tight grip they held over his neck. He launched himself off the couch while coughing horribly, reaching for one of the plates of his armor that had been scattered across the floor. Charine rushed to the bed frame that wasn't broken on the farthest end of the room and grabbed one of the weapons wrapped in cloth from underneath. In contrast to the two proactive individuals, Isel had still been frozen in place. The room was moving far too quickly for him to comprehend in such a short time. By the time his body started to move, the vicious and tall beauty was already upon him.
He attempted to fight back but was subdued immediately by a swift sweep to his legs, bringing him to the floor as he landed on his back. Everything became still as the tall beauty stared at him from above. The gaze wasn't intense, but had an uncanny laxness. He felt that if he were to move, his life would be put at risk. Charine spoke up for the first time since entering the room, still on the other side near the bed, pointing a weapon towards the figure.
"You shouldn't be here."
Her voice was calmer than Isel had expected it to be. Her voice carried a hint of contempt instead. The stranger responded with a deep and cool voice — a feminine one that threatened to entrance Isel as if he was a moth drawn to a flame. They were soft-spoken, but retained an authoritative presence.
"You're right. I'll be leaving, Charine."
Charine gritted her teeth.
"No, you're not. What's your business here?"
"I was searching for that man. I was unaware of your connection to him. "
Even while conversing with Charine, the beauty never looked away from Isel. Her eyes were a muted brown, and they slowly scanned his face. No parts of their body was visible from where Isel was viewing from on the ground; everything was concealed under the black cloak that pooled slightly on the ground.
"Searching for him? You were going to kill him."
Finally, the beauty pulled their gaze away from Isel.
"You must know better than that. I have never been so hostile."
Charine kept the weapon pointed at the stranger, though conflict was plastered on her face. After a deep deliberation she lowered the weapon.
"Explain everything, Mirial."
"No, I've long overdone my stay. As I told you, I'm leaving."
Mirial carried herself past Isel, who was still sitting on the floor. Charine let them leave with no further argument, only glaring as they walked out of the room. Siphos, on the other hand, was biting his lip as he started to the floor. The man had been silent since being freed from the tall woman's hold. Isel felt as if he was missing too much context.
"Wait."
Mirial stopped and turned back slowly to face him.
"Yes?"
He attempted to try and find a question that the woman would answer; one that could clear up the uncertainty of the situation.
"Why were you looking for him?"
Mirial looked back at the tall man at the end of the room. She directed her attention back to Isel, her detached expression unchanging.
"I am not one to divulge another's secrets."
Charine turned to the man beside her, a questioned expression on her face. After she replied, a slight change was visible in Mirial's expression. She took a step closer towards Isel and bent slightly to be on level with his face, her eyes widening ever so slightly.
"I almost hadn't recognized this body. So that man is dead?"
"Yes."
A hand left the cloak, revealing some of the contents underneath. The midriff was bare, her pale skin covered with bruises. What he could see of the chest was wrapped in blood-stained white bandages. She left her hand upturned in front of him.
"It's nice to meet you."
Isel turned back to Charine. She shrugged, indicating to him that there was no threat. He did not share the same thought. Remaining cautious, he didn't reach out. Mirial took notice and brought her hand back into the cloak.
"Then I will be leaving. I would be pleased if you were to visit me in the future."
"Why?"
"You may ask your friend. I'm afraid I'm running out of time."
Isel's thoughts scrambled as he tried to think of a way to prompt them to stay so he could find out more, but there was nothing more he believed would warrant a response he would find helpful. Mirial turned back around to leave, closing the door behind her. The room was filled with a palpable silence after the door clicked, leaving the three of them alone once again.
Charine sat down on the bed and Siphos leaned against a wall. She placed the weapon on the nightstand and faced him.
"What did you do?"
Siphos didn't look her in the eyes.
"I didn't do anything. That woman, she-"
Charine interrupted.
"I'm asking why she was choking you like that. She was telling the truth, she would never do something like that unless it was retaliatory. I won't ask again, what did you do?"
Siphos exhaled deeply while standing up.
"I was provoked, that's it."
"Details, Siphos."
The man snapped his head suddenly to her. His eyes narrowed and his fists clutched.
"This isn't your concern. I attacked her out of line and she fought back. That's all that's important."
Charine didn't give a response this time around. Her lips turned down and she exhaled through her nose with disgruntlement. Siphos turned away and walked out of the room, passing by and ignoring Isel. He figured that now wouldn't be the best time to ask him a question, so he didn't stop the man from leaving the room. Siphos spoke once more while opening the door.
"I'll clean up later — The mess."
He left the room, leaving the door open. Charine and Isel stood in the room, still completely wrecked. Isel looked around once again at his surroundings, unsure of where to even begin. Charine stayed sitting on the bed looking at him. She started talking before he could ask a question.
"Mirial. I don't know her surname. I met her during my journey to Manichae."
Isel sighed and sat on the couch at the side of the room, resting his forehead on his hand.
"Do you know why she did all that?"
"It's complicated."
"Well, explain as much as you need."
Charine looked to the nightstand she placed one of her weapons on.
"That woman is the sole resident of Hourlal. That land is extremely cold, as well as steep and mountainous. After arriving, both me and Leal experienced the price of staying within Lesvin. I became comatose immediately while Leal retained consciousness and brought me to where she resides."
"How does she live there? If it's so cold then how is there food?"
"She never told me, and neither was I able to find out. I only stayed for two days. She lived in one of the lowest elevated areas close to the entrance to Lesvin and guided me and Leal to the entrance to Comeidlan."
Isel could tell she was refraining from sharing something more. Her earlier attitude towards the tall woman wasn't something you would show to a kind stranger who led you out of a dangerous land.
"What happened between you two?"
Charine looked back to him and exhaled. She hesitantly spoke.
"I started explaining it, but it's been harder than I thought to get to the point. I'm sorry."
"I just want to know why Siphos is acting this way. You don't seem to be as upset as I'd expected you to be at him. So you must understand something."
Charine nodded.
"But if you can't tell me, I'll see if I can get him to say for himself."
Charine took a deep breath and forced herself to give an answer.
"No, that's a waste of time. Mirial, that woman. She isn't somebody who would harm another for no reason. She doesn't hold any grudges, and won't become upset either. No, the only terrifying aspect of that woman is her knowledge. I urge you to never inquire from her, Isel."
Charine turned back away before continuing briefly.
"Siphos would likely say the same. She has answers, but they won't be pleasing."
Isel felt the desire to continue questioning. He had been left with more questions than answers. What stopped him was Charine's voice; it trembled while she spoke and carried a weight of finality, as if she couldn't bring herself to share any further; And so he was left with his own silence.