Chapter 200
Chapter 200
Once Nolan departed. Eliza returned to her pocket farm.
This time, though, she didn’t go to see Sophie.
The exchange was set to happen in three days. And before then, there was much to prepare–especially when it came to dealing with Nomus
While Mary could likely handle his poisons, the man also controlled venomous snakes If they weren’t careful, those snakes could put them at a severe disadvantage.
After all, even if one wasn’t afraid, being bitten by a deadly viper was no sinall matter.
So Eliza headed straight to the second floor of the pocket farm.
It no longer housed only toxic herbs–there were now poisonous creatures as well. Fire ants. Toads. Spiders. But her eyes slid past them. finally landing on the scorpions nestled in a corner.
Over a dozen of them. Small for now, but vicious. Of the Five Venoms, scorpions were the most feared–not just for their toxins, but their innate ferocity.
If she had to pick one kind of creature to counter Nonus’s snakes, it would be these.
They were still too small, and their venom not yet potent enough. But Eliza had three days–and in a place as rich in spiritual energy as her pocket farm, three days were more than enough. She would feed them poison. Bathe them in spirit water. And she would raise a Scorpion King or two.
Mary came looking for her, but Tina handled it–offering excuses and turning visitors away.
And so, the days slipped by
On the morning of the third day, Eliza emerged.
Though she hadn’t slept for nearly three days, the ambient energy of the packet farm kept her body stable and her mind. sharp
She packed everything she needed and stepped out of her courtyard.
Mary was already there, waiting at the gate. “You’re ready?” she asked.
Eliza gave a nod. “I am. Let’s go”
Mary blinked, then glanced around. “Where’s Sophie?”
“Relax” Eliza said calmly. “She’s with me?
Mary didn’t press further. She assumed Eliza had entrusted Sophie to Tina
And so, the two of them descended the mountain–bringing with them the numery’s ever–reliable donkey.
Mary refused to ride, of course. She handed the reins to Eliza, who climbed on with an amused smirk, while Mary walked beside her, looking equal parts annoyed and dignified as they made their show, steady way toward Moonshade Pavilion.
As they passed the base of Mount Westin, something caught Eliza’s eye.
She turned slightly and spotted a newly built straw hut in the distance–one that hadn’t been there before.
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It was positioned to face the path leading down from the nunnery
No one was outside, so she said nothing and continued on.
What she didn’t see… was the man who appeared just after she looked away. Dylan stepped out of the brush, arms full of thatch. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the familiar figure riding away.
Eliza!” he breathed
He hadn’t seen her in days–hadn’t even expected to. He dropped the thatch immediately, brushed the straw off his rough tunic, and rushed after her.
“Eliza! Eliza“”
He chased them for several miles, calling out, but they didn’t turn. Whether they couldn’t hear or simply chose not to respond. Eliza and Mary kept moving forward.
Dylan didn’t want to give up. He ran harder. He had to see her. But as he followed, he realized something strange–Eliza wasn’t heading toward Hasen City. Nor was she going toward any nearby village.
And then he spotted it. A pavilion up ahead, nestled at a curve in the road. Moonshade Pavilion? he thought. Why would she be going there?
Just as confusion furrowed his brow, three strangely dressed figures stepped out from the opposite side of the pavilion.
Dylan’s instincts flared. Something felt wrong.
He ducked behind a tree and peered out cautiously
“Dylan’s following us, Mary murmured, glancing back over her shoulder.
Eliza didn’t even look. “Let him,” she said flatly. “So long as he doesn’t interfere.”
Mary gave a small nod and said no more.
They turned their attention back to the figures ahead.
Nonus had arrived–with two others.
One was Gilbert. The third was a stranger, entirely shrouded in dark fabric. Only a pair of eyes was visible beneath the layers of cloth.
And strapped to his back was a coffin, Caroline’s coffin.
They hadn’t even spared her final resting place.
Eliza’s hands clenched at her sides, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
Nonus stepped forward with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Your Grace, this doesn’t look like what we agreed to
He scanned behind them, taking note of the donkey–and nothing else. No Sophie.
His smile vanished. “You planning to break our deal?”
Eliza’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. “Don’t be so hasty. Sophie’s here. But before you see her. I want to something.”
She took a step forward. “I want to see my mother’s body. I need to know you haven’t done anything to it
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It wasn’t just suspicion–it was dread. If they had violated Caroline’s corpse… then Eliza would return that cruelty at thousandfold
Nomus gave a low sort. “There’s no need to worry. Your mother is still… quite intact.
With a flick of his hand, he slapped the lid clean off the coffin.
The nails had been pried loose long ago, so it opened easily.
Inside lay a woman’s skeleton, dressed in a burial gown, bones long stripped of flesh.
Eliza’s breath hitched. Her pupils shrank
Mary gasped. Caroline
Behind the tree. Dylan’s eyes widened in horror.
He clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle the sound threatening to escape his throat.
What is this? he thought frantically. Why is Mother’s coffin… her body… here? Who are these people?”
Eliza instinctively stepped forward–but Nonus slammed the lid shut again.
“Now he said darkly, resting a hand on the coffin, “bring me Sophie.
Eliza forced herself to stay calm. “Mary, wait here.”
Then she turned and walked away, slipping behind the trees–past the one Dylan was hiding behind.
He didn’t dare move. Moments later, Eliza returned, dragging Sophie with her.
Mouth gagged, hands bound, dragged out from Eliza’s pocket farm and into the morning light.
The moment Nonus and his companions laid eyes on her, their expressions changed. “Sophie,” they breathed.
AD
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