Demonic System: Harem in Medieval World

9. Runaway

Francesca carried Devon on her shoulder, entering the dark forest. Although her body was a little bit smaller than Devon, Francesca still managed to carry Devon away to safety, leaving the decimated village behind them. She was hurt too, but that didn’t stop her pace.

“Huff, now I start to question my decision. Why didn’t I leave him behind? He only gave me nothing but trouble since the first time he came to my life!” regretted Francesca.

She kept dragging Devon who lost consciousness while still being alert to the surroundings. Sure, she wouldn’t have to worry about her pursuers anymore, but the night in the forest would pose a trouble if taken lightly. As a huntress, she knew that fact too well.

“Ugh, I can’t keep going on like this. Not with my wounded condition,” concluded Francesca. She was carrying Devon on her right shoulder which was not injured, but she started to feel numb due to the long duration her shoulder exposed to burden.

Luckily, she located another cave within her sight. This forest sure had lots of place to hide for animals, which could be used for humans as well. Wasting no time, she headed inside to catch some breather.

As soon as she stepped her foot inside, she knew something was amiss, but she couldn’t grasp what was it. After she put Devon down to the ground, she went deeper inside to check what the cave was hiding.

“A torch would be great in this blinding darkness. I need to secure this cave, but heading inside without a source of light would be too dangerous,” mumbled Francesca to herself, cancelling her intention to probe the deeper part of the cave.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, it wasn’t necessary for her to examine anymore. A heavy breathing and a vague movement indicated that she and Devon weren’t the only creatures residing in that cave.

GRRR!! ROOOAAARR!!

Giving her no time to react, that presence made itself known by showing itself to the outer part of the cave where Francesca and Devon were. It was a giant grizzly bear, standing on its feet, as if declaring to Francesca who the owner of the cave was.

“Crap! Not in a time like this!” said Francesca while stepping back slowly, trying to create some distance between them. “It’s easier to run, but what should I do with the sleeping beauty?”

Once again, Francesca was torn in between saving her own skin or attempting to stand her ground facing the brown beast. First option would be more comfortable, but she would feel guilty for the rest of her life. Not to mention it would also go against the final wish of her father. It was like spitting on her father’s grave, if he had one.

That left her with the last option, but that was just mental. Fighting the territorial bear while at the same time protecting Devon was going to be a huge handicap for her.

“Father, what are you going to do in a desperate time like this?” asked Francesca to her late father.

In the middle of her doubt, an arrow crossed from behind her, exactly beside her cheek. A little bit more to the left, and that arrow would have successfully grazed her rosy cheek. That arrow found its mark exactly on the bear’s neck, putting the grizzly in a very painful situation.

“Miss, stand back! You have some nerves, going inside the cave of a protective mother bear in the middle of the night, without any weapons or even a torch!” said a voice behind her. Francesca turned around to see a female elf who was responsible for the arrow before.

“Come! Let’s escape while that bear was busy taking out the arrow!” invited the elf. Francesca nodded without thinking, because it was not the time for one. She quickly grabbed Devon and followed the elf’s lead, putting the bear’s cave behind them.

After gaining some distance from the cave, that elf slowed down.

“I know that humans are weird, but not as weird as you guys!” commented the elf. “No one in their right mind would intrude a bear’s cave!”

“Well, excuse us! We don’t know it belongs to such a frightening beast,” replied Francesca. “Thanks anyway, I don’t know what to do if you didn’t show up back then.”

“Never mind, I just happened to pass by, that’s all,” stated the elf. “You’re human, right? This is my first time seeing one. I’m Arwen, nice to meet you!”

“I’m Francesca and he’s Devon,” responded Francesca.

“That boy, is he sick? Come to my village! While you guys recovering, I can take my time to examine, err I mean, to look after you guys! Yeah, that’s it!” suggested Arwen, who couldn’t hold back her fascination to humans.

Remembering what happened in the last village they were in, actually Francesca really wanted to refuse Arwen’s hospitality, but given her situation, she was in no position to bargain. She agreed to let Arwen show the way.

The village was actually not far from their position. They arrived in no time, but they were stopped by the elves responsible for the security of the perimeter.

“Halt! Arwen, you should stop lurking around at this time of the night!” scolded the elf sentry. It seemed he was already familiar with this scene. “On top of that, you even brought some shady looking characters with you!”

“Oh come on, I promise this will be the last time!” begged Arwen. “It’s an emergency! This boy needs treatment as soon as possible, so please let us in!”

“No can do, Arwen! You know our village is purely restricted to elves!” rejected the sentry. “I will let you off the hook now, so use this chance I give you to begone from my sight with your barbaric friends!”

“But -”

“Another second you pass here, and I am going to alert the others. I’m sure they won’t be as merciful as me. Your friends might even get arrested!” threatened the elf sentry.

“Hmph! Such a snitch!” scoffed Arwen while pulling her human compatriots away from the village. “Don’t worry, I will find you somewhere else to rest.”

“As long as it’s not a bear cave,” murmured Francesca.

“How about a bat cave, then?”