The Moonlight Swordsman

The horses ran with remarkable pace as the carriage thundered through the uneven terrain, their hooves hammering the dirt into submission.

The woodland soon swallowed the passengers completely as the trees started to close in and their crooked, old branches tangled overhead.

The smell of loam and moss filled the air, and the horses' breathing resonated through the stillness.

The passengers gazed in astonishment as they emerged into a clearing, surrounded by tall trees. Each was over a hundred feet tall, with trunks as thick as houses and branches that stretched out like a wide, leafy canopy.

The leaves shimmered like silver in the sunlight, rigid and thin like grass blades turned upside down.

The carriage rumbled through the forest till it arrived at a small town surrounded by the same tall trees.

The coachman gestured towards the town ahead as the carriage came to a halt. "Welcome to Strykewood Town," he said, as the travelers gazed in awe at the charming yet mystical town ahead.

Ignoring the beauty of the town and the woodland, a hooded person leaped from the carriage and headed for the town's heart.

As he entered the town, he saw a bustling scene with hordes of people. The marketplaces were filled with hunters, proudly displaying their products. Yet he observed that there were few mages among them.

Despite this, the sound of children's laughter rang through the streets, filling the air with innocence and joy.

He made his way to the town's center, where the most imposing structure loomed towering and proud. It was the Gilles family mansion, a reflection of their wealth and power.

A magnificent mansion was nestled in the middle of a tiny town, made of both solid brickwork and rich, warm tones of wood. The structure protruded boldly from the ground, its roof falling beautifully to the ground, and its walls were covered with delicate carvings.

The mansion's many windows glinted in the sunlight, enticing passersby to glance inside and wonder at the splendor within. The aroma of freshly cut wood blended with the lovely scent of flowering flowers as one approached, engulfing them in a comforting hug.

This was no ordinary mansion; it was a symbol of the ruling family's wealth and power.

The hooded person walked purposefully towards the mansion's entrance, where a pair of guards kept watch.

"Halt, who are you?" One of the guards spoke.

"I am David, the sole son of the Rosewell family," the man replied, removing his hood.

"Pardon sir, please come with me." The guard bowed and took David inside the mansion.

As they entered the hall, As they entered the hall, instead of walking down the hall, David went right for one of the rooms. The guard didn't object since he knew where David was headed.

David approached the door.

*knock* *knock*

He knock upon it twice as the gate creaked open.

A beautiful figure rushed towards him, wrapping him in a close embrace and flooding his senses with her alluring fragrance. David could feel the warmth of her skin on his as he held her tight.

"I missed you." She spoke,

"I missed you too Katherine."

"Come inside." They both headed into the room.

"So, you missed me so much that you journeyed all the way from Chester just to see me," she spoke as they settled onto her bed.

"You can say that." He replied while holding her hand.

When he gazed deeply into her dazzling, light brown eyes, David's fingertips caressed the delicate swirls of her brown hair. "You are the most beautiful woman in all of Xelgar," he whispered, his words full of adoration and love.

She was dressed in a flowing black gown that highlighted every curve. David's left hand caressed the silky curves of her waist as he leaned in for a delicate kiss, sending shivers down her spine.

Her lips, a lush shade of rosy pink, parted in response to his touch, and the two lost themselves in the passion of the moment.

After their intimate moment, Katherine asked, "So when are you taking me to your home?"

With a heavy sigh, he prepared to convey the reason for his visit to her.

"I've left my family, and I'm no longer a Rosewell."

Katherine's eyes widened in shock as she heard the news, and she swiftly asked, "Why? Has something happened?"

He informed her of everything about the recent events in town, about the raid, and about his family's situation.

"What should we do, David, if my father finds out?" He will break off our marriage. He agreed simply because of your grandfather.

"Now since you are not even a member of a noble family, I am sure everyone will oppose it," Katherine asked, her voice trembling as she leaned in close to him, her expression mirroring the fear that was slowly rising in her heart.

"That's why I came here, Miss Katherine Gilles; will you leave your family behind and escape together with me?"

David stood up, as he bowed like a gentleman, and placed a hand in front of her while asking.

"Of course, let's escape together and run as far away from everyone," Katherine replied, placing her palm on his.

They both smiled at each other while suddenly,

*knock* *knock*

They heard the knock on the door.

With hesitation, Katherine walked over to the door and grabbed the doorknob.

She pushed it open and was immediately face to face with a bald man who was grinning ear to ear. His chubby frame was decked out in lavish nobleman's attire, with a little sword buckled at his waist.

"David, how are you?" In a swift motion, he closed the distance between himself and David.

"I'm fine, Sir Gilles; I apologize for stopping by Katherine first," David said as he bowed toward him.

"You don't have to be sorry; she is going to be your woman soon."

"How are your mother and sister doing?"

"They are doing well, Sir Gilles."

"They didn't inform me that you were going to visit us. If I had known ahead of time, I would have prepared a feast for you."

Katherine and David exchanged glances as they both gave him an awkward smile.