Chapter Thirteen: Mysteries in the Basement

In the Eastern Continent, sixteen-year-old Lyanna was lost in her thoughts in her room. The past four years had been tense due to the war with the West, bringing stress and worry to her adoptive family. Lord Stormride, occupied with war affairs, was often away from the castle, leaving Lyanna in a state of relatively welcomed solitude. However, as she had grown older and less impulsive, the lord of the castle had allowed her to leave her room without an escort, as long as she promised not to cause any trouble. With this newfound freedom, Lyanna could stroll through the gardens and explore the places she was permitted to visit.

That morning, as the warm rays of the sun streamed through her bedroom window, Lyanna sat on her window sill, gazing at the landscape and reflecting on the changes in her life. The war had changed many things, not just in the kingdom, but also in her own heart. The confrontation between the West and the East had left deep wounds that were difficult to heal on both continents. Although she couldn't leave her well-crafted cage, she knew from the servants and soldiers that the horror lay beyond the castle walls. Now, her thoughts were filled with uncertainty about the future and her place in an increasingly tumultuous world.

Suddenly, several maids burst into her room, filling the space with laughter and lively conversations. Lyanna turned toward them, smiling with a mix of surprise and pleasure. Thanks to the education provided by her adoptive family, she had learned to behave with good manners and return respectful greetings.

"Lady Lyanna, good morning. It has been years since I last saw you..." exclaimed one of the maids, an older woman named Elise, whom Lyanna remembered seeing leave the castle just as the war began.

"Hello, Elise. It's good to see you again."

The woman smiled at the redhead, her eyes scrutinizing every detail of the young girl.

"Look how much you've grown! You have become a very beautiful woman, Lady Lyanna!"

The other maids nodded and began to compliment her, commenting on how much she had grown and how well her youth suited her. Lyanna, feeling a bit uncomfortable with so much praise, nodded and continued to listen to what they were saying.

"And Elise, you don't know how many of the men in the castle give Lady Lyanna admiring looks," said another maid, a young blonde named Mariella, with a mischievous smile. "She is very sought after lately. If I were you, Lady Lyanna, I would take advantage of the situation."

The comment was accompanied by melodious laughter and nods from the other maids.

Lyanna visibly tensed upon hearing the insinuations. She knew their words hid a clear intent: that she should take advantage of the attention from some men in the castle to find satisfaction with them. Unlike many young women her age, Lyanna did not feel comfortable with that idea.

"Well, Elise, how have you been? Are your children well?"

She tried to divert the conversation by asking about the maids' health, but they were not easily distracted and continued talking about the possibility of the redhead discovering other hidden pleasures.

"You seem to have many opportunities, Lady Lyanna. Tell me, aren't you interested in anyone?" Elise said in a calm tone. "Many young men look at you with attention. You could enjoy your youth and experiment a little."

Lyanna swallowed uncomfortably. The maids promptly began explaining the pleasures she was missing out on. Reluctantly listening to the women describe how magnificent intimate moments were disgusted her. She didn't want to seem rude, but she couldn't share their enthusiasm.

"Yes, and besides," Mariella added enthusiastically, "she's already had her first period. I don't know if you know, Elise, but Lady Lyanna had her first period at twelve."

Elise raised her eyebrows in surprise, as it was not common for menstruation to occur at such a young age.

"By Omnilum, you are a very advanced woman, Lady Lyanna," the older woman commented. "That could complicate things. We wouldn't want her to become pregnant unexpectedly. I can't imagine the duke's reaction if that happened," she said with a face full of horror.

Mariella shook her head fervently and proclaimed:

"Don't worry, Lady Lyanna. I know special herbs that will help prevent a possible pregnancy. So you shouldn't waste any moment. Take advantage of your youth and the attention men give you."

Lyanna nodded but did not respond. She felt no physical need to be with someone and was annoyed when others urged her to engage in relationships.

"Thank you for your concern, but this is something that only concerns me, and for now, I am not seeking intimate relationships with anyone," she finally said, trying to remain calm. "There are responsibilities, duties, and the situation in the castle is not the best with the war and everything it entails."

The maids exchanged understanding looks. It seemed they had understood, at least in part, Lyanna's will.

"Of course, we are not encouraging you to do something you don't want to do," Elise said, softening her tone. "We just want to help you. Some of us have seen you grow up. We have seen the young and beautiful woman you have become, and we believe you deserve a little happiness. Don't you think so, Lady Lyanna?"

Lyanna tried to smile, but her lips barely moved. The maids' words resonated in her mind but failed to convince her. For her, the idea of getting involved with someone in that way was simply unsettling. She had other priorities, other concerns that occupied her mind and heart. Those intimate relationships were not important to her.

"Well, we shouldn't bother you any longer. If you'll excuse us, we'll start preparing you for the day," Elise said, noticing the young woman's uncomfortable expression.

The maids changed the subject, now talking about the latest news in the war and rumors about Lord Stormride's return. The atmosphere in the room became less tense, and Lyanna allowed herself to relax a bit, enjoying the women's company without feeling the pressure of their insinuations.

As they talked, Lyanna couldn't help but reflect on her own situation. She knew that, unlike many young women her age, she didn't feel the same desire to explore her sexuality. There was something inside her that blocked any longing to relate intimately with someone. Sometimes she wondered if it would ever change, if one day she would feel the same desire that her maids described so vividly.

Finally, the maids left after tidying up the room and helping Lyanna dress in an elegant blue gown that contrasted beautifully with her red hair. The young woman stayed alone for a moment, looking at her reflection in the mirror, before deciding to leave her room. With a mix of curiosity and determination, she began to walk through the permitted corridors of the castle.

As she walked, she noticed that in a section of the castle, usually guarded by soldiers, there was no one. The absence of the usual guards piqued her curiosity. Sensing a unique opportunity, Lyanna decided to explore beyond the usual limits. She advanced cautiously, making sure not to make any noise, until she reached the entrance of a dark and dusty basement.

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She descended the stone stairs, her steps echoing slightly in the empty space. Upon reaching the bottom, the air was cooler and smelled of dampness and antiquity. The dim light filtering from above barely illuminated the place, but her eyes soon adjusted to the gloom. It was then that something on one of the walls caught her attention: ancient and mysterious engravings covered the basement stones.

Lyanna approached cautiously, her fingers brushing the inscriptions. As she examined the texts more closely, she realized they were written in a language she didn't know. Although she spoke the common language practiced in the cardinal regions and had some knowledge of Satus, the original tongue, these inscriptions were completely unfamiliar to her.

The symbols and characters were intricate and beautifully crafted. She remembered reading about Kune, the southern language, and suspected that these engravings might be written in that tongue. However, she didn't have enough knowledge to decipher it.

Despite not understanding the content, Lyanna felt a deep fascination for the texts. It was as if the letters were connected to her, as if each engraving and each outline on the stone brought her a sensation she had lived before. The mural seemed to carry an essence that resonated with her, leaving her both shocked and curious.

"These inscriptions. Even though I can't read them, I recognize some drawings..." she whispered, her eyes traveling up the wall and noticing a blurry crest drawn on it. "This emblem... I remember it... But where have I seen it before?" Lyanna tried to probe her memory, searching for answers to her question.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps descending into the basement. Her heart began to beat faster as she became alert. Without wasting a moment, she hid behind one of the basement walls, hoping no one would detect her. She held her breath and listened attentively.

Guards, accompanying Eveline, the lord of the castle's wife and Lyanna's stepmother, arrived in the underground area. Lyanna watched from her hiding place as Eveline began to speak in an authoritative and confident voice.

"My husband wants us to start working on the alchemical processes indicated in this section of the mural," Eveline said, pointing to the ancient engravings on the wall.

Lyanna felt a wave of curiosity mixed with fear. What could those alchemical processes mean? Why did her stepfather want them made for her? And why had the duke told his wife to get involved in his absence?

Eveline's companions, who seemed to be alchemists, studied the mural closely for a few moments. With approving gestures, they nodded.

"We can perfectly prepare the potions written here," one of the alchemists confirmed, his voice reverberating in the underground space.

Eveline thanked them but couldn't help letting a comment of annoyance escape her lips.

"Why does he want us to make these potions for that brat? It's enough of a nuisance having to endure her running through our castle halls. But giving her remedies made by her ancestors? What is my husband planning?" she murmured, clearly irritated.

Lyanna tensed even more upon hearing those words.

"Remedies created by my ancestors?" Then the young redhead remembered. The emblem that had caused confusion and fascination, drawn on the mural, became clear to her after her stepmother's words.

"The Dorvalis emblem. Now I remember. It's my family's crest and this mural seems to have been created by my ancestors. But what is it doing in Stormride Castle?"

The young redhead couldn't help but feel a knot in her stomach as she tried to comprehend what she had heard...

"Wait, does my stepmother know I'm a Dorvalis? If she knows, my stepfather does too, but how is that possible? No one should know about my lineage..."

Eveline and her companions soon ascended, leaving Lyanna alone in the basement once again.

When the footsteps faded away, Lyanna emerged from her hiding place, her mind racing. She had heard enough to know that there was something very important and potentially dangerous about those engravings. However, the question persisted: What were the potions for and what was their purpose? Her stepmother said they were intended for the "brat," and Lyanna knew she was referring to her.

Lyanna's curiosity reached an extreme point. She couldn't stop questioning why her stepfather wanted whatever was described in those mysterious murals to be made. The unease gnawed at her, but she knew it wasn't safe to stay in the basement much longer. With her heart pounding, Lyanna decided it was time to leave the basement.

She quickly ascended the stairs, her steps barely a whisper in the dim light. She reached the top just in time to see that the guards had not yet returned to their usual positions. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she ran towards the garden, her feet moving with a speed and lightness acquired from years of stealthy practice.

The morning sun bathed the garden in a golden light. Without wasting a second, Lyanna headed towards the gap in the wall that her stepbrother Henry had shown her four years earlier. She vividly remembered the day he, with a friendly and understanding smile, had revealed the small secret passage to her. Skillfully, she slipped through the gap, feeling the excitement and adrenaline rush through her veins. With some difficulty, due to her having grown and the hole feeling smaller, Lyanna made it through and headed towards the forest.

The redhead ventured into the green maze, her steps light on the bed of fallen leaves. Her senses sharpened as she felt she was nearing the area where Lunar, her faithful friend and protector, was.

Lunar, the majestic beast who had changed so much since his days as a cub, was waiting patiently in a part of the forest. Now, in his adult form, Lunar was imposing, much taller than Lyanna. His shiny, dark fur gleamed under the sunlight filtering through the leaves, and his intelligent eyes followed Lyanna's every movement as she approached.

Lyanna stopped in front of him, her heart pounding. She whispered softly, her words broken by emotion.

"Lunar, you won't believe what I found..." she said as she stroked his thick fur. "There's something under Stormride Castle. There are ancient and mysterious drawings and letters on the murals, and my stepfather wants the potions described there to be made. What do you think it all means? What is he hiding from me?"

Lunar let out a deep growl, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the strokes from his friend. Although he couldn't respond with words, his presence comforted Lyanna, giving her a sense of security amidst the uncertainty.

Lyanna continued speaking in whispers, confiding her fears and doubts to Lunar. Stroking the animal's fur, Lyanna let her mind return to the basement engravings. She tried to remember every detail, every symbol, looking for clues that might help her understand the mystery.

"The Dorvalis emblem..." she murmured. "It seems my ancestors created the mural. I found their crest drawn on it. But I could only recognize my family's emblem. I don't recognize the language it's written in. I think it's Kune, the southern tongue, but I'm not sure. Do you think I should start trying to learn Kune?"

Lunar opened one eye and fixed it on Lyanna, his sharp, penetrating orbs seemed to convey knowledge beyond her comprehension. Another soft growl emerged from his throat, a response Lyanna interpreted as a sign of caution.

With a sigh, Lyanna leaned against Lunar's side and hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing. Being with him always provided her with a sense of peace and comfort, even in the darkest moments. Stroking his fur, Lyanna nodded.

"Whatever it is, it seems my stepfather is trying to use my family's knowledge against me..." she said softly. "By Omnilum, my stepfather knows I'm a Dorvalis... How is that possible? I know very little about them, but from what my mother explained, the Dorvalis were entrepreneurs, inventors, and alchemists," the redhead declared, causing Lunar to emit another warning and concerned sound.

"You're right, Lunar, I can't be reckless. If I start investigating, my stepparents might find out. If I want to get answers, I must do it discreetly."

Lunar let out a soft growl, as if agreeing with her. They remained like that for several minutes, with Lyanna warmly hugging her only and best friend. The animal always seemed to understand and support her. The affection Lunar gave her always filled her heart with a warmth she had never felt before.

Lyanna knew she didn't need anyone else as long as she had her furry and imposing friend by her side.