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Chapter Two: Sanctuary of Strangers
The sun had barely begun to cast its first golden rays across the eastern horizon when Amatres, exhausted and wounded, arrived at the borders of the neighboring kingdom of Astoria. Clinging to life, his left hand bleeding heavily, he was haunted by the memories of the night of betrayal like a relentless nightmare. He had no clear destination—he only wanted to get as far away from Valdrin and his brother who had turned into a monster.
After days of stumbling through forests and valleys, Amatres reached a quiet little village called "Valley of Flowers." The village seemed isolated from the chaos of the outside world, its people living simply, surviving through farming and herding.
He hoped to find some rest and temporary shelter there.
The first person Amatres met in the village was an old man sitting on the doorstep of a modest cottage, repairing a torn fishing net. The man had a strong build despite his age, and his sharp eyes concealed years of experience. This man was Clover.
Amatres hesitated before approaching, then spoke in a soft voice, "Peace be upon you, elder. I'm a stranger, looking for a place to rest."
Clover slowly lifted his eyes and examined Amatres closely, then said in a hoarse voice, "You look like you've come a long way and suffered much. Come in."
Amatres entered the humble cottage, which was simple yet clean and warm. Clover offered him some water and a hard piece of bread, then began tending to his wound.
"You've lost a lot of blood, boy. What happened to you?" Clover asked calmly.
Amatres hesitated at first but saw something in the old man's gaze that encouraged trust. He briefly shared his story, avoiding his real name and former status, merely stating that he had been betrayed and attacked.
Clover listened silently, showing neither surprise nor judgment. When Amatres finished, the old man simply said, "Life is full of betrayal and pain. But it's also full of chances to rise again."
In the following days, Amatres stayed in Clover's cottage, recovering from his physical and emotional wounds. Clover tended to him patiently and wisely, asking no further questions about his past. He spent most of his time repairing tools or walking around the village.
One day, as Amatres attempted some light chores, a young woman entered the cottage carrying a basket of fresh vegetables. She had a natural beauty, her bright eyes full of intelligence and energy, but Amatres quickly noticed the sharpness in her gaze and the stubbornness in her expression. This was Nami.
"Hello, Clover," Nami said loudly, placing the basket on the table. Then she eyed Amatres and said sharply, "Who's this? I've never seen him in the village before."
"He's a guest, Nami," Clover answered calmly. "He just arrived and needs to rest."
"A guest?" Nami growled. "He looks like he's running from something. We need to be cautious, Clover. These days aren't safe."
Amatres felt offended by her blunt words but tried to stay calm. "Don't worry, miss. I'm not looking for trouble. I only seek peace."
"Peace doesn't come to those who run from their past," Nami replied sharply, her piercing eyes locked on him. "You need to face your ghosts instead of hiding."
Amatres was taken aback by her harsh words, but he couldn't deny the truth in them. He wasn't just a refugee seeking shelter—he was a broken warrior chasing revenge and honor.
In the days that followed, Nami continued to visit Clover regularly, often throwing sharp remarks about Amatres' presence. But despite her harsh tone and constant scolding, Amatres noticed she cared in her own way—bringing him nourishing food, leaving healing herbs, even scolding him once for trying to carry a heavy water bucket with his only good hand.
One time, as Amatres sat by the river watching the flowing water, Nami quietly approached and sat beside him without a word. A long silence passed before she spoke in a softer tone than usual:
"I lost my family in a raid years ago," she said, looking at the river. "I know what it's like to lose something dear. But surrendering to grief won't bring them back."
Amatres looked at her in surprise. It was the first time she'd spoken openly about herself.
"I'm sorry, Nami," Amatres said sincerely.
"Don't be," she replied, looking him in the eyes. "But don't let your pain turn you into someone else. Don't let betrayal destroy your heart."
At that moment, Amatres realized that behind Nami's tough words was a kind and compassionate heart. He began to see her differently—behind her harsh exterior was a strong and emotional girl.
Meanwhile, Clover watched Amatres closely. He saw the hidden courage and desire to fight, but also the pain and despair weighing him down. One day, he invited Amatres to walk with him into the forest.
"You've had enough time to recover, boy," Clover said as they walked among the trees. "Now it's time to regain your strength."
"But my hand…" Amatres began, glancing at his injured limb.
"Your hand isn't everything," Clover interrupted firmly. "Real strength comes from within—from your mind, spirit, and will. I'll teach you how to use what you have more effectively."
And so, Clover began training Amatres. It wasn't easy. Clover was strict and relentless, pushing him to his limits. He taught him ancient combat techniques focused on speed, precision, and exploiting weaknesses. He trained him to skillfully wield his sword with his right hand to make up for the loss of the left. The training wasn't just physical—it also included mental exercises in focus, patience, and strategic thinking.
Nami sometimes watched from a distance. She criticized Clover's harsh methods and yelled at Amatres for putting himself through so much, but deep down, she admired his resolve.
One day, after an exhausting training session, Amatres collapsed. Nami approached with water, scolded him as usual for pushing too hard—but her eyes showed real concern.
"Why do you put yourself through this?" she asked, her voice softer. "Why not rest?"
Amatres looked at her with tired eyes. "Because I can't rest, Nami. I have a score to settle. A kingdom to reclaim."
"Revenge won't bring back your hand—or what you've lost," Nami said sadly. "But it might destroy what's left of you."
"Maybe," Amatres said, rising with determination. "But it's the only thing keeping me going right now."
At that moment, Nami understood the depth of Amatres' pain and the strength of his desire for vengeance. She no longer tried to change his path—but instead decided to walk it beside him, offering her support in her own way.
Weeks and months passed, and Amatres changed. He became stronger, more skilled in combat—but also began to see life from a new perspective, influenced by Clover's calm wisdom and Nami's hidden warmth. He realized that revenge wasn't the only goal—there were other things worth fighting for: justice, freedom, and the love growing in his heart for that fiery girl with the kind soul.
One day, while Amatres was training under Clover's watchful eye, Nami approached carrying a sealed letter.
"This letter just arrived in the village," she said with concern. "It seems to be news from Valdrin."
Amatres took the letter with a trembling hand and opened it. It bore a forged royal seal, claiming that Amatres was wanted for treason and murder—and a large bounty was offered for his capture.
Amatres looked at Clover and Nami, his eyes blazing with fury and resolve. "Edward wasn't satisfied with stealing my throne and killing my father—now he wants me dead."
"That means he fears you," Clover said firmly. "And that's good. You can use that fear."
Nami looked at Amatres with determination. "We won't let them take you. We'll fight beside you."
At that moment, Amatres realized he was no longer alone. He had true friends who believed in him and were ready to help him face the darkness ahead. This was the beginning of his true journey—toward reclaiming his right and taking revenge on his tyrant brother.
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