of leaves and the sound of my breath were all I could hear aside from the rain.

undly on my couch and huddling beneath a thin blanket that

war, I was no longer the same; no longer the wide-eyed lad that I used to be. My ide

ar hero was a sham. There was no glory, nor honor in the things that

ould flash before me. A mountain of corpses,

e glorious... non

yes, it was lighter outside and Esfir was no longer on the couch. I could h

rry that I helped myself to your kitchen. I made some br

arduous because I must've dealt with some noble's guardsmen. Based on my hazy memories of last night, they were

with her own plate across from me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. We just ate in silence.

urage, she said, "Is y

e a straight face, and said,

at my sword placed beside the table. "You're th

and left the dining table. Hearing that title only upset me. It was a name

r my things. But before I could reach the door

elp you. I don't want to involve myself in some nobles' squabble." Then, I reached for t

ked at me with all the hope a young woman could have in her eyes. I

to me and said, "If that's not enough payment, I'll give you more when we reach my destination. We don't n

tion in it. There was no mistaking it. This necklace belonged t

sfir asked, tilting

elp, you'll answe

answered, "It's from my

ad the fortune of knowing in my younger days, but I was certain that Leah was the woman who had sav

d. "Alright. Esfir, was it

I was being chased around by thos

destination in mind either. I just want to be away from this town for a while

you to escort me back to Rosa Blanca, t

at Rosa Blanca is a month's worth of travel away from here, don't

mpire of Regalia named Lars Von Drier took a liking to me and asked my father for my hand in marriage. My

ting you. Help me pack some tonics and herbs for the journey. Make sure to ge

are. "What? Why are you ordering me aro

t do it, I won't take you to Rosa Blanca. I'm not

er me around, Esfir stood up and began packi

was time to start our journey. And so, I opened the door of the house an

o Maggie's bar first, because she told me that she wanted to thank Maggie for

nobody else inside the bar yet, because the customers had either gone hom

g here, boy? I thought you'd h

with my thumb. "G

ached Maggie. "Thank you for helping

in once," Maggie replied, glancing at me. "He was just about your age then. Loo

ng for a drink, so she took out two shot glasses, poured some whiskey in them, and then passed me

," I e

g and crossing her arms over her chest. Maggie n

ffer me a drink?"

o young to drink, little lady! Come back in

ir's eyes gleamed with

athery skin, wrinkled by her wide smile. "Aye

with glee.

he Goddess watch over you," Ma

fore I could reach the door, I stopped in my tracks and tossed a go

e at her son. Perhaps in her mind, she was pr