The man approached the counter where a woman sat, hunched over her drink, a dark aura brooding around her. From behind, her cropped pink hair might have put off some men, but her curves made up for it in his estimation.
Time for some fun tonight.
He slid onto the stool to her right and caught the bartender's eye, raising his empty mead mug.
Turning to her, he let his voice drop low. "You seem very lonely tonight..."
"And I'd like it to stay that way." She didn't look at him.
The man's voice rose. "Girl, do you even know who I am?"
"Another nobody. Why else would you be here?"
He drew back his fist, but before he could swing, a dagger was under his throat. Her chromatic eyes were fixed on him from inches away. She didn't need to say anything.
The man retreated slowly, abandoning even his refill. When he'd put some distance between them, he called back, "With an ugly scar like that, not even your curves can make you attractive." Then he pushed through the door and was gone.
Lucia returned to the bar in silence, nursing her warm mead. The door opened again moments later. Another man entered and approached the counter.
"One pint of hot mead," he said, his voice deep and unhurried.
When his drink arrived, he didn't leave. He sat down beside her and slid the mug across the counter.
"I think you should have this."
"And I think you should crawl back to whatever depth of the abyss you came from." Her tone could have frozen fire.
"You know, there's a bounty for a woman who looks very similar to you. Longer pink hair, though."
Her hand went for the dagger, but a dark-skinned hand, thick with muscles, caught her wrist before the blade cleared leather.
"I'm not here to fight," he said calmly. "Just to talk."
"Let me guess—you'll suggest I surrender peacefully?" She met his eyes. "I hate to break it to you, but that didn't turn out well for the last guy."
"No, Lucia. I'm not here to turn you in." His smile was genuine, reaching his eyes. "I don't see a threat worth the bounty. Just a troubled soul."
"Who are you, and what do you want with me?"
"My name is Almir, and I need assistance. If you help me, I can see what I can do about that bounty."
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Kingdom of Divinium, Eastern region of Rohana Federation, 2051 S.C. 168th day
"So, Lucia." Almir poked at the campfire with a stick, sending sparks spiraling into the night. "Are you going to answer Heron's question? On how you joined the party…"
"Maybe when Heron beats enough boars to unlock my secret." She was grinning now.
"Are you ever going to drop that?" Heron protested. "It's been almost ten days. I think that joke's run its course."
"Nah, Hikki. It keeps getting better the more you protest."
Heron said nothing, though he sent a murderous glare toward May across the fire. She shivered despite not looking their way, as if she could feel his gaze burning into her back.
"It's all right," Heron said after a moment. "I hope I'll prove my worth so you feel comfortable sharing your story."
"We'll see." Lucia stretched. "Now, how did we end up on this topic again?"
"Heron and Almir were discussing Heron's training in the village," Icarus said from his foldable chair, set apart from the fire's warmth. "Then Adel decided to tell his story of joining Richard's party."
"Right, right." Lucia nodded. "I dozed off as soon as Almir started."
"I know it isn't the most thrilling tale," Almir said, wounded. "Not all stories need moral ambiguity."
"Weren't you Richard's bodyguard?" Lucia asked.
"Yes. I grew up on the Pridens' estate. Trained to serve from a young age. But you know this already, so why ask?"
"I was just wondering how you stretched one sentence into an hour-long tale."
Almir looked genuinely hurt. "You know, just because you don't care doesn't mean Heron doesn't."
Lucia's expression shifted. She lowered her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to make a joke. I'm happy you had a good upbringing. Makes me jealous sometimes…" She trailed off, then stood. "I should turn in."
She folded her chair and headed toward her tent.
"Will she be okay?" Heron asked, watching her go.
"Yeah, don't worry." Almir smiled. "She'll forget about it by morning."
Heron nodded slowly. "I think I should pack up, too. I want to write to Emilia. Richard mentioned we'll make it to a postal office so I can send her an update."
"Don't you think it's a bit soon?" Icarus asked. "We've been on the road for only a few days. What could you possibly write about?"
Heron stroked his chin. "Yeah, you're right. Not much has happened. Mostly traveling by road, making camps, and moving forward. But I wanted to tell her she can write to the guild in Tejen so that I can get the mail there."
"Very well. Just don't overdo it with the correspondence," Icarus said.
"Don't worry, I'll keep the party business vague," Heron replied.
"That's not really what I meant." Icarus shrugged. "But do check with Richard if you plan to write anything quest-related."
"Of course." Heron gathered his things. "Good night."
When Heron entered his tent, he grabbed paper and an oil pen and started to write.
------
Dear Emilia,
Hope you've been doing well! I'm doing well. The trip has been good so far. We started at Jamtara gates, and you won't believe this, but May didn't tell me we already had tents, so I wasted my money on one. Can you believe that girl?
------
He looked over what he'd written.
Gah, this doesn't sound like anything.
He rubbed his face in frustration. I shouldn't waste too much paper. I'll use this one for thinking of a proper response and write it down on a new one.
But what do I write?
Heron lay back on his sleeping pad. Maybe Icarus had a point. Perhaps it was too early to write anything. He lay there for a while when another person entered the tent.
"If you're done writing, you can pack your things," Icarus said.
"Sorry, I'll do it now." Heron got up and started packing.
"So, did you write what you wanted?" Icarus asked.
"No. I realized it's not even about what to write, but about not knowing how to communicate with her. What if she was just being polite, and I'm wasting my time?"
"Then a response won't be waiting for you in Tejen."
"Yeah, you're right." Heron pondered this.
"Can you tell me what it is you wish to convey? I may be able to offer assistance."
"Yeah, we can give it a try." Heron smiled.