What Damian needed to do was to convince Agnes to follow him. On the surface, it seemed easy—just ask her, and the worst she could say was no. But that was the problem, the "no" part. Damian had truly grown fond of her, and he wanted her to be by his side.
[Damian,] Omni began. [I'm no love expert, but I always sense genuine feeling in everything she says to you.]
'There is no way I'm going into this armed with just your observations," he countered, shaking his head. "I need a reasonable plan and something concrete to tell her.'
Then, someone placed a hand on Damian's shoulder, their touch gentle and familiar. It was Agnes. She had been observing him ever since Cassie made her announcement public— that she wished to leave the orphange. She followed him till he made an abrupt stop at the orphange main corridor, clearly deep in thought with Omni.
"What's the matter?" She asked. "Is it Cassie leaving?"
Damian quickly turned and first had a look at her, he started for a good two seconds, his mind reeling from the coincidence. Of all the people to find him wrestling with his decision, it had to be her.
He didn't know how to respond to that, "Is it Cassie leaving?" He wasn't thinking of Cassie at all, but rather her, and the way he could finally approach and ask her to follow him. If he denied the question, he'd seem like a less caring brother. But if he said yes, it might give him an advantage, a reason to ask her to follow him.
"It is," he admitted, as he took a hesitant step toward her. "But it's not just that. She's leaving, and... well, so am I."
Agnes's eyes widened, her gentle hand falling from his shoulder. She didn't look surprised by his departure, only by the timing.
"You're leaving?" she whispered. "Now? You're not going back to the halls to say goodbye?"
"I can't," Damian said, glancing nervously toward the sounds still coming from the main hall. "I'm not of age, so if I try to leave openly, they'll just stop me. This is my chance to leave, since Cassie is also leaving."
He looked down at his hands, trying to summon the courage to say what he needed to say, the stupid question that felt like the biggest risk of his life.
"I overheard what you said in the storage room," Agnes confessed softly, moving closer to him in the narrow corridor. "About wanting to leave with her. That's what this is about, isn't it? You're finally done with this place, too."
Damian looked up, surprised that she already knew. "Then you know I can't stay," he said, taking the final plunge. He reached out, taking both of her hands in his, a firmer, more deliberate connection than the one they shared earlier.
"Agnes, this is going to sound crazy, and maybe it's too fast. But I don't want to go alone. You said I was 'something,' and I saw you, not just your kindness," he paused, then continued. "If you meant that... I want you to come with me. Not just for a day, but for good. I need you there. Please, come with me."
The corridor was silent, as Damian had said all he needed to say. Agnes's own silence was very tormenting to Damian; he thought he had blown it. But he didn't know that Agnes was just studying his eyes, as she saw the fear of rejection clear in their depth. The teasing, knowing look was gone, replaced by a profound seriousness.
She had made up her mind, she didn't even need to ask where he was going. The destination didn't matter.
Then, a slow, deliberate smile finally spread across her face, as her fingers squeezed his hands tightly.
"You really are something, Damian," she said, this time with a definitive finality. "I'm already packed."
That was it, the answer Damian had been looking for. With a sigh of relief, he gave her a tight hug and promised to always be by her side, and she, too, made the same promise to always be by his side.
****
The next morning came quickly. Cassie, Damian, and Agnes had already packed. Their few belongings, they were mostly sturdy clothes, Cassie's hunting knife, and Agnes's small bag of savings. They stood outside the carriage, as the cold morning air brushed through them.
The Matron stood before them, her usual stern expression softened with an undeniable sadness. The other children had gathered at the porch, watching the departure of the older ones.
"You three are making a bold choice," the Matron said, her voice rough. She pulled each of them into a quick, surprisingly gentle embrace. "Cassie, be safe. Follow your heart and keep true to yourself. Damian, Agnes... look after each other."
She then raised her hands, closing her eyes. "May the Goddess shield you from the darkness and guide your feet on true paths. May her strength be in your spirit and the wisdom of her ancient mind be your counsel."
As the Matron finished her blessing, Damian and Agnes climbed into the back of the small, rented carriage. Cassie took the seat next to the driver, her gaze already fixed forward, a fierce determination etched on her face. The driver cracked the whip, and the carriage lurched away from the orphanage, leaving behind the only home they had ever known since the loss of their father.
The journey was short, as they soon stopped in a busy, professional district of Thunder City, far from the central market's chaos. They stepped out onto the cobblestones and Cassie quickly had a look up at a large, stone structure. Unlike the elegant, soaring Gothic style of the city center, this building was more robust and functional, carved with symbols and arts of beasts and weapons. Bold letters were chiseled above the heavy wooden doors: RED CLAW HUNTERS GUILD.