The air feels cold, rain does not seem to be stopping any time soon. I am sitting alone with Mel. All the kids have left to eat dinner at the neighbour's place. "Aunt Meloni is a good person." I talk without looking at Mel.
Lighting strikes in a distance which lights up the house for a second.
"Yes…. She is." Mel answers in a low voice.
I wait for him to continue but he does not, left with no choice I ask directly. "What happened? You told me that you were going bring Helen back! But you are here. All beaten up. You even promised me money! Where is my money?"
I look into his eyes, his hopeless eyes. "Mel. Tell me. What happened?" I hesitantly put my hand on Mel's shoulder. Lighting strikes again with deafening sound.
"I…. Couldn't save her." Mel mumbles.
"What?"
He puts his head down and starts crying. "I couldn't. I-I promised. Yet…"
THUD! Rushian burst through the door with a smile. "Really! The food was amazing! Aunt Meloni has some kind of magic. Her stew is the best in the whole world!"
"Rushian! Stop yelling, big brother might be sleep…ing." Alexia is shocked at the scene in front of her, big brother Mel was sleeping and Altaris was putting a blanket on him. Not to mention, big brother's swords were on his back.
I froze as I heard Rushian yelling. Luckily Alexia was there to stop him. I gestured them to keep quiet. "Shhh!"
Alexia and Rushian gently nodded, they silently gestured to the others as well. Everyone came inside and started making their respective beds. Alexia walked up to me and whispered. "I brought some food for you. Do you want it?"
I nodded almost immediately. After waking up this would be my first proper meal.
Alexia went to the corner where we all decided to keep the half burned stuff. She took out a rusty bowl and a wooden spoon.
I was watching the kids silently make their beds. 'Well, at least they know how to be quiet.' It was already too late, Kela went to sleep long ago and soon all the kids followed.
Alexia and I sat down in the corner to eat my food. The taste of the stew was meh at best but my hungry stomach devoured it all.
"Why do you have big brother's swords?" Alexia whispered.
"I am holding onto them."
"Why?"
"Because Mel told me to."
At first Alexia didn't believe my words, she stared at me for few seconds. Trying to find excuses for Mel's actions. "Even Big sister has yet to touch the swords. Why you?"
I glance at Alexia for second before continuing eating. 'I don't have any intent to lecture a child about a grown man's struggles.'
"You know… when big brother said that big sis has been taken away. I cried. I complained. But he refused to tell me anything. Big brother Mel only gave me a single instruction. 'Keep an eye on this kid. Inform me if he wakes up.' And I did…. But why hasn't… why isn't big sister back?" Alexia's voice broke at the last words.
"She will be. Me and Mel are going to bring her back. Tomorrow."
Alexia looked in my eyes for a second before crying. "I-Is that so? T-That's g-good. Please. P-Please, bring my sister back."
I gently pat Alexia's head. "Yes. I will."
Next day, I was woken up by Mel. "Get up. We have much land to cover." I turned to the side and was shocked to see Alexia sleeping next to me.
I chuckled. 'She looks cute when she is not arguing.'
I get up and stretch my back. "Okay, lets go."
Mel raises his eyebrow. "You don't want to change your clothes? Or at least wash your face?"
A sudden realization hits my mind. 'I HAVENT TAKEN A BATH IN 2 DAYS!!'
"Go to the backside of house and face your face in the bucket."
'Well, I didn't expect a shower anyway.'
"As for clothes, I can spare some old ones." Mel glances at the half-burned corner. "If any of them are still intact."
Few minutes later, we bid farewell to Rushian who just woke up to pee. I am wearing an oversized T-shirt and khaki pants on bottom. 'Looks like Mel was buffed from the start…. But what's with this sweet smell?'
"What are you doing?" Mel asks as I was smelling myself.
"Nothing!... So how long do we have to walk for?" I try to change the topic.
"Four to five hours if the rain is feeling kind to us, if not half a day at the least."
"Okay." I mentally prepare myself for the journey ahead.
"First we are going to visit that granny's house then the town jail to meet Helen, right?"
"Yes… And hold this." Mel passes me one of his swords.
I take the sword and remember Alexia's words. 'Even big sister has yet to touch the swords.'
"Don't look at me like that. I am not giving it to you, I am loaning it you. I want to pass this sword to my disciple in the future. So, when we free Hel and save enough money for my prosthetic then I will need that back."
'Old warrior tradition. I knew few colleagues who used to do this. The strongest disciple used to inherit their master's weapon.'
"Yeah. I know." I answer as I unsheathe the blade.
"Be careful with that." Mel warns.
I sheathe sword and put it around my waist.
Mel chuckles as he glances at me.
"What?"
"You look funny, kid. Swinging a blade half your height."
"Shut up."
That was our last conversation. It has been around 5 hours since we left the kids. The journey was awfully normal and quiet. Muddy roads, green forests and the lack of people, it could be because we are in the outskirts of some kingdom. But we encountered no travellers even after traveling for 6 hours start. 'Is the plague that deadly?' I wondered.
Judging by Mel's expression such thing seems to be the norm here. "Altaris. We are about to enter the town now. There are some things you need to keep in mind." Mel begins lecturing me about basic stuff, afterall I am just an inexperienced kid in his eyes. "Do not leave my side. Do not talk to anyone. Do not make eye contact with anyone. If you happen to touch anyone, tell me immediately. Do you understand?"
I nod at Mel's words and began entering the town. In a distance, there is a checkpoint with a huge line that has many people such merchants, farmers and knights waiting to enter. I follow Mel who cuts through the line. "Hey! Stand in the line!" A fat merchant complains.
Before Mel could say anything, a knight in steel armour steps forward and aims his spear at the merchant. "This gentleman here is a proud resident of Cathia Duchy. Town gates are always open to them. If you have any problem, turn back now." The people around merchant takes a step back as other knights arrive.
"Thanks, Jerald." Mel waves his hand at the knight.
The knight turns back and takes off his helmet. "Don't worry about it, Melsier."
'Melsier? Oh Mel.' I take a mental note.
"Any luck with Helen?"
"No. But if we get money from Grandma Leina-"
The knight rubs his temples at Melsier's words. "Leina might be the biggest bitch in the entire kingdom. Her asshole must have become so wide after taking bribes from various nobles. Despite all that she won't spare a single penny, that greedy sow. I am telling you Mel. Join the city guards. The pay is well, if you work for a year and get a good promotion, you might get the chance to free Helen."
I eagerly hear the conversation.
"You know, Jerald. I can't. Becoming an adventurer was my dream. I can't just give up."
Jerald smiles. "I know, my friend. But dreams don't bring food on the table. Take my offer. You have potential… even now. Hell, I will even recommend you to my captain."
Mel looks very intrigued by the offer. But in the end, he declines it. "Sorry. Jerald. I just can't."
"Don't worry my friend. I hope Helen gets out soon." Mel smiles and slightly bows his head.
We finally enter the town, the feeling of solid stone ground under your feet after walking in squishy mud for hours is certainly something. I hate to say it, but when Mel mentioned a town, I was expecting something else. This is just a village with stone floor and few decent houses. There are no stone walls, no grand squares, no big market place and there is this animosity in the air.
Every house has it's door and windows tight shut. Everyone outside has covered their faces. 'Just what happened here?' I keep following Mel through alleyways which has the same story written all over, into a wealthy area when compared to others. The houses are big and beautiful, every window is tinted with artwork and there are lights inside every house. Mel continues walking through such area.
After a while, he stops and turns to one particular house. The house a noble insignia on the front door.
"This is it?"
"Yes. This is where grandma, grandpa Ryhard's wife lives." Mel explains. He steps up and loudly knocks on the door. We wait for few seconds before someone opens the door.
My eyes open wide in shock as I see the person behind the door.
It was Tarma.