We were just about to leave when I turned to Narsh.
"Alright. Let's go."
She blinked. "What do you mean, let's?"
"You're coming with me."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Hah? Why in the nine flaming hells would I follow your muscle-brained ass to the capital?"
"Because I want you there."
"Not good enough."
"Because you're my friend."
"Try again."
"…Because you'll stop me from saying something dumb and getting executed?"
Narsh paused. "…Better. But still no."
---
The villagers gasped.
"No?! But Narsh, you and Lord Ark are inseparable!"
"She's the Demon-Tongued Saintess!"
"The Goddess of Swears!"
"SHUT UP, YOU TURNIP-SNIFFING IDIOTS!" Narsh yelled.
And then, two voices cut through the chaos.
"TAKE HER WITH YOU."
We turned. Standing there were Narsh's parents.
Her mother, arms crossed.
Her father, nodding like a man who'd been freed from prison.
Narsh's jaw dropped. "MOM? DAD?!"
Her mother pointed straight at her.
"Yes. Take her, Ark. Take her far away."
Her father added quickly, "Preferably… forever."
---
Narsh turned bright red.
"WHAT THE F—DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Her mother sighed. "Narsh, dear, we love you… but your tongue is cursed. Every morning you insult the roosters, and now they refuse to crow."
Her father nodded vigorously. "Yesterday you called the well water a 'piss-flavored puddle,' and now even the bucket's gone missing!"
The crowd gasped.
"Truly, a demon tongue…"
"She scared away the bucket spirits!"
---
Narsh turned bright red.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU'RE JUST SHIPPING ME OFF LIKE SOME TRASH BECAUSE I SWEAR TOO MUCH?!"
Her mother smiled gently. "Yes, dear."
Her father added: "Good luck, Ark. May the gods grant you the patience we never had."
They both bowed to me like I was rescuing them from a curse.
---
Narsh roared. "ARE YOU ALL INSANE?! I'M NOT SOME EVIL CURSE, I JUST—"
Malrik raised a hand, his voice calm but firm.
"Enough."
The square fell silent instantly.
Malrik's gray eyes locked onto Narsh.
"The boy trusts you. And whether you admit it or not, you care for him. He'll falter without you at his side."
Narsh clenched her fists. "Tch…"
Malrik turned to her parents. "If she truly is… disruptive, then consider this exile her blessing. She will go with us."
---
Her parents fell to their knees, bowing to Malrik.
"Oh thank the gods!"
"Finally, peace in our home!"
Narsh's face was crimson.
"I HATE ALL OF YOU! TRAITORS!"
I patted her shoulder, grinning.
"Guess that means you're coming with me."
"…I'll kill you."
---
Malrik muttered under his breath.
"By the gods, what have I done…"
And with that, the party was set:
Ark — the dumb Sage of muscles.
Narsh — betrayed by her parents, dragged by friendship.
Malrik — the grumpy priest who now regrets allowing this chaos.
And so began our journey.
---
[Author's Note: Narsh's parents got the happiest ending in the whole story—they finally got rid of her mouth.]