Ulf closes the door behind me and makes his way towards their stove. I leave my helmet on the ground and find a stool to sit on. The kids busy themselves around the room to obey their mother and clean up their mess.

“Are you sure you want to leave your family?” I ask, watching the children take away rudimentary dolls made of wood sticks and leather strings.

“It won’t be an issue, my wife will be able to hunt again in a month at the most.”

“Poach.” The woman interjects.

“Frida!” Ulf groans.

“You’re going to do much worse, why hide that?” Frida asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Why tell her at all?”

“Oh, grow a pair of ovaries. You put the forest on fire just to get me in bed, you can admit to poaching without whining about it.” She frowns at her husband.

“Did he? I want to hear all about that.” I speak up with interest.

“We’re not telling that story.” Ulf turns towards me, ignoring his wife’s dark look. “Do you want to eat with us?”

“I won’t say no, thanks.” I immediately accept.

“Do you have a significant other?” Frida asks me with a gentle smile.

“I do.” I croak the words out, not feeling like expanding on the situation but taking the opportunity to let some of my pain out.

Silence takes over the room at my words, even the kids stop whispering to each other and stare at me. I raise my right hand to my lips, finding that they’ve extended in a crooked smile. I force my mouth to make a normal smile.

“So, poaching.” I resume the conversation awkwardly. “You should be free to hunt as much as you want since the Rykz are the ones laying down the law right now.”

“That’s the issue, really. There used to only be a few of us hunters poaching the southern woods but now every single villager with a bow is trying their luck.”

“Oh, and since you’re both hunters you don’t really have a secondary occupation to pick up the slack.” I nod.

“See, she gets it. What’s your name sweetie?” Frieda asks.

“Elizabeth.”

“You can find the dishes in there.” She points at a cupboard from her rocking chair.

I smile and get up to set the dishes on their large table. The kids help me out by putting forks and knives on either side of the wooden plates I place. The fact that they immediately allowed me inside their house and at their table makes me feel at ease, truly welcome.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Ulf?” I ask him while taking a seat.

“We need money to get through the winter with the Rykz making prices go up.”

“Are the Rykz starving the village?” I make a worried frown.

“Not at all, but that won’t last if they truly start running out of supplies.” Frieda answers. “The money will be a safety net if the war intensifies and we need to leave the Izla in a hurry.”

I watch as the kids help their mother get up from her chair, their movements while they support her are practiced and coordinated. Frieda makes her way over towards the table while holding their hands.

She doesn’t seem to need their help to walk at all but her children seem so serious in their determination to help their mother that I feel a warmth in my heart.

Ulf brings a large pot of food over at the table with a deer leg sticking out of it. He takes my plate and serves me first before quickly moving on to the others. Everyone sits down at the table and I start eating.

“How is the mood in the village?” I ask between two bites.

“Most aren’t very happy about the Rykz but they’re not about to take up arms with how many there are in the area.” Ulf answers.

“They’re gathering their army south so it wouldn’t be a good idea to provoke them.” I shake my head.

“Are we leaving today?” He asks.

“I don’t know, I’m supposed to bring you to the tavern to meet the other member of our group but you can join us whenever you want during the afternoon. Celyz, the Rykz Princess that’s hiring us, is doing something else.” I answer.

“There will only be three of you?” Frieda speaks up with a bit of worry.

“Us three, four mercenaries, and three bandits. We’ll act separately because I think it will be safer, none of us want to get caught because someone they don’t know decided to blab to a Noble.” I explain.

“How good are you in a scrap?” Ulf asks me directly.

“I’m a novice but I have the equipment and strength to compensate for that.” I answer. “You?”

“I’m pretty good with my bow and passable with my long knife. I won’t engage in close combat though, too dangerous.”

“That’s fine, I don’t plan on starting a war inside the walls.” I wave the thought away with my hand.

“You already have a plan, Elizabeth?” He raises an eyebrow.

“A few thoughts, I need to know what the demolition construct expert can do before putting something concrete together. The other two groups might also have ideas to share so we’ll all meet up to discuss it.”

“Heh, expert.” Frieda chuckles. “She breaks things alright.”

“You know who it is?” I ask.

“If it is who I think it is, she used to work in the mines before they closed down so she does know the proper constructs.” Ulf tells me.

“That’s all I ask, really.” I bite down on a morsel of deer meat and savor the venison’s musky, sour flavor.

“What did you do before all this? You don’t have the frame of a city dweller despite your expensive equipment.” Frieda asks me.

“I worked in our fields, classic peasant here.” I shrug. “Baron Buton volunteered me for a task and I was captured. I decided to accept their offer for similar reasons to yours, the Rykz provided the armor and weapon.”

Once we’ve finished eating, I step outside to do the dishes in a wooden bucket while their eldest son wipes them with a clean rag.

“Are you worried about your dad?” I ask him.

“No, he’s almost as good as mom with his bow. Don’t make trouble for dad.”

“I’ll do my best.” I nod.

I walk back into the main room and grab my helmet to put it back on.

“I’ll wait for you at the tavern, Ulf. Thank you all very much for your hospitality.” I tell them with a sincere bow.

“You’re welcome.” Frieda makes a warm smile while her husband grunts something unintelligible through his beard.

I step outside and pick up my hammer. I make my way down the path towards the village, wondering what this woman demolition expert will be like.

As I approach the outskirts, I see that there is no sign of damage and that the people in the streets don’t seem to be that discontent with the situation. It reassures me to see that Celyz hasn’t lied to me about their behavior towards the land they’re occupying. Father should be doing fine.

I hear my stomach grumble a little in hunger despite having just eaten. I ignore the looks that some villagers throw me and head towards the center of the village.

The tavern is a large building made out of wood planks. There is a large sign hanging over the door with a tankard of beer painted on it. I push the door open and enter.

Inside, I find a few clients sitting at round tables and a short man behind the bar. I lay my hammer on against a seat and sit down. I soon realize that Celyz never told me the name of that demolition expert or where I’m supposed to meet her.

I assume I’ll meet her here since that seems to fit with what Celyz told me, but I don’t see any women. As I have the thought, the waitress enters the room from a side door.

She is just slightly taller than I am and looks older than me by several years. She has hazel eyes, freckles, and curled red hair. I sit straighter in my chair when I notice that she’s walking up to me.

“H. Hi.” I fumble my greeting.

“Hello, mysterious warrior.” She responds with a nod.

Mysterious? Oh damn, the helmet! I hurriedly take it off and lay it down on the table.

“What can I get you?” She smiles at me.

“Ah, sorry. I don’t have any money on me at the moment.” I admit at the same time as my stomach grumbles, demanding to be fed. I look down in shame for both reasons.

“Yet you walked in a tavern?” She teases me.

“I was told to meet someone here.” I reply uncomfortably.

“Can I help?” She proposes nicely.

“I only know the person is a demolition construct expert.”

“Oh, I’ll bring her to you once you’ve eaten.”

“I can’t p.” I start but she interrupts me.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s on me.” She winks at me and I blush a little.

“What’s your name?” I hurriedly ask as the waitress starts turning away.

“Teva!” She replies over her shoulder, exiting the room through the same side door that she used to enter.

Teva… She’s cute, and nice. I sigh, exasperated at myself. I don’t have the time to get caught up in something here. My mind can think whatever it wants, it doesn’t stop my eyes from locking onto her when she comes back.

“Thanks a lot, I’ll pay you back.” I tell her gratefully when she lays a plate of stew in front of me.

“No need.” Teva shakes her head. “My pleasure.”

I use my foot to push one of my table’s chairs towards her.

“Take a seat if you want, I’m Elizabeth.”

“Nice to meet you.” She replies while sitting down.

I get started on the food to make sure that my belly won’t embarrass me twice. Teva watches me eat with an odd smile and a frown.

“What is it?” I ask her.

“How long has it been since you ate?”

“I, uh, I just did, half an hour ago.” I admit, mortified.

“You’re cute.” She giggles.

I blush and wiggle on my chair. I try to regain some composure by eating another spoonful of stew. Is she flirting with me?! What do I do? I catch the quick glance she throws up and down my body. I take a deep breath.

“I hear you used to work in the mines.” I speak up.

“Ah, I’m found out!” She makes a grin, there is no guilt on her face. “When I was your age, yes.”

“You don’t look nearly as old as your words imply.” I reply straightforwardly.

“Thanks!” Teva makes a wide smile and briefly touches my hand with the tip of her fingers. I feel myself blush and eat another spoonful. “I’m twenty-four.” She adds, her hazel eyes trying to catch mine.

The emptiness in my chest suddenly grows in presence to make itself known, the emotional pain it causes makes me wince and I do my best to mask my expression under a facade of normalcy.

“Can I ask why you’re doing this?” I ask her while staring down at my food.

“I want to take the test to enter the University, I’ll need gold for that and to lodge in the capital.” She answers me openly but I see that she pulls her hand away from mine.

I try to be discreet but I cannot help the sigh of relief that escapes me.

“What’s a warrior like you doing working for the Rykz?” Teva asks in a discreet tone of voice that doesn’t travel further than our table.

“Complicated story, but the short of it is that they made me an offer. I accepted, same as you.” I reply as casually as I can while forcing myself to look at her. “Are you going to be alright with violence?”

I ask her because the huntsman’s life is around killing to eat so I don’t think he’ll have any illusions, but this woman worked in the mines and then as a waitress. She pales a little and doesn’t reply.

“Should you be getting involved with this if just thinking about what might happen is frightening you so much?” I press her as gently as possible.

“It is scary but I have expensive dreams. I don’t want to be stuck on this Izla for the rest of my life.” Teva nervously taps her fingers on the table’s wood.

“Alright. We’ll do our best to avoid any clashes with the castle’s Nobility and guards, but keep in mind that it can happen.” I tell her. Teva nods and stands up.

“You’re supposed to feed me the flow I’ll need, by the way.” She throws me a mischievous smile.

“Ah, is that why you tried to buy me off with this delicious stew?” I ask, pointing at my empty plate.

“It is.” She admits without shame. “But also, like I said… You’re cute.”

“So you’re trying to flirt with me to get to my flow! How devious.” I exclaim, faking my shock.

“Is it working?” Teva asks directly and I cannot help the red that tints my cheeks.

“I. I.” I stutter and fail to think of anything to answer.

“I figured you out when you took your helmet off and I saw the look on your face.” She winks with a teasing expression but before she can say anything else, the loud voice of a client fills the room.

“Can I get a refill over here before tonight?” The words aren’t too insulting but his tone definitely is.

“Gotta work.” Teva tells me regretfully.

I nod and watch her go, she starts exaggerating her gait and her butt sways, my eyes wander down to watch her go. A pleasant tingly sensation courses through my back. When she passes behind the bar, I notice that she is smiling knowingly.

I groan and stand up to sit at the counter, to the right of the client that just called out. I place my left hand on his shoulder and make the limb lightly squeeze its fingers.

“Ouch, what are you doing?” He protests.

“You know, civilized society is a discussion.” I tell him calmly.

“It is?” He frowns in confusion.

“It is. It’s important to be polite when you ask for something.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“I’m sure you didn’t mean to, but you were.” I shake my head sadly and release his shoulder. “Think about it, friend. No one becomes disrespectful all at once, it happens one indulgence at a time.”

“Okay.” The man mutters. “Sorry, Tev.”

I stand up and see Teva roll her eyes at me from behind the bar. I shrug, walking back to my table and sitting down. A minute later, she rejoins me and throws a quick glance at my chest.

It makes me uncomfortable, not the fact that she’s looking but what lays hidden underneath. My body is a ruin. There’s even a freaking plant rooted in the rubble.

“My eyes are down here, not down there.” I tell her.

“Thanks, I wasn’t sure.” She replies impishly. “Where did you hear what you just told Gurt?”

“Personal experience while growing up.”

“Ah.” She nods understandingly. “Do you want a hug?”

“I’m not a kid.” I answer shortly.

“What’s that got to do with it?” She makes a puzzled expression.

“No hug, but thank you.” I sigh, this woman is going to be a handful.

“Do you want to go for a walk with me? My shift ends in a few minutes so we can go right now.” Teva asks while holding out her hand.

“I need to wait for Ulf here.” I quickly make an excuse.

“That’s not a problem.” She smiles. “Hey, Gurt! Tell Ulf that we’ll be back when he shows up!” She speaks up loudly.

“I will.” He shouts back.

“Come on, then.” She takes hold of my hand and pulls me out of the chair.

I put my helmet back on and take my hammer before reluctantly following her out of the Tavern. She guides me through a street that leads to the village’s central plaza.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask her.

“I thought you looked hurt. Flirting didn’t seem to help so I figured that being your friend might.” Teva gives me a bright smile.

“Thanks, I guess.” I mutter through my helmet. “How has life been in the village since the Rykz took over?”

“Nothing’s really changed.” The word makes me cringe but she doesn’t seem to notice. “We don’t have a Templar to settle disputes anymore and they took some of our food stocks but overall it’s going alright.”

So much for the Lordling’s argument about lazy peasants that don’t do anything without being made to. Not that it made any sense to me in the first place.

“How do you handle arguments?” I ask.

“The more established members of the community judge whether or not there is a need to intervene. If there is, they gather together and hear both sides out before voting for one or the other.” Teva explains.

“And it works?” I keep my eyes on her, awaiting the answer.

“I’m not sure, it takes a lot longer and some vote for their friends regardless of who’s in the right.”

“Oh.” I say, disappointed.

“It’s not all bad, Elizabeth. People have accepted the judgments without as many complaints as before. The fact that they don’t ask for silver to arbitrate has also allowed several small feuds that festered over the years to finally be settled.” Teva tells me reassuringly.

“Okay, thanks for telling me.” I nod.

“No problem!” She replies cheerfully.

We enter the plaza side by side. I catch a few villagers throwing disapproving looks but since they’re almost all young men, I quickly gather that their issue isn’t with the fact that we’re two women walking closely together but that they want to be in my place.

She is really pretty after all. I shake my head and glance around to find the village’s Temple entrance. What I discover is a staircase guarded by a dozen Rykz warriors.

No wonder, it was probably the first thing Fenyz did. I was taught very young that if the village ever came under attack, I needed to run to the Temple.

There are numerous tales and legends about Templars single-handedly defending hundreds of people by blocking the entrance of their Temple against all odds.