You, dear reader, should never ask a man what he is. After all, it is not part of human nature to be sincere and faithful. No. They conceal even their good parts, presenting themselves as something adequate to different situations. That is way you should not ask a man what he is. Instead, you should ask: What it is that you pretend to be?

100 days with Humans – Trevorre Mnadadiel – Elven Writer

*

-I don’t want to hear your complaints, Rinlia. The decision was mine, and I decided that it was an opportunity to test the boy in an extreme situation. – Armenvald walks down the corridor of the arena, accompanied by Njalmar, Connor, Yvanna and Rinlia. The others were dismissed after the exam. – If he had lost control and tried to assassin an ally, we would have to kill him.

-Are you talking about Arthur or Thiago? Because, if have not noticed, one of my soldiers almost committed murder. Not to mention the risk of losing a good soldier and one possible ally. – Rinlia puts her hand on Armenvald’s shoulder. – That was an irresponsible test. I warned you that Guinevere’s reports revealed that he would pass an ordinary evaluation.

-But that is part of the problem, isn’t it? – Armenvald approaches the elf. The king let them argue. – There is nothing ordinary about this… This aberration that you brought to the kingdom. I would not get any relevant information by applying an ordinary test.

-And your solution was to almost get two good fighters killed? Do we have that much manpower available that we can afford to do such things?

-Don’t pretend to not understand the situation. You know very well what you brought to me and you know that I can’t trust anyone so easily. Not when we are talking about someone that bring so many risks with him.

-My problem is not with the need to test him. – She replies. – I have a problem with your methods. The situation could easily have turned into a tragedy.

-That’s the problem with your generation, Rinlia. – The mage grabs the edge of his cloak, making a move to start walking again. – You think that everything can be solved with words and safe methods. I know better than that. I need something more real and permanent. – He holds up his index finger. – Alliances forged in sweat and blood. These are alliances that survive and bring results over time.

The elf turns to Njalmar. The king goes back to walking without looking at either of them.

-Besides, the test is over. – The mage says. – Congratulations. As of today, Arthur and Thiago will be counted among the mages of the kingdom of Fiandel.

*

After the test, Arthur, Galaaz, Guinevere and Thiago found Valkyrie at Rinlia’s house. The hostess herself, however, was unable to go home immediately because, as soon as they left the arena, guards asked the elf for help on matters to be dealt with at the gates.

Then, when they arrived at the commander’s house, they went around, taking care of food and preparing drinks while waiting for the hostess, who arrived hours later, when the sun was about to disappear.

-Finally. – Guinevere grunted. – I had to start drinking without you.

-I’m sorry. – Rinlia smiles awkwardly. – It was an urgent matter.

Guinevere did not ask what it was only because it was evident from the elf’s face that she had to deal with some type of trouble.

-How are your wounds? – Rinlia goes to Thiago and Arthur at the same time since they both got to the door to greet her.

-I’m fine. – Thiago said.

-I’ll be fine. – Arthur said. It was possible to see the wound on his neck, hidden by the coat he chose to wear.

Realizing that both of them are having problems dealing with their situation after the battle, Rinlia exchanges a significant look with Guinevere, who shrugs.

“They are going to have to deal with this by themselves.” Rinlia thinks. “They need to understand that what happened in the arena does not mean that they are enemies.”

She wants to spend time thinking about them, however, Valkyrie jumps on her lap and she decides that, if necessary, she would deal with the boys at a better time.

-Let’s go! – Guinevere complains, raising her arms. – Where is the beer, Arthur? Go get the barrels!

-All right. – The boy heads to the basement.

-You don’t seem willing to argue with Guinevere. – Galaaz takes the opportunity to mock him as he accompanies the human.

-Not worth it. – Arthur shrugs, approaching the big beer kegs. – If she gets angry, the training can get even more rigorous. – He grabs the metallic support of a barrel with his right hand and another with his left hand, lifting them easily.

-Say what you want. – Galaaz points at the barrels with his snout. – Today’s test made it clear that the training is paying off. You fought well.

Arthur approaches the stairs, going down quickly, despite the barrels. Galaaz continues.

-It became clear that you are acting more courageously in the face of attacks and training with Guinevere has developed your basic movements by a lot. It is also quite evident how much you have improved in strengthening your body with magic.

-I think you're right.

-Or course I am. – Galaaz quickly moves around Arthur as he carefully places the barrels near the table. – Now, let’s drink. I believe we all can use a break.

*

For the rest of the night, Thiago and Arthur drank and ate almost mechanically. Without exchanging a word, they both knew that they needed to talk about the battle. And, while Arthur avoided a conversation because he knew that the other was embarrassed, Thiago avoided talking because he was absolutely aware that, if he were in Arthur’s place, he certainly wouldn’t accept excuses so easily.

“I am not his enemy.” Thiago thinks, between bites, while noticing that Galaaz finally gave in and allowed Valkyrie to ride on his back so they could play. “But he may not know that. Even after everything that happened in the Great Forest, he may think that I am his enemy now.”

He looks for an opportunity to get closer, but, when there is a chance, he cowers, afraid of Arthur’s reaction.

Meanwhile, the fraternization continues. Rinlia, despite being concerned about the future, gradually gets more comfortable. The wine warms the blood of the guests, who smile and talk amicably. During the night, Yvanna also arrives at the residence after she managed to get rid of the castle guard to come in.

-There are only few nights when we need to forget our problems. – She tells Arthur after reporting the effort required to get out of the castle. – And I like being close to friends when such moments arrive.

-The beer helps a lot too. – The boy smirks, raising his mug.

The vampire smiles back, accepting the toast and bringing her drink to her own mouth.

-You had a good fight today, Arthur. – She says after finishing her drink.

-But I didn’t win.

-The result doesn’t matter, Arthur. – Rinlia says, accompanied by Guinevere. They both sit next to them. – Today’s fight was meant to demonstrate your strength.

-You did well. – Guinevere continues to eat and drink at full speed. Her face is red and her mind is already affected by the alcohol. – You showed them the result of the training.

-What will happen now? – He asks. – What will I do?

Rinlia looks at the glass itself, reflecting about everything. Before Guinevere can answer, she squeezes the warrior’s arm and smiles at Arthur.

-What would you like to do?

-I… - Confused, he blinks a few times. – I don’t know. – He frowns, surprised by his own answer. – I mean, I know what I want to do in the long run, but, honestly, I don’t know what to do right now. This test has been on my mind for the past few days, and, before that-

-Before that you had to think about surviving before anything else. – Rinlia waves. – I would also have a hard time making a decision.

Arthur looks at Galaaz, lying next to his chair. The wolf, after eating as much as possible, decided to take a nap and Valkyrie, exhausted, decided to lie next to him.

-What would you do in my place? – He asks. Among them, only Rinlia seems to have an answer, as she looks in the same direction as Arthur.

-I would learn to protect the people that I care about. As soon as possible.

-And how would you do that?

The question awakens the elf, who emerges from the reflective state in which she had previously sunk. She shakes her blonde hair, getting out of the moment of fragility generated by the drink.

-It doesn’t matter. You are thinking of unnecessary things. Besides, the right time will come to think about the future. For now, I want you to get used to life around here. After all, there is still a lot you haven’t learned. In fact, I was thinking about a request from Valkyrie, who was insisting that we should visit the shops in the city center.

-She’s right. – Yvanna agrees, slowly shaking her head. – You need time to adapt. This is the best moment to do that.

-Let’s start getting you used to our beer, then. – Guinevere smiles, raising her own glass.

-It sounds like a good idea. – The boy agrees, drinking his own beer.

*

The night continues.

Between trips to the pantry to get more food, more drinks and replace some broken dishes, Arthur and Thiago find themselves alone.

There they are, sitting alone in the middle of the kitchen while listening to the noise of conversation and laughter in the next room, interrupted only by the toasts made between drinks. Eventually, it is possible to hear Rinlia asking for silence when remembering that her daughter slept and was taken to her own room.

Thiago looks at his own hands and Arthur lets his thoughts travel. He thinks about the searches he wants to do in the city.

-I need to apologize. – Thiago interrupts his thoughts. The soldier cannot look the other in the eyes, embarrassed. – I… I lost control and almost… I almost…

-I get it. – Arthur answers, drinking his beer and trying to dispel the memory of the suffocation caused by the attack in the arena. – I mean, you looked like you had a trauma big enough to put you in that situation, so I didn’t take it like something personal.

-Of course not. – Thiago looks up, motivated by the need to rule out the hypothesis. – That had nothing to do with you. Yeah… It’s magic. – He grimaces, forcing himself to continue. – I have a problem with magic.

-What? Problems with magic? – The confusion is clear on the other’s face. – But… You are a mage.

-And it has been extremely difficult to use magic, believe me. Rinlia has done what she could to help me, really. She has… She has been incredible. It’s just that… I… I’m broken and I need to fix it, you know?

-I guess so. – The boy answers with sincerity. – I mean, if the feeling is one of displacement, I believe I have some experience on the matter.

Thiago smiles.

-I think you are right. It is not exactly the same feeling, but the sensation must be someway similar. After all, my frustration is that I have this barrier that prevents me from using magic like other mages.

-Oh, then I can really relate to the sensation.

Thiago shakes his head and looks at his own mug. Arthur realizes that he is still bothered and decides to make another effort.

-Thiago, I saw your eyes during our fight. Do you know what I saw? Hate and pain. And, from your words during our fight, I can deduce that you lost a lot in your life, and that magic must have something to do with it. And that is a feeling that no one will understand better than me. After all, I lost everything I had and it seems like that happened because of the magic of this place. The same magic I, now, have to use to buy my security. So, don’t worry about it. I do not blame you.

-I just want you to understand that I understand the gravity of what I did and I know that things like that are not easily forgotten. I-

-Let’s do this: - Arthur is uncomfortable and is also determined to get rid of the sensation. – If you want, you can make me a promise: If you have the opportunity, one day you will help me with something as big as the danger you put me into today. In the meantime, we forget about this incident and act as nothing happened. That way, you don’t feel that you have to pay for your actions because you already have a debt and I don’t have to worry about you trying to kill me in the future. What do you think?

Thiago frowns.

-And would you trust my word?

-I would rather do that than have to deal with you feeling sorry for me every time we meet. I don't know how long you will be training with Rinlia and I have no idea when I will be able to leave this house. It’s easier this way.

The incomprehension remains evident in Thiago's eyes. Arthur decides to further explain himself.

-I don’t have many allies or friends in this world. And, as far as I understand the prophecy, it is likely that things will develop for quite some time. So, what I want is to make you an ally. Believe me: I need as many as I can gather. – He raises his mug. – Come on: What do you think?

Thiago blinks, repeatedly, absorbing the other's words.

Then, he decides to raise his own mug.

-Ok.

Arthur smiles and concludes:

-To the future.

*

*