[...] And he drank the same poison, for he wanted the same slow, painful death, as payment for the love he had taken and never paid back.

The Tragedy of the Henco – V. Duarte

*

Rinlia sat languidly on the sofa, looking at the starry sky through the window – now so far from her. She leans, diagonally, resting her upper body on the arm of the sofa.

She lifted her glass.

-Please, make yourself comfortable. Are you still scared to be around me?

-After all this time, it is actually the opposite. I may be too comfortable. – He accepts the invitation and drinks from his glass. Alcohol burns his throat, warming his insides.

-Has it really been that long? – She admires the stars. – We've been through so much in such a short period of time that it feels like a lifetime, but, at the same time, it feels like the story of a week. - She drinks the liquor. – It feels like it was yesterday that I found a lost boy on my way to Vivre. Or rather, that a soldier found a lost boy on the beach. Actually... It was Thiago who found you, wasn't it?

-I think so. Actually, I'm sure. The memories of those days are engraved in my brain.

-At the time he was just a private. I didn't even know him. – She slowly blinks, feeling her eyelids heavy. - It's strange how these last days have left a strong impression on me. I'm used to dealing with difficult situations, as my position requires it, but this one... Maybe I should rethink my career when things calm down.

-If you feel that you must... By the way, what is your position in the army?

She does not answer. Her eyes remain locked on the stars.

-Don’t get me wrong, okay? – She says. – I love Fiandel and this is my home. But in the past, sometimes, when I was alone in this room, I thought about the stars. I thought about my daughter and that, maybe, the place we belonged to would be far from here... The place where my ancestors came from.

-Another world? Like mine?

-You speak as if you belonged there. – She smiles and takes another sip of the liqueur. He notices their glasses empty and, as she speaks, he pours them both another round. – It's an interesting question. Even more so if we consider that you are the one who has made me forget about it.

-I don’t understand.

-Really? - She turns to him. Her emerald eyes sparkle intensely. – The stories you told about your past made me appreciate what I have here. It doesn't matter if there are other worlds. If there are dreams beyond this dream. As long as I have this world within my reach, it's all that I need to protect.

-I see... – He takes another sip.

-Do you really understand? And do you agree with me?

-It was my story that taught you that, wasn't it? It shouldn't be a surprise that I came to the same conclusion after going through that in person.

-Perhaps. - She shrugs. – Still, doesn’t mean that we give the same value to things. Or that we are willing to make the same sacrifices.

Arthur remains silent. The emerald-eyed, pearly-blonde-haired elf drinks a large amount of her drink at once. Her face turns into a grimace and she tries to suppress the effects of the alcohol.

-What do you mean by that? - He frowns. – Are you implying that I'm not willing to sacrifice myself? - She does not answer. – Then, what have I done so far? Do you suppose I'm on a vacation or something?

-If you think that the life you've been enjoying so far is the worst this world has to offer, your memory is worse than I thought, Arthur. - She refills the contents of her glass, but stops the gesture before reaching half of the glass. She decides to not overdo it.

-I don't want to seem ungrateful. – He feels the heat come to his face; the first effects of the drink are felt. – I know that you’re helping me and I appreciate the help. But I don't understand why you tried to offend me.

-I wasn’t trying to offend you; I was just stating the facts.

Brown eyes, staring into emerald eyes.

-It's coming, isn't it? - He shakes his head. – The reason you're talking that way. It is time for you to ask me for something I will not want to do. The moment you’ll ask me to perform a task that is too risky, too cruel. Something even you don't know if I should accept. Is not it? Isn't that why you try to manipulate me like a child?

Silence. Her blond hair sways and the glass empties in their hands.

-You know me too well for someone who has lived in my house for so little.

-It may feel like a week to you, but it's been a lot longer than that. I'm quiet, but I'm not stupid. – He can't contain the words and internally blames the drink, although he didn't know if it was just the alcohol that propelled him. – I’ve been observing everything I can.

-I've been watched, huh? – She lifts her nose. – What if I said you were right? That I'm conflicted because I have to make a request? A request I can't help but make, but I'm also not sure you should accept.

-I would tell you to just ask, Rinlia. It may feel like a week to you, but to me it feels like we've been living under the same roof for a lifetime. You are important to me. I would never neglect your request. Not when I know you wouldn't ask me unless you really needed my help.

-It's not just my request. - She sighs and turns her back to the window. Her gaze is now focused on the face of the young man with brown eyes and curly hair. She stares into the round face with caramel skin and almond-shaped eyes. – It's from Fiandel. – Once the request starts, she can no longer contain herself. – I am responsible for enticing you to a war that will happen soon. You can't talk to anyone about it, or else you'll be punished by the kingdom, but I'm authorized to inform you that a war will break out and that you need to be part of a squad among my subordinates.

Arthur blinks a few times, absorbing the information. Rinlia remains still, facing him. The only sign of nervousness expressed by the elf is the constant movement of her index finger, pressed against her own leg.

Arthur raises the glass once more. He feels his head spin, but he does not know if the effect is from the drink or the news.

-Me? Going to war? Why? For whom?

-Does it matter the reason or who orders it? - The elf does not want to use argumentative tools. - If you want, I can give you an inflated speech about peace and how Fiandel needs power to keep that peace. I can tell the story of the kingdom and how the current chain of command needed to be strengthened to unify the territories. I could also detail how we need to increase the kingdom's resources and influence to make preparations for an unprecedented war to come in the future. But would that make a difference to you? Would it be a determining factor in your choice of what to do?

-No. It wouldn’t.

-The truth is one: Fiandel wants to use you as an asset. As long as you live here, you may be summoned as a warrior. I did everything I could, using my own knowledge, borrowing Guinevere's knowledge, using my influence and my power to keep you here without troubles. However, soon this will no longer be enough. And you will have to make a choice.

-Do I have a choice?

-We all always have a choice. – She doesn't mind the question asked in an incredulous tone. – You can choose to run away. You can start over, beyond the borders of the capital. You can leave the safety of Fiandel and use the powers I know you have secretly trained. You can try to survive and find your own way. Or you can choose to stay here. In the capital. With me. If you do that, you will have to fight, yes. You'll have to do it from time to time and maybe one day you'll get tired. Then, again, you can choose to run.

-Are you telling me to stay here as long as it's convenient?

-I hope not just because of that. - She smiles. – Or do you think that you are the only one who have been watching? I know exactly why your choice is hard. The reason you get angry and use an ironic tone: It's because you don't want to leave. Staying here, in this house, with me, Valkyrie and Galaaz, training during the day and living a quiet life at night, is something that pleases you. It's something you don't want to give up.

-So, should I stay here because of you? Is that what you're suggesting? Should I risk my life and... Kill? For a kingdom that blackmails me? Who wants to use me until I'm no longer useful and, then, throw me away?

-I wouldn't allow that to happen. – She says, offended. - I would never allow anyone to throw you away.

-And what would you do if I refused to fight and also refused to run?

-I would have to see you arrested and probably analyzed by Armenvald. I would make sure you didn't get killed, but I wouldn't risk the life and well-being of my daughter to keep you from fighting, Arthur. That's why, maybe-

-I understood. If I want, I can leave. – He puts the empty glass on the table. He turns the bottle of liquor over the glass and presses the fingers of his free hand over his eyes. – And give up... Yes, give up life in this house. Don’t look at me like that.

-I'm only smiling because I believe I got it right.

-Yeah, you did. I'm happy, okay? That's the reason why I work hard in training and wanted to have this life for as long as possible. Despite the injuries on training, I feel like I have a purpose and can see my own growth. This in itself is rewarding. Also, life here... I feel better than I felt where I came from.

-I heard that you plan to travel.

The liquid pours into the glasses.

-Not necessarily. – He stares at the glass. – What I want is to see spectacular things. I want to see what's best in this world. You know... The day I came here, on the... Wave? Is that how it is called?

-Yes, I know what you're talking about.

-Right. That day, I was terrified. Scared to death. Recently, I clearly remembered the feeling I felt when I thought I was going to die at the sea. But, at the same time, I felt more alive than I had ever been. I didn't realize it at the time, but what I felt...

-Wouldn't it be just the influence of fear?

He shakes his head.

-No. I mean, adrenaline would certainly affect my mind, but it wasn't just that. It's not about getting close to death, but about understanding what makes me feel alive. What makes me want to wake up after I close my eyes every night.

-Is this what you're looking for?

The brown eyes stare into the emerald eyes.

-I'd say I've already found it. I'm not saying I'm staying here forever, don't worry. Eventually, I plan to leave and move on. However, in the first steps of this journey, I found in this house the bases to build a new life. Do you understand what I mean?

Silence reigns for a moment.

The elf brushes back the hair that has fallen over her eyes, tucking it behind her pointy ears.

-Are you telling me that you’re going to fight?

The human sighs and places the cup on the table. He rests his head on the sofa and turns to the elf, with a wistful smile.

Rinlia reaches out and touches his arm.

-It's a dangerous choice. – She says, as he takes a deep breath. – Think carefully before giving me an answer.

-You already knew what my choice would be. That's why you hesitated to ask; You were worried about me. How did you know?

She hesitates, but decides to answer.

-You have this sparkle in your eyes. Something that does not let you back down. I've seen that before. In the eyes of people who would rather risk their lives to protect what they think is important than protect themselves.

-Would it be courage?

-Some would call it stupidity. – She smiles. – Don't be disappointed. I also have that look in my eyes when I think of Valkyrie.

-Oh... – He shows understanding. – I see what you mean.

-That is why it’s easy for me to guess your choice between running away or trying to earn your place.

-You are right. Depending on the point of view, there is no difference between this courage and stupidity.

-But there is a difference between the right and wrong choice.

-And which one is the right choice?

She takes a second to think.

-Those who choose to run, will always run. Those who fight, sometimes fight for the last time. For the good or the bad.

The elf rests her own glass on the table, next to his.

When she turns her gaze to him, the glint in her emerald eyes seems less intense. More welcoming.

-What?

-I wanted to say that it is flattering that you value so much your life here, with me and my daughter, but I must warn you... To not fight because of that. We were fine before you came along, you know?

-A life with me would be so repulsive that you would have to reject me before I made a move? – If it were not for the alcohol, he would not be able to speak those words. Arthur himself is surprised to realize that the thought was not restrained by modesty.

-It's not that. – She takes a deep breath, trying to keep her face from flushing. – I cannot offer you a life of tranquility and peace, much less a life of love adventures. Do you understand what I’m saying? If you're going to fight for Fiandel, I don't want you to have any illusions about the life you're protecting here.

-I see what you mean. - He shakes his head. - After all, one day I will be old and you will still be one astonishingly beautiful elf. I will be a decrepit human and you will enjoy the vigor of youth. Your daughter will grow at a normal rate until she comes of age, and after that she will also stop in time. You two will be young elves, living forever after I die.

-You've been reading too many books. – Rinlia smiles, tightening her hand on his arm. – Elves do grow old. Very slowly, but still. Besides, the body stays young, but the mind... Oh, the mind counts the seconds like a very well-calibrated watch.

-Then, what are you saying? That I am unworthy to stay in your house? That I should go away and look for other humans, with less calibrated mental “clocks”, who also age quickly and might die with me? That if I tried something here and now, I would be a fool, unaware of my own limits?

-No way. I'm just saying that although none of us has ever made an offer, the eyes see what is not at sight and the mind understands what has been hidden. I won't deceive you – She is clinging to his arm. Her voice is a whisper and her face gets closer with a half-smile in her lips. – as we both claim to be good observers, but I also need to tell you what I fear you may haven’t been taking into account. Everything that-

Maybe it was the liquor, the starry night, the pressure of her fingers on his arm, or the conversation about life and death.

Maybe it was fate or chance.

Maybe it was just desire acting over Arthur when the young man leaned over and pulled the elf's body closer to him.

A short breath.

Human lips touch the elven lips. Soft lips, touching each other. A warm kiss shared in the middle of the night.

Brown stare into emerald.

The whispering voice of the traveler from another world.

-It doesn't matter if it's only while I'm young. It doesn't matter if it's just for a few months, weeks, days... Or just for today, Rinlia. I...

This time it is the elven lips that touch the human ones.

Their breaths are uneven.

Two racing hearts. Two minds confused by alcohol and life in a world that transforms so much, so fast.

-Who knows what is time? - She says, panting. – Who knows what is this thing we call time, if we ourselves know that there are days that seem to last lifetimes and lifetimes that seem to last only a day?

Her hand grips his shirt, reaches to his back and scratches his shoulders.

His hands envelop her in a tight hug. A hug that pushes away everything and everyone – except the two of them.

Right now, they are alone in the world, in a night with a starry sky.

-Come. – She guides him by the hand. – Come with me.

The pearly blonde hair sways as they climb the stairs.

"Who knows what it is time itself?" Arthur thinks, between one step and another. "If no one knows, then could we have our own eternity here, in the shape of a memory?"

The elf and the human get into a room.

Alone in the world.

In the privacy of their own eternity.

*

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