With several cuts and blood coming out from my arms and legs. That’s how I am right now. After slaying several wolves that showed up, our clothes were once again filled with blood, like we are never left. Soleil did most of the work as usual and Thalia barely had to do anything.

We finally left her home and I can’t lie, I was slightly worried about Rita. I’m certain she is going to be fine but can’t help to wonder what is going to happen.

“Now what?”, asked Thalia.

“Well, back to Astax for the time being. We need to check on Harlow and get a decent break. Anyone against?”

Soleil nodded. We regrouped and got our things together. I only had a measly knife to fend myself. Soleil had her twin swords who were quite well now. Thalia’s bow was amazing and looked sturdy. So I was the weakest there. Which is something I despise.

We climb a small hill that allows us to see the entrance of the small village where we were. Several druds and dryads were restless, running around as if looking for something. And they really were. For her.

As of now, I am entirely responsible for Thalia. Technically I am not but I feel like I am. Now I have another problem. I need to go back into Astax but Thalia isn’t my slave and I can’t make her my slave. And since she is not human, this is going to be an enormous hassle.

“How are we going to take her inside the city, Yurem?”

“Yeah, that was exactly what I was thinking.”

“What are you two talking about? Why wouldn’t I be able to go into that city?”

“What do you mean?”

“Am I forbidden? No. Am I search for any crime? No. Am I on some blacklist? No.”

So she thinks she is some wise one, doesn’t she?

“Are you human? No. Checkmate.”

And then she froze. Looks like she forgot the most important part. That Astax does not give a single fuck about anyone who isn’t human and that her kind is only useful to build roads or to serve at some shady brothel.

“And let me give you some piece of advice. I do not give a single care that you despise me. You can say whatever the hell you want about me. Do you want to say that I am a criminal? Be my guest. Say it. Announce it to the world. Do you want to say that I’m a thief? That I assault girls? Do it. But say another thing about her being on a blacklist and we are going to have problems. I offered you a place here because of your mom, nothing else. You saved me, I save you. But do not make me regret doing this.”

“Yurem, it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. I despise people who speak about stuff like they know everything.”

“You hate yourself, then?”, said Thalia in a quiet tone.

“Yeah, I do. Your mother told me you saw them. Now what? Do you want a prize?”

Soleil stared at both of us wondering what were we talking about. And so she waited. Looking at me. Not saying a word.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just go. We’ll stop by our little cave and rest there for the night.”

“Understood.”

Soleil started leading the way while I stayed behind. I don’t need to reminisce on the past any longer but why does it keep being brought up?

“Yurem, hurry, we took longer than we should have had fighting them and running.”

This time I am not alone. I have her. Even if it’s just for a little while. I will just have to do my best to hurry and bring her to Asparia so she can have a decent life. It’s all up to her.

“Going.”

We slowly but steadily made our way back into where it all started. The cave where I actually called home. Mentally, at least.

The dusk came and with it our hunger as well. Lucky for us, wolves weren’t scarce, so Soleil took care of them and prepare the meals as usual while I went for water. I was dwelling on what Thalia said so when I left the autopilot state of mind that I was in, I realize that I was fetching the same herbs I was using to treat Soleil. I really need to get my mind together. I’m lacking. I’m failing.

I decide to simply lay down. The soft breeze near the river felt good against my face and it has been a while since I stargazed by myself. I enjoyed doing it with Rita. Not going to deny it.

I heard the rustling of grass nearby and dropped everything and drew my knife. From the river to the cave it would still take a while so I can’t count on backup.

“Yurem?”

It was Thalia. Great, right the person I wanted to see. Can’t I have a break?

“You scared me. You can go back. I will go back any minute.”

“Can we… talk?”

“About?”

“I wanted to…”

“Listen, if you are here only because of your mother, It’s fine. We don’t need to act as friends or anything like that.”

“No. Let me talk.”

She was serious. So I simply extended my hand signaling her to sit near the river.

“I am sorry. I truly am. I overstepped my boundaries. You and Soleil were kind enough to give me a way out and at the same time help my Mother. When I heard them talk about me being punished for treason, everything I knew, my whole world, fell apart. The same people I was friends with were ready to make me pay for saving lives and that is not right. I was clouded and I am sorry for everything I said. About Soleil. And about you. Mother told me that you are innocent and you were framed. That you have suffered enough on your own only with that on your mind. That you were alone. I -”

“It’s fine. We are good. Don’t worry. Did you apologize to Soleil?”

“Huh? Of course, as soon as I was alone with her. We spoke and -”

“That’s all it matters then.”

“What do you mean?”

“We are only be staying on Aspax for a day or two. After that, we make haste to Asparia so you two can live free. So, be friends.”

“What? What about you? What are you doing?”

“Me? I am going home. Finish the spawns and go back home. Where I belong.”

“By yourself? Are you insane?”

“I will be fine. I am counting on the rest of the idiots to do their quota anyway. I will gather some money and hire some mercenaries or something. It should be fine either way.”

Sounds of grass moving again and with my knife in hand and Thalia with bow and arrow ready to fire we took a battle stance.

“But what about us?”

It was Soleil.

“Are you two planning on stopping my heart or something? Stop scaring me, jeez.”

“I don’t want to live a life of lies in Asparia while you are out there by yourself.”

“What? We talked about this. You are staying in Asparia until everything gets settled and you can live your life. What else do you want?”

“I want you to stop acting like an idiot. A stubborn idiot.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t have a place to go back to. I am by myself. I can’t go back. I have no place to go.”

“In Asparia you can make a life for yourself.”

“I DON’T WANT TO BE THERE. NOT AFTER EVERYTHING.”

The conversation evolved into her screaming at me with anger in her eyes.

“What are you talking about? You are fine now. You are alive. You are no longer sick. You don’t have to fight anymore. Didn’t you had enough?”

“STOP BEING AN IDIOT.”

“STOP CALLING ME AN IDIOT.”

“THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE. YOU ARE PLANNING ON DITCHING ME JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE ME GET HURT AGAIN BECAUSE OF YOU, RIGHT?”

When she said those words, my brain clicked. I really went from using whatever and anyone to I can’t let people get hurt because of me. But Sol isn’t someone I can use. She became someone I actually trust.

“So? What’s so wrong with that?”

“I…”

Growl

The fearsome growl we heard wasn’t a monster. It was Soleil’s stomach. The three of us stared at each other only to burst into laughter.

“Let’s go to the cave and eat.”

I pick up everything that I was supposed to bring and start walking when Soleil grabbed my arm.

“I will go with you wherever you go. You are an idiot, stubborn, annoying, you complain, you don’t take care of yourself, only about others, you roll your eyes too much but… You are my friend. My very first friend.”

My heart was tight like something was crushing it. In a good way. I couldn’t help but smile.

“You are the idiot here.”

“Shut up.”

“Fine, Sol. You win.”

If she wants to go with me, I will let her. Or I can simply trick her and make her stay in Asparia while I simply run. I have choices.

“If you are planning on leaving me on Asparia while you flee while I am not paying attention, I will pursue you, hurt you and then we will proceed.”

“How did you…”

We were almost in our cave having the same old wolf meat and water for dinner. But this time, the meal was tasty. I could taste it. It was good. Or maybe I am for once, not feeling lonely. And that changed something. Having a meal and laughing together with people was something that I never dreamed of having but here I was. And a lot more adventures are to come. Let’s see how it goes.