The high stone walls loomed over the small group that just finished traversing the desert. Tired, tattered and mostly in need of water, they reached the desert city right when the sun had set behind the glass dome buildings.

“Krieg, have you been to Windia before?”

He turned around to see her. Weary expression, shoulder slumped forward and hands loosely holding the horse’s reins. She was clearly exhausted from the journey, but nevertheless she was awake and determined to at least see inside the city.

“Yes, but that was about fifteen years ago. Back then Windia was still known for its fire mages.”

“Ah yes, my mentor is a fire-aspected spell caster, it was from some of his offensive spells that I came up with the idea for Fire Ward.”

Luke, while tired, the mention of history about the city made him liven up. While travelling, conversing with him was a good way to both pass time and acquire knowledge, the young man didn’t seem to be reserved with his scholarship.

“But do you know of any places we could rest?”

Phoebe’s voice was somewhat muffled from the cloth wrapped around her face. Her short hair poked out through some spots of the fabric along with the tips of the elven ears.

She didn’t seem particularly tired but some wear could be seen from her cloth shoes.

“Ah I have a place that might be suitable.”

Krieg’s eyes met the princess’. They silently agreed he wouldn’t be exactly a great guide for this.

After crossing the front gates, Krieg felt stares on the back of his neck. The outskirts of the city were known for its ‘less’ savory type of people, there were honest hard-working folks here too, but it was a gamble whether or not you would have been greeted with a handshake or shanked between the ribs with a dull knife.

“This city has changed a lot.”

The knight’s remarks prompted Luke to respond.

“It wasn’t like this until a few years ago, it started after the changes in the mining policy. The king implemented laws that enforced the exchange of valuable stones with the guilds, so many of the independent miners were forced to trade gems for a lower price. Eventually, it became less profitable and with the influx of miners in the previous years-”

“Hey, is that the place?”

Phoebe interrupted his line of thought to point towards a place called Slowsand. It wasn’t exactly a well kept place.

“Huh? Ah, yes, that’s the place.”

It was a somewhat hidden building in a quiet alleyway big enough for two horses to pass through. Krieg left the horse tied to the inn’s hitching post while he wore the armor back on again. The full plate armor wasn’t exactly conspicuous but thankfully the alley was empty. He helped Leona to get off the horse.

“Ready to go in?”

Luke asked the knight. Which he answered with a nod.

They entered through the wooden double doors into the stone inn building. It was a simple one story building with rooms in the back side of the room through another wooden door. A tanned tough looking woman greeted them as they entered.

“Aye rare to see you kind of fancy folk ‘round here, watchu need?”

Luke approached the reception table, which was a carved slab of stone that covered just above the woman’s waist.

“Three rooms-”

“Two.”

Phoebe interrupted.

“I’ll sleep with them.”

“Ah I’m so sorry lady, we just have them couple rooms. Ya threesome will have to wait ‘nother day.”

Leona stood behind Krieg with her hood up, but it seemed to draw more attention to herself rather than keep it away. The clerk leaned to the side to see her shrink into her hood more.

“Ay, don’t be shy. We don’t bite ‘ere.”

Krieg placed his hand on Luke’s shoulder. The woman’s off-putting demeanor made him act in order to keep Leona out of her reach.

“Just pay her.”

“Huh? Ah yes, my apologies.”

He put thirty copper coins on the table.

“This should be enough right?”

“Aye. It is, you can head through the door over there, here are your keys.”

She tossed three keychains to Luke before picking something behind the counter.

“Here ya go, ya gonna like this.”

The innkeeper handed a bottle of a brackish liquid to the knight as he walked by. He in turn, just took it without saying anything. They headed through the single wooden door on the left side of the counter, it was a long corridor with a series of doors on the left side. Candles inside a salience carved inside the wall like a small archway illuminated the area, though dimly, it was enough to see the end of the far corner.

“Here.”

Luke turned around and handed both Krieg and Phoebe their keys.

“I’ll go to my room now, I’m tired.”

He bowed before turning around and leaving. Krieg leaned sideways to talk to Leona.

“We should get some rest too.”

“Mhm.”

They headed to the room between Luke’s and Phoebe’s. The interior was somewhat dusty because most of the stone ceiling was flaking away, but otherwise it wasn’t a bad room. There was a spacious bed with beige sheets, some candles packed against the left corner of the room and some dim light coming from a very thin slit in the wall for a makeshift window.

Krieg picked some of the candles after setting the rolled bear pelt against the wall near the unlit lights. He brought it over to the stone carved nightstand and set the wick on fire with his own tinderbox. The weak light let a gentle yellow glow around the dark room.

“Krieg, what is that bottle?”

She pointed to the brackish colored glass leaning against the bear pelt.

“Serf’s Swill, normally they hand these in brothels, but apparently the owner here misunderstood our situation.”

“Misunderstood? In which way do you mean?”

“She most likely thought we were a ‘couple’ of sorts.”

Leona flinched while looking at him with one eyebrow raised.

“What are you getting at?”

“The beverage, it’s for making people drunk.”

Her eyes went wide, she had read about those acts in the past, getting one drunk enough to take advantage of them. Utterly disgusting, but it was the truth for most of that region of the city.

“Right, I’ll stay clear from those.”

“It would be wise to decline any kind of food or drinks they serve here. It may be poisoned or drugged.”

She nodded a few times to reassure herself of the dangers present, even though she was inside a city, it didn’t mean there wouldn’t be dangers or possible ambushes.

“But fret not, I’ll thoroughly inspect everything for your safe consumption.”

“You’re too kind Krieg.”

“On that note, I’ll go fetch water for us.”

She nodded once.

“Thank you.”

She laid down on the bed after he closed the door. Her eyes closed effortlessly as the built up fatigue from the travel came all at once, her shoulders softened up against the dusty sheet. She started to ponder about everything that happened thus far, but it only served to disappoint her.

To travel such places, surely, one has to be prepared, but more than that they need to know their role and purpose in a group, something that definitely eluded her while traveling together with them. She knew Krieg only wanted to take care of her well-being, but the noble girl couldn’t help but feel useless.

A few knocks on the door made her jolt up with a nervous fumbling around the short sword handle before she found a grip with her right hand. She carefully walked up to the door with the handle tightly held.

“Who’s there?”

“Prism star, may watch over you.”

The tension on her shoulders went away as she opened the door. Krieg was holding what seemed to be a big round ceramic jar, the sloshing sound within suggested that it was filled with liquid.

“Welcome back, Krieg.”

“Thank you, princess.”

She put her hands on her hips before looking at him with a stern look on her face.

“Leona, right?”

“My apologies, princess Leona, I mean, Leona.”

She faintly smiled towards him before letting go of her imposing posture.

“I’m just playing with you. It’s just us here after all.”

He put the jar down and she took a seat on the bed again. Her feet started to swing back and forth gently against the bed.

Krieg glanced up to her from behind the helmet before removing it.

“Is there something wrong Leona?”

“Huh?”

“You are… crying.”

She blinked a few times before realizing tears were starting to pour out of her eyes.

“Ah… I… I don’t know why I’m-”

She tried to clean her tears, but the more she tried more and more tears started to come. Her efforts to keep everything inside was futile, the unknown stress she had built up came out without warning.

Krieg knew many like her. Head-strong, good-willed, kind and above all, righteous. Many amazing people, but just like those before her, if given too many burdens anyone would break under the weight.

“I’m sorry Krieg, I’m just… not sure why I started to-”

He gently placed his right hand on her left knee while looking up to her face, his crimson eyes met hers.

“I’m here for you, I’ll always be by your side. No matter what happens.”

Her hands grasped his on each side, small as they were she couldn’t fully cover the backside of his hand.

She tried to force herself to smile, but she couldn't muster the strength to do so. Instead her expression was of pure pain. Arched eyebrows, frowned brow and clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry Krieg… I’m sorry…”

Her hands involuntarily brought his near her forehead. Her grasp tightened as she turned her head down. Tears left many darkened droplet spots on her purple dress.

She never had felt pain so great like this before. It was like countless vine thorns had a hold of her heart, slowly snuffing its life away with each passing second.

“Leona, you shouldn’t blame yourself for something that is my fault. Had I been more strong, you wouldn’t-”

“It’s my fault for being weak! What did my knowledge serve for all this time?! Nothing! It is useless as I am! If it wasn’t for my incompetence as a tactician Adele would still be here! Father wouldn’t have been left behind! I… I… I…!”

Her usual steady breathing was now erratic. The feeling of anger was pouring uncontrollably from her, until she felt something grasp her right shoulder. She looked towards him.

Krieg’s face was a few centimeters from hers, his eyes filled with purpose.

“No one could’ve predicted that. Not even lord Jean. All we can do is to stay calm, decide carefully what path we want to take and see to everyone’s safety. Lord Jean wouldn’t want to see you blaming yourself like this.”

“But I-”

“Leona, I swore my allegiance to you not because of pity nor guilt. I choose to serve under you because I saw your potential, you are a ruler that can change the kingdom. Aren’t you Leona Crossford? The fabled princess tactician that prevented thousands of lives from being scythed by the Death Angels?”

“That wasn’t-”

“Then what about the great fall of the arcadian woods? Who else could’ve prevented that?”

She grasped his hands tightly while also clenching her teeth.

“Leona. You are not useless. I’ve seen your potential, I’ve seen you achieve many great things, give yourself another chance to grow even more stronger than you are.”

Almost as if giving up on suppressing her emotions she threw herself against him into a very tight hug, she screamed, she cried, she pleaded for forgiveness for her foolish words.

“We are all fools in the end.”

Phoebe said while hearing the bartering of the other room.

“Well… no rest for the wicked I suppose.”

She got up from the dusty bed and headed out the door into the corridor. She glanced from one side to another before locking her door. As she was proceeding to walk outside the voice of the innkeeper came from the counter.

“Aye ya better be careful out there, folk tend to no like ya new wanderers.”

“Aye aye. Thanks.”

She walked outside and turned to the left, seeing as no one was around she leaped on the horse’s saddle and from it to the roof. Silently landing on the dusty stone carved surface. The sight of the desert city never ceased to amaze her. Bright glass domes towards the center of the circular city showed the beauty of the Windian’s craftsmanship.

Shining like a kaleidoscope, the jewel of the barren desert land, the Eye of Kings. Towering above all other domes, a giant glass dome changed its color depending on the time of the day, now emitting a vibrant green sheen towards the sky. It was where the great school of magic resided, but it was also where Phoebe needed to go.

“Pho, where are you currently?”

Her mind was rudely invaded by the projected thought of her adventurer acquaintance, Laslow. His low pitched voice sounded even more rough when inside her mind.

“Gah, can you like, give me a heads up before suddenly popping into my head like that?”

“What? Did I interrupt something?”

“No hells no. Just tell me what you wanted to say.”

“I’ve been keeping an eye on the mercs my dearest cousin sent. Apparently they either have another esper on their side or a great tactician.”

“Or both.”

“Bah, highly unlikely. Point is, they are moving. Whether they know about Luke or not, I have no idea.”

“I see, thank you for the information.”

“Aren’t you going to relay that to the yuppie?”

“Watch your mouth, I prefer to not get on the bad side of any noble.”

“I’m not speaking with my mouth dear Pho.”

“Just… shut up Las.”

“Aye aye cap. Also before I go, Laura wanted to have a word with you. She’s in the Keep.”

“Right… tell her I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Her mind became clearer after finishing the conversation with Laslow.

She started to leap across the rooftops, quickly but incredibly silent, she made her way towards the east side of the Eye of Kings, a wooden construction stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the stone carved buildings. The Keep Laslow referred to was a simple base of operations for Phoebe’s comrades, it was a spacious wooden shack with no doors or windows, surprising to anyone, but not for them.

The lack of a door wasn’t an issue as Phoebe simply phased through the far wall of the wooden shack. Inside it was built like a bunker, instead of the usual stone carved building it was made of hardened slabs of sandstone.

“No matter how many times I come through it, it still feels weird to pass through that illusion.”

“You’re welcome, cap.”

Laslow was across a wooden balcony that separated the room she was in. He wore a dark beige colored turban to cover most of his face, saving for the light blue eyes, dull white cotton pants and cloth wrapped around his feet.

Phoebe pulled a nearby chair to sit while holding her arms folded on the backside of it. Laslow approached her and took his seat against a carved bench near the left wall, he crossed his legs and his left hand seemed to disappear into a void in the air before he pulled out a book from inside of it. He started to read.

A few heavy footsteps echoed from the other side of the room, coming up from the stairs that led to an underground passageway, a hulking barbarian of a woman. Short pale blonde hair fell on the left side of her face, covering one of her emerald colored eyes, her clothing was simple much akin to a gladiator, dull light colored leather chest armor, short brown rough skirt and leather strapped sandals. The thick broadsword was hung by a braided leather string across her chest, resting on her back.

Phoebe let out a rare smile towards her massive friend.

“Laura, good to see you.”

“Same here Pho. I forged the item you asked of me.”

“I see, thank you very much.”

The woman nodded, her square chin had a deep scar near her left side of the lip. Some sweat was coming down from her brow, making her squint from the salty droplets of bodily fluids. Her folded biceps were almost the size of Phoebe’s chest.

Laura’s left foot ground some of the stone floor under her weight as she started to speak again.

“I… have something to ask of you, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“It’s unusual for you to be this reserved. Tell me what it is.”

“About this job, we may possibly come across his family, correct?”

The barbarian motioned her chin towards Laslow, which he just waved his hand in disdain before speaking up.

“I don’t care for the lot of them, if possible I’d like them to bite the dust along that fool.”

Laura bit her under lip before continuing.

“I would prefer if we could at least spare his parents.”

His eyes rolled before looking at Laura with a stern stare.

“Please, we talked about this before. They deserve to share a shallow grave along with the rest of those idiots. If they wanted to invite a war over because of a petty reason such as the human-demon treaty, so be it. We have nothing to do with th-”

“You have, it’s your family.”

Phoebe interrupted him and with her hand open towards him before continuing.

“Laura’s right, you may be able to kill him without a second thought but you only have one family, if they didn’t want your well-being they wouldn’t-”

“They sent me here because I was a burden.”

Laslow closed the book, throwing it away as it vanished in the void. He approached the elf menacingly, prompting Laura to step to her side.

”They brought this on themselves. If anything, it would be better if the Lorraine household ceased to exist. The Crossfords have the right idea to keep the kingdom on the right track.”

Phoebe looked down, but not out of fear. She couldn’t find the right words to make him understand the importance of that decision. Killing someone you hate was one thing, but snuffing out the life of the ones you used to love was an unthinkable act even for her.

“Hmph. Very well, Laura, since you made this point known to Phoebe I’ll consider what to do when we get there.”

Laslow said before turning back towards the staircase.

“I’m glad you at least put some thought to it.”

The barbarian bowed to him.

“I’ll return to my quarters. I need to finish my research.”

With a snap of his fingers, two flesh simulacrum images of himself started to arrange food on the kitchen counter.

“You should eat before heading back.”

He said as his head vanished with the last steps down the staircase.

“Thank you.”

Phoebe voiced her appreciation, which in turn he made one of the images bow towards her. Laura had a guilty expression on her. She waited for a few seconds before speaking with the elf again.

“I’m sure… he means well.”

“Don’t be like that Laura. I still agree with what you said. Though I can’t say I wasn’t surprised when you spoke about it.”

“It was on my mind for a while.”

Laura took a seat on the stone bench where Laslow was. One of the simulacrums brought a platter of sausage with a dull green cabbage on the side to Phoebe.

“He sure likes his sauerkraut.”

Laura chuckled.

“Well it’s the only food he knows how to cook.”

“One of many.”

Another female voice came from the illusionary doorway. Near it a light armored woman with an iron mace on her belt hip was carrying a sizable bag.

“Neil! It’s good to see you.”

Phoebe left the platter on the stone bench and gave her a warm hug before holding both of her shoulders to take a better look at her.

The woman’s eyes were deep blue like the ocean, her dark long hair was tied on a high bun with dried string. A warm smile came from her face after she hugged the elf.

“I’m glad you’re okay Phoebe.”

“Same here.”

She was a tad taller than the elf but her brigandine armor gave some extra size to her torso.

“Well if you excuse me, I need to deliver some things to Laslow.”

Phoebe nodded before letting her go. Neiliel then proceeded downstairs before vanishing into the corridor.

The elf grabbed the half-eaten meal and started to bite on the cabbage. The dull green vegetable mushed down as she chewed on it.

“Ah, Laura.”

Phoebe spoke as she finished the meal.

“Hm? Yes?”

“Where is John?”

“He had some items he needed to… ‘acquire’ for the journey.”

The elf nodded.

“I see. Well, tell him to show up near the Slowsand tomorrow, yeah?”

“Sure thing.”

She handed the empty platter to a simulacrum.

“Alright, I’ll be heading back to the inn. Thanks for meeting me in person Laura.”

The barbarian nodded.

“Yeah, stay safe.”

“You too.”

With her stomach full she headed outside again. The moon was high in the sky as she took a few deep breaths.

Leaping across rooftop to rooftop, she made her way back to the inn, the owner was nowhere to be seen.

“Hmmm…”

She gingerly took a quick look on the other side of the balcony, but the counter was empty.

“Oh well.”

But then decided to go back to her room. Inside the dusty bedroom she turned around and locked the door before laying on the bed to sleep. Her eyes slowly found purchase within the darkness, her consciousness fading away.

Morning rose to a new day, as Krieg came to consciousness while sitting against Leona’s bed. She was still asleep with her mouth half-open while laying on her right side, he gently brushed her hair off her face which made her muscles tense for a second before turning on her back.

The faint light coming from the slit in the wall got his attention as he stood up to inspect the outside. Leaning close but not directly in front of it, he peeked outside, the sun was already above the city walls but not above the Eye of Kings with its now bluish sheen reflected off the giant glass dome.

“Mmmmmmgh...”

He turned towards the bed and saw Leona bring her forearm in front of her eyes, brushing sluggishly, trying to wake up.

“Good morning Leona.”

She turned on her right side again before pushing herself up to a sitting position on the bed. Her hair had a few stray strings coming off from the sides along with a few crumples on the edges. Blinking once, twice, three times, very long intervals in between, she finally focused her vision on the knight already kneeling by her. He had the rolled bear pelt tied to his back with a few dried hemp strings.

“Good morning Krieg…”

“Did you manage to sleep well?”

“Yes… too well apparently.”

She turned to the right and her feet touched the stone floor, Krieg offered a ceramic bowl filled with water to her.

“Thank you.”

She drank it slowly, but the liquid hitting her empty morning stomach made her wince slightly in pain. It was something that never occurred to her, the lack of food in the morning never happened in the Crossford household.

“Leona should I fetch something for you to eat?”

“It’s… it’s not necessary. Thank you.”

He took the bowl from her hand and put it inside the water jar. Troubling as it was, if she said it wasn’t necessary he would not actively pursue food, but in the back of his mind she was still only the frail princess he knew.

“So, shall we head out?”

She asked as she stood up, brushing the sand dust off her as much as she could. The knight nodded, picked up the bear pelt and unlocked the door and after a quick inspection of the corridor he walked outside the room, at high alert all the time.

“Good morning ser Krieg. Leona.”

Phoebe peeked from the doorway that led to the inn’s entrance. Cloth already wrapped around her face, longbow across her shoulder and an unusual longsword sheathed by her left side.

“Good morning…”

Leona replied while still trying to shrug off the drowsiness. Krieg just nodded instead of saying anything.

They moved to the reception room and the half-awake innkeeper greeted them.

“Mornin’ to ya folks. Early birds now aren’tcha?”

“Yeah, we’ll be heading off now, thank you for the rooms.”

Phoebe left five extra pieces of copper on the stone counter before leaving.

“Aye thank ye lass.”

The knight made sure to put himself between the owner and Leona, almost covering her entirely with his own body.

“Where… where is Luke?”

Leona asked while rubbing her right eye.

“With the rest. They are waiting by the walls outside.”

They exited the inn and Krieg noticed the absence of the pack horse worried him. Instinctively the knight turned his head around, but the alleyway was empty. As he turned his head back again he stumbled upon a figure taller than himself, casting her shadow over him.

Looking up he could see her serious expression closely, emerald green eyes, pale blonde hair and a very muscular upper body. She had two greatswords on her back with straps of leather coming on as a cross in front of her chest only covered with a simple dull leather armor, a skirt that was almost as long as her thighs albeit a little shorter and leather strapped sandals.

“So. Is this him?”

The tall woman asked while looking at Phoebe.

“Yeah that’s the knight I told you about.”

Before Krieg could enter in a defensive stance, the hulking woman before him extended her open right hand towards him.

“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Laura Gannant, Pho’s friend.”

“Also a blacksmith.”

The elf added.

“Huh?”

Leona seemed to not understand what was going on.

“I… see…”

Said the knight as he took Laura’s hand into a handshake.

“My name is Krieg, I’m Leona’s personal knight.”

She nodded before continuing.

“She asked if I could hammer you a weapon in the last two days.”

With her left hand she pulled out the greatsword strapped against her left shoulder and handed it to him. He took the weapon and held it from the scabbard, it was a finely tanned leather with zig-zagging patterns in the sew. The sword guard was slightly curved upwards, the handle was made of a dark colored leather with the round pommel holding everything in place, as he pulled the blade out the metal seemed to emit a soft silver sheen.

“I… I’m without words.”

He spoke while looking at the polished metal that showed his reflection on the blade, the sight of a finely crafted weapon just for him was just as surprising as the help that Phoebe had acquired in less than a day.

“Thank you very much. I’ll use this to protect my liege.”

He sheathed the blade again with a low click of metal as he lunged it over his left shoulder while holding the braided leather with his left hand close to his chest. The sword handle wobbled side to side as he walked.

Leona looked at the way he carried the weapon, unusual in her mind as the leather strap was long enough for him to put over his head.

“Krieg.”

She rubbed her left eye with the backside of her left hand as she tugged his belt with her right.

“Yes, Leona?”

“Why don’t you carry the sword like her?”

She pointed at the tall barbarian that was too busy talking to the elf to notice their conversation. He stared at the scabbard resting diagonally on her back before looking back at the princess to answer.

“She is tall enough to be able to pull that greatsword without an issue but this one is too big for me to have it on my back.”

He put it diagonally with the leather on top of his right shoulder crossing to his left lower side. He then grabbed the hilt and tried to draw the sword only for it to be stuck. Leona leaned from one side to another while checking the weapon, about one third of the blade to be caught against the scabbard.

“Oh… I see now why.”

He sheathed the blade and held it against his left shoulder again. His muffled voice started to explain.

“It’s dangerous to not be able to draw your weapon, that is why I prefer to carry it like this.”

“Do you think it’s fine to carry a longsword like that?”

“Depends on who is carrying it, but I prefer to have it easily accessible.”

They exited the gates of the desert city and found themselves with another group of four people, amongst them was the familiar scrawny young man Luke on top of a camel between its two humps.

“Hey good morning Leo!”

He waved nonchalantly while trying to keep his balance on his ride.

“Good morning Luke.”

She replied with a light chuckle.

“So… this is the person we’re supposed to protect this time?”

The man wearing a turban and light colored cotton shirt started to approach Leona, but Krieg got in his way. Reaching only to his shoulder, the man stopped to look up at him, still with the same demeaning tone in his voice.

“How about you move it chump?”

“Take another step and your head will be rolling down the dunes.”

Krieg towered above him. His eyes, while still wearing the helmet, could be seen to gleam a dangerous red aura around his irises.

“Alright now.”

Another male voice came from behind the man before a gloved hand pulled him back. It was a young man with brown hair and very deep blue eyes took his place. He wore a simple leather vest with a washed white cloak that went around his neck towards the bottom of his thighs which were covered with light cotton trousers and high studded leather boots that went up his shin.

“I’m so very sorry for my friend’s manners, I’m Johnatan Du Haine, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

He formally bowed, swinging his left arm outwards as he brought the other close to his chest.

“As you could tell, we are Miss Phoebe’s allies, which makes us your allies as well, Mister Krieg. I apologize profusely for my friend Laslow here. He’s quite wary of nobles because of his family.”

Krieg, who was previously hunched forward with his left hand loosely gripping the leather strap of his new sword, returned to his usual straightened back. Leona tugged his belt once again.

“Krieg, it’s alright. I can take care of myself.”

He looked back at her and nodded before taking a step back. The princess in turn stepped forward.

“I’m Leona Crossford, next heir of the Crossford family. I hereby officially request your help to rescue my father and drive back the House of Lorraine back to where they came.”