The sun rises, and citizens of Pillotlan, on both sides of the river, leave their homes to begin the day’s work. Barbara, not having slept in an actual bed since she left the mountains, takes the opportunity to comfortably sleep in, waking a few hours before noon.

The house is completely empty, she gets dressed, fastens her sword around her waist and walks out the door. Last night’s fire left a quarter of the field reserved for the lodge completely scorched. Lupe is probably dealing with the aftermath. Barbara gets a sinking feeling, propping herself back up again, she neglects her guilt.

Her sword finally in her possession, she sets out on fulfilling one of her short term goals, joining the resistance army. Determined to enlist, she makes her way to the city, asking around for directions to the barracks, leading her to a road in the northwestern part of town, a kilometer and a half just outside the city.

“What do you mean I can’t enlist?” She asks the recruitment officer.

“You’re just a kid.” He replies, toying with his curly fashioned mustache.

“I’m an excellent swordmaster, I can help the cause.” She pleads.

“It’s not up to me, kid. We have rules and requirements, I could get in trouble if my superiors found out I let a kid through the filtration process.”

“I have nowhere else to go, I ran away from home just to join.”

The man sighes, taking a look around the office, his coworkers busy filling out paperwork, he leans forward, lowering his voice. “Mercenaries aren’t as strict on their recruitment process, you know. There’s a couple of local companies that have pledged allegiance to the cause.”

“Where can I find them?” She lowers her voice as well.

“They’re all out of town at the moment, but I’m sure some will appear for the summer festival.”

Barbara stares at the recruitment officer.

“About a month from now.” Concludes the man.

Barbara storms out of the recruitment office, kicking dirt as she makes her way back to town. Sure that she’ll run into Demitrio at the doctor’s office, she makes her way through the busy streets towards the residential area she visited yesterday.

“Desert lizard, about time you showed up.”

Demitrio lets her in, finding Celso back on his feet, looking good as new.

“Miss me?”

Barbara runs up to give him a tight hug. They thank the doctor for his service, paying him his dues, the three walk back to the markets, following the scent of the best smelling restaurant to grab something to eat. Barbara relates the events of the previous day, and that morning, to Celso, chowing down on a chile relleno burrito as she speaks.

“I never would have guessed you were so young.” Comments Demitrio.

Barbara leers at him.

“Joining a mercenary company seems like your best bet, then.” Adds Celso.

“The guy at the office said some companies might stop by at the end of the month.” She remarks, looking down at her plate.

Demitrio and Celso take one look at each other before turning back to Barbara.

“What are you going to do in the meantime?” Asks Celso.

“Wait. What else?” She replies, coldly.

“Where are you going to stay? The ranchers guild is already suspicious of you for last night’s fire.”

Last night, Lupe had appeased the rowdy crowd enough to get them to put down their torches and pitchforks, but even as they sat in the restaurant, the giant water golem that had made an appearance was all the people of Pillotlan were talking about.

“You think the person those kids left with yesterday had anything to do with it?” Asks Celso.

“Keep your voice down, stupid.” Warns Demitrio.

“Maybe you can stay with those kids while you wait.” Chuckles Celso, ignoring Demitrio.

Barbara rolls her eyes, looking out the window, she sees the silhouette of someone standing on top of a building overlooking the restaurant they find themselves in. Recognizing the figure she saw last night, she puts her burrito down, and walks out the door.

“Where you going?” Asks Demitrio, as the twins watch her get up.

The figure disappears, not wanting to bother, Barbara retakes her seat, and the three get back to their meal.

Back at the lodge, Celso reunites with Lupe with a big hug. Despite having already eaten, they take a seat to eat the vegetable broth she had made.

“You can come back home with us.” Offers Lupe.

“No, thanks.” Replies Barbara.

Lupe chuckles. “I knew you’d say that. We’ll be back in time for the summer festival either way.”

“When are you guys leaving?” Asks Barbara.

“Tomorrow.” Lupe answers solemnly.

Barbara lets out a sigh. She was about to speak when there’s a knock on the door.

“Keep eating, I’ll get it.” Suggests Lupe.

Upon opening the door, she’s met with a bouquet of flowers.

“Pepito, good to see you again. Thank you for the flowers, they’re lovely. Who are your friends?”

Barbara rushes to the door, hand on her hilt, ready for another attack. She finds Pepito on the other end of the door, next to him are Ruth, hooded, with a displeased look on her face, and an olive skinned boy a little older than her, curly disheveled hair, under soft eyes.

“We wanted to stop by and thank you for showing Pepito your hospitality.” He nudges Ruth’s shoulder. “And to apologize for what happened yesterday.”

Ruth lets out an obnoxious sigh. “Sorry for trying to burn your house down.”

The boy looks at her, expecting to hear more.

Ruth takes the hint, turning to Barbara. “And sorry for attacking you. I thought you guys were torturing Pepito for information, or something.”

Celso and Demitrio are heard sharing a laugh from the kitchen.

Barbara nods at Ruth, accepting the apology, yet still feeling a tension between them.

“Why don’t you come and join us, there’s enough food to go around.” Lupe gestures towards the kitchen.

Before the older boy can protest, Pepito cheers as he makes his way towards the kitchen.

“I insist, I’d also like to have a chat with you.” She says to the boy.

He looks at Barbara as if asking for permission, something about his face annoys her. She raises her nose at him as she makes her way back to the kitchen.

“You’re too kind, really, but-” The boy is interrupted by Lupe who grabs him by the hand, leading him to the kitchen.

Celso and Demitrio busy themselves with something to do outside. The three visitors take the seats the twins and Barbara were occupying, eating their meal in an awkward silence, Barbara keeps them company, expecting another fight to break at any moment.

“I’m told you’re quite the talent.” Says the boy, attempting to break the silence.

Barbara doesn’t respond, leaning against the dishwasher, arms crossed around her chest.

“Don’t you think she’s quite pretty?” Teases Lupe.

“That’s what I said, but Ruth said it wasn’t true, but I told you that she was. See?” Mutters Pepito, mouth full of food.

“Shut up, Pepito.” Scolds Ruth.

“We didn’t mean to cause so much trouble for you all. Especially with how kind you treat us.” Says the boy.

“What’s your name, son?” Asks Lupe.

“My name is Alejandro, but please call me Alex.” He gives Lupe a warm smile.

Barbara scoffs at his phony etiquette, his annoying face still bothering her. Lupe intertwines her fingers, covering her mouth.

“How long have you been able to communicate with the river’s spirit, Alex?” Asks Lupe casually.

Ruth and Pepito look at each other, then back at Alex, waiting to hear his response.

“You’re quite intuitive, ma’am.”

Lupe shrugs off the compliment. “I saw the birthmark on the back of your neck. Can you communicate as well with other spirits?”

Alex hesitates.

“Don’t worry about me. I may not be able to speak to water spirits as well as you can, but I have my fair share of spirit friends.” She gives a reassuring smile.

“The western winds also respond to me.”

Lupe chuckles. “I don’t believe in coincidences. Maybe some greater power led us all to acquaint ourselves with each other. Since I met this one, I’ve been feeling an abnormal amount of auspicious energy in the air.” She says, gesturing at Barbara.

“There is something special about her.” He says, looking at Barbara.

Barbara breaks eye contact with the boy looking out the window at nothing in particular. She can hear Ruth scoff at the remark.

“How many other kids do you look after, Alex?” Asks Lupe.

He smiles again. “Quite intuitive indeed. Just another one we left back home. She’s not in the best condition to be walking about.”

The mood shifts amongst the three visitors, they all look down at their plates, a somber look in their eyes.

Lupe gets up, grabs a clay pot and fills it with the remaining broth on the stove. “Then take this. I’m sure your friend would appreciate the warm meal.”

“Yeah.” Pepito gives Lupe a crooked tooth smile.

“I would also like to ask,” Lupe fills the pot with stew. “how would you feel about a talented swordmaster joining your gang?”