The room reeked of blood, it was not really bothering me but seeing the look of the little group of mercenaries informed me that I overdid it. I hope we won't stay here tonight tho.

I wanted to explain myself when Shara rose her hand and to stopped me, she said :

"First thing first, I will get Jerem to explain himself. He betrayed us and there is no way in hell he will get out of this unscathed. Then ... then we will discuss. It seems you are understanding me way better than when we left. We will need answers."

"So do I" I responded.

It valued me a black stare from Kain. I shrugged it off. I needed them to know I was no pushover.

We climbed down the stairs and got to see the innkeeper, Jerem, gathering his most important goods in a bag, preparing to flee. Way too late, mate.

Shara caught him by the neck and struck him on the wall. He shrieked, his hairs disheveled and a frantic expression on his face. He was pedaling in the air, in vain trying to get a foothold.

"I knew you were dumb, but I didn't know you were the type to know which colored pencil taste the best. You fucked up immensely today Jerem. You know I could execute you and still not infringe on the law."

I knew she had no intention to kill him, or else it would be done already.

"I didn't want to do it but they forced me. I was indebted to them I had no choice."

"We always have the choice Jerem, you could have requested us to help you, we are no friends but we could have resolved all this shit differently. Now we are enemy and I don't see a reason to let you slip out of it."

He looked at her, before turning at me

"For what it's worth, I'm really sorry, I'm not proud of what I did, I have no excuses."

Shara draw her dagger from her belt I didn't know if she was really gonna use it but I ultimately stopped her.

"We shed enough blood today."

I didn't overlook what he did but I know I was no good man either and I can guess that anyone would be driven to immoral acts in pure despair.

She looked at me questioningly, before releasing him.

"Th..Thank you, really, I will void the tab for your stay and give you ten gold to make up for my actions."

I asked myself if I was only worth this much but was way too lazy to mention it.

"We will occupy two new room, and they will be free for the next few day. And I expect no trouble during our stay here. Did I make myself clear ?" Asked Shara.

"Sure, sure, crystal clear, the room will be ready in a bit."

Thirty minutes later Shara, Kain, Ina and I were all seated around a sturdy table. It was ultimately time to discuss business. I was delighted to finally get a few answers to some of my most troubling questions.

Shara was gonna start before I cut her impolitely.

"If you excuse me, I know we both have questions. I think it would be fair to answer one each in turn. It would help us understand each others better this way I think."

The trio shared a look before agreeing.

"Alright, first, can you recount the circumstances of our first meeting ?"

I had only vague memories of this event and I needed to have more information to comprehend this shi... situation I am in.

Kain snickered "Sure, you were naked in the middle of the desert, with a dagger in the back."

I frowned, it was far from enough. Ina perceived it because she added instantly.

"We heard a scream and saw a flash of light. We are reasonably certain you appeared magically because we didn't see you a few minutes prior."

Magic ? Well, I guess it doesn't really shock me. I found myself in an unknown place with a language I don't understand. If magic was not involved I would find it strange.

"It's our turn" Shara cut my reasoning, I nodded.

"Who are you ? What do you remember, where did you come from, who are your parents ?"

There were more than one question but I understood where she was getting. She wanted to know if I was a threat to them just by my presence. No luck on this, I don't remember a thing.

"You now know my name, I merely remembered it not so long ago. For your other questions, I can't answer you, I don't recall a thing."

"Convenient !" remarked Kain

"Maybe, maybe not, it doesn't alter the truth." I smiled.

"Did you keep the dagger that hurt me ? Can I see it ?"

"You can, but we won't give it to you now, maybe after our conversation."

Shara was wary of me and she was shrewd. It may be proof she possessed at least a few qualities as a leader.

"Fair enough, but you can at least notify me if you know if it point toward a country in particular."

They looked at each others apparently surprised they hadn't thought about it earlier.

"I ... We don't have a clue. We will have to consult a professional."

All right, another task to complete, the list was only getting longer by the days ! I shook my head but didn't add anything.

Ina focused on my still bloodied hands.

"How did you kill Mad ?"

"I could tell you that I don't know, which is partially true, but I genuinely want to build trust with your group. You obviously helped me, before putting me again in danger but I can't hold it against you three."

I saw them tense, shift on their chair then relaxing as I continued

"I was angered. I'm not really sure how, but I kinda ... simply wanted or maybe willed him to die."

Shock, awe, horror and dread. I could guess what they were feeling simply by examining their expressions.

Kain was the first to react. He retreated making his stool hit the floor. A hand on the pommel of his sword he snarled

"I don't know what he is but it's not human, no human would butcher a man with only his will, we can't believe in him, it must be blood or dark magic !"

He truly looked horrified, I don't know what I did, I just put a few words on something they already saw. Is it really worth this kind of reaction ?

Shara and Ina were clearly shaken but they didn't move.

Shara coughed to dissipate the awkward mood that settled. She subsequently declared.

"I'm sorry for his reaction. He has been raised in a religious family, force of habits."

"SHARA !" he roared.

"Calm down Kain. We are not in your old-fashioned village ! We are a mercenary group and we can't be seen reacting like that. We have a reputation to defend, even if small. So calm down on the bigotry. Now, Thann, I admit that it is hard to soak up. If we were to work together on the near future we will require more informations."

She seems pretty composed after my declaration and she took it way better than Kain. I was thinking about telling them a bit more, but I decided against it. If they were already shaken with so little, I didn't want to break them completely. There is also too much I don't understand, I need time. They would not necessarily trust me either. I shook my head before answering.

"I can't explain it because I don't understand it. I have been honest with you all until now. If you feel that it's not enough we should maybe go on our separate ways. I can't force your trust and I would not want backstabbing vermin in my surroundings."

It was childish, but I was not able to repress a look at Kain in the back, he was already fuming in anger. Before he could explode Ina asked me.

"Are you a cultivator ?"

The question took me by surprise, I thought we were breaking all decorum and that the next step was to jump at each others throats.

The word ringed a bell, but I could not put my finger on the intended meaning.

"What is a cultivator ?"

Ina profoundly looked at me, weighting her words before replying.

"I don't exactly know, they are relatively rare in this place, but from what I heard... A cultivator is a martial artist, sometime a warrior or a mercenary. Always a man that live his life on the edge of a blade, between betterment of themselves and surviving the battlefield. They strive to get stronger and become ... gods."

"That's total bullshit"

"Shut up Kain !" / "Shut up Kain !" The two women rebutted

It was indeed a strange description but it quite fitted what I believe I remembered of myself.

"Are they strong ? I mean the cultivators ..." I asked

Shara responded in Ina's place this time.

"If compared to common people, infinitely stronger, but I guess it's hard to say which is the strongest or to what extent, legends says that really old monsters are living in seclusion and that they can raze village or even countries. We never met someone this strong tho. So it's only hearsay."

I closed my eyes and reflected on this revelation. I got the feeling that I was strong, or am strong. I did kill someone without touching him. It's far from nothing. I don't shrink in front of a fight and I'm no newcomer to killings. My instincts are completely skewed. It can point toward a change of personality or old habits emerging. I have also shrunk, It feels weird to look up at their eyes, I think I should be taller and older. I also possess a lot of unusual knowledge for someone who don't remember a thing about himself and I make strange comparisons. I was additionally able to learn their language really quickly. I don't know if it's because it's an easy language or if it's me but it should be abnormal to learn it in three days top.

All of this leads to... A shrunk brawler linguist killer.

Yup, let's stop the reflexion thing, I'm not good at this !

"I may be one, but I lost a lot of things on the way. I don't remember much, and to be completely honest I don't know if I can reproduce what happened today."

It was a risky move, playing the truth game, but at least nobody would be able to blame me.

The eyes of Ina shined as beacons, Shara needed to hit her to make her regain her composure.

"Let's cut to the chase with this last question. Why did you save me ? What do you want to achieve through this ?"

It was of upmost importance to me, to know if I could depend on them and travel with them.

They once again looked at each others, Kain having calmed a great deal. He may be less flickery than I thought. Shara once again answered for the group.

"We would have helped anybody in a similar situation. On the contrary, your golden hair and your fast healing speed only made us more wary of your identity. To be completely honest with you, we are almost certain that your identity is a sensitive subject. We still assisted you, despite the risk, because you may also be an opportunity for us. It's a bet."

Fast healing speed ? I guess I now understand the look they gave me when I was still recovering.

Golden hair ? Wait, what ?! I brought a bang of hair in front of my eyes, confirming what she was stating. It's accurate, I didn't even notice, I was watching it all the time without really seeing it. It may be due to a habit. Is it really a hair color as unusual ? I should dig in this direction next time.

Still, it was quite a truthful answer, not totally altruist but more than acceptable.

I smiled once more, rose to my feet and reached out to Shara with an extended hand.

"Once again, Thann, maybe cultivator, I wish to hire your mercenary group for an undetermined time."

She looked at it before firmly shaking it.

"Shara, Ina and Kain. Let's see how we can support you."