David sat at the edge of the bed. He tried to keep his breath steady, even and calm. It kept catching in his throat, he couldn’t place the rising panic in his chest but it was getting away from him, building up into an overwhelming bloom of anxiety. Getting away, maybe that’s what I need to do. He couldn’t get the image of Maria and Claus arguing out of his head. Something was wrong, very wrong. His head still ached and his memories were still fuzzy but his gut was sure.

He looked out into the dark outside the window of the inn. The night seemed cold, uninviting. As if it could swallow him whole.

He tugged on the heat of his magic in his chest, wrapped himself in it like a blanket. It made him feel warm, secure and safe - or better yet, it made him feel strong. He knew he wasn’t. He kept thinking maybe he just wasn’t strong yet, that some magic isekai cheat would turn on and make everything easy for him. He’d had this small hope in his chest, that he would coast his way to being a savior. To being popular. To being more. Somehow he’d had the idea that he wouldn’t have to work for it.

He sighed, feeling some of the anxious tension drain out of him. Of course I’d have to work for it, I’m just not that lucky. I’m not sure I can do that, or if I even want to.

He thought back to earth and his previous life, his lack of drive, the general aimlessness that infested him. He’d been ordinary. Not a loser but… not popular, not useless but not talented either. Okay, maybe I was a bit of a loser. Just mostly unremarkable. That was enough for me, wasn’t it?

He felt unsure, unsteady in that assertion. Everything here had felt so new and raw and mostly exciting. It had felt like he’d had purpose, for once, and he’d been drunk on that feeling. He remembered the wide expanse as he exited the forest. The rolling fields and mountains. A new frontier. It was something he’d never known back on Earth, a feeling of discovery. Of being the first to lay eyes on something, to be the first to dream of something. He could be a trailblazer on a new planet, a leader. He could be more. He just wasn’t sure he wanted it. Or maybe I do want it, but am I willing to do what it takes… to seize it?

David’s hands curled into tight balls by his side, his arms shaking slightly as his muscles clenched tight. A small thrill ran up his spine and the dark outside his window seemed smaller somehow, the dim light of predawn something to be explored instead of something to fear. A small smile started to spread across his face as he thought; time to plan my escape.

Maria’s fingers danced on the edge of the table, a slight crease knit her brow. Her eyes were unfocused pools, her mind clearly on something else or somewhere else. David stared at her from the stairs, she hadn’t noticed him yet and he just… wanted to evaluate her? To take stock. Do I trust her? No.

The twisting feeling in his gut snuck back in and anxiety started to grow, like some parasitic plant inside him. Saping his strength and paralyzing him. He stopped on the stairs, breathed in slowly, and thought: on the other hand I don’t think she’d hurt me. Probably, at least it really did seem like they needed him. That has to be true, why else would I be here?

He shook his head, to clear it, and winced - he’d forgotten about the fierce headache that had lingered with him. It hit him at full force now. He closed his eyes and put a hand to his head, gently rubbing his fingers against his forehead seemed to help, even if only slightly.

“Hey, you okay?” Maria’s high but soft voice cut through the sound in the inn. David opened his eyes to find hers staring at him: focused now, but concerned too. Her worry for me seems real. God, am I just being paranoid? I wish there was someone here I knew, someone I could rely on for sure. William’s face flashed in his mind. The bristly white of his facial hair split by a warm grin. He winced before responding,

“Yeah, just… still sore I guess. It’s getting better.”

She smiled at that. The soft light of the morning leaking through the windows warmly framed her features, David stared at her for a moment. He hadn't really looked at her in a long while. Her dark hair was gently lit by the light and seemed to almost glow with lustre. A warm glimmer played on her cheek bones, drawing a sharp contrast between their intensity and the soft dimples below them. How did I forget how pretty she is?

When they'd gotten closer, when they'd travelled on the road together it had somehow faded into the background. Now that he was suspicious of her again it was all he could think about.

He stumbled down the stairs toward her. Even though he'd gotten stuck staring he was glad the light wasn’t sharp yet, not so blinding that it hurt his head. He wasn’t looking forward to that, in a few hours he was sure it would be really unpleasant. Like the first step outside after his night of drinking. He sucked his teeth, grimacing at the thought before he sat down across from Maria. Her hand reached across the table and she squeezed his arm.

“If it’s not better soon we can get you some pain killers. I haven’t taught you about those herbs yet. We could buy them and just do that today? Keep it simple.”

“Yeah, yeah. That sounds good... just keep things quiet for today.”

She nodded and made a gesture with her hand, two fingers up in a quick, small circle. David looked at her hand confused before he noticed the innkeep, a stout woman, bustling over with what was clearly hot food, the steam wafting out of the wooden bowls she was carrying. The food smelled amazing, that or he was just starving. He took in a huge whiff as she set the bowl in front of him, it was a thick vegetable filled stew with what looked like a hard boiled egg floating in it. The food looked familiar but different too. He must have looked puzzled because the innkeep said,

“It’s Greylay egg stew. It’s a real treat, enjoy sweetie.” She gave him a warm smile before bustling away.

“What’s that?” David whispered across the table. Maria smiled at him, she seemed half amused at his ignorance and half excited to share something new with him.

“It’s a horrible flying monster. Huge, with teeth on it’s tongue and scales. It’s got venom too. Very territorial, very scary, very tasty.”

As she finished David’s stomach rumbled loudly and he took his first sip of the broth, it was hearty and reminded him of beef stew. It was fatty and rich, with a hint of something almost nutty that added depth and complexity to it. The meat floating in the stew seemed lean though, the texture like shredded chunks of chicken. Various coloured vegetables floated in the broth, bright yellow chunks of something like a carrot were covered in herbs that gave off an almost charred scent, but it was pleasant and warm too. Like smelling pine logs burning during a cold winter. It was this strange but perfect marriage between chicken soup and beef stew.

He pushed his spoon into the egg, the yolk wasn’t fully cooked and its rich yellow core began to spill out into the broth around it. He quickly filled a spoonful and almost moaned as he put it in his mouth. The egg yolk was buttery but still light and almost tart too - it disappeared into the flavors of the broth while transforming it completely. It was like nothing he’d ever had before but it made him feel safe, it made him feel at home. A huge grin split David’s face as he thought, okay first I learn to cook some of the stuff here, then I escape.