34 Necklace

"I thought we had already discussed everything… and why do I have a feeling you already planned this all out?" he said entering the room again, while the three were already casually taking seats inside his room.

"I thought it would be wise to discuss this more privately. We did use the time to get here to gather more information, or at least what Eileen could tell us, and some of the aspects uncovered deserve more attention." said Therese, putting her swords down and leaning them to the table.

Riou looked at Eileen briefly, she seemed a bit embarrassed underneath the unchanging facade. He turned back to Therese. "So?" he was trying to understand where she was going with that.

"So we have some questions that we'd like to address with you now that we have some time." added Therese.

Riou pondered for a moment, 'I think there's no harm in that… is there? Of course, I can always answer as I see fit.'

"Well, let's hear it. I can't promise I will be able to answer it properly though." said the boy getting more comfortable at the chair as well.

Therese nodded in agreement and clearly intending to go first. "Who was your master?" she questioned. Clearly master and disciple relationships are very strong between the Beast clans. Riou understood why she'd ask that first.

"Hmm, how can I answer that in a way you can understand." said the boy pondering a good answer. "I think I can say that I didn't have just one."

"Was it like in the academy? Where the students have many masters throughout the week?" added Therese.

Riou pondered for a moment, 'In a sense… it's not all wrong. I can do things I could only do in games. Everything I learnt came from different moments and different stories, aside from the scientific knowledge of my world that were indeed given by classes and books.'

Riou nodded partially convinced, "Yeah, I think that's a good comparison."

Therese's eyes went down, as if expecting a better answer, a name, a place, something to which she could relate to. Unfortunately the boy gave none.

Leona continued, "Where are you from?" in an attempt to fill the gap and place him amongst the lands they knew.

Riou again had to analyze how to proper answer that question. "Far away; too far actually. Far enough for its name to mean nothing in your tongue."

Leona nodded. It was no secret that there were lands spread across the sea, but few knew their names or cultures, since it was very dangerous to sail. Little contact have been made so far, it made sense for her.

Next was Eileen. Riou was already expecting a question from the princess. From what he knew of the princess, she'd probably ask how he had got there, since his previous answer might bring doubt, as it differed from the version heard from Bhalrom.

Eileen seemed serious and struggling with what to ask. After a brief moment, she finally spoke, "Your friends seemed nice. Is there anything we should know about them?"

Riou seemed surprised but complied nonetheless.

"No, they are normal mercenaries and a couple of noble sons and daughters aspiring to be adventurers. They are not that bad once you get past the first impression… The talkative one is a thief called Viki. Be aware around her, or she will rob you blind, if you are not careful," explained Riou.

A moment of silence enveloped the room. As the topic had strayed far from its course, Therese quickly steered the conversation back to what she wanted to know.

"Back when you left Allard, we were just a couple hours behind, and despite our efforts and speed, we didn't find you along the way. How did you do it?"

Leona and Eileen curiosity were immediately pricked as well.

Riou went with logic. "Well, maybe we went on a similar pace, so we did not meet in time?"

Therese shook her head. "We also know you reached Brigantium much earlier. We confirmed it when we found the room you stayed in."

He widened his eyes with surprise.

"How? How can you be so sure?" questioned the boy.

"We found your scent on the room you stayed, and the tavern owner confirmed the person staying in it had just left when we arrived," continued Therese, cornering the boy.

"Well, I was probably just going a bit faster than you guys, so in the long distance it showed as I gained more time ahead." It was not a lie, but still, he realized that if he told them the whole truth, it could get even more problematic than it already was.

The three didn't like the answer, but before anyone could say anything further, Therese added, "Were you involved in the fight?"

Riou scratched his head. 'What do I say now?'

"Before you answer, keep in mind that we spoke to Viktor," added Therese, prying the boy to get a response. She watched him with great attention.

The boy seemed to have been taken by surprise. He knew they were there, but until now he doubted if he was identified or not.

"Oh yeah? Was he there? What did he say?" questioned the boy in an attempt to dismiss any claim.

Therese was serious, as if interrogating a suspect she knew was to blame for his crimes.

"He said you were the mage," she said while looking briefly with stern eyes to Eileen, before she even thought of defending him.

'Crap,' thought the boy. 'So he did recognize me… damn,' Riou thought, but something was not right. The image of the mercenary leader came to his mind, as another thought took his head.

'Wait a second… That sarcastic fight addict would never say a straight up answer, not even for the famous Lioness,' as if a switch was turned on his head he realized.

Riou shook his head. "You shouldn't bother with what he says. He just likes to mess with you," said the boy, relaxing in his chair, calling out the bluff. "I was in the city, but I was tired. When I woke up, there was a commotion, and everything was already underway. I didn't even see the fight."

Therese didn't look very convinced.

Riou smiled to himself. 'I knew it, that bastard. Even if he knew it was me, he still would not give a straight up answer.'

"Extend your arm," said Therese out of the blue. Riou didn't understand. "What you going to do now?" he said with a hint of distrust.

"Use your mana to protect your arm. I will squeeze it a bit to feel your mana ability level," said the Lioness, extending her hand, waiting for the boy's arm.

Riou looked at her sideways. "It's just a simple test right?" With a bit of apprehension, he complied. 'Maybe she wants to be sure, so I just have to do poorly in this test, and she will be convinced... so I just have to go slowly… and let her do her thing.'

Therese grabbed his forearm with her right hand.

Once again, her eyes immediately flared at the same moment her hand touched the boy, and the vertical pupils could be seen in her golden eyes. Eileen looked surprised, as it was the first time seeing such a change on Therese.

'Will this happen every time?' the boy thought at the seeing the Lioness like that again.

Instantly his sense of danger triggered as he felt Therese's intense flow of mana. He instinctively replied in kind and involved his arm muscles and bones at a cellular level for protection.

The boy could see her hand strained by the strength she was applying on his arm, but all he could feel was as if a leaf was gently resting on it. Clearly his understanding of anatomy was much larger than the Lioness, with much less mana he not only could match her but overcome her strength as well.

'Shit, I overdid it…' he slowly thought as he adjusted his mana on the arm to the point he could feel her grip and pressure of her fingers. He kept on balancing it as she varied the intensity. Riou matched her in every sudden change after a few moments of delay, he deliberately delayed the response in an attempt to fake his inaptitude and convince the Lioness.

After a while, her hand began to show signs of fatigue, as her fingers began to release his arm. When her hand finally released him completely, she nodded as if talking to herself.

"Very good, very good indeed," she said as her eyes returned to normal.

'Good, she is not that impressed. Finally a test I didn't mess up,' he complimented himself mentally.

Leona showed much interest on the results and seemed eager to hear from Therese. Eileen as well waited with curiosity.

Therese was silently pondering the results she had obtained for a few moments, while everyone waited for her to speak.

"The better weapons, I take you know how to make them because, in your land, they are somewhat common?" said Therese, snapping out of her trance and changing the topic once again to everyone's disappointment.

Riou was expecting an answer for the test, but clearly it was normal results, so he thought it wasn't necessary.

"Well, steel weapons, or as you call it, living metal are indeed very common. But the other ones, the better ones are just theoretical because the elements needed do not actually exist there… but I have a strong impression that they do here in this lands," explained the boy.

Therese nodded, understanding the concept. The living metal as well was just a legend here. If it was common from where he came from, who knows how those weapons could perform. Therese nodded with hope of a weapon strong enough to match the clan leaders.

"The weapon you mentioned before, the one that you need to beat… is it made of living metal?" questioned Riou.

Therese leaned back on her chair. "Until today I'd definitely had said yes to that question… but now knowing there might be even stronger ones out there, I'm not so certain anymore because no weapon, no matter which one, has survived more than 1 strike against his."

Riou nodded. It indeed sounded like it was a strong possibility because steel weapons could not cut pure iron or copper weapons that easily.

Suddenly another question from Therese while he was absorbed in his thoughts. Therese seemed a bit different than her usual self, she was calmer and talking slower than she was used to. Perhaps the test was taking its toll on her, thought the boy unsure to the real motive.

"In Syldis' Tavern and even now, you promptly agreed to help a stranger like myself. We have no relation, nor do you have any obligation to do it… and with such an impossible request as to forge something that might not exist, yet you never once requested any kind of reward. Why?"

Riou sighed and looked at the Lioness. Her golden eyes truly awaited eagerly for an answer. Leona and Eileen as well seemed curious, but not nearly as bothered by it as Therese.

He couldn't hold back a smile. "Now, well, I'd just feel bad to ask for something when I'm not even sure if I can do it."

Therese nodded and added, "I understand, but still no one does anything without a reward in mind, and even if we succeed on the task, I would not be able to accept it without a proper reward… so please name your price."

The boy sighed and thought for a while… 'How much could this work be worth? If I can get my hands on the metal, it should be fairly easy… heat for the melting point will not be a problem. I can always use magic to help with molding and sharpening, so it's not that really hard actually… but how much would it actually be worth?"

Riou looked at the Lioness. "What do you say we do it this way; if I can indeed make better swords, and you think they are what you expected of them, then you repay me as you see fit. I believe your honor would not allow you to trick me, am I right?" Riou smiled wryly towards the Lioness. "How does that sound?"

Therese thought for a moment, she nodded once and smiled. "I agree, I will repay you based on the weapons," she answered gladly.

"It's a deal then… as for back in the Tavern, Syldis put a good word about you. She said you were good old friends. That's the only reason I accepted to help you back then, because she asked me to"

Therese smiled once again and nodded to the remark. She seemed very pleased to hear that.

The conversation extended for a while more, a bit more friendlier manner, many subjects were brought up about his homeland and himself, but Riou's responses were mostly vague, as he himself wasn't able to explain in a way they could understand. He seemed to be deliberately elusive on some subjects, but still, they noticed his effort to make it in a way they could somewhat understand something.

It was getting really late when Therese stood up quickly followed by Leona. "This was a very useful conversation. I've got a better understanding of your situation." She bowed, giving her good night, and as she began to walk towards the door, she advised, "From tomorrow onward I'd recommend you to start to think on how to conceal your presence… there are things in these mountains that will be drawn to it."

Riou nodded. "I will see what I can do about it, but how can I know if it is working?"

"Wild beasts will stay put or even attack the caravan and not flee from it" Added Therese smiling.

"How do you do it?" Questioned Riou

"It's just a matter of suppressing yourself and conceal your presence from the surroundings" Explained the Lioness as it was a simple task.

Riou squinted his eyes "That was not helpful at all" Therese smiled and nodded her head once leaving the room.

Once She and her disciple were outside, Leona walked beside Therese. "How did he fare?" questioned the wolf curiously, clearly wanting to know about the test.

"I can't say for sure," bluntly answered the Lioness.

Leona looked puzzled toward her master, who continued after they entered the room.

"I put in a lot of power right from the start," She paused for a moment. "and he looked like he didn't even feel it… a moment later, I noticed he was already precisely matching my power" said Therese.

Leona found it hard to believe, as her expression showed.

Therese nodded. "I even tried to change it around… make it difficult for him to do so, but he quickly caught up, again and again, just a moment after me."

Leona stopped walking and looked down for a moment. "That would mean he has a skill similar to…"

"My master," completed Therese.

"With such physical mana manipulation, is it possible he was also the mage in Brigantium?" questioned Leona.

"He is no Elf… so for a human he is already far too young to be this proficient in mana manipulation alone… and a Mage able to use spells as powerful as used in the fight in Brigantium should be very old with many decades of study." She paused for a moment, raising her head and looking at Leona.

"But on the other hand, his aura is far too great for just what he showed us so far," pondered Therese for a moment.

Leona nodded. "Why do you think he tries to hide his skill? Even deny it sometimes?"

Therese smiled and looked up as if remembering her past. "My Master is not too different herself… she used to often say to me when I was younger in the Beast Plains: act weak when strong. Be subtle and ever mysterious."

"But what does that mean?" asked Leona, puzzled.

Therese smiled. "That's for you to figure out."

---------------------

Eileen remained in Riou's room for a bit longer.

She stood up and began to walk towards the window, speaking with him. "It feels like a lifetime had passed since we used to train and talk in the castle's training halls."

Riou smiled. "I bet it has been though these past weeks. I can tell you've become even stronger than before."

She walked towards the window, looking around the room.

She leaned on the window wall and turned towards Riou and continued, "I learnt a lot from Therese and Leona, but I feel I still have a long way to go, so I need to improve quickly if I want to keep up with them."

Riou smiled wryly. "Therese is a better teacher right?" said the boy thinking that her training methods were probably very harsh, and very effective when compared to his attempt at teaching.

Eileen smiled and nodded.

She looked outside, as the cold breeze caressed her hair. "It's strange, I can't picture you losing, to me or anyone else." She smiled brightly turning towards the boy. "Well, maybe against Therese. I can't see her losing either."

Riou laughed. "I wouldn't even spar with her. She would get all serious and try to kill me."

Eileen laughed as well at the precise depiction of Therese. She really didn't know how to go easy.

'She has grown,' thought Riou. The cold expression he remembered was completely gone.

"You look happy. I'm glad you are enjoying yourself," said the boy looking at the princess at the window.

She smiled and nodded, agreeing with him. "Yeah, it has been hard, but it is really fun to travel with them." She then walked towards him.

"It's late. They must be waiting for me," she said, bowing her head a little, saying good night, while going towards the door.

She stopped a moment by the door, and looked at Riou once again as if about to say something. In the end, however, Eileen just smiled and left the room.

Finally alone Riou sighed, 'Finally some well-deserved rest.' He looked down at his forearm, as he began to feel a weak tingling sensation all over it. 'Maybe I overdid it during the test?' thought the boy, as he closed and opened his hand many times to see if the sensation would disappear.

------------------------------------------------- Next morning

Didn't take long for the morning to arrive. Riou woke up hearing the men moving the goods and the carriages outside, beneath his window.

The tingling sensation had spread. It took his entire right arm and leg. He stood up and shook his arm and leg for a while, until it finally became normal once again.

He took his bags and belongings from the room. Still tired and wanting to sleep more, he went down to the main hall to grab a quick bite, before leaving the tavern to meet everyone. Once again he was the last one to be ready.

Outside, the bright sun assaulted his eyes that were still adapted to a darker ambient. He seemed a bit slower than usual because of the torpor caused by the lack of sleep.

Quickly his attention was caught. Therese was commanding everyone outside, as if she was in charge of the caravan now. Everyone immediately obeyed her commands. She seemed very lively, despite the few hours of sleep.

Herger quickly approached Riou. The mercenary seemed very surprised. "Boy, you never told me that the one joining us was the Lioness herself!"

Riou smiled wryly. "I didn't see the need of it."

"You didn't see the need? We will be famous! Everyone will want to hire us if they discover we worked with the Lioness. How come that you know her?" Herger was joyfully talking to the boy.

"It's a long story. We have a common friend we want to meet," explained Riou.

Herger nodded. "Tell me lad, you really know the knight captain Bhalrom as well don't you?" he asked curiously, remembering the boy telling them the story about the first army.

"I do know him," confirmed the boy with a smile.

"That's it! I want you on my crew from now on, and who knows? Next time we travel, the Great Magus may join us as well! Haha," said Herger, smacking Riou's back and laughing at his own joke.

Riou just nodded with a wry smile. The mercenary then proceeded to help with the load of the carriages, while the boy approached Eileen and Leona, who watched Therese from a distance.

"Does she ever tire?" questioned Riou, approaching the two watching Therese.

"No, it's a trait from the Lion's clan. She was raised to command and do things as she sees fit," said Leona.

Riou couldn't help but compare her to felines of his world. Despite all, they also tended to do as they pleased, and Herger didn't seem bothered by that fact.

The Dracar Hunters, noticing the change in command, questioned Herger, who told them who that woman was. Their attitude changed immediately after that. They gladly and eagerly wanted to help with whatever they could, in the hopes of getting into her good graces. Especially Elias, who seemed euphoric when near her.

Riou then began to walk towards the carriage. He intended to continue on it, since it had protection from the sun and was more comfortable than a horse, not to mention he would be able to sleep without concern there.

Leona was called by Therese to help coordinate the men.

Eileen was going to her horse when someone approached her without notice.

"Eileen right?" said the rogue. The princess stopped and turned towards her.

"So you are a companion of the great Lioness, and also a friend of Riou," she said, approaching the princess even more closely. "By the goddesses, I knew you were beautiful when I saw you in the tavern, but now, all washed up and rested… you are truly gorgeous. Even Brine's daughters would pale in your presence," exalted the rogue comparing her to the goddesses of beauty, while looking and analyzing Eileen traces with curiosity.

"Thank you for the compliment," said Eileen politely but rather indifferently.

"So, how long do you know him?" asked Viki.

"I know him for a while now," replied Eileen bluntly.

Viki squinted her eyes and smiled while positioning herself beside Eileen, while they slowly walked towards their horses.

"Did you know he killed many to save me? A group of 30 thugs saw me a few weeks back. They demanded to take me with them by force and threatened to kill everyone who disagreed. Was then he came to save me. He told everyone he wouldn't allow it… oh my, my heart skipped a beat when he stood up for me like that," said the rogue, embellishing the story and with pleasant tone.

"I believe you; he does like to help others," the princess once again politely replied.

"You know, woman want a powerful man to take care of them… he may be a boy, but he can handle himself just fine," said the rogue, looking with glaring eyes to the princess' Rapier sheathed on her belt.

As Eileen kept indifferent to that remark, the rogue continued on, "he is not that good looking, but I must say, he does have a certain charm to him." She sighed wishfully, "if he was bit older would be perfect, don't you agree?"

Eileen kept silent.

Viki looked impressed at Eileen "You don't think so? Well, if you know him for a while you certainly knows what he is capable of right?"

Eileen smiled faintly without looking at her, "we used to spar and train together; I'm well aware of his capabilities."

Viki nodded even more impressed. "I see, well I suppose when you travel with the famous Lioness, the boy may not look as appealing or impressive… but it is good to know you are not that interested in him." She smiled before continuing.

"I was afraid you two had something going on since you knew him… for a while now," she said with a mildly mocking tone.

Eileen's head slightly turned towards the rogue, as her eyes immediately looked at her, clearly not pleased by the conversation.

Viki smiled and squinted her eyes at the princess. "He told me someone important gave him that necklace… at first I thought it might have been you."

Eileen averted her eyes from the rogue.

Viki nodded. "But now I wonder. You wouldn't know who gave it to him right?" continued Viki, sounding as innocent as she could possibly be.

Eileen smiled with satisfaction of knowing more about the boy than the Rogue, and wanting to demonstrate that she spoke with a certain pleasure on her rone "the Great Magus gave it to him."

Viki tried to restrain herself, but a smile from ear to ear could be seen on the Rogue. "The Great Magus…" A shout broke the conversation.

"Mount up people, we're leaving!" shouted the merchant, all smiles in the front carriage near Therese.

--------------------------------------

The caravan would be leaving the first northern city called Gufa. It was very much at the beginning of the plains, right before the mountain range began.

The city resembled the capital of Allard in many aspects. It was considerably smaller, but followed the famous capital in every way it could, from the architecture to the booming commerce plazas and other practices, as it was the only city in the Norse that could have large crops all year long.

At a distance from its wall, the mountain range covered the entire horizon with its white summits, as far as the eye could see.

The roads were virtually nonexistent as soon as they left the city, and the plains even shorter than Riou expected. It didn't take long for the terrain to completely change.

Rocks and rough terrain were all that was left. The constant shaking of the carriage made the boy rethink his decision. The pleasant trip on plains was over. He couldn't sleep nor even relax anymore on that suspension lacking carriage. He couldn't take it much longer, so he decided at the next stop, he'd get a horse for himself as well.

They were a week's travel from a small coastal village as they left the city of Gufa. As they were going up, they would stop in every village and city, trying to go around the mountains, while following the easiest route to reach Thanes.

The temperature was dropping fast as they moved towards the northern region. Riou was already preparing his coat, and he would certainly be needing it in the next few days.

The day was passing by as the thick clouds approached. The sky became completely gray. Thick, darker clouds on the horizon threatened the caravan with rain. They traveled for a long time and the night was slowly approaching. A tempest was brewing and was being announced by the strong winds that blew mercilessly against the caravan.

After some time, Therese finally signaled to stop. There was a water stream nearby and a stone wall to their left side, big enough to break the wind and allow tents to be set. It was a good spot for camping. They would have a just enough hours of daylight left to prepare.

Riou observed, impressed, as everyone moved around, once again eager to please the famous Lioness. Especially Elias' group, who was more than happy to comply with the same chores they argued about when Herger ordered them. With so many extra hands, Riou felt it was fine to just watch this time.

As the night was growing closer, the tents were already set near the wall, with a small step made of stones and wood to keep everyone a safe above the ground level. Riou thought it to be very clever, as it would provide shelter from the wet ground, in case of rain reached them that night.

With everything set and the food being prepared. Riou walked a bit to stretch his legs. The strange tingling sensation was coming back as the night approached. He thought a walk would help his blood circulation.

In the camp, Elias was telling one of his stories to an unimpressed and uninterested Leona, while the mercenaries were laughing at the sight. Therese and Eileen were looking at the road ahead, not too distant from the fire and the group. It seemed like the Lioness was teaching her something.

It was then that something caught Riou's attention. From the other side of the camp, Viki came walking with a saddened expression. She quietly joined the group around the fire.

Curious, Riou began to walk in the direction she came from.

Far from the sight of the group and protected by the carriages, Bronach was looking at the sky with a round silver pendant in his hand and a bottle of a strong spirit in the other.

Riou noticed that the merchant's eyes were full of melancholy and a bit of regret, as the old man hold tightly to the pendant.

It was the first time he saw Bronach in such a state. Curious, he slowly approached the old man, giving him time to notice.

The old man scratched his nose as he saw someone approaching. He quickly looked away for a moment, turning back and recognizing the boy. "Oh, it's you… I didn't have the opportunity to thank you for bringing the famous Lioness to our humble group. My merchandise will surely be looked at with new eyes now. Maybe I can even pull a 10% increase in the prices," the old man said with a forced smile, and far from his usual excitement.

Riou gave him a short smile with a nod, trying to follow the merchant's mood, getting beside him to look at the view as well.

The clouds were thick and very high, much higher than the mountains themselves. The night was moments away, daylight reflected on the mountain range, gradually becoming dimmer.

"It will be getting colder from now own, and will most likely rain on top of that. It will delay our journey," the merchant said slowly, in a sad tone with a small nod and then a sip on the bottle.

Riou sat down on a big rock beside the old man.

The merchant smiled to the boy and then looked up to the sky once again.

"Did you ever live in Iris?" questioned the Merchant, sitting down as well. Riou noticed he was drinking for a while now, perhaps the merchant was in the mood to talk.

Riou shook his head. "No, I've only heard about the city," answered Riou.

"Then you don't know a single thing about that city," said Bronach, with clear anger towards the place.

Riou nodded and looked at the merchant, his eyes clearly indicating to the old man to continue his tale.

Bronach sighed deeply.

"I used to live there with my wife and kid. We had a small clothing store, common folk clothes you know, nothing fancy. It wasn't much. The money was always tight, but we were living a day after the other."

The old man smiled as he remembered his good old days.

"My wife, she was so beautiful" He smiled brightly while remembering. "My boy was smart. He wanted to grow up and help me with the store, but he was too young to work with me at the time."

"There were also these sisters: 2 girls, the oldest was just a bit younger than my son, and she carried her little sister everywhere she went, her arms never tired from it. They lived in the slums nearby our house. Poor things. My wife couldn't take that. She was torn every time she saw them in their rags and bare feet, begging for food on the streets." He took another sip on the bottle.

"One day she had enough. She sewed together small clothes from the leftovers of the store I usually brought up home, and there were always extra food being made on every meal that was never there the next day." He smiled. "She thought I didn't notice that," he laughed a bit.

"She knew our money was short, but I didn't mind her helping the girls."

"After some time, the girls began to appear more frequently and became friends with my boy." He drank once again from the bottle and cleaned his beard with his hand.

A few moments passed as the old man sighed deeply, and the atmosphere around him grew thicker and heavier.

"It was an afternoon like this… it was getting colder as I walked back home after the day at the store." He snuffled and inspired air deeply into his lungs.

"The door was opened… the house was quieter than usual…" Riou listened with attention.

"On the kitchen's table, pierced in the wood, there were a dagger, a black rose dagger with blood all over it... was then that I saw… under the table, blood all over his chest." He nodded while looking up, the old man struggled to remain still.

He stroked his beard as his red eyes were now concealed by the night. "I couldn't find my wife." He paused for a moment.

"I went to the guards." The old man changed his voice and way of speaking to a more pompous and with hints of mockery and anger. "It's just the way the city is..."

Returning to his normal sad tone, he continued, "...was all they said to me." He laughed without a hint of fun. "Can you believe that? Crooks and thieves all of them."

"No one disappears without a trace… so after I buried my son, I kept searching. Every slum and gods forsaken corner of that city, I swear I went to. Broke a few of my bones and spilled even more blood along the way, mine and theirs." Despair grew in the merchant's expression.

"Days... weeks... years passed by. When I was in the brink of madness someone knocked on my door." He took another sip on the almost empty bottle.

"It was a girl around 10 years old. She was wearing an old clothing, sewed together, clearly too small for her body. She was barefoot on that cold stone." He shook his head at himself.

"I didn't recognize her at first... how could I?" he snuffled.

"On her left hand she had my wife's pendant… a gift I gave her on the day our son was born. And on her right hand…" He paused nodding a few times before continuing "on her right hand she had a black rose dagger. Was then that I noticed the red on her clothes and arm… she had fresh blood all the way from the dagger to her clothes. The poor thing was covered in blood."

He shook his head several times while looking at the horizon. "I didn't even realize until that moment, that I had never seen those two sisters again… that whole time, I didn't notice, nor looked for them." He took a big sip from the bottle finishing it up.

A moment passed in silence before he continued.

"Listen to me boy… if you know what's good for you, stay away from that damned city."

Riou pondered for a moment before questioning "How can the king allow it?"

"Politics as they say… there are too many nobles and too much coin buying the officials silence… so it's easier to turn a blind eye than to lose the noble's support I guess. It wouldn't surprise me if he was involved as well, they can all burn for all I care." Replied an angered man.

Riou didn't seem convinced. He knew the King, and he didn't seem the type to turn a blind eye on such things. 'Maybe there is more to it,' thought Riou without pressing the subject.

The old man tried to drink again, but the bottle was already empty. "I think I will lay down now. Sorry if I babbled too much," said the old man, patting him on the shoulder as he tried to stand up.

Riou nodded to the old man. "Don't worry, just blame it on the booze."

The old man nodded. "I did drink a tad too much…"

Bronach then began to slowly walk towards his tent on the other side of the camp. His steps were not steady, but his heart seemed a bit lighter after talking to Riou.

Riou was left to his thoughts.

'Some things just don't change… no matter the world you are in.'