Encounter

I can’t decipher her.

We’ve been walking for a while now, the forest stretching endlessly around us, but Io hasn’t pulled away, hasn’t put more distance between us. That has to be a good sign, right? Maybe my rambling actually got through to her. Maybe I didn’t make everything worse.

Still, I’m really bad at this kind of thing. Always have been. Talking things through, sorting out emotions—it never came naturally. It didn’t when I was younger, it didn’t when I tried therapy, and it sure as hell isn’t any easier now that I’m stranded in a completely different world.

I steal a glance at her. She’s walking with the same confidence as always, eyes fixed ahead. Meanwhile, my mind is stuck replaying every word we said back there, every moment I should’ve handled differently. Taking this seriously. That’s what I said. But what does that actually mean?

For now, the only thing I can do is keep walking and try to figure it out.

Io suddenly slows. Her head tilts slightly.

“Wait,” she murmurs. “Someone’s nearby.”

I tense. “The presence?”

“No, idiot, hearing. Someone’s coming this way. Pull up your hood.”

I do as I’m told, fumbling with the fabric as we step off the path slightly, enough to avoid looking like we’re standing in the middle of the road like lost fools. Io folds her arms, her expression calm but unreadable. I try to match her energy. I probably fail.

Footsteps. Then wheels.

A man comes into view—a clerk, judging by the ledger he’s carrying, followed closely by a single armed escort and a small cart. Not a merchant. There’s no cargo, no sign of trade goods. He’s not dressed like a noble either.

Then why is he so interested in the treeline?

I feel Io tense just slightly beside me.

The man notices us and, to my surprise, his face brightens in an easy smile. “Hello there!”

Okay. Friendly. That’s… good?

“What might be bringing you to this forest?” His tone is light, conversational—but something about the way he watches us puts me on edge.

Wait. He’s talking to me.

Why me? Everyone always talks to Io. Do I actually look like I belong now? Or is it just dumb luck?

I glance at her. She gives me the barest nod, a silent go along with it.

I clear my throat, hoping I don’t sound as nervous as I feel. “We’re merchants.”

The words tumble out before I fully think them through. Io doesn’t flinch. Good sign.

The official raises a curious eyebrow. “Merchants?”

I scramble. “Uh, yes. We left our cart at a nearby inn and went on a walk to assess the quality of trees in this forest.”

It’s not my best lie, but it’s plausible. People need wood, right?

The man hums, studying me for a moment. I need more to convince him.

Think. Think. Think.

I glance at Io, but she gives me nothing. Just that slight, expectant raise of her brow. Oh, she’s enjoying this.

Panic surges. I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

“We’re… married.”

The moment the words leave my mouth, I want to die.

Io stiffens. I can feel the slow turn of her head toward me, her stare boring into the side of my skull. And then, with a perfectly straight face, adds, “Yes, my husband and I are looking into timber prospects.”

I feel my soul leave my body.

Excuse me?

The words hit me like a brick, but Io is already fully committed, her posture completely composed, the picture of a dutiful newlywed.

I risk a glance at her. Did she just smirk?

Oh, she is enjoying this.

The clerk, however, lights up in understanding. “Ah! That explains the hood. It is a blessing to meet such a pious couple.” He sighs dramatically. “Would you believe it? People in the north are trying to stop the custom of covering the newlywed wife’s face altogether. Truly, what is the world coming to?”

Oh god, he’s religious.

I force a polite chuckle, trying not to scream internally. “Ah, yes… quite the shame.”

Io, fully committed to this ridiculous bit, sighs wistfully. “Such a beautiful custom should never be forgotten. I’m blessed to show my face only to my dear husband.”

This is punishment. This is divine retribution for every mistake I have ever made.

She presses her hands together in an almost theatrical display of reverence. “After all, he is my gift from God.”

She did not just say that.

I feel my whole body lock up. The betrayal. The audacity.

The official beams. “Praise God! It brings joy to my heart to see young ones upholding our faith.”

Io glances at me, and I swear I catch the slightest glint of amusement in her eyes. She’s having too much fun with this.

“I do hate to trouble you,” the official continues, slipping back into a more business-like tone, “but I must inform you that this forest is now the property of Lord Alstan Rhenault. Any trade from this land will be subject to his jurisdiction.”

And just like that, the conversation isn’t funny anymore.

Io stiffens beside me.

“The renowned Lord Rhenault himself,” she says smoothly, improvising.

The official nods. “Indeed. In recognition of his efforts during the southern campaign, His Majesty has granted him new lands. This forest is among them.”

The weight of the words settles. Io keeps her expression neutral, but I can feel her mind racing.

I nod politely. “That’s… very good to know.”

The official gives us a pleasant farewell before continuing down the road, his guard in tow. We wait until they’re well out of earshot.

And then—

“I’m so sorry!” I blurt out, turning to Io. “I had to say something, and that was the first thing that came to my mind!”

She stares at me.

And then, to my utter horror, she bursts out laughing.

Laughter. Pure, unfiltered amusement, shaking her shoulders as she doubles over slightly, arms wrapped around herself.

I just stand there, stunned.

“I—Io?”

“I—” She gasps between laughs. “I know I told you to take life seriously, but not even an hour later you claim me as your wife?!”

I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “It was the only thing I could think of!”

“And you committed to it!”

“At least you managed to make me laugh,” she says, wiping at the corner of her eye. “And I was going to be mad at you until tomorrow.”

I sigh. “Well… silver lining?”

She grins, already turning toward the village. “Alright, husband, let’s go inform the chief.”

I let out a strangled noise. “You are going to let this go, right?”

“Not a chance.”

I have dug my own grave.

###

We don’t waste time after returning to the village. The moment we pass through the gates, Io leads the way straight to the chief’s house. The air inside is warm from the fire, but the weight in the room is heavier than the heat.

Chief Alric sits at his usual place, arms folded, watching us approach. His expression is neutral—too neutral. I’ve seen it enough times now to know it means he’s already bracing for bad news.

Io doesn’t waste time.

“We met the official,” she says, voice even. “He claims that Alstan Rhenault has been given this land as a reward of some kind.”

“For his efforts in the southern campaign,” I add.

The chief exhales sharply, rubbing his chin. “Rhenault, huh.” He shakes his head. “The same man who oversees Haverstadt, I believe.”

“It seems so,” Io confirms. “His lands were expanded. And now, we live on his land.”

The silence that follows is thick.

“That seems like a problem,” I say, because apparently, I like stating the obvious.

Io gives me a look that could peel bark from a tree.

The chief, however, only nods grimly. “If things go wrong, we’ll have to abandon the village.”

Abandon? Just like that?

I shift my weight. “Is there anywhere to go?”

“There’s a settlement north of here,” Io says after a pause. “If they’re still there.”

“That’s our best option,” the chief agrees. “We haven’t had contact in some time, but they know how to stay hidden.”

I frown. “You mean your people, right?”

Io nods. “They live deep in the mountains.” She doesn’t add more, and for once, I don’t press. The situation is too heavy for her usual deflections.

I glance between them. “Is there any way to stay? To work this out?”

“We don’t know enough yet,” the chief says, rubbing his temples. “Io, we need whatever you can gather from the merchants. Anything on Rhenault’s plans.”

“We’ll ask around,” Io confirms.

“And if that doesn’t work?” I ask.

Io exhales. “There’s another way.”

The chief looks at her warily. “What way?”

“We go to Haverstadt.”

Silence.

The chief doesn’t react right away, but I see the tension settle into his shoulders.

I try to back Io up. “We met the official today and convinced him we were merchants. We could do the same in the city.”

The chief drums his fingers against the table, staring at the flames in the hearth. He’s clearly stalling. Finally, he exhales. “We’ll talk about that when we know more.”

Io doesn’t push further. “I’ll start preparing,” she says simply, then turns and walks out, leaving just me and the chief.

The room feels different now. He studies me for a moment before shaking his head. “Another reckless idea.”

I don’t know what to say to that. It’s the first time I’ve been alone with him.

Then, unexpectedly, he speaks again. “You need to stay with her.”

I blink. “Why?”

He leans forward slightly, his expression unreadable. “Io has never belonged here. Not fully. She’s always been… too much. Too restless. She keeps everyone at a distance, so they stop trying. And she refuses help, so she works herself ragged.”

I nod slowly. Yeah. That tracks.

“She’s never kept a worker for more than a week,” the chief continues. “But you? You’re still here.”

That surprises me. I open my mouth to argue, but he beats me to it.

“And it might actually be because you’re an outsider. You’re not tangled up in old grudges, old fears. You might be the only one who can keep her level-headed.”

I shift uncomfortably. “Chief, I don’t think I should be trusted with anything serious.”

“I’m not asking you to do anything drastic.” His voice is steady. “Just keep an eye on her.”

I glance toward the door Io just left through. “But I’m still an outsider.”

“You’ve stuck around for months,” the chief says. “That’s more than most. I welcome you here—though unofficially.”

He extends his hand.

I hesitate. It’s a bargain. He’s trusting me with this.

I grip his hand. His shake is firm, solid.

“Thank you,” I say, because I don’t know what else to say.

With that, I’ve been given a new task. Look after Io.

It feels like a strange reversal of our whole dynamic.

…No. Probably not.

She’ll still be the one dragging me into trouble. But now, I’m supposed to make sure she gets out of it too.

I take a deep breath.

Step one of taking life seriously? Apparently, keep Io from getting herself killed.