The Fragile Happiness

Rox pulled in the carriage as Eldros melted into the distance behind us.
Ahead, the rice-plains of Solmaris unfurled — golden with the promise of harvest, stalks tall and shimmering under the sun.
Far off, almost mirage-like, the city itself lay distant, ringed by four rivers that bent around it like snakes guarding treasure."When will we arrive?" I asked, boots sinking into parched earth.

"This Afternoon," Rox replied, working life into his legs. His eyes rested on my scarred chest. "You'll burn."

"I've endured worse." The scars across my ribcage shuddered in sympathy. "Why did you stop now?"

"This fellow has a memory for knowing when to rest," he said, tracing a fast-moving finger over the hot brand on the horse's shoulder. The horse nudged against his chest as if seeking consolation.

I examined the whorled knobs of the mark. "How does it work?"

Rox smiled. "Ever had a thought so loud you didn't need words?" His thumb brushed the brand. "He and I share those."

A dangerous idea took hold that this bond could span species.

Ren stepped down from the carriage, stiff in his joints, rolling stiffness from his shoulders. "Haven't slept so solidly since..." His voice faded as Solmaris caught his eye. The city spires shook in the shimmer of heat like mirages. "She's there," he whispered, his hold on my shoulder tight with need. "Even just her shadow in a crowd."

"Luck walk with you, brother!" Rox's grin seared too brightly for our scarlet world, a fire that couldn't be dulled by the shadows we dwelled within. What protected this man from the teeth of reality?

Iron fell at my side as we rode again; her leg scorched mine with heat.

"Han." My name spilled from her mouth like a secret.

I looked back to see her examining her boots with a pretended fascination. "Problem?"

Her fingers curled. "About Solmaris—" I was in a chokehold, her arm like steel around my windpipe. "—DID YOU FORGET YOUR DAMN PROPOSAL, PERVERT?"

The memory came up - Pit darkness, pilfered wine, my drunken "If we live through this." Her boot on my ribs, but the glint in her eyes had flashed away.

"Still on," I panted, pressing my hand on her arm in defeat. Her grip relaxed, showing ears flushed red like the sun at sundown.

Ren and Rox's grins could have powered the carriage. We were simply people - no marks, no histories, no blades tomorrow - in this moment between hells.

Wheels rolled. Road unspooled. And I prayed to gods I didn't believe in:

Let this ride never end.

We finally arrived at the city’s entrance gate.

The gate was massive, guarded by two knights in polished armor.

Our carriage rolled forward, and the knights searched it thoroughly before letting us through.

Inside, the city was so beautiful and peaceful—a stark contrast to the pit we’d left behind.

Stone pathways wound between lively markets; children laughed and played; and at the center stood a grand fountain sparkling under the sun.

We got off the horse-drawn carriage and waved goodbye to Rox.

"If you two need a ride, just call me," he yelled with a grin.

The horse emitted a gentle hiss, which was like waving goodbye too.

"Even Renny is saying goodbye to you two," Rox laughed.

The old man gazed at Rox, then at the horse. "What's its name?" he inquired for confirmation.

"Renny," Rox said—and then recalled.

"Oh—apologies, Ren. Not by chance," he continued in a rush, only to apologize so the moment would be all the more homey.

Iron laughed out loud, and I couldn't help but join in.

"Pfft. Bad old man, sharing a name with a horse! Tch tch," she teased, laughing in mid-sentence.

Ren, blushing, stood by while the perpetually naive Rox chased off with his carriage.

If you want me, you just go find the association of merchants!" Rox yelled back, waving goodbye with his hat.

Iron was still laughing and joshing Ren, until Ren, tired at last, taught Iron a lesson.

"All better," he said, haughtily wiping his hands.

I hadn't even done anything, and yet a two-inch potato just somehow materialized on top of my head.

“Newlyweds should be treated with care,” Ren teased—only to be given the same “medicine” by Iron.

“I’ll find us a place to stay,” Ren said, pulling out a pouch filled with golden knight insignias and a few ornate trinkets. He jingled it proudly. “Best make every minute count.”

He clapped me on the back, his voice dropping to a knowing rumble. “You’ve got business with Iron, don’t you?”

I had no chance to protest before he dismissed us. "Wander around the city with her. Return at lightning hour by the fountain."

I looked over at Iron. She was preoccupied adjusting her daggers, her manufactured coolness masked by the tilt of her grin.

The wind tousled her hair gently, sunlight wrapping itself around her figure like a halo. Badum. Badum. My heart thudded against my side, warmth flooding my cheeks.

"Hey. Where's your sword?" Iron asked, tilting her head.

I slapped my waist—nothing. Then the mark on my palm stirred, and the black sword materialized, its obsidian blade sheathing itself in my flesh just as the knights were finishing their search of our carriage. I belted it at my waist and offered her my hand.

"Let's go."

"Sure. But wait—" Her eyes raked my naked chest, and she thrust her cape at me. "Put this on. Unless you wish the whole city gawking."

I draped it around my shoulders, the fabric still warm from her. “Thanks.”

We wandered into the market, and for the first time, Iron looked… unguarded. No scowl, no curses—just a woman savoring the breeze, her laughter lighter than I’d ever heard. The change mirrored my own: the man who’d once craved death now clung to life, to this, with both hands.

She dashed into an accessory stall, calling me after her. "Come see this!"

"Iron, we have no money," I reminded her, but went along anyway.

"I know," she said, tugging at my wrist. "Just look." She reached for a locket—a delicate gold thing that was split in two. "For couples," muttered the vendor, eyeing our empty pockets.

I traced its hinges. "We'll be back," I lied, drawing her away before we could question why.

We stopped later at the edge of the rice paddies. Iron sprinted ahead, scattering golden stalks, her smile more brilliant than the sunset.

I lagged, content to watch—until she spun about, arms outstretched. "Stop spacing out! Come on!"

I hurried over to her, and she grasped my hands. "Do you even know how to dance?" she teased.

"No clue."

"Fear not! I, Kaliea Ironfang, will—" She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes widening.

"Kaliea?" I whispered. "Beautiful name, isn’t it?"

"Shut up." Her ears turned bright red as she brought one hand to my waist, prompting mine to hers. "This," she whispered, her lips brushing against my ear, "is for my boyfriend only."

The sun dipped, its heat melting into a cold evening breeze. With her against me—all sharp edges worn, all defenses stripped away—I wondered if this was peace.

Badum. Badum.

"I can hear your heartbeat, perv." But she didn't move away. We swayed until the stars appeared, quiet and weightless as feathers.

We didn't reach the fountain until Ren was standing, arms crossed. "Old man!" Iron shouted.

He confronted them, shaking his head. "Took you long enough. Aren’t you guys hungry, or are you two too lovesick to remember hunger?"
We shared a bed glimmer before we made for the inn.

"Did you earn anything?" I asked.

"Two hundred gold. It will get us by for three days," Ren replied, then leaned in close while Kaliea walked ahead of us. "And. What was the date like? I know you were broke, but."

A smile forced its way through my lips. "Beautiful."

"See you—smiling like a lovesick fool." He slapped me between the shoulder blades and let out a laugh.

"What are you doing, guys? Get a move on!" Iron shouted from the inn's doorway, illuminated by the golden light.

The awkward quietness surrounded Solmaris' streets with a chill of silver moonlight, but an unnatural stillness clung to the air. Where was everyone from before? The empty streets seemed. Unnatural.

Guard up, Han," Ren whispered.

Two men stepped out of a black alleyway, torches aglow. My sword shone like Ren's mark blazed in protection—but these were not threats of any kind. Lion-helmeted knights walked in unhuman lockstep, their eyes empty, wisps of smoke exhaling from their lips.

KILL THEM BEFORE IT KILLS YOU! My mark's caution thundered through my body.

Ren took my arm. "Not here." We went back indoors.

Iron sat at a table, drumming her fingers next to a menu. "Took you long—" She stopped, examining our faces. "What happened?"

"Nothing," we replied simultaneously.

The innkeeper—a soft-eyed woman—texted our orders. A growl resonated in Iron's stomach, flushing her cheeks. "Five minutes, dears," the woman chuckled before she vanished into the kitchen.

"Mother!" A voice boomed upstairs. "Any wheat remaining in the storeroom? I need to feed Ren—" Rox froze at the sight of us. "Heh. Fancy running into you here."

He brought back bottles of liquor, settling into our table. "Rox is feeding Renny~" Iron sang, playing with her drink.

"Nobody asked—" Ren complained, but Rox strode past him, explaining how the Merchant Association had left town months earlier.

Food was brought—roasted chicken, fried pork, scented curry—and we ate. "Your mom's amazing," Iron said between a mouthful of food.

"That's why Rox is so pure-hearted," Ren thought out loud. "Though someone should be taught table manners."

"No one wants you here," Iron snapped back.

Ren smiled. "Han's little princess."

Words hurt like a curse. Iron flushed deep red. "S-Shut up! Han, help!" She hit my arm as I laughed.

"Ow! Mercy!" I overacted, wincing.

"A match in heaven," Rox shouted, which only fueled Iron's mad fusillade.

We laughed late into the night, sound muffling the world outside the inn walls—and the crawling horror outside.