The Flower of Life 3

Win awakes and quickly sits up. He gets out of the bed and walks to the other room. Calliope and Rolant are both still sleeping, and they both seem somewhat uncomfortable. He gently picks up Calliope, careful not to wake her. He decides that it would only be right for her to rest in her own bed and awake to a familiar ceiling. He had an inkling when he was carrying both her and Rolant, though he couldn’t be sure, but holding her now he can tell how light she is. She’s not at all like a warrior. She’s fragile and weak, just as Anzo had become, though unlike him her heart is strong. Win smiles at that strength he does not feel in himself.

Win places her in bed, then leaves her to sleep. He steps outside and sees the morning sun. It was morning when he and Rolant had their spar, and it is still morning now. Win sighs when he realizes how long he had slept. He swings his sword. He doesn’t know his next step, so he keeps swinging. He doubts it would be wise to return to Ord, and as such he gives up on entering Pacaster. He doubts he would be able to get to any other nation, however. The things necessary for that are much more likely to get him caught, and might at worst harm the relationship between the Lufian family and other nobles. Win despairs. He’s given up on his home, and now on Pacaster, and every other land he might flee to. He brings down his blade, accidently summoning up the winds and cutting into the earth. He hasn’t had so little control of his magic in quite a while, only adding to his despair. Calliope then steps out of the cottage.

“Calliope, would you like to come with me to the village?”

She nods and they begin to walk. Rolant follows behind them, his back tall. Win hardly even realized when he got behind them, though Rolant has a peaceful expression as though nothing is amiss. After walking for a while Win can accept it no longer.

“Rolant, why are you following us?”

“What, did you want me to go my own way? You would kick an old man out like that, little lord?” Win does not respond to the provocations. “Well, it’s not like I know where I am. I need to get my bearings somehow.”

They continue walking through the forest. They soon come to the gates of the village. Ward stands there, visibly tired. He fidgets around with the spear in his hands. He spots Win and the others as they approach. Ward jumps back when he does, already fearing the worst. He points his spear at them weakly.

“You there! Stay back! Stay away! Identify yourselves!” Win approaches with a gentle demeanor and places a hand on the spear’s end. He slowly lowers it before answering.

“Mr. Ward, it’s me.” Ward shakes with terror.

“I said identify yourself!”

“I’m Win. We first met a week ago.” Ward takes a moment to examine Win’s face, then seems to relax.

“So it’s you. You’ve returned already.”

“Indeed. An unfortunate affair forced my hand.”

“So who are the two behind you?” He looks over Calliope and Rolant, but darts his eyes when he sees the latter.

“One is Calliope, to whom you’ve already been acquainted. It was after I defeated the Witch, if you remember. The other is Rolant, who you truly do not know. Worry not, however. I vouch for the quality of his character and will keep watch over him myself.”

“Then I suppose I’ll open the gate.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ward.”

Ward opens the gate and the three of them walk into the village. Although it’s only morning, or perhaps because of it, there are already adventurers lazing about outside. Win finds them unsightly, and considers knocking each out and gathering them up once more. He stops himself and makes his way across the village, near the opposite edge of the wooden wall encircling the village. Hrothulf sits out in front of his house, inspecting and maintaining his bow.

“Mr. Hrothulf, has everything been alright?”

“Ah, it’s you again. It has. We’ve buried the dead and given them the proper send-off. And although it’s hard, I’ve been able to make up the difference. The money you left us has helped too.”

“That’s good.”

“It is, but their deaths still hang over us. Makes us miss the ones we’ve lost and the ones that have left us. My own brother left the village. He was a hunter like me, and we had this big fight about it. That was the last time I spoke with him, and all these deaths just really got me thinking.”

“I hope you can see your brother again one day.”

“I’ve started thinking so too. But I guess just this peace is fine too for now.”

“That’s true. This village truly is peaceful, even with foolish brutes like those adventurers around.”

“We certainly could be doing worse. And it is quite a relief to know so many powerful warriors are around, in case the worst does come to pass.”

“I suppose when you put it that way I much prefer these worthless louts.”

“Yeah, it’s not like anything will happen. We’re in the middle of nowhere, and under the protection of Margrave Lufian.”

“Indeed. We’ll be off then.” Hrothulf nods and returns to working on his bow.

Win, Calliope, and Rolant make their way to the guild hall. They walk in and take a seat at an empty table where they can plan their next move. Win borrows a map of the kingdom and lays it out on the table. Before they begin, however, Rolant asks an unrelated question.

“I’ve been thinking, first you, little lord, then that hunter… Margrave Lufian is quite loved, isn’t he?”

“Indeed. He’s a kind man and he loves his people, along with his incredible competency. There’s little more you could want in a lord.” Win looks right at Rolant. “Now, me and Calliope will be discussing our next move, so I’m sure you could figure out the same elsewhere.”

“Come now, little lord, you want to be rid of me so badly? I’m just an old man with nothing to do and nowhere to go, allow me to join you on your travels.”

“I won’t pay you.”

“I didn’t think so! So that’s a deal then.” Win sighs.

“Very well. Then let’s begin. In short, I don’t know where to go, as every route out of the kingdom seems dangerous to me.”

“I didn’t know you were going so far, little lord. In that case, I know plenty of ways to get on board a ship without any questions being asked, so isn’t the sea route fine?”

“If what you say is true. So I suppose we should make for a port town. Is that alright Calliope?” She nods. “Let’s return to the cottage and rest and prepare then.”

The three of them return to the cottage for the day. They prepare quickly, then relax for the rest of the day. Night falls, and they all go to bed. Win, however, can’t quite get to sleep. He sits out in front of the door, looking up to the moon, a prickling feeling on the back of his neck.