Volume 01 - Chapter 1: A Chance Meeting Between Man and Blade (Part 05)

An uneventful half hour later, we reach an empty Gamaloth. The dirt paths are devoid of life. Torches have long since expired. We’ll be lucky if the inn is still accepting guests.

“Wait.” Mizuka freezes, eyes closed as she grips her head with both hands. “A fragment of my power. Somewhere, I can’t…can’t place it.”

“Seriously? You already found one?” This quest might prove easy after all.

“I can’t be sure until I touch it, but yes, it’s close.”

“Do you want to try looking for it?”

“Normally, I’d say yes, but not in my current state. I want sleep and food—lots of food.”

“Sure, but I don’t have a lot of coin.”

“No matter, I eat solely for pleasure. A single feast will satisfy me for the time being.” She licks her rosy lips.

“Pleasure? Wait…how did you survive for three years without food?” I doubt someone so snobbish would’ve suffered raw fish for more than a single bite.

“I am a special existence not requiring physical nourishment. My energy comes from…other sources. Eating, drinking, and sleeping are nothing more than enjoyable activities.”

“Uh-huh, so why do you need a feast?”

“Would you not want one if deprived of food for three whole years?”

I’d be dead. “Food you want me to pay for?”

“You are my servant, remember?”

“And when I run out of money?”

“Does that pose an issue?”

“What am I supposed to eat?”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Shrugging, she bobs her head in every direction, searching. “Come now, let’s find a bed.”

Have I not yet learned arguing with Mizuka is fruitless at best? “…The inn should be this way.” I step past her, heading west.

Despite a mere handful of visits, I have a decent grasp of Gamaloth’s general layout. It’s the smallest of Halivaara’s trading hubs, but still twice the size of Sundance. The couple hundred residents living here manage the countless farms in the surrounding area.

An inn catering primarily to traveling merchants stands next to a thin river running through the west end of the village. As winter ended a mere week ago, few merchants should be occupying its handful of rooms. Once trading season is in full swing, the inn won’t have any vacancies until summer’s end.

Gamaloth’s only claim to fame is a tavern in the heart of town. Sparrow’s End, known for its huge servings and unique barmaid uniforms. And by unique, I mean provocative. Father barred me from entering the last time we visited despite my charging the front doors at least twenty times. Less for my sake and more for his own safety. Small towns and gossip go hand in hand; word he so much as looked at it would inevitably reach my mother.

Mizuka plods along beside me, arms folded, staring hard at the well-trodden dirt path riddled with patches of weeds. She mumbles to herself ceaselessly while poking the tip of her nose. Eavesdropping reveals nothing; she’s speaking an unfamiliar language. Her silky hair sparkles like the sea of stars over our heads. The impulse to run a hand through it seizes my mind, but I don’t care to be one-handed for the rest of our journey.

We reach the inn on the edge of town. The lackluster structure is three floors high, built of thick maple wood, faded from years of wind and rain, and decorated with flags bearing the emblems of both the kingdom and this province. A sword and staff for Seiren and a bounteous grapevine for Halivaara. A dull yellow light shines from beyond the front entrance’s small, circular window.

“Here.” I point toward the inn.

Mizuka nods and heads to the front door. Seeing she has no intention of opening it, I do so for her.

“Welcome,” says a cheery voice. A young girl, sporting a bark brown apron over a cream-colored blouse, her fair hair hidden in a bonnet, stands behind a desk in the center of the lobby.

I greet her and approach. She asks if I’d like a room and for how long. Leaning close, I ask for one night in the cheapest room available. The price she names requires a quarter of my budget, and I give her the money with a trembling hand.

“Your room is down the hall on the left, sir. Number thirteen.” She motions left before handing me a brass candlestick, some matches, and a hefty, silver key.

Thanking her, I beckon Mizuka, who is pacing while scrutinizing the drab interior design.

“Have you secured us a room?”

“Something like that.”

“And my feast?”

“I didn’t ask. We’ll find something tomorrow.”

“I want to eat now.”

“There’s a nearby tavern that serves portions fit for a dragon.” I spread my hands wide for effect. “We can go for lunch.”

“Promise?”

“…Sure.” Goodbye coin. I shouldn’t have wasted you on all those books I can’t read.

She breathes a satisfied laugh through her nose. “Off to bed, then. The sooner daybreak arrives, the sooner I can enjoy my feast and search for my fragment.”

Lighting the candle, I lead us down the dark hallway toward our room. Mizuka follows close, gripping the hem of my shirt. Rather than on the sides like the other rooms, our door sits dead center. Upon my unlocking it, Mizuka pushes past to reveal my billionth mistake.

“What is this?” My collar suffers another crumpling.

“Our room.”

“This broom closet? Does this inn care nothing for its guests’ comfort?”

“No, I’m sure the other rooms are quite spacious.” This room, however, is the size of two outhouses, featuring a single bed and standing room for two.

“And this one isn’t because…?”

“It’s cheap.”

“And what possessed you to think I’d tolerate such plebeian sleeping arrangements?”

“Well, you were living in the forest for—”

“Against my will. Had I a choice, my dignity would never have allowed me to live in that abysmal pit.”

“The same dignity that drove you to seduce people with your naked body?”

“L-L-Leo! You…you…enough.” She shoves me against the wall. “I’ll tolerate this for tonight, but expect something far, far better tomorrow. Understand?”

“…Right.” Grumbling, I smooth my shirt.

“Now, in case you failed to notice, there is but one tiny, hideous, uncomfortable-looking bed. The mere thought of you being in the same room as my sleeping body is so abhorrent I’d rather you sleep outside. However, as I am such a kind and gracious master, you may occupy the floor.”

“…Thanks.” But I don’t mind. I can sleep anywhere, anytime. Against a tree or underneath the porch of my house; if it meant dodging work, I’d even sleep where we store manure. Not that I ever got quite so desperate.

“I’ll wake you when I’m ready to go.” She crawls into bed, complaining about every facet of it.

I blow out the candle. “Goodnight, Mizuka.”

“Yes, goodnight…Leo.” Her voice rings higher than usual.

The wood floor’s chill seeps through my skin. Is this the life of a hero? A full day has yet to pass and I’m almost out of money, my proverbial princess treats me like a slave, and I’m sleeping on the floor of the cheapest room in the inn. Can I really become the great hero Mizuka plans to make of me? Given my current state and that I’m incapable of defying a girl a head shorter than myself—I can’t say I have much hope…