Fireside Company: Part 1

Kegan was sitting beneath the tree, playing on his acoustic guitar to Alyssa, as she listened to him. She put aside her book and gazed longingly at him.

She was the only one in town who wasn’t put off by his pointed ears or Grey eyes. It was the only spot the witch and the priest felt at peace.

“Kegan!” The constable yelled, waking him from his reverie.

He groaned and scowled looking up. However, his scowl vanished upon seeing the three standing with the constable.

“Mr. Troika here has paid for your bail.”

“You didn’t have to,” Kegan said as he got up. “You should have left town by now.”

Victor sighed. “Believe me, I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. But these two wouldn’t have it.”

Poppy smiled wanly. “He’s joking. He was the one who suggested bailing you out after clearing your name.”

“I murdered a man.” Kegan looked down to his feet.

“Well, they brought forth evidence that says you killed a monster.” The constable sighed. “Anyways, they suggest you go with them and take Poppy along. It might be for the best if you left this town permanently.”

“So you want to be rid of me that badly, huh?”

“That’s not the case. However, people can be stubborn in their ways and the stigma towards you two will always be there. So, I suggest you make a new home away from this horrible place.”

“Should you be talking about your town in such a way?” Victor asked.

“It’s the truth. And while you’re gone, I’ll try to make it a better one.”

Kegan nodded to the constable. Before he left, Victor held out his hand, and Kegan knew he soon would be looking down at the god’s star.

- - - -

Kegan gathered his belongings and met up with the three of them.

“Before we go, we have to bury Alyssa properly.” Poppy said.

“The tree fell down in the midst of our fight,” Victor said. “I’m sorry about that.”

Kegan raised his eyebrow before shaking his head. “It’s fine. Now let’s go lay her to rest.”

“We also want you to bury her with this.” Victor said and Poppy presented him with a box.

He took the flat white box and opened it.

His eyes shone then welled with tears.

Memories rushed through his mind. The bright red ribbon that set his heart ablaze when seeing it. The ribbon attached to the woman he had never stopped loving since the day they met.

He stood there, sobbing over the box, his body convulsing.

-

They arrived at the tree and began setting up a grave. Victor felt bad as Kegan beheld the tree. And shame rose in him when they had to bring the pieces of her body together. Her left forearm took a while to find.

The staff at the slayer’s guild met with them one final time to retrieve the other bodies. The receptionist also presented Victor with his brand new slayer identification card.

Enderan walked up and observed it with him. A proud falcon replaced the scrawny rooster.

They set her grave amongst the flowers, and Kegan set down the ribbon atop her chest before burying her.

Kegan and Poppy said their goodbyes and set off.

Victor had bought a third horse for the two to ride on.

The town thanked Victor and Enderan. Some wished Enderan luck on breaking his curse.

No one said goodbye to the other two. At least no one threw glares or shouts their way, which was just as good in their eyes.

Finally the four of them left Galebrook behind.

- - - -

The sun was setting and we set camp in a clearing off the trail.

Victor brought out the camp provisions.

Music flowed through the camp as Kegan played on his guitar.

Poppy and I stalked off to collect dry branches for the fire. However we were taking our time and talking instead.

“So, is it fine that I don’t call you Caleb anymore?”

“Yeah, just not around anyone else. Victor really wanted to keep my identity a secret.”

“I can only guess why. So, you really weren’t cursed by a witch. You’re cursed by a dragon.”

“That’s right. So you know about it already?”

“Of course. It’s such a tragic tale for the heroes responsible for saving the world.” She sighed. “I just never thought I’d meet one of the cursed children. If you don’t mind me asking, how long do you have left before you turn into a dragon?”

“About seven years. It’s a lot longer than normal because of this amulet I’m wearing.” I tugged on the silver chain sitting below my shirt. “So I’m lucky that I get to live into adulthood, if even only for a little bit.”

“Unless you and Victor break your curse.”

I nodded as we stepped on dead leaves.

“So do you have any dreams?” I asked.

“You mean like a goal?”

“Yeah, like what you want to be when you grow up.”

“I’m already a grown-up.” She scoffed. I wanted to make a rebuttal but I held my tongue. “But, if I could, I would like to learn magic.”

“Like Alyssa?”

“Well, I don’t have to be a witch, in fact it might be safer if I’m a licensed arcanist or mage.” She said. “The mayor had me tested a while ago and I have a high magic affinity.”

I bet that made him really happy. I kept that thought to myself, but from the brief pause Poppy took to speak, made me believe she thought the same.

“That makes sense, since you were able to speak with Alyssa.” I noted. “You’re lucky. I don’t have a real affinity to magic. If it wasn’t for my curse, I wouldn’t have been able to bond with Yoki here.” The yellow core of the tresure slime poked out from the scarf before going away.

“A cursed blessing.” She noted.

“It kind of is.” I then thought of something smooth to say, and hoped that it came out without flaw. “Because of this curse, I was able to go on this journey with Victor. And I got to meet you as well.” It came out smooth. Smooth enough.

“Is that your attempt at flirting?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Was it that bad?!”

Poppy giggled. “Not really. But it’s cute to see you flustered.”

I scowled, but she called me cute, so I smiled with her.

We continued on leisurely, ignoring the dry branches at our feet.