No miracles

Two weeks later.

Dewynook, the northernmost human town.

It had been a while.

Their isolation strategy of choice was guarding their back with sharp cliff mountains and their front with a deep blue lake, sporting a single passage of land in between.

Despite being the closest settlement to the Cursed Lands—other than the Fort and Frontiers—this place had become famous for its low Cursed sighting rate. Knowing the Cursed just cared about migrating south and not about attacking humans, it made sense they wouldn't go out of their way to visit a secluded little town.

The three of us went straight to the marketplace. Rasbora had been cooking every second day and her dishes required fresh vegetables, which couldn't just be pulled out of a river like the fish I used for my recipes.

"Other than mah spicy stew and the spring rolls ah already know ya like, ah'm thinking about sweet and sour eggplants with a side dish of rice. Are ya two fine with eggplants, garlic, and both sugar and vinegar together?"

"I'm not a picky eater so don't worry about me," I said.

Betta shrugged. "I hate eggplants but I'll give you an opportunity to change my mind, so go ahead."

"Ah could try to substitute it with something else. Maybe cauliflower or—"

"Don't. Go with the eggplant—I dare you to make me like it."

"Right… ah'll do my best."

Grinning, Betta slapped Rasbora's back then went ahead to check the brewer's stall, leaving the two of us behind.

"She's loosened up so much these last few weeks," I said while Rasbora inspected a basket of greens.

"Aye, thanks to ya."

"No, no, we've been over this. It's thanks to you that I gained the courage to clear things up."

"Then ya went above and beyond risking your life. Ah just gave ya a few pretty words that ah don't even think did much."

"You did more than enough, and I'm going to keep insisting on that."

"And ah'm gonna keep insisting ya accomplished most of it by your own merit."

We glared thorns at each other, then after a few seconds we both let out a chuckle at nearly the same time then proceeded to the next stall, checking out some clothes.

Oscar hadn't shown up in a few days, so I was hoping I'd see him again soon. He'd been appearing a lot less and for shorter periods of time than before, which was further proof of my powers weakening.

But that was alright.

I'd made peace with it.

We finished shopping and the prices had been more than reasonable. That meant that any merchant selling overpriced wares claiming Princess had affected the economy of the northern lands was being a little… creative with the truth, to say the least.

When we met back with Betta at the end of the street, the smile she'd been wearing when we parted had turned upside-down.

"I've heard some rumors," she said. "We should find someplace to talk."

Oh.

It's happening, huh.

I took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's go."

ᗢ⫘⫘⫘⫘𖦹⫘⫘⫘⫘♡

The inn was carved in the mountain itself so the entire room we'd rented was made out of a pale grey rock. Some light seeped through the wide window carved on the wall, but not nearly enough due to the mist, meaning we had to rely on the gloom of an oil lamp. Shadows shifted with the flickering of its small flame.

"Word is," Betta began, "that the High Knight of the Northern Frontier is planning an attack against the Cursed Prince, who settled on a nearby cave a few months ago."

Just as I feared.

"T-then let's hurry," Rasbora said. "We must get to the Frontier as soon as possible and stop them before it's too late."

"The frontier is two and a half weeks away," I said. "This rumor is already that old at the very least."

Betta nodded. "And we have a deal, Cory."

"I know," I murmured.

"Even if it's in self-defense, if she kills any—"

"I know!"

The lamp flickered. We grew so quiet the flame's sizzling could be heard.

Rasbora mumbled in an attempt to break the silence, though none of her words had much substance.

I stood up from my chair. "We… we can resume our trip the day after tomorrow as you'd originally planned."

Then I left without either of them trying to stop me.

My first instinct was to lock myself in my rented room and sink into the bed—I resisted it, heading outside instead.

The town looked so much darker even though the mist hadn't thickened this past hour. I walked through the streets, most buildings blurred by the white veil of fog.

Some warm light would've done me so much good right now, but I wouldn't see the sun for several more months—Mist Season was around twice the length of most other seasons.

I wish Oscar was here.

The sign of a tavern came into my view. I'd never gotten fully drunk, but I'd heard it helped some people deal with the rough patches of life. Perhaps it would be good to try out.

My hand stretched towards the door of the establishment, just about to touch it.

No.

You said no more running.

Face it. You can do it.

I can do it.

Leaving the tavern behind, I reached a plaza with a fountain at the center. A sculpture of an octopus was on top, one line of water pouring from the tip of each tentacle.

I sat on a nearby bench and looked at the statue.

By the time we get there, the attack will have happened already. There's a chance Princess might find a way to escape and avoid the battle, but I shouldn't bet on it.

Be ready for the worst.

If Princess fights back… and if she kills someone, I…

I won't try to stop Betta.

We'll go together and do what must be done.

Nothing less, nothing more.

Staring at the monument, I remained still like I was a statue myself. Night arrived and I went to bed without talking with anyone else for the day.

In the end, Oscar didn't appear at all.

But I'd managed to stand up without him. Yeah, my knees were shaky and every movement was a struggle to avoid falling.

Still, I was walking forward—even if only one step at a time.