Protection

The town was composed of small houses with thatched roofs, and the people were lively and active in the streets. It wasn’t something August has never seen before, but he could never get used to it.

“August, over here,” Heilke said, signalling where she was. “It’s this place.”

It was a place built from concrete between wooden beams, with the words ‘MOON INN’ written on a wooden sign. It was—for the most part—well kept, though the materials and visuals of the building were definitely much more plain than those in his hometown.

They went inside, wooden planks creaking from each step.

“Hello,” Heilke said to the innkeeper. “Two rooms please.”

She places 4 copper coins on the desk.

“Righty-o.” The innkeeper searched a drawer, then took out one key. “Sorry lads. Only one room available tonight.”

The innkeeper handed her the one key, and slid one coin back towards Heilke. As the keeper was doing that, Heilke said, “By the way, you should evacuate the town for two days. Tomorrow at 12, there’s going to be a threat that may destroy this place. We’re here to prevent that.”

The innkeeper laughed. “Oh really? That’s a problem.”

“It genuinely is,” Heilke said with a smile. “Just be careful.”

Heilke turned to August. “If you’re not too tired, would you mind evacuating the rest of the citizens? I’ll evacuate the guests in here and hopefully clear out a room, then be in the room setting up.”

August nodded. “I’ll go do that.”

August wondered how used to these sorts of places Heilke was. She seemed to know the way things worked around here, whereas he still felt a little culture shock. Every person August tried to speak to would pause, as if looking at something alien, then passionately smile.

Fortunately, these citizens reacted differently from the innkeeper to the news, and agreed to evacuate for the time being. Parents would carry their toddlers, while the slightly older children carried foods that didn’t need to be cooked—fruits and bread, mainly. Other adults brought weapons with them for protection.

As August saw the last few citizens carry their items out the town, he sensed a familiar threatening aura. A growl followed.

August promptly swivelled his head toward the sound, coming face to face with a claw. It was too late to dodge the strike, let alone draw his sword.

A purple light flashed from the brooch on August’s uniform. The limb of the monster shattered upon contact with the circle of light. Taking that chance, August drew his sword and slashed at the beast.

Another violet light shone, this time from behind August.

“August!”

It was Heilke. She had teleported to August once she noticed the activation of the brooch.

She shot at the remnants of the creature.

“Are you alright?” Heilke asked.

“Yes, thanks to you,” August answered.

“No, you were in trouble because of me. I apologise, it was an oversight on my part. I should have considered the chance of the monsters having different times of appearance.”

August shook his head. “You did protect me. In fact, you prevented a tragedy for this town. You had the choice to not come here in the first place, but you chose to protect this place.” August held the brooch, now less lustrous than before. “You had the choice to send me here and provide me with no brooch, but you didn’t. If that isn’t protection, I’m not sure what is.”

Heilke wanted to deny his words, but wasn’t sure what to say. “As long as you’re safe.”

“One thing I am sad about though, is that the spell has been used,” August said, upset. “The first birthday present you gave me is not in peak condition.”

Heilke laughed. “You’re supposed to use it. Don’t keep it in mint condition. Here.” Heilke held her hand out. “I can always just cast it again.”

From behind Heilke, a young girl with one full sleeve came up to them.

“Excuse me,” she said.

Heilke and August faced the girl.

“I saw you fight the monster. Thank you for saving us.”

“No worries. Are you alright?” Heilke said, as she patted the little girl’s head.

August watched Heilke do so, and wondered how it would feel if she did that to him. The place where her hand would be tingled.

“Yeah! And when I get bigger, I want to fight like sir, along with someone like you,” the little girl said to Heilke while punching the air with her arm.

“Oh really? Sir’s fighting is quite impressive, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but I think your magic is more impressive. I know I can’t achieve that, but sir’s sword fighting, I feel like I can.”

August was listening in on the side. How can a child’s words hurt so much?

“Then promise me you’ll train a lot,” August said. "You will have to work really hard to do what I do."

The girl gave a big toothy grin.

“Matilda!”

“Manas!”

A boy seemingly younger than the young girl came running with a basket of flowers. Once he reached the three, he handed the basket to Matilda. Matilda then outstretched her arm towards Heilke with the basket.

“A gift!” she said.

Heilke took the basket into her hands. “Wow, you already prepared a gift for us?”

The girl put her hand on her hips triumphantly.

“How long do you guys plan on staying?” the little boy behind Matilda asked. “I can ask my uncle to hold a feast.”

August looked to Heilke. They had originally planned to stay for two days, one for setting up and the other for the actual eradication, but since the monster had already been defeated, they could leave immediately.

“Why don’t you rest up before leaving?” Manas continued. “And enjoy your stay like a little holiday.”

It wasn’t as if he had anything else to do if he went home. A little holiday with Heilke didn’t sound so bad.

“I don’t mind,” August said. “If Heilke stays, I’ll stay.”

“Sure. We’ll stay for one more day.”

The children’s faces lit up.

The evening of the town was full of vigour, where the warm light of the lanterns brightened the roads. There was chatter everywhere, all joyful and celebratory.

The innkeeper strode up to the duo. “I thought the catastrophe was meant to be tomorrow,” the loud voice boomed lightheartedly.

Heilke exhaled. “My apologies. I got the forecast wrong.”

The keeper gave August a big swing on the back. It was too strong to be called a pat.

“You’re wife sure is talented, eh?”

August took a moment to register that the innkeeper was talking to him.

“Oh. She’s not my wife.” August smiled. “But she sure is talented.”

The town was a much more welcoming place than August had ever been. To think it would’ve been wiped off the map was quite upsetting. The image of town ruins August had been in were ingrained in his brain. Ash, collapsed buildings, torn items of all shapes and sizes. A small shoe the size of his finger, a lacklustre blade of a tool, the pile of bones that belonged to a human. These hints of what life was, or could have been, made his hands tingle, his grip strength weakened. And this would not be the only town to suffer the same fate. Indeed, he did not want such a foul future.  

“How was it?”

August hurriedly sat up. Heilke had entered the room.

“H-how was what?” August stuttered.

“The town. Welcoming, wasn’t it?”

The images of the vibrant streets flashed into August’s mind.

“Yes, very.”

Heilke opened her luggage bag.

“What are you doing in here?” August asked.

“Full house, remember? Those who were evacuated came back. It means the inn is still full.”

“Right.”

The ruffling of the bag filled the room, coupled with the sound of quite a few festive civilians outside who were still able to be heard.

“Let’s make sure to protect this place, August.”

“Yeah.”