I woke up, In the same room again.
I slowly sat down, then everything that happened in my sleep came back. I couldn't help, but vomit everything I ate on the floor.
My chest felt hot, I couldn't stop thinking of that disgusting, traumatizing view.
I looked around, luckily, nobody was there to see the mess I just made. Wait, where are Leah and Mira? I stood up, looked at their bed, No one. I was really alone.
I should go out and look for them, and also get some fresh air. Clearing my head and forgetting that nightmare, would only do me good.
As I began to walk towards the door, when I passed near a mirror, I noticed something.
I stopped and looked at myself, more precisely my hoodie. Someone patched the hole on it.
I sighed.
Well, it was obvious who did that, it was Leah.
That's nice of her but, I don't think it's really normal or safe to sew clothes back onto someone who's sleeping.
As I turned myself towards the door to reach it, The handle turned, then opened, Leah appeared, holding a basket in her hand.
"Oh Amos! Already awake?"
The sunlight streaming through the window was no longer the golden orange it usually is in the morning, so it was obvious that it was nearing afternoon.
"Already? I think it's a bit too late to say that."
"Oh sorry, my mind's been elsewhere. It's been a long time since I've been here."
She had a soft smile saying that, a smile that showed that she was happy to be here again.
Then, a small figure appeared from behind Leah, it was none other than that little Mira, that big smile always on her face.
"Hello mister!"
"Hey Mira, could you tell me what a little baby like you was doing outside with Leah?"
My teasing had amused Leah, but obviously upon hearing that, Mira's face pouted, her hands clasped, her tone a little bristling.
"I'm not a baby! I even helped Miss Leah carry the basket!"
Leah patted Mira's small head, with a little laugh in the corner.
"Don't get so worked up, he's just teasing you. And yes, Mira had wanted to carry the basket, even though she got tired after a few minutes."
Hmph! Mira crossed her arms and turned her head away from mine. But then her eyes peeked towards me, and when she saw that I saw it, she couldn't hold it in anymore and laugh.
So much warmth made me laugh too. It was nice to see the three of us in such a... mundane situation?
I noticed that the basket Leah was carrying was quite full.
"So, What did you buy with Mira?"
"Oh, I bought just enough supplies for the trip to the Willner's domain."
"So we're leaving today?" I asked her, my tone became a little bit more serious despite me.
"Yes, well, I think it's the right time. But we can leave later if you want." It seems that because of the tone I used, Leah thought I was upset that we were leaving so early. She's not entirely wrong; I would have liked to stay a little longer to enjoy myself, but we must bring Mira back to her parents as soon as possible.
"No, no. It's fine. I'm just going to take a walk outside to relax."
"No problem! We'll take care of loading the cart. Don't worry, you've already done enough."
I know I should help them and it's selfish from me. But I really need to get out. I did my best to ignore it, but these images keep replaying in my mind too often, it made me feel like my stomach stretching from the inside.
"Thanks Leah."
"It makes me happy, don't worry."
Leah was sincere when she said that, but I felt like she was overdoing it, making me feel guilty... I know very well that most of the bad things that have happened to us are my own fault, and I don't deserve to be treated this way.
Let's, not think of that. This time I'm going out.
I nodded towards Leah, took out my sword which, as usual, was still as flashy as ever since I had nowhere to put it.
As I left the inn, I felt something familiar. The sounds of passersby outside, the wheels of carriages rattling on the stone pavement, even though it was much more uncommon and visually old, It was like those crowded streets on earth, with a touch of medieval fantasy.
As we walked, there was a line of market stalls selling vegetables, fruit, and even antiques. There were also shops with dedicated buildings, such as a forge, A butcher shop, a tailor, and even slightly more mystical things like an "Apothecary" as the sign said.
Passing by each shop, they were all selling what they said they were selling; well, that makes sense. But it was rather fascinating to see through the apothecary window those These colored potions and other kinds of my, medicinal herbs? They must be more useful than I think.
The forge was also something I had never seen on earth, because it has surely become industrialized. Inside, armors, weapons were hanging everywhere.
As I was daydreaming and looking inside, a person came out of the door. When the door opened, behind it there was a red-haired elf, pointed ears, red apron, a belt full of tools and of course, the famous blacksmith's hammer in her hand.
"Instead of staying outside, perhaps going inside and buying something would be better?"
Even if I wanted, I couldn't afford anything. Not only do I not know the value of things in this world, but I'm more broke than broke.
"Sorry, but I can't afford anything right now."
The woman, smirked. It was suspicious; I didn't say anything that would make someone do that naturally.
"Come in, We can find a deal."
She straightened herself, then she came in, waving at me to follow.
Even though I knew it could be a trap, an offer like that is too tempting. And anyway, if anything happened, I could defend myself with my sword, I hope.
Eventually, I followed her inside.
Upon entering, I could feel on my skin the ambient heat of the weapons that had just been forged, the smell of molten metal that had just cooled, The light from the lanterns reflected off the blades and armor.
"So, what would make you happy, kiddo?"
For me, the answer was obvious. It was starting to get annoying and complicated to carry this bare sword around in my hand; it was cumbersome.
I showed her my sword.
"A sheath to put that in would be nice."
She looked at my sword, and had a little spiteful smile on the corner.
"I suspected as much. Honestly, you looked like a madman holding your bare sword like that—"
And as she looked at my sword while speaking, she stopped abruptly, her eyes wide open as she stared at it.
"Wha—" I tried to speak, but,
in less than a breath, before I could even react, her arm was stretched towards me, a dagger brushing against the skin of my throat. My hand instinctively released the sword, causing it to fall to the ground, because It was obvious that the slightest wrong move would be the end of me.
"Kiddo, why do you have a purgatory sword?"
"What?"
I had no clue what she was talking about, and that didn't please her. I could feel the dagger on my skin strengthen a bit, enough to make a drop of sweat fall. His expression hardened, filled with mistrust.
"Don't play dumb, what are you doing with that?"
I couldn't lie, and I don't think that's a problem. Even if I tell her the truth, I know she'll have a hard time believing it.
"I was kidnapped by masked people and I found this sword in the place where I was held captive."
Her eyes narrowed even further as she looked at me.
"Is that so?"
I slowly closed my eyes, ready for what was about to happen, she didn't believe me. That was my last hope.
She lowered her arm, moving the dagger away. She sighed.
"I believe you, and you really should hide that sword. I'm surprised you kept it despite its bad reputation."
Bad reputation? What is she talking about?
She turned around and took something from a shelf filled with leather accessories. Turning back to me, she handed me a gray sheath.
"Here, take this scabbard."
I didn't know if I should accept it, but after what happened, she showed who's in charge right now.
Scabbard? Well that's how she called it. I took it, then gently slid the sword into it. It slid in naturally, the almost perfect shape.
"Wow, thanks. I don't know how to thank you." I said, as I was about to attach it on my belt, lifting my hoodie slightly, I realized my belt wasn't just meant for that. I tried to force it between my belt and my pants but the sword was just unstable and too thick like that.
The woman looked my belt, or just the silly way I put the sheath on it with curiosity. It was probably like seeing someone start a car with a door key from my perspective.
"I've never seen a belt like this. It's sleek, lightweight, and clean. Plus, the patterns are incredibly precise. And above all, the ingenious way your pants are cinched up to keep them in place is amazing." She was clearly impressed, I've forgot that this world is at miles older than mine.
"I'll offer you the Scabbard and a proper belt for it in exchange for yours, deal?"
She said before extending her hand to me.
This wasn't a bad idea at all. I didn't really need my belt since my pants stayed up without it, And having a perfect belt against it was perfect.
I undid my belt, then gave it to her, shaking her hand.
"Deal."
She showed me how to put the Scabbard on my belt, and as I looked at myself in a mirror, its grey color perfectly matched to my hoodie, the black sword's hilt with my trousers creating a pleasing gradient effect.
"You're the boy traveling with miss Leah, right?"
How'd she know that? Wait, Leah is kind of popular here from what I've seen. It's definitely someone she knows, judging by what she calls Leah.
"Yeah it's me, why?"
"Oh nothing, I've just heard that your both heading towards the Willner's domain."
"Leah told you?"
"Oh no, It's just that rumors spread quickly."
Where is she going with this? This discussion is going in circles.
"And?"
"Oh, I would be pleased if you could speak to the Lord about me and the favor I did for you. I'm sure he would be delighted to thank me, or compensate me."
What— This sick witch. She knew from the beginning what she was doing: pretending to help me so that I would sing her praises. But I owe her one, even though she tried to kill me.
She looked at me with that, to damn opportunistic smirk full of greed.
I sighed.
"I'll mention it to him."
Her smirk immediately turned into a soft smile, a fake soft smile. I've already caught you, it's too late.
"Oh really? Thanks! Tell him that it was Elinisa."
"Yeah, see you later Elinisa or whatever."
I said heading towards the exit door waving from behind. But before I leave, she said something.
"You still didn't tell me your name."
"Amos." I answered.
With those final words, I left the store, heading back to the inn with Leah and Mira.
The road was rather quiet, the noise of the carriages echoed less, and so did the passersby.
But something ruined all of that, and stoppped me right in my track.
A Woman's Cry.
Just to my right. When I turned my head, I saw something atrocious.
In an alley, where the scene was visible, by the way. A man was trying to assault a woman, holding her hands and trying to do something to her. The woman was fighting back, but the man was becoming more and more agressive.
Instinctively, I put my hand on my sword and headed toward them.
But something stopped me.
I noticed something.
No one was giving a damn about the situation. They were just passing by, acting indifferent or trying to look away. What I expected. After everything that had happened, lunatics torturing and killing kids, why would I be surprised by that? I clenched my teeth. This isn't any of my business, right?
"Are you going to just stand there and do nothing?"
That's what, a man I didn't seen was standing next to me said.
This is pissing me off.
The man wasn't facing me. I drew my sword and approached quietly. He didn't hear me. That's the only thing he deserves.
"Please stop!"
"Come on, my pretty, just let me do it before I get ang—"
Splash
That's the sound my blade made as it pierced his stomach, stopping him. He slowly collapsed on the ground. Blood flowed onto my sword, creating a pool that connected the blood on my blade to that of the man who lay motionless on the ground.
The women felt on her hips on the ground. I held out my hand to help her get up.
She looked at me in horror, then shouted.
What did I do, I'm not in the wrong?
Then, the same man cough, then made inaudible noise of suffering.
He's still alive? What am I supposed to do now?
Then, a passerby who seemed to understand the scene shouted.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Kill him."
The other people joined, It seemed like they knew too. I could hear them telling me to kill him. They all started to position themselves near the entrance of the alley, watching the scene.
"Kill him."
"Do it."
"He deserves it."
"Hurry!"
They're right. I should kill him. I just want this to end, so, yeah, he just have to die. I put one of my feet on him, the impact made him cough. Yep, he was still alive and surely heard everything. I suppose he regrets it now.
I raised my sword above him, my blade ready to pierce his throat. He said nothing; the others demanded his death; he had accepted his fate. It's time to kill him.
My hand felt lightweight, yet It was hard to keep them straight, they were cold, I felt like I was a dead body.
Wait. If all these people knew what had happened, why only react now when they were enough to stop it?And I think it had been going on for longer before I arrived.
Those people makes me sick. Just a bunch hypocrites. They want me to risk my life and dirty my hand instead of them.
What if I just killed everyone? That would be easier.
I lowered my sword, slowly.
"What are you doing? Kill them!"
You're still asking me that? Yeah, they'll get what they deserve.
"Don't do anything stupid."
That the same voice that asked me "Are you going to just stand there and do nothing?"
He appeared, with a trail of wind around him, in front of me. His coat cape, with golden royal motifs and lines on it, waving like war flags. Orange hair, with cat ears, A sword with a white hilt, sheathed in its equally white scabbard.
"It's sir Yoalnd." someone said. His voice was a mix of fear and respect.
"Please leave the premises; the royal guard will take care of the rest."
No one dared to challenge his authority, everyone leaving as quickly as they could. Even the woman who was paralyzed disappeared.
"What's wrong, pal? You look like you've been dug up from the grave even when you were supposed to be executing that guy."
He was right, My expression was pitiful, even as I played the role of the executioner of justice. I just didn't want to do that.
"I'm sorry, It all happened to fast."
"Don't apologize, I'm the one who triggered you to do that, but I didn't think you would try to kill the whole crowd instead."
So he figured it out? I'm maybe in big troubles—
"Just kidding pal, Yoalnd, commander of the royal guard."
Royal guard?