Nostalgic.
The last of my business rested within my old quarters. If you could call them that. The only reason I was given a bed was so I would be in decent shape to serve my masters. And, probably so that my master could have me serve him personally when the time came. Ew. I so don't like thinking about that.
The girl lay there, so vulnerable and pained. The look on her sleeping face was not peaceful. I lay down my sword and gently shake her awake. Startled at first she quickly regains herself. There is no hostility when she asks what I am doing in her master's residence. Her skin is pale and she looks malnutritioned. Typical for our kind in places like this. I can see the inquisitive glances at the sword that lay against her bed and at my attire. I am clean, well clothed and I know that my body shows my strength to those who know how to see it. And she does.
She waits for me to speak, seemingly knowing what I am to tell her. We aren't far in age, maybe a year at most with me being the older one. But I could see that she too has had a long and experienced life. Not one of combat but she's had battles of her own. Battles that she's all lost. I hold out my hand and only say one thing, "You don't need to fight anymore."
Tears come to her eyes but she does not cry. She tells me her story and of her current master. None of it was a surprise to me, not his actions or her journey. As she lets it all out the relief of her new situation begins to seep in. I will never claim that I have saved this girl, but I will say that I've given her a new path in life. What she chooses to do from hereon is really not my concern. So it was a surprise when she told me her plans.
Could very well be.
She wants to remain in the house and will serve me in whatever capacity that she can. I tell her of who and what I am and she still persists in serving me. I ask her what she will do about the house now that the owner is dead. She only smiles and says that she will take care of it. She then leads me upstairs to the master bedroom and more or less orders me to get some rest. Before she just about pushes me into the room I hand her one of my money sacks. She will need it in the future.
Mine, all mine.
Tonight I sleep in great peace. My past is revenged and my future is mine completely. Tomorrow I will once again continue to work my way into the Mage's Guild ranks.
Banzai!
To Be Continued...
(NEXT)
