II.

The three watched Lucius in curiosity and awe, while he to slowly regain both his vision and consciousness. They all smiled and the dwarves jumped in glee for their guest is finally awake. Nina in disbelief not because of his awakening, but from where is the man from? What is his story? And what has happened to him to be just laying beside a dirt road, in the middle of nowhere.

“Hah! I told ye me brother! He’s alive and well.” Banduck laughed and he joyously high fived with Nina.

“Hmmf! Yer still should be wary of him, aye lad! Are ye an enemy or foe?” Welit bluntly asked, clutching a short cudgel.

Lucius rubbed his temples and banged his head with soft fists strikes to somehow recover some focus.

“Sorry about that sir…it’s just that my hearing is quite a bit off. And no, I am not an enemy nor foe…” Lucius softly uttered while still rubbing his temples.

“Ah wait! Gentlemen please wait for me here, I will get some breakfast for everyone. Just have to visit the Guild right quick, see ya!” Nina announced storming out of the room.

“So…are you good there lad? How is yer body feeling?” Banduck asked, staring at the man.

“Oh, thank you very much for asking sir…I actually feel good now compared to last night, I was feverish, but now quite hungry hehe...” Lucius replied, stretching his arms.

“So he was already good last night…did he heard our conversation? It weren't for Nina's healing. I doubt he'll survive another day. Yet still, how come I feel some ominous magical aura, as if his different from us...” Welit considered, shaking his thought away, not wanting to alert both his brother and the stranger.

“By the mountain smiths! Now that yer well, could you tell us what happened to ya back from that road? Last I check it is a very same strategy used by bandits, fooling their victims by using someone as a bait, like a fake damsel. But, in your case when we checked you thoroughly with me brother, its as if you got siphoned by something, the sudden magical deficit showed under your eyes that same morning, but now I can finally sense your magic, so what happened lad?” Banduck finally asked a question, hoping to finally hear a clear conclusion to what really happened to Lucius.

Welit crossed his arms, with obvious anticipation. But Instead of answering right away. Lucius stared back as if blown by a weird question. A road? What road and where? Magic and Aura? "What in the blazes" he wondered. With jumbled storm of images passed his memory in that instant. He remembered clearly the slaughter from their enemies, of how they breached through the defenses, and one by one how his comrades lost their lives in front of him. And the very last thing he remembered was how he got stabbed, leaving the other remaining knights to the same deaths.

“If I have to be completely honest sir…I am very sure I DIED. What I remembered was, we were losing a hopeless war, in the deep dark evening, at the middle of a foreign desert we held a defensive stand. I, one of their captains, did try my best to manage them, to hold my comrades tight together, hoping to win and escape. But eventually, one by one, my fellow captains died in front of me, many men lose their lives till the last one standing. And the last thing I saw or remembered, are two knights being hacked to death left and right, until my consciousness swallowed me… “ Lucius said, while looking down on his palms, teary eyed.

The brothers stared at Lucius with saddened expressions. Welit the first one to comfort him by a quick hug and a pat on his shoulder, and Banduck with a slow handshake. And both pumped their chest with their right fists, sign of a warriors respect.

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"Wha--" Lucius uttered.

“We are truly sorry, We were wrong about suspecting about you lad…“ Welit said with a smile, ending it all with a quick bow.

“And it turns out, you might be different from them, the knights of this kingdom...but that isn't important right now! Heck, you'll definitely fit with the mercenary band if yer willing lad!” Banduck offered with a smirk.

"I am very glad to somehow ease your view of knights or any other warrior class at that. I am no innocent nor pure, but I have my conscience to trust. And as for your offer, I will think about it." Lucius smiled faintly, returning a bow of gesture.

"GLAD TO HEAR THAT LAD!" Both Welit and Banduck said, laughing foolishly after.

Shortly, Nina finally returned carrying a wooden round tray. On top are various foods like leavened bread, grilled tomatoes and the main dish being four bowls of newly cooked garlic soup for each of them to enjoy.

“Let me help milady…” Lucius stood and helped Nina prepare their breakfast.

"What?" She thought for a second.

Nina blushed from the offer, and hid her expression. A surprising offer from a knight. The negative meaning of that word ingrained to the likes of those from below the hierarchy in this kingdom. And of Kindraire in general. One would think that all kinds of knights will have no distinction from one another. But to her, its as if Lucius did not belong in this world, quickly putting that hunch aside. The four went on, enjoying their meal to its fullest, talked and laughed while enjoying the banter between the dwarf brothers. Lucius, told them about his adventures while on his duty being a knight crusader. With many tales to choose from, it was indeed a serene moment. And from the perspective of Nina, it’s as if she finally found temporary peace at that moment, smiling brightly from ear to ear. A perfect reaction, as the morning sunlight reflect from the room’s single window. Disguising the fact that a revolution may start at any moment, their very group being a crucial part of it, the Exile.

“Aye Nina…yer good, girl?” Welit asked Nina, snapping her from deep thought.

"I apologize for not introducing myself! My name is Lucius Vigo of Italy, former captain class at your service." Lucius jokingly said, and stood proud with a bow.

"And me name is Welit Deepstone, me brother is Banduck Deepstone! The best dwarven smithy in Vanadheim, both in invention and trading!" Welit proudly announced, making the girl chuckle once more.

"And my name is Nina Sweetooth, the manager of this tavern, and one of the forerunners of our guild." She smiled, offering him a hand.

They shook hands, exchanging smiles. Still, something is still bothering Lucius, not just the place but the brothers, and what they called Magic.

“Once again, I am very thankful and glad for what you’ve all done for me. For saving my life, giving me shelter, and a very delicious meal at that.” Lucius said, looking at them with a bright expression.

"Glad to be of help lad! I hope for you to return that favor someday eh?" Welit jokingly said.

“Umm, I don’t mean to sound ignorant or rude…but when you said dwarves, like those mythical creatures from fantasy books?” Lucius finally asked, implying about their appearance.

The three blinked in disbelief until all of them laughed loudly.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Lad…isn’t it obvious by how we appear to ya? Don’t yer worry! We have the same case from people who haven’t seen our ilk, or only read about us in magical books of knowledge!” Banduck laughingly bellowed.

“Interesting lad…so you’re telling us you don’t have our kind back from yer world? But Lucius…this is not fantasy, its reality! A world called Kindraire, a world filled with Magic!” Banduck revealed to Lucius.

“I-I don’t know what to expect of this. I still cant get hold of all the information, Dwarves, Magic and of how I'm alive even though I died--” He simply replied.

“Look, if yer still dawdling yer head, why not visit the guild and ask around?” Welit proposed.

"There good people! Yer bound to find someone of the same mind I say! Sadly, tis' morning we'll have to attend a very important meeting at the central plaza. I would like for Nina to stay behind and to explain more, but she is needed as a representative..." Banduck announced, suddenly in a serious tone.

Oh! No problem, no problem. Please, I bid you safe travels!"

“Lucius, it is so much fun listening to your story, though the people from down below might be of better help at explaining things than us. They are a very diverse group of individuals, different races but with the same heart. I know you will find someone or something that will finally answer your many questions.” Nina said to Lucius.

“But don’t yer worry, the next mornin’ we’ll be back here. For now, talk to the lads below and find something interesting. Oh! And remember the password is Bearded Gnome.” Banduck said, as the three stormed out from the room, leaving Lucius with a nodding head.

Still wanting to rest, and piece the puzzles of his jumbled mind. He remembered once again that moment at the castle.

"Damn it! Are you out of your mind Lucius? Get serious now captain, wake up! This is our reality, and we must fight it, no one will save us but ourselves, do you hear me?"

Lucius remembered the echoing words of Captain Marco. For at that time at the castle walls. He was not himself, both physically and mentally. A struggle where Lucius questioned his purpose in that never-ending cycle of war and death. And to be broken by death, the irony of life answering ones question with something, something out of this world. And if the truth is already in front of him, being revived in a strange world. Then the answer to his question back from the castle might not be so simple yet amusing to believe.

"Magic..." He whispered, laying there on the bed all alone with newfound knowledge.

“Marco and Anton, may you both rest in peace!”