Lilly Odom grew up unlike most children in Morwhea - pampered and all her needs taken care of down to the smallest detail. Her father, a well-known noble and self-made merchant, saw that no expense was spared to advance his beloved daughter's education, training, and interests.

Almost everyone in the kingdom of Morwhea knew Claus Odom or at least knew of him. He was regarded as the famous shield wall of Arganea, the one and only who defended the capital against the endless waves of monsters when no one else could. His heroics were the subject of tales and songs, still sung tens of years later.

During the war for Morwhea, Claus showed his worth and was granted the status of a duke with the wealth and prestige of his position. But, despite this, he never forgot what he had fought for - duty. And duty was precisely the first thing he taught his one and only daughter after retiring to become the father she needed.

Lilly started training right after her third birthday when she received her first weapon as a present from her father. She still remembered the day as clearly as it happened yesterday. The dagger gifted to her was made from simple steel with ornate carvings - a simple thing by all standards. She likewise remembered how she could barely lift it from the box, stumbling and almost falling on her face.

To her dismay, everyone present at her birthday celebration chuckled at her expression of will and determination. Even as a small child, she was unwilling to give in to the dagger’s weight and tip over. That would mean giving up on swinging it for the first time, even if it resulted in falling on her face right after. Years later, she often remembered how she held back the tears, unwilling to show weakness in front of the other nobles her papa had invited to celebrate.

Her father brought her up to understand what the privilege she was granted meant and how it had to be earned, the dagger merely symbolizing it. Her life was one of duty and debt that had to be repaid to the people around her and those who could not protect themselves. That was the sole thing she believed in with all her heart, even after she grew up and became a guilder.

Lilly’s understanding was reinforced on a routine visit to a border village far up in the north. At the time, she did not think much of it, as such trips were common for her father, and he often chose to take her out to see the wider world.

When she got out of her carriage in the village square for the first time, she understood what she had, while others did not. The thing that she regarded as the bare necessity, safety, and abundance of resources was not something the villagers had. What she saw shocked her, as everyone around here in the small village square had one trait in common among them: fear and fatigue.

The simple fact was that her troubles of continuous training and tutelage were straightforward and manageable. After all, she did not have to fight for her life with everything she had. No, she was simply training for the future that would come while the residents of that simple village lived among their worst fears - the monsters right next to their door. Every night was a reminder of the dangers behind their crude wooden walls, ready to strike and end them with no salvation in sight.

The simple scene of scarred houses in that particular village left a deep impression on her. Therefore, later, when she was introduced to Finlay Webster, Lilly fully understood her father’s intentions since gifting her that dagger when she was three years old.

Finlay was like her - burdened by privilege and prestige, with all the resources one could ask for. However, unlike her, he did not have the luxury of failing to lead by example. Fin was all Mr. Webster had left after all. So it did not surprise her that Finlay soon broke when his talent for the sword was discovered, and his father pushed him all the more.

He was, to her, the one figure that she never had in her life despite endless lines of tutors, instructors, and nobles garnering her attention. He was a companion that understood her, one that she would not mind being someone more. After all - they were the same.

Hence, years later, their trip to Veer and the subsequent mission to fight the Sect of the Serpent was another reminder of her duty. The people she had to protect. And the ones they found dead in the cages - those she could not.

Lilly judged that Fin felt the same if his subdued interactions with the royal princess in hiding were anything to go by. The capable apprentice-rank healer Elsa Ainsworth was a mystery to many in Veer but not to her.

Lilly understood why the princess was with them in the middle of the forest, not in a party dress back in the capital. She had the same sense of duty to serve the crown and its people the best way she could, and that was not to be someone she was not.

Lilly’s heavy thoughts were dismissed by their healer in training, asking, “What is the village called again, Elsa?”

“It’s called Willow. I believe it is the furthest standing village in the north. It is a wonder how they managed to survive this long,” Fin answered.

“Not that big of a surprise,” Clay added. “I heard they commissioned a protective array from the capital and paid a pretty penny for it to protect themselves against the monsters. Many fell in a routine attack a few years ago, hence the investment. A waste if you ask me.”

Lilly nodded to that and thought, I find myself back in this little village after all these years. Chasing after some boy, no less, instead of the monsters we should be fighting.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

As they approached the village, Lilly saw several wooden houses stretching in the distance. She saw the scarred walls of the homes upon the entry and understood that much had transpired here in this small settlement and to its people. So why did they not move? she thought as they approached the town.

Elsa looked around and saw several people running and gossiping excitedly as if sharing the latest news. She turned to stop one of them and asked, “Sorry, miss. What is the commotion about?”

The woman looked flustered but quickly answered, “Oh, sorry. There was a scrap in the town square today. Some bandits roaming around these parts decided to rob a noble carriage. From Veer, that is. Did not go well for them.”

“Oh, what happened?” Clay asked.

The woman looked at him, then back at Lilly, and answered, “Some stranger interrupted them before the guard could make it to the scene. A huge young man, that one. Strange pictures on his hands. Looked like a noble, but we had never seen such a brute wear noble garb in these parts.”

“Was he wearing a tattered dark cloak?” Elsa asked.

The woman shook her head, “No, just a pristine white shirt and some dark leather pants. Looked like a guilder. Saved them, noble ladies, I mean.” The woman said and nodded politely to the group, saying goodbyes.

"You think that was our guy?” Clay asked Elsa.

She looked unsure and said, “Do not know. Could be. Let’s check with the inn first. You know how it is - all the gossip finds its way into such places.”

The group turned to follow the road leading into the town of Willow, Lilly walking and comparing the scenery before her. It starkly contrasted with what she remembered when she was six years old. But is it still the same place? she thought, looking at the homes and the people around her.

They quickly arrived at the only inn they thought the most patrons would be staying at - the Salty Stew. Walking inside, Lilly and her team were met by a common room full of locals, loudly gossiping and sharing a drink as if the Sommerstice festivities had kicked off a week early.

The patrons were drinking and dancing to the music played on the miniature scene, while others were ordering meats and various foods, loudly complaining about the wait. Lilly took the lead and went through the crowd, the rest of the team following closely behind her until she arrived at the innkeeper’s desk.

Behind it, she saw a woman in her thirties with dark shoulder-length hair and a kind face, dressed in a simple yet elaborate dress. At first, she thought she was a barmaid staffing the desk until the woman spoke curtly, “Welcome to the Salty Stew. I am the owner, Elaine. Are you looking for any rooms or directions to the market fare?”

The woman looked pissed off about something, constantly eying the door behind them and tapping her foot. “No, we are looking for a drink and some information. We heard that there was some action today in the town square. Some guy saved some ladies from robbery?” Lilly asked with a raised eyebrow.

The woman nodded and spat on the floor before saying, “That he did. Ran right off with them. That is what you get for helping people and inviting them on a whim just because they seem well-mannered and mysterious.”

“Sorry, what?” Elsa asked, joining them.

“Nothing,” Elaine responded. “You guilders as well? Looking for your lost friend?”

Elsa glanced at Lilly and said, “As a matter of fact, we are. Do you know him? Huge guy, wearing tattered cloak and clothes.”

Elaine laughed annoyedly and answered, “Yes, I do. No cloak, however. He showed up earlier today and scared some of the border residents. Our butcher brought him here. He was all bloody and ragged. Someone might have mistaken him for a bandit.”

“Was he not?” Clay asked, looking around at the bustling crowd of people. “A bandit, I mean.”

Elaine shook her head, “After how he left the town? Might as well have been. Did not know anything about these parts. My barmaid mentioned that he had some weird fetish regarding pillows or whatnot.”

“What happened?” Lilly asked, trying to get more information as the guy clearly had gone through the place.

“He bought a bed and bath for the night. Paid up front with too many coins for these lands. We agreed to meet later and go for dinner after he got some new clothes. Then he vanished after taking care of some thugs,” Elaine answered. “Now, we are full for the night. So, if you want to stay, you can take your friend’s room as he paid upfront. And do let Ethan know when you meet him that he has some explaining to do.”

“Oh, we will,” Clay said, watching the innkeeper with amusement as she walked toward the bar shouting orders. “Ethan, huh?” he asked, noting the guy’s name.

“Now we know the guy’s name, dear Clay, and we can grab an ale and relax,” Fin said, following the innkeeper to the bar. Lilly shook her head and followed suit. Drinks in hand, they sat down next to the only available table in the corner of the room and discussed their next order of business.

“I heard from some of the guys that the nobles were Claire Shelford and Alice Darcey,” Elsa began. “Got into the town today with their butler to acquire some purchases. Ran off without him. The poor man. He is now waiting to join the trade caravan to Veer tomorrow.”

“They did not come on horses?” Clay asked.

“No,” Elsa shook her head. “Took their carriage. Suppose he went off with them; we could not catch up with their carriage. Our best bet is to reach Veer and search for him there. No way such a man will not make a spectacle of himself.”

“Great! That is all fine by me,” Clay said. “If we finally can stay here for the night and relax for a minute.”

“No, we cannot stop now. We will travel on foot. We can easily make it till sundown,” Elsa said.

“I agree. Finish up your mugs and let's get going,” Lilly added, standing up.

“Oh, come on!” Clay and Fin said in unison, throwing their hands up in protest.