Sapphire followed the twisting and turning alleys the boy lead them through. The buildings were not very close together, but even if there was space between them which could fit a cart they were not used often as a road. Mostly due to there being barrels sitting in corners to catch rainwater, or boxes filled with who knows what stacked on either side.

But it did help keep them away from the majority of the crowds on the main street. Instead of fighting their way across town they only had to pass by the occasional walker, typically the elderly, or children playing.

Sapphire smiled and greeted everyone she passed. Most of them paused, giving her a curious stare. The boy guiding her urged her to keep moving but she had to stop for small talk when someone asked her a question. It was the polite thing to do, after all.

Eventually they made their way to a house that appeared larger than most of the others. It was two stories, like the Tavern, and outside the front were two guards. The boy reached the entrance and spoke to the guard. The guard gave him a copper piece and the boy ran off.

“Miss Sapphire,” the guard called. “Please enter and wait in the foyer for the Lord Knight.”

She gave a cheerful nod and skipped inside.

The architecture of the building was so different from those in Ousta. It was so primitive, yet sturdy. The logs were cut and sanded into clean blocks, and if she wasn’t mistaken there was a sealant on them as well to keep them from getting damaged by water. Even inside, the floor appeared to be made of wood instead of dirt or stone.

It also smelled new. Maybe fifteen to twenty years since the logs were cut. The air inside the building was also stagnant, so no magic was used in the construction. It was mundane.

What a wonderful change! Imagine a world made from pure labor and not by twisting it to your will? Maybe that is why the Master didn’t ask her for more, he preferred to be reliant on himself.

“Good evening,” a deep voice resonated.

Sapphire looked up at the second floor. The Knight was standing there dressed in some moderately fine clothes. Nothing like in the courts, but by far the highest quality that she had seen in the town.

“Your Master doesn’t seem to be with you,” Vodi observed.

She met his gaze and gave a polite nod and curtsy.

“My master needed rest after the trials on the road,” she explained.

“Does he not fear angering me by ignoring my invitation?” he asked, his voice hinting at something dark.

“That is why I am here, Sir Vodianus,” Sapphire countered. “He was unable to send a message to decline today so I am here in his stead.”

“He could have declined after I asked him earlier.”

“He passed out for the first time today as you left,” she said. Her gaze hardened as she matched his growing aura with her own. The man’s bloodlust was impressive. If he found her ring she might have considered making him her Master, though it was too late now. “He woke up shortly after but continued to work until he passed out again a short time ago. I do not deem it worthwhile to awaken him for dinner with a mere knight.”

Vodi appeared surprised as her aura grew to slightly overtake his. The guards had even opened the doors to check on the situation inside when they finally felt her aura.

Despite that, she remained calmly curtsying with a bowled head. Her back was still rigid and upright. She would never bow to anyone but her sworn Master. Everyone else was secondary in importance, including her own brothers and sisters.

“It would indeed be inconsiderate of me to force a man who has dealt with such hardships,” Vodi coughed as he released his aura. She matched and contained hers, lifting herself up to stand proudly.

“No offense taken, Sir Vodianus,” she smiled. If this man was a threat to her Master she would have to work harder to protect him. His ignorance might become a danger from now on if he was getting noticed now.

“Please call me Vodi,” the old man said as he descended the stairs.

“Sapphire,” she replied with another stiff nod.

“A beautiful name, like the stone.” The man gave her a piercing glance. “Like your hair, my dear.”

“Just Sapphire is fine,” she commented. “Pet names do not suit me.”

“Indeed.” He paused in front of her and held out his arm. “Now come, the ladies have made something truly delicious tonight, though we might have prepared a little too much for just the three of us.”

“Your grandson intends to join us,” she asked. “I assumed he would have remained in the cage for the false accusations.”

“He was disciplined for his actions,” Vodi dismissed.

“Kasan has a very lax judicial system,” she mumbled when starting toward the dining area, leaving the old man standing alone with his arm still out.

“Very interesting,” he muttered as he followed after a moment.

They entered a larger room, around the size of the Tavern’s dining area. Instead of a counter and tables it just had one large one sitting in the middle of the room. A rather large fireplace was against the wall with the bust of a troll hanging over the mantle.

The far door swung open and the grandson rushed in.

“Grandfather! You already greeted Mister…” he hesitated as he looked at her, then he did a quick examination of the room before continuing. “The miss. I assume that Mister Raylas will not be attending?”

“That is correct,” Sapphire sniffed as she went toward the chair at the end of the table. She glanced at it and moved over to the left and waited.

The men waited for a moment before shuffling over and taking the end seat and one the right side. Sapphire noted that the boy did not dispute her choice of seating as the seat of peace, one indicating the guest was there to observe. He took the seat of power on the right hand side instead of joining her on the left side meaning he was a warrior under the Knight. Vodi took the end seat, as expected, as he was the highest rank of the group.

Nostalgia filled her as she recalled the banquets with Laurania and the family. They had such good times together, despite the dangers of the courts.

As they all sat down two servants entered carrying mugs and plates. An earthy scent hit her when the plate was set down. A beautifully set meal of grasses and leaves, topped with some fruits that Sapphire didn’t recognize.

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She gave the servant a smile then looked at Vodi. He had his eyes closed and sat there silently. Time slowly passed and the smell was making her salivate. She wondered if the fruits were sweet? Or spicy? Maybe they were one of the uncommon bitter ones?

She watched as the two men waited with their eyes closed. A few minutes passed until Vodi opened his and took a fork to start digging in.

With the host signaling the meal started, Sapphire jumped into the salad and took a bite. She moaned in pleasure when sweetness exploded in her mouth.

It did not take long until the appetizer was finished.

“Sublime,” she sighed as she pushed the plate to the side, setting her utensil down in a specific manner.

“I am surprised you have not had it before,” the grandson said.

“Aymar, do not harass the guest while we eat,” Vodi scolded.

“It is unusual, though.”

“It is because I usually travel,” Sapphire said. “The meals I am used to are usually caught or foraged while we move. So having a prepared meal like this is quite a treat.”

She smiled constantly, but a tick on her mind felt as if something was off. How did he know she never had the fruit before? She peered at the grandson, watching him. He seemed to pretend to be fixated on his meal, but there were instances where she saw him glance at her, watching, calculating. The man… he was dangerous, wasn’t he?

She would have to test him.

The servants returned and took the plates from them while depositing another. Roasted poultry, this time, with sides of the same fruit. They were prepared differently, cooked like the bird and not sliced and served raw.

Sapphire decided to forgo using utensils for this meal. She would eat like a commoner and see how these two reacted.

The meat was juicy and delicious, with a good amount of spices included which surprised her. This world appeared primitive, yet they still know how to season properly.

“Is the pheasant to your liking?” Vodi asked as he wiped his mouth.

“Mmm hmm,” she moaned as she took another deep bite. Grease dripped down her chin and onto her plate.

The meal was far too short, though. Soon all that remained was bones and full bellies. She lounged on the chair, appearing satisfied, but throughout the meal she watched the two men. The Knight was more subtle but he, like the grandson, was watching her every move.

Desert was left behind after a cleanup and she took a piece of the chocolate cake and took a bite. She sighed in pleasure from the meal, but calmed herself as she set down her fork.

“So what is the purpose of this wonderful meal,” she asked.

Vodi stiffened then let out a loud laugh, his cake still remained untouched while the grandson was already halfway through.

“There is no catch,” the old man said. “I was curious about you two and wanted to understand you better.”

“Nothing to understand,” she dismissed. “We are two wandering adventurers. We do what we wish, within the law, and just try to go where the wind blows us.” She paused. Though the Master might have a different plan… I should ask when he wakes up.

“You two have not been with each other long?” Aymar jumped in.

“We met… during the caravan trip,” she admitted.

“An adventurer traveling with a mercenary?” Vodi inquired. “It sounds unusual.”

Was it unusual? Sapphire filed that away for the future. It was common back in Ousta, but if it changed then she needed to learn.

“We happened to stumble into each other and grew closer during the attack,” she explained. “If it wasn’t for that we might have met up during the trip or we might not have. But circumstances brought us together.”

Vodi nodded. “Hard times can make close friends. I have many such former companions during my time as a Knight.”

Aymar groaned and scratched his head. Was the old knight one of those men who enjoyed telling stories? It would be a perfect opportunity to learn more about this world. Master Raylas wasn’t the most talkative… yet. He will learn.

“Being a Knight you must have had a good number of adventures,” she pushed, blinking her eyes interest.

He laughed again. “Indeed I do.”

“Can you tell me of one of your adventures?” she asked.

“Please don’t…” Aymar grumbled.

“Well, it would be rude of me to only ask about your situation without sharing something as well.” Vodi took a gulp of his drink and set it down. “One of my favorite patrols actually ended up with us running into a demon.”

“A demon!” Sapphire explained.

“A large one, at that. Twice my height and nearly three times my width…”

Vodi painted a wonderful picture of his adventure. But a demon… how were demons still alive? Sapphire could have sworn they had all been killed, or at least would still be in seclusion by the genocide.

The Master should have more info. She had to learn if she was going to help him survive.

* * *

Vodi bid the girl goodbye and watched her leave through the front door. His smile disappeared and he rushed away toward his study, Aymar walking quickly behind. Once they were safely inside they both collapsed onto the couches.

“What in the hells was that,” his grandson asked.

“Something that we can’t share without proof,” Vodi growled.

“An adventurer? In this day and age? There hasn’t been an adventurer’s guild in…”

“At least a few hundred years,” he agreed. “To call yourself one with so little concern would mean she thinks it still exists.”

“Do you think she is a transgressor?”

“There have been no records of a human who has passed through time,” Vodi said carefully.

“The Kraken, the balor,” Aymar shivered. “The tarrasque.”

“Yes, there are records of monster transgressors,” the Knight nodded. “Their existence is a threat to the world, yet they also keep themselves in check.”

“What kind of human can transgress through time, though?” the grandson yelled. “How powerful can someone be to survive it?”

“A hero,” Vodi declared. “A storybook character, a hero has returned.”

“But why?” Aymar pondered. “There is no major incident which a hero is needed. The church could just declare one as well then boom! We got ourselves a hero to save the day.”

“That is if the church was willing to choose a hero.”

“What else would the hero hunters be doing if not searching for–” Aymar froze and gave his grandfather a shocked look.

Vodi looked away, disgust clear on his face.

“They don’t…”

“They do, which is why we can’t share this information.”

“What do they gain by killing potential heros?” Aymar hissed.

“There are dark things hidden behind everyone in power,” the Knight sighed. “Not behind everyone or even most, but the few who have them are dangerous. Once they gained power it is difficult to remove them.”

Aymar searched the old man. Stiff posture, not looking in the eyes, furrowed brow, muscles both tense yet not. Frustration.

“Grandfather… you didn’t retire willingly, did you?”

“It's the past, Aymar. Leave it be.”

“You think Raylas and Sapphire can help you, don’t you.”

“I hate your skills, sometimes,” Vodi sighed and gave a reluctant nod.

“So how will you control them?”

“I won’t,” Vodi said. “I will assist them and protect them from the Hunters. Outside of that, they’ll do a better job unassisted than with me meddling.”

He stood up and moved over to the window, looking out into the streets. The unnatural shimmering hair of the girl was nowhere to be seen, but he stared at the tavern in which they stayed.

“Why do you think they are called heroes?”