Kill counter read 2. Two kills. One was the man with the whip, and the other, the guard of the Jare family man.

Why is it counting my kills? Whatever system this is offered no help, no guide, no nothing.

The roads from the forest leading to the Great Chasm Bridge were arduous. It must have been almost a day of straight walking. They did stop for some occasional rest, but it was only for a few minutes. By the next morning, they were approaching the edge of the land. Before they proceeded forward, where multiple bridges connected the disconnected landmasses, Abenor confirmed everything that they had and would do. The coins they took from the Jare man were heavy, attached to Lucian's waist. Though he disliked it, Abenor wore the shoulder plate, and the robes he ripped from him. Lucian wore the guard's robes, which were quite simple.

Abenor reiterated that he should do the talking and that when they reached the town, they needed to keep their eyes open for roads leading to the ports, so the tickets could be purchased as soon as possible, and they would leave this damnable place. Lucian nodded in understanding.

The bridge that was the closest to them had two guards near the entrance. It was a massive wooden bridge, with curved slabs drilling it inside the land. The guards were nothing any different than all the others they had seen. Human. Lucian had feared that there would be issues using their disguises, especially the Jare family's shoulder plate, but it was very seamless and quick. The guards allowed them to start crossing the bridge. On both sides were railings, and one had to hold on to it very tightly due to the wind that blew in the void underneath them. One gust of wind could throw them down to the depths, where not even birds could escape from. There was a handful of people crossing behind them and ahead. On the other bridges, some wider, carriages crossed. The bridge was at least a mile or two long. By the time they had reached its end, Lucian realized that they would have to walk further through another forest, similar to the ones they came out of, but on the opposite side of the chasm. Abenor encouraged him and tried to make conversation. Taking this time to ask the questions he had in his head, Lucian wanted to know how Abenor had gotten a dagger inside the cellar. The guards patted them down, and they had no pockets in their old clothes.

"A trick from old times," Abenor answered.

He was a circus performer. A traveling circus called, "The Ring Circus," went from country to country, with performances from people of every origin. He was the sword dancer, and parts of his act consisted of swallowing swords and regurgitating them.

"Why did you leave the circus?" Lucian asked.

"There was more to life than that. I had to go after it," he responded.

"After what?"

"Look! We are here," Abenor pointed forward, ignoring his question. The road out of the forest had led them to the beginnings of the town. It was marked by the separation of the earth and the stone floors of the town, which were plastered all around every corner. Taverns, and shops, carved with wood for the roofs, and white stone for the walls were around every corner. It was like a maze, trying to navigate through. There was not much activity, and only a few people loitering outside caught Lucian's attention. Abenor did not make effort to ask any of them for directions to the port. He said it would be suspicious if a member of the Jare family and his guard did not know their own town. Spending more time than they had hoped in the winding streets, the duo's energy sapped from all the walking. Abenor said it was okay to quickly go into a tavern or store, and ask for a gourd for drinks. There was one at the end of the street they were on, standing short amongst the other structures near it. The wooden sign outside it read, "The Hearty Healers."

Inside it, the atmosphere was dry, with the light of the day barely making it through the thick windows of the tavern. It was practically empty, save for a lone figure sitting at the end of the backmost table, nursing a mug of ale. The man looked up in surprise as Abenor and Lucian entered, his eyes widening slightly. Abenor approached the barkeep, a stout man with a grizzled beard, and exchanged a few hushed words. The barkeep nodded before disappearing into the back. Meanwhile, Lucian scanned the room, his senses on high alert despite the relative quiet. After a moment, the barkeep returned with a wooden gourd filled with water, handing it to Abenor with a grunt. Abenor thanked him with a nod, slipping a few coins onto the counter in exchange. As they turned to leave, Lucian couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease at the lingering gaze of the lone patron.

With the gourd of water in hand, they continued on their way, weaving through the labyrinthine streets of the town.

After what felt like an eternity of navigating the streets, Abenor and Lucian finally spotted a clearing ahead. The streets began to widen, and the buildings grew fewer in number, giving way to a broader thoroughfare that led straight to the port. As they approached, the salty tang of the sea air filled their nostrils, a welcome change from the musty confines of the town. The sound of seagulls echoed in the distance, mingling with the creaking of ship masts and the lapping of waves against the dock. The port itself was a bustling hive of activity, in contrast to the town, with sailors and merchants bustling to and fro, loading and unloading cargo from the ships that lined the quays. The vessels were a sight to behold, their sleek forms cutting through the water. Engraved on each ship was a different design at the head, mainly animals. Tall masts reached towards the sky, their sails billowing in the breeze like the wings of great birds poised for flight.

Lucian couldn't help but feel a surge of hope as he gazed out at the bustling harbor. Here, lay their ticket to freedom. All they had to do now was find a ship willing to take them away from this cursed land, and their journey would be at an end. Abenor's expression did not change, he looked ahead. To the left of them were a series of buildings, all marked for different ship activities. The one they required for travel out of here was in the center, labeled, "To Kinghaven." It was the name of the country they would sail to. Abenor had been there before he had come here.

Inside was a spacious room, filled with shelves of books upon books. A counter divided the room, with a man wearing spectacles, and a bald head sitting behind it. He wore a red robe, embroidered with blue designs. Abenor walked up to the man, with Lucian right behind. At once the man stood fully straight, eyes at them. He bowed down slightly, and said, "Lord Jare! What can I do for you?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Abenor played it cool, and with an arrogant tone, replied, "I have need to go see some … things in Kinghaven,"

The clerk appeared puzzled, and he questioned, softly, "Just you, and him, my lord? Or would you like more arrangements for more people in your entourage?"

"Just us," Abenor barked, and whispered, "You do well not to tell anyone about this."

Fearful, the clerk shook his head yes, and wrote out two papers, detailing costs and certifications for boarding on the ship. Lucian thought it weird that the clerk did not give tickets, but rather a paper. After collecting and giving a few coins, Abenor and Lucian headed out to find lodging until early morning, before the first light of dawn. This was the time given to them as the departure of their vassal, called "Red Maiden." Lucian wondered why they had to lodge instead of go back and hide in the forest. Abenor simply said because he wanted to. And the forest would not be safe in the night time, as Nosferatus lurk in the night, and that is when the town really gets lively. If they lodge, they should be safe because they are "guests."

Lodging was not hard to find. One was right near the port. Before entering, Lucian caught a glimpse of a display on another building near it. In it were daggers, swords, whips, axes, and weapons of every kind. His coin purse seemed as heavy as when he first had it. If they were to leave this place, why not prepare themselves for what may lie ahead when they do reach Kinghaven? Abenor said Kinghaven had its own fair of problems, and it would not hurt to be ready. Many weapons were on display, and Lucian inspected them all closely, as the store clerk followed behind him and Abenor, suggesting which ones they might find suitable. Longswords were too big and flashy. Lucian doubted his ability to even hold one up. Daggers were too small, and required nimbleness he knew he did not have yet. Abenor quickly bought a small dagger, and another one. Both were dark in color. There was nothing here that he could use properly. Lucian decided it best to just get a dagger, and learn to use it when he noticed, all the way at the end of the room, a chest full of weapons. They were worn down, and labeled, "for sale."

"What are those, clerk?" he asked.

"Nothing for people of your stature, lordsguard."

Ahh, so they are called Lordsguard. Anyways, what does he mean they are not for people like me? They do look like garbage, but why do I feel something from the inside?

Reaching his hands inside, Lucian took each weapon out and stopped when he touched one that made his heart beat loudly. The sensation of it sent his body into a warm tingle. It was not a longsword. No, it could not be called that. It was thinner than a sword. It felt akin to a blade, a longblade. The hilt was firm, though looking a bit worn.

"What is this, and how much for it?" he firmly inquired.

"Oh, that. It's just something a beggar sold to me, lordsguard sir. You can have it for however how much you choose," the clerk said.

Lucian gave the clerk a fair amount, to which the man was extremely delighted, even offering to return some of them. When they reached the lodge, the keeper was also very gracious and allowed them to stay for free. He refused to let a lord of the Jare family pay. There must have been lots of lords from that family, otherwise, they would know right away that Abenor was not one of them. Their room at the lodge was small but comfy. Night fell, and the candles inside were lit. Like a switch, noises shrouded the whole town now. From his bed which sat near the window, Lucian looked outside and saw people. No, it was people. They looked like them, but he knew they were not. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary if he was not privy to their true nature.

"Don't pay attention to them. Sleep now Lucian, we have to wake early," Abenor said, from his bed across the window.

He could not sleep. Laying flat on the bed, he held the longblade, inspecting it closer now. Abenor watched him from across and remarked that he had good taste. The longblade was not too heavy, but also durable, and helped to keep range. Lucian returned the compliment and praised his daggers, though he questioned why he bought them when he had one already. Tossing one of his daggers across, he revealed that it was a gift to Lucian. It would connect them no matter where they were. Metaphorically speaking, of course, he reminded.

"So where would you go from Kinghaven, Lucian? Do you know how to return to your father and mother? Your land?" he asked.

Lucian replied honestly, and with hesitation, "I have no family and no land." He could not tell him the truth about where he came from. He would never believe it, or may even look at him differently.

"Nonsense! Everyone has a land ... Every-" Abenor paused and looked at Lucian's downtrodden face. "So where will you go?"

Lucian shrugged.

"If you have nowhere, come with me. You will be my son!" he said seriously but with a slight laugh.

"Son? You're not much older than me, maybe a few years, not enough to be your son," Lucian answered chuckling.

"Son, I am 47 years old. I already have a daughter!" he boomed. "But it's good that you think me young."

A daughter? Him?

"Where is she?" Lucian's tone shifted and became pressing.

Abenor paused again and stared at the wooden floor. "Gods know where, but I will find her."

"Is that why you came here, to find her?"

"I heard she joined another circus and they would perform here, but I was misled." Abenor's gaze pierced Lucian's. It was gentle and warm. "Will you come?"

Lucian thought. Deeply. He recalled his life and everything that had happened. He had no true family or anyone that even wanted him. The ones that did had died. Here, he had someone that he fought with, shared food with, and killed with. He would be a wandering orphan again, in this new world, alone. It was not a hard choice anymore.

"Of course, we have to find my sister!" he said, smiling.

When darkness still sat, but little lights were peeping through the skies, Abenor woke him. It was time to head to the ports before their vassal departed. Since the lodge was not far from the ship, they packed thoroughly, and descended down the stairs, to the streets. It was virtually empty again, though the darkness was still present. The Nosferatus had probably gone indoors, fearing even the faintest of light.

Almost at the ports, Abenor stopped dead in his steps near a building that looked oddly familiar to the tavern. It was labeled, "The Hearty Healers."

"Abe-" Lucian tried to say before he was shushed with a finger to his lips.

Abenor was surveying all around them. He walked forward a couple of steps, and abruptly stopped, and twisted around. Lucian did just the same, and gasped, with a cold running through the hairs on his body.

A tall man, dressed in what seemed to be a suit, and a bowler hat stood behind them. A suit here? In this ancient world? Who was this?

The man walked slowly forward, and had the widest of grins, as he spoke, "My man said he saw a member of the Jare family here, so I thought it curious that he would be here, instead of at the Royal estate, where all of his family dines."

He continued, "I know everyone there. After all, I am their brother-in-law. So tell me, who the hell are you!?"

Abenor stepped back, a couple of steps off the doors of the tavern. It was open, so he darted inside, dragging Lucian along, and shut it. Inside, it was empty, except for them.

"Take out your blade," Abenor said, his voice trembling as he gripped his daggers. "That one's a nosferatu. A royal one."