“Lucy, let's take a break here for a couple minutes.”

Wilde's words catching me off guard. After escaping the hidden temple, after hours of hiking – avoiding most the monsters on the way back and exchanging basically only monosyllabic communication – we'd nearly arrived back at the road, with Lumeer visible to the north and east. The new lighthouse out on the cape shining brightly in one of its first nights of operation, the beacon's glow more intense than any coming from the city.

“Alright.”

The guy removing his pack and sitting on the hillside with a grunt, with Vesper laying beside him. He didn't seem to have heard my response. Removing my own pack and dropping it nearby. Standing on my toes and stretching my hands over my head, every muscle tired and sore after the very long day. A chilly gust of wind rustling the grass on the hillside. Pulling my cloak hood up and sitting down next to him.

“Everything is a bit fuzzy and I've been trying to put stuff together,” he says. Holding my breath, awaiting his accusation. “Right before we found each other in there, there was a lot of noise, right?”

“Yeah. That was me. I almost got attacked by one of them.”

“That makes sense.” Wilde letting out a sigh. “It's strange, I guess I knew that at the time, but it didn't seem all that important. And that's how you got that blood on your face, right? You didn't seem all that bothered by it.”

“I was freaking out but I couldn't really show it.”

Putting his arm around me. “I guess I was, too.” Closing my eyes and starting to breathe easier. “Hey, Lucy, the one thing I've been trying to figure out, what happened at the end there? You had a much better vantage point than me.”

Relationships are built on trust. That's what they're built on. The mental reminder not helping. Okay, okay, limited hangout.

“After Koln did what he did, to you, he called for Vesper to come over. Maybe whatever he did destabilized the rune structure.”

“Vesper? Oh, that's what you yelled earlier. Is that what she's calling you?” Removing his glove and giving the wolf some gentle thumps on the side. The two looking at each other, communicating. “Is that right?” Glancing at me, then back. “Okay, I'll see if I can come up with a better one, but if I can't, that's fine.”

You ungrateful mongrel.

“Nico, how're you feeling, after earlier?”

“After that?” An easy, nonchalant grin appearing, but slipping after our pause stretched out long enough to be considered awkward. “That's what I've been thinking about on the way back.” Flexing his hand out in front of him. “It's like I should know how to do something, but right now it's just outside the tips of my fingers. Can we sit here for about fifteen minutes? I need to clear my head.”

Opening my pack and rummaging through. No, no, partially filled canteen, no, and - ah ha - there, the jerky. Tearing off strips. Nico, here you go, and some for you. Vesper gently taking his share from my bare hand. Ungrateful or not, you don't seem to have spilled any compromising details. Keep it up. Taking a swig from the canteen and passing it over to the guy. Spending thirty seconds watching him try to get the wolf to learn how to drink from the canteen.

Getting a leaf from my medical pouch, tearing it in two and chewing my half. Some of the aches and pains slowly fading. Stretching for a few minutes to work out some of the others, then laying back on the hillside to watch the sky, and then rest my eyes.

About ten minutes later, and with drowsiness kicking in. Turning my head to look at Wilde. He'd been sitting up the entire time, periodically putting his hand out for longer and longer sessions. He'd been holding out this time for almost two minutes. Opening my mouth to tell him we should probably get going but, with a brilliant flash of light, the halberd from earlier suddenly appearing once again in his hand.

“Yes, I got it!” he yells. Shouting loud enough to be heard all the way down the hill, or possibly all the way over in town. “I knew this happened, I knew I wasn't imagining-” His excited statement cutting off. Staring into space. Communicating with something. That's not good. Catching Vesper watching me. You keep keeping quiet and stay out of this. Reaching out my hand and being permitted to pet him. A couple minutes passing as Wilde's continued staring at nothing.

“Lucy,” he says, tone chillier than the crisp night air, “earlier today you hurried us out of there pretty quick.”

Relationships are built on trust. Pushing the intruding thought aside.

“I'll talk to you about it if you put that thing away.” The weapon still clenched in his hand.

“And earlier today you were about to do something when we thought we were stuck in that room. What was it?”

“I'll talk to you about it if you put that thing away. You had pretty long conversation with him just now. I'd like the opportunity to talk to you without him making you second guess me.”

“That won't be an issue.”

Crossing my arms. Bullshit. Wilde giving me a flat stare but then getting that faraway look again. Consulting. Concentrating for a moment and his new weapon disappearing.

“You have serious trust issues,” he says.

“I do, for a whole host of reasons. You saw those things when we were down there. You saw how those Priests changed when the ritual fell apart. I thought getting out of there was the best thing to do at the time.”

“I saw how they looked.” Holding up his hands. “But, in their defense they didn't try to stop us from leaving.”

“They didn't, and maybe they're on the level.” Ha! “But better safe than sorry. My question is, before Koln was killed the last time, what were those cultists of his up to? They seem to have been pretty organized at one point, but I don't recall hearing anything about them.”

“Maybe they were keeping to themselves.”

“I wouldn't bet on it. Koln rampaging around probably stole all their press, but I wouldn't be surprised if every village he hit they quietly picked up a few more members. And, here you are, a newly minted member of his cult.”

“Trust issues, and paranoia.” Wilde propping his head up on a closed fist. “You know what he calls you? A jackal. He says I should be careful around you. That's two warnings about you from two different sources, almost back to back.”

“Yeah, well, fuck Barnes, fuck his House and fuck the origin of their namesake. I've seen something like that ritual those cultists did - not that one exactly - but something like it. It bound you to him.”

“But that turned out good.” Wilde smiles, carefree and victorious. “I ended up walking out of there with this.” The weapon reappearing in his hand, then disappearing again at my frown.

“You're getting pretty good at that.”

“It's all in the wrist.”

“Did you know reincarnating him was going to be part of the plan?”

“Well...”

“Or that Vesper was going to be the sacrifice to do it?”

“That...” Wilde looking at Vesper. “No,” he grudgingly admits. “I didn't know that.”

“Koln may be telling the truth, but he's probably also keeping stuff back. You may be bound to him now, but treat him like an advisor, kept at arms length. Any sunshine he blows up your ass, don't forget that he may be after something else.”

“Maybe he just recognizes greatness when he sees it.” Giving me an exaggerated cocky grin, causing me to chuckle. “In all seriousness, I think he was telling the truth.”

“Could be. And if that's the case, if I were you, I'd talk to-” Pausing. Well, he would be the best choice. “If I were you I'd ask your head of House, Lane, about it. Or go to the temple and talk with them.”

“Lane? I don't know about that. I was planning on talking to some of my old guildmates about it, first.”

“That's a good idea - and your master, too, while you're at it.” Wilde giving me a helpless shrug. “But Lane can ask House Koln about those cultists, and I'd think your House patron would also be interested. Try and keep me out of your story, if you could.”

“You don't want to be recognized for helping me along my path to greatness?” Giving me that grin again. Less exaggerated this time. More self assured.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

“You can keep the glory for yourself, I'm only interested in the gold.” Making him chuckle at my remark.

“Lucy, I'm glad you're here to keep me somewhat grounded, but I couldn't help but notice you didn't answer my earlier question.”

“What's that?”

“What were you planning on doing to get us out of that locked room?” Lies, all sorts of lies, bubbling up, but choosing to clamp my mouth shut, instead. “You can't teleport, right? Because, if you could, that'd really come in handy.”

“I can't. Nico, listen, I know you're thrilled you got that weapon – I've never seen or heard of anything like it – but if Koln does end up coming back, you need to be careful. You may find out he thinks that he's the master, and you're the dog.”

***

Getting back in after a day at work. We'd arrived at this particular inn about twenty six hours prior; eating a late dinner, discarding our filthy clothing on the floor and sharing a long, relaxing bath before the two of us collapsed completely exhausted into bed.

Coming in now, lights on, but no one else in the room. Drawing and activating Runic Shield, rolling off the bed and almost stepping on the curled up, sleeping Vesper. Receiving a dubious glance at my near misstep.

“Where's Nico?”

The wolf giving me a toothy yawn in greeting. Glancing in the direction of the door, then putting his head back down and curling up even tighter. Opening my pack and discovering all my clothing gone. Not on the floor, either. Oh, there they are. Cleaned, folded and sitting on the couch. Starting to get dressed, but then the sound of tumblers turning over causing me to look over my shoulder. The door opening and Wilde, with an exuberant air, striding in with a tray of food and two full pints.

“Lucy, great timing.” Putting down the tray and moving over to me with purpose, wrapping his arms around, copping a feel and stealing my return greeting with a long, forceful kiss. Enjoying the moment, but finally managing to bring my hands to his chest in order to slow him down. We'd almost made our way to the bed, and my half put on pants had almost been completely removed.

“Whoa, nice to see you, too.” The guy grinning at me like an idiot. Feeling the same expression on my own face. Wilde leaning in again, but my hands ready this time to intercept. “Give me a second. You're in a good mood.”

“Right, sorry, you just got in, you've got to be hungry. C'mon, sit down.”

Ushering me over to take a seat at the desk. Taking sips from my pint and little bites of the meal as he starts to giddily explain his day.

“Okay,” he says, “so yesterday I showed you this.” The halberd appearing in his hand, the point almost hitting the ceiling. “I was on patrol today, and it's a lot of walking around, with some action, but not too much, so after lunch I'm talking to Koln and he mentions that this,” the guy shaking the weapon and, in his excitement, the sharp end actually hitting the ceiling, “is a spirit weapon.”

“Huh.” Continuing to eat my meal.

“Which meeeeeans,” Wilde extending the word, “that it can take multiple forms. Watch this.” The halberd flickering out of existence and a bow appearing in his hand. The bow disappearing and the halberd returning.

“I've never even heard of- Wait, you were showing this to everyone out on your patrol?”

“Of course. You even said I should talk to people about what's going on.”

“I meant a couple people, and about what's going on. Not to go flashing that thing all over town.”

“Lucy...” Momentarily downcast, but quickly brightening up. “I know you have trust issues because of, you know, your family situation, but most of the people around here are good, decent people that you should be able to put your faith in. If you're honest with them, if you try, I know they'll be able to have faith in you, regardless of whatever your last name is.”

His declaration, his hopeful and guileless declaration, absolutely soulcrushing.

“Nico, I don't think that's how things work.”

“They do. It's not always easy, it's not always simple, but when you put in the effort, they do.” Unable to keep looking at him, instead focusing on my half eaten dinner. “Lucy, I need you to do me a favor.” Oh. He was only buttering me up to ask me to do something for him.

“What's that?” Stirring the food on my plate.

“Tomorrow, when I'm out, I need you to watch him for the day.”

Huh?

“Vesper? I don't know if that's a good idea. I know you say he likes me, but I don't think he does.”

“Of course he does. He's the one who asked me to ask you.”

Catching sight of a glint, Vesper watching me out of the corner of my eye. Turning my head and finding both his eyes closed, still curled up sleeping. Or pretending to sleep and embarrassed by the whole thing. Guess he still is pretty young.

“If you want me to, if he wants me to, I've got no problem watching him tomorrow. I'll make sure he gets plenty of exercise.”

“Thank you.” Wilde's simple statement of thanks sending my stomach fluttering as much, or more, than his earlier kiss. Maybe... No, that's a stupid idea... But relationships are built on trust. Well, it's still stupid. Taking a couple more bites of dinner and washing it down with another mouthful of beer. Chugging the whole thing and letting out a small belch.

“Nico, I'm not that good at this whole thing.” Gesturing feebly with both my hands. “This whole relationship thing. But I want you to know that I'm trying, okay?”

“I think you're doing fine,” he says.

“I'm not, or at least I could be doing a whole lot better. Yesterday, you asked me what I was going to do to get us through that locked door.” Wilde nodding patiently and finding myself tongue tied as a result. This is a mistake. Mentally kicking my reflexively distrustful self. Better to make this mistake, and have it blow up in my face, than to endlessly poison the relationship with never ending half truths and avoidance. “Thank you for dinner. Could you please pick up the tray? I'm going to destroy the desk.”

“You really don't need to.” He picks up the tray, all the same.

Carve. The world softening beneath my fingers and becoming oh so perforable. Casually, easily slicing through the wood, each finger tearing right through and leaving individual paths behind. His eyes widening.

“The spell is designed to carve runes into solid surfaces, wood or stone, but it's also pretty damned inconvenient to use. If something isn't tough I can't even pick it up. My hands are razor sharp down to, about, here.” Tracing a finger down my arm and drawing blood roughly halfway down the forearm. The area of effect has grown larger. “If I'm wearing sleeves or armor past that it falls to pieces.” Puncturing, ending the spell, and then gingerly testing. The wooden desk back to its normal harness. Looking up from the torn apart, scored surface expecting to find the usual reaction to my appearance - fear and distrust - but finding nothing more than bemused shock. “This is how I was going to get us out of that room. I'm showing you this for us, because I want both of us to trust each other more.”

“Okay,” he says.

“Okay?”

“That's what I said. I appreciate you showing me that.”

“Good. Now you need to be honest with me.”

“I've always been honest with you.”

“How's your vision doing?”

“I can see fine if that's what you're asking.”

“You said you have good night vision, but can you see in the dark better now than you could last cycle?”

“I-” Wilde trailing off, the gears in his head visibly turning. “Yeah, I definitely can.”

“Do you understand why I was concerned yesterday about Koln and his whole cult?”

“You think I might end up turning into one of them? Changing?” Getting a nervous look on his face. “You may be right, I think I felt something earlier, but I need you to check.”

My heart thudding in my chest. “What's wrong?”

Wilde turning around and dropping trough, completely bare-assed. “Is anything different? Should I be worried?” What's he doing? Hold on. Wait a second. The guy kicking off his pants the rest of the way and turning to face me.

Shaking my head and starting to laugh at myself for falling for this. “No.”

“That's a relief - but you were also in there with me.” The guy practically licking his chops. “I'm going to have to give you a thorough inspection. It's the only way to make sure we're both in the clear.”

***

Waking the next morning refreshed, content and somewhat tender. We'd gotten a little carried away with the roleplay the night before. Getting out of bed, not stepping on Vesper, and preparing for the day.

“Vesper, I've got a couple errands to run, but then we're going to be heading outside the city.” Looking at me, looking at the door. “You need to pee, don't you?” Yeah, that's definitely it. Leaving the inn and letting him roam some as we head in the direction of the town square. Grabbing breakfast from a food cart, one for me and one for him. Picking up both sets of new boots at the cobbler and activating the Runic Circle contained within the sole. The spell activating, but not feeling any different. No choice but to assume it's working.

Renting a locker for a month and clearing out most of the large items from my pack – the extra boots, the cooking gear, the rope and grappling hook. Hitting the bank to deposit my share from our outing - minus some fines for the Mended desk - stocking up on food for later in the day and then heading to the gate. Vesper wandering here and there, getting some cautious glances, but staying relatively close the entire time. At least never leaving each other's sight.

A large group, almost twenty, sporting the brown and green insignia of House Haven standing just inside the gate. Day two. Scanning the group and catching sight of him, Omen, chatting easily with a few people, relaxed and in his element. The urge to go over and talk to him, only to say hello, overwhelming. Instead, standing off to the side for a couple minutes while waiting for them to depart. A couple more coming to join their group, but still not leaving. Getting antsy and kneeling down to start my pep talk.

“Vesper, I know they're taking a little bit, but we're going to wait for this group to leave before we head out. All I need from you today is to keep a lookout and let me know if anything is coming. On my end, if you need anything, try and let me know. I know we don't have the best communication skills with each other, but I'm going to do my best. Does that-”

“He's beautiful.” A woman wearing the Haven insignia coming over with a wolf of her own. Vesper giving me a look before going over to say hello, and the two greeting each other in the manner that canines do.

“He's pretty good. I like yours, too.”

“Thanks, she's a sweetheart. I couldn't help but notice you standing over here. Where are you headed today?”

Asking that question she's probably only being friendly. Ranger to perceived Ranger. “West.”

“West? That doesn't narrow it down, much. If you and your group want to tag along we're headed over in that direction, as well - if they get here in the next couple minutes, that is. I assume you're here waiting for them.”

“I, um, I was just, uh...” Vesper's glance my way making his meaning clear. And Omen is still happily chatting over there. My head is on Haven's chopping block, but this should be safe. “It's just me today. Well, us, that is. I guess we'll join you for the walk over in that direction. I appreciate your invitation.”