It was only a short journey to the next village, Ferneby. We took our time - Caveria seemed to be in pain, and exhausted. We met several parties, who were happy to hear the valley was a little safer now for a while. We reached the village shortly after lunch and found the inn. Tiriel arranged to rent party chambers again, and also paid for heating the baths and sauna.

Thord went out to find the blacksmith - that monster bird had somehow pierced Caveria’s armor with it’s claws, and that needed to be repaired. The rest of us rested while the baths were heated. Serah looked over our wounds, and then shut herself in with Caveria.

Bathing was heavenly. We’d been on the road for over a week, and my body was weary and ached everywhere. The inn had large wooden tubs and a sauna, and I lay in the tub and let the heat soak into my aching joints and muscles. The water was almost black when I finally climbed out.

After everyone had bathed, we gathered in the main room. Arndrir and Thord were already there, with tankards of ale. Tiriel arrived soon after me, and got a small cup of something.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Moon mead,” she replied. “It’s collected by the night bees, under the full moon.” She laughed at my incredulous look. “It’s true! The night bees live where there are lunorchids, the Moon Goddess’ flowers. They collect the nectar and we make mead of it. It’s not good for humans, so you can’t taste. You have beer. But this is good for elves.” She took a small sip, and sighed so happily I laughed at her.

Finally, Caveria came to our table, supported by Serah. The healer had been working on Caveria’s internal wounds in the baths and sauna, and Caveria now looked very tired, but much better. She didn’t look so pale and drawn.

Looking over the party, I realized just how dirty we’d become during the trek. We all looked very different now that we were clean. Even Caveria didn’t look so wild.

“To our success!” Tiriel raised her cup, which we all echoed. “We are almost to Ambor now, and we will surely find what we seek there. Nothing can stand against us!”

Arndrir chuckled. “You are unerringly optimistic.”

“I am realistic,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I believe in this great party, brought together by the Moon Goddess herself.”

I cleared my throat. “About that.” They all looked at me. I took a deep breath - I had to bring this up.

“Some of you know this,” I said, not looking at Caveria or Serah, “but I am not what you think I am. You... you know I’m no hero. You’ve noticed that.” I hid behind the tankard for a moment, swallowing some more beer, to hide my blush.

“I am... actually, I am not from here. From this world. I didn’t step on a moon path. I fell into one. I fell into a lake when I was at a party, and there was a full moon, and I ended up here. I don’t know how. I didn’t plan it, or expect it. And so, I am not an adventurer or a hero, or - anything. I... can’t really explain where I come from. It’s so different. But that’s why I’m so... useless. I’ve never been a fighter. I’m... a builder. A bridge builder, and other... things.” I hadn’t seen a single machine in this world, and didn’t know how to explain it.

I held up my hand to stop Thord from saying something.

“Please listen. When I met you, I thought this was all a crazy dream and that I would wake up soon. I went along with you, because you, well, you dragged me along. I... couldn’t really say no. That’s how tough I am, I guess.” I laughed hollowly. They were all watching me. “So now that we are here, in a village, where a lot of people pass by, I think... I think you can find a real adventurer. A real swordsman. Someone who can actually be of use to you, and not just need to be rescued all the time.”

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

I drank more beer and forced myself to meet their gaze. “It is better, for you,” I said. “I thank you for, for everything you’ve been teaching me, and for... saving my life. Several times. All of you. But it’s time to part. You will have a much better chance of succeeding without me.” I nodded at them, trying to look more cheerful than I felt.

“What would you do?” Serah asked.

“I... don’t know. Maybe I can find that bridge crew again. I know something about bridges.” I laughed, but she pursed her lips and didn’t smile back.

“When we met you back in Trearn,” Caveria said, “you were really useless.” Her cold blue eyes were impassive. “I really thought you wouldn’t survive one day on the road. And you wouldn’t have, if not for Tiriel. The worst hero I’ve ever seen.”

I nodded, my cheeks burning.

“I never doubted you!” Tiriel exclaimed. “I know you are what we need. I see it in your eyes. And the Moon Goddess sent you. You said it!”

“Yeah, but I just... fell. Into a lake,” I said, uncertainly. “It wasn’t as if I came here by my own will.”

“She doesn’t work like that,” Serah said, smiling slightly. “If you think you know what’s best for you, She sends you in the opposite direction.”

“Oh... anyway,” I said. “I don’ t want to be a burden to you any more. I can move out from the rooms tonight, if you want.”

“But you must stay!” Tiriel said, leaning over the table and gripping my hands. “Without you, we will surely fail in our task!” I forced myself to look away from her eyes. She had magic, I reminded myself too. She might be subtly influencing me.

“No, I need to go,” I said and pulled my hands free.

“I want you to stay,” she said, and looked like a stubborn child. I sighed.

“Look,” I said, but Thord cut me off.

“If you can’t agree I think we should vote.”

“Vote?” I said, staring at him. “But...”

“Yes!” Tiriel said, clapping her hands. “We vote and decide if Peter stays or not. If we vote yes you stay until the end. If someone votes no, you leave that tankard here, get your things and leave right now. Okay?”

“Uh,” I said.

“Elves hate muddle and disagreement,” Serah murmured. “It’s best to accept.”

“Okay then,” I said, with a sinking feeling in my stomach. I had hoped to - what had I hoped? Not this, at least, the humiliation of being voted out.

“I will vote first!” Tiriel said. “Thumb up or down. If all agree, you stay.” She raised her hand and held it up, thumb toward the ceiling. I smiled sadly towards her.

“I go second,” Serah said, and held up her hand. Also thumb up. She smiled broadly at me. Thord and Arndrir glanced at each other and something passed between them. Then Thord snorted and nodded.

“Now I. I am a dwarf from under the mountains. We live among depths and chasms. We build bridges. Anyone who can build a good bridge is welcome in my party.” He looked at me with a set expression, and held up his hand, thumb - up.

“I have seen many better students,” Arndrir said, his head resting on his chin. “I’ve never met anyone who was so lacking in the most fundamental skills.” He regarded me. “You learn fast, though. And you have been useful in other ways. You have also started to redress the balance. It’s not only us saving you anymore. I vote that you stay.” He nodded at me, raising his thumb.

“Then it’s me, I guess,” Caveria said. Her eyes were still impassive and expressionless. “Like I said, I’d never seen someone less like a hero. You looked like you wanted to run away into the night, like a thief. And then you nearly got yourself killed, and me as well. Do you remember how you pushed me over that cliff edge? I nearly broke my neck.”

“I remember,” I said, looking away.

“Peter,” she said. “I also agree with Arndrir. You lacked even the basic fighting skills. Didn’t you ever fight when you were a kid, with other kids?”

“We didn’t fight much, no.”

She looked at me, and I forced myself to meet her gaze. She held it, those blue eyes challenging me to look away. “We don’t need you,” she said. “It’s true - we can defend ourselves against everything we meet here.”

“Except dragons and corrupted caves,” Arndrir said. She nodded, her eyes still boring into mine.

“And still,” she went on. “You have been useful, and not only useless. I can think of two occasions. When you build the bridge. And yesterday. When you saved my life. Thank you.”

She didn’t move, but her brow creased slightly, and the ghost of a smile crept into her eyes. I broke away, and saw her hand was raised too. Thumb up.

“You... want me to stay?” I wasn’t sure I believed it, but when I looked at them, they all nodded. Even Caveria.

“You must vote too,” Tiriel said. “If all agree, you stay, remember? If one does not agree, you leave.”

I looked, finally, directly into her eyes. She looked back, steadily. I shook my head in wonder.

“You want me to stay,” I said in wonder. “Thank you. All of you.” I raised my hand. Thumb up.