“Thanks!” Bor said to a visibly frightened merchant after taking a bite from an apple he didn’t pay for.

We were in the outskirts of Gordias.

A vast stretch of buildings that ranged from well built to “how are they still standing?”.

As for the people, they all looked hungry and tired. Even the guards that watched over them looked sickly. Their armour dirty and their eyes yellowed. Eyes which gave rather unsavoury glances to Ower and Ncil, but they also looked far to afraid to actually do anything.

Children could be seen here and there, but they clung tightly to the legs of their caretakers as the sun kissed their skin.

Something I also noticed was the presence of knights who didn’t even bother hiding their animosity for Bor.

I assumed these were the loyalist knights he spoke of.

They all kept their distance.

Choosing to stand in dank alleyways and atop distant buildings, they keenly watched all below them.

“I’m assuming things aren’t always so busy.”

“True. Some bitch in the capital is making a big fuss and assassinating her is almost impossible since she’s always got two Helma with her. Sidus and Cento… hehe, facing them would be the equivalent of willingly tossing one’s self into an oven.” Bor laughed as we walked.

People parted, allowing us passage but, strangely enough, none we passed showed hints of dread or terror when it came to Bor.

I assumed he frequented these streets.

What actually had the people on edge was the knights.

“Is your boss making any moves to counter the knights?” I asked as we approached Gordias’s southern gate.

“Mmm… what is he to do? The high Lords have sent countless knights straight into his den. All a cornered dog can ever do is bite back until it dies.” Bor said.

We eventually arrived at the tall Iron southern gates were several silver knights stood in a single file.

Bor walked up to one of them and the knights shrunk into himself.

“How much was it again?” He growled.

“O-o-o-one…”

The knight stuttered as Bor pulled out a leather pouch from his pocket.

“O-one gold coin or five silver per person.” The knight squealed as his fellow knights fearfully backed away.

Bor nodded before handing the knight three golden coins which were embellished with the crest of the sun.

The knight then dashed aside, allowing us passage.

We entered the city and I was quite surprised by how clean everything was.

Yes, the buildings looked old. Their stone pillars and stairways were weathered and chipped. Their woods were sun bleached and it easier to count the windows that weren’t cracked than those which were but it still all looked well put together and maintained.

“Welcome to Gordias. Otherwise known as the Scar. Our great prince Caligo dealt a mighty blow against the dragon prince here, parting both the skies and the land.”

I didn’t really care, but hey, at least I knew for certain that it was that motherfucker who made the hole.

We walked down the street for a few minutes before a short woman walked up to Bor, stopping the giant in his tracks.

She glared at him with glowing orange eyes. Her white hair was short and wrapped tightly around her neck was a pink lace choker. Covering her body was a surprisingly clean and frilly peach dress. Her face was also covered in a layer of white makeup which highlighted the bits of pink on her eyelids and her pink lipstick.

“G’d afternoon, short stack.”

“Hello, fuck face. Are we really going to sit around and do nothing? Also, why are you walking around with…. Whatever the fuck that is?” The woman asked.

Bor sighed before crouching to face her.

“First off, such a pretty mouth should not speak such ugly words-“

“Eat my ass.” The woman spat only for Bor to grab her and pick her up.

“Put me down otherwise I’ll boil your brain.” The woman hissed with narrowed eyes.

The air actually grew warmer for a minute.

Bor sighed before turning around with the woman still in hand.

“See this? That’s Katsíki. Leader of the mud crawlers to the south. The Boss wants to meet him.”

The woman looked me over. Her eyes bright orange and her face twisted.

“So?”

“You asked what we were going to do. Well, it seems like the boss is having a guest for dinner.”

“What?” The woman asked. Her face riddled with confusion.

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“And the loyalists?” She asked.

“No idea.” Bor said.

“Ugh. Put me down. I might as well ask the beast itself.” The woman sighed.

Bor placed her gently on the ground and she looked me over as her eyes slowly dimmed.

She then offered me a small, smooth and pale hand.

“Louloúdi but you can call me Lou.”

“Hey, why does he get to call you Lou?”

“Because he’s not you, assface!” Lou yelled while I shook her hand.

I then joined her in following Bor down the street.

“When will the wall of thorns around your heart fall?” Bor sighed.

“Oh well, as for your concerns, just know that I’ve called everyone back. However, frustratingly, Ev won’t come and I’m pretty sure Merlä is dead.” He explained.

“Oh… yeah. Didn’t they say that he was killed by a powerful darkness magician?” Lou asked.

“Yep.”

“And isn’t Katsíki supposed to be a powerful darkness magician?”

“Yep.”

“So why are we casually walking with him and his mud crawler friends?”

“The Boss explicitly told me to bring them to the manor unharmed.”

“Is that so?”

“Yup.” Bor nodded.

“Mmm…” Lou droned while looking me over once more.

“So, was it you? Did you kill Merlä?”

“Yes, we did.” I said through gnashed teeth.

“Humph! Fat piece of shit had it comin’. I cannot tell you how thoroughly he creeped me out.” Lou scoffed.

We eventually arrived at a gate that led to one the many bridges that connected the northern and southern parts of Gordias.

A few silver knights stopped people from crossing but they moved aside after seeing us.

We walked onto the bridge and I felt rather queasy which was strange since I was not really afraid of heights.

I placed my weak hand on my chest and searched for the source of my nausea.

My heart almost jumped as I felt a strange feeling deep within my chest but before I could focus on it, my attention was drawn to the other end of the bridge where a large group of men stood.

They all were various sets of armour and brandished equally varied weapons.

One of them walked up to Bor.

A middle aged man with a ridiculously large moustache. He held in his hands a spear and his face wore a heavy frown.

“Everyone’s been gathered. What now?” The man asked. His voice raspy and after taking a closer look at his dark eyes, I concluded that he was either a death magician or had been exposed to quite a bit of it.

“We wait. They most likely won’t attack us directly since the innocent yet roam the streets but then again… that never stopped us before. Anyway, stay alert.” Bor instructed.

The middle aged man nodded before leading the group of men away.

“Dammit. If I ever find the bitch who started all this, I swear.” Lou cursed as we followed Bor further northward.

“Sheesh. All this walking has me feeling quite thirsty.” Bor griped while smacking his dry lips.

He then suddenly turned left and walked towards a large building which was built with knights in mind and so Bor easily entered it with us in tow.

“Oi, barkeep! One barrel for me and my friends!” Bor yelled at a small man who stood behind a counter which was in front of a wall lined with countless bottles.

The barkeep nodded as Bor led us to a table at the empty Bar’s corner.

“Sorry about this, I just wanted a quick drink.” Bor said as he took his seat, causing a loud thud as his weight rested on the sturdy wooden bench.

“Yeah right. You’re just scared that after all these years, someone will finally take your head.” Lou scoffed but Bor sighed deeply while resting his head against the dark wooden walls of the bar.

Ower, Ncil and I joined him in sitting.

“And you’re not?” He asked.

“Ha! There’s a short list of people that can kill me and I’m afraid none of them are here. At least… not yet.” Lou said. Her eyes lowered as the last few words left her mouth.

“Mmm… we really messed up by leaving Agna be for so long. Eh, what’s that they say? Time moves fast when you’re having fun.” Lou said before resting her head on her arms.

The barkeep eventually arrived with two men in two.

They held in their hands a large barrel which they placed next to Bor.

The barkeep then handed each of us four large glass cups.

“Thanks. Oh- could you get us something to eat? Some pies would be great.” Bor said and Lou raised her hand, getting the barkeep’s attention.

“No chicken pie for me.” She grumbled.

“Hehe. I’ll never understand that.” Bor laughed.

“Those things are the descendants of primeval monsters. I can see it… an all consuming maelstrom, churning in their eyes.”

“Yeah, sure. Anyway, go on.”

The barkeep nodded before leaving.

Bor then shot Ower and grin.

“Go ahead, spaceman. Fill our cups.”

Ower raised his brow at me and I nodded.

Our cups then suddenly filled with an almost golden brew and without wasting a second, Bor downed what I assumed was half a litre of alcohol.

“Ah… that hit the spot.” He sighed while Lou took sips of her beer.

I joined them in drinking and was pleasantly surprised by how cool the brew was.

“Good, no? Made by some good friends of ours in Agna.” Bor said but I didn’t respond.

“Hey, come on. We sit here, not as enemies but as companions on a fateful journey. Now, I must ask. Where are your horns?”

I frowned.

“I’ve heard so much about you and yet every account describes you as having a pair of horns and hooved feet. Is it all a lie to throw off your opponents?” Bor asked and even Lou looked at me with curious eyes.

“I can change shape at will. I chose this because I thought it would be best for traversing across Lanceberg.” I said. Although that was only partly true.

“Hoh… that makes sense, but for you to be able to change forms so freely… just what are you? I heard you were a mud crawler, but that seems like half of the truth.”

I bit my teeth.

“I am a Rendaro, yes but I am also so much more.”

Bor and Lou stared at me for a moment as the sub steadily set casting deep shadows in the Bar.

“And?” Bor asked.

“What?”

“You said “also so much more”. What more is there?” Bor asked. His eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“That, I can’t say.” I said with a weak smile but this only made Bor and Lou let out groans.

“Fine, keep your secrets. What about Caligo? Is it true that you faced him and survived?”

“Of course he did, ya shithead. Otherwise he wouldn’t be sitting here.” Lou hissed.

“What if he’s a ghost?” Bor asked while comically shifting his eyes from side to side.

“I did not face C-Caligo in direct combat but I did survive his attack. But, I’m sure you both already know quite a bit about me. I’m curious about you. You’re both quite powerful and so I wonder why you chose to serve Gulanimphen?” I asked in a desperate attempt to change the subject.

“Hoh? It’s simple. At least it is in my case. I was once a part of the Crucibles, a mighty legion of knights that were instrumental in our victory against the dragons. Unfortunately our hometown, which was located in Northern Medelona, was burnt to the ground and I lost several of my comrades during the war and do you know how the kingdom thanked us for our efforts?” Bor asked while tapping the rim of his cup.

Ower filled it prompting the knight to down the beer even though he couldn’t get drunk.

“They disbanded our legion and sent we who remained to the Liland corpse, saying that it would be too expensive to not only rebuild out hometown, but fill up our vacant spots. I then spent then next few years serving alongside fodder! Fucking fodder! We slept in cramped, dirty tents and were fed gruel day I and day out and I spent those cruel years praying for an opportunity to arise where I could prove my usefulness, but do you want to know what happened?” Bor asked while rapidly tapping his cup’s rim.

“The Moonless War, that’s what fucking happened! I learnt that the fools in power refused to cede leadership to Gula and his brothers even though it was their incompetence that led to the mess that was the Great War! I didn’t hesitate for a even second in joining Gula in his rebellion. Unfortunately… our ambitions could only go so far.” Bor sighed before resting his head on the wall once more.

“How long have you been waiting to vent like that, hehe?” Lou asked while still taking small sips of her beer.

“An eternity.” Bor sighed.

“And you?” I asked prompting Lou’s eyes to narrow slightly.

“Eh… what’s there to say? We all know arrogant Bor and his fellow golden fuckheads can be. The Moonless War didn’t really help. If anything, they grew prouder… and more violent.”