Chapter Ninety-Two: To The City, Part 2

The next few days passed without incident. At the beginning, Reza crossed the forest, but eventually, it ended, leading into the main road. She had debated with herself whether she wanted to cross the road, but Filha had made the decision herself, loping ahead avidly and looking back at her only to bark. And thus she began to follow the road.

There were not many people on the road, and those who were had no wish to talk. The closer they got to the Revanchist’s home, the more aloof and distant the men and women seemed. There was one conversation that got Reza thinking, though.

“Heard the Revanchist is returning from conquering Vinte,” A man told her, chewing something under his teeth. He was brown-skinned, with only a little hair growing from his head, and he stood at least a head shorter than Reza. “Seems he’s a little tired of fighting, and coming back to settle down.”

“The Revanchist would never do that,” Reza remarked, reaching down to pet Filha, who was dubiously studying the man. Cavala followed along, holding only Reza’s pack. The champion had decided to walk in order to have a more riveting conversation with the man.

“That's a mighty big dog you got there. Some would say it’s a wolf.”

“Some would be wrong.”

“But not those some,” The man laughed. “Aye, but I have no business in that. Take care of that wolf as you wish. As long as it doesn’t maul me.” At that moment, Filha chose to growl, and the man sniffed. “Dreadful companion, wolves. I much prefer women.”

“Where’s your woman then, amor?” Reza asked.

“Aye, good point,” He returned. “Left, like they always do.”

“In that a wolf is much better.”

“Hm, maybe,” The man said skeptically. “Anywho, I assume you’re right about the Revanchist. Doesn’t seem the type to stop conquering. After half the nation went to him, why would he just stop?”

“My thoughts exactly,” Reza said. “Methinks he means to rest for a little before giving one final push to overwhelm the king.”

“You may be right, lass,” He said. “Speaking of lass, you’re a mighty fine one at that. Wouldn’t mind if you traveled with me for a time.”

The champion didn’t feel particularly inclined to do so, but at least this man would be a better companion than Roberto, not to mention he was very handsome.

“I’ll ride with you,” She told him. “But as soon as we can, we’re splitting, darling.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s a reason all the women leave, and it sure isn’t them.”

Reza laughed. “Where are you headed, stranger?”

“Call me Daniel,” The man told her. “What shall I call you?”

“Muriel,” She told him.

“And where’d you get a name like that?”

“My parents, I imagine.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“And where’d you parents get a name like that?”

Reza inclined her head. “Their minds, I imagine.”

Daniel shrugged. “Well, it’s a pretty name for a pretty woman. I myself am headed to the worst place I could, but I must rescue my ma down in Boavida, and,” He said, pointing to the massive backpack he carried with him. “I must trade my things along the way. May I ask the same question of you?”

“You may, but I may not answer.”

Daniel pursed his lips, and Reza shrugged.

“Just a joke, amor. I am also headed to Boavida, but for a different reason, and one I would rather be kept secret, if it’s all fine with you.”

“It’s not all fine with me, but there ain’t much I can do about it now, is there?” Daniel asked. “You a disciple?”

“You couldn’t pay me to be one.”

“Very pure, are you?” Daniel asked. “Pay me enough coin and I’ll do anything.”

“That’s the spirit, sim,” Reza chuckled. “Used to be the same way myself.” Her accent and vocabulary was slowly switching to the rough way Daniel spoke, a particular accent and word-choice that Reza herself was very familiar with. “Then I got a higher calling.”

“For someone who won’t tell me their mission you sure talk a lot, lass,” He said, and when he frowned, he threw up his hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I like it myself.”

“You better,” Reza told him. “Ain’t often I associate with someone like this.”

“Is it because of my looks then, or my personality?”

“Must be your personality,” Reza looked him up and down.

“Ouch, point taken. Still, I wouldn’t mind, and neither would you, I imagine, if you found yourself in the same bed as me.”

“And this is why all women leave,” the champion remarked.

“Ey, untrue!” Daniel interjected. “Usually, it’s because my height isn’t the only thing that’s short.”

Reza winced. “Oof. Seems like you don’t have much going for you, then.”

“Can’t forget my personality.”

Filha barked in what sounded like a laugh, and Daniel scowled. “If you’ll be taking that thing to bed, I want no part of it.”

“Any other news?” Reza asked. “I like the small talk, but I have important duties to do and information would go a long way, amor.”

“What do you got to trade for the information, lass? Ah, I’m just kidding. I don’t have much, mostly, I’m just as clueless as you, but I do know this: the Revanchist ain’t the only person coming back to the city.”

“The Bloodmarked,” Reza breathed. The Bloodmarked were the Revanchist’s own assassin squad, deadly ones that even she would have trouble beating.

“Just so. Methinks I shall not be safe there,” Daniel said. “As soon as I get my ma, as soon as you leave me, I’m hitting the road once again. I ain’t staying to bring on the unjust ire of a Bloodmarked.”

“And a wise decision at that,” the champion told him. “I myself would love to make that decision, but, unfortunately, I shall stay for longer than you, much longer. I have a hard journey ahead of me, but once I’m finished, even you will know.”

“Hmm,” the man sighed. “Why do I get the feeling you’re putting yourself in danger, amor.”

“Don’t call me that, amor,” Reza responded. “And you’re getting into danger yourself, eh?”

“Fair enough, but at least I’m not flaunting it,” he told her. “I don’t think the gates will let it in.” He pointed at Filha, who barked and growled.

“They don’t need to allow it,” Reza mirrored its growls. “I'd like to see them try and stop me.”

“Who are you, Muriel?” the man breathed. “Who really are you?”

“Just a woman on a mission.”

“Aren’t we all?”

“Women on missions?”

“No, just missions in general, methinks,” Daniel laughed. “If we were all women, we’d all be running away from each other, and who’s running then. No, I prefer to be the one who stays put.”

“There’s a forest nearby and it’s getting dark,” Reza remarked. “We should camp for the night..”

“Aye, so we should,” he laughed. “Let’s go then.”

Reza led him away into the nearby trees, where she spent the night, peacefully sleeping. Filha’s barks were the only sounds made that night.