“Come on, we should be going now,” Lia said, adjusting the strap of her satchel over her shoulder.

“Hold on,” Ana called out. She tossed a piece of blue fabric toward Mav. He caught it by the edges, and as it unfolded in his hands, its true shape revealed itself—a cape, rectangular and slightly worn.

“It’s my old cape. You can have it,” Ana explained. “It’ll make you less suspicious. People are less likely to mess with someone wearing a guild emblem—especially not the Blue Flame Guild, which is held in high regard by most kingdoms. And with another Flame user by your side, they’ll think twice before causing trouble.”

Mav held the cape up, the deep blue hue almost matching Ana’s current one, though this one was darker and smaller, showing signs of age. “Whose cape is this?” he asked, running his fingers along the frayed edges.

“It was mine,” Ana replied with a smile. “I wore it when I was your age. Go on, try it on.”

Mav flapped the fabric a few times, releasing a cloud of dust that danced in the sunlight. The faint musty smell of old cloth filled the air. He draped it over his shoulders and tied the cords around his neck.

“Brings back memories,” Ana mused, her eyes softening as she looked at him. “It suits you perfectly.”

“Wouldn’t wearing this be illegal?” Mav asked.

Ana waved her hand dismissively. “Maybe? Sure, some criminals fake guild affiliations, but don’t worry. It’s not like anyone’s going to find out.”

“That’s not reassuring at all,” Mav said, shooting an uneasy glance at Lia.

“Hey, why are you looking at me like that? I’m no snitch!” Lia huffed, crossing her arms.

“Alright,” Mav sighed, adjusting the cape around his shoulders.

“Now, you two better get going,” Ana said.

After thanking her and saying their goodbyes, Mav and Lia began walking down the bustling street toward their destination. They hadn’t gone far when the savory scent of grilled meat hit them like a wave, causing Lia to halt in her tracks.

She sniffed the air eagerly. “Mmm, smells amazing!” Before Mav could react, she had already detoured toward a street vendor, her eyes gleaming as she ordered several skewers.

Mav didn't protest, figuring he owed her for sticking around to help him. Besides, he had a feeling that staying on her good side might be beneficial if he wanted to ask for training later on.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Want some?” Lia offered through a mouthful of meat, holding out three skewers dripping with sauce in her other hand.

“No, but thanks,” Mav said, shaking his head. He stared at the sheer volume of food she was devouring, amazed that someone her size could eat so much. “Won’t eating that much upset your stomach?”

“Nah,” Lia replied with a grin, still chewing. “My stomach’s tougher than you think. This is nothing. You should see how much I eat at lunch.”

“I’d rather not,” Mav muttered, instinctively holding his own stomach.

Lia giggled, taking another bite. “Suit yourself!”

“You know, you really shouldn’t talk with your mouth full. And you probably shouldn’t be eating while walking either,” Mav scolded, eyebrows furrowing.

Lia rolled her eyes. “Great, another nag! I get enough of that from my father and Ms. An—” Her words were cut off by a sudden cough, causing her to choke mid-sentence.

Mav sighed, his expression a mix of concern and exasperation. “I told you. Are you okay?”

Still coughing, Lia raised a shaky thumbs-up, her eyes watering as she struggled to breathe.

----------------------------------------

They continued walking, the heat of the day easing as clouds began to blanket the sun. Mav's legs ached, and beads of sweat clung to his skin, but he was thankful the sun wasn't at full blaze anymore. Otherwise, he might’ve fainted from exhaustion. As they left the busy streets behind, the smells of food faded, and the crowd thinned. The cobblestones beneath their feet grew more uneven, and the pristine buildings gave way to ones that looked worn and neglected.

Glancing over his shoulder, Mav noticed the distant silhouette of the castle shrinking behind them, almost out of sight.

“Is this your first time here?” Lia asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah. Have you been here before?” Mav responded.

“Yep. I’ve chased a few thieves through these streets before. I don’t really like fighting non-flame users, though. I have to hold back a lot, otherwise, I might accidentally kill them,” Lia said, her voice casual, though the implication was anything but.

Mav swallowed hard. “I-I see.”

“Oh, by the way,” Lia continued, casting a sideways glance at him. “What’s with the weird getup?”

“It’s just to hide my face. I don’t want to be recognized.”

“Hmmm.” She paused. “Should I call you something else, then?”

Mav was surprised by her reasonable suggestion. “Call me Azure when we’re in front of others.”

“Alright, Azure,” Lia agreed with a playful wink.

The further they walked, the more rundown the surroundings became. The buildings were crumbling, some with barely any walls left standing, their dirty surfaces covered in cracks. Ragged figures loitered in the shadows, their eyes hollow, while others glared at them with suspicion, sending a chill down Mav’s spine.

“Don’t worry,” Lia said, moving closer, as if noticing his discomfort. “I’ll protect you.”

“Thanks,” Mav replied.

Suddenly, a shout from a nearby house shattered the quiet.

“I’ve already told you not to come back here!” a woman’s voice yelled angrily.

“Now, now, calm down,” came a deeper voice. “Look, I’ve brought more money. This amount should be enough to change your mind, right?”

“I don’t care how much you offer! Get out!” the woman’s voice rose even louder.

The door to a house on their left slammed open. A bald man with a thick mustache stormed out, his brow furrowed in frustration. “Stupid girl doesn’t know what’s good for her,” he muttered, clicking his tongue in annoyance. Two hooded figures followed closely behind him.

“Should we just take the child, sir?” one of them asked.

“No. We’ll return. Her sister’s condition is worsening—she won’t be able to refuse us for long,” the bald man said.

“Hey! What did you just say?” Lia’s voice rang out sharply from behind Mav.

Mav froze, his heart racing. “Great, just what we need—a confrontation, just after we've arrived,” he thought.