It has been about three weeks ever since Sanora left River’s Rest behind. But the forest and the river care little about the girl’s absence. Water still flows, trees still grow. But amidst all of it are still people who do care.

Amni is on her way to the Weary Traveler. She is quite tired after another restless night and decided to walk there rather than flying for once. Her way leads her past Sanora’s house. Every time she sees it there is a small tug of hope in her chest that Sanora will come out through the door and assault Amni with a giant ‘I’m home’ hug. And every time she is disappointed again that it doesn’t happen. In a way she is relieved. She knows that falling for Sanora wasn’t exactly good. The girl often said she sees Amni as a big sister. And the gargoyle girl has taken her role serious. Without a mother, Sanora relied on Amni as her big sister all the more. Her only real female influence. Sure, Bawarag is as much family for Sanora as Amni is, but there are just some things that a girl needs another girl to talk about. But despite that Amni has betrayed the girl by being careless enough to fall for her.

It was obvious to her that what Sanora needed wasn’t a partner but a family. The age difference is a whole different fire. Amni was well over a thousand years old while Sanora has no memories beyond the saint they have known each other. She may look like an adult, but Amni knows that while caused by memory loss, Sanora was still young in her heart. And even if she is twenty years old in a way, the age difference is still crushing.

With a sigh she walks on, leaving the small house behind her. She walks to the village and enters the Wary Traveler where Bawarag greets her.

“Heya stone head, sulking about again I see.”

“Yeah yeah, you me too.” She says and plops onto the bench.

“Well whining around won’t do ya any good either and you know that.”

“Of course, I know that. But I don’t know what else to do. You know Sanora, she’s just special. And that aside you also know the eternal struggle of love for gargoyles.”

“She sure is.” Bawarag chuckles. “In that case tell me again, why not go after her? We both know that sitting around here isn’t going to help you. Especially if your feelings won’t change. Just go after her and tell her how you feel. If she says no, you can still go back to whining.”

Amni sinks onto the table with a long sigh.

“You know why I can’t do that.” She groans.

“No, I know why you don’t want to do it.”

“What, you think it’s a good idea? The girl is twenty dammit.”

“Well, I didn’t say pull her into bed as soon as she says yes.” Bawarag rolls his eyes.

“Still…” Amni mumbles. “Just feels wrong. And that aside she deserves better than some traumatised old war vet who can hardly even sleep through a whole night.”

“Oh please, now you’re just taking yourself down for the sake of it, don’t give me that.” Bawarag rolls his eyes again. “We both know this wouldn’t bother the lass. She’s the first one who’d stay up with you all night until you’re feeling better.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Amni remains quiet and just exhales audibly. Bawarag groans.

“I can’t believe Amni the fucking immovable is too scared to ask someone out on a date.”

“Oh, leave me be.” She pouts and Bawarag just shakes his head and slides her a drink.

“You’re helpless.” He chuckles.

Days have been rather bland for Genny ever since Sanora left. She hadn’t realized how much colour the girl brought into the village until she was gone. Even now, three weeks after she left, she still catches herself thinking about what snacks to bring over to her.

With a sigh she picks up the basket with her clothes and heads back home from the river. She hangs them up behind the house and heads inside to start preparing dinner for the inn. Customers come and go throughout the day. Adventurers and merchants eat there, sleep for a night and leave at first sunlight and that’s it. How did she ever survive this boredom before?

“Something up?” Her father asks.

“Nothing really. Just kinda bored.” She shrugs.

“I get what you mean. Sanora really brought some wind to the place. But look on the bright side, when she comes back, she’ll have all sorts of new stories to tell.” He smiles at his daughter.

“You think she’ll come back?” She turns to him. “I mean there isn’t really anything here. Someone like her would probably rather see the world than gather dust in some village in the sticks.”

“Ah don’t say that. Sure, the world is big and exciting, but at the end everyone yearns for some peace and quiet.”

“I sure hope so.” Genny sighs.

The door opens and some people come in.

“Good day.” Borg greets the adventurers as they walk in.

“Good day to you too. Got some spare rooms?”

“Sure do.”

“Great.” The man places some coins on the counter. “And some dinner please.”

“I’ll bring it right out.” Genny says and walks into the kitchen to prepare the food for the guests. She heads back out with the trays and leaves them at the table before waking back, but stops when she happens to overhear a bit of the conversation.

“I heard she came from up north too, that new girl in the guild.”

“Ah you mean that one with the pretty face and the black chainmail.”

Genny turns on her heel.

“Is her name Sanora by any chance?” She asks the adventurers who exchange a few glances.

“Yes, that’s her name, she passed through here?”

“Passed through? She lives- used to live here.”

“Live here? I heard she’s some noble from the northern seas. Ginaeris is her house’s name.”

“Right, she’s engaged to the lord’s daughter too.” The other adventurer nods.

“She’s engaged?” Genny’s shoulders slack. “I… see.” She says quietly before heading back to Borg behind the counter. “Can you cover for me? I’m not feeling well.”

“Sure. Something up?” He asks with a concerned voice.

“More or less.” Genny just shrugs before heading to her room where she falls on the bed face first.