The sun is setting as Sanora, Torkastra and Flux walk down the road. The wind is chilly, but the last ray of the sun are warming up their faces. The air smells a bit earthy from the carriages kicking up dust on the road as they drive through the town.

“Thanks again for today. I really needed some time away from that damn place.” Sanora sighs.

“Hey, no problem.” Tor chuckles. “We had a lot of fun, it was nice getting to know you a bit better. And I can imagine. We always make sure to avoid the Golden Drop by a wide berth.”

Flux nods furiously in agreement with Tor’s words.

“Yeah, id love to as well, but alas, you know the predicament.” Sanora scratches her head.

“And what a predicament it is. Can only imagine how Mari is feeling in the middle of all this. Kinda mean that you left her alone all day.”

Sanora shoots Tor a glare, but quickly looks down the road again.

“I guess that’s true. But I doubt she’d have come along anyways.”

“Probably not. But this is where we part way for the day.” Tor says as the Golden drop comes into view a bit further down the road.

“Afraid so.” Sanora mumbles. “Guess ill see you after tomorrow then, I shouldn’t keep Mari waiting any longer.”

“Hah, you really shouldn’t.” Tor grins at her.

Flux gives a thumbs up and an encouraging smile.

“See you around, Sanora.” Tor and Flux start to walk off, but Tor turns around one last time. “And good luck.”

“Yeah, see you. And thanks.”

Sanora watches after then for a bit before taking a breath and steeling herself.

A minute later she opens the door, the noise of chatter and the smell of food and alcohol greeting her. This smell is always oddly relaxing to her, reminding her of the many nights she spent in the Weary Traveler with her friends. A wave if sadness and guilt washes over her as she thinks about Amni and Bawarag and she wonders when she’ll finally get to see them again. But her melancholy is cut short when she notices something strange. As she walks in, and people see her the room suddenly goes quiet. People stop talking, stealing the occasional glance at Sanora, whispering to each other. Sanora just keeps on walking, scanning over everyone on the room as she does. Her body immediately goes to combat mode as she assesses every person, sorting them by the threat they would pose. She calmy keeps walking and sits down at a table, on hand resting on her sword as magic gathers in the other. She is ready to jump up and start the fight at any moment, tense like a loaded crossbow. Her flesh sense has already located Mari’s position in the building, and as she is planning the best route to get her Frieda is approaching her from behind.

“Is something the matter?” Sanora asks without turning around. Frieda stops in her tracks, seemingly surprised.

“There might just be.” The woman says, her voice almost cold enough to sniff out the hearth.

Sanora turns around, meeting Frieda’s scorning gaze.

“Alright, just spit it out. What’s going on.” Sanora says.

“Well, you tell me, Sanora of Ginaeris.”

“There’s a lot to tell, you’ll have to be more specific.” Sanora grumbles, her legs tensing, ready to spring at any second.

‘Are they with the gang? They can’t be, right? Is there a bounty on me? Not that I can’t imagine. Didn’t expect them to retaliate anytime soon.’ Sanora thinks as the staring contest continues.

Frieda clicks her tongue.

“To think someone like you has been around our child all this time, travelling with her, sleeping in the same tent, drinking at the same table. I get sick just imagining what kind of disgusting thoughts you have around my dear child.” Frieda practically spits.

Things are slowly starting to fall into place in Sanora’s head. The use of her cover name can only mean one thing, they did some snooping around and found out about her past, about her relationship with a certain noble’s daughter.

“Erich asked around a bit. We heard from a traveler about a certain Sanora of Ginaeris who used to be Lady Vadia’s consort to be in Deepvalley. And the description perfectly fits you.”

‘So, it’s really about that.’ Sanora rolls her eyes.

“Gods this is annoying.” Sanora shakes her head.

“Mari places a lot of trust in you, so I firmly don’t want to believe this is true. So, answer my question. Now.” Frieda stands there with her arms crossed, glaring at Sanora. Just a normal woman in her early forties, demanding an answer from Sanora. In the face of it she can’t help but let out an amused snort, much to Frieda’s chagrin.

“Is this some sort of sick joke to you? I cant believe something like you has been watching my poor child all this time. You make me sick.”

“Oh, you misunderstand. The only joke here, is you. I mean look at you, all angry and scary, acting like a big strong woman, trying to threaten me. I just thought it funny, because of all the monsters I have stood face to face with up to now, you are the least scary, and at the same time most disgusting one I had the displeasure of dealing with.”

By now Frieda’s face is as red as a tomato, and without another word she takes a swing. A clap resounds through the room as she slaps Sanora square in the face. But she doesn’t even blink as she keeps staring at Frieda with furious eyes. The woman holds her hand. She might as well have hit a brick wall.

Slowly, Sanora gets up from her seat and Frieda takes a step back.

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“How about you try that again.” Sanora’s voice is quiet but carries the weight of a raging storm. “I dare you.”

A bead of sweat rolls down Frieda’s face as she looks at Sanora. All eyes are on the two of them, and the previously warm air has grown cold and heavy.

“Leave. Now. I don’t want to see your face around here or near my child ever again.”

“Oh, I will leave, and gladly so. But who Mari spends her time with is not for you to decide.”

“I know my daughter, and she’d never spend time traveling along the likes of you.”

“How about we ask her then? I want to know what she has to say.”

“You won’t speak another word with her as long as you live. Now leave!”

“Not until we hear what Mari has to say.”

“LEAVE!” Freida shouts at the top of her lungs, but Sanora just answers in a quiet and sharp voice.

“Make me.”

“You heard my wife.” Markus says as he comes out of the kitchen, holding a rather large cooking knife. “We have every right to tell someone to leave our house when we want to. Either you leave now, or we throw you out.”

Nowhere is his kind demeanor to be seen, replaced by the same scorning gaze Frieda has. Erich stands in the back as well, looking at the scene with angry eyes.

“You’ll throw me out.” Sanora laughs. “Is that why you’re holding that toy of yours? I can tell you right now, if you want to throw me out, you’ll need something better than a cooking utensil.”

“You wouldn’t be the first one who takes me lightly. Just get out before this gets dirty.”

Sanora scans them again. Normal people, that’s the only way to describe them. Sure, Markus is a muscular man, and so is Erich for his age. They might be able to put up a fight against other civilians. But even the strongest civilian is far below the weakest trercher. They would drop dead to the floor in a matter of seconds. But then again, this is Mari’s family, and killing them would probably be something Mari couldn’t just forget, as awful as they might be. As the staring contest goes on, a voice interrupts them.

“What’s going on here?” Mari looks at the scene as she comes down the stairs with her sister.

“I told you to keep her upstairs.” Frieda says.

“I tried, but she heard the commotion and I couldn’t stop her.” Johanna answers.

“Keep me upstairs? What by the gods is going on?” Mari looks back and forth between everyone.

“Mari, dear, go back upstairs. You shouldn’t see this.” Frieda says.

“See what? Can anyone tell me what in the tombs name happened?”

“Well, go ahead, tell you daughter what happened.” Sanora says mockingly, earning a death glare from Frieda.

Mari looks at her mother, who takes a breath before speaking.

“Mari, I’m sorry but this companion of yours isn’t who you thought she was. This might be hard to hear but she is… on of them.”

“Oh no.” Mari whispers.

“I’m sorry dear. I know this must be hard on you, but don’t worry. We’ll get her out of here and make sure you never have to see that disgusting face of hers again. We will keep you safe from the likes of her.”

Mari just stands there wordless, her mouth hanging slightly open.

“You will have time to process things once this filth is gone from here. I know how much of a shock this must be for you, but sometimes we never know someone’s true colors. But now we that we know we can rid of this miscreant so you-“

“Stop.” Mari’s voice is quiet and shaky, her hand balled into fists.

Frieda looks at her puzzled. “It’s alright, just let your anger out. Tell this swine-”

“Stop calling her that!”

Frieda flinches as Mari finally bursts.

“M-mari?” Frieda is taken aback, almost frightened by her daughter’s outbreak.

“Is that how you see her? Filth? Swine? As a thing?”

“But that’s what she is. Nothing but-“

“No! Stop it! I don’t want to hear another word! You don’t get to talk to Sanora like that! She saved my life three times, risking her own every time. She’s kind and caring and there for me when I need her. She’s strong and protective, the strongest mage I’ve ever seen, and the most selfless person I ever met! It not for her I wouldn’t even be here anymore! So, you of all people do not get to talk down on her like that!”

Every single person in the room now stares at Mari. Frieda’s lips are flapping as she tries to find her next words.

“And besides.” Mari walks up to Sanora, standing firmly next to her. “If Sanora is nothing more than filth.” She looks at Sanora for a moment before she continues. “Then so am I.” She says as she takes her hand.

Frieda looks at them, her eyes darting between the girls’ joined hands and Mari’s face. Her brain is racing, not finding any more words.

“You told me that you would love me no matter what. So, this is it, the thing I wanted to tell you. Sanora isn’t just my party member, she is my girlfriend, the love of my live. And I wouldn’t give her up for anything in this world. Not for you, not for father, not for anyone. Tell me mother, if I’m still your daughter no matter what.” Mari finishes and takes a breath, squeezing Sanora’s hand like a vice.

Frieda, as the others, just stands there in shock. After a moment she opens her mouth, but closes it again.

“So that’s your answer.” Mari’s voice comes out quiet. “What about you, Father? Erich? Johanna?” She asks them. Markus just averts his gaze, Erich shakes his head and Johanna just sobs silently, overwhelmed by everything.

Mari nods. “That’s it then. Farewell.” She says quietly as she turns to leave, pulling Sanora with her. As the door closes behind them the room remains silent as everyone looks at the door.

The two of them storm outside into the chill air of night, silently walking down the road with no destination in mind. The village has gone to sleep by now, and the only sound is the one of their footsteps as they walk through the night. They just walk, Mari leading the way, without speaking a word. Sanora glimpses at Mari’s face occasionally, but there is not a sliver of emotion to be seen on there. She just keep going with a steel face.

They reach the end of the village before long. Mari heads to a fencepost and slumps down, leaning against it. Sanora follows suit. They both look up at the stars, the grass rustling around them as a cold wind brushes over it.

Mari still hasn’t said a word, and Sanora is starting to wonder is she knew this was coming all along, and maybe she just isn’t fazed by it all that much. But when she turns, she sees a face distorted by pain. The stars are reflected in Mari’s eyes as tears stream out of them without end. She opens her mouth. She wants to say something, tell her it will be alright. But she doesn’t find the words, feeling like there is nothing in the world she could say right now that would even remotely ease the pain. She closes her mouth and just gently lays her arm around Mari’s shoulders.

“You know…” Mari’s voice is quiet and shaky. “I hoped that they could get over this. I really did. We are a family but still they…” Mari’s throat tightens. She just shakes her head with a sob.

“I’m sorry.”

Mari finally takes her eyes of the stars and looks at Sanora. The teary eyes break Sanora’s heart like nothing ever has.

“I lost my family.” Mari whispers, her lips quivering. “I don’t know what to do now. After losing your mother, what did you do? How did you manage this feeling?”

“I… don’t know. I just kept pushing on, hoping that things would work out somehow someday. And when I met you, I knew that things were going to be alright. It gets easier with time. And I promise I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“But can you really? You died the other day. You were gone. There was nothing I could do either. I tried not to think about it because you ended up alright. But what if you didn’t? What if you weren’t shot by that lightning, or if we hadn’t met Torkastra and Flux? You would be gone now. This is all just too much. But at the same time, I can’t possibly ask you to stop looking for a way home. Not if this is what it feels like.”

“Mari…” Sanora looks at her. She is both happy that Mari is so understanding, and unbearably sad that she is putting so much strain on the girl.

“I’m so, so sorry how everything has turned out until now. I can’t promise a lot, but what I can promise you is that I’ll be more careful from now on. I’ll keep out of anything that will put us in danger again. Nothing is worth losing you or leaving you alone. I swear I’ll be there for you for as long as we live, no matter the cost.”

Mari looks into Sanora’s eyes, tears still flowing.

“Okay.” She nods and wipes her face with her sleeve before leaning onto Sanora. “I’ll hold you to it.”