Once Jon walked outside, he saw Hector splayed out on his back a few feet away from the building. Genevieve, Tallow and Mallory were all standing around him, waiting for his next move.

“I hate my life,” Hector said when Jon was more or less out of the building.

“Believe it or not,” Genevieve said, “He hasn’t moved one bit from that spot.”

“I wanna die…” Hector muttered. “Just end it now…”

“I think he’ll be okay,” Mallory said. “You know Hector gets… grumpy around his sister.”

“This isn’t grumpy,” Tallow remarked. “Hector’s always grumpy, even in a good day. This is… depressing,”

“For you or for him?” Mallory asked.

“Both,” Tallow answered.

Jon hummed in discontent and looked down at Hector’s uncaring face. He agreed with both of Tallow’s statements. Hector had always found a way to move forward despite the odds, something that Jon found impressive about Hector. Now, Hector was lying on the ground, unable to move.

“I’ve stayed as long as I can,” Genevieve told everyone. “I really should leave now.”

She gave another sad look to Mallory. “I was eavesdropping and I heard. I’m sorry I couldn’t see you off. But I’ll come visit.”

“Of course,” Mallory said. “Everything will be fine.”

If Genevieve was trying to hide her frown, Jon didn’t think she was doing very well.

“Everyone is leaving…” She hugged Mallory, and then she hugged Tallow after.

“Godspeed on your travels, darling,” Genevieve told her.

“Same,” Tallow remarked quietly.

Genevieve turned away from them and kicked back at the dirt.

“Hector, we’ll have a long talk when I get back. Promise!”

With that, Genevieve kicked off into the air, flying away.

Jon wished he could have enjoyed the moment more. Now, he could only look at Tallow and wait for her response.

Tallow looked back at him eventually.

“I’m going to get going as well,” Tallow said simply. “I’ve probably missed this letter by a few days.”

“Right.” Hector sat up finally. “You’re leaving too, right?”

“Don’t say it like that,” Tallow responded. “Come on, why do you guys all look so glum.”

“‘Cause we’re gonna miss you,” Mallory said with a sad smile.

Tallow huffed.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“How are you getting back?” Hector asked, no that he was standing up fully.

“Boat,” Tallow said. “Just gotta go back to the pier, ride back over, then take another boat across the water.”

“Isn’t there one you can take straight there?” Hector responded.

“Bra, that’s expensive,” Tallow said. “That’s only for like… visitors and stuff. And it defeats the purpose of staying low and undetected. ‘Cause you know…”

“‘Casue reconnaissance…” Mallory twinkled his fingers in the air as he said the word.

“Right, right. I’m glad you’re having fun with that,” Tallow said.

“Come back so you can piss Luther off,” Mallory continued. “I think he, like, actually likes you.”

“Ew.”

After a small chuckle from Mallory, they stood in silence.

“You’ll be okay?” Hector asked after letting the silence stand.

“Yeah. Of course. Who do you think I am? I’ll just need a horse or-”

“I’ll give you one from here,” Hector said. “No one cares. The castle has like 50 of them.”

Hector walked away and disappeared behind the building.

“Are you guys connected with the castle?” Tallow asked Mallory.

“Meh.” Mallory shrugged. “It’s iffy. We get perks, but we’re not officially sanctioned by the castle. I mean, we’re sanctioned by all the castles, but… it’s weird.”

Tallow looked at Jon. Jon still didn’t speak.

“You’ve been quiet over there,” she said.

Jon realized he had already forgotten his goal to speak out more, but he didn’t know what he was gonna say to Tallow that would be worth the idea of her leaving.

“I… have no idea what to say,” Jon said.

Tallow rolled her eyes. “Of course. Never change Jon. Not unless your life depends on it.”

Hector came back with a horse in tow, leading it by a rope around its saddle.

“Don’t worry about bringing it back,” Hector said. “Or if you want, you can leave it at the castle, and hopefully someone will take you back.”

Hector looked at Mallory. “Do you think they’ll send her?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tallow said. She took the rope.

“I’ll get your stuff.” Hector shuffled away to get Tallow’s belongings from the wagon.

He helped her tie it to the back of the horse. She turned around.

“You guys look hopeless,” she said. “You’re embarrassing me. I’m sure you’ll find more women to come save your ass’s when you need it.”

“I like it when you do it,” Mallory said,

Tallow sighed. She walked then walked up to Mallory.

Jon was expecting Tallow to give him an awkward hug, like she was prone to doing. Instead, she grabbed his face and gave him a small peck on the lips.

Jon lost his breath. He hadn’t expected that.

She then made her way to Hector. Hector began to say something, but then Tallow leaned forward and pecked him on the mouth too. He appeared to have lost all thought right after.

Lastly was Jon. He stayed still as she quickly leaned forward and pecked him on the lips like the others.

It didn’t beg for attention like the kiss Jon had gotten from the others. It was more like a quick hug.

She walked away and Jon felt another tear fighting, but he still felt dried up from the day before. And besides, he didn’t want to make it too weird for Tallow to leave.

She threw herself around the saddle in a single leap, taking a hold of the reins.

“Don’t stand there looking so dumb,” she said, looking down at everyone. “And don’t let the world bring you down.”

“We’ll try,” Mallory said quietly, apparently still somewhat dumbstruck by the recent action.

“Also, don’t die before I see you all again,” she added. When she felt ready, she gave a strong nod.

“Bye.” She whipped the reins.

The horse kicked up onto its hind legs and neighed loudly before talking off.

“Did…” Hector stuttered as he tried to ask his question. “Did she just…”

“She did, Hector,” Mallory said. “She sure knows how to make an exit.”

“Yeah,” the three men said, affirming the moment the they all just shared together.