--- Roric

July was a difficult month.

With Dominic's condition constantly worsening, Roric saw a similar change in Elise's mood as well. The girl, usually cheerful and positive, now looked discouraged and lost. His own spirits weren't excellent either, because even while he had known about the old man's illness for a couple of weeks more than his foster daughter the boy couldn't help but feeling sad that the moment was nearing.

Severely weakened by the sickness, the farmer spent his last days on the bench next to the barn, while Roric struggled to guess the nature of that thing he had left to do. For what he could see, his landlord seemed completely resigned to his fate and just waiting for death to knock at the door. But an important secret still existed.

After cheering Elise up that day, the boy had respectfully taken some distance from her and Dominic, giving the two some time for themselves, not to mention that he too wasn't ready to face another loss in his life. The memories of Tolwin and his friends in the mercenary company were still vivid enough in his mind. People died all the time, Roric repeated to himself, but he still struggled to sleep at night. There was nothing he could do to help the old farmer.

Meanwhile, Elise was taking special care of her guardian, because if he really had to die at least he deserved to eat well for the short time he had left. For that reason, Roric was often sent to Fradot in search for some better food than what the farm could provide, and during those trips the young warrior had plenty of occasions to think about his own future there.

All things considered, I guess that staying here would be a good thing. Elise will need me to keep the farm running. Yet, is this really the right thing to do for me? I was finally starting to feel like I had a family once again, but now I'm not so sure of it. Home is where you feel safe, we said. This illness shows that nobody is really safe, and that won't change no matter how strong I become. Well, at least I'm not risking my neck in battle like before.

He kicked a pebble and went on.

***

The inevitable happened towards the end of the month.

Roric found Dominic lying on the road a short distance from the farm, in the shade of the dusk, and helped him up. He had lost almost half of his weight and was now reduced to a walking skeleton, so the boy had to carry him to his bed. During the short trip, he noticed that the old man seemed nearly unable to breathe freely, let alone to take a walk by himself.

So... Just where was he going in this state?

He covered the sick farmer's body, who was shaking of fever, with all the sheets that he could find in the room and brought him some water, but Dominic didn't even have the strength to drink it.

I have to call Elise. He'll pass away without her, at this rate.

Yet, right when he was about to leave, a skinny hand grabbed his arm. Despite not being very firm, that nervous grip was way stronger than he would have ever expected.

"Boy," Dominic called, with a whisper of a voice. "Why did you bring me back here?"

"You collapsed a few steps from the farm," replied Roric. "Now, you need some rest and-"

"Screw the rest!" exclaimed the man, coughing up in pain. "I need to reach the village. There is something I've left to do."

"Do you have to do it in person? Maybe I can help."

The farmer glared at him. While he was clearly struggling to keep his eyes open, anyone could still see unwavering determination into them. That task probably mattered to him much more than his own survival.

"Tell me, mister. I'll carry it out on your behalf," insisted the boy. "It's for her, right?"

Dominic seemed in deep thought and for a moment Roric wasn't so sure that he wouldn't have tried jumping out of bed once again, but eventually his face relaxed and his hand dove inside his tunic.

"Here."

The young warrior took the object, hesitantly. It was a letter. A simple, white envelope, small enough to fit in his palm. On the paper there was a wax sealing, but it was so intricate that he couldn't recognize the emblem.

"Take it to the village. To the priest, and only him. I instructed him on what he needs to do."

"You won't even tell me where this is going?"

"And I trust you won't try to read it, as well," went on Dominic, weakly. "Believe me, the less people know about this letter, the better it'll be for everyone."

Roric gulped.

"What about Elise?"

"She can't know about this. It's the last secret I'll ask you to keep from her... I'm so sorry."

The boy put the letter away and took a deep breath.

"I have to call for her, before I go. She'll want to be with you."

Dominic nodded, and closed his eyes.

"It's fine.. Just don't lose time. That message is more important than you think. Bring the priest here, as well. I will need his last rites soon."

Without adding anything more, Roric sprinted out of the room and down the stairs. He ran through the garden and spotted the girl in the distance. She was carrying a basket full of fresh mushrooms.

"Roric! What's the rush?" she asked. "Where are you going?"

"It's Dominic. I found him on the ground and brought him to his room. Go to him, while I get the priest."

Elise went pale and let go of the basket. Time seemed to slow down as she passed near the boy, whose quick sight could already spot tears coming from her green eyes. He kept watching while she ran along the road back and ultimately disappeared inside.

I can't tell her that he was going to Fradot, nor why. It's painful, but...

He took the envelope out, uncertain on what to do. The fact that Dominic wanted to carry it despite his condition was enough to tell that whatever was hidden inside was of an extreme importance for Elise's safety. Roric, however, remembered the farmer's words very well.

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The less people know about this letter, the better it'll be for everyone.

He fought the urge of opening it, and let it slide back into his pocket.

"I must trust you on this one, Dominic," he whispered.

A couple of seconds after that, the boy was dashing towards the village.

***

--- Elise

Panting, Elise finally reached Dominic's room.

She couldn't think straight. Her sight took a short while to get used to the shade, then the silhouette of the man laying in the bed became clear to her.

"Dominic!"

The girl rushed to his side, her eyes wet and teary.

"Elise..." the farmer's voice was nothing more than a whisper. "You... You came."

"Of course I came," she cried. "I... I said I wouldn't leave you until... Until..."

Those words died in her throat. Simply thinking about that was enough to shatter her heart in pieces. She forced herself to hold back her wailing as the old man coughed and tried to speak again.

"Where.. Where's Roric?"

"He went to the village, to get Lod," answered Elise. "He'll be back in no time. Now, don't waste your strength and try to rest..."

She took the man's hand. It was already getting colder, and that stood out even more in those hot days. The only sound in the room was that of her own desperation.

"Don't cry."

Elise sobbed, leaning her head on the bed.

If something can be done, I'll do it. Makers, give me the power. We need a miracle. I need a miracle.

***

--- Roric

With nearly no breath left, Roric finally entered Fradot's temple.

He compulsively searched the building for Lod, only to find him sitting in a corner with a book. The boy approached him with decisive, marching steps, and that made the priest's face frown with terror.

"Oh... Oh no," he babbled. "Please, don't ask me anymore of that. Makers, I... I can't answer-"

"This letter," stated Roric, with a very serious tone. "I was told that you know where it needs to go."

Lod looked at the envelope and took it in his trembling hands.

"Of... Of course. Then it's time. So... He told you?"

"He didn't. I'm still curious, but I didn't peek inside. It wouldn't be a respectful thing to do."

The man lowered his gaze and sighed.

"Yes," he replied. "You made a good choice."

Roric was tempted by questioning him about that, but the time was short.

"We need you at the farm. The old man is dying."

"Let me take my things," said Lod, putting the letter away. "Maybe I can... At least do something for his pain."

***

--- Elise

Please, come back soon.

Dominic didn't say a word. He simply lay there, with his eyes almost closed, barely breathing. Elise refused to believe that the man who had raised her was in such a desperate state. She prayed to the Makers many times, without any response. Not that she expected one, of course, but even the smallest chance was still a chance. The girl couldn't say to be a devoted person, yet she had always tried to be good and generous towards the others. That had to matter in some way.

O high creators of the world, please spare him. There must be a way to save him...

The man turned towards her.

"You... You are a good girl," he murmured. "You make me proud."

Elise muffled her crying with the sheets.

"I know... It must sound weird coming from me, but listen. Take care... Take care of your people... As long... As you draw breath."

Fradot... My home. All these years, he never hated it. He just wouldn't say how fond of those folks he was...

"I will," she sobbed. "Always, I will."

The girl cried for a bit, then she said the words her heart was holding back so much.

"Dominic... I beg you. Tell me the name of my father."

"I... I just can't," replied the man. "You'll meet him one day, if... No, I... I still hope you don't."

"Then he is alive!" gasped Elise.

She was about to ask him again, but the farmer had fallen into a deep slumber and wouldn't talk anymore. Some time passed, and then Roric arrived with the priest.

"Make me some space," said Lod. "I will guide him to the other side."

The girl felt Roric's arms grabbing her shoulders and pulling her away from the bed.

"I'm here," he whispered. "We'll wish him farewell together."

Elise wanted to thank him, but she couldn't. Her gaze wouldn't avert from the rigid body under the sheets. The priest performed some ritual and for a moment the room was enveloped in a dim, white light, then it disappeared and only the silence remained.

"He... He is gone," stated Lod, bowing the head in respect. "May the Makers embrace his soul."

For many hours, Elise didn't do anything but crying. Roric always remained at her side, but for some reason she didn't feel relieved.

Dominic... Dominic. I am alone now. He was there for me for all this time and... No, there must have been something I could have done, I know it...

Her thoughts turned into an inconsistent mess and she fell asleep at some point. The only thing she remembered was the boy lifting and carrying her away from the dead man's room, towards her own.

When she woke up the next day, the girl felt empty inside.

How am I supposed to live on now? Roric is here, but without Dominic's guidance there's no way we can take care of the farm by ourselves... And, moreover...

A painful lump chocked her throat.

Moreover... Now I have no chance to know who my father is.

Elise clenched her fists and faced the ceiling. The old farmer was dead, that was a reality. But the fact that he had taken his secret to the grave was simply infuriating. Why was he so afraid of her knowing a name? Nobody else needed to hear it. Her father was out there, somewhere, so maybe there was still a chance to meet him. What was wrong about that?

Unless he didn't talk nonsense because of his sickness, of course. No, what am I thinking?

The light of the sun filtered through the bottom part of her window. Elise got up and changed her clothes, getting ready for the day. She didn't know what time it was exactly, but it had to be early in the morning. As she passed by Dominic's room she was almost tempted to open the door and have a last look at the face of that generous man, but she didn't have the will to do it. It was at that moment that Roric came up from the stairs.

"Good morning. Slept well?" he asked, but Elise had a feeling that he already knew the answer.

He must be so worried for me.

"I... I feel better now, thanks."

She realized that her throat was sore from all the crying of the previous evening, and as a result her voice was almost completely gone.

"I'll bring you some water," said Roric, grabbing a ceramic pot. "I've already talked with Lod. We'll burn him next to the eastern fields."

A funeral pyre... I still can't believe we've come to this.

"Where we trained?" guessed Elise, as she followed him downstairs. "It's a beautiful idea."

Yet, she didn't really care and the tone of her voice reflected it a lot. Dominic would have wanted something simple anyway.

"Are you really alright, Elise?" insisted the boy. "I know it must be difficult for you-"

"I am alright, thanks," she replied, but to her surprise her tone was saying the exact opposite.

Roric turned around and headed to the door with a bitter smile.

"Fine. When you want to talk, I'm here to listen."

"Wait."

That word had come out without Elise really meaning it. It was just because she didn't want him to disappear like the old man.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "It's simply... Too absurd."

Her friend glanced at her without showing any sign of being offended, however.

"Take your time," he answered. "I'll look for the water."