The apple-thing was delicious. Of course, it wasn't one - it was called Hvilv and was purple. Its taste was a weird mix of grape and pineapple. But it looked like an apple, so a fucking apple it was.

It was a pleasant cold and cloudy day, so between that and my greatcoat I wasn't in complete agony, so I really could actually enjoy myself. Zel-Vyme was a complete shithole by the twenty-first century’s standards, but it had its charm. It was a sort of a rundling built around the main road heading to Ror-Bhyk. Luckily for me, thanks to this everything we needed was easily found and I didn't need to show my absolute ignorance of mediaeval villages to the locals.

Our plan was simple: I would go to the village, pick up some food and scout out the situation. Aki and Caei were hiding a couple of hundred metres into the forest.

There was a general store and some merchant stalls. First I checked the store and to my immense relief, they had the local equivalent of travel rations. They were probably overpriced, fuck, the fifteen I got cost me three hundred lights but it spared the issue of “asking for stuff I’ve never seen before and pretending to know what I am doing”. Aki did coach me about what was what, but my jelly ass was used to picking up veggies and fruits at the produce section at a local supermarket where I could just pick and choose. I did frequent some fruit and vegetable stores, but at least I knew what I was buying. Not to mention: how much should I buy?

I did use the knowledge I got from Aki to pick up some fresh fruit like the hvilv. I also bought some green berry things called t’uaries which, apparently, were named after R’as-T'uar - the god of Earth. I haven't met him yet.

The oddest thing I saw on the way to the store was a kitschy white-and-gold ornate lizard-drawn carriage parked by the inn. There was some sort of a star motif on its side.

The lizard looked kind of familiar. Suddenly, a flashback hit me of the big monster that almost killed us in the Tower of Trials. What was its name? Darhun?

This one was nowhere near as large as the big fuck in the dungeon. It was maybe cow-sized? Its scales were greenish-bow, though the ones on its belly were beige. Its short snout also seemed to open normally and looked very boopable. This Darhun also didn't have more eyes than it seemed appropriate in a civilised society and the two blue it had were filled with a certain playfulness. All in all, the thing was absolutely adorable. Alas, I had suspicion as to the owner of the carriage, and I didn't want the Inquisitor to notice me because I stopped by to pet his lizard.

Maybe just one boop… No, must resist booping.

The looks the locals gave the carriage were… interesting. There was outright hostility and resentment in them. More than once I heard someone whisper “Dan-Hem” and “They’ll pay for it”.

And so the day went. All in all, it was a pretty successful supply run. Alas, just as I was headed towards the exit from the village the whole thing went tits up.

‘Hey, elf!’ I heard someone shout in a gruff voice.

I thought it was addressed to someone else, so I kept going.

‘Hey, ELF!’ the voice repeated, clearly angry and much closer.

Just when I was remembering I looked like one, I felt someone grab my shoulder.

‘HEY- ‘ the stranger began again, but I was already whirling around ready to defend myself. The sudden move made the man lose his grip which allowed me to back away. I put my hand on the hilt of my sword clearly indicating that my assailant would not have an easy time with.

I eyed the man. He was very tall, taller than Caei even and had the body build of a soldier - all muscles, very little fat. This gave his clean cheeks a bit of a sunken look which, along with his shaved hair and pasty complexion, made him look like someone busy dying of something nasty. He had a nasty scar under one of his eyes, and his nose looked to have been broken at some time in the past. There was not a bit of warmth in his brown eyes which were boring into me as if I had just killed the man’s entire extended family and his dog. He wore a dark blue scale mail with a green tabard with the same twelve-pointed star that was painted on the carriage. There was a sword at his side and a shield on his back.

I saw that two similarly attired men were some distance away. One had long brown hair and a short beard, the other a blonde flattop.

They were by the stall where I bought the fruit. The merchant was looking at me intently.

Motherfucker…

Unfortunately, the bald loser did not seem to read the mood very well.

‘Why did you ignore me, elf?’ he spat at me.

‘And you are?’ I asked and just stared at him dispassionately.

I really wasn’t in the mood for his bullshit.

‘I am the one asking questions here, elf.’

‘That’s one weird name. I would have changed it at some point.’

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It took him a moment to process that one. His face got red when he understood.

‘I am Ser Vylf of the Temple Dragoons, cur. I will not let you disrespect me, cur.’

The brown-haired man must have noticed that something was up as he began to rush over to us.

‘Have you considered that by being nicer to people, ser Vylf, they would be more respectful to you as well.’

I felt proud of myself that I managed to deliver this in complete monotone while keeping my dead stare directed at him. Vylfie was not appreciative of my advice as he grabbed his sword and started to unsheathe it. But before it came to blows his companion was by his side and stopped him.

‘It’s okay, Vylf,’ he said. ‘I will handle this.’

‘But she-’

‘We’ll talk about it later. Now go and help Halveck!’

‘But -’

‘I am still your superior officer, Vylf. That was an order.’

Vylfie gave me a look that promised vengeance. I smiled at him innocently and waved him goodbye.

‘I am sorry for Vylf,’ the brown-haired man said. ‘He is new to our order and overeager. I am Arcarius.’

I eyed him. He was actually pretty handsome. There was definite kindness to him, and great sorrow in his grey eyes.

‘L-,’ I began but quickly corrected myself. ‘I am Sindara.’

Arcarius furrowed his brow upon hearing that but he said nothing.

‘How can I help you, ser Arcarius?’ I asked quickly, trying not to draw any more suspicion to me.

He laughed warmly.

‘Just Arcarius is fine, Lady Sindara.’

‘Drop the lady part then.’

‘Your wish is my command. And to answer your question: You don’t look like a local, so we think you may be able to help us with our search. We are looking for a demonborn girl. Her name is Aki.’

He provided me with a fairly accurate description of her, during which I did my best to keep my face still.

‘Why?’ I asked to buy myself more time to think up a convincing story, doing my best to keep the voice steady.

‘She is wanted by the Inquisitor for questioning. That's all you need to know.’

Wait… what was the stuff SovCits kept yammering on about?

‘And pardon me for asking this, but do you and your friends have jurisdiction here?’

He looked at me confused.

What was the noble in charge of this place? Ah…

‘Last I checked these are the lands of the Viscount of Ror-Bhyk. Are you his men?’

‘No,’ Arcarius answered, a bit unsure. ‘My order is sworn to the Church of Light.’

‘So surely you must have authorization from him? I can't imagine the good Viscount would be happy if some strangers were harassing his subjects.’

Arcarius got pale as if he had just seen a ghost, which told me I was on the right track.

‘Is the Viscount even aware you are here?’ I twisted the knife even further.

He didn't answer.

Tsk, tsk.

‘However, this is not an issue here,’ I said. ‘I have not seen any demonborn heading towards this village.’

‘Th-thank you,’ Arcarius stammered out, only half registering my answer.

I wonder where his mind is at. Did they do some no-no?

Then it struck me. That’s what the people were being hostile about. The Inquisitor and his party committed some atrocity in Aki’s village. And this fuck at least had enough shame to feel guilty about it.

‘Can I go?’ I asked, barely concealing my new-found hostility towards the man.

He waved me away and I hurried off out of the village.

The discussion with Sindara, if that was her real name, left Arcarius very disturbed. No… that wasn’t the right word… not disturbed…

I was so afraid of Vanek I did not… I haven't… All those people… No…

What they did in Dan-Hem was monstrous… what he did… they were just defending themselves… weren’t they?

He decided not to mention the vagueness of the elf’s answers or her identity to Vanek or his companions. “Sindara” was right. They had no business here.

Still… how would he convince his party about it?

Who was he kidding? Vanek would be implacable. So…

What should he - Arcarius do? What could he do? Break his oath and leave? Keep it and stay with a madman? No… he couldn’t. Who knew what atrocity he would have to commit next? The blood of those at Dan-Hem would forever stain his hands… but… maybe he could make up for it.

He went back to the inn where Vanek was staying. He went there fully wanting to execute the man. But with each step towards his room, his resolve wavered. No… he couldn’t kill someone in cold blood.

Ashamed by his cowardice he returned to his room. He took off his tabard and looked at it.

I shamed it the moment I allowed Vanek to execute Elder Matis. Then I let the blood of innocents stain it. And now I lack the resolve to make up for my transgressions. I have no right to wear it…

He needed to think. Killing Vanek would be the vengeance for the dead. He would likely die too, but Halveck and Vylf would still be around. And what would stop another Vanek from coming here?

He stopped himself from following that line of thought. It was heresy. It was treason. And yet… it rang true.

He needed to think. He left the tabard on his bed and went outside. His feet carried him into the forest, where he wandered aimlessly, his thoughts a jumble. Yet… it seemed that every step seemed to lead him away from the village and his old life. Suddenly, he heard two females talking in the distance.

What?

But before he could go to investigate, he heard a crack of a branch behind him and a cold touch of steel on the side of his neck.

‘Tell me, Ser Arcarius of the Temple Dragoons,’ he heard Sindara say. ‘Is there any reason I shouldn’t kill you?’