I rode Eugine V2 out of the city with Balfid following close behind, their face scowling even more from the bright sunlight beating down on us. In the distance I saw Rose brushing her horse—a rather large palfrey—and feeding it. Its coat was a shiny and clean black, the mane falling to the side as a veil of silk. It was an impressive horse.

“That’s an impressive horse,” I said to her as I approached.

“Oh, Francis? Eh, he’s okay I guess. He’s my little stud, aren’t ya boy?” She fed him a sugar cube from her satchel then checked over her saddle before leaping atop. “So, Dolrin?”

“It will be a long ride, have everything you need?”

“Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“Good, let’s get moving.”

We began to ride, the sun high above us as if it were personally watching over our adventure, beckoning us to succeed. Rose and Balfid followed behind on either side, the three of us making quite the formation as we rode away from Ohio. Very quickly the fields around us ended and we were entrenched in the Bloated Forest, the largest and perhaps most beautiful woodland in the empire. They surrounded Ohio and trailed to the south, only ending just before the southern shore. I had spent many days in my youth hunting and camping in the trees, and I felt a sense of warming nostalgia as I took in the scent of birch and pine. As it filled my lungs, I felt cleansed. A small creek ran aside the narrow road and I could hear small animals scuttering away from our steeds.

“Pretty,” Rose said, her face aimed straight up as warm sunlight shone through the branches onto her.

“Sire, keep a lookout for bandits, I don’t like these woods. Could be hiding anywhere,” Balfid said, their face serious as ever.

“Balfid, I’m sure we’ll be fine. The three of us are more than capable enough to take care of bandits,” I responded, still looking around at the trees.

“Alright Sire, but still, I don’t like it.”

“No one tries to steal in these woods, path is too narrow for the larger carriages and the small ones that do come through here usually don’t have too much on them, just farmers and other peasants,” Rose cleared up.

“Of course you’d know, thief.”

“Hey. What’s your problem with me? Like, have I been offensive or something or are you just an ass?”

“You’re a thief.”

“So?”

“Lord G-Daddy hates thieves.”

“Oh nooo, Lord G-Daddy hates me! What’s he going to do? Come down here and spank me?”

“Don’t disrespect our Lord! He’s done more for us than you’ll ever do with your thieving!”

“Yeah, like that time he saved your castle… Like, have you even listened to the sermons? Read the books? Learned what they teach? It’s bullshit. Like come on, Bob thirteen nine, ‘He who bears clothing crafted of two materials is a sinner.’ Like what? Or Frank twenty three, ‘He who consumes sausage on a thursday must not eat any other sausage until the next wednesday or else he is a man of sin.’ Like, seriously? Doesn't the King use that for war propaganda too or something? He just ‘retranslated’ it again barely a year ago.”

“Our Lord works in mysterious ways, who are we to question Him? We are a part of his divine plan and if I must go without sausage for a week, then so be it.”

“They’re trying to scare you into doing what they say! Religion is an institutional scam!”

"A scam?! Lord G-Daddy a scam?! You imbecile! How can you be so naïve you fool! You're a scam!"

“Silence you two! I don’t want to hear your bickering all the way to Dolrin, now either make kinder conversation or be silent!” I stated, tired of their incessant arguing.

“But Sire, she speaks ill of Lord G-Daddy!”

“Yes, Balfid, but he teaches us to be kind and respect the beliefs of others. We are all his bitches—except women because I will NEVER call a woman a bitch. But there—”

“Mortemer, misogyny hasn't even been invented yet. You can call me a bitch! Do it!”

“No! Therefore we should not hate sinners, but rather Loosey who guides others to sin.”

“He also teaches you guys to hate cows in the winter and people who enjoy tap dancing…” Rose muttered.

“Both of you, let us change topics. Rose, tell me about your family?”

“That’s a bad change of topic… Welp, my mom died of the plague and my dad was a drunk with a sword and you can imagine how that worked out. Got into a brawl, pulled out his blade and immediately got his head chopped off. The guy he’d picked a fight with still has my dad’s sword too. It was kind of a family heirloom. I had a brother, he left a couple years ago, don’t know where he went. He said he was going to go make money for me, support us both, but he never came back. We basically grew up on the streets and I learned to fend for myself. What about you, Morty?”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Mortemer is so long though… Anyways? Your family?”

“It’s… It’s complicated.”

“Well we have time, give me the details.”

“I would really rather not. It is not necessarily uncommon knowledge, however to open old emotions would not help.” Although I had said that, Rose’s prying was already making me think about my father… I felt my mood change as I pondered what had been.

“Talking helps for me. Gotta get over it sometime.”

“I already have.”

“Have you though?”

I didn’t answer her, just looked straight ahead, trying to end the subject as quickly as possible.

“I’ll take that as a no. Anyways, your turn Balfid!” She beamed at Balfid, who was looking very uncomfortable.

“Me mum worked a mill and my father was a despot. He was a noble, but after the court found out he was committing adultery, his status was revoked. I could have been a noble too if my father wasn’t a man slut.”

“Hey, you’re still a squire, could’ve been worse.”

“Could have been better too.”

"Hey everything could be better. No use complaining, just make it better."

"Rich coming from you, thief."

"Oh my mum. Yes, I'm a thief. And a proud one! Keep calling me that."

Balfid grimaced and shook their head, unsure how to get through to Rose. She was on watch though, easily fending off their verbal attacks. I didn't even know how to get involved, so I kept quiet throughout all their debates. Without listening to their words though, it seemed Rose kept winning. Balfid's arguments began shorter and weaker, a sad, embarrassed look on their face as Rose looked smug. On her lips though was growing a slightly different smile, making me wonder what she was thinking.

But as I ducked to scratch my foot, an arrow zipped overhead, another impacting my armor and glancing off. Looking behind, I was hardly prepared for the troupe behind us, quickly closing in. Well armored soldiers on horseback had given us chase, making themselves aware as more arrows were shot past.

I rolled off my horse and yelled for the others to do the same, using only my travel buckler for cover. Balfid had their own bow and began firing, knocking one off their horse. Being so near though, they also dismounted and wielded their weapons; polearms and other heavier arms.

They were matched by my own poleaxe, conveniently strapped to Eugine V2. I saw Rose turn invisible out the corner of my eye, but had little time to focus. With the assailants nearing twenty, we were outnumbered and matched. I only swung twice before every move was blocked and we were surrounded. They disarmed Balfid and made us kneel on the ground, their leader staring at me through their helmet. Rose was nowhere to be seen though, was she hiding, or had she run off??

"We're keeping the Duke alive. Kill the other one."

I looked in horror at Balfid, who was also looking in horror. One of the soldiers unsheathed a sword to do the act, leaning their spear on a tree. As they reeled back their attack though, the small slit under their helmet exploded with blood. Balfid took the opportunity to run into the woods, dodging only a couple arrows before disappearing in the trees.

"What was that?!"

"There's a reader around here! Might be invisible, watch your backs! Bub and Bum, grab the Duke."

I looked around to find Rose or Balfid, but it seemed I was alone. I didn't struggle as they dragged me onto their horse, biding my time for the opportunity to attack. If I was truly on my own, then I would need to make my own plan to escape.

The place they were taking me wasn't far though, only down a small wooded path. Nestled in the brush was an old fort, abandoned for years. Ohio used to have a garrison there long ago, but now the war was too far for it to be a useful base. The roads leading in were either gone or overgrown, still battling bushery on the last remaining path in.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

They brought me into the bailey before taking us off their horses. The door inside was off its hinges, slowly breaking. Little could be seen past the entryway. They poked me forward, and with no chance to fight back, I went headfirst into the fort.

⧫

"They're not going to kill him, we have time to make a plan."

"There's not that many, we don't need a plan! I just turn invisible, you can climb up to get a good vantage point with your bow."

"That is a plan! I don't do heights though. And how do you even expect me to climb that thing?!"

"What, there are rocks and shit sticking out! Some vines over there..."

"Those can't support a person! Those stones are smooth and wettened with morning dew! I'd slip!"

"Fine, you do your own thing then. I've got a knife and this spell."

Rose unsheathed her tiny pocket knife, an evil look in her eye. They were cowering behind a bush, observing the old fort. Rose was eyeing a collapsed roof at the top for their way in. Balfid only refused, fighting to stay on the ground. They looked concerned for a moment, pulling out their sidearm.

"Here, better than a knife. I imagine even though you'll be invisible it'll still be hard to get close..

Rose took the sword and stared at it, not expecting Balfid to ever be giving. She seemed to appreciate it, only dictated by a small change in her face.

"Take care of it, and I want it back!"

"Yeah, thanks! That's a solid..."

"Why do you care so much anyways? I really don't understand."

"Maybe Balfid, not everyone is an asshole, huh? It's pretty normal for people to want to be nice and build a better world together. What's the point stopping that?"

"Yeah, but you're a thief!"

"Oh my mum do you ever quit?! So what? I've found a way to help people by stealing. What good do you do?"

"Help people with stealing? I highly doubt that."

"You really think a rich asshole missing a ring is that much of a topic? It's probably better they're spending money on replacements instead of bombs and guns!"

"Bombs and guns? What?"

"Oh yeah we don't have those yet."

"What?!"

"Huh?"

"You just— never mind. I'm going to find an opening and slip into the main entrance. You uh, go kill yourself climbing up there or whatever."

"Hey, I'll be invisible. You're the one they'll see coming. I don't need to climb."

"Whatever, let's just get this started. I'm going to check what I can see through the windows first, might get a better idea what's inside."

"I'll go in and get things started then! A distraction would be good for you too."

"Good idea. And Rose? I don't know if I can trust you yet, but thank you for helping here. Good luck."

"Well I don't trust you either, so that makes us even! Thanks though, good luck for you too. Hels!"

Rose disappeared, only the sound of crunching leaves telling where she'd gone. Balfid waited a moment to collect themself, then wielding their bow and sneaking up to the fort's wall. Through the first window, they could already see one of the soldiers die from Rose's invisible blade. A soon scream from a different room told them the same.

Even though she couldn't be seen, the soldiers would overwhelm her knowing someone was silently killing them. Balfid rushed round the corner to the entrance, a couple already looking for their assailant. Balfid launched two arrows to kill the both of them, the front entryway clear. Deeper inside though they could hear screaming.

"Sire! I'm coming!"

"I thought I heard something!"

They were in the main chamber, but an enemy fell dead behind them. A near silent scuffle showed Rose darting across the room. Balfid tried to say thanks, but couldn't be sure if she heard them. They were more careful into the next room, their bow already pulled back. Two more soldiers were dead with a quick movement.

I could hear some of the commotion from the loft they had me trapped in, the collapsed roof exposing me to the air outside. Through the cracks in the floorboards, I could see another fellow die from a hidden blade. Balfid was close behind, mopping up anyone who had come to investigate.

There was little time before I heard footsteps outside my door, busting it down once the locks stopped whoever it was. It was Balfid!

"We're getting you out of here, Sire!"

"Where's Rose?"

"She's downstairs clearing more of the rooms. She's scary, got most of them already by now. We should go help with the last few."

I nodded and followed Balfid as they turned quickly back down the stairs. One hallway later and we reached the largest chamber, a small living and office space. Rose was sitting at on of their chars, an exhausted head resting in her hand. Balfid's bloodied sword was laid on the table next to her, grabbed and presented to them when she saw us.

"Thanks! Got them all I think, at least I couldn't find anyone else. They didn't know what hit them! It was me!"

"Is there anyone who'd want you dead? They went through a lot of effort..."

Balfid gave me a look, and I knew what they meant. Although I spread love and kindness as much as possible, I knew a couple that might hold a grudge. It had been years without contact though, surely they had moved on. No, it had to be someone else, a stranger.

"No, and I don't see how it could be him. They wanted me alive anyways. Rose, where's a corpse I can look through?"

"Ew! Why?"

"To see who wants me captured!"

"Oh, right. I found this letter already while I was looting the bodies. Didn't look interesting."

"Give me that!"

I snatched the letter and read it profusely, then re-read it because I was too distracted to take in the information the first time. It was a simple order to capture me, signed by a "DK." Without much information, I still looked to the nearest body for more. On the outside of their armor was a symbol I'd missed before, that representing the Lords of Edge.

"It's them again! What could they have against me? They're supposed to be neutral! Do you think they've stopped? Or maybe they're following someone else's orders..."

"Sire, I really think it could be him..."

"No! He would never do something so cruel! Such evil could only be practiced on a stranger."

"Who else could be 'DK' then?"

"Those are two very common letters! It could be anyone! No, I need to investigate more. We should leave though, before anyone knows what happens and sends reinforcements."

"Wait a minute, would you?! Who the hell is this 'DK' dude? If he's so dangerous, you should really clue me in!"

"Nobody important! It's someone else, Rose. Probably someone like, Dorris Key, or Dorra Kay, or like, Donkey Kong or something, I don't know."

"Mortemer that makes no sense. What are you hiding?"

"He can hide whatever he wants from you! Not like you're the most honest person in comparison."

"Wow, you love making assumptions. I'm good with my word, don't go after me there. I'd expect the Duke himself though to be more clear with his uh, constituents though."

"Look, he's long gone. I haven't seen him in a decade or more! Trust me, he's not coming back soon. This is someone else."

"Somehow I'm not convinced. But I'll choose to believe you Mortemer, we could all use more trust these days."

"Thank you Rose. I promise I'll tell you more in time, when I feel comfortable."

"Right. If you say so."

"And thanks too for helping save me. Whether Balfid admits it or not, I'd still be trapped up there without you."

"Oh don't be such a cheese! What, was I supposed to just let them take you?"

"Most people would. I'm glad you chose to come along."

After I spoke, Balfid grimaced and looked away, glancing shortly at Rose. Instead of a vicious look though, they almost looked sorry.

“We should leave before more show up. It’s getting dark, so we’ll ride for an hour, then set camp.”

It took little time to gather our things and set off, the details of the small fort just starting to fade. The trees no longer cast stark shadows, covering us with a blanket of the evening. As clouds covered the moon, even our lanterns had difficulty showing our surroundings.

As the trees began to thin out, we could see the beginnings of the plains to the East. Only a few tufts of trees blocked our view of the horizon, pitch black against a storm in the distance. Although a few sprinkles reached us, we remained dry enough to watch the sheet of rain far away.

“Here. Right behind these trees we’ll have a little cover.”

Rose and Balfid listened, seemingly eager to finally stop riding. They had also quit their bickering for once, leaving a calm silence for the last leg of that day. Whether they were tired or more was on their mind though, they didn’t say. The only tell was the wistful look Rose wore, staring out into the plains.

It was as if she had lost someone across that barren land, but they should have been easy to spot—given the flatness and everything. Although she stopped looking long enough to prop up her tent, she stole a glance back whenever she could. Only when Balfid looked at her though, did she turn her gaze at one of us.

Balfid looked as if something were eating their insides, unusual as they took pride in their stomach health. They were my closest friend, yet still I couldn’t guess what they thought. All I noticed, was that they were a bit nicer to Rose.

“Hey, uh, Balfid? Why are you being nice?” Rose also noticed, shortly after I was asleep. They were up alone, enjoying the remains of the fire.

“What? What’d’you mean??”

“You haven’t called me ‘Thief!’ in like an hour! What, is that a record? You the town preacher too? Town daddy-cop?”

“No! I serve Lord Mortemer. He’s an old friend I’m happy to work for.”

“You his religious guide too? You his mom?”

“No! He… he’s a good Duke! I’ve known him since he trained in Ohio. When my family was booted for my father’s slutiness, he allowed me to stay by his side. I insisted on being his squire, I’m not fit to rule. We are closer friends than colleagues.”

“So that’s why you ride his dick so much? Wait, actually, do you??”

“No!! Sire doesn’t—Mortemer stays away from all that. He says it’s because he’d rather focus on San Diego, but I just don’t think he’s really interested.”

“Aww, so whose dick do you ride? Daddy’s?”

“No! Wait, which daddy?”

“Sky daddy.”

“Oh, then I’d happily ride him if he demanded. Otherwise, I am quite reserved though. Unlike Mortemer, my inaction is largely only due to my duties I have due.”

“Hah! I’m busy and I’m active as fuck. What, you saving the world or something?”

Balfid looked supremely uncomfortable, like their innocence was being stripped for the first time.

“No! Just… looking out for a friend. I appreciate that you’ve been looking out for him too. And for me. Thank you for that.”

“Hey I’m just hoping I get a good reward out of all this! Ooo Duke money!”

“I hope you’re joking…”

“Ha-hah! Yeah… I like hanging around you guys. Thank you for letting me tag along.”

Although Rose’s smiles probably worked on anyone, Balfid only spoke even quieter, wishing her a good night, then retreating to their tent. Even though the rain was beginning to pick up, Rose remained only for a few moments, staring into our smoldering fire. Although she looked disappointed, nervous even, terrified too, she still had the remnants of her smile that had lasted through the day.