....

The wagon we rode on creaked and groaned, as the beasts of burden carried forward down a road that seemed all too filled with others. All around, were more people like us. Heading South, or West, were those who held on hope that they could escape from the dangers still raging to the North.

Yet, there were also examples of those who did the opposite.

I watched from my seat, nestled beside bags of grain and crates of herbs, as I saw another group of armored [Knight] Class gallop past. Gallant flags lofted with houses and ranks, for all to see. Dozens, on steeds with brilliant colors of purple and silver.

The Kingdom was responding in force, it seemed. Sending forces to bolster the defenses already in place. Blockades and checkpoints along the highways.

Only a few days since the Empire's attack, and already I had witnessed dozens of squads like that, just on this one road. Each group was rippling with strength, often glowing with Skills that were visibly in effect. So much so, that they reminded me of the Baron.

It was hard to imagine anything could kill the man, but with the state of things when we left, I wondered if he'd survived.

"What's on your mind?" In front, hands on the reins, my escort leaned back, smiling. Wrapped in silk robes, hair tucked in a tight bun, anyone looking would [Identify] her as a [Merchant]. And a beautiful one, at that.

"Hmm?" She leaned farther.

I didn't answer.

Clicking her tongue in mock disappointment, she turned away. Directing her attentions elsewhere. As we passed a small group of [Trader] Class, she waved cheerfully, until we were finally on a stretch of road that was less occupied.

"It suits you." She announced, at last. "Whether you agree with it, or not."

I didn't even want to look at her, choosing instead to rub at the bandage wrapped around my shoulder. Closing my eyes, I pressed around the wound lightly, gritting my teeth.

The ointment itched.

"You might as well speak." She prodded, again. "After all, who else are you going to be able to talk to? Honestly, that is."

The anger in my chest simmered.

"Out with it." She insisted.

"You knew, didn't you?" I gave in, letting out a long breath. "As soon as you saw the blessing, you knew."

I still didn't look at her. There was no point, anyways.

The oxen pulling the cart snorted, kicking loose stone as we began to climb upwards. The road's long downhill slope was finally coming to an end. Our pace slowed.

"I suspected." She answered, finally. Shifting the reins, the wagon shook. "I wasn't certain."

"Did I ever even have a chance?"

"I wouldn't know. I'm not a God."

As we continued upwards, we passed a small group of [Worker] Class, camped out beside the road. Dozens of people and tents, many huddled with children along the hill. There, small fires burned, but there was nothing roasting over the flames. Watching us with tired eyes, their heads slowly turned as we passed them by.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

They looked hungry.

I shifted, from atop my pile of bagged grain.

"Shouldn't you be helping them?" I muttered.

"And give up my wagon's precious cargo?"

"We both know you don't need any of this cargo."

"Mmm... maybe some other time." She shrugged. "But only if you ask nicely."

I listened as she laughed, but I couldn't tell if it was fake.

Turning over to my uninjured side, I closed my eyes. I tried not to focus on the bumps and shakes that each loose stone sent rattling up the wagon, or the throbbing pain in my shoulder.

Before I knew it, night had fallen.

We pulled off the road, settling down the oxen with bags of feed, before the [Merchant] slipped back inside the wagon with a smile. Letting her hair down with a simple pull, she settled in, across from me.

"Talk, John." She said. "Talk, so that I might listen."

I met her stare for a time, watching as her Class fell away. As her Title fell away, and her features changed. The illusion slipping: back to who I knew her to be, once more.

I could see her clearly, but I knew it was only because I was being allowed to. [Identify] could reach her, now. Not easily, but no longer was it impossible.

> Guildmaster

>

> Assassin

>

> Blessing of Forgotten Gods, ????

"Talk." She repeated, impatient as her eyes shifting color. From gray, to purple, to gold. "Before I make you talk."

I sighed.

"Do you know about my world?" I asked. "Where I came from, before the Empire?"

"Of course, I've heard the stories. Everyone has."

"Which ones?"

"Metal boxes without magic, odd inventions that make no sense. Metal birds that fly people in the sky, without Magic." She listed. "Things of that nature."

"Fine." I shook my head. "Then, can you guess what I did, before I came here?"

"Slayed monsters, perhaps?" She motioned, as if she were swinging a sword. "Hunted wolves?"

"In a sense, maybe." I answered. "I solved problems."

"Oh?"

"Before I came here, my job was to solve problems for people. The kind that were difficult and tedious enough, so that no one else wanted to deal with them."

"I suppose I could see that." She lounged back, considering, and waiting for me to continue.

"I used my mind. I never fought anyone, or killed anyone. I never went out, looking for danger. I just used my mind to solve problems. That was all I did."

As I spoke, I felt the words slipping, as if I couldn't keep them in any longer. I'd never talked about this with anyone. Not even the other Heroes, what felt like so long ago.

The Guildmaster listened.

"In other parts of the world, though, I would see and hear about things. The stories about how there was always a war going on, somewhere. How there was violence, somewhere. But that wasn't my life. My life was spent learning, studying, practicing, and while I know most people might find that kind of existence to be boring: I loved it for what it was."

"Sounds peaceful." The Guildmaster slipped down, crossing her arms behind her head as she settled into her spot among the cargo.

"It was."

"Do you want it back?"

"I don't know." I answered.

"Really?"

"I don't know if someone like me even has that option."

"Why not?" She opened one eye, much like cat.

I looked back in surprise.

"Don't you have plans for me?" I asked, gesturing to the wagon, to myself.

"Me?"

"Yes, you." I arched an eyebrow. "Wasn't that what all this was for?"

She sat back up, tilting her head to the side.

"What is it?" I asked, cautiously.

"You haven't met many people who aren't trying to use you for something, have you?" She grinned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means: No, I don't have plans for you."

"But-"

"I'm sure whatever the Gods have in store for you exceeds anything I could possibly come up with. I just saw you and thought you were interesting." She leaned forward, crossing the narrow space between us. "And for someone like me, that doesn't happen very often."

Pressing in beside me, she leaned her head against my shoulder.

"So, you tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"What happens now, John?" She asked. "What do you want? Who will you be? Where will you go?"

"Do you really want to know?" I asked.

"Of course."

I waited for a moment, looking at her in surprise. Finding that there was no sly smile, or tricks.

"I wanted to be a [Mage]." I admitted. "When I found Magic, I thought that maybe, just maybe, it could make up for all that's happened. If only a little. That it might be something good, among all the bad."

"That's all?"

I nodded, leaning back a bit to rest more comfortably.

"That's all." I repeated, quietly.

"So... be one."

"What do you mean?" I asked, as a hand took my cheek, leading me to hers.

"You have Magic, don't you?"

"Yes, but now it's too late. I'm..." I stopped as her eyes shifted, colors ever-changing as she pulled me closer. 

"You know, for someone so smart, you can be quite a fool."

Her Class changed one more time. No longer an [Assassin] or a [Merchant] or a [Servant], but something else, as she smiled for real.

"So be one." She whispered, pulling me just a little bit closer as her hair draped down around us, and shut the world away.

And in that moment, I couldn't help but smile too.