The soft, peculiar sigh brought everyone’s attention to Mila. With her body’s temperature heightened, she had trouble keeping her composure. Mila had no doubts her cheeks were burning. It was hard to think about anything else but the careless touch she had enjoyed just a moment ago.

Flinching now would be a mistake. Mila didn’t let the looks bother her. They didn’t know her and would be able to guess what had transpired. They weren’t Andrew.

“We will move tonight. Bribing is not an option for us, so it leaves just breaking Andrew out. If you would be so kind,” Mila addressed Barcy, “I would appreciate any further information on the Command Post and what to expect there.”

Barcy smiled and was about to speak when Naran stopped him. “Information will not be a problem, but-” He mulled over his following words. “It would be only fair to receive something in return. The newest intel will put my people in danger. I can’t do that for free.”

It sounded all too reasonable, but Mila struggled to come up with an immediate response. It wasn’t wise to agree to anything. Mila wasn’t familiar with Naran, what he stood for or what his goals were. She pinched Isabel’s thigh. Her girlfriend had done her dirty.

“Indeed, a very thoughtful offer, Mr Vakano. But I cannot help but feel wary. We have just arrived in Stilag. Our friend has been arrested. We went through traumatic events while trying to help people.” Mila spoke at lengths to let herself cool down, and Naran almost laughed at her, referring to the events as ‘traumatic’. She didn’t mind it. Even if the man didn’t believe her, it gave her room to navigate. “You wouldn’t be trying to take advantage of our unfortunate circumstances, would you?”

“Well, I am a bandit.” Naran sent Mila a wolfish smile.

“But still a person of honour, are you not?” Mila appealed.

“Hah, not at all.” Naran’s smile turned more savage. “I am as bad as they come.”

“You forget we already saw you interact with the children.” Mila shook her head at the man playing around.

Naran’s face returned to a more amiable expression. “Well, they are still children. I have a soft spot for them.” He easily admitted.

“And not for the little me?” Mila blinked. She didn’t like it, but her appearance could be useful at times like these.

Even if she didn’t particularly play it up, her stature being short and looking up to taller people often helped her gain at least a little advantage. Especially when used against Isabel. Yes, her girlfriend was a sucker for Mila’s act of innocence.

“And you forget Cici already told me what you did to those men.” Naran returned. “Didn’t hesitate or show any regret - Cici said.”

“Oh, but I am shaken. It hurt me deeply to be so decisive.” Mila played her chosen role.

“A trait so often mistreated. Decisiveness can be so useful, and so many people lack it.” Naran ruefully sighed. He wanted to continue, but Cecilia appeared behind him and slapped the back of his head.

“You are scaring the children.” Cecilia scolded. “Play your games without bothering others.” She wagged her finger at her leader and then turned towards the guests. “Sorry about that, everyone. He is just playing.” She looked at Mila. “He was mostly serious when talking to you.”

“No harm done.” Mila finally felt comfortable enough as her heartbeat returned to the norm.

“Now, Cici, that is not fair. Young Miss was partaking as well.” Naran actually managed to sulk. His face was not suited for the expression at all, making it twist into a rather ugly sight.

“But she saved me.” Cecilia turned around and left.

“Didn’t I do that, too?” He questioned Cecilia’s memory. “It’s so hard to get good subordinates these days.” Naran sent Cecilia a wronged look, then addressed Barcy. “Send someone to check if anything has changed lately in that post. See what else crops up. I don’t believe my dear ‘comrades’ won’t take advantage of the chaos.”

Barcy smartly saluted, then left, heading towards the tables. He began to call out a few people and give them tasks. While it elected some groans, most of the people addressed quickly gathered their things and left.

While it was happening, Mila used the moment to send an accusing glare at Isabel, who mouthed an apology.

“What about you two?” Naran suddenly asked, interrupting Mila’s and Isabel’s voiceless sparring through glances.

Isabel mouthed another apology before answering. “Won’t anything happen to Andrew while he is there?”

“Hardy.” Naran found the thought amusing. “Stilag’s guards are cowards, but they also hate the military. They won’t do anything to help them.” He rubbed his chin before launching into an additional explanation.

“Right. You are not familiar with Stilag. Something you should know about the city is that up until recently, it was run by us.” Naran pointed at his chest. “When the war started, many local heads lost their areas of influence to the arriving army. It wouldn’t be so bad, but the Inquisitor, who was content to let us be, vanished and was replaced by people from Maltra Empire, and they don’t like us. The Pillar of Eternity guys are just a step away from openly hunting us down.”

Mila nodded along with the explanation while purposefully ignoring Isabel’s attempts to appease her. After Naran had reassured them that Andrew would be fine for now, Mila’s girl had put a finger against Mila’s upper arm and gently ran it up and down, trying to get Mila to look at her.

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At one point, one of Naran’s subordinates arrived at the table and offered Kanna a place to clean. The poor girl shrunk back from the offer, not willing to leave the table. The kind woman could only helplessly change her offer to another portion of soup, which Kanna took.

Meanwhile, Naran looked at the ceiling, his expression sore. “The local Nobles got their influence diluted as well. King Oispio ordered them to gear up their personal forces and support the Army. That decree is not popular. Some nobles are outright ignoring it. Probably not for long, or they will be branded as traitors.” He mused.

“Then the refugees started to arrive.” Naran stopped. “Cici, more wine.” He demanded. “Not a pleasant topic, that. Kids like these-” He motioned towards Kanna and Vatim. “-are getting more and more common these days.” There was a palpable sadness in his voice. “But it wasn’t just your average, poor citizen who sought safety and ran. Dregs of society also left their cities when it became clear they would come to ruin.”

“And they came to Stilag.” Mila had seen some of the results of it.

“Of course!” Naran pounded the table with a fist. “Where else! Stilag! It is known as the city of Debauchery! Why wouldn't they come here!” It took a moment for him to calm down. “And new blood meant new struggles. Helly is one of the new Heads. Killed the previous owner of the area - Murry, in his sleep. Good thing, too. Murray was a sick ashole. Well, I guess Helly isn’t better either.” He added.

Cecilia brought Naran more wine, which he gladly took and started to drink.

It became increasingly difficult for Mila to ignore Isabel, who was getting desperate to earn her attention. Her girlfriend was now tugging her sleeve.

“I must assume your words serve as a warning.” Mila guessed.

Naran slammed the bottle on the table. “Not really. It’s simply better to know about things like these. I want to have a cordial relationship with people like you. Mortimer probably didn’t tell you much. He is shunned from most circles because of his Father. That dude was a giant ashole.”

“F-father w-”

“He killed for fun.” Naran didn’t let Mortimer speak. “He raped and stole. When I brought it all to the light, your dear father managed to hoist his own crimes on my shoulders. Always playing a righteous man, your father lied to everyone. The simple fools in the streets may have liked him, but he didn’t have friends.” There was undisguised animosity in his voice now. “And yet, you come here seeking help?

“N-no,” Mortimer waved his hands, trying to defend himself from the words. “F-father wouldn’t…”

“He did. And you must suspect it as well, or you wouldn’t have come here.” Naran sneered. “While coward, at least you are a better man than your father.”

These words hung heavily over Mortimer’s head. He was trembling and pale but didn’t argue anymore. Vatim started to comfort Mortimer while Kanna was torn on how to proceed. She decided to just continue eating.

Even Isabel stopped her pestering, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. Naran’s hostility had sobered her up.

Mila waited for a moment for Naran to calm down. After the man drank some more wine, she decided to speak. “Returning to your previous question, Isabel and I need a spot where we can rest. If you could point us towards one, we would appreciate it.”

“A tough ask.” Naran burped. “Sorry about that. Cici always says I am growing more nasty as I age. Life of a criminal has not helped it either.” He apologised. “Anyway! Usually, I would point you both to an inn, but those are full. In addition, I doubt the fires were contained just yet. Most of the area is likely devastated. I don’t have free rooms either.”

“Ugh,” Isabel regretted her choice of keeping off the pursuers once more. “I knew the fire was a bad idea.”

“It worked well, didn’t it?” Mila automatically replied before realising she was still ignoring Isabel. But then again, her girl was feeling down, wasn’t she? That was important. But Isabel’s carelessness couldn’t be encouraged…

While Mila struggled with how to proceed, Cecilia, who hoovered nearby, spoke up. “They can stay in my room.” She suggested. “I can ask the boys to add a couple additional beds for them. Kanna, too. Maybe a bunk?”

That sounded confined. Mila wanted to refuse, but honestly? They didn’t have other options unless they wanted to raid Andrew’s holding place right now, during the daytime and flee the city without the map Mortimer had promised.

“It is a reasonable offer.” Mila allowed after a moment of thinking.

“I can arrange that.” Naran wasn’t against it either. “It will be cramped though.”

“Not a problem. Isabel and I can share the bed.” Mila made a suggestion of her own.

Cecilia nodded. “That would help. What about you, Kanna?”

The rescued girl looked at them in surprise. “M-me?” She dropped her spoon. “C-can’t I sleep with my brother?”

“I want to be with Kanna.” Vatim immediately mirrored the sentiment, but after another moment, he looked at the broken Mortimer. “And big brother.”

Those words awoke Mortimer. “Oh, Vatim! Thank you.” He weakly smiled and patted the boy’s head. “But your sister needs you more.”

“Unfortunately, we have no free rooms.” Naran interrupted. “Someone will still have to share.” He glanced at the group of people who were listening in. They quickly scattered, not willing to offer their own rooms.

Cecilia didn’t have any other ideas either. “I think Barcy wanted to throw Mortimer out, but-” She looked at how Vatim tried to protect Mortimer. “I guess we can find him a spot.”

“No bed,” Naran interjected. “Boy gets one, though.”

“That’s fine.” Mortimer didn’t fight back, but Vatim did. The boy asked why, and it started an argument.

This all was starting to annoy Mila. She had wanted to spend a quiet moment alone with Isabel, but at this point, it appeared to be impossible. She tuned out the arguments and resumed pointedly ignoring Isabel.

Mila had figured her chilly facade would keep her girlfriend occupied and wouldn’t allow Isabel to think silly thoughts about what she had done earlier to the city.

It worked, too, as Isabel resumed bumping against Mila’s shoulder to get the attention.

When the resting arrangements were finalised, Mila felt relief. It was hard to ignore Isabel’s cute assaults.

After Naran asked for another talk with Mila later and in a more private location, Cecilia guided them to another tunnel towards the place where they could rest.