He suppresses his scream by tensing his entire body as felt the heat spread out in seconds. It reaches a point where his head goes numb and the scalp feels as if thousands of needles are pricking him at once. Before he can even think to run out and dunk his hair in the snow, the liquid stops falling and cools so fast even he can't believe it.

“It’s over.” Lyaria sighs and relaxes her body as tense as Ezer's.

“And now?” His body seemed to boil on the outside and he couldn't help his tone showing the pain.

"One second, I'm going for cold water." This time, Ezer breathes a sigh of relief at the feel of the icy water. Little black scabs quickly fall off his hair, leaving a color as dark as night.

"Aren't you going to do the same with your hair?"

“No, there isn't enough for both of us. I will wear a hood in open places and if someone is struck by my appearance… I can make them see different things.” Lyaria answers confidently knowing full well the effect her deep eyes had on people's minds.

“You're right, I'll never be able to understand your eyes.” Immediately after, Ezer falls asleep and finally manages to get some rest.

"Rest, I'll watch for the rest of the night." Lyaria smiles as Ezer's breath slows as his eyes close.

However, neither of them could imagine that the actions of that night triggered a chain of events that would make them suffer like they never would have thought.

The days were getting grayer making Ezer wonder how long ago he had last seen the sun while walking. Slowly, but surely, the difference between fall and winter was blurring creating the season most hated and feared by all.

It hadn't been long since the three of them started walking, maybe a couple of hours, it was hard to tell without the guidance of the direct sun. A strange silence took over the environment and wondered if he was the only one who perceived it. The difference between walking with someone he didn't trust was obvious, Ezer had gotten used to traveling knowing that Lyaria had his back, just as he did for her, but now he can't help but distrust the new pair of eyes.

“From where you come from? What happened to make those mercenaries attack you?” Ezer finds no better answer to his problem than to ask and tries to get to know her better. Although Lyaria cracks a smile knowing that his question was very direct, but she doesn't deny that she also wants to know, she would have brought it up if it wasn't for Ezer getting ahead of her. She may not have noticed, but her grip on the spear was firmer and his attention was focused on Irene rather than his surroundings.

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“Eh? Ahh ... My father used to have a small cargo ship, one of those that can hardly reach the island in the middle of the gulf.”

“Used to?”

“Yes, he disappeared two years ago at sea along with the ship. Since then, my mother and I have tried to survive on some temporary income, but last winter hit us hard and we both got sick. I was able to get by, but my mother... she didn't.” Irene lowers her head, hiding her expression.

“It had to be difficult.” Lyaria unconsciously relaxes her body, one could feel the real pain when she talked about her mother.

“After that? How did you end up leaving home?” Ezer was genuinely curious, without knowing it, the story caught him.

“My mother didn't die in a day, it was painfully slow, in that time she told me about the black city, the capital of the domain. If I could get there, I would have better chances, she told me to find a man who could support me.”

“So you left everything and depart before winter.”

“Y-yes... I thought it would go faster, especially when some mercenaries offered to escort me for a sum of money, but things didn't go as expected and it ended as you know.”

“You were lucky to cross paths with us, even if you had reached the capital, nothing good awaited you. There is no work and if a noble had seen you, it might not have end well, I heard enough stories to know.”

“It's the same as anywhere... but I hope that at least in the capital there is hope for me. If the city is not good? So where is it?”

“You can come with us for a while, although we are going in the opposite direction, deciding what to do is something that corresponds only to you.” The three paths was the midpoint, to the west was the gulf and to the east was the black city. Irene would have time to think about it until she reached the town.

The hours pass quickly, especially when the sun begins to go down hidden behind the clouds that only served to further darken what was left of the day. This forced anyone to hurry, luckily the three of them see the lights of the town before darkness forces them to stop.

From afar one could see the activity in the town that, although not much, raised hopes of a night's sleep in a closed and warm place. The streets weren't straight and they weren't flat either, not only because of the potholes, but because the entire town was sitting on a hill that proved to be quite a challenge for the legs of people who weren't used to walking.

There was no wall that surrounded the town except for one or another indication that it once existed. However, it was inevitable that a guard would be stationed on the main road collecting taxes.

“I don't remember seeing your faces. Its the first time in the three paths?”

"Yes, we're on the way. We look for an inn for the night.”

“Follow the main road and you'll find one with the same name as the town. Now, you have to take off your hoods and pay an entrance fee.” Both Irene and Lyaria had their faces partially covered, when they reveal, the guard cannot contain his shock for the two beauties who were rarely seen, especially for the only company of a young man who did not ensure a solid defense for the season and roads so dangerous.

“"How many coins for passing?" Ezer's question brings the guard back to reality, who does not hide his interest in the two women with their faces partially covered again.

“Three copper per person.”

Both Lyaria and Ezer frown upon hearing this, although before Ezer did not know the value of the coins, now did thanks to Lyaria. Two copper coins was already high, but three was a clear scam.