The large building was… a little plain.

Vim and I were walking towards what he had called a checkpoint. The entrance into the Nation of the Blind.

It was the first building in several days that I’ve seen… and honestly I was disappointed. It was three stories high, yet looked… unfinished, somehow.

There were a few people around it. Two men in leather armor with swords on their waists stood off the road near a field. They were in a heated discussion about something. Not too far from them was a pair of spotted horses, most likely theirs. They were letting them eat the grass.

Off in the distance, was what looked to be a large wagon. I could just barely make out the four people around it, but not much else. It looked like they were getting ready to leave, heading our way into the lands Vim and I had come from.

“Why’s there just one building out here?” I asked. It was so odd… there wasn’t anything else. The land here was mostly flat, and covered in thick grass. I could see for quite a distance, and saw no other buildings. Not even cabins. The land around here wasn’t even being used as farmland. Most of it was covered in grass, while the rest was a mixture of rocky dirt and weeds.

“It’s something of an inn. We can get something to eat and rest there,” Vim explained.

“Oh. Someone’s business then. Why did you call it a checkpoint?” I asked.

“Because it’s not a business. It’s a small barracks for this nation. To let them monitor their border,” he said.

“Is that who those men were?” I asked, glancing back at the two leather strapped men. They hadn’t even looked at us.

“Yes.”

“Poor guards. Maybe they are blind,” I said.

Vim chuckled but didn’t say anything. Maybe he agreed with me.

“You said this was a powerful nation?” I asked.

“One of the greatest in this corner of the world, yes,” Vim said.

“Doesn’t look it,” I said honestly.

“Nothing is as it first appears,” he said.

Drawing closer to the wagon, I realized the people near it were all women. They wore typical travelers clothing, and… were surprisingly young looking. The oldest looked similar in age to Vim. Or at least, the age he appeared to be. The youngest still had baby fat around her cheeks.

The four of them stared at us as we passed, and the youngest bowed their head in greeting. I waved back, and wondered how common an all female group was. As far as I was aware, it was very rare. Nearly unheard of.

Passing the group and their wagon, I looked around for maybe another of their members. Surely they weren’t alone?

Yet no one else here looked a part of their group. Only one man was here, and he was sitting on the porch that led into the building. He was whittling away at some kind of small wooden item.

“No one seems any different,” I whispered.

“Why would they?” he asked.

“It’s a different nation isn’t it?” I asked.

Vim frowned, and then paused for a moment. After he considered something, he nodded. “It is. But humans are humans. You need to go a lot farther to meet people that different. One day you’ll see,” he said.

“Hm,” I nodded. I intended to.

“Also… they are a little different. You probably haven’t noticed but their ears are a little different. Maybe you’re more cultured than I thought,” Vim said.

Their ears? We were too far away from the women now to study them, but the man on the porch was close. He wore a hat, but his ears were visible.

They didn’t look strange… or maybe they did? Or was I just seeing something that wasn’t there, because I felt there should be? Were they rounder than those I knew? Or more pointed…? Were they thicker?

Glancing to Vim’s ears, I realized they were different. His weren’t as thick as the man’s nor as wide.

Though maybe he wasn’t one to use to tell, when I took into account he wasn’t human… and old…

I’d need to see more… and…

Reaching up to touch my own ears, or at least the ones on the side of my head, I wondered if they looked odd. I had never paid much attention to them, since the ones on top of my head were much more important to me.

Heading into the building, I followed Vim up onto the porch. The man sitting on it looked to be carving something long and round with a large end. A ladle or something maybe?

“Just in time for dinner,” the man spoke with a deep voice, but didn’t glance at us. He focused on whatever he was carving.

“Sometimes it works out that way,” Vim said plainly, entering the building without looking at the man.

Did he know him?

Entering the building alongside Vim, I slowed my pace to allow my eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness.

Blinking the dark away, I realized why this building was so dark. All the windows were covered by thick cloth. None of the sunlight was getting, except by the open front door.

Neither Vim or I closed it behind us, since it had been open before.

Gentle candles lit up the place, and I found it to be as homely as it was empty. No one stood at the large counter to our right, and the only person here see was sitting at one of the few square tables. He was slumped over the table, seemingly sleeping.

Vim ignored the apparent emptiness of the place and walked over to the counter anyway.

Following him, I found the stairs at the other end of the building. They ran up the side of the wall, and rounded the corner of the building to head upward. Other than the chairs and square tables, there was only one large fireplace at the other end of the room. It was huge, and nearly a dozen logs were set within it… ready to be lit at a moment’s notice.

Stopping before the counter alongside Vim, I stopped studying the place and found that he was pointing at the counter.

“Hm?” I stared at the little silver thing he pointed at.

He gestured for me to touch it, seemingly bothered I hadn’t done so yet.

The thing was oval in shape, and looked attached to a wooden tablet, or plate, of some kind.

Reaching out for it, I wondered what it was… yet the moment my finger tip touched it a familiar sound filled the air.

Ah… a bell…

“Coming!” A young voice shouted from behind the wall in front of us. Coming through the wall, from a distance. A human might not have heard the shout.

Studying the silver bell, I realized now how obvious the thing’s purpose was. It wasn’t in the shape of a normal bell, to me, so I hadn’t realized it… but yes. It was a bell. Meant to be rung with a tap of a finger.

Set up to be used only when someone wished it to. Not when a door opened.

Ingenious.

Yet… the sound it gave off reminded me of a sad memory.

Thinking of that small golden bell that had hung above the Sleepy Artist’s door, I had to hurriedly put away those memories as a young woman appeared.

She stepped through the drapes covering the doorway behind the counter, and her hands were wet for some reason. She approached us with a smile as she dried them off with her shirt. “How can I be of service?” she asked.

“Two meals, and if you have a recent report of the lands I’d like to read it,” Vim told her.

The girl smiled and nodded. She stepped to the right, and bent down to grab something. She pulled a bundled up paper from under the counter and laid it before Vim. “You look like you have Renk. Fifteen of them for the meals,” the girl said calmly.

Vim pulled the coins out as I reached out to grab the folded up paper. What was it?

As he paid for our meals, I studied the writing on the paper.

I couldn’t read it. They were obviously words and letters… but…

“Suns still up, so no ale. You look traveled but…” the girl’s words drew my eyes from the strange language.

“I know. Something cold if you have it,” Vim said.

The girl nodded knowingly, and then smiled at me. I tilted my head at her, and realized she was waiting for me. To tell her what I preferred to drink. “Same thing, please,” I said quickly, feeling silly.

“I’ll get to it right away,” the girl nodded and turned to leave, heading back behind the curtain covered doorway.

“Hm,” Vim huffed and turned. I returned my attention to the papers I held as he guided me to one of the square tables.

Vim chose one as far away from the only other man here, and upon drawing closer I realized he really was asleep. He was just barely snoring.

Sitting down at the table with Vim, I laid the paper out as to get a better look. It unfolded into a single sheet, nearly four times as big as it been folded up.

There were lots of words… which looked stamped onto the paper, instead of written. Every so often there were larger words, in bolder ink.

“What is this?” I asked him.

“News. This nation once a month sends them out. It tells all citizens of the lands they live in. Updates on weather, the wars, the royalty and nobles… merchants… prices, and stuff,” he said calmly.

I felt my eyes go wide at the realization of what he meant.

“To the whole nation?” I asked in disbelief.

Although he said nothing, and I hadn’t looked away from the paper… I saw him nod his head out of the corner of my eye.

“Wow,” I whispered and ran my fingers along the paper. It felt thick, like many pages in a book.

“It is amazing, but it’s nothing too surprising. Many nations have done similar, although I will admit this one has done it best and the longest compared to the rest,” Vim said.

“I can’t read it,” I said honestly as I studied a familiar looking word. It was several letters longer than the one it looked like, as if someone had changed it somewhat.

I pointed at it, and noticed the length of my finger nail. I needed to cut them. Very soon.

“That looks like house, but…” I shrugged, as I told him what I thought it said.

Vim leaned forward and looked at the word. “Homeland. It’s the term they use when talking of their nation. I’m surprised you somewhat recognize it, this language isn’t similar to the one in the north. You must know another language,” he said.

“The witch who… helped me learn taught me two. The words of her people and the one I thought was the human’s tongue,” I said.

“I see. Interesting. I’ll need to find out which it were. Probably one of the magic languages of the east,” he said as he stared at me.

I shrugged. “She didn’t teach me any magic.”

“Of that I’m sure. It doesn’t exist.”

Frowning, I found myself wondering if Vim had lied to me for the very first time. “Excuse me?”

He tilted his head in a way that told me he couldn’t understand why I was suddenly upset. “Hm?”

“What do you mean magic doesn’t exist?” I asked him.

“It doesn’t?” he asked me back.

Sitting back, I strained my ears. I knew it made my hat move, but I didn’t care. I needed to hear his words as clearly as possible. This was important.

“Vim…” I whispered.

“You think there’s magic?” he asked, rather seriously.

I nodded.

“I see. Well I’m sorry, but as far as I’m aware there is not.”

“What about us?” I asked him, a little too loudly. I looked around, and was glad to see that the only other person here still was the sleeping man. He was also still asleep.

“We’re different, yes, but not magical. We bleed. We cry. We die,” he said.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

My eyes twitched, and I did my best to keep my tail under control. It wanted to sway wildly. “What… what about just recently? Bray? What happened there, if that wasn’t magic…?” I didn’t know what to say.

“That wasn’t magic. That was simply a trick. What little abilities and powers those like Bray have only affect the smallest of things. Though…” Vim frowned and sighed. “I suppose in a way you could call it magic, for a lack of a better phrase. But it isn’t. Magic used to exist. It doesn’t anymore. That era is over,” he said.

Very uncomfortable with this conversation, I tried to think of all the things the witch had done. I had seen her with but a word change the colors of water. Create music out of nothing. Heal wounds in the blink of an eye! “I’ve seen magic,” I said.

“I believe you. Rather I believe you’ve seen things you believe were magic,” Vim said.

My eyes narrowed, and I wondered if maybe this was just a miscommunication between us. Or at least, I hoped it was.

“The witch I learned from. She was able to use magic,” I said softly.

“I’ve no doubt she did things that seemed so,” Vim nodded, seemingly being honest.

“I saw her heal wounds in a single moment. I saw bones reset, just by her saying a few words,” I said.

“Did you?” he asked with a frown.

“My own arm,” I said, gesturing to where it had been broken.

“Fascinating. You met a Saint. Is she still alive? Where is she?” Vim asked, suddenly a little more interested in something other than our conversation.

“Dead. I killed her, remember?” At least I hoped she was. If not she probably wished she were.

“I see. That’s too bad,” Vim said with a frown.

“I don’t understand… you know what witches are, and admit they can do those things… but still say there isn’t magic?” I asked him.

“Rather I said calling it magic works. But it isn’t. Magic is the art of altering the world around us with the energy of another realm. That realm is gone. Has been for thousands of years,” he said.

“So… you mean to say magic is a term for something specific, and what I saw was something else. Yet I can call it that, since there’s no other name for it,” I said, trying my best to understand him. I needed to, before I grew upset with him. Or rather, more than I already were.

“Basically. The only ability that exists anymore to heal someone, without using modern techniques or medicine, is holy divinity. Saints are some of the few that can use it to any great extent. I’m not arguing with you that there aren’t… anomalies in this world Renn nor that there aren’t those with strange abilities and powers… but magic is an actual art. An art that is not only lost, but literally impossible to perform anymore. It’s like a language that is no longer known or remembered,” he said, tapping the paper on the table before me as if to prove a point.

Focusing on the paper, I realized I had forgotten about it.

Vim turned it a round a little, to read something that had caught his eye.

As he read, I realized he either had not noticed how upset I had almost just got… or simply didn’t care.

Somehow that hurt.

Yet, I wasn’t angry anymore.

After all, what had actually upset me was not that he had said something didn’t exist; that I believed did… but rather my own internal dilemma.

I had thought he had lied to me. Openly.

I had not thought him the type to do so.

Hide a secret. Speak in a roundabout way, sure. But lie? Outright?

The protector wouldn’t do that. Shouldn’t.

Not just to me… but not to anyone.

Taking a small breath, I realized I suddenly had a layer of sweat on me. Even though it wasn’t hot or humid. Hopefully that girl would come out with our cold drinks soon.

“This one talks of the rise in price of iron and copper. Specifically nails. They blame the war in the south,” Vim pointed at one of the parts of the paper.

I gulped and nodded as he pointed at the next batch of words. “This talks of a church being built at some mining town. Paid for by some noble,” he said.

“A noble paid for it?” I asked.

“This nation is a land of deist. They become charitable, especially later in life,” he said. He sounded a little annoyed over it.

“Hm…” somehow that didn’t seem as bad as Vim seemed to be making it out to be.

“Here’s talking about a broken boat. During a recent storm. Someone important died during the wreck,” he told me of another.

“This one’s about an upcoming festival in the capital. Letting people know when it starts, and what it entails,” he pointed to another.

“When’s it start?” I asked.

“In a few weeks. Although we'll get there before it starts I doubt we'll stick around long enough to witness it. Sorry,” he glanced at me, and seemed a little worried for some reason.

“Ah…” I nodded, and felt bad. He looked ashamed, as if it was his fault… but it was just a festival. I wouldn’t weep over missing it. He looked more concerned over me missing the festival than the conversation about magic we just had.

Vim took a small breath, but before he said anything his eyes looked away. Towards the entrance.

I followed his look, and watched as two people entered the building.

Two of the women from earlier. The wagon girls.

They stepped into the building, and with squinting eyes looked around. They saw us rather quickly, and then looked at one another and nodded.

“Uh oh?” I looked back at Vim, wondering what was about to happen.

“I don’t know them,” he said simply, but did so quietly. That was for my ears alone.

Remaining still, I watched Vim closely as he watched the two approach us. His eyes narrowed, and he looked… off-putting all of a sudden.

“Sir, may I spare a moment of your time?” one of the women asked him.

Vim gestured for her to continue, and I glanced at them. They stood a little too close for my comfort.

They had jackets of leather on, but their hoods were down. The older of the two had shorter hair, coming to a stop before her shoulders… but the other had long hair, bundled and tied together several times. Even with all the ties it still reached her legs.

“I feel bad asking this, but I fear more the possible risks that could come than the shame I feel now,” the older woman had eyes only for Vim, but the younger one looked at me. She gave me an oddly troubled smile, as if she was embarrassed and worried.

“If you’re looking for charitable coin I don’t have it,” Vim said.

“Ah! No… I’m sorry. We just lost our guard, you see,” the older woman coughed mid sentence, and I wondered if it was truly shame or not. She looked… worried. Yet not because of the conversation. Something else, maybe.

“And?” Vim asked, seemingly unbothered by her words or facial expression.

Before the woman could answer, the young girl who worked here walked out from behind the curtain. She carried our drinks, two metal cups and a large pitcher.

“Oh? Still here Melody?” the girl noticed our guests, and obviously recognized them.

“Yes… regretfully,” the older woman, Melody, said.

“Figured you’d be long gone by now. Something wrong with the wagon?” the girl asked as she put our cups onto the table. I moved the paper out of the way as she put the pitcher down as well.

“No. Luckily that’s not my issue… Though I’m not sure which I’d prefer, to be honest,” Melody said.

Glancing at Vim, I found him now focused on our cups. He was filling them up, pouring the light colored liquid into one of the cups. Had he lost interest? He looked as if he had.

“Well… I’ll be back with your food shortly. It’s almost done,” the girl gave me a nod, and I nodded back in thanks. She left with a worried look on her face… maybe she had noticed the odd atmosphere, and chose to retreat.

It was relieving somewhat to learn that they knew each other. Must mean they frequented this establishment.

As she left, I accepted the now full cup from Vim. He had poured me mine first.

“I’m no guard,” Vim said as he went to fill up his cup.

“I know a warrior when I see one,” Melody

Well she wasn’t wrong. Though I had to admit she must be something… since Vim really didn’t look that special. He did now, to me, but even I admitted that he really wasn’t all that special… appearance wise at least.

If she was being genuine, then she had quite a pair of eyes to notice.

“You have until my food arrives to explain,” Vim said simply.

Although his words were curt and to the point, and made the younger woman glare at him… it had only made the older Melody smile in amusement.

“My unfilial son-in-law just abandoned us. Left his wife too. He was our guard for this journey. I’d like to see if you and your wife would be willing to join us the rest of the stretch. You’re headed to the capital right?” Melody asked.

Huh…

Vim sighed as he took a drink, and suddenly I was the focus of the old woman’s eyes. She smiled at me. “You noticed we were all women. Didn’t you?” she asked.

“Oh… uh…” I sat up straight, and my cup nearly splashed as I realized… like always… my thoughts were and had been written all over my face.

“Anyone would,” Vim said for me.

“All the same. She had looked at us with worry. Concern. Over complete strangers… I like that. It means you’re both trustworthy,” Melody said.

Vim’s expression told me he not only didn’t agree with her, but was also annoyed. Yet he didn’t say anything.

The woman then gestured to a nearby table. The one in-between us and the sleeping man. Or well… he wasn’t sleeping anymore. He was rubbing his face, which now had deep red lines thanks to the table he had rested it on. Our guests had probably woken him.

Her younger companion quickly pulled one of the chairs over. She placed it in the free section between Vim and I, and the older woman sat into it.

Was that her daughter then? Her expression hadn’t changed earlier when Melody had mentioned her husband abandoning her, however… they didn’t really look alike. She had dark black hair and eyes, the older woman had a light brown. Their facial structures were different too. Melody had a sharper nose and chin.

“I don’t believe I invited you to sit,” Vim said as he stared at her.

“You’d deny an old lady a seat?” Melody asked weakly.

Vim scoffed, unbothered by her suddenly weak sounding voice.

Something told me she was far from weak.

“It’s only a four day journey, I’m sure you know,” Melody continued in her pitch to enlist Vim.

“Nearly two more than it would be while on foot for us,” Vim countered.

“I’ll pay you appropriately. We’re hauling spices, I’ll pay you a tenth of the profit of the sell,” Melody said.

I had expected Vim to completely disregard her offer, as he had been doing… so it was a little surprising to see him actually look at the old woman with interest for the first time.

Melody smirked, as if happy to finally have his real attention.

Sipping my drink, I was glad to find it cold… and tasty. Some kind of juice.

“Which spice?” he asked.

“Spikenard.”

Vim’s eyes left her and came to me.

I stopped drinking, but kept the cup to my lips. Did he want me to say something?

Honestly I found this very interesting. They were obviously just humans… but…

Something made me want to help them. Maybe it was because I found their story—the purpose of their request, so fascinating.

A husband, leaving his wife and family in the middle of a trip! What drama.

For a few moments the woman went silent, staring at Vim expectantly. He kept his eyes on me, however.

He was such a contradictory man sometimes. One who seemed to be willing to kill a human at any moment… yet at the same time he was the type to genuinely consider a request for help.

I knew he didn’t actually care for the money. After all he never even negotiated or haggled.

Neither the money, nor they themselves were important to him. But at the same time… he was in truth a kind man. A gentle one, to those who deserved it.

Vim could be a ruthless inhuman monster, or a gentle old soul.

Which would he choose to be here?

Hopefully he’d accept. It sounded fun and interesting.

“Just to the capital?” Vim then asked.

Melody nodded, and the woman standing behind her smiled in hope.

“Who do you sell to? Do you have a writ of purchase already?” Vim asked.

Melody finally smiled, and with a swift motion pulled out a brown paper from her sleeve. She handed it to Vim, who took it readily.

He read it quickly, and I wondered why he looked so… natural doing so. He seemed so used to this. He obviously didn’t feel any of the excitement I was feeling.

“Hmph… Fine. We’ll leave once we’re done with our meal,” Vim said with a nod to something behind them.

Sure enough our food was being carried out. By the young woman and a large shouldered man, each carrying two plates.

Melody laughed twice, and stood as she took the paper back from Vim. “Sounds good! I’m Melody Constella,” she introduced herself.

Vim ignored her for a moment, so I quickly offered my hand. “Renn. He’s Vim, it’s a pleasure to meet you Melody,” I said to her.

Melody shook my hand, beaming me a smile. “Renn! I’ll let the others know to get ready. We’ll be waiting outside,” she said with a heavy nod.

The other woman nodded too, seemingly happy over the outcome. The two then turned to go.

“Goodbye again Melody. When will I see you next?” the woman carrying our food asked her as they passed one another.

“Next fall! Stay healthy Canny!”

“You as well!” Canny said as she put one of the plates she had carried in front of me.

The man put the plates he carried in front of Vim, and then took the large news paper we had gotten upon entering in return. “Thanks,” Vim said.

“Enjoy! Just give a holler, or ring the bell if you need anything,” Canny said as she and the man hurried to leave.

“Thank you,” I said to them and hurriedly went to grab the fork and knife that rested on the largest plate before me. A big slice of… ham waited eagerly for me.

Vim sighed as he too went to cutting some meat.

I had a lot of questions to ask, but didn’t know where to start.

Glancing to the entrance, I wondered what to expect to come from the upcoming days.

“A husband abandoning his family in the land of the faithful. Quite a story,” Vim said right as he took his first bite.

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. This is the land of the religious isn’t it?” I asked.

He nodded as he looked around, as if to see if they were still here. The only one here was the man behind us, and he sounded…

Turning my head, I watched as the man groaned and headed for the stairwell. He seemed sluggish, as if still half-asleep. Was he complaining that we were being noisy?

Yes. He was.

“Ignore the drunk,” Vim said.

“How can he be drunk? She said no alcohol until sundown,” I said.

“When you get drunk every night you’re always drunk,” he said.

Oh… that was true. In a way.

“Think he actually abandoned them?” I asked.

“We’re going to find out,” he said.

Taking my first bite, I smiled at the delicious taste. They had soaked it in honey or something like it. It was full of flavor.

“These lands are safe. Patrolled by knights and churchmen alike. Something else is at play with them. But I can’t blame them for not telling the whole story. It’s not like they can actually trust us on a first meeting,” Vim said.

I swallowed my bite and nodded. That made sense. “What could it be?” I asked him.

“My guess is they stole the spices, and someone is not too far behind to get their goods back,” he said, and after cutting off a piece of meat he took a bite.

“Huh… they didn’t seem the type to be thieves,” I said.

“Know many?” he asked.

“Just two, that I’m aware of,” I said.

Vim smiled at that, but instead of saying anything about it he chose instead to take another bite.

“I’m surprised you agreed,” I said to him as I poked at the odd bread with my fork.

“You looked like you wanted me to,” he said with a shrug.

Blinking at him, I stared at him as he took a drink and studied the paper next to his plate.

Even though he didn’t see it, I gave him a smile. A big one. A happy one.

One to thank him.

One to praise him.

A smile for many things.

“I’ll let you handle the talking from now on, by the way,” he then said.

“With Melody?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Okay,” I agreed. Talk? With others? Women? Make friends?

Threaten me with a good time…

“Don’t get too attached. They’re hiding something,” he warned.

I nodded, and knew my smile was still far too big. He was giving me an odd look. “I know,” I said.

“You do, don’t you? Yet you’re still happy about it,” He said and then shook his head and sighed.

“Just let me cry on your shoulder if it goes horribly,” I offered.

He tried to hide his odd look with a bite of food, but it was still plainly visible.

I giggled at him, and decided to not tease him too much.

Although it wasn’t really a joke.

Hopefully that’s all it’d remain…

Hurrying to finish my meal, I excitedly looked forward to the upcoming trip.

I’m so glad I was here. I’m so glad Vim had allowed me to join him.

I hope I prove it was the right choice.

In more ways than one.