Tim ate breakfast downstairs in the cafeteria the next morning. Outside, the fog had rolled down from the mountain. The empty training fields were blanketed in a surreal glow. On a normal day, groups would be out practicing their battle formations or practical magic. Guild instructors would be teaching new adventurers the basics. Those who survive, only do so by taking every opportunity to improve.

The weather and the quiet seemed unreal. Tim felt like it was getting too late in the year for fog. Summer was coming and the night and days were getting longer and hotter. But outside the window, the fog still sat, like a reflection of the city’s mood. Almost all capable mercenaries and adventurers had packed up and left for their secret assignments. They had gone off to prepare for war. The somber emptiness left Tim as bland as the gruel he was eating.

Work was quiet; even manager Murata was unusually despondent. The enchanting department was finishing up the order for the empire several weeks in advance. It should be a time for celebration. But there was something happening. A shadow hung in the air and scratched at the necks of every soul. The bombardment of the castle happened a few days ago. Then rumors of a demon infiltrating town ran rampant. The gates to the west were closed.

Tomorrow Tim would finish up the last of the order. A party would be held, bonuses would be awarded and Hoban would get drunk. But no one felt like partying. Secret workings were going on and gossip-fueled the misgivings. Like everyone else, Tim didn’t know what was happening, but he knew it wasn’t good. The only question that was on people’s minds was how bad it would be.

At lunch, Tim sat down under a shade tree at the edge of the training grounds to eat. The muggy air had burnt off and warm sunlight was streaming in. Soon it would uncomfortably hot even in the guild’s summer uniform. The sparring and practice areas were still silent. Not even the birds were singing today. His eyes wandered to the jagged cliff wall that surrounded the city. Just a few nights ago magical artillery light up the night as it soared over those same cliffs.

Tim bit into his sandwich, and in the quite the crunching and chewing was so loud he didn’t notice approaching footsteps.

“It’s a lovely spot you’ve found here.” A young lady wearing the usual drab green uniform and guild collar with silver choker sat down in the grass next to him. Tim didn’t recognize her. But the way she pushed her hair up over her ear and smiled made him think she knew who he was. She was beautiful with petite features and a figure that fills the guild uniform in the right place.

Tim turned and looked listlessly out over the horizon. “Yeah,” he mumbled as he tried to place her. Maybe she was one of the ladies at the library. He did spend a lot of time there and was usually focused on research. A charming beauty like her should have stuck in his mind.

“I, I want to say I’m sorry.” She lowered her head.

“Sorry for what?”

“For not believing you were an enchanter.”

“Oh,” the gears suddenly clicked in Tim’s mind “so you’re from reception. You look totally different when you’re not trying to murder someone with your eyes.”

“Um thank you? By the way, I’m Hino. Ume Hino.”

“I’m Timothy Nelson. Call me Tim.”

Ume knew who he was. She had followed him since she found out he was a first-class enchanter. She thought she had a good understanding of his personality but still, she blushed at him being so forward. A first name already, her cute looks had drawn him. Now she just needed to go in for the kill. She scooched a little closer.

“Ume opened her black lunch box. Would you like a tamagoyaki?” She held up a rolled egg omelet between her chopsticks nervously. For the past several weeks Ume had gotten up early to upgrade her cooking from disaster to semi-edible. She had also spent her breaks spying on Tim, trying to figure out where he ate lunch. She watched him in secret and knew most of his favorite places. But this location was his go-to choice when eating away from that infuriating elf. Finally, her chance to catch him had arrived.

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“Sorry, but no. I don’t have much of an appetite today.”

Crushed, Ume's shoulders sank and her dark hair hung over her eyes. Her plan had been shattered. She bit the Tamagoyaki and grimaced. 

“Seeing the field so quiet just seems wrong,” Tim sighed. “It’s like the life of the guild has drained out. Even the sunny sky somehow looks gray.”

“Yeah, it just seems so, I don’t know, lonely here lately. Ever since the attack things have gone quiet. But at least we have each other, err, other guild employees I mean. It feels like we are gearing up for war.”

“You may be right, I think war is coming. It’s not just us, but also the city has gone quiet. It’s like the breath before a scream.”

Ume had fumbled her words carelessly. War. She didn’t believe it was possible until Tim affirmed her thoughts. But it was natural, what other recourse was there after such a frightening assault on the emperor himself? She shuddered.

“Do you think we will be safe here? I heard one of the adventurers say that a demon actually made it inside the city. Although, I don’t think it’s possible.”

“No, it really happened. I was there.”

Ume’s eyes go wide, and then narrow as Tim told her the story. She brought up her shapely legs and hugged her knees. Ume grew colder as Tim detailed the fight. It took such an effort to bring down just one demon. And who knows how many were still waiting at the door. She wanted to run away, to evacuate to the countryside. But that would be no safer. And until her term was up, she would be left behind to protect the guild. How futile that would be.

“I wonder how long before they attack again?”

“I’m not sure. Days. Maybe weeks. But soon I think.”

If the bombardment from before were to strike the city there would be nowhere to hide. How many lives would be claimed? Would the emperor even send the army to fight? If one demon was as strong as a hundred men, would it be enough to empty all the garrisons? Questions riddled Ume’s mind.

“Thank you for protecting us.”

“I didn’t really do anything,” replied Tim. Ume knew, but still, she was grateful.

Shaken by the breeze, one of the last spring flowers drifted down from the tree. Seven perfect pink petals settled down on the grass as if to remind them of hope still existed the world. “I always liked flowers,” Ume said “but now, this one makes me sad. Like us, they will wither in the summer and die.”

To the surprise of Ume’s pretty almond eyes, Tim picked up her black bento box. At first, she thought he was going to eat her tamagoyaki. Suddenly she remembered how bad her cooking was and was about to stop him when Tim placed a hand on the lid. A moment later he moved it away to reveal a beautiful etching of a seven petaled flower. He slid it back to her timidly

“Not all flowers wither.”

She held the box gently and felt her face growing red. The delicacy and detail of the design immaculate. The relief was sharp and crisp. No master could craft such an elegant etching, free from burr or splinter. But he had done it in an instant, and for her. To soothe her heart. It was almost too much.

Tim looked at the clock and stood. “I’m sorry Ume, but I need to head back to work. Were on tens over there. See you around.”

Ume. He called her by her first name. Her heart jumped as her face burned red all the way to the tips of her ears. Words caught in her throat as Tim walked away. She couldn’t even look at him. She just cradled the box and whispered to the wind as he walked away, “marry me”.

The next day Ume waited for Tim again, but he ate lunch at the office. A buffet of cakes, meat, and exotic fruit juices was stacked in the space boxes of rings once occupied. Tim ate in relative silence. Hoban slipped wine into his juice. The others chatted quietly about small matters. No one dared to breach the topic that gripped them. What should have been a celebration of unprecedented success looked more like a funeral.

Tim’s eyes were downcast and his mind wandered as Guild Master Kubo gave the usual congratulatory speech in an unusually somber tone. Bonuses were announced and few present smiled. After all, even a sudden windfall feels empty when you might not live to spend it. Those who had the wherewithal to look at Mr. Kubo did with pleading in their eyes. They all wanted the same; information, reassurance, and hope.

As the weathered Guild Master wrapped up his speech he paused and cocked an eyebrow. “To you who have accomplished the impossible, I will give one final bonus. Information.” All eyes lifted and glued to Mr. Kubo. One doesn’t become a Guild Master without being able to read a room.

“But, you are under the strictest orders to keep the information, and your preparations, secret until the public announcement.” He continued to the furious nodding of heads. “In three days’ time, there will be a city-wide military parade, for the honor of our soldiers. I am granting you all a leave until next Monday. For those with faith, pray.”

The dark cloud in the room grew gloomier. The others seemed to understand the significance, but Tim was left to guess. The soldiers were preparing for battle; a battle against the overwhelming power of the demon nation. The parade was for their honor and courage. Something to help them remember what they were fighting for. What they would be dying for.