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“What a surprise, you didn’t bed anyone last night,” said Lyra as she gave Erin a sniff.

“And why would you think that?” Erin asked with her brows creasing.

“You know why,” she answered. Leaving her lover with a smirk, she walked to the cart to finish up her preparation for their departure.

This was the east gate of Quinteburgh and it was currently dawn. Erin and Lyra were about to depart for the next course of their journey. Siv was the newest addition to their group of two, now a band of three. Siv was giving her last words of parting to her former employer and former workmates. Crom in particular, was down on his knees begging for Siv not to leave but he was quickly dragged away by his father’s men. Everyone feigned ignorance on that development, everyone except Siv who responded to Crom’s pleas with a stern denial.

After setting down her luggage, Lyra went to spend her last moments with Celia, who came with Saphielle to bid them farewell. Celia’s sleeves were dry but it was apparent they had been wet. Erin and Lyra noticed that quite clearly but touching on that subject would only make things more difficult.

“These past few days have been interesting, to say the least,” Iris said.

“I concur. Sad to see you leave, Lady Erinthea,” said Rosemary, the Guild Master of Maven’s Creek and also its provisional governor. “You sure there’s nothing I could say or do to change your mind?”

Erin offered a smile. “I’m not good with desk work, much less governmental affairs.”

“You could be my hand. Your presence alone would be enough. Every process will be so much smoother. These people are always eager to get on a Fae’s good side.”

“All the more reason to leave,” Erin said and they shared a laugh. “How do you stand these people anyway?”

“I was born into it. Over time, you get used to it.”

“I hope it doesn’t have to come to that.”

Their brief exchange ended there as Rosemary excused herself with the reason for her piling work. They promised to exchange letters if the convenience suited them.

“Stay a few more days at least,” said Iris. Her eyes spelt her sorrow but her lips painted her ever-present amused grin. “The nights will be cold and lonely without you.”

“I never asked, when are the caravans leaving?” Erin asked.

“In a week at least.”

“I thought you had a strict timetable.”

“We did but after what happened, it will be… unwise for us to just leave things as they are. Besides, these are all merits. A group of merchants saved a town from destruction— sounds like a pretty epic tale to garner attention from people. The good kind of attention, mind you.”

“Glad to know you’re doing well.”

“Quite the contrary, actually. There is still a lot to do and we hit a few obstacles. The bane of business, undocumented spending,” Iris sighed exasperatedly. “I am deeply troubled.”

“You don’t look troubled though, if I may say.”

Iris chuckled. “Years of practice of hiding my troubles behind a smile. It helps a lot. It keeps people away from taking advantage of my moments of weakness.”

Erin glimpsed at Iris’ shadow, wriggling in its puddle as if it was alive. “I’m sure they wouldn’t have even if you didn’t keep up that smile.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Erin. You are still far too green. My level may be high but I am not a combatant. My enemies can compensate for the level difference with their fighting experience. A similar case such as yourself.”

“Me?” Erin pointed at herself.

“I know you have won against people with levels much higher than yours. A feat continuously made possible by your skills. Remember well, Erin. Never underestimate someone or something that has a lower level than you.”

“Never had, never will.”

“Good to know,” Iris said. “And as a parting gift, there’s some information I would like to share.”

“What kind?”

“News from the east, Sephrodia Valley.”

“Bad news?” Erin asked.

Iris nodded.

Erin sighed. “Well, hit me.”

“The Covenant. What do you know about them?”

Erin shook her head. “Zero. Never heard of them.”

“Then it’s good that I’m telling you this now. The Covenant is a very powerful underworld organization in the Yorun Kingdom. Their influence is the strongest in the east, where their base allegedly lies.”

“Allegedly?”

“Just a guess of mine and my guesses are rarely wrong.”

Erin rolled her eyes.

“Be careful of them, Erin. They’re not your typical thugs, though they might not be as skilled as you, their influence is what makes them dangerous. This is especially true for their leader, Marduk. A ruthless man who won’t even hesitate to use children to his advantage. He even once established an orphanage just to turn it into a whorehouse later. Clever but… twisted beyond anyone’s imagination. Do not say his name willy nilly in public. You’ll get yourself in a knot that not even I could easily untangle. Do you understand, Erin?”

“I understand. I’ll be careful but misery loves company and troubles always end up finding me. I heard something on the streets these few days, something about bandit activities on the rise in the east. I’m guessing it’s all related?”

“That would be them. Recently, their activities have been on the rise and they were not very subtle about it. Apparently, a few Fae had managed to raise all of their ires. They had even put a bounty on them.”

Nivia came to Erin’s mind when she heard the word, “Fae”. Then again, aside from Saphielle and herself, she was the only Fae she knew.

“The court did nothing about this… Covenant?” Erin asked.

“Word is—” Iris leaned in close to her ears. “—they had the nobles backing them.”

“Corrupted nobles, I am so shocked.”

Iris tittered. “They are everywhere. It’s terrible but that’s how it is. Greed is a widespread disease. Some even say the Lord Governor of Sephrodia Valley is one of these nobles.”

Erin drew in a deep breath before exhaling it in a long sigh. “Fuck you, Nyx! You knew about this. I bet you’re having fun watching me suffer, aren’t you?”

“It’s exasperating, I know. The rumours only get worse. They say Marduk is the true lord of Sephrodia Valley but this hearsay has a very shallow basis. It’s a silver lining.”

“That’s an unnerving thought.”

“It is. And that’s all I have. I hope you can forgive me for not bringing any good news.”

“It may not be good news but it was very useful. It is good to know. You have my gratitude.”

“You’re welcome, Erin. It is my pleasure,” Iris said and spread her arms open.

Erin flinched with her eyes widened.

“That’s a rude response,” Iris said.

“Well, pardon me but you don’t strike anyone as someone who hugs.”

“My hugs are reserved only for two very special people.” With her arms still spread, she approached Erin. “You and Aedan.”

Erin did not push Iris away as the Umbrun wrapped her arms around her tight. Their chin rested on the shoulders of one another.

“You are really warm, Erin. I will surely miss this warmth.”

“You are quite sentimental, Iris.”

“Surprised?”

“At this point, not really.”

And they shared a chuckle on each others’ shoulders.

“I hope we can meet again soon in the future,” Iris said.

“You could just make another friend. Lower your standards.”

“Lowering my standards in making friends has almost cost me my life and my fortune. I’m happy with my current standards.”

“Then you’ll be waiting for a very long time.”

“But I’ll be waiting.”

As they parted from their embrace, Erin felt a tug on her robe. She glanced down and found Celia looking at her with sorrowful gleaming eyes.

She got to her knees to meet Celia’s gaze. “I’m sorry, Celia. I wish I could stay.”

Celia gripped the hem of her own skirt. “It’s alright… Saphy says what you’re doing it’s important.”

“She did?” Erin asked, sneaking a glance towards the tittering Saphielle.

“There are others like me out there who might need your help.”

Erin smiled. “That’s right. There’s someone out there who needs my help.”

“I know it’s selfish to keep you here… I-I just… I...”

“It’s alright, Celia.” Erin pulled her into an embrace. “It’s alright to be selfish but it’s very good of you to be so understanding. I am very happy for you.”

“Nn.” Celia nodded. “It’s scary out there. Promise me you will come back?”

“I promise, Celia. One day, we’ll meet again and you’ll be more beautiful than you are now.”

Celia shook her head, her pigtails swinging with her. “I don’t want to be beautiful,” she said. “I want to be strong.”

“Oh?”

“So I can go with you next time.”

Erin giggled. “Oh Celia, how thoughtful of you,” she praised, tousling her hair. “Sure. If you get strong enough, you can come with us.”

“Nn,” Celia nodded and beamed. “I will. I definitely will!”

“That’s a good girl.”

Celia’s smile brightened, drawing awes of adoration from Erin and Saphielle.

Erin and Celia shared one last hug as the people around watched over them warmly.

“You’re really good with children,” Lyra remarked with a snicker.

Erin shot Lyra a glance as she parted from Celia. “Why does it not sound like a compliment?”

“It’s just your imagination,” she said and turned her gaze to Celia. She too tousled the little girl’s hair. “You be good now, you hear me? Listen to what Saphielle tells you, alright?”

“You too, Lara,” Celia retorted while she enjoyed the pampering she was receiving from Lyra. “Listen to Ellie. Saphy says you are very gutty and often go against Ellie.”

Both Lyra and Ering cast a glare at Saphielle, who looked away with a faint grin on her lips.

The bell tolled as they enjoyed the last moments before their departure, beckoning the rising of the sun of a new day. As the three began to depart, they were stopped by an unexpected acquaintance who came rushing his way over. Erin had a feeling that this acquaintance of hers would come and she hoped she would be gone by then. However, reality wasn’t so kind.

Cynric scampered right to the front of the cart. His eyes looked up at Erin, who was on the cart, as she cast her gaze down at him. “Lady Erin,” he said. “I will be stronger the next time we meet.”

Immediately, his words garnered a few widened eyes and some muffled chuckles. A staple sentence from an epic tale, it was near-impossible for everyone to suppress their burst of laughter. For Cynric who was born into a land of trees and mountains as opposed to bricks and stones, he knew next to nothing about what was trite and banal.

The only one who maintained a straight face without a hint of imminent laughter was Erin. “I’ll be waiting,” she told him without a stutter. “However, if a person’s heart is your quest, drop that overbearing nature of yours. No one likes to be suffocated. I’m sure you know that feeling quite well.”

Left stunted by his adoration’s response, Cynric could only nod wordlessly and fare her well with a stuttering wave.

“That was harsh, mistress,” said Siv, who was the one with the reins of the two horses pulling their cart. The cart and the horses were gifts from the Adventurer’s Guild. “But I approve of your stance. He needed to be told of these things or else he would only find himself in a puddle of troubles that he couldn’t just wade through.”

“Wait a second. Mistress?” Lyra questioned. She turned to Erin. “Why is she calling you “mistress” What happened between the two of you?”

“I thought you knew?” Erin asked.

“I knew you two had some lovely and daring f—” Lyra stopped herself as she remembered Celia was still within earshot. “—c-coitus. But it was more than that, wasn't it?”

Erin grinned. “Perhaps you’ll find out tonight,” she whispered.

“Ah~ How envious,” Iris mused but she was wholly ignored by her peers since she was the only one who could hear Erin’s whisper.

A brief silence ensued as they gave each other one last glance. Not a frown could be seen. Only smiles were present. Amongst the quiet, Lord Hegan stood forward with his top hat toffed. “Siv, I have always appreciated your earnesty and broad horizons. Having you in my service was an honour. Do know that your return will always be welcomed.”

“The honour is mine, Lord Hegan but my return, even if it’s a possibility, will be far in the future.”

“In that case, until we meet again, Siv.”

“Until we meet again, Lord Hegan.”

They exchanged bows and nods of acknowledgement.

“Farewell, everyone. If the winds blow in our favour, may we meet again in the future. Let the Spirits guide us,” Erin bade with words that she learned from Nivia.

And with the incessant exchange of farewells and waves, Siv snapped the whip on the horses and the cart began to move. The exchange did not stop until Erin and the others disappeared beyond the horizon.

“May we meet again, my sweet Erin,” Iris muttered to her heart as she hid her grin behind her hand.