Nobles. Nobles. Nobles. Nobles.
I was sick of the word. It was as if the world would bow down in front of these nobles.
I've always thought, what was it the held that was so valuable? What did the people around me see in them?
Why did they worship them?
I know, for one thing, I'll never question them again after what I ended up watching, or more like, what I ended up witnessing.
Oswin was standing in front of me, blocking the souls with his blade. Everything happened in a blink of an eye.
One moment, we were trying to pass through the swarm of souls, and the next, all of them were following behind us. Oswin told me the reason might be that we were an easier target than the nobles.
But it happened such that even he could not stand a chance against these night creatures.
I was on the ground, trembling. Pathetic, I know, but my body wouldn't listen.
And never would I have ever imagined Oswin shaking in defeat.
"Oswin?"
His eyes were trained on something or rather someone.
The nobles.
And all it took them was a second to eliminate all the souls, with just tiny gesture from their fingers. Chest high and tall, I now knew why they worshipped nobles.
They put zero effort.
"You commoners would have died." One of them said. "Do you plan on fighting anyone when you're this worthless?"
Was there no going back? I wanted to stay here no longer. If I won't be surviving at all, I'd rather spend the rest of my remaining time with Aenor.
"I trust myself to do better tomorrow than today." Oswin panted and when his legs gave out, he fell on his knees. "At the very least, I did my best."
The woman walked forward, eyes narrowed in detestation. "And you?" She pointed her finger towards me. "Are you going to crawl in fear on the battlefield? Didn't you say you were heading to the Oldwest?"
Oswin shook his head, before he talked as if he were fuming, and wanted to tell them off. "He's a commoner. He's going to train in Oldwest, not for the war but for his sister. Do not look down on him."
She looked away, walking back to their fire camp but not before she spoke one last time that night, "I better not find you dead against Vadon."
I didn't know what those words did to me right then. It stung me exactly where it should have and I hated those gazes and what it did to me. I hated nobles before because they were worshipped but I started hating them that night when they looked down on me.
That night we survived and got to the township no matter how scarred it left us, but I was wounded within me.
Even though whatever she spat on my face was absolutely nothing but the truth, Oswin felt the need to stand up for me.
"Here we part." He ruffled my hair offering me a smile but all I could do was stare at him. "Don't be too upset. Grow stronger and prove them wrong."
Since the current township we arrived at, was a big one, there were transport facilities from here to Oldwest town. Turned out another route lead Oswin to Clearfield, his own destined place.
He was bruised, but he didn't show it.
"You didn't have to do that." I made sure my gaze was piercing enough. "You didn't have to defend me."
"Was there anything wrong with what I said?"
Thinking back, all he said was true, except, I was no commoner. It didn't sit right with me. "No."
"The end." He shrugged, before letting out a forced laughter. It wasn't necessary, he just did it to lighten the atmosphere. But what he said next, had my core quiver. "I know you're going for the war."
"What?"
"I read through your lies. It wasn't that hard. I don't know what else you're hiding from me, but I hope you return safely." He lowered his head. "Don't die."
There were things I resented. Wars, being looked down on and having someone else hope for your survival, which seemed impossible.
"I will try."
"Do you have to go?" he was emphasising his words. I've come this far, how do I not face it?
"Yes. I have a purpose for coming all this way."
"Even if it means you'll have no chance of winning?" He placed both his palms on both of my shoulders.
"Making a fool out of me, are we?" I pushed him away. "It's a goodbye, Oswin. Thank you for what you've done for me."
And this'll be the last time I see him, since everyone thought I'd die anyway, including me.