I was told this when I woke up. The siege had lasted four hours and came almost as a complete surprise to the Fortress Commander. If it hadn't been for Ronalt who had insisted he strengthen the guard the results could have gone far differently. The start of the siege was marked by a fire set in the plains north of the town. When I had thrown my bag the demons behind me panicked due to the rising flames sure that someone would come investigate. The result was a rush in their plans as they signalled for their army to rise. By the time they had charged forward however, the gate had been closed devolving the fight to a siege.
Not long after the south gate also faced the same assault almost falling to the demons. Spies hidden within the town struck from inside the walls delaying the gates closure forcing the guards to fight off the walls as the demons rushed to overwhelm them. At one point they had even made it inside the town however with the arrival of Ardent and Lara they were pushed back long enough to seal the gate. From then on it was a long fought siege on both sides of Greytree. The demons had the number advantage and tried to invade all around the town focusing their actions at the three main entrances. For a long while neither side showed an advantage and casualties rose on both sides. Reinforcements came from the border forest prolonging the conflict as the demons attacked in waves not letting the guards on the wall rest.
Finally Ronalt led an assault on the demon General taking the others and a group of trained knights. The sudden offensive caught the General off-guard but he fought bitterly to the end until Lara was able to capture him alive. With the loss of their General the demon army's command fell apart and not long after they retreated into the forest. All that happened and so much more, all the while I and Taylor were in the apothecary.
When I woke up the day had already passed and only traces remained. The grass near the walls was stained in blood but the bodies had been moved away to be burnt or buried. Chunks of Greytree's wall had fallen to pieces by the bombarding demon forces and the main gates needed a repair. The demon forces however were far gone across the border. The tunnel I had found was investigated and lead west however the demons had purposefully caved them in during their retreat. In the end Greytree survived though its occupants were shaken.
It was midday and instead of being in the inn I was standing before a table and the foreboding men behind it. Older men with stern expressions that made Ronalt's usual grim face look sweet in comparison. Seriously with him standing beside them you could really see the difference.
"And this is the young man who found the demons?" a grumpy looking man said while looking at me. His armour was gilded with gold and a badge stapled on his arm showed his rank. I assumed he was the Fortress Commander.
Ronalt answered, "Yes, this is Rain our steward. He was the one who informed me of the potential assault."
"And why exactly were you so convinced that the assault would occur that day?" his question was clearly directed at me.
I cleared my throat, "I wasn't 'convinced' Sir. The party I care for was scheduled to depart soon however before our leaving I and a companion of mine decided to inspect the local area. I am sure Sir Ronalt has explained my choice of location to you."
"He has," the commander nodded. "But even so to think the enemy would tunnel in is farfetched. It's almost as if you had been informed beforehand."
Ronalt turned his eye to him in a subtle glare, "Are you claiming my companion a spy?"
"Of course not," the commander shook his head. "I simply wanted to know his way of thinking such that I may enlighten myself."
"Is there anything else you may need of him?" Ronalt gestured to me.
"My thanks," the commander stood and bowed his head to me. "Regardless of the reason your actions and luck have saved my town. I will be sure to prepare you a suitable reward."
I bowed myself, "Thank you my lord. I am honoured to be of service."
Ronalt nodded, "Rain you may leave. I will be out shortly."
"Yes sir," I departed from the room as the guards opened and closed the door.
As soon as I was outside I breathed out a heavy relieving sigh. The atmosphere in that room had been palpable. If Ronalt hadn't been there I might have spilled my secrets from the pressure. For some reason I really doubted that they'd have believed me even if I had spoken the whole truth. Worst case they might have branded me a lunatic.
"I see you're finished," Taylor said greeting me. She was sitting with her legs crossed in the corridor.
"How did you get in here?" I asked genuinely. She hadn't come with us and on the way here the guards had been extra vigilant.
She scoffed, "Please."
I walked towards her, "How are you feeling? You must have just woke up."
"Great thanks to you," she stood up and took my hand. The sudden touch almost made me jump away but I endured curious as to what she was going to do. With slow and purposeful movements she bent down to one knee and took my hand to her lips kissing it gently. "You saved my life. I am now indebted to you, do with me as you like."
"Taylor I just did my job and besides you saved me first," I quickly went to make her stand. I liked Taylor as she was and I especially had no intention for a vassal like relation.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue. "No no Rain. This is the part where you're meant to hold me in your arms or push me against the wall saying 'then I shall take you now' or some romantic bullshit like that." The way she mimicked my voice irritated me more than it should have.
I let go of her and sighed, "And here I thought you were being serious."
"Well I kind of was," she smiled. "I do owe you one."
"Like I said you saved me first, we're even," I smiled back. "Anyway where's everyone else? I thought they were watching y-."
"Taylor!" and suddenly Lara was standing next to us. "So this is where you ran off to. Don't just leave like that!" Taylor was one thing but how did Lara get in here as well? Though knowing her she probably won not a small amount of fans in the fortress.
"Oops," Taylor apologised with a shrug.
"Whatever," Lara huffed. "Rain I see you're done."
"Mostly. I'm just waiting for Ronalt to finish," I replied and as if on cue the door opened. Ronalt stepped out and seeing us immediately approached.
"Lara, Taylor… I believe I asked you to wait at the inn," his eyes narrowed.
Taylor pointed to Lara, "She made me."
"No I didn't!" Lara exclaimed. The two of them were arguing like sisters.
Ronalt smiled softly, "It does not matter. Let's return to the inn. Unfortunately due to yesterday's siege we have much to talk about. For one we won't be leaving Greytree for the time being."
"Actually about that," I turned to Ronalt seriously. "I have a favour to ask."
*
"You're leaving!?" Marley clung to me desperately.
"Just for a while," I replied stiffly. Out of everyone I interacted with Marley the least the past few days. She and Lara were pretty close but I felt our relationship was quite one way.
"But if you're gone who's going to cook?" and there it was. The reason I turned to making my own potions instead of relying on her healing. "If you're going I'm coming too."
"No you're not," Ronalt pulled her off me. "There are many people who are injured and still need your assistance."
"Hmm that's right," she smiled and a shudder went down my spine. Creepy.
"Rain how long do you think you'll be gone for?"
"A week at most. Axel is a two day carriage ride from here. Once I've checked they're okay and know the situation I'll head right back." I looked at Ronalt sincerely, "Really thank you for letting me go. I know it hasn't been long and-,"
"It's no problem," he smiled softly. "Home is important and we'll be busy here for the time being. Although it has only been a fortnight after all that has happened you deserve a break." I knew to them it had only been two weeks but to me it had been much longer. It was strange having this skewed perception of time.
"And it's fine for me to go too?" Lara asked.
"Taylor has already insisted she will go. Without you she'll have free reign to do what she likes," Ronalt turned his eyes to Taylor how simply shrugged. "Besides… it would be safer for you to leave for now."
"I- I understand," Lara nodded. During the siege Lara had been a key player in the defence. She was already quite eye catching and combined with her ability she had attracted a lot of attention from both the townsfolk and soldiers. She as the Hero was meant to be a secret, at least for now.
"Thank you as well for letting me take the carriage," I gestured beside us where Pina was waiting patiently to set off. The repair work had been finished and it looked as good as new, fully stocked for the journey.
Ronalt shook his head, "With the four of you going it would be a shame not to use it. Now you should be off there is still time before the sun sets."
"Then we'll leave now. Take care," I waved at them. Ardent, Marley and Ronalt would be staying in Greytree to organise the aftermath while Earnest, Taylor, and Lara would accompany me to Axel. Taylor had insisted to go with me because she'd be bored otherwise and Earnest… well he didn't want to leave his 'apprentice' alone.
I sat in the driver's seat as the other's boarded the carriage. Pina chirped excited to finally leave the town. This past week I had been a bit neglectful of her and when we came to see her today she had pushed me to the ground. With a last goodbye we headed out of the south entrance towards Axel. The journey itself should be fine. The road was safe and in the plains there wasn't much threat. I had made the journey several times before and there were plenty of places to camp to avoid the denizens of night. With my current company I doubted there would be much trouble they couldn't handle.
After a few minutes Greytree's towering walls were looking a lot smaller. I couldn't help but look back and take in the sight. The last time I had travelled this road was with Ardent and Earnest, the town had been in flames. With how it was now I really had to commend myself, we had somehow avoided the worst case scenario and better still I had lived through it.
There was shuffle behind me and Lara stepped off from the roof to sit beside me. I shifted to the right to make room for her.
"Hi," I said to her simply.
"Hi," she replied with a tired stretch. "I thought you might be lonely."
"I'm used to it." I smiled, "Though I wouldn't say lonely. There's a lot to see when you're outside and besides I have Pina." I rubbed the bird's soft pink feathers and she chirped.
"It is nice here," Lara breathed out taking in the sight. "So much more open than Greytree."
"I know right, it was so cramped in there," Taylor's voice came from above us. "Shove over." She came to my other side and forcefully butted me to the middle as Lara quickly moved to make room.
"Where's Earnest?" I asked fearing that the four of us would have to squish together.
"He's sleeping." Already? It hadn't been more than ten minutes since we left. I wished I had that kind of talent when sleeping.
"I see," I faced forwards. To my left was Lara and to my right Taylor… argh I didn't really think of them as potential partners but having the two girls beside me was bad for my heart. Sweet and innocent Lara on one side and the blatantly sexual but also surprisingly sincere Taylor. The result, just look straight ahead. "Anyway, Taylor I thought you would have liked the tighter spaces of a place like Greytree."
She kicked her legs off the seat, "Can't argue with that. Cramped places with a lot people means easier opportunities to steal."
"You didn't did you?" Lara leaned forwards to glare at her.
"Of course not." Taylor pointed at the choker on her neck, "You ordered me not to remember?"
"R-right I did didn't I…." Lara backed away guiltily.
Taylor laughed, "And that's why they should have given me to someone else. Not that I mind but what's the point of a slave if you don't order it."
"I- I don't think of you as a slave," Lara proclaimed strongly. "You're one of us, a friend!"
"That's… that's very sweet of you," Taylor smiled and leaned back. "I guess I am enjoying myself."
I had nothing to input to the conversation and kept my attention on the road and Pina. A silence came over us and for a while we were all content just to take in the scenery and enjoy the crisp air blowing across the plains. Lara occasionally fidgeted and I could tell she wanted to say something but I wasn't going to pry.
Finally she opened her mouth, "R-Rain have you killed anyone?"
"Didn't you see me do it before?" I asked with raised brows. She had told me herself she saw me kill Faith in the bandit's den. It wasn't a memory I particularly liked but I would have probably done the same thing if I had to repeat it. Thankfully we were past that.
"Oh right… Taylor how about you?"
"Of course I have," her reply was said a little too easily for comfort. "When you grow up in the slums you need to be ready to do anything to live."
Lara shifted uncomfortably, "I-I'm not sure if I have. When the demons attacked I gave my all to protect the town… but to be honest I held back. I know they wouldn't have spared us any mercy and Ronalt told me himself, but I couldn't just kill them. The thing is, I saw so many of them die and I know I would have been the cause of it." She stared down at her hands. They were shaking.
Before I could stop myself I had my hand placed on her head gently patting her. Her eyes flicked up to mine in surprise and I forced myself to remain composed.
"Lara," I began softly, "Don't hold it over yourself. You're kind, honestly I think you're a little too kind but you can't hold all that weight on yourself. The demons attacked us with the intent to kill and to survive we had to reply the same. They knew the risks and I know it's a bit callous but that's how it is. Just remember why you did it, think about the people you saved. Like Michael and his sister Lily, without you they would have been in danger. You helped save their home."
"Th-thank you," Lara half smiled and brushed away the tears building up in her eyes. "I think I needed to hear that."
"Well I hope I helped," I went to take back my hand but she stopped me.
"Just a bit longer," Lara turned away shyly. "Please."
I smiled and continued to gently caress her head. It felt oddly natural like I was used to it, comforting her when she was sad. I felt a nudge on my right and I suddenly remembered Taylor was still there.
"Hey, I had some trouble as well," she moped. "I almost died."
"Umm I need at least one hand to drive," I replied awkwardly.
"Pina can drive herself," Taylor forcefully picked up my other hand and plonked it on her head. I gave in and rubbed it. "Oh? This is actually really nice, I feel all warm and safe inside."
"Good for you…." I looked straight ahead with both my hands held out either side of me as I patted the two girls' heads. Just what was I doing? Yep it was better that I didn't mind it.