Roan arrived at his ramshackle hut as the night got deeper. Moonlight barely shone.
He entered his hut and quickly stuffed anything of value in a bag. Some food, a couple of clothes and the book of Necromancy. That was all he had. His money and the sword were looted by the kidnappers.
He didn't even get the chance to get revenge on them.
Roan shook the thought out of his mind and went outside. As he was about to walk away, his eyes landed on Ruth's hut. He had to say goodbye to him. He was the only family that he had left. He approached the hut and peeked inside. It was empty.
'Where is he at this time? ' Ruth never stayed outside overnight. Roan stood at the door as he contemplated whether to wait or just leave.
Staying was dangerous. The knight who was the relative of George and Sol would be after him again. Just this failed attempt wouldn't stop him.
And someone might have seen him while crossing the wall. So, both of these combined made it too dangerous to stay in town.
But just leaving without saying goodbye would leave a bad taste too and the guilt he would afterwards would be too much for him.
Roan had to make a decision, how hard it may be.
As Roan was fretting, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. He turned around to see Ruth walking towards him. Roan's eyes widened and Ruth mirrored his expression. Both were surprised to see each other.
Ruth approached Roan with an anxious face and said, "Are you alright?" as he looked him up and down.
"I thought you were kidnapped. I found a sleeping bomb outside of your hut. " Ruth continued and took out the black wooden ball.
Roan glanced at it confused about what Ruth was talking about. "what's a sleeping bomb? " he asked.
"It's a ball with a sleeping gas inside. It makes you unconscious after you inhale. So I thought the kidnappers must have used it to kidnap you. Were you not kidnapped? "Ruth explained.
"Oh. Yes, I was kidnapped but I managed to escape. " Roan wanted to tell Ruth everything. About him awakening as a Necromancer and how a true was after him but he held himself back. Ruth was old and Roan didn't want to burden him with responsibilities. They might have grown distant as Roan grew up but he was still someone Roan considered a family.
Ruth seemed to notice Roan had something to say. But he didn't ask. He just waited for Roan to spill it if he wanted but he didn't want to then he wouldn't force him.
Roan remained silent for a few seconds and said, " I need to leave the town. " Roan bowed his head and tried to hide the emotions on his face. His usual poker face crumbled but he kept his head bowed.
Ruth stayed silent and watched as Roan tried to hide his tears. He put his hand on Roan's shoulder and patted it, trying to console him.
"Be careful out there. " Ruth said, surprising Roan. Roan lifted his head and saw Ruth smiling at him. He had expected Ruth to question his decision. But he didn't seem to care. Ruth patted his back and pulled his hand. He forced something in his hand and closed int into a fist. Roan opened it to find a gold coin. Roan was about to say something when Ruth walked away and entered his hut, not giving Roan a chance to say anything.
"I will be. " Roan said as he too walked away while waving at Ruth's back.