Lucien was exhausted. He'd been walking for days, only stopping to catch the few meager hours of sleep that his "guest" would allow. By the time he'd arrived at the ruins of Galath, his former village, He barely had the strength to stand. With a weary sigh, He collapsed against the charred remains of a tree by the roadside, The heavy rainfall soaking him to the bone. 

"What was the point of any of it?" He muttered. "What have I even bothered living on for?" 

"For me of course."

Lucien grimaced at the presence in his mind.

"Piss off, Malphas." He growled.

"Huhuhu, But aggravating you is oh so enjoyable, what else is there for me to do? besides, you DID ask a question."

"Aye" He replied, annoyed. "One not meant for you."

"if you say so my friend, Just remember what will happen once I hold the reigns. don't give up just yet!"

Once the presence was quiet, Lucien leaned his head back and closed his eyes, reminiscing about the ruins around him. 

This burned, decrepit shell of a town was once his home, Where he was born, where he had married a wife and raised his children. Yet all that remained was mud, ash, and charred ruins. 

He did not know what had compelled him to return to Galath after the three years since it was razed. Perhaps he was simply looking for a place to die, Or perhaps he was so lost that he didn't know of anywhere else to go. He no longer had any reason to stay, yet could not shake the attachment from it. 

The sounds of footsteps splashing in the mud interrupted his train of thought. 

"Are you alright?" A voice asked.

Lucien opened his eyes to see a hooded man standing above him, His amber-gold eyes filled with concern, yet a warm smile across his stubbled face. The open eye, symbol of the All-Maker, hung on a silver chain around his neck. A priest.

"What are you doing sitting out here in the pouring rain?" The man asked, concern, seemingly genuine, in his voice.

Lucien hesitated, the man was a priest, and with his 'guest' to deal with, associating with the clergy was not a great idea. But something about the man seemed different to Lucien, and for some reason, he felt that he could trust this man. 

"I....I'm just lost." he replied sullenly.

"We all get lost sometimes, I understand." the man said, with a knowing smile.

"Well, seeing as you're lost, How would you feel about accompanying me to the Inn just up the road? It wouldn't do for you to stay out in this tempest."

Lucien considered the man's offer. He was tired, and sleeping in the mud and rain was definitely a terrible idea. But the man was a priest, and while he definitely felt different than other clergymen, Could he really trust him?

"I don't have very much money." said Lucien.

"Don't worry about that. Let's just get you somewhere dry." Replied the man. He reached out his hand to Lucien. "I'm Solace."

"Lucien."

He took the hand offered and struggled to his feet. 

"Come on then, it's not too terribly far." Solace grinned.

the two then set off down the muddy road together towards the Inn. 

It was a bit slow going, As Lucien was forced to take several rests along the way. But the priest, Solace, didn't seem to mind. he would patiently wait for Lucien to catch his breath, and was careful not to walk too far ahead of him. 

After about an hour's walk, they arrived at the inn. It was a squat old one story building, with a thatched roof and limestone walls. There were no carriages or Horses at the stables, but smoke was wafting lazily up from the chimney. 

The duo entered the building, the interior of which was dimly lit by tallow candles and a smoldering fire. but it was warm, and most importantly; Dry. There was no one else aside from the innkeeper and his daughter, So they took a seat at a table in the corner, the rain still battering the ground outside the window. 

Solace motioned for the aged Innkeeper, who waddled over to them for their order.

Solace placed two silver Denari, and four copper ones on the table. 

"A double room for the evening, and four meals please." 

He winked at Lucien

"My treat."

The innkeeper thanked him, gave him a key, and sent his daughter to fetch them food. She brought them two platters of roast duck, with diced onions, a wedge of cheese, and a heel of bread, as well as a pitcher of apple ale to wash it all down. 

Lucien's stomach growled monstrously at the sight of the food, and he devoured it greedily. Solace ate slowly, and with oddly proper etiquette for a priest. After they had eaten, Solace and Lucien talked between sips of sweet apple ale. 

"Are you from the kingdom of Aken?" asked Solace. "Your accent doesn't seem Akenite."

"Aye, I am" replied Lucien. "Born and raised in Galath, But my parents were from the republic of Anithorn."

"Galath..." muttered Solace. "Isn't that.... The village just up the road? the one that- Oh. I see. I'm so sorry for your loss friend."

Lucien's stomach twisted. A lump rising in his throat.

"Thank you. I... It's hard for me to talk about. I lost everything... everyone. I failed them. my family. my friends. I couldn't help them."

Solace gazed at him sadly. "what happened to Galath?" he asked quietly.

Lucien's knuckles turned white as he gripped his mug, the events of the raid bursting into his mind, spattered with red.

"Bandits." he choked out. "But not just any bandit rabble. It was three years ago. During the war between Aken and Vallidor. Vallidor was desperate, Because our Queen is an Arch-Lycan, a pitched battle against us would have been suicide. So they resorted to lower, more serpentine methods of war."

"I heard about that. Vallidor would hire mercenaries or ex-cons to pillage the borderlands of Aken." said Solace grimly. "As always in war, the innocent are ever the victim."

"Exactly" spat Lucien. "The vermin sent one of their Knight orders disguised as brigands. Galath sat on the Queen's road, it was an important stop for soldiers on the march to the front. It made a prime target."

Lucien inhaled and closed his eyes, recalling the evening of the raid.

"I was a soldier of the royal legion. Not a levy. So when I was wounded during a skirmish, I was sent home with a pension, and thought to retire."

"However," he continued. "Shortly after I'd arrived home, I remember having dinner with my wife and sons. It was an ordinary evening. then, suddenly I smelled smoke... and I heard the alarm bell ringing from the watch tower, I had time only to grab my saber and..."

Lucien's words caught in his throat. The memories flashed violently in front of him. His saber in his hand, slick with blood. The door to his hut smashed open, Sneering grins and cackles behind pointed spears and rusted helmets, and the biting, wet sting as those spears ran him through. The feeling of death, a deep, unrivaled exhaustion dragging him into the black. And the sight of his wife and children, beneath falling axes. fire, spreading quickly. And then, Darkness. Oblivion. Until a rasping voice in the darkness spoke. 

"Shall we form a pact?"

"Lucien?" 

Solace's voice jolted him out of the memory, His breathing erratic.

"M-My apologies. I don't think I can talk about it anymore." He gasped.

Solace nodded with understanding eyes. 

"It's alright, I hope talking a bit about it helped. And if you ever want to talk, I'll gladly listen."

Lucien nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, solace...truly."

After a bit more small talk, The two retired to their room, a dinky little nook with two straw beds and a small trunk. Solace blew out the candle, and Lucien for the first time in what felt like forever, Slept soundly.