«How is the learning going?» Herega asked the three. They were having lunch, all sitting at the same table for the first time.
«Not bad. But it will still take some time before I master it completely.» Emzam replied while wiping his lips with a napkin, «This isn't the first time I've learned a spell. This one is really difficult.» He added.
Rirai still had a big bite to chew. He seemed to swallow it whole just to speak.
«The Darkness Spell was objectively the most ambitious. You've taken on quite a challenge.» He said, bringing more food to his mouth.
All three turned to Riswyn, who had her head lowered and remained in a quietly sorrowful silence that was hard to ignore.
«Why aren't you saying anything? You're thinking we'll cook your raven when we will light a fire with a snap of our fingers, are you?» Rirai added, almost choking for having spoken with his mouth full. Herega hit him on the back, seemingly punishing him for what he had said, but unintentionally saving him from choking, although at the cost of getting a mixture of saliva and chewed food on his cloak. Riswyn let out a quiet laugh, without drawing attention. Her raven approached and perched on her hand.
«It's just that you all are so good at focusing. I find it very difficult, and unlike you, I can't perform any spell.» The girl said.
She didn't seem sad; on the contrary, she appeared to have her spirits lifted.
«Focusing? It's not easy at all. You've no idea how often I feel like beating this little red haired wizard to a pulp.» Rirai said, slamming his large hands on the table, making it rumble.
Because of this, some food from Herega's plate slipped to the ground. At that point, he stood up, yelling.
«You think you can beat me up? You really don't want to return home alive, uh?» He said, glaring at him.
At that moment, he stood up too.
«Oh, I'll go home alive, but with your blood on my hand.» Rirai countered.
They continued provoking each other, grabbing at each other's clothes and shouting.
«Should we stop them?» Emzam whispered.
Then he turned and saw Riswyn laughing for the first time, and it seemed like a sincere laugh. He smiled too, watching the other two arguing.
«I knew you two should have stopped.» Emzam said as Herega and Rirai throw up onto the same grass where they had been sleeping.
«Maybe you'll go home with my vomit on your hand, not my blood.» The red haired youth said, touching the other on the side.
«Shut up, for your own good.» Rirai finished.
Riswyn crouched down, positioning herself between the two youths and hugging them both.
«Thank you.» She said happily. Both were a little confused by what had happened, but they felt good.
The third day also flew by like the wind. Rirai managed to produce a small spark, Emzam created a very tiny hole, Herega's spark grew larger, perhaps too large, and Riswyn, for the first time, was able to focus. For her, that was enough. The master made the two youths clean up their vomit and sent them to bed without dining. Rirai went to sleep early, and so did Emzam. Herega, however, noticed once again that Riswyn was not on her bed. He had seen her heading toward the stream while cleaning up the mess. So, before lying down on the grass, he decided to approach the small wall.
The girl's boots and stockings were on the ground. He got closer, Riswyn was indeed there, sitting with Kura by her side.
«Am I disturbing you?» Herega said softly.
The girl flinched for a moment, then turned toward him, letting out a small sigh of relief.
«What are you doing here?» She asked, clearly curious.
During the day, she had been visibly happy and calm. Here, alone, she seemed to have regained the sadness she had shown that same morning.
«I've noticed you often stay up late. Is something wrong?» The youth asked.
She didn't know what to say, made a few faces and stammering syllables interrupted by her shyness.
«You know, I spent my life avoiding people because I wanted to be alone. I had a river near my house, and I'd sometimes go there, just like you're doing now.» Herega continued, sitting next to her.
«Why are you telling me this?» She asked, her face was confused.
That look was truly cute to his eyes.
«Because you're an interesting person. I've always been told that curiosity is my main trait... May I ask why you decided to join?» He asked, looking at her.
Only the moon could see them. She seemed to search for an answer she couldn't find.
«I don't know. I don't have a specific reason. What about you?» She asked him.
Herega paused for a moment, pondering whether he should tell her the whole story.
«I started a journey with a friend of mine, the most important person in my life, who I see as part of myself. I began because I encountered an unknown entity in a cave, and it suggested me to follow a path to rebuild my soul. All the choices we've made have led me here. After this week, I'll return to her and another friend who joined us during the journey, and we'll enter the Tower of Demons. This path, though you probably won't believe me, was created by Meta. Right now, I'm simply following his will.» The young man said.
He hadn't even told the master his full story, but he felt he could trust her.
«Who is Meta?» Riswyn asked, confused.
Indeed, she had grown up in poverty, and she probably had never learned about the history of Aostra, even less Eimin Nustier's book.
«Forgive me, I thought you knew. He's the most powerful sorcerer who ever lived. The one who fought against Goldora, the first king of Nustia. But if you don't know Meta, I'm sure I must sound like I'm talking about a nobody...» The youth said, not expecting a clear response from her.
She timidly shook her head.
«Riswyn, what will you do when we're done here?» He continued, stroking the raven.
She had the same reaction as before, pausing for a moment.
«I have no home. I have no place to return to, and no one to welcome me back.» She concluded, running her hand through her long hair.
«Humans always avoid being unoccupied; otherwise, they start thinking about dark things, like death or the future. As long as you're busy, enjoy the moment. And above all, if you still have time to turn back, think it through.» Herega finished, then to leave.
Ristartedswyn grabbed his cloak for a moment, still looking toward the stream.
«What do you think about life?»
«That it's a gift that shouldn't be wasted. Live, despite the difficulties.» The youth replied.