Robin sat leaning against the head of the bed, with Ezra helping him. Evan could see how much love and care this older sister had for Robin. He found himself comparing it to his own feelings. Was his gaze this gentle when he looked at Freya? He quickly dismissed the thought. Ezra's love for Robin was surely much greater than his for Freya. It was evident. Ezra even insisted on feeding her brother cookies herself, forbidding him from any unnecessary—and, more importantly, embarrassing—actions, especially in front of a guest.
"My sister's never had a guest over before," Robin chuckled as he swallowed the cookie. "Except for a few people demanding their belongings back."
"Aren't her victims usually far away?"
Robin smiled. "Makes sense. If people from far away are her victims, think of those gold-hoarding houses. Much easier, right?"
Ezra nodded with pride. Evan's brows furrowed. So, this was the descendant of the great wanderer?
"I'm sorry if my sister's been a trouble to you."
"I was prepared for that from the moment I met her," Evan replied, earning a sharp look from Ezra. "But your sister is just a thief, not a bad person."
Ezra seemed pleased with the compliment, smiling proudly.
Robin shattered all of that. "A thief is also a criminal."
It turned out that, like his sister, Robin was an enjoyable person to be around. He could bring up all sorts of conversation topics as if picking them from thin air. Robin was also witty, though most of his jokes were jabs at his long-fingered sister. A few times, Ezra would huff with a pout, silently continuing to feed her brother.
"She's looking for something, like our father," Ezra blurted out suddenly.
Robin's smile slowly faded, and he hesitated before taking the cookie offered by Ezra, watching Evan intently.
"We've reached the end of the corridor," Ezra continued, deciding to eat the cookie herself after Robin didn't open his mouth immediately.
"What did you find?" Robin asked eagerly.
Ezra sighed in disappointment. "A grand chair made of crystal and gold with a skeleton dressed in black sitting atop it. Then, a blind woman in a white gown, with a crow perched loyally on her shoulder." She ate another cookie, assuming Robin didn't want it, though he was now opening his mouth wide. "And a ring."
Evan shot her a sharp look, which Ezra understood immediately. He was warning her not to reveal too much.
Instead, Ezra shrugged and replied indifferently. "Why? He's my brother; he deserves to know what his sister does."
"Wait, did you say a skeleton in a black gown?" Robin repeated Ezra's words, now taking a cookie directly from the container.
Ezra nodded. "With a red rose on its chest. Either the right or left side—I don't remember. Why, do you know something?"
For a moment, Robin seemed hesitant to respond.
"Oh, is it that legend again?"
"Could it actually be the queen mentioned in the story? She—"
"Enough, that story is just corrupting your mind!" Ezra snapped, displeased. "You're unwell, so don't overthink unnecessary things."
Robin lowered his head. "Alright."
Evan didn't understand what they were talking about, or who the queen Robin had mentioned might be.
"My brother loves books, especially those old ones with shabby covers." Ezra approached one of the room's doors, revealing a shelf of books, with several scattered on the floor. "These are Robin's companions when I'm away. So, don't take his words too seriously."
---
After a few hours at Ezra's house, chatting about many things with the two of them, it was time for Evan to continue his journey. He was packing his things when Robin and Ezra emerged from the door to see him off.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay? Keep my brother company," Ezra said, pushing the simple wheelchair that Robin was sitting in. She also handed over some food she had "made herself with love and gratitude." "Where are you heading next?"
Evan accepted the food. Hearing her question, he paused. He hadn't thought about his next destination. The path ahead felt dark and uncertain. He briefly considered returning to Aetheria City. But then what? Wait for his mother's passing? Thinking about that, he quickly remembered the advice from his senior teachers at the academy.
A knight does not retreat from mere hardships.
"I'll find another way," Evan replied resolutely.
Ezra smiled. "I'm glad to have met you."
"Be cautious, and keep your eyes and ears open," Robin warned. "Many people use that quest for selfish ends. You might get into trouble if you cross paths with them."
Evan nodded. "Thank you."
His horse was long gone, left tied to a tree near the ancient corridor's entrance. Feeling guilty, he continued his journey on foot.
"Evan," Ezra called out, making him turn back.
"What?"
"Don't die. Return with good news." Ezra smiled warmly.
Truly, Ezra reminded him of Freya. He smiled back and continued his journey.
---
Perhaps an hour since leaving Ezra's house, Evan stopped briefly to rest. Though not really resting—this break was more to plan his next steps and where he should go.
Evan arrived at a hilltop overlooking the west, where a vast grassy field swayed in the wind. The road ahead looked hot, and Evan was reluctant to walk through it. But going around would take too long, so he decided to pass that way at sunset to enjoy the view.
Now, the Philosopher's Stone was no longer an option. The ancient notes in the library had turned out to be nothing but notes—written by who knew whom and why they referenced that cave. Or maybe he had simply misinterpreted the book? If so, what a disaster. The possibility left him with a deep sigh.
While thinking, he opened the provisions Ezra had given him. Wrapped in smooth leather with a simple but strong knot. Opening it, Evan smiled.
"Ezra seemed to know my favorite food," he murmured, then started devouring two juicy rabbits, supposedly cooked with love and gratitude.
Just as he finished and was wiping his hands, Evan froze. He looked at his right hand. There was nothing there, which made his shock even greater.
"Where's the ring?"
Evan searched his pockets, his bag, even the leather wrapper from Ezra's provisions. There was no trace of the ring given by the blind woman.
Then, he remembered one thing—hadn't he just traveled with a thief? He had just left the house of a thief like Ezra an hour ago. For someone like Ezra, taking a ring off someone's hand was likely child's play.
"Darn it!" Evan cursed, turning back to Canny Village.
---
An hour passed as Evan returned, hoping to find Ezra surprised at his return. Or perhaps Ezra and Robin had already left their home. But the reality was different. He was the one surprised when he reached Ezra's home.
"You can't take it back!" Ezra's shrill voice rang out. "You gave it to him."
Then, a heavy, authoritative female voice responded. "As I recall, I gave the ring to him, not to you."
"What difference does it make?" Ezra retorted fiercely, stretching out her arms to shield Robin, who looked anxious. "I traveled with him, and he gave it to me."
"Ezra, Evan didn't—"
"You stay out of it!" snapped Ezra, cutting her brother off. "This woman is my problem!"
At that moment, Ezra's peripheral vision caught someone standing at the edge of the yard, motionless as if they'd been there for a while. Ezra felt awkward, and Robin sighed in relief. With Evan's presence, perhaps this matter could be clarified.
"You have sharp eyes," Alena praised, tapping Ezra's head with her staff. "But that ring is not for you."
Alena's voice faltered, pausing the tapping. Almost as if she sensed who Ezra was looking at, her loyal crow turned to look back. Alena slightly shifted her head, sensing someone else's presence.
"Who's there? Evan?" she asked firmly. Very authoritative.
Evan was startled but replied quickly. "Yes." Then he frowned. "How do you know my name?"
"Come here," Alena's tone was commanding.
Evan had come back to confront Ezra about the stolen ring, so he quickly approached them.
Seeing Evan approach, Ezra lowered her head, suddenly quiet and avoiding even looking at his shoes.
"See, your sweetheart here—"
"No, you're mistaken," Evan interrupted hastily.
There was a moment of silence. Alena continued, "This girl stole your ring."
"I know. But there's something even more surprising. How did you know Ezra's place? And why is my horse here now? Didn't I leave it at the cave's entrance?" Evan looked at his white horse, grazing by the house. "Who are you really?"
"Alena," she replied curtly, offering no further explanation. "Oh, so that's your horse? I didn't know."
"Evan, do you know what healed your rib injury?" Ezra had cut into their conversation. All eyes turned to her. "It's because of this ring. It's a magic ring, able to heal its wearer's ailments. I realized that. I'm sorry, but I stole it from you for Robin."
"Evan, I'll give it back." Robin had interrupted his sister and was removing the ring.
For a moment, everyone was silent. Robin's flushed face looked far healthier, and he could now stand upright without trembling on his two feet. However, the moment only lasted for less than ten seconds before Robin's legs began to shake, followed by the ring slipping from his hand to the floor. Robin closed his eyes and slowly leaned against the wall.
"I stood up for too long," he murmured.
"Robin!" Ezra cried out in panic. She picked up the ring and was about to place it back on him. However, Alena managed to stop her.
"It's useless."
Now, Alena and her crow had become the center of attention.
"That ring will never actually cure an illness; it only creates an illusion that the disease has left the user's body. In reality, the disease continues to spread and eat away at them without them even realizing it. You see, that's even more terrifying."
"But, Evan—"
"That's a different story," Alena interrupted before Ezra could finish her protest. "That was a wound. The ring can accelerate the user's healing process many times over. But for diseases? Impossible."
"But this disease is consuming Robin's body. If it can indeed accelerate the user's regeneration, then it should—"
"I told you, it's useless," Alena's gaze was sharp, though she didn't look directly at Ezra. However, the terrifying crow seemed to add an aura of intimidation, glaring widely in Ezra's direction. "I know more than anyone else here. Even though I say the disease consumes the user's body, a disease is still a disease. This ring doesn't recognize illness; it only acknowledges physical wounds on the user and immediately works to heal them. Do you realize that the ring is not a cure for illness? It can eliminate pain, repair muscles, and restore damaged cells, but nothing more. This ring isn't for healing, although it can repel any disease from entering the user's body."
Ezra stood in stunned silence, as did Robin and Evan.
A moment later, disappointment showed on Ezra's face. She lowered her head, trying to hold back her tears.
"Does that mean it's useless for Robin to wear this ring?" Ezra already knew the answer; she was only trying to confirm it. Her voice shook with emotion.
"It seems you already understand. That's why, return the ring to the one I chose," Alena said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
With a heavy heart, Ezra extended the ring to Evan, who was still unsure how to react. So, it was true; this ring was not an ordinary one. And Alena was clearly more complex than she appeared.
"Is there truly no way to cure him?" Evan asked after taking back the ring. He felt pity, and all his anger dissipated as he understood the reason behind the girl's actions in stealing his ring. Seeing Robin's condition, he also thought of his own mother.
"There is," Alena answered confidently. "That's the reason I came here. Don't think of me as just a blind woman in a shabby gown. I came here to heal her brother so the ring can be returned to you."
Everyone's eyes widened.