A slight breeze brushed against Rew's skin as a gentle warmth spread across his body. Beneath him, a soft mattress cushioned his back. As he stirred, his hand instinctively reached for his shoulder—finding it wrapped tightly in a bandage.
Sitting up, he wandered over to the window. It was midday. Probably. The sun hung overhead, and he'd definitely slept through the morning. He let out a small sigh, resting his arms on the windowsill.
One thing still gnawed at him.
Lya.
She'd probably moved him here. Treated his wound. But why? She had nothing to gain from helping him. The world didn't work like that. At least… he didn't believe anyone would help someone like him for nothing. He was just worthless. Useless-
Fuck. He really needed to stop. The thoughts weren't as loud as before. That was something. He could survive this.
The door creaked open behind him.
"I, uh… brought you some porridge."
Rew turned to see Lya standing in the doorway, a bowl in hand. He narrowed his eyes. Was it a trap? Laced? A favor waiting to be repaid? His stomach growled before he could spiral deeper.
Whatever. He'd deal with the consequences later.
"Thanks," he mumbled, a little too quickly.
"Got it downstairs," she said. "Unlike someone, I've been working. Ran some errands for a few copper." She flashed him a cheeky smile.
He smirked. "Why are you going out of your way for me?"
She tilted her head. "Why not?"
"No—nevermind. Forget I asked."
"Well, if you really wanna repay me, come help me earn some money. There's easy jobs."
She winked, already ushering him toward the door.
Rew hesitated, then nodded. He was going to look for work anyway.
After downing the porridge, they stepped out into the sunlit street. The city buzzed with life: crowds weaving through cobblestone paths, carriages rattling over stone. A very different sight than when he first arrived. Probably just cause… less rain this time.
Lya suddenly grabbed his hand and led him through the crowd. Rew felt his cheeks flush. She didn't look back, and he was glad for that.
Eventually, they arrived at a lavish building in the city square. A large sign greeted them:
'Adventurer's Guild.'
"This is straight out of a fantasy novel," he muttered.
"It literally is," she replied.
"The green ones don't need registration," Lya said. "Low-level stuff. I got a few copper for doing one."
Rew scanned the board.
"There's a lot less adventurers than I would've expected..."
"Apparently this town is pretty small, I think it's called Silden.. or something."
"Do we have to sign up or something?".
"Nope, the receptionists said the small errands missions can be accepted by anyone. See? The ones in green. I got a few copper from doing one."
She pointed at a few posters plastered on the massive bulletin board.
"Lets see...."
Missing! Need help finding cat.
2 Copper.
Name: Ivan.
Description: A orange tabby cat with....
Looking for help packing shipments
5 Silver. Can also pay with 50 copper upon request.
Description: Looking for muscle to help pack some shipments onto a ship at the dock for a whole day. If interested, find Markus Giuseppe at....
...
.....
....
After scrutinizing the few posted notices plastered on the bulletin board, his eyes lit up.
Assistant Tour Guide needed!
2 silver.
Description: Help needed to run some errands during city tours. No requirements, other than being able to run across the city to buy or carry out some errands for a day. No knowledge is required, as there will be a qualified tour guide present. If interested, contact Silden Tour Association, on Oxley Street.
Perfect. Easy job. Decent pay. Plus he could listen in on the guide and gather info.
He showed it to Lya.
"I'm going for this one."
"Alright. I'll catch you later, then." She winked, a slight pink brushing her cheeks.
"Yeah." A smile tugged at his mouth, but he forced it away.
He stepped outside. It was raining.
Shitty luck.
He sat down on the steps outside the guild, and gazed at the crowd that bustled past, over puddles that steadily grew as the rain persisted. But it was okay, it just meant he had to get to the tour association by maneuvering under cover to stay dry.
Rew picked himself up, carefully walking under the awnings of shops, and gingerly leaping over big puddles, taking care not to slip on the slippery stone pavement. The association wasn't far now, he just had to leap over a few more puddles an-
A carriage surged by, soaking him head to toe. His gut dropped.
All that effort. And he was drenched.
He wanted to turn back. Just go home. What was the point?
But he'd come this far. He had to at least try.
Letting out a deep sigh, he reached for the door knob his hand faltered for a second. He reached the tour association door. His hand hovered. Why was he doing this again? He didn't care about tours. He wanted to fight. That's why he was here. That was... Fuck. He didn't know if he even wanted to do this anymore. He wanted nothing more than to return to his cramped apartment, and rot away curled up in his bed.
His mind wrestled back and forth. .
Lya's smile flashed in his memory. His chest tightened. He didn't want to admit it but, he had fallen for her, even in their brief interactions.
A gust of warm air assaulted him as he opened the door, instantly pushing away his chills. A fireplace roared on the side. There was a large front desk that cut the rest of the association away from the cozy lobby.
"I'm here for the tour job," he said, holding out the soggy mess of paper.
The clerk glanced at him.
"No. Come back when you're not dressed like a drowned rat."
"Sir, I—"
"Get out."
And just like that, he was back in the rain. Walking. Then running. He didn't even know where—until he found himself in front of the tavern.
Fuck. Fuck. Why was his luck so DAMN bad. He made such an effort too. Wiping his face with his soaked cloak, he reached for the key.
His heart sank. He had left it inside.
Rew's shoulders slumped. He collapsed against the door, hugging his knees as he hit the back of his head against the door. Why was he like this
His eyes stung, threateningly. He wanted to break down into tears but the tears wouldn't come.
As time went on, his mind started to wander needlessly.
She probably left already.Why wouldn't she? Why would anyone stay for someone like-
"Rew? Are you ok? What happened? Come lets go inside!"
It was Lya's voice.
She appeared in front of him, helping him to his feet as they made their way into the room.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry." His voice shook uncontrollably.
He must have seemed so pathetic. But he couldn't stop it. His face stung in shame. She probably was weirded out. A grown man like him crying?
Rew shivered as the cold rain dripped onto his clammy skin from his hair. Yet he felt warm. He felt a sudden warmness embrace him. Was he dying again? He shook as he opened his eyes.
"It's okay," she whispered. "Let it out. I won't leave you."
The tears finally came.
Lya pulled him close. Let him tremble in her arms.
She looked held his head in her hands gingerly as she looked into his eyes with an immeasurable warmth.
"I saw how hard you tried today," she said softly. "For us."
He sobbed.
"I… I followed you. Just a little. I'm sorry. But I saw you try so hard."
He took her hand, gently.
"Please," he whispered. "Don't leave me. Not like everyone else."
She stroked his hair. "I won't. I'll be here. Just promise you'll stay too."
Rew slowly looked into her eyes, his eyes stinging from the tears. She looked like an angel. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly.
He wrapped his arms around her.
"I promise."