Chapter 2 Like A Mother

The deafening sound of rain covered the silence of the night. Only the rustling of leaves and the sound of my breath were all I could hear aside from the rain. The rain had been going on for so long that I could no longer tell day from night.

But when I saw the woman I met earlier, Esfir, sleeping soundly on my couch and huddling beneath a thin blanket that I gave her, I remembered that it was already past midnight.

I couldn't remember the last time I had slept as soundly as she did. Ever since the war, I was no longer the same; no longer the wide-eyed lad that I used to be. My idealistic self back then dreamt of glory, prestige, and the honor of being a war hero.

Now that I had all of that, I realized that the prestige of being a war hero was a sham. There was no glory, nor honor in the things that I had done and the horrible acts that I had to do to save my comrades.

Every time I closed my eyes, a fresh horror would flash before me. A mountain of corpses, a sea of fire, and crows circling from above.

None of those were glorious... none were honorable.

I couldn't remember when I had fallen asleep, but by the time I opened my eyes, it was lighter outside and Esfir was no longer on the couch. I could hear someone moving around in my kitchen, but I gathered that it must be her.

Moments later, she came to the living room and said, "Sorry that I helped myself to your kitchen. I made some breakfast to thank you. Hope you like eggs and fried rice!"

I didn't say anything. I just went to the dining table and sat down. The journey ahead of me would be long and arduous because I must've dealt with some noble's guardsmen. Based on my hazy memories of last night, they were well-armed and had a carriage with them. Bandits or mercenary groups wouldn't be able to afford such luxuries.

Esfir served up a plate of fried rice and two eggs on my side of the table before she sat down with her own plate across from me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. We just ate in silence. From time to time, I noticed that she'd glance at me, seeming like she wanted to say something.

After gathering her courage, she said, "Is your name actually Rain?"

I looked her in the eye, wore a straight face, and said, "That's what they named me."

"No, I know who you are," she answered, glancing at my sword placed beside the table. "You're the one they call the 'Sword of Twilight', right?"

My appetite was immediately spoiled. I stood from my seat, grabbed my sword, and left the dining table. Hearing that title only upset me. It was a name I had cast aside, and a name that I wanted never to be associated with again.

Hurriedly, I walked toward my bedroom to gather my things. But before I could reach the door, Esfir said from behind me, "I need your help!"

I stopped in my tracks and looked back. "You're better off asking some other sucker to help you. I don't want to involve myself in some nobles' squabble." Then, I reached for the doorknob and added, "Make sure to leave my house by the time I get out of this room."

Just as I was about to enter the room, Esfir walked up to me and looked at me with all the hope a young woman could have in her eyes. I couldn't bring myself to look away from it, nor could I push her away.

She brushed her hair back and took off the beautiful sapphire necklace she was wearing. Then, she handed it to me and said, "If that's not enough payment, I'll give you more when we reach my destination. We don't need to be friends, nor do you have to talk to me. All I need from you is your protection. Do we have a deal?"

As I held the sapphire necklace in my hand, I saw my own reflection in it. There was no mistaking it. This necklace belonged to a woman that I used to know. "Where did you get this necklace?"

"Is it important?" Esfir asked, tilting her head to the side.

"If you want my help, you'll answer me," I replied.

Esfir let out a sigh and answered, "It's from my sister, Leah Van Aegir."

My mind went blank for a moment, and memories came rushing back. Her name was something I had not had the fortune of knowing in my younger days, but I was certain that Leah was the woman who had saved me while I was dying in a forest clearing. She took me to her home and nursed me back to health.

I closed my eyes and nodded. "Alright. Esfir, was it? Where do you want to go?"

"You don't even want to know why I was being chased around by those men from last night?" she asked.

"Doesn't matter to me," I said, shaking my head. "I don't have any particular destination in mind either. I just want to be away from this town for a while and wait for things to cool down. Might as well earn something while I'm at it."

Esfir heaved a sigh and replied, "I want you to escort me back to Rosa Blanca, the capital of the Queendom of Vent Noire."

"I see. So, the Noiran accent wasn't just for show. You do know that Rosa Blanca is a month's worth of travel away from here, don't you?" I paused for a moment and asked, "How did you even get here?"

Esfir went to the sofa and sat down, pressing her hands together and visibly shaking. "A noble from the empire of Regalia named Lars Von Drier took a liking to me and asked my father for my hand in marriage. My father agreed, but I didn't, so I ran away. I ended up getting captured and separated from my retainer."

"Alright. I get the picture. You don't have to say another word if it's upsetting you. Help me pack some tonics and herbs for the journey. Make sure to get some food in that bag over there," I said, pointing at an empty large pouch.

Esfir crossed her arms, casting me a glare. "What? Why are you ordering me around? You're my escort, yes? You do it!"

I shook my head in response and said, "If you don't do it, I won't take you to Rosa Blanca. I'm not your retainer, so don't act like I'm your servant."

Realizing that I wasn't going to let her order me around, Esfir stood up and began packing the stuff I asked for, albeit begrudgingly.

Soon, the rays of light peered through the curtains, telling me that it was time to start our journey. And so, I opened the door of the house and gestured at Esfir. "Time to go, young lady. We have a ferry to catch."

She nodded in agreement and left the house ahead of me. Thereafter, we went to Maggie's bar first, because she told me that she wanted to thank Maggie for helping her out last night. I didn't object, because I wanted to do the same.

Behind the bar counter, we saw Maggie wiping some glasses clean. There was nobody else inside the bar yet, because the customers had either gone home or Maggie had kicked them out. She was visibly surprised when she saw us.

"Rain, what are you still doing here, boy? I thought you'd have left by now!" she exclaimed.

I pointed at Esfir with my thumb. "Go figure," I said.

Esfir rolled her eyes at me and approached Maggie. "Thank you for helping me last night. I'll never forget this."

"Ah, it's nothing! I do it for everyone that happens by my bar. I did it for Rain once," Maggie replied, glancing at me. "He was just about your age then. Look at him now! Just another one of my drunks." She then began cackling heartily.

Embarrassed I sat by the bar counter in quiet expectation. Maggie must've noticed that I was waiting for a drink, so she took out two shot glasses, poured some whiskey in them, and then passed me the other one. I clinked my glass with hers and she said, "May this glass not be your last. Salud!"

"Salud," I echoed.

It was then that I noticed that Esfir was pouting and crossing her arms over her chest. Maggie noticed it too and asked, "Something wrong, lass?"

"Why didn't you offer me a drink?" Esfir asked back.

Maggie chuckled at her response. "You're too young to drink, little lady! Come back in a few years. I'll teach you a thing or two."

Upon hearing that, Esfir's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Really?"

Once more, Maggie broke into laughter; her leathery skin, wrinkled by her wide smile. "Aye, lass. So make sure to come back, you hear?"

Esfir nodded with glee. "Yes, Madame!"

"Take care of her, Rain. May the Goddess watch over you," Maggie remarked, glancing at me.

I gave her a slight nod before standing up and walking away. But before I could reach the door, I stopped in my tracks and tossed a gold coin toward Maggie. "Thanks for all your help, Mags," I told her.

She smiled at me like how a mother would smile at her son. Perhaps in her mind, she was proud that she was able to help me out so much.