Chapter Text
“Get back here, urchin!”
The wanderer paused to observe the scene; A merchant chasing after a decidedly tiny girl, following her into an alley. He decided to follow the two, in case that situation grew anymore concerning.
“Let me go!” The girl was hoisted high by her wrist, though she still clutched the bread for dear life. She flailed about, pitifully attempting to kick at her captor.
“Hah! I’m in every right to take your hands for this, girl!” She seized up in terror, eyes widening.
“That’s enough of that, Sir.”
He stood at the entrance to the alley, blocking it with himself and his steed.
“Eh? Mind your business, vagabond! This doesn’t concern you.”
“I believe it does. I’m aware times are hard, but surely threatening a child will bring no benefit.”
He looked over the man, and judging by the sword slung at his waist, and battleworn appearance, fighting would be less than ideal.
“Pah! Fine, I’ll cut you a deal. Pay for what she stole, and I’ll let the brat go.”
“...Very well, how much?”
“Thirty gold.”
“For a crust of bread?”
“That’s the price. Take it or I deal with the girl myself.” He shook his head, then reached into his pocket, dropping the requested sum into his hand. The merchant smirked. “Pleasure doing business with you, stranger.” He turned back to the girl. “Don’t cross me again, girl.” He spat, dropping her before shoving past the man.
The girl didn’t say anything, eyes still wide with worry.
“I’ve no intention of harming you.” Her gaze immediately fell on the burn scars that took up a good part of the left side of his face. They were the ones that stuck out the most, though they were only a few of the many decorating his face. He didn’t appear offended, if he even noticed. “Might I ask your name?”
“...My name…is Fia.”
“Well, Miss Fia, I have no doubt you’re hungry, but you should be more wary. You won’t always have someone to intervene for you.” He turned to leave. “Farewell, then. I wish you well.” He took his horse’s reins into hand, and left. She looked at the bread, then tucked it into her apron pocket before chasing after the stranger.
He hadn’t gone very far at all, thankfully, allowing her to catch up with him.
“Hey! Mister!” He stopped in his tracks. “...T- Thank you for helping me.”
“Ah. It was no trouble. It is my duty.”
“Duty?” His face fell for a second.
“Perhaps not anymore, but my feelings on the matter remain unchanged. Is there anything else you needed?”
“I- Uh…What’s your name?” He tilted his head.
“Noish.”
“How come you came here?”
“I’m just passing through.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m not quite sure.”
“Are you a mercenary?”
“You’ve regained some confidence, I see.” He mused, she ignored him.
“Are you…oh!” Her eyes lit up. “Are you a knight? Like the crusaders?”
“...Miss Fia, is there anything else you need my help with? I don’t wish to delay too much longer. I can escort you ho-”
“I don’t have a home.”
“Oh. My sincere apologies…an…orphanage then?”
“There isn’t one anymore.”
“Ah…” He knew villages were suffering, but he hadn’t realize the extent. “That would explain the bread thievery, then.” She frowned.
“I know it’s bad…but it’s been days since I’ve had anything! I didn’t think he’d miss it…”
“At ease, I’m not trying to judge you.” She blinked.
“You’re weird, Noish.”
“Mm. Again, Miss Fia, is there anything I might help you with? I wish to be at the next village by nightfall. If you have no need of me, I’ll be on my way.” She didn’t respond. “I wish you well, then.” He once again attempted to depart, this time only making it a few feet before she ran in front of him again.
“Wait, wait, wait!” He sighed a bit, doing his best to keep his irritation out of his voice.
“Yes, Miss Fia?”
“Take me with you!”
“What?”
“To the next village! There might be an orphanage there! Even if there’s not, it’ll be better than here, I’m sure. Please!”
“I’m…not sure if that is the best idea.”
“Please! You might be the only chance I have of getting out of here, Noish! Just take me to the next village over, and I promise I’ll leave you be!” She pleaded, hands clasped together. He glanced around.
The village was destitute, to say the least. There was little to go around, and she was far from the only hungry child wandering around.
“You know that you may very well be walking into a worse situation?”
“I know!”
“I- Very well. Come along then, Miss Fia.”
“You mean it?”
“If you’re sure, I see no harm in bringing you along. I will take you as far as the next town, however.”
“That’s fine! Let’s go!” She skipped ahead of him.
“Miss Fia, please wait!”
“How far is the village, Noish?”
“If we make good time, we’ll be there by evening.”
“Ok…” She sped up, attempting to match his pace. “Hey, Noish?”
“Yes?”
“How come we’re not riding your horse? Wouldn’t that make the trip faster?”
“I don’t ride much anymore.”
“How come? Horses are cool!” He laughed, albeit a bit dryly.
“It’s a long story, Miss Fia. Perhaps not one for children.”
“Oh.”
They continued for a bit in silence, with Fia trailing just behind his steed.
“Ah, hold a moment Miss Fia.” He stopped, causing her to bump into the horse. She squeaked, rubbing her nose. “There’s a river crossing.”
“Oh, I don’t wanna get all wet!”
“I assumed as much.” He walked back to meet her. “May I?” He crouched down, offering her an arm.
“Are you gonna carry me?”
“Not quite.” He picked her up with his left arm, scooping her onto the back of the mare. “I’ll hold the reins, just don’t fall from her, alright? …Miss Fia?” The little girl had gone entirely silent, eyes wide in disbelief. “Are…you alright?” She outstretched her arms, poorly wrapping them about her neck. She pressed her face against her coarse mane, breathing in deeply.
“This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“...Miss Fia, she’s a bit dirty.”
“I can smell that.” She didn’t mind. He chuckled.
“Just…hold on, then, I suppose. It’s not a long crossing by any means, but it wouldn’t do for you to fall.”
“Uh-huh…” He gave a slight tug on the reins, and the trio began to tread the river.
“Hey Noish?”
“Yes, Miss Fia?”
“What’s your horse’s name?”
“Her name is Leab.”
“How long have you had her?”
“About six years. She’s a fine steed.” Fia ran her fingers through Leab’s mane, “You’re fond of horses then, Miss Fia?”
“Yes! They’re so pretty, and big, and all the heroes in stories ride them!”
“That’s a fair assessment.”
They reached the other side with no issue.
“Miss Fia, would you like to stay on Leab for the remainder of the trip?”
“Can I?!”
“I take no issue with it.”
“Yay!”
“Hey, where are you from anyway? You talk weird and fancy.”
“I’m from Chalphy.”
“Oh! Huh.”
“Hm?”
“I have no idea where that is!”
“It’s…quite a ways from here. I believe the closest duchy is Velthomer, though that’s stil a few days journey.”
“Huh. I don’t know where that is either.”
“Haha, I suppose it’s not that important. Unless you were trying to go there.”
“Where are YOU trying to go, Noish?”
“I…am not quite sure at the moment.”
“Oh.” She frowned, suddenly becoming quiet in contemplation. He cast his gaze back to her.
“Is there something bothering you, Miss Fia?”
“You’re strange, is all. …You’re not like…a kidnapper, are you?”
“Er, no. …You asked me to take you with me, remember? …Also, perhaps in the future you should consider these things beforehand.”
“Maybe! You seemed ok. I guess. You gave me food.”
“Is that your standard?”
“Is that bad?”
“Well…there are worse reasons to assume somebody’s trustworthy, I suppose.”
“Oh, that reminds me!” She reached into her pocket, retrieving the now smushed crust of bread. “I got so caught up in all of this, I forgot to eat!” She stuffed it into her freckled face, chomping it down with little hesitation. It was gone as quickly as she had pulled it out. “That was good! Thanks again, Noish.”
“It was no trouble, Miss Fia.”
“Hey, how come you keep calling me ‘Miss’?” She leaned over the side, staring at him. “I’m just some orphan.”
“You’re the young lady I’m escorting, that’s why.”
“...Ok, so you’re totally a knight then.”
“No longer a potential kidnapper?”
“Well only knights talk like that. …I think, anyway. So you have to be a knight!”
“Knights have masters, Miss Fia. …I do not.” She couldn’t see his face, but by his tone, it was best to leave the subject alone for now.
“Oh…sorry.”
“Pay it no mind.”
“I just- Ah!” She squeaked, as between her leaning, and lack of proper grip, she fell from Leab rather dramatically. Quickly, she reached for his sleeve, expecting to find a proper hold.
“Miss Fia!”
Instead, she was greeted with empty fabric, and the dirt beneath their feet. She looked up, thoroughly confused. He cleared his throat, reaching with his left hand to readjust his overcoat first, before reaching for her own.
“Are you…” She took his hand and got to her feet.
“Missing a forearm? Yes, Miss Fia.”
“I-I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to-”
“You’re quite alright. Would you like to get back on?” She nodded. “Come, then.” He picked her up with ease, placing her back onto Leab. “Perhaps stay seated properly on her this time, yes?”
“I will…” He smiled a bit, and it was then she noticed yet another scar, this one cutting across the left corner of his mouth. “...I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to cause you trouble.”
“Miss Fia, it’s hardly a trouble, I assure you. Let’s just focus on getting you to the village, hm?”
“Alright…”
They continued on in silence for what felt like ages after that, not speaking again until Noish stopped, pulling them aside to some trees just off the path.
“What’s wrong?”
“Forgive me, but I have yet to eat myself.” He walked over to her sidebags, digging around in them. “Would you like some more to eat?”
“You have more food?” She perked back up immediately at the prospect.
“Ah, I should have offered sooner, in retrospect. Yes, I have some rations with me. They’re nothing impressive, but they’ll fill your belly.” He handed her a hunk of tough, salted beef.
“Meat!” She snatched it from his hands, tearing at it like a wolf. He blinked, then chuckled as she chomped it down.
“I believe that’s the most excited I’ve seen anybody get over field rations.”
“It’s real meat! How could you not be excited?” Her words were muffled, though her excitement was not.
“That’s a good way to look at it.” He agreed, starting to work on his own. “Miss Fia, might I ask a question?”
“You fed me, so sure!”
“How…long have you have been by yourself?”
“Since Momma and Papa died, I guess. Three years?” She shrugged. “Do you have any more food?”
“Here.” He handed her another piece of jerky. “I won’t pry further, my apologies.”
“I don’t mind!” She hummed. “I mean, it’s kinda rough out here, ya know? Where I’m from, everybody’s kinda miserable all the time. That’s why I wanted to leave so bad.”
“I see. I hope things get better for you, Miss Fia.”
“If things keep turning out like this trip, it will!” She hummed. “This is probably the best thing that’s happened in a while.”
“Oh, well, I’m glad Miss Fia.”
“Yeah, for starters, you’ve fed me like. Three things today! That’s three more things than I had yesterday. And you let me ride your horse! I didn’t think I’d ever get to ride a horse.” She had a wide, toothy grin on her face.
“This trip has been more pleasant than I expected. You’re fine company, Miss Fia.”
“Oh really? That’s the nicest thing anybody’s said to me in a while. You’re not bad either! Just weird.”
“Thank you, I think. …Have you finished?”
“Yep!”
“Very well. Let’s continue onward then.”
The sun was beginning to set as they reached the end of the path, though despite this, Noish’s footsteps grew heavier; much more wary than before.
“Noish? Is something wrong? You’re going real slow.” He put a finger to his lips, silencing her. She tilted her head, craning her neck to listen to their surroundings.
There was nothing to hear. She blinked.
“...There’s nothing there…” She whispered. He nodded.
“...Don’t get off Leab, Miss Fia.”
“Right…”
There was no village when they approached. Just empty, smoldering houses, and general disarray.
“Oh no…”
“Indeed. No matter what happens, there will always be bandits and brigands, I suppose.”
“Well, what now?”
“Miss Fia?”
“...You’re not gonna leave me here, are you?”
“Of course not.” She looked a bit relieved, though it didn’t last long.
“...Please don’t take me back.” He frowned a bit.
“Miss Fia, I-”
“Please! You gotta be going to other places, right?”
“I am.”
“So just let me come with you! You can leave me at the first orphanage you find, just don’t take me back there.” He sighed.
“If this happens again? Am I just to ferry you about?”
“You said it yourself, I’m the young lady you’re escorting! Or whatever.”
“I- Hmph. …I suppose I did say that.”
“Yeah!”
“Very well, Miss Fia, but if you are to continue traveling with me, you’ll have to do a little more than ride a horse.”
“Yeah, yeah, ok! Whatever, just as long as you don’t send me back!” He looked over her once more, then shook his head a bit, turning forward
“Gods willing, I won’t regret this…” He muttered to himself, once again taking hold of Leab’s reins.
“What’d you say?”
“Nothing, Miss Fia. Come, we’ll find a suitable place to camp for the night.”
“Ok!”
With that, the pair continued onward, following the same path onward into the forest on the other side.
“Hey Noish?”
“Yes?”
“You got anymore food?”
“Not for long if your appetite keeps up.”
“...So you do have more?”