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Erlina's eyes raked over the food they couldn't afford. They didn't fight enough monsters or sell enough parts and now they had to starve for the night. All because of the darn oath.
“We should be handed this on a silver platter.” She hissed as they passed a bakery. Brugaves gave a hesitant look back at her and actually slowed his strides to match hers and took her hand in his. It helped a little. However it didn't make the pain of her empty stomach go away.
They entered a tavern and used what little money they had left to purchase a room for the night. The second the door was shut Erlina clenched her fists.
“We should be seen as gods!” She hissed. “We should be given food and shelter without hesitation! We protect them, and yet we have to suffer for our kindness!” She sat on the bed and pulled her knees to her chest. Feeling small once more.
“I like helping people.” Brugaves sat beside her. “Sure we won't always be stable, and will probably be hurt or can't afford certain things…” He pulled her into a hug. She huffed. “But we get to make the world a little safer and a little kinder for the future generations.”
“It's a stupid part of the oath. Thou shall not monetize your position…” she hissed, voice full of venom. They both knew who it was for however.
“Yeah… it feels that way sometimes…” he sat his head on her shoulder and started undoing the horns and let Erlina's hair down. Helping prepare her for bed, something he did often even when she wasn't upset. “However we have such a great role to play. Even if we hate what happened to get us here. Just think, Valere and Zale are so close to being done with their training! The dwellers are almost gone, and soon no more children of the solstices will have to be taken.”
“We shouldn't have had to be taken. Forced into this hungry life of clawing ourselves above literal animals!” She held back tears of anger. “We should have a warm bed at night! A full stomach every day! A loving family!” she hid her face in his chest. She hated tears, hated being seen as something weak and pitiful. “And we don't. And its all because of him and that damned great eagle. What's to say it will stop once the dwellers are gone.”
“It will. I promise you. When this is over, we will have full stomachs, warm beds, and even a family.”