Ashes and Kingdoms

As the grape harvest came to an end and the sunlight weakened little by little, the long stretched northern shadows began to blur the comelis as well.

The city was advertised for the recruitment of personnel involved in the war, and there was a noticeable appearance of foreheads attached and consulted in squares and taverns. If you want to join the Eighth Corps expedition, you don't care about your previous position, your identity, or even your priors. There's no point in whispering to each other what the half-work drifters are going to do.

Of course, Finn and the Valts "powder shop" faces cannot be added to you. Valt and others slapped lightly, saying things like that, even though business enemies would come around this way if they all stuck to the army's ass, Finn couldn't just look at the optimistic side of things like he did.

If anyone in Winnea came to this city for conscription, they might find him.

Because of that worry, Finn was more attentive than ever when walking in town.

"What's wrong?

Asked by Oria, Finn remembered that he had been with him and rushed to fix his expression.

"No, nothing. It's just that lately, I've been wondering if this city's feeling any better."

"Right. But there won't be a legion passing through here, and it won't do any harm to the miller's job, will there?

'Cause I got a good one.'

Finn put aside a little and lifted the bag of flour in his hand to show it. I'm just about to deliver it to Oria's house. I don't usually deliver, but today I happened to have no other job and I was free, so thanks for the treat and Finn offered to carry the baggage.

Oria had visited the windmill several times since then, even without the need for powder grinding. I didn't bring confectionery every time, but when everyone was paying for it, I became Fauna's talker, and it's a completely unbreakable pattern.

As always, Nellis insisted that her aim was even Brother Finn's, but so far, Oria has never shown such an attitude. So Finn could safely walk beside him.

"You're a little different."

Unexpectedly saying that, Finn squeezed his eyes and tilted his neck "I guess so". It's often said that it's not funny, but it's changed. To a strange looking Finn, Oria laughed a little.

"It's a mystery, I should have told you. Sometimes, you'll have eyes and thoughts like you're looking far away. It's like someone else doesn't know what they're seeing or hearing."

…………

Finn shrugged inside, but didn't put it on his expression, just blurred his shoulders. Walking side by side, Oria continues to talk in a casual manner.

"The atmosphere seems different from ours, though I can't say where. Well, if they ask you, for example, that you were born in a distant exotic country, or that you are actually drawing the blood of the Spirit, I'm surprised, but I think you can convince me. It's more than just a powder shop."

You know, and Oria looks at me like a prank. Finn got confused.

"But because it seems true"

"That's right. Maybe that's why it's weird."

Oria nodded, but the smile seemed like a whisper, "I know you don't have to say it," back to back.

(No way she sees it, too?

A bond with a dragon, a sign of light dwelling in his chest. Or even if you can't see it, are you feeling it vaguely? Is that why you pointed the water at it so that it could be easily opened up from Finn's?

Whatever it is, it's too big a secret to confess. I feel that it is better that it is still drawing the blood of the Spirit. Finn opened his mouth with a straight face.

"To tell you the truth, I'm not Mr. Oandus' son."

"Eh."

Just saying the truth rolled out of the joke, Oria glances at surprise. Finn nodded heavily.

"About five years ago, I was taken as an adopted child from an orphanage. I don't know anything about my birth parents."

"It was..."

"But I have an idea. Once in Nanais' harbor, I saw someone who looked just like me."

"You didn't speak up?

"I couldn't call you.... because I was desperate and twitchy, teasing the net and letting my mouth pound"

…………

Oria stopped her legs, frowned and stared at Finn's face. Finn turns a white blind eye, looks at the sky on the other side, and sounds cut at best.

"Maybe that was your last chance, if you think about it. After that, I don't know if it's your father or your mother, but I'm going to cook salt at someone's house."

"Phineas! Already, fool!

I finally noticed Oria laughing and smacking Finn in the arm with her flat hand. Finn couldn't keep his true face either, and he grinned dullly.

After a while she finally settled down, Oria wiped her eyes tears and slapped Finn gently again.

"They did it. I didn't think you'd make a joke."

"In fact, I rarely say it."

"I guess so. Fish fathers don't seem to tell you how to joke."

I said it myself and laughed a little again, Oria shook her head to do it.

That's how they tried to walk out again, that's when.

"Phineas the powderer?

A voice called out for fame. To the strange signs contained in that voice, Finn looks back reflexively and finds himself. I regretted leaving my sword at home for a moment.

But it was one old woman at the end of her gaze. From adorable bracelets, necklaces and other ornaments, it would be like a fortune teller. His face and arms are full of wrinkles and spots where he can see them, but his straight posture and sharp knobs make him old.

"You, Phineas?

Again, the old lady made sure. Finn replies politely, being vigilant, but not in a quarrel with his elderly opponent, saying yes. The old woman narrowed her eyes.

"Well, you are... I see"

With a thoughtful inclusive laugh, the old woman stared at Finn cursorily. The moment its eyes lingered around its chest,

(Seen!

Finn breathed and built an invisible wall. He instinctively covered himself up, not knowing what to do.

Although the old woman opened her eyes slightly, she laughed hard.

"Don't be so vigilant. I want you to do your job."

"Work......?

Finn flaunts his face, but continues to answer in front of Oria, only as a 'powderer'.

"Could you give me a moment? I'm in the middle of a delivery right now. Do you want to stop by..."

"Oh, no, no. I won't ask for it. I just brought a message. Look, I'm coming to you tonight, directly, for a favor. So you, when the moon rises, come out and wait."

"It's midnight when the moon rises."

It was too suspicious an instruction, and Finn secretly protested that he was not going to take it. But it doesn't go to the old lady.

"I know. It's not right. I told you, I was just asked to speak. Whatever you say or don't do, it's up to you. Well, I did tell him."

Oh, I'm tired. Oh, man, I just say, and the old woman walks away with a flickering hand. Finn was dropping it off with a rugged face.

"... that's kind of creepy. Finn, why don't you stop? It's better not to get involved."

Oria advises anxiety. Finn regained his mind and nodded.

"Sure, dubious. Maybe the guy who thinks he's like the people who lived in front of us is trying to get him to do a job that's not even Rokuro. Either way, I can't wait for the moon to come out. Once you're in bed, you're in a dream in an instant."

Oria was also able to flatter her mouth to Finn, who got away with the word butt.

Then the two of them resumed their steps slowly. With the conversation interrupted, both are silent without grasping the motivation to open their mouths.

We ended up at Oria's house as it was, and Finn handed her a bag of flour at the little gate. Say hello vaguely and turn your back to go home. I was just about to walk out,

"Um."

Oria called it off as she thought it out. To his unnaturally nervous voice, Finn turns around with his eyes open about something. Oria was blushing and holding the bag tight to her chest.

"Um, all of a sudden, I hope you don't think this, you know, weird"

With a bravery squeezing flair, I push every word out. When Finn wandered, he noticed it and Olya shut her mouth once. Place the bag of flour on the ground, take a deep breath, and take a step forward.

"We, uh... we're thinking about moving. The rent here was also paid well in advance before my father died, but I can run out of time... the landlord tells me that I can wait to pay and I can introduce you to a cheaper place. But in the little village west of Nakte, there's a distant relative, so I'm going to count on you to talk to my mother."

"Really? When?" Finn hammers under barometric pressure, bewildered.

"I haven't decided yet, but before winter comes. So, uh."

That being said, Oria became more and more red, holding her hands in her fists all the time.

"When I came with you, I wondered if"

"Oria, it's..."

"Oh, no. Um, I mean! Finn, Nellis and... your parents, together. Earlier, I told you there would be no obstructions to the work of the powder shop, but I'm sure this city will have many repercussions when it comes to war. Maybe it won't be safe and there 'll be some weird people coming to Finn's. It's not like there's a chance that a legion soldier will go through Comris, and then someone as young as Finn will be taken."

Many times stuck in words, Oria complained hung up. My fist pressed against my body is shaking small.

(Come with me)

In Finn's ear, he heard a voiceless voice. Reluctantly overlapping Oria's figure waiting for an answer, anxiety and hope swirl.

(I don't want to break up) (I could have gotten close because of this) (New land is anxious) (If this guy -)

My breath is going to get stuck in a request like a covered covering. But she didn't put it into words or attitudes, and what she kept within herself was also clearly visible. A small but core self-esteem, a heart that guides the family of truth fins, and a calm stare at reality.

(Don't rely on it) (But there's definitely something about the powder shop) (Still, they make a living in this town. We are the poor parents and children with no assets whatsoever...)

In my complex thoughts, one strong concern emerged.

(Oh, Nellis and Farnein. I wonder if they'll be safe)

If the soldiers come to this city. If all the young men are conscripted.

I can't wait to rely on Finn myself, even though I'm sure of that, I worry about others with the same strength.

Finn stared at Oria as he made it. I couldn't tell you that here, though I probably wouldn't be able to go with you.

"... I'll talk to everyone."

As soon as he said it, Oria smiled all the time. I nod, pick up a bag of flour, then wave to the house to deceive. Towards that back, Finn called calmly.

"Oria"

Sooner or later, she looks back. Finn expressed his sincere gratitude as he burned his figure and thoughts into his eyes at the same time.

"Thank you for your concern"

……

Oria rounded her eyes, then crooked her face and shook her head small. I only really thought about myself, I said. But Finn knows, the strength and kindness in her.

When Oria moistened her eyes, she turned and ran into the house without a word.

As no one was left, Finn stood alone and was often confused.

Oh, is it good that I said it? Didn't you hurt her?

(Because you know, it doesn't mean you can take the right action)

Blurry thinking about it, Finn looked up to heaven to see if Mac or Taz could behave more attentively at a time like this.