The Bleak Walker

Aria of the Maiden Roses met up with a tall man. His eyes were silver, pale skin, and ashen hair. He carried only his wooden box and yet she knows that he was a man of power. His grip was careful and his smile so gentle that she thought how foolish she was for giggling softly.

Her cheeks had softened. Her sisters hooted at her. They were all teasing about the look she was given. Those terrible girls, although they were blushing and smiling at the man as well. She thought of herself as a silly girl, but his eyes were soothing to her. As if there was wisdom to be found.

The Inn was silent. Her Sisters were sleeping while she was watching man concoct potions for them. The journey was troublesome and they fought beasts. She had spent a fortune on potions and salves to saved her Sisters. She didn’t know how much this would cost her.

“How was the travel?” Nolan said. “I was on a path of endless trees and giant roots.”

She had almost gaped. Who in their right mind would travel down the giant forests? She took the same path as everyone who wanted to travel to the City of the Sky-Blessed King.

“The Path of Purple,” she said. “You traveled on a different path?”

He smiled. “I did. It was a strange journey of self-discovery. I gathered herbs and spices that would allow me to concoct a powerful potion.” He fished a potion of crimson liquid. “This potion will be able to heal all of your external wounds and internal wounds. The side effects of this potion would mean that your body would suffer intense stomach pains. This is the result of your body forcing itself to heal. It is magical in nature with mixed herbs, but it still caused immense pain to be used.”

She nodded. “I understand, still, how much would it cost us?”

“A pouch of coins weight half a kilo,” he said. “The materials are not easy to find and honestly I am giving it cheap. There is a market south of the city, an Alchemy city that prospers on concocting potions. Do you know about it?”

“I do.”

“Then you know the prices they have. Each potion costs about more than a sword. It is understandable with how volatile the potions are. Still, that is why they are precious, and many of them demand high prices for their guards.”

“So why are you selling it cheap,” she folded her arms. The blushing maiden vanished. “You are not demanding of different price, right?”

“No,” he said softly. “I am only interested in procuring a ring of holding. Those are valuable and useful.”

She looked at the ring on her hand. “I understand the sentiment. Still, it is strange that you do not carry a ring of holding when it can hold so much. Though the box is rather charming in its own ways.”

He looked at her. “Maybe, but it would be better if my herbs don’t wither or spoil. I heard that there is a shop that sells them at an immense price. I need the money and thankfully your presence might solve this problem.

Aria held her pewter cup and shook it tightly. She looked him in the eye. His silver eyes swooned her. Gods, he was a pretty man, and he was refined, like a blade forged and crafted carefully after many hammering. She thought of herself as silly for looking at him. The worst part was that he did not mind at all!

“Did you come here for the Summit as well?” He measured a concoction with one eye. “I admit that I’ve no care for the rulers. Do you think that the borders would cause trouble? Because I would like to be out of the City if it happens.”

“I doubt it,” she said to him. “They would not defy Dmitri Sky-Blessed. Not when he wields Caliber and has the loyalty of the Adventurers. Do you think they would start a war with the men who hold the loyalty of the Highest Humans? They would be devastated.”

“I see,” he replied, “it must be troublesome, to live through all of this trouble.”

“You do not sound concern. Though everyone who reached this place, are worthy enough to be called Adventurers.”

“I am concerned. I can fight and I can handle myself. But Aria, there is no reason to fight everything and everyone. I prefer avoiding my fights, but when cornered, I rather fight fiercely. Isn’t it the same for you?”

“Yes,” she answered with a thin smile. “Swords dull, rust, and bend, and I rather avoid the creatures, their scales are tougher than rocks, and I do not want to hurt my Maidens.”

She eyed him. Nolan corked a round-bottomed flask and pushed it to her. She held it with her two fingers and gazed at the deeply crimson liquid. Behind the liquid was the man’s calm face. He was calm, polite, and sometimes toneless.

She had seen men act like a stone. While they were stone he was the wind. He was an unperturbed blossom in the middle of mud. Maybe, that’s why she was rather calm talking to this man. He was looking at her as a person. Though it helped that he was a pretty man.

“I would buy the potions,” she placed it in front of her. “The night is still long, would accompany me, Nolan? Or are you going to rest? I assume that you have come today as well.”

“I did,” he pushed the rest of the flasks. “I am not tired, and I have slept well under the roots of the trees. Still, I would love to see the giant roots of the trees. I heard that there are protruding roots all over the upper city.”

She stood up and pushed the stool backward. “Then I take it as a yes?”

She smiled her best. The man watched her with stolid eyes. His lucid expression made her still for a second. Oh Heavens, what she would do if she was rejected?

“Then let us go.”