Chapter 3: The Moments making it worth

Having left the city behind the group travelled with the caravan for several days. It lead from town to town, giving them a chance to experience the beautiful landscape of the so called Wildlands. And while the lands beyond the city and town walls was definitely wild, none of it seemed as savage as people would make one belief back where the group came from. Erin, the little girl they had rescued, had warmed up to them and happily started explaining everything about the towns and the landscape of her home. Not that any of them really understood her. The girl spoke a strange variant of the language known as Common.

But that didn't stop her from enthusiastically explaining everything, or the others from listening with equal enthusiasm. The only one who clearly seemed unhappy with the situation was Delmar. He had been sulking ever since leaving the city behind, clearly having wanted to save more slaves. Myrin knew he was never happy with just changing one life for the better. That was just the type of person he was. He let out a soft sigh before shuffling over to his friend, sitting next to him with a soft smile.

»You know ... I think she looks pretty happy.«

Myrin nodded over to where Erin was currently pointing at a strange looking tree, Shirin and Rhys listening to her intensely.

»She might be. But what about all those other people? You know? The ones we left behind.«

»You can't save everyone, Delmar.«

»But I can try. And ... I didn't try this time.«

He let out a defeated sigh before bumping his head back against the supports of the cart's roof.

»You know, trying hard has always been my thing. I don't just give up. Especially not because it could get me in trouble. And yet ... that's exactly what I was made to do.«

»Delmar ... It is impossible for one person by themselves to change or save the world. But even so, I think you've already made a great impact on it. And I think, that it's okay if we can sometimes only save one person.«

»But it seems so futile.«

Myrin grumbled a little, a deep frown on his face. He reached out to grab his friend's head before turning it so he could clearly see Erin laughing brightly with Shirin and Rhys.

»I see three people there who's lives you've changed massively. For the better. I think they'd like to disagree with your efforts being futile. Back then you didn't get the slums to be brought into the city. You didn't get all kid assassins to live nice lives. All you did was offer your hand to two children and showing them a better way. And they gladly took your hand. It's the same with Erin. And honestly ... also me. And none of us think your efforts so far have been futile.«

»Myrin ...«

»So, stop sulking already. Enjoy the fact that that girl is smiling so happily because of you.«

For a moment Delmar will just silently stare at the other three, smiling and laughing, and simply enjoying themselves. Myrin knew his friend had a hard time seeing these small things. He always liked to make changes on a bigger scale. But sometimes these smaller moments were far more important. Delmar turned his head to Myrin, a small smile finally appearing on his face.

»So, I've changed your life for the better too, hm? How so? As a refugee back then if you weren't such a slowpoke you could've lived nice!«

»Hey!«

»And ... I did offer you to have my house. I mean sure it was small but ... why did you follow me, Myrin?«

He froze a little. And Delmar clearly noticed. The way his eyebrows twitched there were a telltale sign for Myrin that he knew he was hiding something. He wasn't one to lie. Never had been one. But somehow he had managed to keep his origins secret from his friends. He often excused it to himself by saying it never comes up. But the truth was that Myrin made sure it wouldn't come up. While Delmar was a wildcard, Rhys an assassin and Shirin from the slums with an origin in the palace of the City of Ice ... Myrin was a traitor. Even in a different world a traitor would've been treated with more than a little distrust. But Myrin had betrayed his country in a war. In this world.

Despite all the conflicts, there was one thing all nations had in common. Betraying your country and leaving military service without permission, was punishable by death in almost every nation. As such Myrin hadn't been a refugee but a fugitive. One who was running from his punishment. He stared back at Delmar before eventually looking down at the bottom of the cart, playing with his fingers. He couldn't exactly sneak himself out of this. Keeping it a secret when Delmar was aware there was something was far worse than coming clean.

»I-«

»It's fine. If you don't wanna talk about it, I'm not forcing you.«

He looked back up at Delmar with wide eyes, but there was no hint of dishonesty in his words or his gaze. It did truly seem as if he was perfectly fine with him just staying quiet. But ... was it really okay? He had been keeping this secret for so long. And they trusted each other with their lives everyday. Would they ever trust a traitor again, though? One who betrayed his comrades during times of need? He didn't know the answer. Too scared was he of the possibility of being wrong.

He was about to let a feeling of relief wash over him just when he caught the sad gaze in Delmar's eyes as he looked away. Wasn't the fact that he wasn't confiding in him a sign of his distrust of Delmar? But ... that wasn't true. Myrin knew that there was no one else he trusted more. Then ...

»Well ... let's see ... I think it's best if I start at the beginning. If you have the time?«

Delmar looked back up, this time grinning brightly.

»I'm all ears!«

---

To his surprise, Delmar didn't at all react negatively to the story Myrin told him. He had a feeling Shirin and Rhys were also listening but non of them at all judged him for leaving the military. On the contrary. Delmar even told him that he did the right thing. To be honest, it was something Myrin should've expected. While Delmar was extraordinarily good at fighting, he hated war. People being forced into military service for a war they didn't want to fight just wasn't something Delmar would approve of. But Myrin felt relieved that he finally did come clean.

The group had travelled for several days with the caravan before eventually getting of due to Erin communicating them that her home was near. Or at least that's what everyone assumed her hand and feet gestures meant. With Shirin getting dragged along by Erin in the front and Rhys, Myrin and Delmar in the back the group followed a small path through the hills and forest, until they eventually emerged on a large clearing.

Several tents were put up in the middle of the clearing, all surrounding what seemed to be a large campfire. In a pen near the side of the conglomeration of tents was a pen with a couple of beautiful horses in. Most of them had clear white or greyish fur, with some smaller - probably also younger ones - coloured in a darker grey, almost black. From the distance Myrin couldn't quite tell what it was but there was something off about those horses.

The moment the exited the forest onto the clearing, Erin let go of Shirin's hand and ran off to the tents. A few people, who were gathered around the central campfire stood up, before after a moment of realisation running up to the girl, voices and people shuffling around making the little village feel a lot more busy all of a sudden. Erin was welcomed back with hugs, until eventually people parted and made way for a middle aged man, his clothing and headwear looking much more heavily decorated than those of other people, as well as for a woman in an equally decorated dress.

For a moment it was completely silent, the four of them using that chance to move a little closer. Then Erin screamed out some words that bore a vague resemblance for the Common words for mother and father, before running up to the man and the woman, the three of them joining in a hug. The woman gently stroked her hair, looking dotingly at the little girl, seeming as if she was checking that Erin was truly there and not just a trick of her mind.

A soft smile spread on Myrin's face. Even though what they did was risky and probably made them criminals here, they had helped at least one person. From the looks on the faces of the other three they felt similar. Even Rhys seemed pleased with what they had done, now that they reached their destination.

While Erin was still being doted on, Delmar stepped forth, bowing his head deeply to the man they could safely assume to be Erin's father and the leader of this small village. Myrin followed suit with both Shirin and Rhys following their leader's example albeit a little more hesitant. Bowing their head to just anyone wasn't something those two enjoyes. Without lifting his head Delmar started speaking in a clear voice.

»We are glad to see you reunited with your daughter.«

Myrin wandered if anyone here even spoke Common. Erin clearly didn't. Though to his surprise, after a moment the village leader spoke up.

»I am thankful to your group for returning her. I had lost all hope of ever seeing my child again. How may I repay your service?«

He had a thick accent, but he spoke slowly so he was fairly easy to understand. Delmar lifted his head, smiling a little as he shook his head.

»Seeing Erin smile so happily is payment enough. We don't need anymore than that. But if it is not too much to ask, I would be happy to stay here for a little while with my companions.«

The villagers surrounding this conversation kept looking from Delmar back to their chief, making Myrin wander if they all understood common. Though why would Erin not know Common if everyone did ... The chief will put his hands together before bowing to Delmar deeply.

»You have saved my daughter from a life of misery. You are welcome to stay within our mids for as long as you like.«

He'll turn to look at some of the villagers, speaking in that not understandable language Erin had used. Whatever he said it made most people hurry off, getting busy. Some of the villagers came up to them and made motions to follow them.

»They will show you to a tent that will be prepared for you. I hope it will suit your needs.«

»That's very kind of you. We will gladly take your offer.«

---

Their tent was amazing. During their adventures they had often spent time camping out in the wild. But never had they lived in such a comfortable tent before. A small fireplace in the center of the tent warmed the whole place up, fur covered bedrolls surrounding it. The walls of the tent were also covered with nice fabric. Both for decoration as well as additional insulation.

What was even more amazing than the tent itself, was the fact that the villagers managed to throw together what seemed like a massive festival within minutes. The four of them had just settled down in their tent when a group of villagers came in and dragged them back out to the central place. Everything was decorated, with feathers, leaves, and branches. The central campfire was burning high, creating a warm atmosphere anywhere on the central place, and it seemed as if the whole village had gathered.

Erin's father, the chief, spoke to the villagers in their language for while before turning to face Delmar's group, changing to his thick accented common.

»In our culture, the village is the family. Erin is my daughter, and she is the village's daughter. We are grateful that you had been brave and saved one of our family. No words could ever properly express that gratitude. We celebrate to honour you, and to name you members of this family.«

Everyone in the village raised their clay mugs, saying a word that sounded like cecilliar. The four of them looked at each other before doing the same. As everyone drunk from their mugs, Myrin stared at Delmar. He had known from the moment they met that Delmar was different. He had always known that there was something about him that attracted people to him. Like moths flying towards the light. Shirin and Rhys had joined for that reason. And so had Myrin. And this time, he had somehow managed to become part of a family off in the Wildlands.

»You really are something else, Delmar ...«

»Hm?«

Delmar looked over at him, seemingly not quite understanding what he's trying to say.

»You manage to gather people around you without any effort. It's ... something else.«

»I guess I just have that kind of talent.«

»You bet you do ...«

Myrin watched him quietly before looking back at the villagers. People were dancing, and drinking, and enjoying themselves. Shirin had been pulled off by a couple of girls, dancing with them lively. Rhys somehow had managed to gather a whole other group of girls around himself, looking somewhat bashful. Some people were trying to drag of Delmar and Myrin too though the two had retreated to the side, enjoying the quietness at the edge of the celebration.

»Delmar ... did you think about founding your own adventuring company?«

»No, Myrin. I've been studying scrolls on how to do that just for fun and curiousity.«

»...that sarcasm wasn't necessary.«

The two of them fell silent again, watching the festivities. Myrin hoped it would always stay like this. A part of him knew that it wouldn't.

»I meant ... have you really thought about it? What it would mean? We're not this popular everywhere.«

»I know. But ... isn't this nice, Myrin? Everyone here considers each other family. My dad died before I could even remember him properly and my mom has been dead for a few years now. The closest I have to family, is the three of you.«

»I'm sure Rhys and Shirin feel similar ... I do at least.«

»There are more people like us though. Who are missing a family. I ... want to work hard. And create a place that people can call home. Where they call each other family. And where they experience many great adventures.«

Myrin moved his gaze from the festival to his friend. He had thought a lot about this it seemed.

»And you know ... I think it could be really fun. When we get back home ... we'll find a place ... and make it our home.«

»We'll follow you wherever you go.«

Delmar will smile a little, looking up at Myrin.

»Thanks ... but don't ever hesitate to talk back to me, okay?«

»Of course not. Wouldn't want your big head to grow even bigger.«

»As always you hurt my senstive feelings, Myrin.«

»Oh, sorry. I didn't know you had those.«

»Rude.«

---

The party died down late through the night. Myrin had drifted off several times until that point, while Delmar continued watching. Eventually most of the villagers settled down for the night, Shirin and Rhys joining their two friends under the tree they were leaning against. Rhys started poking Myrin's face until the latter woke up again, much to his disliking. The four of them sat in silence at the tree, staring up into the sky for a few moments, until their leader was the first one to speak up.

»Do you guys really think I'm gonna cause some sort of great chaos?«

The others stayed silent for a moment as Shirin reached over, gently squeezing his hand and shaking his head. Both Myrin and Rhys finally found an answer, though the latter was quicker to answer.

»You always do, so I wouldn't be surprised.«

»Rhys ... I don't think you are a bad person, Delmar. So ... I also won't believe that you are going to do something that could cause many people to suffer.«

»But ... that dragon seemed really ... you know ... knowing?«

Rhys shrugged, crossing his hands behind his head as he looked back up at the sky.

»It's probably some sort of god, so it better be all knowing. It's just a shitty move not to tell you anything more than that.«

»She did tell me I'd have to sacrifice what's dear to me but ... that'd be you guys. And I'd never do that.«

Myrin smiled softly, gently patting his leaders' shoulder.

»We know. That's why we aren't worried. You said the dragon also told you to keep walking your path, right? Why are you so worried about it now?«

Delmar stayed silent. Myrin had a feeling that his friend had been worried about this for much longer than they would've believed. Eventually Delmar stood up, walking from left to right in front of the others before eventually stopping, his back turned to them as he looked back up into the sky.

»I always wanted to go on adventures. Be a hero people could look up to. But ... that creature told me my future was a dark one. That my name would be feared for millenia. That doesn't sound very heroic. I guess ... I'm just scared that I'll do things in the future that I'll regret.«

The other three will look between themselves before standing up, Myrin smiling softly as he steps up next to his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder.

»We've decided this a long time ago, Delmar. Wherever you go, we'll follow. And we'll always believe in you. And if you end up making a wrong decision after all ... we'll be there to pick you back up.«

»Or stop you. Depending on what's needed.«

Rhys and Shirin stood at Delmar's other side, both of them smiling as well. Delmar looked from the two of them back over to Myrin.

»I ... if my future is gonna be dark then at the very least I want to go on many more adventures with you guys.«

The four of them shared a smile, clearly everyone feeling the same. Shirin started a small fire as they sat down around it. Rhys poked the fire with a small branch, getting scolded by Shirin. It never stopped impressing Myrin how she managed to convey so many words in one simple gaze. Delmar was watching the two of them with a faint smile, before speaking up again.

»I've been thinking.«

»Uh-oh...«

»Shut up, Rhys ... Ahem. I've been thinking. When we get back ... let's apply for our company.«

The other three looked up at him, eyes wide for a moment before all smiling. Myrin grinned a little, giving him a thumbs up.

»Definitely! Did you make your mind up for a name yet?«

Delmar rubbed his neck, staring at the fire with a faint smile, nodding quietly.

»Well, I wanted to hear your guys' opinion of course. I want the company to be a place we can all call home. And I want other people also to be able to call it home. I ... want the company to be a sort of family.«

Shirin and Rhys stopped their messing around with the fire and looked up at Delmar, while Myrin already had a smile on his face.

»So? What did you come up with, Delmar?«

»These people were really nice to us, weren't they? They aren't all related by blood, but they still call each other family. I asked Erin's father earlier what that word meant they kept calling when raising their mugs. Cecilliar. To family. So ... I'd like our company to be like that.«

Rhys shrugged a little, though from the look on his face Myrin felt that he was a little embarrassed.

»I guess ... so what's our name?«

»The Cecillian Adventuring Company.«