The Forsaken Hero

It took nearly an hour before the aftershocks faded and the earth fell still. The city, on the other hand, bustled with commotion long into the night. Wagons rumbled down the streets nonstop, bearing chunks of rubble away from the disaster. At the same time, mounted patrols of guards stalked the streets, interrogating any they came across for information on the perpetrators.

Helron left us alone soon after we closed our discussion, locking us in the private meeting room and promising to turn anyone away. More than a few people had witnessed one or another of our party enter the Circle’s hideout through the hole in the street, but there was little the guards could do about it. Even if they disregarded the guild leader’s political influence, no one in the city, save the Sorrin or the City Lord himself, had the power to challenge the retired fifth-level adventurer.

Sighing as his footsteps faded away, I closed my eyes and leaned back against my chair, resting my hand atop Fable’s head, idly tangling my fingers through his fur. The soft, silky tangles gave in the most satisfying way, producing an effect every bit as relaxing as stroking my horns.

Slowly, my exhaustion overcame me, and I dozed lightly, occasionally startling awake as Fable shifted, or a particularly vivid nightmare disturbed my rest. Too much had happened on the last day, giving me enough to think about for weeks, filling my head with a storm of thoughts and questions. The whole world felt new and uncertain, a feeling I’d only ever experienced upon waking up on the northern continent, free of my slave crest. Now, I felt free for another entirely different reason, though I couldn’t quite put it into words.

Even if I lacked the ability to describe it, I felt it every time I opened my eyes, and saw the other members of the Glory Chasers around me, peacefully attending their conversations and activities. Rasce inspected his arrows, Dyson chatted with Sorrin, and Tana was working on braiding what looked like fine golden ribbons together, making some sort of accessory or ornament. They flashed me smiles whenever they met my gaze, their friendship and trust nearly palpable, fanning the warmth blossoming in my heart. They knew who I was, and yet they still loved me. Not for what I was, but who. Just as Elise had once said, only this time, I could understand it.

I sighed, shifting forward and leaning onto the table, resting my head on my hands. My memories of Elise had grown faint and faded, like a beloved childhood blanket now in adulthood. Just how long had it been since I’d last heard her laugh, or basked in the glow of her smile? If not for her and Aurle, I didn’t dare think of what might have become of me. Aurle was gone, and I would never be able to tell her how much she meant to me, but Elise...I had to tell her. She had called me a friend, sister even, and I wanted to have a chance to do the same.

"Tana," Sorrin said, shifting in his seat nervously.

I looked up, as he stood, approaching the pretty half-elf with an anxious hitch in his step. Tana did the same, tilting her head in confusion, eyes glistening curiously.

"Given all that’s happened, I, uh, don’t know if it’s appropriate right now, but I can’t wait any longer," Sorrin said. His face held a slight pink flush, and he rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand, his tail stiff with nerves.

"Sorrin?"

Ignoring the question in her voice, he tapped his ring, and, as a wrapped box appeared in his hand, dropped to one knee. The box was tied with a silver ribbon but looked dirty, one of the corners bashed in, as though someone had dropped or tossed it to the ground, but Tana’s eyes lit up as though it was the finest work of gold in the world.