Chương 37: Cups And Confessions

Joel tapped his feet anxiously as Lannwald searched the room thoroughly. They'd managed to slip into one of the many empty bedrooms within the castle. Outside, dusk peeked through the curtains of the bedroom window. Lannwald closed the wardrobe and nodded towards Ysobelle, who was already sitting at the trestle table. The knight scowled at Joel as he took his position next to the door. The liquid courage within Joel roused him to shoot the venomous glare back.

"Leave us." Ysobelle waved her guard away.

"My lady, you shouldn't be alone, especially with such a—""Out, Lannwald. Do not make me repeat myself." The blonde haired knight snapped into a salute before exiting the room. Once the door clicked shut, Ysobelle motioned to the cushioned seat across from her.

"Sit, I would have us speak comfortably." Joel sat, feeling warm in the face.

"Is there something wrong?" Her brow arched, flipping the question back to him.

"Should something be wrong?" Ugh, he was too intoxicated for this. As if noticing his annoyance, she changed the subject.

"I've heard the report given to the baron. Of horrors you all endured in the mines." That wasn't surprising. Al, who had been the quickest to recover, had promised to handle speaking to the baron. No one refused; it made sense. Al mentioned keeping it brief. Of course, that resulted in the big feast as a celebration, and Joel's current predicament. He cursed himself for volunteering to go get Siv's amulet. Around her wrist, a jeweled bracelet caught the candlelight as she turned it.

"Some of the details were ambiguous at best. Typical of Freewalkers. Useful adventurers, unlikely heroes. Always tight-lipped about how they got the job done."

"But I'm not a Freewalker." He could piece that much together. The noblewoman smiled.

"Exactly."

"Neither is Wirbald. Your men were the ones taking him in. Why not ask him?"

"Wirbald, despite his crimes, has a bizarre loyalty to the Freewalker's way. He refuses. I was hoping that you would be more amiable. I assure you it's for a good cause."

"What do you want to know?" He wasn't stupid enough to tell her everything she wanted. Enough to get her off all their backs? He could accomplish that much.

"Straight forward. An excellent trait. I'll be equally direct. Deep within the mines, the source of the miasma was the sagani, yes?" Joel nodded. Despite what she said, she was hardly being direct because that question couldn't have been what she wanted to know. Everyone within the castle, from the baron to the newest servant, knew that much.

"And Wirbald aided you against the sagani?" she continued.

"Yes." Again, nothing wrong with admitting to something she already knew.

"You said you were going to be equally straightforward, but all you're doing is beating around the bush." Ysobelle gave another small smile.

"Apologies. Allow me to be frank then. How powerful was Wirbald?" Joel's face twisted with confusion.

"How powerful?" The smile stayed on the young noblewoman's face.

"Yes. How strong was the mage? I'm aware that his capabilities were… limited to say the least."

"We wouldn't have survived without him."

"But the sagani. Did he overcome it himself?" Joel hesitated. Technically, Wirbald had needed all their help, but it felt minor compared to the mage's contribution. He decided to keep confirming what she'd already know.

"I mean, your men saw our conditions upon exiting the mines. We were all hurt." She nodded.

"So, within your estimation, Wirbald wouldn't have been able to manage the sagani alone?" Damn it.

"Well, we'd been fighting in a Sanctum after all. It wasn't exactly fair." Ysobelle raised her brow in a way that told Joel she wasn't fully aware of that. Oops. He'd deflect with a question of his own.

"Why are you so interested in Wirbald? He surrendered himself willingly."

"This recent venture has shown that the mage can still be useful. Though, if he still required four others to aid him, perhaps he isn't the touted spellcaster I've heard of."

"He'd been searching down there for days and he wasn't properly armed. It was a small miracle he was alive to save us again and again. Like I said, we wouldn't have made it without him." A hint of anger crept into his voice.

"You hold a mass murderer in high-esteem." Ysobelle toyed with her bracelet. He winced. He'd briefly forgotten about Wirbald's crimes — the massacre of his guildmates. Her words reminded him of the dead Freewalkers under the mines, crushed into smooth spheres of crumpled metal and wet flesh. The contradiction of respect and disgust stifled any response.

"So you are aware of his crimes." Her calm voice grated against him.

"You asked about how powerful he was," Joel shot back.

"What's the point of these questions?"

"That's for me to know."

"Then I'm done here. You can ask the others whatever else you want to know."

"I'd simply hear the same song and dance."

"What?"

"That you were the key to saving everyone." Her brow raised again — this time out of curiosity.

"I mean, if that's what the son of a Lorentine count reports, who is to say otherwise?" The praise made him blush, but why had Al done that? If anything, Siv's the one who lost an eye for it all.

"I helped in whatever little way I could manage," he said, getting to his feet. All of his earlier revelry fizzled out. The others would be wondering where he'd been, if they were sober enough.

"A word to the wise. You shouldn't work for Galagrin."

"Why not?" He felt like being an ass. Placing a hand on his chin, he made a show of considering it.

"It wouldn't be half bad to work for a rich man."

"A jewelled beast's appetite doesn't change. All they do is devour. Destroy." Her hazel eyes locked on to him.

"I don't believe that's what you'd do." She looked assured with that ever-present and, annoyingly, pretty smile.

"You want to help people. That's why you fought instead of running like every other porter rightfully would have." The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Joel hated how hot his ears got.

"If you ever want to keep helping people," she said. Getting to her feet, she made her way to the door.

"Feel free to seek me out." Slipping out to the hall, Ysobelle was followed by the heavy steps of Lannwald. Joel was the one trying to stomp out of here, all indignant. Meanwhile, a few flowery sentences froze him still. Blushing buffoon. After a few composed blinks, he hurried out of the room. He could still hear the booming festivities downstairs. Hopefully Siv hadn't been waiting the whole time to say grace. The darkened night sky glimpsed through the window, dusk fluttering away, as he made his way back.

Music played as loudly as ever as the sprightly melodies matched the boisterous cheers from within. The carousel of people to waddle through hadn't changed; it only got more drunk. Joel knew he was becoming more sober. His steadying steps told him as much. With more people standing, the place felt more packed, making it hard to properly look around the great hall. Sidestepping through the mess of guests, entertainers, and servants, he finally caught sight of the others, still enjoying themselves at their table.

As if preparing to dive, he took a deep breath and pushed past a trio of particularly drunk men, each shouting a completely different song with equal gusto. Some things never changed no matter where you were from. He chuckled as he made his way to the table.

"Where've you been?" Alis shouted, face rosier than ever. Joel smiled back apologetically as he sat down.

"Got caught up. Sorry that I took so long." He handed the silver amulet back to Siv. Giving a thankful nod, Siv wrapped his hands around it, bringing his cupped hands to his mouth and whispering a gentle prayer. The words appeared precious and were his alone. Whispered or not, it was impossible to hear in the feast's merriment. Once finished, he slid over a drink.

"To living another blessed day," the half-elf said, lifting his drink. His grin melted away all his austerity of prayer.

"I'll drink to that," Alis shouted cheerfully as her cup clanked into Siv's. Amused, Al shook his head.

"Like you'd need to be convinced." But his drink was raised as well.

"To another day." The Freewalkers looked at Joel.

"Well? Going to gawp all night?" Alis twisted her nose playfully.

"Uh," Joel said, grabbing his cup and lifting it.

"To surviving!" The cups clinked against one another, and they all drank their fill. Cinnamoned wine washed away the upstairs encounters into a distant memory. He savoured another gulp of wine, letting its warmth settle deep. Good food and drink at a party? He hadn't enjoyed such a festive atmosphere since before getting stuck here. Nothing as lavish as the delicacies present, but he thought fondly of greasy chicken wings and a pitcher of beer shared with his buddies. Friends with fading faces.

Friends with formless features. Friends…

"Something on your mind?" Siv's cheery voice dipped with concern.

"I was thinking about how I haven't done something like this in a long time." Siv chuckled.

"Have a feast thrown in your honor? Don't get too used to it."

"No, no that." Joel shook his head, gesturing to their table.

"It's been so long since I've eaten with a group of…"

"Friends?" Siv asked without hesitation.

"Yeah…"

"A good meal with friends." Siv patted Joel's back before placing an arm over his shoulder.

"There's hardly anything more worthwhile." He lifted another cup up. Joel happily matched it with his own. Alis, nearly bowling her brother over, crashed into them mid-drink.

"Toasting without us? That's no good! Improper, if anything!" She shook a duck leg at Siv.

"Watch it or you'll poke out his other eye," Al said with a drunken hiccup. Alis glared at Al and turned her indignation his way.

"We'll just take one of yours if that happens, won't we?" She pretended to take his eye with the piece of poultry while Al yelped in mock terror. After a chuckle, Siv leaned over to Joel.

"I have something to confess to you."

"Well, I'm no Lady," Joel said.

"But I'll listen." Siv took a small sip.

"We deceived you. When we found you, on our way here, I was the one who discovered your sword, but Al was the one who knew about its history. We assumed you'd be capable in some way. And we knew taking an open contract was always going to be dangerous, so we wanted a porter with some skills." Joel shrugged.

"All of you saved my life."

"That doesn't mean we get to gamble with it over and over again," Siv said, locking his available blue eye to Joel.

"The others and I discussed it. You saved our lives as well. You aren't obligated to us anymore. If you want, after we get the reward, we can give you more than enough coin to get back home." Siv looked at Al and his sister, still wrestling with the duck leg.

"Back to your family." Joel felt his eyes water at the kindness of the heartfelt offer. Being drunk didn't help. If it was that simple, he'd probably take the coin and run, but as far as he knew, there didn't seem to be a way back to his family. Maybe there was something he was supposed to do to get out. But what? Beat up more hamsters? Save a princess, or fight a dragon? Go be a hero? Or a villain? Take over the world?

Those felt like all the things that someone in his position would do, though maybe not beating up more hamsters. Either way, it was smarter to stick with what he knows — getting more EXP.

"I can't go back to my family. Not yet," he said. He felt a little more bold, thanks to the wine.

"But there is something you could help me with."

"Anything, friend."

"I want to be a Freewalker." Siv's brow arched and a smile crossed his face.

"The romp with the sagani wasn't enough to scare you off?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. It almost did. Luckily, I've been informed that not all jobs are this dangerous."

"You're certain that being a Freewalker is what you want?" Siv asked.

"Even if it's not like the mines, it's not an easy life. Endless travelling. Hardtack on the road. And there's a lot of pain."

"I've never been scared of getting a little hurt."

"I mean more than the bumps and scrapes you'll earn. They'll be times where you fail, or you lose people. A different type of pain." Siv's gaze went distant.

"It takes a toll on people. It's why Freewalkers move in groups, because we need to lean on one another. You might want to consider this all while sober." Joel paused, wondering whether he truly was prepared for something like that. He simply didn't know. None of his kills have been easy, though he was less prone to vomiting now.

"Listen, I'm not trying to discourage you. Don't think there's a child on the continent who hasn't dreamed of becoming a Freewalker. You'll only need one person to vouch for you, so that's a boon."

"People need to vouch for you?"

"Four Freewalkers have to," Siv replied, holding as many fingers up. Joel felt a piece of oily duck poking into his cheek.

"And you've already got three of us," Alis said, still continuing to prod his face with the duck leg.

"But you have to eat this in exchange." She poked him again.

"You really don't." Al gave a sheepish look, running a hand through his golden locks.

"He does! He must!" Alis exclaimed.

"A gift cannot be ungiven." Siv sighed.

"Just amuse her. She gets particularly bossy when drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" Joel let a soft laugh before taking a hefty chomp from the duck leg.

"You're officially almost a Freewalker," Alis declared triumphantly. The change of music, into a playful tone, brought out a sudden gleeful shout as she took Al's hand to join a group of dancing guests. Despite the look on his face, Al matched her steps expertly, his hands in practiced positions. Siv smiled and clapped alongside the crowd. Joel swayed his head, matching the music's rhythm and allowing it to let him drift. A Freewalker.

He didn't know how to get home, so he'd do what he could to search for an answer. That meant surviving in this… world. He looked at Alis and Al dancing, both of them laughing happily. Friends made that easier. Lastly, he needed to become stronger. His eyes briefly darted to the translucent screen floating nearby. For that, he'd require more EXP, much more than he presently had. Being an adventurer would provide a steady stream. He wondered if there were more requirements to becoming a Freewalker.

He turned to ask Siv, only to spot him in conversation with Lester, the baron's steward. After a brief exchange, the old man waddled off into the crowd.

"Well, looks like the baron wants to give us his reward," Siv said, using his cane to stand up.

"Excuse me for a minute. We shouldn't be long." The half-elf marched over to his sister and Al to explain while fixing his own collar. As the music died down, all the guests turned to the high table; Joel did the same. The baron had got to his feet, a little unsteady and with a goblet in hand. Next to him, Syr Ysobelle sat stoically, looking unimpressed with the entire situation. On the opposite end of the baron, to Joel's surprise, sat Syr Galagrin.

The bejewelled man was at ease, leaning lazily into his chair and peering at the baron. Baron Valgruv raised his drink, the cup looking tiny compared to his hulking frame.

"Noble guests, loyal bannermen, and fine people of Wardenhal, nothing swells the heart more than to see our people in good cheer. What a joyous day, a day that we must thank and honor three Freewalkers for." The burly nobleman turned to their table and the entire room followed his gaze to the three adventurers. Only one looked elsewhere. With a smirk across his scarred face, Galagrin's dark eyes fell upon Joel.