The morning had passed leisurely as Krau and Liria walked along the cobblestone streets of the small village of Craymoor, a place where merchants and travelers stopped before venturing into the dangerous eastern roads. The merchants' cries mixed with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sweat of the cargo beasts.
Krau stopped in front of a worn-out map stand.
—Give me one of this region —he ordered the merchant.
The man, with a bristly beard and weary eyes, handed him a yellowed parchment. Krau paid without arguing and unrolled it there.
—Where is the map that Corvus gave you? —he asked Liria, not taking his eyes off the paper.
—He didn't give me any —she replied, somewhat confused.
Krau sighed in annoyance.
—Perfect. We'll be wandering blindly through half a province... —he murmured ironically—. Sometimes I think he wants us to never return.
While tracing the route mentally, Liria approached a poster board next to the tavern entrance. New posters hung from it: charcoal drawings of missing young women and the promise of a substantial reward for anyone who helped find them.
—Look at this —she said, pulling on Krau's sleeve.
He turned away with disinterest.
—It's not our business.
—Someone should do something —she insisted.
Krau rolled up the map calmly.
—Do you know what they'll pay for taking Eliy? Barely a broken coin. But this... —he pointed to the poster— at least offers decent gold.
Liria furrowed her brow.
—Would you do this just for money?
—Of course. What did you expect? Honor? Redemption? —Krau smiled without humor—. That's left in the war.
She bit her lips, disappointed.
—A paladin should help without expecting payment.
—That's why I'm no longer a paladin.
The tavern owner approached.
—Speak with the captain of the guard if you're interested. Three young women are still missing. Maybe they'll pay well.
Krau said nothing more. In silence, he headed towards the barracks.
The captain of the guard greeted them with a serious nod.
—You are the foreigners asking about work —he said.
—It depends on the pay —answered Krau.
The man slid a pouch of coins onto the table.
—Half now. The rest if you release at least one of the hostages. The clues lead to the forest to the north. It's not safe.
Krau took the pouch without a word.
—Give us the exact location.
The captain spread out a simple sketch. Krau studied it, then looked at Liria.
—Ready to see the worst of this world?
She swallowed saliva, but nodded.
The forest was dark and damp under the first shadows of twilight. They advanced in silence, avoiding roots and debris.
Krau raised a hand, stopping. A few meters away, among the undergrowth, they could hear rough voices.
—Keep your head down and I'll take care of them quickly, then we'll free those girls —he whispered.
He approached stealthily.
In a precarious clearing, three bandits watched a wooden cage reinforced with iron. Inside, five frightened girls huddled against the bars.
—They're too young to be worth much on the market —one said, laughing.
Krau emerged from the bushes without warning.
The first didn't have time to turn. Krau plunged his sword into his back, severing his spine.
The second raised an axe, but Krau dodged to the side and severed his leg before slitting his throat.
The girls covered their eyes with terror as Krau killed without hesitation.
The third gasped, searching for his dagger. He didn't get to draw it:
Don't hurt me, please, I'm just...
Krau's sword opened his chest from side to side, cutting off his sentence.
It was quick. Messy. Wordless from Krau.
Liria arrived running when the last bandit fell.
—Are they alive? —she asked, looking at the cage.
Krau nodded and pulled the bloodied key from one of the dead men's belts. He opened the door.
The girls emerged trembling, some crying, others in shock.
—Can you walk? —he asked in a neutral tone.
One of them, the oldest, nodded.
—Thank you... thank you...
Krau didn't respond.
—Go back to the village. Follow the western path. I'll meet you before sunset. —He threw them a short dagger—. In case someone else shows up.
Liria helped one of the girls to stand up.
—Why do you leave them alone? —she asked in a low voice.
—Because it's not my responsibility to take them to the city. They know the way. And I've done enough.
Liria lowered her head, disappointed.
—You're worse than I thought.
Krau didn't answer. He was cleaning his sword with the cloak of a bandit.
When they returned to the village, the captain fulfilled his promise: he paid the rest of the gold.
—They're not all... but you brought back some. That's more than anyone has managed in weeks.
Krau picked up the pouch without saying a word. Liria turned away, still uncomfortable.
While they walked towards the inn, Liria stopped him.
—Does it matter to you? Anyone?
Krau looked at her, impassive.
—All that matters to me is getting you to Eliy alive. I don't need you to save the world with every step just to feel better...
She clenched her fists, but didn't reply.
That night, while Krau counted the coins and Liria pretended to sleep, the echo of the ashes' beasts crossed her mind briefly.
The danger was still far.
But not for long.
That same night, far away...
The walls of Molvar burned under a moonless sky.
The creatures of dust ravaged the streets, reducing everything to ashes and screams.
Amidst the chaos...
A warrior remained standing.
His armor cracked, his cloak in tatters.
His sword trembled in his hands.
But his faith kept him standing.
He ran.
The villain watched him calmly.
The blade was aimed straight at his chest.
And then...
A scream.
A little girl.
Calling for her mother.
The warrior turned his head, just for a second.
Just one second.
But it was enough.
The beasts caught up with him.
His sword fell to the ground with a dull thud.
The villain advanced slowly.
"The Goddess Kise will welcome you with open arms."
The creatures surrounded him, devoured him.
His body sank into the shadows.
And then...
Nothing.
Only ashes.
Molvar no longer had protectors.
The villain kept walking, letting the flames light his way.