Why not ask? Ch 7

The night was dark, not one star could be seen on the night sky. The only light source was a dim streetlamp and the green moon. A boy who had still a year to become an adult walked in the earie darkness. His golden hair fluttered in the wind. His coat splattered with blood, his beautiful blue eyes avoidant of any emotion. His steps were quiet like a cat was walking in the middle of the night. Ramir's hands were securing a few tainted wires in his pocket. His face was numb, but his thoughts were racing. Should he only go back when everyone was already working, and the Lady was out of the house? He wasn't feeling guilt, but the fact that Dime never asked anything about his outings made him feel icky.

The rumbling of his stomach decided for him to go home. He realized just now how lucky they've become. Never afraid to go home, always having meals. The fact that he could decide to go home and eat when he got hungry was so out of reach just a year ago. They used to sleep on hard ground and eat dry bread while shivering in the cold. His feet took him home in no time.

-Just getting in quietly. No one will wake up.

The creak of the entrance was quitter than ever, but there was light coming from the kitchen. When he stepped in, he found Dime reading a book.

"I'm home..."

The whisper was barely audible.

"Okay, wash up and have a meal."

She didn't even look up from her book. Ray was peacefully sleeping in her lap. The contrast between the bloodied boy and the calm picture was bizarre. This is why Ramir felt a rising discontent. He felt like he dirtied the harmony of the home by stepping in.

He took of his clothes in the bathroom and let himself a full bath of boiling hot water. He needed to relax his tired muscles from the "exercise" he’s been doing. He meticulously cleaned every inch of his body, like nothing happened. He put on clean attire and went back to the kitchen to eat something.

She was still in the same spot, the only thing that changed was the book. Ramir poured himself some leftover stew and sit on the opposite side of her. The only noise made was the clunking of the spoon to the bowl. He couldn't help but fidget with his feet.

"Are you not gonna to ask me anything?"

"Do you have something you wanna share?"

"I...no...not in particular..."

"Then eat and go to sleep. You will have a long days ahead."

Her nonchalant tone just made Ramir nervous.

-Why isn't she asking anything?

He was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the thin line if blood that was flowing on Dime's face. He just finished eating and went to his room. It was full of books, alchemy ingredients and supplies. His bed looked so inviting he just fell in it and went to sleep in an instant.

The next morning, he woke up with every inch of his body aching, like someone ran a carriage over him. While washing his pale face lazily, Mathilda barged in and jumped at the sight of the boy.

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“Sweet Ostrara! I’ve thought you’d be still out! Ha, anyways sorry to just break in but if you are already here you can have breakfast with us.”

“Don’t worry about it granny what’s for breakfast?”

Ramir seemed like his usual cheerful self, but Mathilda’s eyes wandered to the clothes he had on, but hey were spotless. Dime forbade them to question him about his outings, but her curiosity made her wander.

In the kitchen Tealla was looking even worse than he did yesterday. Ramir wasn’t sure how that was possible but it happened. His sister was already at the table beside Kaga. He seemed like a decent guy to him. He didn’t talk much but wasn’t cold and the rams’ eyes were full of warmth. He must like it here.

Ramir also liked it here. Dime was in the same position he left her at night, but the book pile beside her gotten pretty tall. She was a fast reader he’s sawn it many times before however it was still unbelievable. Ray on the other hand was moving around her anxiously, while carrying a bloodied handkerchief. Sometimes he would swipe the blood that was seeping out under the mask. The only one taken aback by the scene was Kaga who had yet to witness the crazy of their leader.

“Not sleeping again?”

“Mhm...Can’t drink the tea for three days so not really.”

Tealla was always worried about her when she didn’t sleep for a long time. It would start with the nosebleed and end with the excruciating pain. Kaga was silently observing the scene.

“Please take care of yourself, we need you to stay healthy. Then I’ll be of to work.”

“Take care, oh and say hi to Nalaka in my stead.”

With that Ramir left the big run-down mansion he now called home and headed to the warehouse he sent the shipments of medicine every day.

The streets were full of people even though the autumn wind was already freezing. He stopped by the bakery where he got some snacks for the next two days and enjoyed the scenery for a moment. Ever since they moved from the slums to the working-class district, he felt much more ease. If the weather will be better, he might take Mira for a walk outside. She would be against it for sure, but Dime wouldn’t mind if they took just one day of.

He was so immersed in his future plans that he arrived at his destination in no time. He could see a tall black haired black skinned woman from a distance. Her face was mostly covered with a hat but on the side of it a pair of long pointy ears perked at every sound. She wasn’t lanky, her height was nicely balanced by strong muscles. When she saw the boy coming, her scar covered mouth shaped in a wide grin, but Ramir knew that this was a bad omen. In the next second her arm moved, and a greenly glowing black crossbow emerged firing an arrow at him.

“You'r late kid, we’ve been at it for ten minutes already!”

Ramir swiftly avoided the arrow that was aimed in his direction. He’s done it a hundred times.

“Gooood morning to you too Nalaka! The Lady says hi.”

He sprinted towards Nalaka as she shot more arrows until he reached her and wanted to touch her shoulder, but she twisted his hand and Ramir found himself on the ground.

“You still have a long way to go kid. You really are a slow brain.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure…”

He moved his finger, and a thin wire was pressing on Nalaka’s throat.

“So, you aren’t a lost cause after all!”

They released each other of the pressure and grinned at each other.

“Let’s say this one is a tie. So, the Lady wants to meet some time. Wonder what her next super shady and gray area big business will be.”

“Dunno, but something to do with the southern barrack. She told me to ask around for information on them and a good blacksmith.”

“You sure you can tell me this?”

“Why you wanna stab her in the back?”

“Are we talking about the same person? No fucking way! What do you take me for a braindead zombie? Not even one mana particle would remain of me.”

“Why you so afraid of her? You could take her in a fight, no?”

“Yeah maybe, but fighting isn’t only done by muscles. You are still young, and I hope you can live your life without witnessing an actual war, but in real battles they are the most scarry kind of enemy, the ones who use their heads like a fucking machine. You can be as strong as a mountain, but one they cut your water supplies, well, that’s the end of it.”

“But you work for her anyways?”

“You are also staying with her. And why? Because as much as she would be a terrifying enemy, she is the best possible ally and leader. Now, enough chit-chatting, we have work to do!”