Songbird: What it Means to be the Hero

{-Kaylin-}

Rennyn seemed lost in thought ever since he fought those monsters, though he was aware enough to leave the stick outside of the city before they entered. She knew something more was bothering him—more than just the idea of someone else becoming wrapped up in this or getting hurt. But she didn’t know how to ask, or if now was even a good time to; she had a feeling that, if there was a chance he’d talk to her, it wouldn’t be with Allyna present.

And Kaylin was beginning to fear that the three of them were going to be together for the whole adventure.

“So,” Allyna said, looking around to take in all the city’s sights and sounds, “what are we doing now?”

“I’d prefer if we take in our surroundings,” Kaylin replied. “We don’t know what we’ll come across here.”

“And we don’t know where Dhymos’s minions might end up hiding,” Rennyn mumbled. Still, the most acknowledgement he made to their new surroundings were passing, blank glances. “This is the perfect place for them—enough people that no one’s going to notice if something happens.”

“But they didn’t do anything while we were out in the forest,” Allyna pointed out. “If they didn’t do anything then, I kinda doubt they’d do something here.”

His answer was cold, a bit troubling. “I wouldn’t put it past them to do it. If not so then the people can be their mask, then for other reasons—like a desire to sow conflict.”

“You think they’re going to pick a fight here?”

“The better question is why wouldn’t they? Dhymos doesn’t care about other people. He’d kill half the world if it got him what he wanted—then manipulate the other half to be a part of his plans.”

“We can’t come in here antagonizing everyone,” Kaylin pointed out in a near mumble. “We’re not here to make enemies. That’s not going to get us any closer to Lord Aymer.”

He mumbled something that, honestly, she didn’t know if it was an agreement or objection.

“It’s only noon, but we can rest,” she offered. She couldn’t think of much else that would’ve been a problem. “We’ve been traveling a lot and I’m sure there’s an inn around here somewhere. Maybe we just need to clear our heads a little…”

He shook his head. “There’s too much to do. We at least need to know where they could be. If we’re caught unprepared, we’re pretty much as good as dead.”

“Where’d all this sudden doom and gloom come from?” Allyna grumbled. “You were practically the most carefree person back home.”

“Well, that was before I realized I had to do this for another damn time.” It looked like more than that, though. He didn’t just hate the idea of being dragged out here. Something was making him nervous, anxious; his eyes darted all around them now and he was tense enough it definitely seemed like he was expecting a fight.

Kaylin just had to convince herself it was just because he was tired. They would all lose if the hero stayed like this.

Despite how tense Rennyn was, though, he completely froze when someone bumped into him.

“O-oh, sorry!” The boy seemed immediately caught between the conflict of staying longer to apologize or collecting the letters he dropped. “I hope you’re okay! I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going…”

Rennyn failed to respond after a few seconds, so Kaylin took over, also helping the boy pick up the letters. “I think you may have just startled him, is all. I’m sure it’s fine, but do be more careful next time.” She paused, then decided it was worth asking, “Are you planning on leaving town?”

The boy laughed nervously. “Oh, of course not. Lord Aymer wouldn’t kill me, because he would’ve worried himself to death before then. I’m just delivering some letters for people in town for him.” He paused and gave a hesitant smile. “You know, I’m pretty good with faces, but I’ve never seen you three around Silvium before. Are you new here? Or visiting someone? I’m Noa, by the way.”

“I’m Kaylin,” she responded. “These two are Rennyn and Allyna. We’re not from around here—in fact, we’re here to try to get an audience with Lord Aymer.”

“A guy you seem to know pretty well,” Allyna pointed out. Her eagerness forced Kaylin to hold in a sigh—it even sounded like she had intentions of killing someone.

Noa seemed to notice it, too, because he nervously shuffled after taking the letters Kaylin had collected. “I, uh… can’t make detours. I’m supposed to be quick and back by dinner. Besides, I don’t know if Lord Aymer would like me talking to strangers.”

“Wait.” Rennyn looked like he at least somewhat became aware of the moment, though he still sounded distant. “What kind of relation to Lord Aymer do you have? If we help you with those letters, could you try to get us an audience with him?”

“W-well…”

“It’s extremely important that we’re able to talk with Lord Aymer as soon as possible—before someone gets hurt.”

That made Noa hesitate, though he must’ve been assured by something when he glanced over the three of them. “Did you run into something on your way here..?”

“Something like that.”

Slowly, Noa nodded. “Alright, yeah. Help me deliver the rest of these—I don’t really know if I should say this or not, but it might have something to do while you’re here. I think Lord Aymer would want to talk with you.”

Allyna glared at the stack of letters. “Can we divide and conquer or something?”

Noa thought about it, then, “Have you ever been to Silvium before now? Familiar with any of the nobles in town?”

Kaylin shook her head. “This is our first time here.”

“I’d think if it wasn’t we’d probably have someone else who could get us to talk to Lord Aymer,” Allyna mumbled. She earned a nudge from Rennyn for the comment.

“Alright, then you’re just going to have to stick with me. I’ll show you to the nobles that are nearby, but you should probably make sure you stick close, just in case.” Noa scanned the letters, likely trying to get a mental map of where they would need to go. “I’ve gone through everyone over here. The next set is this way—I’ll show you to them.”

Evidently, Noa also didn’t like being in silence as they walked. “So, where are the three of you from? One of the farming villages around here?”

Allyna nodded, though she didn’t seem too interested in talking. She was more antsy—ready to get this part done and over with as soon as possible. “Rennyn and I come from one of them a few days away from here. Our father—a merchant—used to make trips here all the time, but he never took the two of us with him.” She glanced at Kaylin. “I can’t speak for her, though. She’s still practically a stranger to me.”

“I’m also from a smaller village,” Kaylin told Noa, even though she didn’t find the importance of such knowledge. She was here now, after all, and that was all that mattered. “It’s a little further away than theirs, though.” She paused, realizing continuing conversation might be important. “Have you always been here in Silvium?”

She realized that that may not have been the kind of question he wanted to answer. He let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, you can say that. Maybe not always, but most of the time. My parents didn’t live too far away from here and I visited the city pretty often. I haven’t really left since Lord Aymer took me in.”

“Are you a servant or something?” Allyna asked.

“I guess you can call me that,” Noa responded after a moment’s consideration. “I’ve been delivering letters for him within the city and sometimes a bit outside of it for a few years. Sometimes I wake him up in the morning, too. And I’m allowed to sit in meetings, but they usually don’t listen to me.”

“Well, you’re twelve, aren’t you?”

“I’m fifteen!”

Allyna shrugged. “Could’ve fooled me.”

Rennyn nudged her. “Noa’s going to get us to talk with Lord Aymer. We’re not going to go anywhere if you end up insulting him.”

There was just a pause of silence. Until, of course, Kaylin said what both of them had forgotten: “Sorry about her. I really don’t know what her problem is…”

Noa shook his head and forced some kind of smile. “It’s okay. I get that from a lot of strangers.” He stopped when they reached a certain street. “This is where some of the other nobles are. Here—a letter for each of you. That’s where each of them live, just knock and give it to whoever opens the door. There’s no need to say anything. They’ll see that it’s from Lord Aymer and accept it.”

Each of the three nodded, accepting the letters that Noa gave them. Kaylin—and from the looks of it, Noa—watched Allyna, unwilling to believe that she’d really do this without doing something unnecessary. But nothing was said, so they all delivered their letters and reconvened at the middle of the street to deliver the rest.