I guess I should take that as a warning.
"They really don’t like hearing that name," I say quietly.
"Most people don’t want anything to do with the front lines," Sylvia explains.
"Understandable," I respond.
I watch the wagons disappear behind us.
"Do slayers go there willingly?" I ask.
"Some do," Sylvia answers with ease.
"And the others?" I question.
"Assignments," Sylvia responds.
I’m sure that isn’t a great time either way. Going to help with the effort or just going for some sort of assignment... Weird.
"Guilds can send them?" I ask with even more curiosity.
"Sometimes. Depends on the kingdom and the situation in all honesty," Sylvia responds with a casual tone.
I didn’t really think about it that much... I just assumed slayers went wherever they wanted for the most part.
Some probably do since not all of them need a quest to go after dragons.
It makes me wonder if there are any consequences if someone refuses to go after accepting the assignment.
"Is there any issues if someone refuses?" I ask while looking ahead.
"Some guilds won’t care. Some kingdoms might. Some slayers are tied to specific groups or military forces," Sylvia explains.
"So being a slayer doesn’t mean freedom," I say with a bit of disappointment.
Sylvia lets out a short laugh.
"Did you think it did?" Sylvia asks.
"A little," I answer.
"You’re still learning," Sylvia says before bumping into me again.
That I am. There is a lot I still don’t know about the slayer lifestyle.
I glance towards the horizon.
If someone told me to fight dragons, I probably wouldn’t have much reason to refuse. I’m already doing it without someone telling me anyway.
But if they sent me somewhere just to die? That would be a lot different.
"I can tell you are thinking about the assignment stuff," Sylvia speaks up with a smile on her face.
"I just wouldn’t need the assignments. I’m already going after dragons without them," I respond with a calm tone.
The desert continues stretching ahead of us.
Hours pass and the sun slowly begins dropping lower.
Most of the time we walk but occasionally we talk.
Other times neither of us says anything.
The silence isn’t that bad though, it is actually kind of comforting in a way.
Eventually Sylvia stops.
"We should rest before it gets dark," Sylvia suggests.
I look around to notice there is nothing nearby.
"Here?" I question.
"Yes. This isn’t a terrible spot," Sylvia answers with confidence.
I take a quick glance and notice a large rock formation in the distance, we immediately head for it.
It isn’t much but it blocks some of the wind.
Sylvia drops her bag down, then I do the same.
"Are we making a fire?" I ask curiously.
"Probably not," Sylvia responds while sitting down on the ground.
"Why?" I question.
"It makes us easier to see," Sylvia answers with a cautious tone.
I look around.
I guess any sort of enemy could be lurking around in the shadows. I’m sure dragons are always looking for a split group of humans.
I sit down against one of the rocks and realize the wound from Driften is hardly giving me any grief.
Still, resting feels nice after walking for most of the day.
Sylvia sits beside me.
She opens one of the bags and pulls out some bread.
"Here. Best to eat a bit before sleeping," Sylvia says with a smile.
I take it.
"Thanks," I reply with a smile as well.
We eat quietly.
The bread isn’t great, but food is food.
I drink some water after and look towards the sky.
The sun is almost completely gone.
Stars are slowly starting to appear.
"Do you think we’ll see dragons tomorrow?" I ask.
Sylvia looks up too.
"I doubt we’ll see them any time soon. The battlefield is quite far still," Sylvia answers with confidence.
"Kind of a relief for now," I say quietly.
"It definitely is," Sylvia replies in agreement.
We both sit in silence after that for a good while, just enjoying the bread together.
It is peaceful out here, at least in this part of the desert.
I look towards Sylvia.
Her red hair catches what little light remains.
For a moment I think about everything that happened since meeting her.
Traveling together, burning fields, the bodies, Aerithel, Driften, and her sleeping against me.
Hell, even her dragging me around whenever I get lost in thought.
It hasn’t even been that long, yet it feels longer.
"Thank you," I say.
Sylvia looks towards me.
"For what?" She questions.
"For everything," I respond genuinely.
She stares for a moment.
"What brought that on?" Sylvia asks with a bit of confusion in her voice.
"Just felt like it was the right time to say it," I answer honestly.
It’s true though. I don’t really have much of a reason otherwise.
"You don’t have to thank me dummy," Sylvia teases.
"I wanted to," I reply.
The smile on her face catches my attention.
"Then you’re welcome," Sylvia says as she moves closer to me.
I feel her lean her head onto my shoulder and we both look towards the sky.
This is definitely not something I am ever going to get used to. I will enjoy it though.
The peace she brings me is not really something I got to have, not since waking up in such a terrible state.
I believe the fields around the shack were also quite peaceful, especially during the night. I don’t think this is the same in the slightest.
~Perhaps you know what you are starting to feel towards Sylvia.
Maybe I do. It took a while for me to truly understand what this feeling is, but I think I’m beginning to understand it. It is the very thing that my parents used to talk about here and there.
Love? The ability to fall in love with another person truly is a different experience.
~Then do your best to keep it at all costs Kain.
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