A Good Man

Soul walked away from the Guild and stopped at a tavern, sitting at a table outside and ordering a cold water. He watched children playing with their wooden swords and shields. Even though the weather was hot, they didn't seem to mind it. To their right, guards were questioning some citizens about the blood mage and giving them warnings about how dangerous he was.

An elderly couple stopped at his table and nodded. Soul kept his dull eyes on them, trying to guess what their deal was.

"You're that young man," the woman said. "Thank you for protecting our kids that day."

"Yes. Thank you," her husband added. "Take bless you."

"I don't remember you two."

"The Topple attacked you and that pink-haired lady. You managed to fend him off. He tried to harm our grandkid."

"Huh – yeah, I remember now. He sent me crashing inside your living room. Sorry about that."

"It's okay, wasn't your fault," the woman replied. "You are a good man. Thank you."

"I really am not. But thank you for your kind words, ma'am," he said with a dull face.

The children playing nearby noticed Soul and approached him cautiously, their curious eyes flickering between him and their grandparents. With hesitant steps, they eventually reached Soul and greeted him with shy smiles. They kept their hands to their sides and bowed their heads.

"Thank you, mister."

"It's okay. No need to thank me."

The waitress placed a cup of cold water on the table. "Here is your orde – oh, Ms. and Mr. Jinay. Welcome. Come, have a sit."

"We won't be staying," the woman replied. "We just wanted to thank this young man for saving our kids."

"Oh, that's the man you told me about?" The waitress smiled and slapped Soul's shoulder lightly. "You deserve a reward, warrior! I'll get you a stew! My special recipe stew!"

"I don't have enough gold on me right now," Soul admitted.

"Nonsense. It's on the house!"

"Huh – okay. That'd be great, ma'am. Thank you."

'I wish I could get free meals every time I help someone, though…'

"We should go." Said the man. "Thank you again, young man."

"Hmm."

Soul watched as the elderly couple and their grandkids left, expressing their gratitude once more. Sipping his cold water, he leaned back in his chair, propping his elbow on the table and resting his chin on his palm. The wind began to pick up slightly, though it was nothing significant. Despite the breeze, the weather remained hot. It was so scorching that if someone were to crack an egg on the road, it would surely cook in no time.

The waitress arrived with a hot, steaming stew and placed it on the table before Soul. He thanked her with a nod and dug into his meal.

The silver-haired girl approached him with a heartbroken smile that barely masked the shame behind it. Soul, in the middle of preparing to eat his stew, placed the spoon on the table and waited for her to draw nearer.

"So, um, this is really awkward," she began tentatively. "There's an entrance fee of ten gold."

"Hmm?"

"Can you maybe… give me ten gold?"

"Hmm…" Soul considered her request, his expression unreadable.

"I have nothing. I will pay you, of course. I'm not asking for charity here."

"Hmm."

"And –" her stomach grumbled audibly as she eyed Soul's stew. "I… nothing."

"Hmm."

"I didn't think there was an entrance fee to the Gu –"

"Just sit down and eat the stew," Soul interjected. "I'm broke too. But luckily, I've already paid my entrance fee. We can take a quest in my name, and you can complete it to earn the full gold."

"Oh, thanks! And thanks for the food too. Can I really eat it?" she asked as she sat down.

"I don't know, can you?" Soul replied dryly.

"Was that a joke? You're the last person I expected to make jokes."

"I don't have all day. Eat the stew and let's take a quest."

"Okay, okay. Thank you," she said, taking a hesitant spoonful of stew.

'Every good deed has a price, I guess…' Soul thought to himself as he watched her eat.

"Hey –" she said, pausing to take another spoonful of food. "Do you think I should be held responsible for all the things I've done?"

"No," Soul replied flatly, with no further explanation.

"Mm…" She murmured. "Okay…"

"If you think you're responsible, then you're an idiot. That spell you were under was nearly as strong as a curse," Soul continued, his eyes fixed on her.

"I know… but still, I feel uneasy." She looked down at the table, her spoon hovering over the bowl.

Soul hesitated before asking, "Did they tou –" He stopped himself, looking away.

"They what?" She looked at him, puzzled.

"Nevermind. Forget about it."

"Touch me?" She gave a faint, heartbroken smile. "No. I was just beaten, not raped. They didn't want a blood mage poisoning their 'perfect' genes. They used me as a weapon."

"Hmm."

She took another spoonful of stew, her hands trembling slightly. "It's just... hard to shake off the guilt, you know? All those people I've killed – like everytime I blink, I remember their faces."

Soul leaned forward. "Guilt can eat you alive if you let it. Focus on what's ahead, not what's behind."

"Easy to say, huh?" she said, stirring the stew.

"I know. But that doesn't mean I'm wrong. How long were you under the spell?" Soul asked, his eyes meeting hers.

"Two years."

"How did they capture you?"

"I joined them. They were pirates, pillaging ships near the Lavish Sea. They seemed friendly – but…"

"You don't have to tell me if it's difficult. I get it."

"Mm, okay," she said calmly. "I don't feel hungry anymore."

"Same."

Soul stood up from his chair and turned his dead eyes to the sky. It felt like it was getting hotter by the minute. There wasn't a single cloud in sight, just the color blue. The waitress, who had brought Soul his stew, stood in the doorway of the tavern, her smile replaced with a tired expression as she leaned against the frame, trying to catch a breeze.

"Didn't like the stew?" the waitress called out, raising her voice slightly to bridge the distance. "It was my special recipe!"

"No, ma'am, it was perfect. We just have to get to the Guild. My friend here is looking for a place to stay," Soul replied, standing up and adjusting his shirt. "She needs money."

"I took you two as siblings. You just both happen to have a weird hair color, huh?" The waitress chuckled, her eyes crinkling with genuine amusement.

"I guess, ma'am," Soul replied, his tone neutral.

"Well, I don't have any rooms in this tavern, but be sure to check out Icy Hearts. My mother runs that tavern, she might have some rooms for your friend here."

"Icy Hearts is expensive," Soul said bluntly. "We'll probably look out for another tavern or something. Thank you for your help."

"It's okay. And hey, be sure to come back when you're not in a hurry. You have to try my stew, I tell you."

"Of course, ma'am."

"Hey, you have dull eyes but a kind heart. I like you," she said with a smile. "What was your name?"

"Soul."

"Good to meet you, Soul. See you soon."

"Hmm…" He said, turning his attention to Hope. "Let's get you a quest. Come on."

"Okay." She nodded. "Let's go."