The Last Favor

Chapter 5

“Tristan, what does the city of Noria look like?” the kid wondered because of all the tales he’s heard.

“Busy.” As straightforward as ever, Tristan had no intention of allowing this conversation to go any longer.

“I’ve heard that it’s almost as big as the city of Wolteran but it’s better because the king’s castle isn’t there to take up all the space and it has less guards but so many people. Like a lot.”

Bryce could imagine what the city looked like simply by remembering the stories his mother would tell him before going to bed. He had no idea if his mother’s ramblings were true. After all, he didn’t know if he could trust the woman who claimed to be from Noria, for she is the same woman who had promised him she’d never leave his side and yet he was abandoned by both her and his father without any explanation.

But maybe, she had to… maybe there’s a perfectly logical explanation as to why they left him. Or perhaps they’re in trouble and didn’t want him to get hurt and he was too small and weak to help. But now he’s with Tristan. Now he’s strong and brave and he’s the boy who helped fight a Taem. Plus, he has Tristan now. Tristan is strong and invincible. Nothing could defeat him. Also, Tristan saved his life once before surely, he would do it again. Innocent thoughts for an innocent kid.

“Let’s go to Noria, Tristan,” Bryce enthusiastically exclaimed, “you can go see all your friends and family there.”

And maybe Bryce might find his mother there.

“No.”

“Why not? I’m sure your family misses you and I know it’s a long and boring way that can take weeks but now you have me to keep you company.”

Tristan glanced to the kid pensively. What was on his mind? He wanted something from Noria, Tristan was sure of it. But the heartless man would not admit he cared enough to ask hence why he didn’t.

“I don’t have a family.” He stated and ended the conversation there.

Bryce was disappointed. Sure, Tristan now replies. And sure, they’re having actual conversations now. But he had plans. Perhaps, this is sign. Tristan knew better. He always does. If they should have gone to Noria, they would have. Furthermore, there’s no way to actually know whether or not Bryce’s mother is there. She could be anywhere in the world. If she wanted to find him, she would look for him, not the other way around.

“What happened to your family?” Bryce curiously wondered.

But Tristan kept walking south in hopes of reaching another village soon.

No longer bothered by his companion’s cold shoulder, Bryce was now running around exploring their whereabouts and plucking the useful plants he could find. Unfortunately, the kid could only recognize mint and a few fruits they had eaten together on their last mission. The fruits, he had eaten right away or else they would rot. The mints on the other hand, he had every intention of keeping them for later, maybe after a mission or something alike because mint can heal so they can use it if they get hurt.

When Tristan noticed what the kid was doing, he finally understood why the child thought he needed a satchel.

“Bring them.” Tristan turned to Bryce who was starting to wander too far alone without either of them noticing.

Bryce was astounded. Never before had Tristan willingly called out to him or uttered a word to anyone without someone else starting the conversation and even then, he would say what’s necessary and only that.

Tristan on the other was getting impatient as a scowl took place on his face replacing his usual emotionless features, which is why Bryce had to snap out of his shock and jogged to his companion.

The latter kneeled to his height grabbing the mint. He then opened his own satchel and pulled out some water and a small pouch. He poured water on the mint leaves then whispered something incoherent to the kid as he placed them in the pouch which he gave to Bryce.

“As long as those leaves stay away from light, they will stay frozen making them last longer,” Tristan stated as he kept walking. He was actually slightly impressed. That kid might be more useful than he thought.

Bryce’s eyes glowed at the sight of magic.

“How did you do that?” He put the pouch into his new satchel. “Teach me, Tristan.”

“No.”

After the rejection Bryce expected, he started wondering off again while keeping an eye on Tristan as to not lose sight of him.

After a few minutes have passed, Bryce came running back to his companion and in his hands lays an adorable ball of white hair purring.

“Look! Look what I found,” he shouted as excited as always.

Tristan, on the other hand, did not share his excitement whatsoever as he snatched the white creature from the kid’s hand and tossed it a few meters away right after he let out a long exhausted breath.

Right when the kid was about complain, the object he had found so adorably interesting seconds earlier burst destroying everything within a 2-meter radius leaving nothing but ash and dust.

Bryce stood there in shock staring at the little that is left.

“That was a Klim,” declared Tristan unbothered, “you could have had us both killed with that. They self-destroy when scared.”

The kid, still shaken a bit, ran back to his hero’s side shivering. In need of reassurance, Bryce reached for Tristan’s hand and squeezed tight as he kept walking.

Tristan glanced down at the pale kid and took another deep breath. Right when the kid proved himself to be useful and Tristan thought he was worth keeping around, he goes and does something so ridiculously stupid that it almost got the both of them killed… what is Tristan going to do with that kid, for crying out loud!