Chapter Text
Obi woke as sunlight carved its way through the cracked shutters, warming his shoulder. The stitches pulled every time he breathed too deeply; a dull reminder that he was alive and that someone else had put him back together.
The scent of baked bread drifted up from below. He ignored it. He didn’t do breakfast anymore.
He rubbed his eyes, trying to blink away the blur in his vision. The empty bottle of whiskey sat on the nightstand beside a half-peeled orange. His dagger was there too; cleaned, sharpened, and resting within reach.
He glanced around. The room was cleaner than it had been yesterday. Spare bandages folded on the trunk, floor swept. His bag was buckled closed and stacked neatly by the chair. She’d even left a tray of food at the foot of the bed; two slices of bread and a cup of weak tea. Cold now, but untouched.
He stared at it for a long time before pushing it away. He didn’t need anyone worrying about whether or not he ate.
When he finally made his way downstairs, the inn’s common room was already half-full. Dockworkers, sailors, and a few townsfolk filled the space with noise, laughter, and clattering mugs.
Mistress Viera spotted him instantly.
“Ah! You’re awake! I’m so sorry to hear about your chronic lung sickness. I knew there was something wrong when you wouldn’t come out of your room.”
Obi froze mid-step. “…What?”
She bustled over, wiping her hands on her apron. “Your wife’s a lovely thing. Fierce tongue, sharp eyes. Told me everything. The wagon will be available tomorrow morning, and I’ve already reimbursed your stay since you’ll be leaving early.”
Obi blinked. Once. Twice. “…My what?”
“Well, I don’t blame her for wanting to leave quickly. There are thieves running around. A ship’s cargo went missing this morning and the docks were a frenzy. The dockmaster said he thought it was rats making all of that noise. Though, at his age, he probably can’t see much either. Don’t you worry. You go rest now.”
She gently pressed him back towards the stairs.
“Did uh… did my wife say when she was returning?”
“She went to pick up your medication. She’ll return shortly.”
~!@!~
Back in his room, Obi checked his bag to make sure nothing was missing. Everything was there and accounted for.
He dropped back onto the bed.
Sometime later, he woke to cold hands brushing his side. Either he was really tired, or she was really quiet.
“That tickles.” He muttered, when in reality, his wound throbbed like fire. “Can’t keep your hands off of me, huh, wife?”
She ignored him. “You’re flushed. Here, take this.” She handed him a cup of water and some medicine.
Obi sniffed it and winced. He could identify some of the ingredients, but the castle herbalists’ medicine smelled a lot nicer. Tasted better too.
“Did you steal this too?”
She huffed as she checked his stitches. “No. I used the money from your rent to pay for it. If their blade wasn’t poisoned, it could still cause inflammation. You were an idiot following me like that. An even bigger idiot to end up bleeding for a stranger.”
“That’s funny coming from someone with no self-preservation skills. I could have killed you three times by now.”
Her brows etched in confusion as she slathered some herb paste onto his wound, her voice dropping into a murmur, “Why didn’t you?”
Obi closed his eyes again. She smelled of bitter herbs and smoke, and the paste was cool on his skin. A small, stubborn warmth fought with the cold of his ribs. She moved with the same careless precision that had annoyed him from the first moment he met her. Hands that did other people’s work without asking for permission. For a stupid second, he wanted to tell her he hated that.
Why didn’t I kill her?
The thought echoed as he groped for an answer that wasn’t a lie. Because doing what was easy- ending another life and walk away had always been something he could do. Killing someone like her would’ve been easy. But this ease is a lie that leaves you hollow. He’d learned that the hard way.
Her hands on his side reminded him that he was still allowed to be mended, if he let it.
When he didn’t answer, she stood and set the medicine on the table. “I’m taking you to Mornbryn tomorrow. It’s closer to the capital, and there’s a guard’s tower there where they can assist you.” Obi watched as she moved swiftly to wipe her fingers against her pant leg and then to put away the small container. “Plus, I have another job lined up there.” She said it without looking at him.
Obi narrowed his eyes at her. She’s lying.
He caught her wrist before she could turn away. “Try again.”
She hesitated, then yanked her hand free. “It’s safer if we get out of the city as soon as possible.” Still wasn’t looking at him.
“Because the town guard is after you?”
She growled, pulled a folded piece of paper out of her pocket, and threw it at him before angrily storming out of the room.
Obi unfolded it and skimmed the contents. It was a job ticket. Something you’d find tacked up at a tavern or community board. It was signed and dated with a merchant’s seal.
Immediate Need: Precious Artisan spheres and rare stabilizers vanished from transport route. Coin upon delivery. Visit the Brass Forge for more details.
Obi set the paper down against his chest. So, she’d been telling the truth. She was here for a job.
Signs of her being a thief were all there though; dark clothes, hood always up, the way she stuck to the shadows. Plus, anyone with that much dexterity had too much time on their hands.
He owed her an apology. Maybe. But the stunt she pulled this morning was still uncalled for.
It wasn’t like he wanted to stay in this city specifically, but if he was honest, he was getting tired of it. Though, that didn’t mean he wanted to be shuffled around without having a say.
She had no right to interfere with his brooding vacation.
~!@!~
He woke up to the sound of the door being kicked open. He jerked upright, pain slicing through his side as he reached for his dagger.
Dex burst in carrying a large traveling bag and two trays of food. She kicked the door shut behind her with her heel and spun around looking for someplace to set her things; completely unaware of the anxiety attack she’d just caused.
She ended up placing a tray on his lap, and then nudged his foot aside to sit near the foot of the bed. “I already ate, but she insisted on giving me two.” She explained flippantly.
Obi had finished the leftover orange earlier, but otherwise hadn’t eaten all day. The smell of stew and hard bread was… unreasonably welcoming.
“So, we’re heading out in the morning?” he asked.
Her shoulders relaxed and then she nodded, “Yeah.”
She watched him eat, then swapped his empty bowl for the full one from her tray.
“Normally,” he said between bites, “people introduce themselves before deciding to go on a road trip together. Are you going to tell me more about yourself, or are you just going to watch me eat?”
She tilted her head. “I introduced myself yesterday.”
“No, you gave me a name yesterday.” he corrected.
“Are you going to tell me why a guardsman of the crown is here in Denabold, smelling like he hasn’t bathed in days, hardly eating, and roaming the streets at night like a haunting spirit?”
Obi just gave her a slow blink.
She continued, “Well, then, all you need to know is my name is Dex Ember and I’m heading to Mornbryn tomorrow morning with or without you, Sir knight. “
“Obi. My name is Obi, and apparently, I paid for that wagon from the reimbursement the innkeeper gave you.”
“And the two donkeys.” She added.
He rubbed at his shoulder. He can always resell them when they get to their destination. Riding a horse in his condition isn’t the best idea. “So, it looks like you’ll be coming with me.”