Glass Dolls

Of Heroes and Humanity - 3

 "Despite all the evidence pointing to the contrary, the great Unra'xi still insists that her species are more than simple clones of each other. Even if it seems like they reproduce by undergoing mitosis, she staunchly declares that both halves are unique. I suppose her very being aboard my vessel lends credence to this notion, but I still find it hard to accept. I will just have to see it for myself some day."

From Conductor Velvette's Private Musings.

Level of Refraction: 274 degrees.

The night passes uneventfully. Oliver was the last one asleep. For a while he remained away, muttering his worries to the sword clutched to his chest. Watching to make sure that all of his companions were safe and worrying about the day ahead. The fortune teller had only shown the rough area where the castle could be. For all he knows it could be at the far end of the mountain range or on the other side of the foothill he sleeps on.

But even with all of this running through his head, he did eventually manage to slip into the land of dreams.

Only Mold remained awake the whole night, but that doesn't say as much for someone that doesn't need to sleep. While she waited for the others to awaken she flew out to scout the mountains ahead, finding the castle closer than Oliver had realistically hoped for. It shouldn't even be a day's walk.

She considered raiding the menacing fortress on her own, just to get it out of the way, but decided that doing so runs counter to why she decided to stay at all.

A hero. Mold ponders as Kumara begins to stir. She's long since returned to the camp. Is Brady Tyson a hero? She failed on her quest, so surely not. If Oliver truly can conquer this castle, then he would be a hero, no? No... Perhaps it is foolish to assume that a hero is measured simply by the grandness of their achievements. But it cannot just be weighed on moral character alone...

"Mmg."

Oliver's waking groan as Kumara jostles him awake blows the meaningless thoughts from her mind.

"Good morning." She's feeling polite today.

"Morn'. I half expected you to run away with all of our stuff while we slept." He sits up and lets out a massive yawn.

"Ah yes, chipped swords and ripped tunics. Truly the treasure that bandits target."

"Fair enough."

Oliver says nothing more as he goes about his morning routine: washing in the creek over the hill, eating a portion of stale bread and nearly-soured meat. He even stretches out his body before he gets dressed.

This is not the ritual of a man going off to die. Mold thinks to herself as she watches the group get ready. Do you think you are nobody, or do you think you can kill the Demon King? Which is it?

"Alright, gentlemen." Oliver begins once the final pack has been loaded onto Ssthyphtss' back. "After two days and two nights we finally begin our trek into the mountains proper. For the last time, I will restate; I will hold nothing against you if any of you wish to turn back now."

Sthy gives a thumbs down and Kumara shakes his head. Titer says; "No way!"

"I thank you, my friends." Oliver gives them a small smile before putting the vigor into his voice again; "Now, we march!"

Mold hangs back wordlessly, not wanting to give away the surprise. As the party treks through the mountains she stays a few paces behind them, content to observe the merry, foolish, humans as they make small talk and marvel at the splendid vistas that stretch out before them.