Legend of the Western Lands

Technical Issues and Problem-Solving Skills (1)

The mentioning of "Treasures," instantly revitalized the dozing kids.

Raon buzzed around Cale like a motivated fly, headbutting him when he didn't react fast enough. Hong's giant, sparkling eyes held an intensity that made Cale wince. Only Ohn stayed mostly neutral, although Cale could easily spot her waving tail, betraying her true thoughts.

Silvio looked at the group. Cale's relaxed and unbothered demeanor helped calm Silvio's nerves. There was something in those reddish-brown eyes that spoke of suffering and understanding, it gave Silvio the needed motivation to open up about his past completely. Maybe those people will understand him, after all.

He took a deep breath, "You all know how I left my family. The stupid idea of becoming a knight, gaining reputation and money to support them. I never told you what happened afterward, did I?"

Cale didn't want to know. He was fine with not knowing anything. Really. Don't bother. His internal mantra was, sadly, ignored.

"Some knights were nice, they treated me like a human and helped me develop my skills to a certain level. It was a hard but rewarding time. ...well, until the news of a bandit attack reached me in the far-off capital." Silvio's voice was full of sorrow and repressed self-hatred. He tightened his hands around the cup.

Everyone gave him the time to collect himself.

Cale understood Silvio's feelings. 'What if?' and 'If I changed something?' always circled his mind, endlessly working and trying to find a solution to an event long in the past. Complaining won't do anything but gain the ire of others who didn't want to be smothered in a stranger's problems. He also understood that quite well.

Not to mention, most of the time, sharing your story will do absolutely nothing. People's gazes will change and suddenly empathy will turn into pity. What can some strangers do with your life story? Maybe threaten you, but certainly not help.

However, Cale continued listening. The way Silvio spoke didn't feel as if the man was searching for pity or the impossible in their reactions.

"I abandoned all duty in the capital and ran back home. Foolish I know. It took weeks until the news reached me and another week till I arrived back home. Of course, if something happened, it would have been far too late," he self-depravedly continued.

"Our house, just like many others, was nothing more than smoldering ruins. I could vaguely make out where the support beams stood. The rest was ashes and dirt. Neither my siblings nor my parents were among the survivors. I searched and searched for them, trying to ignore reality. After all, if I haven't seen their corpses, they must be alive, right?" he laughed sarcastically at his past self's actions.

The old lady stayed quiet. Only her intelligent and awake eyes sometimes shifted. Cale knew that she was staring at them. The way she made eye contact with Cale was enough to tell him that she arrived at the same conclusion. Cale made a face when she winked at him before focusing back her attention on Silvio, who babbled on without noticing anything else.

"A part of me hoped that I would find them somewhere, safe and alive," he stopped, shivering with a haunted edge to his eyes. "I did find them. Mother and father were near the house. Only two burned-out corpses with clothes on them. The only reason I recognized them was thanks to the rings they were wearing. My big brother and my cute, innocent little sister were laid to rest a hundred meters or so to the side. They didn't burn but were brutally ripped apart. Brother tried to protect Avil. His large frame pinned her down, attempting to hold off the vicious slashes that took him apart."

Silvio stared down at his clenched hands. His companion laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, anchoring him in the present.

"Avil died a fast death. The only thing I can be grateful for," he finished with wet eyes and a dry throat. Cale pushed over his lemonade which the other man gladly took.