Lost In The Callallis Maze

chapter 7

"Ah, what a long day this was," I sighed.

"Could you help me get this armor off? People are staring too much," I asked "Alden."

"No, it's for your protection. I cannot allow it. Did you see that man? What if he were to attack you out of anger?" he said, frowning.

".. I'm sorry," I said, startled by his sudden seriousness.

In that moment of silence, my stomach grumbled.

".. Let's rest a little and eat lunch," he sighed, with a masked smile.

I wanted to disappear, feeling embarrassed by the sudden hunger. Time passed, and I still couldn't bring myself to look at him, my face buried in the pillow.

"Summoner, let's go eat," he said, his gaze fixed on me.

"You should call me May; we're 'siblings,' after all," I said as I got up with the clanging of my armor.

"Though this armor is surprisingly comfortable in bed," I followed.

"By the way... Let's take our cloaks off; it looks weird," I said, pulling the hood of the cloak down from my head.

"It doesn't; just keep the hood off your head," he said.

We then walked through the hallway, down the stairs connecting both floors and upon approaching the communal area,

We neared toward one of the spiral tables,

As we sat down, a server approached us.

"Hello! What can I get you for toda..." the server paused suddenly, looking at me.

"Uh, do we know... you..?" I asked, a little confused.

".. Are you two part of Sir Aleric's family?!" the server asked, dumbfounded.

"That name.. sounds familiar," I said, putting two fingers on my chin.

"We're not, apologies. You've got the wrong people," "Alden" replied to the server.

"Ah... I'm sorry for troubling you. So, have you decided what you want?" the server asked.

"What'd you like, May?" he asked me.

"Meat," I answered immediately, my emotions betraying my hunger.

"We would like a single serving of hearty vegetable soup, a serving of roasted boar with honey glazed on it, a serving of roasted chicken, two servings of apple pie, and a serving of berry cordial and water," he rattled off, reading the menu.

The server looked nervous, writing all that down, and soon, she left.

"I can't wait," I said as the table got wet from my drooling.

"Gods, summoner," he said as he wiped it with a clean cloth placed on the table.

"I have to ask, Alden, why didn't you wear any of the other available metal armor?" I inquired.

"It's easier to move in; I don't really need armor, but it's seen as strange in this era to move around without it. With monsters, bandits, or barbarians roaming about, it's safer to have protection. Even if people traveled without armor, there would usually be a group protecting them. Otherwise, it's too dangerous," he replied.

"Hey! Can I get another serving of honey beer!" A person called for a server, momentarily disrupting our conversation.

"Also, both of us wearing such extravagant armor in a wagon stocked only with food and essentials could raise suspicions. Your features reflect a higher status, which aligns well with the armor. I can be seen as your guard in that regard, which is why I opted for lighter armor. When seen as related, I can be mistaken for a doting brother who pampers his sister a lot, and you, someone who likes extravagant things," he continued.