Navida

Respite

The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as Jacques and Noah strolled along a narrow path leading into town. The air was fresh, with a faint hint of earth and dew, and for the first time in what felt like forever, they allowed themselves to simply enjoy the day.

"So, how's the shoulder?" Jacques asked, glancing over at Noah with a grin that couldn't quite mask his concern.

Noah rotated his arm with a slight wince but gave a shrug. "Still attached, so that's something. That guard was no joke."

"I thought we were done for when his Will Manifest came out. Never seen a guy that strong before... Guess we got lucky."

Jacques nodded, his expression turning more serious. "Yeah. Lucky." His gaze wandered to the distant rooftops of their village, where the scars of Navida's occupation were visible in every broken window and crumbling wall.

The village, once vibrant with life, had become a shadow of its former self. Houses were weather-beaten, their thatched roofs sagging under years of neglect. The few villagers who passed by moved with a quiet resignation, their faces etched with the toll of occupation. The marketplace, which used to be bustling with vendors and laughter, now had only a few sparse stalls, manned by weary merchants selling meager wares under the watchful eyes of Navida soldiers stationed nearby.

"Can't believe it's been three years since they took over," Noah muttered, his eyes narrowing as they passed a Navida patrol. The soldiers barely acknowledged them, their crimson uniforms standing in stark contrast to the muted tones of the village.

"Feels like a lifetime," Jacques replied quietly. He kicked at a loose stone, watching it skip across the ground. "But we'll change that."

Noah grinned, nudging him. "That's the spirit! And hey, at least we're getting good at this whole rebellion thing. Not bad for a couple of farm boys, right?"

Jacques chuckled, though it lacked real mirth. "Yeah... Not bad."

As they approached the town square, a small commotion caught their attention. A crowd had gathered near the well, where two villagers were arguing heatedly over something—likely a dispute over food or water, both of which had become scarce under Navida's rule.

"Not again," Noah sighed, shaking his head. "It's like this every other day now."

Before they could step in, a young woman with flowing auburn hair approached the scene. She moved with a calm grace, her simple clothes blending in with the crowd, but there was something about her that caught Jacques' attention immediately. Her presence seemed to command respect without demanding it, and within moments, she had the villagers calming down with a few well-chosen words and a reassuring smile.

"Who's that?" Jacques whispered, unable to take his eyes off her.

Noah followed his gaze, shrugging. "Dunno. Must be new around here. But she sure knows how to handle things."

Jacques nodded absently, watching as the woman handed a small loaf of bread to one of the disputing villagers, a gesture that seemed to settle the matter. She lingered for a moment, speaking softly to the others before moving on, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as she had appeared.

"Come on, Jacques," Noah called, already a few steps ahead. "We've got a day off. Let's make the most of it."

Jacques hesitated, his gaze lingering on the spot where the woman had stood, then shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside. "Yeah, right behind you."

The streets were quieter as the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting harsh shadows over the crumbling buildings. Jacques and Noah meandered through the town, enjoying the rare day off, though the weight of their reality was never far from their minds.