It wasn't unusual to take a break from carrying a huge burden. Even when said burden included being destined to casually save the world.
But it was unusual for such breaks to be taken by the one woman that seemed to never rest: Magister Merlin.
A stubborn mage she was, not resting until she'd figured out possible solutions to whatever issues arose. Esperia was in danger, and goddess Dura was counting on her. No matter how much her companions pressured her, she wouldn't take breaks easily, especially when "drama" happened, as Dolly had once jokingly described it.
It was another one of those moments again currently: Merlin (or Hawk, as she preferred being called) and her party were staying at an inn at Holistone, her friend General Hogan having shared that an impersonator of hers was roaming the desert lands of the Ashen Wastes.
Like always, she was staying up late, trying to figure out her next steps. Her hamster familiars, Chippy and Hammie, desperately tried convincing her to get some rest, obviously worried.
"Magister, you need rest! Chippy doesn't think it's a good idea going to the desert when you're tired! What if you fall asleep and sand gets in your eye at the same moment? It'll hurt real bad!"
Hammie shook her head at the acorn knight's attempts to convince their magister, but she too was worried. "Chippy is right, Magister! How will you be able to accomplish anything when you're exhausted? Your body needs rest if you want to be able to deal with that imposter!"
The mage just sighed. She knew the two rodents meant well, and they were right. But she couldn't just tell them that she'd been having sleeping issues for several days now, or else they'd never get off her back.
With a tired smile, she looked at the two. "Don't worry about me, guys, I'll be fine. It's not like I'll stay awake all night long. I'll just need a few more minutes here. Besides, you both can't talk about getting sleep, you're wasting your own resting time."
That last part came with an amused chuckle, knowing her familiars always wanted to be in top shape so they were able to support her. And indeed, realization visibly hit them in the face as they stood there dumbfounded. Chippy was the first to speak.
"Oh no! Chippy can't slack off! He won't be able to protect Hammie and the magister otherwise!"
Hammie wasn't nearly as naive, but the little hamster mage also wanted to actively stay by Hawk's side. "I guess that's true. But you have to promise us you really will go to bed soon!"
Laughing softly at their reactions, the mage just nodded, secretly glad that little "strategy" of hers had worked to get some peace with her thoughts. "Don't you worry, I will. Now shoo shoo, I'm not the only one who needs to sleep!"
With an in-sync "Yes Magister!", the two scurried off. She let out a deep exhale, relishing the fact she finally had some silence.
This wasn't the first time this happened. Whether in the Golden Wheatshire or the Remnant Peaks, the Dark Forest or Vaduso Mountains, she'd always stayed awake the longest during her journey. Every time, her companions at the time had urged her to rest, but she'd managed to more or less convince them every time that she'd be fine.
She thought back to the many things that had happened so far, and to the people she'd met, especially the Wilders.
Wonder how they're doing...
Her first encounter with Lorsan came back to her mind, and she chuckled softly as she remembered how dramatic he'd been after running from the Gruglins. But despite his silly shenanigans every now and then, he'd tremendously helped on that adventure, same with the other Wilders. He had gone out to travel and see the world after the Lucent Tree had been saved from corruption, and Hawk hadn't heard from him in ages after his last letter.
She'd made a lot of friends already, and she wondered what would await her once they arrived in the desert tomorrow. She knew that the Mauler tribes lived there, and after meeting Shakir, she was curious how similar to him they would be.
But more importantly, what was the whole "Merlin impersonator" thing about? Was the Adamant Syndicate involved again? Was it the Hypogean that had escaped the rift to the abyss? Or was it a new foe?
Worries like that often made her anxious, mostly so much that she felt rather...empty. Not knowing what would happen. Being unsure whether or not she was capable of dealing with things. The fear of disappointing Dura and her companions.
With that same worried emptiness, the exhaustion finally caught up to her as she sunk over her desk, not knowing what would await her and whether or not she would succeed in all the newly arising challenges...
