The Gray Tower (Being Rewritten as The Erstwhile Druid)

Chapter 15: The Girl Who Cried Silver

Tralheim, Day 2204

Silver curled by the fireplace, completely lost in bliss. Nobody would bother her, for her master lay incapacitated in bed with friends by his side.

Madeleine lay nearby, stroking the wolf's fur with a masterful touch. If paradise existed, Silver was sure she was a meter from the gates. Madeleine hummed, the opening notes to her favorite tune dancing upon her tongue. The fiery color of her hair was more intense than usual, highlighted by the gold and red hue of the hearth.

Why does my master always get injured anyways? He can't even manage to stay upright for more than one day at a time. Silver sighed, a low guttural noise bouncing around her throat. Sometimes I feel more like a mother than a companion.

"Madeleine? Are you there?" A muffled voice came from the kitchen.

Alford, the old sod. Silver peeked at Madeleine through half-closed eyelids. She was in her own little world, encapsulated in a bubble of curiosity. Continuing to pet the wolf, Madeleine placed her head on Silver's body, orange hair spilling across the wolf's fur. Madeleine's hair seemed alive, flickering to and fro like living flame.

Silver yawned, a few drops of saliva spilling onto the floor. Lifting her head, the wolf appraised the room. Usually empty, today the main room was filled with dozens of refugees, many of who had lost their homes in the invasion. Some sat bleakly. Others mumbled incoherently. Luckily, those who had managed to keep their wits patrolled the room, giving hope and treatment to others, offering a saving hand in the depths of despair. They handed out blankets and cups of Alford's finest coffee. The brew provided a priceless boost of energy for those already running on empty.

With her newfound sentience, Silver understood that of all things, hope was perhaps the most important. It wasn't something to be treated lightly. A completely extinguished flame was harder to relight than the act of maintaining a small burn. Hope was similar. Humans are complicated beings. None of them are made the same. All of them are unique, Silver mused. But maybe that's why they're so interesting.

Kaguya sat alone, taking swigs from a bubbling mug. Each swig was deeper than the last, and with three huge gulps she finished the entirety of the mug's contents. She belched, a rumble reverberating around her belly.

Sighing, she drooped onto the table, raven hair spilling out aross her shoulders and face. "Why am I stuck here? Stupid police chief..."

Soon, the Japanese woman was drooling, liquid pooling around her face.

To think that a few hours ago she was fighting a troll. Now she's inebriated and drunk. Humans...

Silver stood, shaking herself from Madeleine's grasp. Groaning, the girl woke up as well, rubbing her eyes.

"Wolfy, what's wrong?" Madeleine looked quizzically at Silver. "Was my head too heavy?"

No, I just wanted to get up, Silver thought.

"Oh, you just wanted to get up? How about I pet you some more?" Madeleine patted down the wolf, each movement genius. "See? Feels good doesn't it?"

Yes... Yes it does... Silver closed her eyes, gliding into paradise once more. Wait. Did you hear what I thought, girl?

"Duh. Why would you talk if you didn't want me to hear what you said? Dummy," Madeleine replied, a crooked grin splashing across her features.

Well, this is a new development. I thought only Luke could hear me. Even Noelle and Tetsu couldn't decipher my thoughts.

"They were thinking too hard. See, all I do is open up my mind, throw away all the useless stuff, and then... voila," Madeleine exclaimed, throwing up her hands excitedly.