It was a dreamless sleep. Rylan awoke to a prison. No… it was not a prison, but criminals got better living conditions than this. The bed was hard, the room smelled of stale wood and old dust. When was this place last cared for?
Yet even as he brushed a hand over his head, he knew the core issue was how to greet the next hero. He did not like Yarla interfering, but feared he lacked a key insight into broaching their presence with the subject he wished to address: them, as heroes.
Why was it such a big deal? He was trying to praise them, yet they refused to see his worth.
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A gentle knock on the door. “Enter,” he said softly, unaware his voice was just a whisper. Yet the shadow that flowed in showed she had heard him well.
“I ordered food for you, my lord. I spoke with them yesterday, and it seems there was a misunderstanding about the money left. I told them it was you paying for the stay.”
What money? The prince wondered. *Aha, the tip for their trouble. Fools can’t take generosity well, it seems.* He nodded, half-listening, wanting to address the real issue.
“I need to see them. How can I address them without it ending like Master Alchemist… um… just Wolf? He says he’s unfond of titles. Gods know why.”
“You yourself are hiding from your title, lord. Is it that surprising they wish to do the same?” Yarla carefully hedged.
The prince shook his head. “I am royalty, bound by oaths and expectations. It’s not the same. They achieved minor notoriety, and I wished to show gratitude for their effort. I am forever bound by my rank.”
“Aha. You say, lord. To address your concern on where to meet them… I heard from the hunter leader and mayor. Arlin trains guards in the morning before retiring with family to do paperwork, helping his sister, the current guild master. And Coby usually hunts with new recruits when given a chance, but this week it seems he’s focused on in-house training, so that is in our favor.”
“I see. Will either give me issues addressing them?”
“Aha… well, lord, you should know humans can be fickle.”
“So you assume so…” the prince uttered, his mood darkening with the thought of poor visits. But then he smiled and started chuckling, worrying Yarla till the prince spoke, which deepened that concern. “I’m overthinking one poor visit with a shopkeeper. Of course the real hero who fought the ogre will go better. They literally fought versus waiting around brewing potions.”
“I think, lord, you should still have caution.”
“Agreed. It’s why I’m eating beforehand. Need to keep my strength up. Who knows when I’ll be back? Maybe I’ll invite them to a lunch between tales.”
The prince watched Yarla seem to lack his good mood, and it did give him pause. Perhaps he was misunderstanding. A knock at the door broke him from that mindset.
“Um… we brought the food, like you asked. Do you need more time? I tried the other room; there was no answer.”
Yarla opened the door to a startled young beastkin holding a tray.
“Sorry, I was not more clear. I will eat with my lord here as we go over trades in private.”
The girl eagerly nodded. “Of course! I never knew people had private trade talks. It’s kinda exciting. Hope your trades go well.”
Rylan forced a smile. He liked the girl’s enthusiasm but felt it was misplaced. Why couldn’t the heroes share that sentiment?
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Despite Yarla’s claims of any talks, it was a somber meal. She was giving him some peace, which he appreciated, though hated when he had to humbly ask her to guide him to the heroes’ spots.
Along the way, they passed the hunter’s hall. She said she’d be there, going over things with the mayor, but stayed with him till he went to near the front gate. There seemed to be a small training yard with a few people being guided in stances. It was all sloppy, unorganized, and way too open to be anything serious.
Yet Yarla pointed at a moving shadow that stopped between random people, saying things too far to hear before moving back, watching. “That should be Arlin. They want him to be captain; I was told he refused, yet still agreed to train new recruits since they are lacking.”
“Really? Who doesn’t want a higher rank?” the prince asked, confused.
“You, my lord?” Yarla asked with a hint of amusement.
He waved her off, trying to shoo her away, already feeling smothered. “That’s different. I was born with it. He earned his right to more power. Go away, shoo. I’ve got this.”
“As you wish, lord,” Yarla said in a low voice, lest she draw eyes.
“Sorry, that was rude. Thank you for your service. I just want this to go better.” The prince said carefully while brushing his hand through his hair.
The prince assumed Yarla wanted to say more as she seemed to be hesitating, but left it at that as she shifted to shadow mist, leaving him alone near the gate watching the makeshift training as he moved forward to take his place.
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“You’re not heroes. Don’t try and be. The goal is to remind people we will defend the village if need be. Usually, they’re just drunk and need to sleep it off, but for the few times it’s not, you gotta be ready.”
The prince heard the shadow man he assumed was Arlin giving a heartfelt speech, yet his delivery was not said with passion, but a tiredness, as if forced to repeat the same words time and again.
The prince watched the people hanging on his every word as if it were gold, even as they fumbled to hold a proper stance. Was this all it took to be a guard? His father wouldn’t let half of them guard a random outhouse, much less a spot in the castle.
I guess this place has the hunter guild for monsters, and these guards are here for lesser vagrants.
“Hey, heard you got a girlfriend. It’s that blacksmith girl, right?” a voice broke the prince from watching Arlin.
“Oh yeah, I heard that too. I swear I’ve seen her chasing him time from time. Ain’t she a hero, too?”
“Yes, she’s my girl. And no, she’s not here. She left on a trip—dunno when she’ll be back. Focus on the training, or I’ll have you both run more laps.”
“She already ran off from ya? You that bad in bed?” A sea of laughter followed the joke, and the prince could not hide the dawning horror on his face. Who dares speak so lightly of the heroes, and to openly mock him about his girlfriend, no less!
Yet Arlin was laughing with them.
“Yeah, well, I could use the break. She’s a bit clingy,” Arlin said with a laugh before pausing, his face serious. “But don’t tell her I said that, or you’ll fear the next time I come from a shadow…” Everyone stared, frozen in terror, before Arlin laughed and everyone else followed.
Madness. Where was the joke? That was a serious threat.
In between the laughter, Arlin turned to do something and paused when he saw the prince as the hidden merchant. “You lost, sir? I’m training, but I can help if you really need it.”
*Help me? Please. I can help you!*
“Well, uh… Arlin?” Arlin nodded, not looking surprised he knew his name. “I can help you. Their stance is off. I train with the knights all the time. I can see what you’re going for, but the form is off. Bad habits will lead to wide strikes, easy to deflect. And it’s good you’re implementing laps; people underestimate how much stamina is needed, especially if going for hours—”
“I’m sorry, um, who are you? Are you a knight?” Arlin asked, breaking the prince’s words mid-speech.
“Heavens, no. I’m the pri—primary person who traveled with knights, uh, when selling goods long distances. I picked up a few tricks is all…” He watched Arlin watching him, unconvinced, so the prince blurted out the only thing he could.
“I’m a traveling merchant, son of someone famous, is all.” He regretted his desire to keep lying, but he did not want the complications his title would bring. He needed them to see *him*. But if Arlin’s cunning eye saw through him, he would not complain.
Yet Arlin just looked tired? Maybe even indifferent? Odd.
“Well, we’re fine. If they have to fight, it’s already gone too far and will have bigger issues. We’re still working on that with jails. So far, it’s just the random drunk—nothing needing a sword. We’ve got a hunter guild for that. This is more to keep the peace.”
The prince nodded as Arlin turned his back and went back to watching his men. The prince was unsure if he was being dismissed or if Arlin was just that busy, as one of the men randomly chatted with him. It did not take long before Arlin turned around, looking surprised.
“You’re still here?” That stung the prince’s pride a bit, and Arlin saw it. “Sorry, I assumed you were just passing by. If you’re trying to sell something, I can get someone to show you where the shops are. There’s my buddy Wolf—great guy, alchemist. My girlfriend’s dad is a blacksmith. There’s also the main guild hall that can take mana crystals or monster parts.” Arlin paused mid-speech. “Hmmm, there’s a lot of different shops. What are you selling? Versus me trying to list them all, I can help you better if I know.”
“Uh… I’d rather hear about you,” the prince tried, shifting topics, and Arlin’s eyes narrowed as the prince tried to dissuage the fears this was anything but genuine. “I heard you are a hero here, defeated an ogre. Wanted to hear it from you. How was it?”
Arlin ran a hand over his eyes, and those being trained looked concerned. A few even spoke up, shocking the prince.
“He doesn’t want to talk about it.”
“Boss has been through a lot; doesn’t need to be reminded here.”
“He told us the story before, and there’s nothing to tell for a merchant to hear.”
“It’s fine, guys. Thanks,” Arlin broke the building hostility toward the prince. “Let’s call it here. Paul should be next shift at the main gate. Make sure to relieve Kelly. I was going to go do paperwork soon anyway. I’ve got this. I’ll check on the others later.”
The stares from the wannabe guards never left, even as Arlin kept his focus on them till they left. “They’re good people. They just respect my saying I don’t want to talk about it. Don’t take it personal, mister, um…?”
“Lan.”
“Well, Mister Lan, the truth is the ogre is a sore spot. Yeah, they threw a party and slapped my name in a book as some legend, but really, I’m happy as a nobody. No more monster fighting for me. Just keeping an eye on random drunks and sightseers.”
“What? Why? You’re a hero?”
“I told you, I’m a nobody. Sorry you came to see a legend; it won’t be me. Maybe Leena—she still pushes herself—but she’s not here, so you ain’t gonna meet any hero. Maybe next time you’re in town, if you’re lucky. I promise I’ll let you know if I see Leena then.”
Just like that, Arlin walked away as if he were nobody—another hero defying his legacy and chasing drunks and staring out at nothing. *What is wrong with them?*
Even though Arlin did not wait to see how he would act, he still nodded to his retreating back. He could pursue him, push to see his mother, laying claim that she once worked for the castle, yet he did not wish to make the submission. He wanted the hero to *want* to see him.
So, two duds. One last chance at something more.
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The prince was proud of himself—he didn't get lost this time. Knowing what to expect made finding the location easier.
The Hunter's Guild was different from the guard post. The people here held themselves with confidence, even those filing paperwork. Their eyes tracked him with a cunning that made Rylan worry they'd already seen through his disguise.
Yet, like before, despite curious glances, most ignored him. It wasn't until he reached the counter that anyone asked what he needed.
The conversation was brief and not unpleasant. The pause came when he mentioned being a merchant wanting to see the hero who worked here. He braced for dismissal, but was pleasantly surprised when they smoothly guided him to an area in back with little fanfare.
Two archers stood in the distance, intimately close, holding a single bow between them. Two arrows were nocked.
That's going to fail, the prince assumed, watching the odd sight.
Both arrows flew true, smooth as if guided by the wind, sailing far into the distance.
He kept walking forward, close enough now to hear the lesson being taught.
"It's why, if you hold the wind around the shaft of the arrow just right, the bow is just there to help force the shot—" Giggling interrupted the instructor. Now that Rylan was closer, he could see the second archer was a girl. The boy—Coby, presumably—smiled and finished his explanation. "—while keeping the wind around the shaft, and it'll flow with the arrow forward, guiding it the rest of the way."
They were both enjoying the moment, living in it, until a gentle cough from Rylan's guide made them both jerk in surprise.
*They could have been ambushed*, the prince thought with disappointment. *We snuck right up on them.*
"Sorry, June. We'll train more later, okay?" The girl nodded, blushing, then dashed into the distance with surprising speed. Rylan felt a slight pull of wind as she left.
"I was told you'd be coming." Coby turned to face him, unprompted. "I just assumed it would be later today. I was practicing a new shot." He glanced at the guide. "Thanks for bringing him, Mitch. I've got it from here."
The guide bowed and left.
Rylan stood alone with the archer. Something felt off. Everyone until now had ignored him—he'd had to fight for their attention. Yet this man not only knew he was coming, but focused solely on him.
So why did it feel... wrong?
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“Well, you did come to talk, no?”
Rylan nodded slowly, unsure what to expect. Coby watched him, looking unsettled, and tried to assuage the prince of his concerns. “My dad’s the hunter guild leader. They said a merchant would be asking about heroes and trying to visit, said you were a VIP and to use care. My name’s Coby, by the way. And you are?”
Coby extended his hand, yet Rylan did not take it, unsure. “They told you about me, yet not my name? And you didn’t find that odd?” Coby withdrew his hand, gave a slight shrug, and went to a bundle of arrows, putting a few in the ground and starting to line up practicing shots.
“A lot of things didn’t add up, but I figured you had things to hide and enough power to still move unseen.”
“And that doesn’t bother you? You just let anyone in like that? Seems foolish.”
“True. But my dad’s no fool, and you don’t look like some enemy. So I figure you’re a rich noble looking for attention, hopping on the hero trend.”
Rylan could not still the unease that bled into him. How close Coby was to the truth… and in retrospect, he had been too blatant in pushing himself on the heroes to be subtle. Yet he wasn’t going to let Coby know that.
“Please, random guessing doesn’t make it true.”
“True. So what are you selling, merchant, and why, when you have the ear of the council, are no trades being made or discussed?” Coby said casually as an arrow flew true into the distance.
The prince was unsure what to say. It made sense.
“Never gave me a name, less you want me to call you ‘merchant’ all day.”
“Lan.”
“Well, Lan. Most of the heroes don’t want to talk, so I hope you came to me first. It’s why I assumed you’d be here later. You might try your luck with Arlin since his mom is Tanya, the retired Hidden Blade.” Coby went for more arrows, not looking at the prince.
“I… did.”
“Aha.” Coby sounded like he understood as he went to line up another shot. “Must’ve gone bad if you’re already here. Understandable. Arlin can be broody. Won’t have any better luck with his girlfriend; she’s more blunt but also wants to be left alone.”
“Then why even suggest Arlin if you knew?” The prince was unsure if he was being mocked or goaded into confessing his failures.
“Wasn’t my intent. I really thought he might listen. I am, but also understand he can be moody, so not surprised it didn’t work.” Coby stopped aiming his shot and focused more on the prince. “It’s why I said you’d have less luck with his girlfriend, since she’s also one of the heroes you probably tried.”
Coby looked lost in thought. “Don’t even think she’s here. My brother did say she left with Len to see Nina.” Coby looked up, smiling. “Bad timing on meeting heroes when most aren’t even here. You just missed the dance; we all were there.”
“Yes… tragic.” Watching Coby, he was unsure if he should just leave and accept this was going nowhere.
“Want to try a few shots? I can show you a trick or two.” Coby extended the bow.
Rylan was now sure he was being mocked. But felt an opportunity to show up the hero with his skill. He personally hated the bow but knew it well. He took the bow—it was well-worn, used, well-crafted. Not to the standard of the royal guard, but for a hunter? It was a quality tool for hunting.
He carefully took his stance, aimed his shot. It was only now he really looked and saw the distance where he was landing his shots. That should be a near-impossible hit—the distance to the target. But he saw in the distance different dummies to hit. He tested the bow; it’d be rough, but he felt he could make the shot.
He used all his strength; the bow taut, fingers near bleeding from the hold. He aimed slightly higher than what he saw Coby doing; he knew the arrow would never make it without the wind force Coby had, and unleashed it.
It flew true—not a center shot, stinging his pride a bit, but still hitting the mark.
“Impressive. That should be an impossible shot for anyone without wind magic,” Coby said from his side.
“Well, I’m not a fan of the bow, but done my share of practice,” Rylan felt pride swell, knowing the hero was finally taking him seriously.
“As a merchant,” Coby said carefully, taking the bow from the prince’s hands, “and for not even caring for the bow, I will say that is… impressive.”
Rylan was sure this was a test, pushing for answers. Yet every time he tried to get a read on what Coby was thinking, it seemed he had a placid face, as if he already knew everything and refused to care.
“Are you saying I cannot be good and a merchant?”
Coby shook his head. “Meant no offense, friend. It was impressive, just surprised me is all. Was going to show you how to hold a stance, and yours was perfect.”
Rylan was unsure how to act to that, so tried to be more amiable to smooth the awkwardness over. “Well, of course. An expert tracker who hunted the ogre would know. I’m humbled you think I’m on the same level.”
“We lost, you know,” Coby said, lining up a shot and firing, never looking.
“What?” Rylan knew what he heard, but the absurdity—he could not stop the other words slipping his lips. “I’m no fool. You all would be dead, not heroes. I fought mo—I, uh, been in situations involving powerful beasts. You would not be defeated and still live as heroes. And the ogre is dead.”
“True.” Coby said, no longer firing but watching the sky instead. “If not for Len.” Coby then faced Rylan, more serious than ever before—a threat and truth lay in those eyes, and he was unsure what it meant.
“We lost. But she won. That’s why we don’t like being heroes, and why you won’t hear us sing tales or want praise.” He went back to taking a shot, fired. “But Len? She’s still fighting monsters.” Coby seemed to be calming, lost in his own world, yet still talking to the prince. “I guess I am, too, but… not those monsters. Not without preparing a lot more.”
“Heroes act. They don’t wait for the right time….” Rylan said, not liking this talk.
Coby shrugged. “Yeah, Terra thought that. I suppose we all did. Like I said, it did not end well.” He faced the prince once more, no more arrows near him. “So, did you get your story, Lan?”
*Enough*, the prince thought.
“I did not come so far to be so openly mocked. I came to see the heroes, not lectures on how to live life. I don’t know what it is with you all, acting like it’s misery being praised.”
Coby nodded. “Guess you are a rich merchant’s son with those expectations of getting things in the end. But your hero story won’t be one you can buy, and we’re not selling.”
Coby walked past the prince as Rylan tried to find the words. He did not mean to sound that way but could not stop it happening anyway.
“I don’t want to be rude… Lan,” Coby said, sounding insincere and flat to Rylan, as he went on, “but I do have things I need to do.”
“Don’t know how long you’re in town, but your best chance to get a positive response and a story would be Len. She was the real killer of the ogre. We just lived to see it.”
*Aha, there it is. You’re all frauds in the shadow of a hero. It all makes sense now—what everyone fears speaking, lest the hero exposes your lies.*
“Thank you, Coby… you’ve been a help.” He bowed and walked past the surprised face of Coby, which made him smile. For as smug as he was, he could be shaken. It seemed he did not think I would notice the holes in his story. And once Leena, the real hero, gets back, I will have my answer, and a real hero party will celebrate what it means to stand above the others who don’t understand greatness.
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