-- Ray --
After barely an hour of walking, Ray and Caleb reached the edge of the forest.
At the crest of a small hill, Caleb stopped abruptly, raising a paw to hold Ray back as well. From this vantage point, the land before them stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
Rolling fields swayed gently in the breeze, their golden stalks glimmering as the morning sun danced across the plains. The light caught in every blade, bathing the scene in a soft, radiant glow.
"I was always told that the Bistum holds more grain and crops than any other nation," Ray murmured, his voice distant, almost reverent. "My father used to say that if the Archbishop weren't so greedy and obsessed with his own wealth, no one in the world would ever go hungry."
Caleb smiled faintly. They had listened to Kori Gaido's words together countless times, imagining long into the night what lay beyond the safety of the Rings.
"'With the fields of Shizen, you could feed entire armies without even nearing exhaustion. But Vincit, that holy thief, does not know the meaning of sharing.'"The otter recited Kori's old words almost like a prayer.
Ray smiled too — a warm, bittersweet memory blooming for a moment in his chest.
"Back then, we were so fascinated by Father's stories," he whispered, eyes scanning the endless fields. "We couldn't wait to see the world beyond the Rings with our own eyes. I never imagined I'd stand here one day. In flesh and blood. Looking out over the fields of Shizen."
His voice cracked as the moment shifted.
Suddenly, his fists clenched tight, and tears shimmered at the corners of his eyes, catching the sunlight like tiny shards of glass."And yet… he's not here. I always thought Father would be the one to show me this world."
Caleb gently reached out, placing one paw on Ray's arm. With his other paw, he lifted two fingers to his lips and let out a sharp, drawn-out whistle.
One long note.Two short bursts.Then another long note.
Ray blinked, momentarily pulled from his grief."Are you trying to burst my eardrum or what?"
Before Caleb could answer, the same sequence of whistles echoed back from the distance.
Ray's gaze followed the sound. There, nestled gently into the landscape, stood a small stone farmhouse. Smoke curled lazily from its modest chimney.
Caleb grinned."Come. That means we're welcome."
They descended the softly mossy slope, making their way toward the little house.
As they approached, the wooden door swung open. A young girl burst out into the morning light, her face glowing brighter than the rising sun itself as she spotted them.
She ran toward them with uncontained excitement, her light frame practically bouncing across the grass. Ray guessed she was about eleven years old. Her pale skin was dotted with countless freckles, and her strawberry-blonde hair swirled wildly around her face as she skipped closer. Her entire expression seemed made of pure, unfiltered joy, her wide smile nearly dazzling beneath the bright sun.
Panting, she stopped before them, wiping tiny beads of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.
Then, with a playful formality, she lifted the hem of her light blue dress and gave a delicate curtsy.
"My lord," she declared, voice sweet and full of mischief.
Ray was caught off guard by the gesture. A faint blush crept up his cheeks.
"Eliza, don't be ridiculous," Caleb scolded gently. "This man here is no noble."
Caleb snorted and stepped toward the small girl. Standing upright on his hind legs, the otter was now nearly eye-level with the freckled redhead.
He gently patted her shoulder with one paw. Eliza giggled, spun around, and in one quick motion wrapped her arms around him, laughing as she hugged him tightly.
Ray couldn't help but be surprised.He had known Caleb for many years — proud, reserved Caleb. Displays of affection like this weren't his nature.
As a child, Ray had often been scolded whenever he tried to cling too much."If you need something to cuddle, find yourself a pet," Caleb would say.
But this time, Caleb quietly returned the hug, his expression calm.
When they let go, Eliza turned to Ray, her cheeks flushed.
"I'm happy to finally meet you. I'm glad you're better," she said with a quick nod, as though confirming to herself that he truly was.
"Come on, I'll make us something to eat!"
Ray raised an eyebrow, puzzled. An eleven-year-old, and no sign of any adults?Before he could even start asking, Eliza had already grabbed both his and Caleb's hands and was pulling them eagerly toward the farmhouse.
Though he'd never seen her before, Ray immediately felt a warmth toward her. There was something so honest, so pure about her presence.
She led them ahead, cheerfully chattering as they walked."...and I said you need real food, not just fish again. But Caleb only wanted water... I think he's worried someone might see you... and did you know... oh, my mother wouldn't mind... but my grandma, well... and you see…"
Inside, Eliza busied herself in the kitchen, her light voice floating through the house as pots clattered behind the doorway.
Ray and Caleb sat on a worn sofa near the empty fireplace. The girl's voice was like a soft tune, humming in the background. The water warrior glanced toward Caleb, seeking answers.
"Their family are farmers," Caleb began quietly. "They own the land around the forest where we've been hiding. When I dragged you across the last Ring, my strength was nearly gone. I barely made it into the woods before collapsing."
He paused for a moment.
"To be honest, I had already started praying for both our souls when I heard her singing. Eliza appeared like an angel out of nowhere. I couldn't move or speak — I simply hoped she was no enemy."
Caleb's voice softened further.
"And Ray… she wasn't just a friend. She was our rescue. She saw us lying there — bloody, unconscious — and didn't hesitate. She ran home, fetched her horse, and somehow pulled both of us all the way here. For someone so small, she has a spirit of steel."
He shook his head slightly.
"Her mother and grandmother were away — negotiating grain prices with the Archbishop in the capital. If they had been home..."His words hung heavy in the air, unfinished.
"Only women?", asked Ray surprised.
Caleb nodded softly."Her grandfather passed long ago, and her father was taken by the Archbishop's draft. That's how things work here in Shizen — when the Archbishop calls, the men leave their fields and homes behind."
His voice grew gentler.
"Eliza told me her mother would've done the same — she wouldn't have abandoned a wounded man and his spirit companion to die. Though... I doubt her mother would've ever entered the forest. Only Eliza sneaks in there, and even that she does in secret. Her grandmother forbids it. She's afraid of wolves and spirits. 'But they're my friends,' Eliza laughed when she told me."
Ray shifted slightly, uneasy."Then why didn't they just take us in?"
"Her grandmother wouldn't allow it," Caleb said, exhaling. "She's wary of strangers — and who could blame her? In times like these, trust is a dangerous thing. But Eliza... she didn't even hesitate. Not one question. She saw a bleeding warrior and a beast spirit lying in the woods — and simply helped. She treated your wounds, cooked, talked… and never once asked for anything."
There was a warmth in Caleb's voice now that Ray rarely heard — almost fatherly.
In truth, Caleb had always been the protector. Never the one being protected.
"She cared for us here for three days," Caleb went on. "Then helped me carry you into the cave before her mother and grandmother returned. Since then, she's kept sneaking out, bringing us medicine, water, and whatever little she could spare."
A shadow crossed Caleb's face."We owe her more than we can repay. I only hope, one day, we can return the kindness she's shown. I feel guilty enough pulling her into this once again…"
Before he could finish, Eliza came bouncing into the room, clutching a steaming pot with both hands, humming like a small bird.
"Dinner's ready!" she sang. "Come and sit!"
The smell of lentil stew reached Ray's nose, and only now did he realize how hungry he truly was. He pressed a hand against his stomach — which promptly answered with a loud growl.
"Thank you, Eliza," he said softly. "Thank you for helping my friend Caleb and me. I hope we haven't caused you too much trouble."
Eliza beamed and clapped her hands together."No! Not at all. Please, sit down. But…" — she blushed slightly — "maybe throw that blanket over yourself first? I am still a lady, and you're, well... half-naked."
Caleb let out a loud snort, nearly choking on his stew as he burst into laughter.Ray sighed and covered his face with one hand. This couldn't go on much longer — he really needed proper clothes.
While they ate, Eliza chatted cheerfully, hopping from one topic to the next like a little bird. Even Caleb, usually so reserved, allowed a few faint smiles to cross his face as he listened.
Ray, however, felt a lump tightening in his throat. The scene felt... too normal. Almost peaceful.And yet, far away, his homeland lay in ruins. Ashes where his family once lived. The sharp contrast suffocated him, and guilt gnawed at his chest.
He lowered his gaze, then quietly spoke."Eliza… there's one last favor we must ask of you."
Her eyes widened."Last?"
"Yes," Ray nodded. "We'll have to move on now that I'm well enough to travel. It's safer for you this way as well."
Eliza's radiant expression dimmed slightly, but she said nothing — simply nodding in quiet understanding. For one so young, she seemed to grasp the situation far better than Ray would have expected.
"We plan to head into the next town," Ray continued. "But we need to remain unseen. No one can know where we truly come from. We'll find work, earn some gold, and eventually... find a way home."
Again, Eliza only nodded, her fingers drumming softly against her lap.
Then suddenly her eyes lit up."I know!" she exclaimed, leaping from her wooden chair.
Before either Ray or Caleb could respond, she had dashed out of the room. A few moments later, Ray could hear her small feet pattering across the floorboards upstairs. Drawers opening, cabinets shifting — a flurry of rustling.
Soon, she came racing back, giggling, arms full. In one hand, she clutched a small sewing case; in the other, a wobbly stack of clothes. Her feet caught the threshold as she entered, sending her stumbling forward. But before any cry could escape her lips, Ray had already stepped in and caught her.
The sewing box crashed to the ground, scattering needles, threads, and buttons across the wooden floor. Fabrics fluttered through the air like colorful birds. Cradled safely in Ray's strong arms, Eliza broke into a sheepish giggle — this time not from excitement, but from embarrassment.
"Oops."
Her cheeks flushed, and tiny red patches colored her pale skin. Gently, Ray set her back onto her feet.
He glanced down at the collection of fabric now decorating the room. A majority of it consisted of frilly dresses in various shades of pink, embroidered with flowers, bows, and far too many ruffles for his comfort. Picking up one particularly ornate piece between two fingers, Ray inspected it — a delicate pink gown with floral stitching, puffed sleeves, and more lace than seemed reasonable for any garment.
With a crooked smile, he held it up. "This might be a little tight," he remarked grinning, turning the miniature dress over in his hands. "Might fit an arm at best."
Caleb stepped closer, folding his arms as his dark eyes swept over the sea of fabric. A mixture of skepticism and reluctant curiosity played over his face while his whiskers twitched slightly.
Eliza bit her lip, her voice shrinking as she gathered her courage. "I-I know it's not much," she said, glancing down at her fidgeting fingers. "Mama's and Grandma's clothes would be missed if anything went missing… but my dresses— I thought maybe… Caleb… could… blend in?"
Her cheeks burned deeper, and her hands balled into small fists as she fought to keep her composure. The earlier excitement dimmed into anxious silence.
Without a word, Caleb let out a slow sigh, reached down, and picked up the same frilly dress. His claws traced the embroidery while his expression stiffened.
"A young lady draws less attention than a small furry man," he muttered at last, voice dry. "Not my first choice, but… we don't exactly have many options."
A half-second passed before the dress slipped over his head in one swift movement. The pink fabric ballooned awkwardly around his frame, the ruffled sleeves barely containing his stocky arms, while lace frills puffed out at the hem. His round ears poked through the opening at odd angles, giving the entire ensemble a ridiculous charm.
Unable to help himself, Ray's chest tightened before the first burst of laughter escaped — deep and uncontrolled. Shoulders shook as he leaned into the wall, his eyes stinging with sudden, unexpected tears of laughter. It was the kind of laughter that felt foreign after all the grief — yet desperately needed.
Even Eliza's initial nervousness crumbled into delighted giggles, her earlier tears swept away by pure joy as she clapped her small hands together. Her laughter rang through the room like music, innocent and bright.
For a fleeting moment, war and sorrow faded. The world beyond the wooden walls grew distant. Only the warmth of laughter remained — fragile, precious, and real.
The little girl spun around and rummaged through an old wooden trunk tucked into the corner of the room.
The little girl spun around and rummaged eagerly through an old wooden chest in the corner. "… and I also have these!"
Two straw hats were lifted into the air, her grin quickly fading into a shy, almost apologetic smile. The excitement drained from her face as she realized how little help she could truly offer. Caleb's expression stiffened while an uneasy silence settled over the room.
Looking down, she whispered, "I'm sorry… this is all I have. I can sew a little, but..." The words barely made it past her lips as her big green eyes welled up with tears, her cheeks flushed and hot.
"Please don't cry," she muttered to herself, fists tightening as she fought the lump in her throat. "I'm already useless enough."
Frozen for a moment, unsure how to comfort her, Ray could only watch helplessly. After all, without her, neither he nor Caleb would still be standing here. She was anything but useless.
A deep sigh cut through the silence. Caleb finally stepped forward and, after a moment of hesitation, grabbed one of the frilly dresses from the pile.
"Well... a little girl might attract less attention than a strange boy." His frown deepened, clearly forcing practicality over pride. The pink dress, with its endless frills and ribbons, was about the last thing he would've chosen. But there were no real choices left.
Both understood the risk far too well. Pride had no place here.
Eyes closing for a brief second, Caleb pulled the frilly garment over his head in one swift motion.
Eliza blinked in surprise — then the tension broke. A small giggle escaped her lips, quickly swelling into cheerful laughter as Caleb gave a clumsy, half-hearted twirl.
A grin cracked across Ray's face. Laughter burst out — raw, helpless, unstoppable. Soon he had to lean against the wall, shaking as his own tears ran down his cheeks. For the first time in what felt like forever, a heavy weight lifted, if only for a moment.
Once the storm of laughter finally subsided, they set to work. Eliza carefully gathered up several old blankets and furs they had used as bedding, and with her small but skilled hands, began stitching together a rough, makeshift cloak for Ray.
It wasn't elegant, but it served its purpose well. When she finally draped it around his shoulders, Eliza beamed proudly. "There! Now you look like a real warrior, Ray!"
He tugged at the edges, adjusting the uneven layers. "I feel more like a patched-up scarecrow," he said with a crooked smile. "But I suppose it'll do."
Caleb, observing the finished product, gave a low chuckle. "At least you won't be parading around half-naked anymore. Your tattoos won't give you away."
Fingers brushing over the fur-lined cloak, Ray exhaled softly, his gaze tender as he looked at the girl who had done so much for them.
Without another word, Eliza handed him a tiny pouch filled with several gold coins. "Please… take these. You'll need them once you leave. They're from Mama's trade money — but she won't miss a few coins."
The weight of the pouch sat heavy in Ray's hand — not because of the coins, but because of her kindness.
"We owe you more than you know," Caleb said quietly, his voice almost warm. "You're braver than most adults I've met."
Ray gently placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair softly. "You're remarkable, Eliza. Thank you, truly."
A bittersweet smile spread across her face as she blinked away what remained of her tears. "I'll be waiting for you. Please… both of you — stay safe."
Ray pulled his straw hat low over his face, exchanging a final glance with Caleb. "Let's go. We've got a long road ahead of us."
Caleb offered a small, courteous bow toward Eliza before turning to follow Ray. "Ready when you are, my friend."
Together, they stepped into the fading light of dusk, leaving behind the little farmhouse and the girl who had become their first true ally in this foreign land.
Eliza stood at the doorway, waving long after their silhouettes vanished into the horizon, swallowed by the coming night.