Grabbing my pack from where I’d left it in the waiting room, I headed back towards the stables. I felt bad, but I’d have to leave my horse behind. I couldn’t drag it out again after just returning from our long journey. As I ran through the marble hallways, I decided I’d borrow one of the horses without steady owners.
“Hey, where the hell are you going!?” Someone grabbed my arm as I ran, pulling me back. I looked back to see Gaius glaring down at me.
“Shouldn’t you be looking after the Vice-Commander?” I shot at him.
“Got him locked up in the dungeons on His Highness and the Commander’s orders. I don’t wanna be anywhere near that guy right now. But where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going to search for Lucia.”
The moment I said her name, his face warped painfully. It was unlike him to look anything but easygoing, but since he’d been fonder of Lucia than most, the news of her death hurt him, too.
“She’s—”
“She might be alive,” I spoke up, interrupting him.
“What?”
“We have no proof she’s dead. Just seeing a bundle of hair doesn’t have me convinced. I can’t give up on her until I’m sure one way or the other. No...even if I never see her again, I could never give up on her.”
The look in his reddish-brown eyes changed as I spoke. His face went back to his usual brazen smile. Giving me what could only be called a smirk, he slammed his hand on my shoulder and said, “Okay. I feel the exact same way, Cap’n. But I can’t let you go alone when you’re still worked up. I’m coming, too.”
“I don’t need an escort. Your wife is waiting for you at home.”
Though I was happy to hear him offer, I couldn’t accept it. I shot a bitter look at the silver bracelet on his left wrist. His wife had been waiting half a year for his return already, I couldn’t make her wait any longer.
Though he hesitated for a second when I mentioned his wife, he just shook his head again. “I’ll have Reynard get her up to speed. Honestly, my wife’d have my head if she ever found out I left a friend alone at a time like this. That’s just the kind of lady she is.”
His unwavering gaze hurt. I could tell just how much he trusted his wife from his words.
“My wife lost both of her parents to monsters. She knows how scary it is being left alone more than I do. There’s no way she’d get at me for going out to search for Lucia after the girl got rid of the monsters so no other kids would have to go through the same. And I’m afraid to leave you alone, Cap’n. You should see your face right now.”
He gave me a wry smile and messed up my hair, just like he always did to Lucia. It was a bit difficult to do, since our heights weren’t all that different, and I could tell he was forcing himself to try and cheer me up.
“You should listen to your elders. Now, c’mon. Let’s get back to the waiting room so I can get my stuff. We should get His Highness to sign off on this trip too, just in case.”
I wonder if fathers are like this... I thought. It reminded me of when Lucia had compared him to a father before. I think I’ve come to understand why she became so fond of him. I hated to admit it, but the way he tried to make me feel better reminded me of when I was a kid.
“Wooh, let’s get going, then! And don’t you go sneaking off while you wait! Old men like me are persistent.”
“I won’t. Thank you for coming with me.”
“You’re being pretty obedient now, huh?”
“You could say I’ve calmed down a bit — thanks to you. ”
After I gained an unexpected companion, we quickly got ourselves ready and set out.
“The little lady and I set out from this gate, too,” Gaius said with a laugh as we passed through the empty northern gate.
Looking up, I could see a completely clear blue sky. Lucia. I’m going to find you. Just wait.