The morning after the escape, the sky was cloudy and and about to rain soon. Miko hummed a song and drank tea while Darka studied the map. The two were resting in a small roadside tavern after fleeing Talphen the day before, but in their haste they ended up getting lost.

— Okay, we're somewhere around here. — Darka pointed to a deserted spot on the map, on the outskirts of Talphen. — If we go along this road we will arrive at a village, and there is a route to Caadis. Walking we can get there in a day, I think.

— Or we could hitchhike! — Miko commented. — That time it was very quick.

— Yes, but this road is not a trade route, there are no trucks passing through here. And small vehicles probably won't go that far this way either. We fled along the most deserted route, but it ended up being the longest too.

— Sir... — Darka interrupted Miko with a look. — Ah, err... Darka, what do you think the governor will do now that he knows the truth?

— To be honest, I have no idea. If he could at least remove those horrible posters with my face from the city I would be satisfied, but maybe that's too much to ask. — Darka relaxed more in the chair and began braiding his own hair. — In fact, he may even know the truth, but that doesn't mean he has completely changed his opinion about me. I still caused a lot of trouble, directly and indirectly.

— True. But Miss Daena can convince him if she wants.

— Oh, I don't doubt it at all, he's a very doting father. In fact, I feel a little bad about not saying goodbye to her. Despite her difficult temperament, she is a nice person.

— You two are very similar. — Miko laughed.

— Huh? Only if it's in the white of the eye.

A silence formed, accompanied by the sound of rain that began to fall. Within minutes it was strong enough to make the tavern windows whistle. The owner of the place was at the counter, drying some dishes, putting away drinks and sporadically spying on the only two customers in the hope that they would ask to stay now that it was raining.

Miko took a sip of the tea they were drinking, and looked at the outstretched map.

— What are you going to do when you find your friend?

Darka threw his head back and closed his eyes. He was avoiding thinking about it because he knew he would find reasons to give up if he thought too much. Optimism has never been his strong suit.

— I don't know. It will depend on what happens when I meet him. I don't know if he hates me too, I don't know if he doesn't care, I don't know if he likes me... Amara has always treated me well, but you know, people can change their minds when they find out who you really are.

— I understand... But I think it's going to be okay, because I'm going to tell him that you're a nice person and very kind too. I know who you are, and you're not bad.

— You think so? Thank you. — Darka smiled. — But what about you, what are you going to do after we get there? You said you were just traveling around, right? Are you going somewhere else?

— Oh. I don't know yet either.

Miko lowered their head, and their expression changed to melancholy.

— You're not running away from home by any chance, are you? — Darka stared at the luziwurm, squinting his eyes.

— What? No! I just... I don't want to be like other luziwurms who spend their whole lives working in markets and fairs. I'm me, and I don't want to be just some kind of potential sales assistant. I thought traveling around would be a good idea, maybe I'll find something to do that isn't serving as a grocery store cashier. Maybe I'll even meet more luziwurms who go on adventures too. — Miko paused, looking at their mug of tea. — And I like seeing new places.

— I see. — Darka leaned over the table and rested his face in his hand. — It's difficult to change the way people see you. You know, you have a lot of courage to do this.

— I really must have, that's the only way to hang out with someone like you, the great "herald of the apocalypse", right?

— Wow, what was that? Where did you learn to say these things, Miko? It was Daena, wasn't it? She's a bad influence on you, where did all that politeness of yours go?

Miko let out a laugh, making Darka laugh too. The barkeep approached the table, interrupting the conversation. Darka turned his face away to ensure she still didn't recognize him.

— Excuse me, you two. It's stormy outside and it's late, wouldn't you like to spend the night?

Darka stared at the map for a few seconds before responding.

— Only if you have a hot shower.

✰★✰★✰

The rain was also punishing Talphen, while two figures were talking under one of the city's large bridges. Dia e Noite sat between two pillars, around a small firelamp, trying to keep themselves dry. The storm made the canal a little rowdier then usual, as they watched the flood wash way the city dirt.

— I still don't understand what got into him. If it wasn't a test, he was really mad at us. — Dia complained as she began to bandage the arm that Darka had held. The strenght he used in his grasp seemed to be enough to burn her skin.

— It doesn't make sense for him to be mad at us, Dia. Everything is according to plan, he has already destroyed three of the four blocking seals that are linked to the cave where Master Yrina is. It was an instinct test. I said that him losing his memory wouldn't be so bad if we helped him do things the right way.

— I don't know, maybe he didn't like our attempt to help him by burning the castle as a distraction. I think the master wanted to escape alone...

Noite started to help her by finishing tying the bandage. When he finished, he lowered his hood and took off his mask. His navy blue hair stood on end with the humidity, falling into his star-like blue eyes. Dia also did the same, running her hand over her head to loosen her reddish locks and rubbing her eyes that went from lilac to orange, like the sunset on a summer afternoon. Anyone who saw the two at that moment would probably be fascinated by the enchanted aura they emanated, and would be sure that, despite their appearance, they were not human.

— I miss her. — Dia shrank a little more, approaching the lamp that emanated a cozy heat. — I hope she hasn't forgotten about us too.

Noite approached Dia when he saw her shrunken, and pulled her onto his shoulder trying to warm her up a little more. The rain continued to wash the city and showed no signs of stopping anytime soon.

— Mom would never forget us, Dia.

✰★✰★✰

That day's storm also covered much of Ninell's territory, stranding people in their homes and forcing passersby to take time off. In the village of Olsid, Amara enjoyed the day without customers in the workshop by organizing his stock of parts with the noisy help of Jean.

— Oh, Amara, you're so annoying! Ever since your illustrious friend stopped coming here you've become really grumpy. What is the problem?

Amara turned to Jean after taking the box in his hands and placing it on the shelf. He didn't want to admit it, but he was slightly worried about Darka, and his friend's insistence on this matter only made him more nervous.

— There's no problem at all. I already said that he...

— Not your friend, bla bla, whatever, you sound like a broken record. Whatever makes you angry, I hope it passes soon. — Jean sat in a space on Amara's work desk. — If your bad mood has something to do with The Unpronounceable, I heard some things... but you never want to hear my gossip, it's so boring.

— If you want to talk so much, then talk. I just can't guarantee I'll listen.

Amara's expression was indecipherable to Jean, but she still decided to tell him. As a good gossip, one ear was enough for the information tap to open.

— Ok, right, some merchants said that he appeared in Talphen a few days ago and tried to kidnap the governor's daughter, can you believe it? But he didn't even make it, that paladin guard caught him.

Jean paused, waiting for some comment or reaction from Amara. It was impossible to know if he was even listening, as he ignored her and continued arranging things on the shelves.

— Anyway, it looks like he managed to escape by setting part of the castle on fire. I think he has some personal feud with the governor, as he had already destroyed that cathedral tower there and now he tried to kidnap his daughter. You hang out with some pretty crazy guys, Amara.

— Yes, I hang out with you. — Amara dismantled the box he emptied and began sweeping the stock. — And stop gossiping about things you don't know. One day you will be in trouble for this.

— Ah, here comes the sermon. In fact, there's still one thing, but it's a bit strange and I'm not sure if it's true.

Amara stopped sweeping, put one hand on his waist, held the broom with the other and looked at his friend, with a look like he wanted it to end quickly. The gossip had not aroused as much interest as he had expected.

— There are rumors that even with all the chaos he caused, the governor ordered the guards to take down the Unpronounceable's wanted posters spread throughout the province of Oenith. But like, quietly, without an official statement or anything.

Amara was clearly confused. Jean smiled when she saw that he had finally gotten some reaction out of him.

— That's weird. — Amara was very thoughtful about the news, but soon shook his head and went back to sweeping the floor, turning his back to her. — But I'm happy that the governor got his daughter back.

— And for the Unpronounceable? — Jean didn't seem to be asking to irritate his friend.

Amara was silent for a few seconds, without stopping sweeping. Jean was about to say that she was joking, but he turned his head a little to answer.

— His name is Darka.