*Evar's POV*

I had just secured a room at the local inn and was on my way back to meet Nemesia when I saw her emerging from an alley. Her face was impassive, but there was a darkness in her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"You ok?" I asked as we walked back toward the inn.

"Everything is taken care of," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of something I couldn't quite place—satisfaction mixed with remorse, perhaps?

As night fell, and we settled into our room at the inn, the storm outside mirrored the turmoil I felt inside. Nemesia was by the window, looking out at the raging weather, her silhouette a stark contrast against the occasional flashes of lightning.

"Sometimes I wonder if all the choices I've made in my life were wrong... and if I'm still making wrong choices..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I wanted to ask her what had happened in the alley, to push her to confide in me, but the look on her face stopped me. She was in a place I couldn't reach, grappling with demons of her own making.

"Try. If you not ask, you don't get the answer. You ask. Make her open. Show we listen" Ragnar was nagging me.

The inn's room was modest but comfortable, a stark contrast to the howling storm outside. As Nemesia still stood at the window, her figure bathed in the intermittent glow of lightning, her silhouette as captivating as the turbulent weather. I watched her from the wooden chair near the hearth, where the fire crackled and popped, casting flickering shadows across the room.

"Nemesia," I began, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between us, deciding to try and pry a bit. "You've been quiet since we got here. Is everything all right?"

She turned from the window, her eyes reflecting the firelight, shadows dancing in their depths.

"Yeah... just thinking about... everything," she replied, her voice steady but distant.

I nodded, understanding her need to keep her thoughts to herself, yet wishing she would open up more.

"No worry. You try and she will open. You show you respect. You show you listen" Ragnar was ass naggy as always so I just shushed him in my head.

"It may be a tough road but hey... you're not walking it alone, you know... you've acquired a great, funny, smart, and amazing companion" I added with fake seriousness, hoping to bridge the gap her secrecy had placed between us by cracking up some jokes.

She gave a small, almost imperceptible smile and moved to sit opposite me. As she settled into the chair, her guard seemed to drop slightly, the lines of tension around her eyes softening.

"I know, Evar. And I appreciate it. It's just... sometimes, I feel like... It's just—it's crushing... the weight of it all."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my hands clasped together.

"I can't pretend to understand everything you've been through or all that you're planning. But I'm here, Nemesia. And I'm not going anywhere."

She looked at me, really looked, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something vulnerable, something soft in her gaze.

"Thank you, Evar. That means more than you might realize."

We sat in silence for a moment, the only sounds the crackle of the fire and the wind against the windows.

Then, impulsively, I said, "You know, despite everything, I... I admire you. Not just for your strength, but for your ability to keep pushing forward, no matter what. Until I met you I never had the strength to move forward despite others..."

Her eyebrows rose slightly, a hint of surprise in her expression. "That's rare... a compliment coming from you, Evar? But I'll take it."

I chuckled softly. "You should. And, Nemesia, if there's ever anything you want to talk about, or if you need to just... not be alone with your thoughts, I'm here. I lived long enough to be able to listen."

She nodded, her gaze returning to the flames. "I might take you up on that someday."

In the quiet that followed, I conversed silently with Ragnar in the back of my mind.

"She's strong, Ragnar... I'm not sure if she could really find support in someone like me..."

Ragnar's presence was reassuring, a steady pulse in the back of my mind.

"No meowing here... she let you in, little but more than nothing. Don't let down our princess, Evar." Ragnar was as eloquent as always.

I watched the flames flicker in Nemesia's eyes, reflecting the turmoil I felt inside. This journey with her was more than just a physical trek through dangerous terrains—it was an emotional voyage, one that was slowly but surely changing the landscape of my heart. As I watched her watching the fire, I knew that whatever happened, my path was irrevocably tied to hers. I could never go back to my previous life.

The night deepened around us, the storm outside a distant echo of the storm within. Same storm inside me as I had difficulties sleeping being so close to her. Not to mention the memories of the dam. Finally, after long hours, I was able to fall asleep.

*Nemesia's POV*

The morning light filtered weakly through the inn's curtains, casting long shadows across the room where I sat, sorting through the supplies Evar and I had gathered the previous day. The quiet was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me, the echoes of Jonas's final moments still loud in my mind. Evar entered the room, his expression tight and tired.

"Didn't sleep well in bed? You prefer grass and sticks under your back?" I asked with a bite of a joke in my voice.

"We need to talk," he began hesitantly, his eyes searching mine.

I sighed, feeling that I would not like this conversation... that's how it is with sleeping. When night comes and you go to sleep your mind does lots of thinking... Seems even Evar's capable of such... thinking.

"What is there to talk about, Evar? We continue as planned," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.

Evar frowned, taking a cautious step toward me. "Nemesia, I know you're carrying a heavy burden, but pushing me away won't help. We're in this together, remember? No need to treat me like that..."

I scoffed, the sound bitter. "Together? Evar, you don't understand. You can't. This isn't just about survival—it's about vengeance, and it's a path I must walk unbothered."

His face fell, I guess it must've hurt him but I couldn't stop myself. It's like that night back there in the cave. I could feel him getting closer and closer to me and I was afraid to let him in. I was searching for a way to push him away. I saw his jaw tighten slightly and he reached out, but I stepped back, my guard up.

"No, don't! Every time I start to trust, it ends in betrayal. I won't let that happen again. I know what you want. You try to make me trust you. Use it. But what for? Is there a gain for you?! It's better if you follow me quietly... but when you try to make friends... gosh this is so annoying!" I wasn't making any sense. I was just trying to throw him off me in some way.

"Nemesia... aren't you a bit too harsh?" Athena asked quietly but I ignored her.

Evar's expression hardened, a mix of frustration and pain flickering across his features.

"So, what? You'll just push everyone away, even those trying to help? That's no way to live, Nemesia. You want a quiet obedient follower? Well, I can't be such a thing..." His voice was quiet, calm and hurt... I knew it. But that's best. We were close to the rebels. I was on a road without turning back. The dame? Jonas? It was only the beginning. And Evar? He was... good... gentle... Pretended he's not, but I saw that. My road would destroy him... or he would destroy me if I were to trust him.

"Well then, that makes it easy. Thank you for taking me this far" I grabbed my cloak, my decision made in the heat of the moment. He looked surprised.

"What are you doing?" He asked in shock.

"Yes. What are we doing Nemesia?" Athena asked uncertainly.

"We're leaving. Come on... we were talking about it yesterday before sleeping. It's better this way. And if he's angry at me or hurt, he will just leave. Nothing bounds him to us" I told her patiently.

"I'm leaving, Evar. Don't follow me or I'll see you as a threat and attack" I declared, storming out of the room, leaving him standing in stunned silence. My heart was racing, my mind a whirlwind of resolve. This was the only way, I told myself. The only way to protect what little I had left... and maybe protect the man Evar still was.

*Unknown person's POV*

From behind the counter, I watched the young lass storm out of the inn, her companion a picture of misery as he followed her at first but stayed inside. My lips curled into a satisfied smirk. Perfect, I thought. She'd be easier to deal with on her own, without the watchful eyes of her friend.

I had overheard enough of their plans yesterday to know they were headed into the mountains, and my associates were more than ready to capitalize on such ripe opportunities. I casually wiped down the counter, my mind racing with possibilities.

*Evar's POV*

I watched her leave, her figure disappearing into the bustling street, and felt a pang of despair. How had it come to this? I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of emotions clouding my judgment. She was headstrong, and I knew her well enough already to know that following her immediately would only drive her further away.

"But we were doing so great yesterday..." I thought and felt Ragnar's sadness.

As I gathered my thoughts I saw the young bartender who stayed a lot around our table yesterday, as she watched Nemesia leave with a weird smile. She then quickly left by the back door.

Suspicion gnawed at me and I stood up and left in a hurry to follow the girl, unaware of the trap I was stepping into.