The boy wouldn’t have a happy end. He realised this too late.

ㅤWith no idea where he should go, or who he should trust, the only thing he had certainty was the realisation he now had a new character to play—one entirely different in lifestyle to the one he’d lived as until then. He was now homeless, poor and alone.

ㅤGreed would be his downfall if he let it. His expensive garments were the first things that had to go. He couldn't sell them; he couldn't risk it; if the wrong person were to find them it would lead to his death. Even the gold buttons, they were inscribed with an insignia that few people were allowed to have.

ㅤAll of it: his whole life, his role, his name—he would have to abandon it.

ㅤHe sat on the dirt, stripes of long grass swayed back and forth rhythmically, trying to calm him. Even the sun hesitated on the horizon, through the thick fog, peeping over distant mountains in concern.

ㅤAlthough despaired, he was calm. His mind was clear and not enslaved to frantic horror. Whilst he’d never be capable of forgetting what’d happened, he didn't have the luxury to scream with indignance over the injustice. There wasn’t the time.

ㅤYes, it wasn't fair. But if he dwelled on that then everything would’ve been in vain.

ㅤHis horse grunted over him. He looked up, feeling sorry for the creature for some reason.

ㅤ“You don't have to stay with us anymore,” he said. “Go.”

ㅤThe horse sighed, looking uninterested. It couldn't understand him.

ㅤHe stood and let his hand glide over the horse's neck, feeling the living breathing creature under his fingertips.

ㅤThank you.

ㅤHe pulled the reins off the loyal horse's face, hoping it would understand. She hadn’t even been saddled in the rush.

ㅤWith a slap next to her tail, she finally fled, roaming free.

ㅤThere was something fearfully peaceful in the rustling grass folding under a gentle breeze, the sky treating the ground so delicately despite everything, wind stinging his oozing wounds. It made him feel sick.

ㅤ“It’s just us now.”

ㅤHis silent partner had been quiet throughout everything. Even now, he received no response from her.

ㅤTreasuring and obsession were what caused the most mighty of downfalls and although the boy could sacrifice everything else he had, there was one thing he couldn't relinquish. Despite knowing the risk, he wouldn't be able to cope without her.

ㅤHer magnificent blade appeared as he unsheathed her; a mighty power stored within. He would wrap her up in rags, hide her true ferocity, even if it became burdensome. To others, she would be nothing but a cheap old sword in the hands of a scared orphan boy.

ㅤFirst, though, he would find a town and remain mute until he could speak colloquially with the common people. Uneducated and simple.

ㅤStripping off his clothes, he ripped the buttons off the expensive fabric. Those he would keep. Gold was soft enough; he could hammer them with a rock until the markings were unrecognisable. His arm throbbed and screamed with the pain of movement.

ㅤBy the time the search parties were released, he needed to have been completely integrated into peasantry. They might’ve already noticed his absent body.

ㅤThere wasn’t time to waste.