Chapitre 8: Break through
Dan stood in front of the inn, waiting for Valerie to get dressed. For some reason, she had chased him out of the room, even though he couldn't see. Shrugging, he left, determined to stay on good terms with her.
While waiting, Dan admired the village scenery. Soon, a group of kids approached him. They seemed his age or older, and among them was the small boy who had bumped into him yesterday.
"Tsk… this is bad," Dan muttered, sensing their ill intentions. He wondered what had prompted this confrontation, blaming the village's hostility for his predicament.
"Is this him?" the oldest one asked, looking at Dan disdainfully. "He looks like a monster, alright." He grabbed Dan's wrist. Dan struggled but couldn't break free.
They dragged him to a lonely alley and began launching punches and stones at him. Unlike Ana, Dan wasn't trained to fight, so he endured their assault. They made sure he coughed blood before letting him go.
Dan lay on the ground, his body aching. He tried to stand but fell, the pain overwhelming. Defeated, he stayed down and drifted into an uneasy sleep.
Hours later, Dan was woken by the raging storm. Soaked and still in pain, he got up and returned to the inn.
Slamming the door open, Dan drew everyone's attention. Two waitresses rushed to him, one recognizing him.
"He's from room twelve," she told her colleague.
They stepped aside, allowing Dan to pass. He sensed the hostility directed at him. "What's their deal with the blind?" he thought.
Ignoring it, Dan focused on getting upstairs to confront Valerie. He was in this state because of her.
Dan slammed the room door, startling Valerie, who was sorting through her belongings.
"Oh, it's you," she said, barely glancing at him. "Come see, I made a great haul today." Valerie showed him a bag filled with silver coins.
Dan was uninterested, anger boiling over her nonchalant attitude despite his dreadful condition.
"I was bullied today," Dan said quietly, head down.
"Hmm? And?" Valerie didn't even turn to look at him.
"I was punched, stoned, and beaten, and you act like it's none of your business. It's your fault this happened! If you hadn't brought me to this crazy village—"
Valerie's cold gaze silenced him. "Are you blaming me for your problems? I never promised to protect you. You followed me here. Don't blame others for your misfortunes; blame your wretched fate." She walked toward him, towering over him. "You can roam this village begging for food or run to another. Discrimination will follow you, but if you stay with me, remember I am not responsible for your safety." She landed a heavy kick on his gut, sending him crashing into the opposite door. She closed the door behind her.
A huge man emerged from the room. Seeing Dan, he lifted him up and began beating him. "How dare you disturb my night, brat!" He continued punching Dan until his face was swollen and bloody.
"Hey, calm down, honey," a woman in a towel said, emerging from the same room.
After another beating, Dan lay on the ground, cold and dirty, pain intensifying with every move. He was sad and bitter, blaming himself for being too comfortable with Valerie.
The next morning, Valerie yawned, looking at the sun through the window. She had slept naked, thinking Dan wasn't around.
"Good morning, master," Dan's voice rang in her ears.
"Yeah, good morning, Dan... What are you doing here, kid?" She hurled a pillow at him, knocking him into the wall.
Valerie hurriedly wrapped herself in a bedsheet and grabbed her clothes.
"I'm sorry, master, but what did I do wrong?" Dan asked, adjusting his nose.
"How can you walk in when a maiden is without clothes?" she scolded.
"I can't see you, with or without clothes," Dan replied.
"That's bygone. Get ready; we're going to the tavern today." Valerie dressed in her usual outfit—a blue shirt, shorts with leggings, a pouch around her waist, and a cloak.
"Let's move," she said with a grin.
On their way to the tavern, Dan asked, "Why are we going to the tavern?"
"We need money for food and shelter. It's the quickest way to earn," Valerie answered. "But why the new costume?"
Dan wore a big hat covering his head and face, still haunted by yesterday's events. "Protection," he replied.
After a few minutes, they reached their destination. The tavern was rowdy and messy, filled with men drowning their sorrows. The attendants tried to calm them, but to no avail.
Dan and Valerie walked past the loud men and stood before a big board covered with request posters and rewards.
"No, no, no..." Valerie muttered, searching for a well-paying request. "We have no choice but to do this." She tore a fresh poster from the wall.
"Missing child?!" Dan exclaimed, reading it. "And the reward is five gold coins? Is this child a royalty?"
"I don't know. Let's find out at the counter." She pointed toward the counter.
Valerie placed the paper on the counter, waiting for the attendant to verify it. The young attendant greeted Valerie warmly.
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Morning. I want this stamped and need more information on it," Valerie said.
The attendant stamped the request. "We received this request this morning from a villager. I advise you to check the client's home before heading out. They live on the next street, opposite the bar."
"Okay, thanks." Valerie folded the poster and put it in her pouch.
"Be safe out there," the attendant said with a warm smile.
Valerie and Dan stood in front of an average house. "Not royalty, after all," Valerie said, knocking on the door.
A woman opened it after a few seconds. Recognizing her, Dan hid behind Valerie.
"It's the woman from before," Dan cursed.
"Good morning, ma'am," Valerie greeted.
"Good morning. Do I have any business with you?" the woman asked. Valerie showed her the poster.
"Oh, come in." She opened the door wider for them to enter.
She directed them to the living room and offered tea and biscuits. Dan, uneasy, thanked the heavens for his large hat.
"About your missing child, could you explain the situation?" Valerie asked calmly.
"My little boy's name is Troy," the woman said, wiping her tears. "Troy always wakes me up, but today I woke up before him. It seemed strange. I went to his room and found it empty. His window was open, but the room was tidy as usual. I don't know why he would run away."
"He definitely ran away..." Valerie mused. "Were you stopping Troy from doing something?"
"No, never. I always provide whatever Troy demands," the woman replied.
"Is there any place Troy visits often?"
The woman pondered. "Yes, the church. Troy often goes there to meet Priest Leonard."
"Alright, we have what we need. We'll bring him back," Valerie said, standing up. She noticed a bloodstain on the woman's cloth but decided not to act impulsively.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone