บท 21: Decision
Hubbert takes a deep breath, his voice quivering slightly. "A few hours ago, a scout returned with news." He pauses before continuing, his tone grave. "Alfred is coming."
Henrik tilts his head back, rubbing his temples with a deep sigh. "Of course he is."
Hubbert begins pacing around the room, his boots crunching against shattered debris. "I've already sent an envoy to the capital, requesting reinforcements."
"And when is Alfred expected to arrive?" Henrik asks, his voice calm but weighted with concern.
"A week. At least," Hubbert answers, glancing toward Henrik.
Henrik lowers his hands, his expression hardening. "Then we're alone."
A heavy silence settles between the three of us. The chaos from mere minutes ago feels like a distant memory, quickly fading into the background.
"Lad," Henrik commands, breaking the stillness. "Stay here until the lass wakes up. I'm heading to the city."
Without waiting for a response, he grabs his coat and steps outside, leaving me alone with Laura. She lies peacefully on the bed, her expression serene—a stark contrast to the turmoil within me.
The logical move would be to steal every valuable Henrik possesses, pick up Laura, and leave. The demons are coming, and I'm not sure if she—or I, for that matter—can handle a real battle. My instincts scream at me to run, to get as far away as possible.
I grew up in a world of peace, where the last large-scale conflict was World War II. But here, death seems woven into the fabric of everyday life. Laura, unlike me, has already experienced its horrors firsthand.
Is she ready to face them again? I'll let her decide if we stay and help Henrik with the fight or run away as far as possible.
About half an hour later, Laura stirs awake. She rubs her eyes and lets out an audible gasp, clearly surprised by the chaos in the room.
"Is Henrik gone? This mess... We better clean it up before he returns."
"No need," I say calmly, meeting her gaze.
I explain everything to her—Henrik's departure, the approaching threat, and the grim reality of what's to come. She listens intently, nodding along without much visible reaction. Finally, I muster the courage to ask the looming question.
"Should we stay, or—?"
She cuts me off, her tone sharp and resolute. "Are you stupid? Of course we're staying."
I can't help but laugh, a mix of relief and disbelief. I don't know what answer I expected, but her word is final. But still, a part of me wants to avoid death, be it mine or someone else's.
A few more hours pass, and darkness blankets the outside world. While waiting for Henrik to return, we clean up the place. Despite our efforts, it feels eerily empty—most of what once filled it lies shattered, a testament to the earlier chaos.
The sound of hooves breaks the silence, and moments later, the door creaks open. Henrik steps inside, hanging his coat with deliberate movements before turning to face us.
"You two should leave," he begins, his voice calm but firm. "I'll give you my—"
"We're not going anywhere," Laura cuts him off, her voice firm.
Henrik's eyebrows lift in surprise, but a faint smile tugs at his lips. It mirrors the thoughts I had earlier, when Laura first made her decision.
"Very well," he says, his tone steady, almost approving. "We leave for Kundor at sunrise. Make sure you don't regret it in the morning."
As Laura and I settle into the shed's corner, perhaps for the final time, her quiet voice breaks the silence.
"I'm sorry. I made the decision without really thinking. Is it… okay with you?" she whispers.
"Wherever you go, I go," I reply softly. "Besides, I'm the Great Hero. Some battle experience would do me good."
I keep the fear out of my voice, but the truth festers in my mind. Terrifying images of what lies ahead flood my thoughts, and sleep evades me. Instead, I lay awake all night, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me, while Laura sleeps soundly at my side. When the first rays of sunlight seep through the cracks in the shed, I'm still staring at the ceiling.
Henrik quietly steps into the shed, noticing that I'm already awake. Without a word, I nudge Laura gently, waking her. A long day lies ahead for both of us, and for the first time since our escape from the capital, we'll be separated.
As we load the wagon with Henrik's valuables, I break the silence with a question.
"So, what are our roles in all this?"
"During preparations, the lass will work with the cooks," he says matter-of-factly. "You, lad, will start by learning how to use a spear. After that, every waking moment will be spent digging a moat."
"And when the demons arrive?" I ask, my voice betraying my unease.
"Then you'll be stationed on the wall," Henrik replies bluntly. "The demon forces number about a thousand—a small force for a siege, but Alfred is reckless. He'll use his own men's corpses to cross the moat if necessary."
I hesitate before asking, "This Alfred... what do you know about him?"
Henrik's expression hardens. "He's a powerful demon. Calling him insane wouldn't be an exaggeration. If they breach the walls…" He pauses, his gaze distant. "…horror awaits us all."
"But you're strong. Do you think you could best him in a fight?" I ask, unsure if I want to hear the answer.
Henrik chuckles, the sound dry and heavy. "I'm a few decades past my prime, lad." He pauses, his gaze meeting mine, steady and resolute. "But if it comes to that…" His voice drops, thick with conviction. "…I think I can."
As Henrik readies the horse, we begin the short journey toward Kundor. The scene near the city is a whirlwind of activity. Hubbert's mercenaries are already training young men—and even some who look like teenagers. Women and children dart from house to house, carrying every morsel of food and valuable trinkets into the safety of the city walls, where a large stone keep is standing tall.
The city gates creak open, and Hubbert steps out to greet us. We make our way toward Kundor's keep, the central stronghold where every valuable—and, once the siege begins, every woman and child—will be kept safe.
As soon as we step off the wagon, our paths diverge. Laura is swept away by a group of women, their chatter blending with the sounds of preparation. Meanwhile, I'm seized by a group of men and pulled toward the training grounds, the weight of impending responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders.
This will be good for Laura. Being among strangers who are unaware of her powers could help her build confidence and independence. As for me, I could certainly use some social interaction myself.
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