The Human Village (2)
Neir found Gibson’s room after receiving his summons.
-Knock, knock, knock.
A servant announced her arrival on her behalf.
“Master, Lady Neir is here.”
‘Tell her to enter.’
Neir nodded to the servant and stepped through the opening door. It had been a long time since she had visited her father’s room. The room was too large for one person, and the bed was far too big for a single occupant. It seemed to reflect his inner state, as if he were still longing for his late wife.
Gibson was waiting for Neir, dressed in comfortable attire and sitting at a table by the window. As Neir entered, Gibson poured tea into a cup. He spoke without looking at her.
“...I heard you are leaving tomorrow.”
“...Yes.”
“...Come, sit.”
Neir hesitated for a moment, reading the atmosphere, before slowly approaching the table where he sat. As she sat across from him, she glanced back and forth between Gibson, the steaming tea, and the view outside the window.
Gibson remained silent for a long time. He simply gazed out the window, enjoying his tea as if lost in reminiscence. Neir did not feel the need to break the silence first. There was an inherent awkwardness between them. Though there were times she felt her father cared for her, they had never been truly comfortable with each other.
“It is a parting, then.”
After a long while, Gibson finally spoke. Neir, who had been sipping her tea, looked up at his voice. Her heart sank at the word ‘parting.’ She knew she had to leave for the human village tomorrow, but every time she acknowledged it, her chest grew heavy. Regardless of how strained their relationship had been, there was an undeniable sense of anxiety that came with leaving one’s family. She even felt a strange pang of longing for Gidin. Had she developed a sense of affection despite the resentment?
“...”
Neir nodded slowly. Gibson asked, “...Is your preparation complete?”
Again, Neir nodded. She had packed countless items, including medicinal herbs she hoped to use for someone she might love one day. She hadn’t just been waiting for that future partner, either. She had studied medicine and memorized incantations; she possessed knowledge equal to that of a seasoned physician. Of course, she had never actually treated anyone with that knowledge, but she felt there was nothing she couldn’t do.
“...I see.”
Gibson nodded. “...I see.”
He repeated the words, as if steeling his own heart. Neir chewed on her words for a moment. She, too, had things she wanted to say. She wanted to revisit the conversation they had shared a few days prior. Neir glanced at her father’s door, and seeing it firmly shut, she continued.
“...Father.”
“Speak.”
“About the conversation we had... a few days ago.”
Gibson closed his eyes and nodded. “...Yes.”
Neir swallowed hard and said, “...Is it truly impossible without betrayal?”
Over the past few days, Neir’s perception of Berg had changed entirely. He wasn’t cruel, nor was he cold. He was simply blunt, making him easy to misunderstand. If he had actually been as cruel and cold as she had been told, betraying him would have been easy. But if that had been the case, she might be suffering even greater wounds right now. Regardless, now that she knew what kind of person Berg was, the thought of betraying him filled her with growing resistance. She already felt that betrayal would be difficult.
Neir voiced her opinion. “If the Blackwood family rises again...”
She knew it was a difficult thing to ask, but she spoke anyway. “...Could you pay my ransom and bring me back?”
Gibson didn’t hesitate long, offering a small smile. “...It seems you already find it difficult to betray him.”
Neir didn’t bother hiding her feelings. She nodded. He reached out and took her hand.
“...To give you the conclusion... nothing is impossible, Neir.”
“Really?”
“Our family... no, I would do it if I could.”
Neir asked, puzzled by his tone. “What does that mean?”
“It isn’t just our problem. The Red Flame Mercenary Corps must also agree to it.”
“...”
“The Red Flame, and even the vice-captain, must all reach a consensus. For that to happen, several conditions must be met first.”
Gibson continued his explanation slowly so Neir could understand. “...Perhaps the Red Flame is short on funds... or perhaps the vice-captain doesn’t get along with you well enough to want to let you go.”
“...”
“If things work out that way, it could be resolved peacefully without anyone getting hurt. I wouldn’t spare any money for your sake. But the problem arises if things don’t go that way. If the Red Flame refuses to let you go until the end... if they say they will keep you no matter how much money I offer, you will not be able to leave that place.”
Neir slowly lowered her eyes, which had been locked with Gibson’s. For some reason, the more conditions he added, the more impossible it felt. When she thought about it, it seemed unlikely that the Red Flame would ever be short on funds.
“...So, keep this in mind. Such a misfortune might occur, so... you must find a weakness. I don’t know if your heart will change or not, but... it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. It is your choice. This father of yours is merely telling you that I will support whatever choice you make.”
“...”
“Neir. I will say it again... I hope you find happiness there. You already feel that the vice-captain is not someone you dislike, don’t you?”
“...”
“Perhaps that is for the best. I know it sounds irresponsible. But it is the truth, without a single lie.”
Neir nodded. With that, the conversation on the matter was over. There was nothing more to say. Gibson let go of Neir’s hand and drank his tea again. Neir etched the scent of the tea and the scenery of the Blackwood territory visible outside the window into her memory. She couldn’t believe she would be leaving this place starting tomorrow.
As she sat there blankly, Gibson spoke. “...Neir.”
Neir turned her head. Gibson asked with a small smile, as if reminiscing about something.
“...Do you know that your mother gave you your name?”
Neir froze at the fact, then shook her head. “...I didn’t know.”
Gibson didn’t add a long-winded explanation. He simply smiled, nodded, closed his eyes, and said lightly, “Then know it from now on.”
Neir didn’t know what he was trying to convey, but along with the strange warmth of knowing her name had been given by her mother, she nodded.
****
“Move out!”
As Adam shouted, Baran, who was at the very front, led the mercenary corps forward. Adam and I were at the very back of the procession, facing the Blackwoods. Since the mercenary corps was quite large, those at the front had to start moving first. We weren’t exactly pressed for time.
Adam shook hands with Gibson. “Thank you once again.”
“I am simply glad that our paths crossed.”
Gibson turned to me this time. “...I entrust my daughter to you.”
“Yes.”
I shook his hand as well. Neir was standing behind me, looking at the family she was leaving behind with a sad expression. I heard that Neir had spoken with Gibson one last time the night before. Perhaps they had already said everything they needed to, as they only exchanged glances and nods without saying much else.
Gidin and his younger brothers were next.
“...Travel safely.”
Gidin said quietly. He bowed his head slightly, and his brothers did the same. Raan and Swan looked surprised by the gesture, but Gidin didn’t seem to care. I looked at Neir, then gave a slight nod. No matter how much they had come to acknowledge me, that wasn’t what mattered to me.
Gidin then looked at Neir.
“...”
“...”
The two shared an awkward gaze for a moment. Neir seemed uncomfortable facing him and turned to leave, but Gidin’s hand moved first.
-Tap.
He rested his hand on Neir’s shoulder. Neir looked at Gidin in surprise. That was it. Gidin withdrew his hand and stepped back. Neir was left standing there, stunned.
The moment for us to depart was drawing near. Shawn and Jackson brought over a horse. It was the horse Neir would ride. I placed a hand on Neir’s back, as she stood frozen, and said, “Neir. We have to go now.”
“...Ah... yes.”
She slowly turned around... then looked at the horse looming over her and gasped. “Oh...? Ah... um...”
Neir’s head darted around in anxiety, and she grabbed my sleeve. I knew what she wanted to say.
“...You don’t know how to ride a horse?”
Neir nodded silently. I patted the horse Neir was to ride and said, “It’s fine. This horse is gentle. You’ll be able to ride it in no time.”
Neir gulped at those words. Her anxiety was visible. Her gaze kept drifting toward the carriages departing ahead of us. She blinked, looking lost as she stared at the wagons filled with supplies, some of which looked like coffins.
I wanted Neir to at least try. “Neir. Just try getting on. It’s good to experience what it’s like.”
Neir eventually nodded, as if she had no other choice. All the while, Gibson and Gidin watched us silently. Neir flinched and pulled her hand back every time the horse snorted. A smile tugged at my lips at her innocent, timid behavior. Finally, Neir approached the horse. She looked at the stirrup, then up at me. It seemed impossible for her to reach the stirrup, which came up to her waist.
I stayed close to her and taught her step by step. “Alright. First, hold the reins tight.”
She placed her hands on the horse’s reins. “And your foot...”
The stirrup seemed out of reach for her legs. I offered her my hand and said, “Step on my hand.”
“Pardon?”
“Step on it with your other foot, stand up, and put your foot in the stirrup. Pull the reins while you do it.”
“...Your hand... it’s going to get... dirty...”
“It’s fine, hurry. We’re leaving soon.”
Neir hesitated for a long time before slowly lifting her foot. I lifted her foot upward. Neir’s body floated into the air. She awkwardly inserted one foot into the stirrup.
“Alright, now swing your other leg over the back of the horse... that’s it.”
Neir successfully mounted the horse. She took a deep breath. Then, she looked at me again. The way she looked at me immediately felt like a child asking for praise, which I found amusing.
“Well done.”
When I said that, Neir’s tail flicked faintly before stopping. Once she was on the horse, Adam, Shawn, Jackson, and I mounted our own. We looked back one last time to bid farewell to the Blackwoods.
“We’ll be going now,” Adam said.
“Travel safely,” Gibson replied.
Neir shared a look with her remaining family... then turned her head and looked forward. I stayed close to Neir’s horse and gave her some pointers. “Don’t pull the reins too hard just because you’re nervous. Relax. The horse will go on its own even if you do nothing.”
“...Yes... yes.”
“Keep your back straight. That way, you won’t be sore later. You need to grip the horse’s body with your thighs.”
“...I understand.”
Neir quickly picked things up and began to guide the horse. She seemed to have quite a talent for it.
“You’re a natural,” I praised.
“...I’m a little scared,” she admitted honestly.
I reached out and patted the horse Neir was riding. “It’ll be alright.”
With that, I reassured her. We began our journey home.