My moniker is Kaiser. No, I don't have a royal name—I’m not a king, prince, or baron.

  The meat sizzled. The juices hissed against the fire as I slowly turned the skewer.

  The girl before me seemed to believe I was just an ordinary traveler, unaware of the truth.

  I don't need this food, to be honest. Across from me sat a caged girl I had found at the goblin camp.

  I described her position as sitting, but her knees were up to her face.

  Her arms were tightly wrapped around her, her hands strategically placed.

  Her long, wavy brown hair hung in tangled curtains over her face, but her wide eyes were locked on me, unblinking.

  I could feel her trembling from here.

  “Relax,” I said, not even looking up from the fire. “If I wanted you dead, you’d already be part of this stew.” She flinched but said nothing.

  Typical.

  I’m a knight from Rimu, often called the slums of Elveria. They never have much to say once they realize who or what they’re dealing with.

  I understand her fear. If I were in her position, I’d probably be terrified too. The crackle of the flames filled the silence between us.

  I let it stretch, waiting for her to speak. Say something. Anything. I have a mission, and this is a distraction.

  Most of the time, people give away more that way. I guess she has something to hide.

  Perhaps she’s a hungry siren—and she’s looking at me like that instead of the cooked creature in my hand because she wants something more significant to eat.

  Who knows. Let’s rewind for a moment to the forest: the ash, the screams, the scorched wood just before I met her in that goblin camp.

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  I have to make it to Rindale.

  I need to make it to Rindale.

  I shook my head, clearing my throat as I spat on the ground before I heard it—the water in the distance. No, the flowing river is not far from the camp. I could use it now.

  I began to walk toward the water, sliding down the small cliff and stopping before the mud-and-dirt at the water.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  I looked down at the water, briefly glancing at my reflection before I threw my hand into it, letting the current take the blood.

  I don’t have any bandages on me to prevent any infections. Maybe if I was in a guild, they could’ve actually dispatched a cleric with me or anybody.

  I glanced back at the clearing, climbing up with my non-injured hand.

  The fire still crackled in the distance, the smell of scorched flesh lingering in the air.

  It didn’t matter. The goblins were nothing but pests. I turned, wiping my hand off the muddy ground, the cold water still clinging to my fingers.

  Then I heard it.

  The sound of creaking wheels, muffled voices. Goblins, their language carrying over the air. I looked over where I heard it coming from. A carriage was coming to this ‘camp,’ cargo at the back. Hidden beneath a blanket.

  The rain slowed. I needed whatever was in that carriage. Whatever it was, it would keep me moving. I didn't bring money from Rimu. I approached quietly, slipping out of the camp and behind the trees near the path I used to enter the village.

  The two goblins in the carriage hadn't noticed me yet, but they would. They always did. And when they did? It would be no different for the others of their kind.

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  I guess that brings you up to date… I apologize for my storytelling. Then again, I suppose my voice could be interesting to some.

  ━━━━━━°?展示?°━━━━━━

  “... So. Girl. What's your name? Are you going to speak now? Why did the goblins have you as cargo? Who are you?”

  I stabbed Finisirae into the log beside me, the cursed blade vibrating faintly as though displeased. Not that I cared; it had gotten what it wanted today.

  The sound of the metal smashing into the wood made the girl flinch violently—her eyes wide and trembling.

  I stood up and then walked to her. She grew increasingly anxious. I crouched in front of her, my face inches from hers.

  “You’re trembling,” I started, trying not to scare her anymore. She looks like she's on the edge of breaking even now. Her eyes tell it.

  “There’s nothing for you to be afraid of now. Not from me. Not anymore.” The girl's whole body had curled itself to shield. My brows furrowed; I had a mission.

  “What’s your name?” I asked again, tilting my head. “Why were the goblins dragging you around like cargo? Who are you to them?”

  For a moment, the only sounds were the fire and the rain. She swallowed. Her voice caught somewhere in her throat.

  “My name is... My name is Elara,” she whispered, finally speaking. Took her long enough. I smiled, leaning back and studying her face. I think I get her. Almost. The huge mystery she's been holding back. I stood up. Walking back to where I began.

  “Well, Elara,” I said, picking up Finisirae. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do. And I feel you will make this journey far more interesting than I intended.”

  The blade pulsed faintly in my hand as though mocking my words, but I ignored it, turning back toward the fire.

  “Let’s see if you’re worth the trouble... And get you some clothes while we're at it.”

  I sat down, back at the log. The fleshly made hole from Finisirae noticed, and Elara's eyes didn't leave from it. Before looking back at me.

  “Uh…” She begins, she wasn't one for conversation starters I could assume. It must have been hard with her environment with the goblins. Especially with most of the Orc Race not understanding human tongue, and using their own barbarian language. I waited for her to speak so we could get moving. I don't talk while we move.

  “Wh...what's your name?”

  I looked back up. Confused by her asking me the question, I tried to maintain eye contact with her. My face moved by itself, lips curving into the best smile I could give her.

  "Kaiser."

  "It's Kaiser.”