It took a week’s worth of travel to the east to reach neutral territory. They cut through dark forests and tenebrous bogs, avoiding any settlement that fell under the Kaname family’s demesne. Only when they reached the coastal headlands, where the grass turned a vibrant green and the wind took on a different smell, did they finally dare to step foot into a village.

As the sun rose over the ocean, the two of them sat themselves down near a pier in the local port. The place reeked of salted cod; the din from the stalls around them was incessant. Still, Tomori felt a great relief, being around people again. She took a deep breath of the briny sea air.

“I… have to say, I-I am impressed by… how well you’ve handled the journey, my lady,” she said.

Raana frowned. “Quit calling me that. Just Raana.”

“That… is not how I was raised to speak,” Tomori answered, turning to look at the sunrise. “But… for you, I will… try.”

“…Hehe. You’re funny.”

Tomori chose not to respond. She was still unsure of what this girl saw in her; of why she regarded a lowly knight-errant with such curiosity and compassion.

Ever since that day, she had not managed to look into her striking, odd-colored eyes. Her gaze filled her with shame, with a sense of unworthiness.

“It would… be best if we could finally sleep in a bed tonight,” she finally said. “I-I’ll find us some work.”

It was supposed to be an easy job. Escort this foreign dignitary to his ship. Over and done with in twenty minutes, if that.

…Tomori thought it was odd how quickly a life could end.

Just a minute ago, the two guards in front of her seemed so carefree, so unconcerned.

They seemed to know each other well. When she took the job—it was rather easy to land, considering how rare a sight full-plate armor is in these parts—they had been casually conversing with each other. They spoke of their childhood, of the town they grew up in. Tomori could barely keep up with the chatter, but hearing it made her feel warm.

Now they were dead, and she was next. A knife’s point tugged at the skin on her neck.

She was a little curious. She did wonder what it might feel like to die. Would it all turn black? Would it be gradual, ambiguous? Would she ever really know it happened?

But she couldn’t entertain the thought. Not while Raana still lived. She’d been walking by her side just a second ago, after all.

But where had she gone?

Without moving a muscle, she looked left, and right. She couldn’t find her.

She looked the unknown assailant in the eye and moved to draw her sword.

The guest room in the inn was lit only by a harsh, orange oil lamp.

“M-my lady. I did not know—”

“Raana.”

“…I did not know you were… trained to use a dagger in… s-such a fashion.”

“Wasn’t trained. I just did what felt right.”

Tomori sat at the edge of the bed, with half her armor disassembled on the floor before her. Though she had insisted on taking it off by herself - she was trained to - Raana would not accept it. She sat behind her, lazily undoing latches on her plates.

“…I believe I would find you somewhat terrifying, had I not already pledged my life to you.”

Raana smiled.

“We must leave before dawn,” Tomori continued. “News of this will… spread. Soon your father will know we were neither slain, nor kidnapped.”

“Sure. I was already getting bored of this place,” Raana answered.

She skipped past Tomori after untying one final strap at her ankles.

“What’re these?,” she asked. She’d picked up a sheaf of papyrus from the table at the corner of the room. “Some kinda song?”

Tomori shrank into herself. Stripped of her steel carapace, she felt especially vulnerable.

“…Nothing more than… idle scribbles.”

“Mmm. I like them.”

Tomori threw herself onto the mattress. She stayed silent.

“If we can get a lute, I’ll sing them,” Raana said, as she climbed into the opposite bed.

“…T-they really aren’t—”

“Night night, Tomori,” she whispered.

“…Good night. Raana.”