When Val finally turned, she saw Vesperia.
Her mother was standing at the mouth of the hallway, hands clasped against her chest. “Valnarei Rose Strouss, answer me.”
Her tone wasn’t harsh, but being called by her full name stung.
“Mother… It’s just some practice gear. Something I—“
“Do not lie to your mother,” came her father’s voice.
He approached from the mouth of the hallway, Maxwell and Celestia following.
Val stood there, frozen as her family looked at her with pleading eyes.
“Val, we’ve noticed something has been off recently…” her brother started.
“But we didn’t know what,” Celestia finished for him.
What do I do?
The answer wasn’t as easy as brushing it off.
Not to them.
“I—“ Val paused, then took a calming breath. “I joined the Adventurer’s guild.”
Silence.
No reaction..?
“Why?”
Her mother’s question was so simple. So filled with fear, anxiety, worry, and pain.
“I didn’t want to just drift through life anymore.” It wasn’t the most eloquent answer, but it felt honest.
“You almost died,” Volde said, glaring. “You’d risk throwing away that second chance for something like adventuring?”
Val winced at his words, laced with anger as they were.
“You already got hurt—didn’t you?” Celestia asked.
Val glanced down at the tears in her armor, dried blood soaked into the leather and clothing beneath.
“Yeah, but I’m fine. I have a good healer in—“
“That’s not the point!” Maxwell yelled.
The conversation had remained calm so far, but Val could see it in their expressions.
“I won’t stop. Not after everything I did to get here.”
Vesperia was already crying, tears rolling down her soft face.
“We c—can’t risk losing you… not again,” she said softly.
This wasn’t fair—to her or them.
“That’s why I’ve been working so hard to get ready, so exhausted these past few days. I want to become strong enough so you don’t have to worry about me.”
Volde pulled Vesperia in and gently rubbed her back as she struggled to stop her tears.
“That’s not up to you, Valnarei. We will always worry about you.” He wiped a tear from Vesperia’s face. “Especially after what you’ve been through.”
Maxwell and Celestia only nodded to the sentiment.
Val was torn.
Either she continued to adventure, regardless of how her family felt, or she quit now just after getting her first addictive taste.
Why?
“I…”
This hurts… so much.
“I can’t… I finally feel like I’ve found something I enjoy. I don’t want to give it up.”
Val saw a myriad of emotions sweep across her family.
Before anyone could reply, she just ran upstairs to her room.
It wasn’t the most mature thing to do, she realized that, but she couldn’t stand being looked at like that anymore. Not by her family.
She leaned back against her door, locking it.
Tears stung her eyes, but she pushed through it and walked toward the bathroom.
Armor and clothing was left in a pile next to the tub as she relaxed in the fresh bath.
The silence was suffocating.
Plip. Plip. Plip.
Ripples roamed across the surface of the water as tears fell from Val’s face.
Val spent nearly half an hour trying to bathe.
When she was finally done, she dressed and climbed into bed.
Her stomach grumbled, but she couldn’t face them—not tonight.
“What do I do?” she muttered, looking up at the ceiling.
There were no answers for her, only silence.
The sudden sound of knocking woke Val up later.
Is it morning already?
When she looked to her window it was still dark outside, lanterns glowing faintly in the distance.
“Just a second,” she said, slipping out of bed.
When she reached her door she tried opening it, then realized she still had it locked.
Celestia was standing there, a plate of food in her hands.
“You didn’t come down for dinner…”
A pang of guilt rippled through Val.
“So I brought you a plate.”
Val took the plate from her, smiling softly. “Thank you lil sis.”
Celestia smiled back, shifting her weight. “Are you okay?”
The question caught Val off guard.
She expected some questions, but the first one being about her?
“Not really. I mean the day itself was great… a little worrying, but great.”
Celestia nodded, realizing where this was going. “But when you got home, you didn’t expect us to be waiting…”
Val sighed. “No, I didn’t. I thought maybe I’d assuaged any worries, but I guess I was wrong.”
Celestia didn’t say anything right away.
Val walked into her room, leaving the door open should she want to come in.
“What are you going to do now?”
She had barely sat down with her food when the question was asked. “I don’t know. Move out maybe?”
Celestia rushed over to the bed, fear in her eyes. “You can’t! You don’t have a job, or money, and mother and father will worry, and I’ll worry!”
Val smiled. “I’ve got a way to earn coin now, and I know everyone will worry. However, I’m going to keep doing this, and I don’t want to put them through seeing me hurt some days. It’s part of the job after-all”
Celestia balled up her fists, tears falling once more. “Just… promise you’ll visit, or send letters, or something.”
Val looked up, and felt tears welling up as well.
She got out of bed and pulled her little sister into a hug. “I promise.”
After Celestia left, Val ate in silence.
No one else came by, and eventually Val drifted off again.
Val got up early, before the sun had a chance to crest the horizon. Dew clung to the windows and streets.
I need to be quick but quiet.
Val grabbed a bag and began packing what she could.
Her armor didn’t leave much room for normal clothing, but she had a few outfits tucked away now. With everything ready, she sat on her bed and started writing.
Every few seconds she’d curse herself before erasing something.
“Why is this so hard…” she muttered.
It took longer than she’d preferred to figure out what to write.
In the end she settled on something short.
Mother, Father,
I can’t change what my heart yearns for. Adventuring has become something I love to experience. I can’t change your minds, but I also can’t stop.
I’ll visit, I promised after all.
-Valnarei
She left the note on her bed before opening her bedroom door. Then as quietly as she could, she made her way through the house and to the front door.
When she reached for the knob, her fingers pulled back. Leaving like this felt so wrong. But she didn’t know what to say.
“Going somewhere?”
Val froze.
“It looks like you’re running,” Volde added.
Val slowly turned around, just as her father, Maxwell, and even Celestia stepped up behind her mother.
Celestia looked away as soon as their gazes met.
She didn’t know Val was leaving, but apparently she was quick enough to catch on.
“I’m going to train again. I didn’t want to cause another fight before leaving for the day.”
It was such a terrible lie, one that tasted awful.
Vesperia and Volde’s hard gazes told Val all she needed to know.
They weren’t buying it.
Vesperia took a step forward, arms crossed, morning robe tied tight.
“We didn’t raise you to sneak out like a stranger in the dark.”
Val was tense, her heart racing, eyes flicking between her family.
“I—I didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye…” Celestia finally said.
Val stared back at them.
Then she broke. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry I can’t be what you want me to be?”
No one replied.
“Stop looking at me like I’m still that fragile girl who couldn’t even walk on her own!”
This time her mother recoiled.
Her father’s heated gaze pierced her soul.
“I spent six months of my life getting stronger! Six months to become who I wanted to be. I’ve worked so hard to become someone again…”
“To feel alive!”
Val took a breath, her fists clenched. “Why does it feel like when I can finally stand on my own, you act like I betrayed you?’
Vesperia was covering her mouth, tears rolling freely.
Volde’s gaze was still heated, but there was something else now.
Maxwell stepped forward, pulling their mother into a side hug while speaking. “Sis, we don’t feel like you betrayed us. But we just got you back.”
Celestia nodded. “We don’t want to lose you… not again.”
Val turned to the door gripping the knob tightly. “Then maybe this has to be goodbye. I don’t want it—but maybe that’s what it needs to be.”
Val pulled the door open and left.
The last thing she heard was her mother sobbing.
Val couldn’t stop the tears from flowing as she walked.
The world around her felt cold, nothing like the warmth she just left.
Val continued walking, aimless as she put distance from her old home.
A sudden grumble from her stomach reminded her she hadn’t eaten breakfast yet.
Axeman’s Hall.
That was probably somewhere she could go for a good breakfast that wouldn’t break her bank.
She pulled out her coin pouch.
“I have eleven tacks, seven marks, and three crowns,” she muttered.
Val had some coin left over from what her parents gave her. Then there was the coin she just made from her first delve.
“God I hope it’s enough…”
Val found a small table to the side, taking a seat.
“Well I’ll be.”
Val looked over to see Myra walking over.
“Hard to forget a haircut like that, among other things,” she said, winking.
“Morning, Myra.”
Myra’s expression softened. “What’s wrong, hun?”
Val took a deep breath. “Honestly… a lot.”
Myra pulled the chair out across from Val and took a seat. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Val shook her head.
If she started hashing out what happened last night then she’d break down all over again. The last thing she wanted to risk doing was unloading her emotional baggage on someone else right now.
“Honestly, right now I could use some breakfast.”
Myra smiled and stood. “That, I can do. On the house, no arguing.”
Val furrowed her brow, but then relented smiling. “Thanks, Myra.”
Breakfast was eggs, some toast, and a variety of small meats.
Val practically devoured it while Myra spent some time talking to her.
“So you need somewhere to stay, huh?”
Val nodded, taking a sip of juice.
“If I had an extra room, I’d offer in a heartbeat, but I’m not that lucky.”
There was a small hint of flirting, but only enough to lighten the mood.
“So what’s the plan now, then? Do you have enough to get a place on your own?”
Val shrugged. “I don’t know. Right now we are trying to find another party member before we continue delving. Until then, I’ve got no income—so I need to make this last.”
Myra leaned back in her chair. “Why not ask around the guild? I’d be willing to bet you’d be able to find someone there who is in a similar situation as you?”
Val weighed her options.
Finding another adventurer to room with could work. If they didn’t mesh well, then she could move out again when she had a more stable income.
“I guess that could work… I just don’t want to get stuck with someone who’s a nightmare.”
Myra chuckled. “It’s either that, or be homeless.”
Val finished her meal and thanked Myra. She ended up being pulled into a hug by the thicker woman but relented.
Now it was time to find a roommate, if there was anyone looking.
While walking to the guild Val replayed much of last night and this morning through her head. Even now, Val wasn’t sure leaving was the right choice.
Val slapped her cheeks.
“Alright, focus dumbass. We need a place to stay,” she mumbled.
The guildhall was just as busy as before.
“I see you finally got a badge.”
It was the same guard from before, finally back on duty at the front gate.
“Yep, told you I would,” she said, glaring at him.
“Word going around is the dungeon isn’t a fan of you, though,” he said, grinning.
Val just shrugged. “Not everyone can be as polarizing as myself, guess you’ll need to get used to hearing my name from now on.”
She didn’t care to give him a chance to reply, so she just kept walking toward the front door.
It wasn’t easy putting on such a brave face given all the things that happened recently.
Val entered through those same doors into the crowd that awaited inside.
“Gods, is it always this damn crowded?” she muttered.
A few people noticed her, some gazing a second longer than others.
Val didn’t care what they thought about her, or her party.
She started walking through the lobby, making her way to the post board.
What are the chances someone is already interested?
They had all agreed to visit the guildhall throughout the day to check if anyone wanted to join their group. Val would visit in the morning, Lucia in the afternoon, and Mina and Amarisse would visit in the evening.
“No such luck,” she muttered.
Their posting was still there, but no one had marked their name.
The table they mentioned in their posting was also empty.
Val started walking around the room, just taking in the atmosphere and the looks she was getting.
“What do you mean you gave my room away?!"
Val turned her head toward the yelling.
“I was only gone for three days! I thought you’d hold it until I got back!”
“I—I’m sorry miss, but we can’t hold rooms without payment first,” the receptionist replied.
“No one told me that! I can’t afford a room outside of the guild!”
The woman yelling was almost as tall as Val. Her purple hair was bound in a braid so long it nearly brushed her ankles. The robe she had on was kept secure by leather straps.
Val could only see her back right now, but one thing stood out immediately. On the girl’s right hip was a thick tome.
It could be something as simple as a book used to write in, but considering where she was? Unlikely.
“I’m sorry miss, but there’s nothing I can do. Maybe you can find someone else to room with?”
The girl scoffed and turned away from the receptionist. “Thanks for fucking nothing.”
Now she could finally see her face.
It had been a while since Val had seen someone so attractive it made her stop all thoughts.
“What the fuck are you staring at?”
Val barely registered that she was the one being asked that. “Oh uh, sorry. I just overheard your argument.”
Not the smoothest of recoveries, but it worked.
“Yeah? Why? You got something to say about it?”
Val liked this girl, a lot.
“Funny. I’m kinda in the same boat,” Val said. “Nowhere to live at the moment, and not enough to rent on my own.”
The girl’s demeanor relaxed, but only slightly. “You don’t say?”
Silence filled the air between them for a handful of seconds.
“Why don’t we chat then?” the girl finally asked. “Maybe we could room together, at least for a little while.”
Val smiled. “You read my mind.”
Together, they found a somewhat secluded table to sit at.
Neither of them spoke for a handful of seconds, as if daring the other to start.
“Did you bring me over here just to stare at my face?” the girl asked.
Val smirked.
Too easy.
“Hey, it’s a face worth admiring.”
The girl immediately blushed, but recovered well enough. “Well with a haircut like that, it’d be hard to ignore you just the same.”
She has bite, I like it.
“Anyways, I’m Elza.”
Val extended her hand. “Valnarei, but you can call me Val.”
The girl hesitantly shook her hand.
“So, you need somewhere to stay, the same as me?” Val asked.
The girl sighed and rolled her eyes. “Great deduction there. Yes, I need a place to stay because the guild didn’t hold my room for me.”
Val looked over at the receptionist helping someone else. “You said you were gone for three days. Were you in the dungeon?”
The girl laughed, shaking her head. “Gods, no. I’m only level two, I couldn’t survive down there for three days.”
Val’s eyes widened.
Only level two? Maybe…
“What kind of place were you wanting to get?” Elza asked.
Val thought about it for a second. “Honestly, as long as it has the runes and plumbing, I don’t really care.”
Elza smirked. “Fancy. I honestly just want a roof over my head. The runes and plumbing are extra, if it doesn’t empty my pouch.”
Val didn’t know what kind of price range places like that would run her. “How much is a room here? And how much would somewhere in the city run us?”
Elza leaned on her elbows, grinning. “You’ve never lived on your own, have you?”
Val immediately furrowed her brow. “No, but I still need to know what I’m working with.”
Elza didn’t like how Val breezed past that bit, but relented. “A night here is five tacks, much cheaper than anywhere else. It’s only for adventurers though.”
She motioned toward the city around them. “Out there? For what the guild rooms offer? Depends. If we do it by night, more expensive, but if we can rent for a week at a time? Or a month? Cuts the cost down.”
Val sighed. “You still didn’t tell me how much.”
Elza chuckled. “Anything similar to the guild will be one mark a night, minimum. For a week? Probably around five marks. For a month? I’d say in the twenty mark range, maybe a whole crown. Hard to tell.”
Val did some math in her head. “So if we found a place for five marks a week, we’d each pay two marks and five tacks, right?”
Elza nodded. “But that’s a decent price and even includes everything you wanted. It also depends on how many rooms we want.”
Val waved her hand. “Honestly, I’d sleep on the floor or couch if it meant sticking to that price or less.”
Elza tilted her head. “Really? You’d sleep like that, just to save some coin?”
“You don’t seem like the type to rough it that much,” she said, raising an eyebrow.
Val nodded. “I’m tight until we find another member for our party.”
Elza sat up straight, a big grin forming.
“What kind of member are you looking for?”