Viktor

Gods, that was close. I know that I'll end up laughing about the situation later on, even though Odessa and especially Flik aren't going to find anything funny about my so-called thievery (it is not like the food was especially tasty – it was nowhere near as tasty as the food that Daisy used to make home). Besides, I just helped the McDohl boy escape from those lousy, dinner-ruining Imperials. I mean, I know those guys aren't the politest people around, but you'd think they would know to knock on the door, explain what they were doing, and then start with the threats and lewd commenting (considering that there was a lady in the party). Speaking of which, that lady…it was like she was trying to kill me with that stare. What was up with that? I helped them, and she is part of the "them", is she not?

Oh, well. I just need to lay low for a little while, and then –

"Excuse me." A shy young man's voice.

I turned around to see the McDohl kid, his stuttering servant, and the cold-eyed lady staring at me, although she looked a little scared this time. Of course, I knew exactly what they wanted. I'm not the smartest person in the world – I give that award to Annabelle – but using the information I had from Flik and Odessa, I knew that they were on the run from the Empire. I also knew that Odessa needed important people for our army – Humphrey was an outcast, Sanchez was a strange old man, and Flik was not smart enough to be a leader. The rest were simple citizens or brigands that, until now, would sooner have their ways with Odessa than listen to her speeches.

We now had a chance for someone to join us – and who better than this boy?

I managed something that even I did not think possible: I convinced them to allow me to help them in exchange for allowing me to lead them to Odessa. Of course, I never told them about Odessa – the lady would likely cut my throat at such a suggestion. She still seems to harbor some affection for her dear Empire, along with that man servant. I almost decide not to take the coin purse from the man servant – Gremio – but how else can I get us all out of the capital? Those Imperial fools are interested in only one thing – money. Well, money and women from the south. It was too easy. The lady – Cleo is her name – was especially unhappy about my thievery, but how else can we get to Lenankamp? I do not think the Imperials will let us borrow one of their gul-horses. Does she still have faith in the Imperial army? She sounds somewhat naïve. I daresay I do like that she is fiery.

I also have to admit that they are better warriors than I thought. We had no trouble getting rid of some of the monsters that dared to come in the way of the noble Viktor. After all, nobody can withstand the power of my Shiko sword! However, Cleo was able to burn down some of our would-be killers with that Fire rune of hers. I cannot – and do not wish to – wield magic. I would rather have speed and strength. Gremio and Tir were able to hold their own as well.

"Master Tir," I began, after watching him dispatch a bug, "you should use a sword."

"Why?"

"In battle, it would be easier to kill a man using a blade. Also…"

"Yes?"

"You look still like a weakling."

I knew what would happen even before it did, but I cannot help making fun when the opportunity presents itself. I will admit that having a cold, blood-stained blade put at your throat is NOT the way I pictured the next few minutes of my life – I expected harsh words from the lady and a stutter from Gremio. After that, I was hoping to get a laugh out while watching Tir scratch his head. Well, at least the very last part happened – the boy flushed a shade of tomato and scratched his funny hair. At least the gods granted me one thing. However:

"Uncouth men like you could not hope to even scratch the Young Master."

Uncouth? What does that—

"Do you understand?"

"Let me guess," I tried breathing out, "Master Tir would beat my arse to the ground with his staff?"

"Yes, he would," she began, "But Gremio – and especially I – would hack you to near death before you even had a chance to draw your sword. So either way, you would face humiliation. Would you like me to show you?"

"No, m-madam," I managed to squeeze out.

She surprisingly let me go after that – I had expected her to cut me a little, but she not only withdrew her blade but wiped off the monster blood that managed to stick to my throat. Huh?

We passed the rest of the trip in silence. At the gates at Lenankamp – the sight of which made me feel giddy again – I bid them farewell, showed them the inn, and snuck underground to see Odessa. For once, I actually had news.