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Gold and Silver
"Hey, Summoner, you're still awake?"
It seemed like my head had been pulled from underwater. I'd been so immersed in my thoughts, running over a list of tasks to do, that Prince Alfonse's voice startled me. I turned around to see him. "Look at you, prince. You're not one to talk. You're up too!"
"Not for long. I'm heading to my room now to sleep." He glanced at the hallway that we were both about to enter. Then he shifted his quizzical expression to me. I could guess easily what was on his mind. This was not the way to my own room.
"Still have work to do," I murmured, answering his unspoken question.
"Even at this late hour? You're going to exhaust yourself, Kiran. This isn't good."
"No, don't worry about me! I know how to take care of myself," I said, hoping he'd drop the subject at once. Practically all of the Heroes were constantly pestering me to rest often and avoid working too hard. Their concern touched me, but also, it could get in the way of getting things done. "Um, since we're both going this direction, I guess we'll walk together for a bit."
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then apparently changed his mind. He simply nodded.
We started down the long, dimly-lit hallway. This late at night, there was nobody else passing by. No sounds, either, except for our own soft footsteps. I wasn't expecting conversation. We'd known each other long enough that we could comfortably remain silent around each other. But, after just a few steps, Alfonse showed that he did want to speak tonight.
"Actually, this is a good moment," he said. "You see, Kiran, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about for a very long time. I kept delaying it, but I've finally had enough of my own hesitation. I need to just tell you already."
Fear and worry gripped me. "What is it?"
He took a deep breath. "It's been nearly five years since you arrived to this kingdom. I must say, when we brought you here, I never imagined we would need you for so long. This situation is incredible! As soon as Askr closes one conflict, a new one begins." He stopped walking, causing me to stop in place as well. I watched the distress grow on his face as he talked. "Whenever we face another challenge, I'm filled with gratitude for your strategic talents and summoning ability. I am so glad to have you here. But I . . . I'm also filled with guilt. How can I keep facing you, day after day? How can I keep asking for your help, while knowing that we took you from your home and we're preventing you from going back?"
When he began talking, he sounded calm, but emotion swiftly overwhelmed him. Surely, it embarrassed him to be seen in this state. He turned away from me and put his head in his hand.
Unsure of what to do, I didn't think and only followed my instincts. I stepped closer to him, to rest my hand on his shoulder. He looked up and met my eyes.
"Alfonse, I don't resent a single moment that I spent here. It pleases me to serve Askr. Genuinely." Doubt still clouded his expression, so I kept going. "Helping Askr get through its battles has been the most stressful, harrowing experience of my life - but also the most rewarding. This cause is dear to my heart, in a way that nothing else ever has been. And . . ." For a few seconds, hesitation caused me to stumble over my words, but I pushed through. "And I don't want to talk much about what my life was like in my own world, but - but I can tell you, I never had such true friends like these before. You and Sharena and Anna and all of the other Heroes. The bonds I've formed here are more precious than any gold and silver."
He released a long sigh. After several moments, he gently pushed my hand off his shoulder. It was a quiet indication that he felt composed and no longer needed it.
"In all honesty, I expected you to react like this," Alfonse remarked. "I told myself I wouldn't let you excuse me. Even if you say it's unnecessary, I still wish to find a way to make up for all the trouble we've caused you."
I shook my head, dismissing the idea. My own burdens weighed lightly compared to the Heroes, who risked themselves on the battlefield. But, even as I thought about this, I noticed the waves of drowsiness swimming through my head. That list of tasks I pondered earlier . . . could I perhaps take my friend's advice and delay most of them after all? Oh, it felt too embarrassing to admit this aloud, but I truly looked forward to the day when these late nights would become unneeded.
"Kiran?" the prince said, puzzled by my long silence.
"Tell you what, Alfonse. Don't think about this right now. Wait until later. For the time being, we have to focus on the battles ahead. But in the future, when all this fighting is over – and we must believe that it will be over someday – then we can plan for having the Order of Heroes throw me the biggest party Askr has ever seen. How about that?"
Despite everything, his lips quirked, almost smiling. "The biggest ever? I must study the historical records to ensure that we are not outdone by any of those past celebrations."
"Yeah, that's the spirit! Oh man, I already know I'll eat too much at the party, but I can't wait to do it."
We had only a brief stroll left until he reached his room and I left him. But, during those few short minutes before we parted ways, we discussed the party. Silly, mundane details such as the color of streamers and the flavors of cake. As we talked, this vision became real to me. And I felt certain that the Askran prince saw the same thing. We currently lived in a world of constant fighting, but we could both picture a future where the bloodshed had finally stopped and the days were filled with only peace and light.