Chapter 27 – Brotherhood (William)
William sat near the window of his cabin on the PS Volcanion, watching the countryside as the ship flowed downriver. Beyond were rolling hills, sprawling orchards, the occasional homestead, and his own reflection in the veil of glass. It had been about two days since he and the team departed Caldera. After their encounter with Bisharp, riding the steamboat through Tuesday night and all of Wednesday was a welcome respite.
Even though the boat ride rejuvenated him, William couldn't fully relax, knowing how close they were to their destination. They had already encountered one Eidolon. Who could say what the rest of them were capable of?
Knock knock.
The knocking on the door was a welcome distraction. William left the window to go answer whoever was waiting for him. He opened it, and Andrew stood in the hallway.
"Hi Will," the Axew greeted. "How are you?"
"I'm okay, all things considered," William said. "And you?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Andrew stepped into the cabin, glancing out the window. "It sure is pretty out there, huh?"
"Definitely," William agreed. The two approached the window, watching the rolling landscape together. The sun hung low in the sky as evening approached, shading the hills and homesteads in an amber glow.
"We've been on the move so much," William said, "we haven't had much time to appreciate it."
"Maybe we can on the way back," Andrew proposed.
William nodded. "I hope we can. I assume you're here to tell me we're almost at our stop?"
"Yeah. Ship's gonna arrive just outside of Harvest soon. They're gonna drop us off, then turn around to go back up the river."
The two stood in place for a while, enjoying the sight and each other's company. From the window they spotted a large pumpkin patch, forming a little labyrinth of vines. Down in the river, small fish darted and chased each other through the water. A part of William wanted to just stay on the ship, to simply cruise around Chronovania and enjoy the scenery with his friends.
But one of those friends needed to be rescued first.
Soon a small village came into view, beyond the riverbank. Tilled farmland and acorn-shaped houses hinted at the rustic town of Harvest, just around the bend.
"Are you nervous?" Andrew asked.
"Yes," William answered.
"Me too."
The two stepped closer to each other, hanging on to the moment. Apprehension loomed over them as they anticipated the challenges ahead. The Eidolons and their Mystery Dungeon were largely unknown. There was no telling what perils waited for them. Despite that, they still held the comfort of their teammates, knowing that they were united around a common enemy, rather than fighting each other.
There had been friction among them during their trip, a prime example being the team being at odds with Leon when they left to investigate and fix the aqueduct in Amber Heights. But William hoped that, by now, such disagreements were water under the bridge. Or over the aqueduct, in that case.
"…We better regroup with the others," Andrew said.
William took one last look out the window. In the sky, a flock of birds flew a V-formation, bound for the south. "I'm right behind you," he said, then picked up his club. The geometric shapes etched on the bludgeon caught his attention once more. Circle, square, triangle… Though he had no clues to their meaning, the sense of wonder they instilled hadn't dulled.
Finally, he followed Andrew out of the cabin.
They made their way to the deck, where Leon, Corvo, Chase, and Enzo had already gathered. The ship approached the riverbank, slowing to a stop. As it did, the ship's crew prepared a bridge for the passengers to disembark.
"Here we are!" Chase announced. "Harvest!"
"It's about time," Corvo said, folding his arms.
"You're telling me," Leon remarked. "The last stop before we reach Silver Shore. This place looks sleepier than Bethany, back home."
Close up, Harvest seemed less like a structured town and more like a loose collection of acorn-shaped houses on the edge of the wilderness. Instead of roads, houses were connected by loose dirt paths, formed by years of walking.
"After these past few days," William said, "'sleepy' is a welcome change."
"Speaking of which," Andrew pointed downstream. "There's a place we can stay for the night. The Bibarel Lodge."
From a distance, the inn stood out from Harvest's usual architecture, ironically by looking closer to a regular building. It was a box-shaped log structure, with two floors, a porch with rocking chairs, and a shingled roof.
"Looks cozy," Corvo said. "Hopefully no Eidolon ninjas are hidin' inside."
"Ninjas?" Leon repeated. "You got a secret rival, Corvo?"
"After all we been through? It wouldn't surprise me, brother."
William rested his club on his shoulder. It seemed that even Leon and Corvo were getting along. Or at the very least, they were tolerating each other.
A bellowing hiss sounded off as the ship's pipes expelled hot steam out of its top. Then there was a quiet thunk as the bridge connected the ship to the land, and some of the passengers got off the boat.
Enzo took a step toward the ramp. "Let's stretch our legs," he said.
The team promptly followed him down the ramp, back onto dry land.
The Bibarel Lodge opened into a main lobby with a tall ceiling, and a central fire pit illuminating the space. Near the entrance was a check-in counter, where a Bibarel welcomed the team into their lodge.
"Hello, hello!" She greeted with the same enthusiasm as a grandmother seeing her grandchildren. "Are you here to spend the night, dears?"
"We are," William nodded.
"Wonderful. Carlos!" She called upstairs. "We have guests!"
"Comin' down, Maria," answered a male Bibarel. Above was a balcony encompassing the entire second floor, connected to the first floor by a pair of stairs toward the back. From the right staircase, the Bibarel– Carlos– descended.
"Eh, six of ya?" he remarked. "Should have enough rooms, they're runnin' at twenty-five gold apiece tonight."
"We could make you dinner too, if you'd like," Maria added. "We'd just need another thirty."
William's teammates traded glances.
"A hot meal sounds really nice right now," Leon said. "But I dunno if we have enough money left. Getting rooms for six of us is already pushing it…"
"I've got some coins," Chase said. "But, not much."
"Spent most of mine on the boat," Enzo said. "Got twenty left."
William rubbed his shoulder. He could cover a room for himself and help the others, though paying for dinner would be another matter. And stealing food wasn't an option he was willing to entertain– not again.
Suddenly, Corvo walked toward the front counter, pulling a burlap sack from his pack. "Six rooms for us," he said. "Plus dinner. Keep the change."
Everyone turned to him, though none looked more surprised than Leon.
"Oh?" Maria pulled out Corvo's coins, counting them quickly. "That's twenty over. Are you sure, dear?"
Corvo nodded.
"Alright." The Bibarel gathered the coins, then called to her mate. "Carlos, a meal for six! Use the fresher garlic."
Carlos nodded. "Oh yeah, soup, toast, and taters, coming up." He walked toward the kitchen with a subtle bounce to his step, hinting at a modicum of excitement.
Meanwhile, Maria ducked beneath the counter. "Let's see, keys, keys, keys… Ah! Here they are. I'll show you to your rooms, dinner will be ready soon."
They were led upstairs, to the inn's modest bedrooms on either side of the balconies. They each received a private room with a cozy bed and night table. William set his belongings on his night table, save for his club, which he kept at his side. He then returned to the lobby, walking back down the stairs to the fire pit.
The hostess tended to the fire, adding new logs that kindled the flames, forming a pyramid of firewood. William relaxed into one of the woven chairs, basking in the warmth. Over the next few minutes, his teammates returned from upstairs to join him. Andrew, Chase, Enzo, Corvo, and finally Leon, all claimed seats around the fire pit.
William remained silent as they gathered around. No one else spoke, either. Perhaps everyone was waiting for someone else to speak up, or no one had anything to say.
"Here we are," Carlos announced as he and Maria brought out their dinner. All six of them received a glass of water, a bowl of tomato soup, a large slice of garlic toast, and baked potatoes stuffed with sour cream, cheese, chives, and bacon. Each meal came with a small, folding table to set it upon.
"I hope you all enjoy," Maria said. "Carlos and I will take a walk soon, so we'll leave you be."
"Just don't break anything while we're gone," Carlos added. "M'kay?"
"We won't sir," Andrew replied. "Thank you."
"Not this time," Chase added with a chuckle.
These Bibarels must have been quite trusting, to vacate their inn while at least six guests were present. Perhaps it was natural for such a small settlement, where residents would be tight-knit. They likely had no idea of what perils the six of them would face, come the next day.
Nonetheless, William and the others began eating their meals while their hosts walked outside.
"Mmm!" Leon dipped his toast in the soup, then took a bite out of it. "This is delicious. Tastes a lot like ma's cooking, back home."
"Damn right," Corvo added, taking his own bite. "This is what a home-cooked meal oughta taste like."
Minutes passed and the team laid back, enjoying their meals. Some, like William, ate slowly to enjoy the flavor. Others, like Chase and Enzo, ate with a little more haste, either out of hunger or lack of sentiment. Across the fire pit, Leon's eyes reflected the flames.
"…You know," he spoke softly. "When I left Bethany with Jacob, I imagined the two of us going around like this. This past week we've seen so many places. If it weren't for the high-stakes, this whole trip would've been pretty fun."
"It still is pretty fun," Chase replied, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Except for that whole hostage situation," Andrew added.
"Yeah," Corvo agreed. "That's the one part I wouldn't do again."
Leon smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're all enjoying this. A week ago, I couldn't imagine doing something like this with anyone other than Jacob."
At those words, William sensed an echo of Leon's past self– the Totodile who had wanted to leave him back in the clinic. But that wasn't the same Totodile who sat across from him now. This was a friend who instilled a sense of camaraderie.
"We'll have Jacob back," William said.
Leon nodded. "Definitely. Though, there's something I haven't said enough lately." Leon took a deep breath, then exhaled. He turned to the Quilava. "Enzo, thanks for bailing us out in Caldera. Things could've ended really badly, but you didn't even flinch. I'm glad you came with us."
Enzo was midway through his baked potato. At Leon's words, his expression softened. "…So am I," he said, and set his food down. "I've been thinking. About some things."
William leaned closer to the fire pit. "What's on your mind?"
Enzo tapped his armchair with his paw, then glanced at Leon. "I was harsh when we met. To you, and Jacob. I was envious."
"Huh?" Leon scratched his head. "What makes you say that?"
"You two are close. I never had that. I have a sister." Enzo paused to take a drink. "…She was unkind."
"Oh," Leon said.
A quiet lingered, as the only sound in the room was crackling firewood.
"I fought for myself," Enzo continued, "because it was the only way. That's what I believed. But now I've fought for you guys."
"And you feel that there's a difference?" William asked. "Fighting for another, instead of only for oneself?"
Enzo nodded. "Yeah. I feel better." He turned to Leon again. "Sorry for when we met. And thanks for having me."
"Hey, apology accepted," Leon shrugged. "Everything you've done more than makes up for all that. Speaking of apologies…" He then turned to another mon in the room.
"Chase," he said, getting the Bulbasaur's attention. "I'm sorry for the way I acted, back in Amber Heights. I mean, I got so tunnel-visioned, trying to help Jacob. I didn't notice there were other mons to help right in front of me."
"Oh, it's all good!" Chase assured. "I'm glad we got to visit and help my neighbors!"
"You helped more than just them," Leon replied. "You got me out of the gutter."
William speculated that Leon was going around the room, thanking each of them individually. It continued as Leon then turned to Andrew.
"And without you, Andrew, we would've hit a dead end. If we wound up going to Rimehorn, not knowing about those collapsed tunnels…"
"I don't wanna think about that," Andrew shook his head. "Or what woulda happened if you guys went through the desert without me."
"And even before that," Leon shifted his attention to Corvo. "If it weren't for Corvo, we'd still be stuck in the guild."
"Heh," the Snivy chuckled. "Well when this is all wrapped-up, we can get into the jailbreakin' business. And hey, we're gonna get some practice tomorrow." He raised his glass. "Cheers."
Leon raised his glass as well. It was strange to think that, almost a week ago, he and Corvo had loathed each other, leaving William caught between them. Now, they seemed to respect each other enough to share an occasional joke. That was much better than William could've anticipated.
"Finally," Leon turned to William himself. "If Will hadn't stepped in, I would've ran off on my own. Not only that–" he gestured around the room. "But I wouldn't have been able to put a team together like this, not by myself."
"I still would've gone with you," Chase added.
"Jacob matters to us," William said. "And, even though we've had our differences with you, you also matter to us, Leon."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Huh. Differences…" Leon echoed, swirling his drink. "You know, it's funny you mention that. All those times we've split up, only to wind up working together again." He leaned his head on his hand, with his elbow propped on the chair. "It's almost like destiny, isn't it?"
William leaned back in his chair, pondering Leon's words. They had gone their separate ways almost immediately after meeting, then again the morning after that, in the clinic. After that, a rift had formed between them after the Wolfhaven Hunt, when Leon learned about him and Corvo stealing food from the pantry. And then they reunited again, for the sake of rescuing Jacob.
William had to admit, it was a curious phenomenon. Yet…
"I don't believe in destiny," he said. "But I can see the appeal."
All around him, everyone formed thoughtful expressions. Perhaps his take on the concept of destiny evoked some new thoughts?
"That's a fair point," Andrew said. "It's cozy, thinkin' that there's some plan for all of us. But it's our choices that lead us to wherever we're going." He sheepishly scratched his head. "I-if that makes sense…?"
"That reminds me of something," Leon began. "I've been trying not to think about it, but… There's a chance that, after all this, we might be kicked out of the guild." He averted his eyes and tapped his fingers together. "If that happens, well, I'm wondering. Do you guys have any backup plans?"
The room fell quiet again. William had avoided thinking about that eventuality, too. Seeing how the others looked, no one else did, either.
"I mean, I'm not in the guild," Andrew said. "And as much as I'd like to, I don't think I can let all of ya stay at my place longer than one night."
"Well," Corvo began, "I'm no stranger to wanderin' the lonely road. I reckon that I'd go back to that. Although…" He scratched his yellow collar. "If any of ya wanted to watch my back, I wouldn't mind returnin' the favor."
"Really?" Leon replied. "I thought you'd prefer being alone, Corvo. Why the change of heart?"
There was an edge to Leon's voice, as if he doubted Corvo's intentions. They were joking just a minute ago, yet Leon was suddenly guarded. Once again it seemed that his old-self had resurfaced.
"I've been with ya this whole time, haven't I?" Corvo countered. "Is it really that hard to believe that I've come to like havin' a crew?"
Leon stared into his drink, as if he were trying to avoid eye contact. "Maybe not," he said quietly. "You have been helpful, can't argue that. But still, it's no secret who you are, and what you do." He glanced up again, meeting Corvo's gaze. "I can't tell if you're really here for us, or… If you're staying cuz it's convenient for you. To look out for yourself."
At those words, a subtle shock appeared on Corvo's face for a fleeting moment. Any trace of good spirit left in the room had vanished– Andrew, Chase, and Enzo had all glanced between the Totodile and the Snivy, sensing their tension.
Corvo set his food aside, staring Leon down. "…Okay, you know what? Yeah, I look out for myself. You know why?" He stood up from his chair. "Cuz for the longest time, the only one on my side was me. No one to feed me, no one to watch my back, except me."
His wrist flicked, and his silver coin appeared in his hand. "Hell, I've hardly ever had any honest talks, 'cept with my own reflection." He set his eyes on the silver, then promptly set it aside. "Now I've got other folks, don't gotta sleep with one eye open. And when I talk, I hear someone else talkin' back to me. Might not always be nice to hear, but it's still somethin'."
Finally, Corvo took a step toward Leon. The only thing between them were the crackling, indifferent flames of the fire pit. "That might not sound like much to you. After all, you've always had Jacob to talk to. But to a loner like me?"
The Snivy's words lingered in the air, crackling alongside the firewood. Whether it was his words or the mention of Jacob, something shifted in Leon's expression. His jaw hung open, as if he wanted to retort, but couldn't.
Corvo turned around and settled back into his seat. "So yeah, not wantin' to be alone for once is 'convenient,'" he concluded, his tone dripping with disdain.
William, too, was stunned silent. Two of his friends were at odds once again. Corvo had made his points clear– he was upset that he still wasn't trusted, despite his sacrifices. It was a particular sting that William was familiar with. Leon had his reasons for distrusting Corvo, even though they weren't all that clear to him.
All eyes fell on Leon as the team expected a reply out of him. His gaze shifted down, and his eyes reflected the fire.
"I know what it's like to be alone," he said quietly, yet clearly. "And I didn't always have Jacob, either. When I did, everything felt alright in the world. We had our disagreements, but they were nothing too bad. Until they were."
Leon blew out a sigh. "First he avoided me for a whole week. Like he wanted nothing to do with me. Then before I knew it, he was taken away. My best friend. My only friend. Gone." He closed his eyes, shaking his head. "It's not the first time I've been without a sibling. It doesn't get any easier."
The quiet returned. Leon's answer didn't reveal much about why he distrusted Corvo. Yet, there was one detail that stood out to William. In his last sentence, Leon didn't specifically say "Jacob" or "my brother." His word choice was deliberately different. A question loomed on William's mind as he gathered his own words.
"So ya know where I'm comin' from," Corvo replied. "Once ya had a taste o' teamwork, goin' solo ain't so appetizing anymore. Why's it so wrong that I'd want that?"
Leon rested his head in his hand. "It's…"
"Excuse me, Leon?" William spoke up, siphoning everyone's attention to him. "I can't help but notice your word choice. You said it's not the first time you've been without a 'sibling.' Not Jacob, specifically."
Leon visibly tensed up, as if he had been caught out in the open.
"I have to ask," William spoke carefully. "Is there… someone else in this picture?"
Something flashed in Leon's eyes, hinting at an emotion stirring within him. He looked away, avoiding all the staring eyes around him.
"Are you okay, Leon?" Chase asked.
The others leaned in, silently asking the same question.
"…Well," Leon spoke quietly. "I didn't know how to bring it up. Wasn't even sure if I should. But… I might as well tell you guys. About him."
"About… who?" Andrew asked, sounding afraid.
Slowly, Leon brought his head back up. "About my brother. My other one." He shivered.
A collective stun washed over the group. All remained quiet, waiting for him to explain.
"I came close to mentioning him… A few times this week." Leon closed his eyes.
"A long time ago, my mom and dad had another egg after me. I was just two when he hatched. His name was Dave."
Leon had a biological brother. And this whole time, he had never mentioned him– not even once? An obvious question lingered on William's mind, one that he imagined everyone else also had: Dave's whereabouts. Yet perhaps Leon was about to get to that.
"He was my best friend growing up," Leon went on, opening his eyes. "We did everything together, but I hardly remember it. Cuz the one thing I remember is the time we played in the stream. I was seven. Dave was only five."
He sounded detached, as if he wasn't entirely in the present anymore.
"We were splashing around. I was trying to teach him how to use Water Gun. He kept coughing. I thought he was having trouble making water. He said his head felt heavy. Then he just… "
Leon's arms dropped to his side.
"Fell down. Facefirst in the stream. I picked him up, ran him inside. Mom and dad ran down the street, to the doctor's house. I felt… like I didn't know how to feel. He was just sick, right? He'd get back to normal, wouldn't he?"
Leon tilted his head back, fidgeting with his thumbs.
"He didn't. Even after I came home, I didn't sleep. I just stayed up at night, telling myself he'd be okay. We kept visiting him every day that week. Each time there was… less of him. Less light in his eyes. Less skin on his bones. Less smile on his face."
William tightened the grip on his chair, catching a wave of second-hand grief. All around him, the others were similarly tense and rigid, giving Leon their full attention.
"Mom and Dad sounded like they had given up. I didn't. I was willing to do anything for Dave… Anything."
He lowered his head, resting it in his hands.
"I went all around town, looking for help. No one knew what to do. No one, except… this wanderer I found. He was a Golduck. Called himself, 'Mercer.' I met him on the edge of town. He noticed I wasn't feeling good, asked me what was wrong. I told him everything. About Dave, how he was sick, how no one could help. Mercer… kept asking questions about him. And me. Like what games we played, what food we liked. He sounded like he… actually cared."
Leon took a deep breath. In. Then out.
"He told me that he was a traveling doctor. That he went from town to town, selling medicine to support his family. Said he had a wife, and two daughters. And he said that he had something that could cure Dave. He offered it for two-hundred gold. I didn't have the money, but… Mom and Dad did."
He shut his eyes once again.
"I was desperate. Couldn't think straight. I ran home– as fast as I could. Mom and Dad weren't home. So I just… stole the money. From their room. Then I ran back to Mercer, traded him, and ran back across town, to the doctor's house. I felt like I was on fire. It didn't matter. I had to do it. For Dave."
Leon's hands clenched, as did his eyes.
"Dave was laying in bed, barely awake. 'Dave,' I said. 'Wake up, it's Leon!' I gave him Mercer's medicine. 'Hang on, this will make you all better. Just open your mouth.'"
The Totodile drew a shaky breath. His cheeks glistened as two wet streaks slid down them.
"It didn't work. I didn't realize it until it was too late. Mercer wasn't a doctor. He was a swindler. He saw I was scared, and desperate. He acted like he cared, got me to trust him. Just so he could take my trust and…!"
Leon doubled over, tears flowing freely. His breaths were shallow and fast. When he spoke again, his voice cracked.
"I… d-didn't even get tell Dave… 'goodbye.'"
Leon's last sentence rang. The only other sounds were the crackling logs, and Leon's quiet cries.
"Arceus…" Andrew breathed. He hopped off his chair and approached. "Leon… I'm so, so sorry."
Chase, too, left his chair, and stood on his hind legs, patting Leon on the back. "We're here for you," he reminded.
Enzo bowed his head. Even his normally adamant expression now bore genuine sorrow.
William rested his hands on his legs, drinking in Leon's story and his sorrow. With it came an abundance of clarity. All of this explained why Leon had been slow to trust. Why he had been so protective of Jacob. Why he was so determined to save his brother himself, without delay.
"I understand," William said solemnly. "This pain is not new to you. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No, don't be sorry," Leon said quietly. "It's not like you would've known…" He sniffed, slowly composing himself.
William glanced at Corvo, who had remained quiet. He looked somber, yet also pensive, as if he were still processing Leon's story. The seconds stretched out, then he finally spoke.
"I remind you of him."
Though quiet, Corvo's voice cut across the fire pit like night wind.
Leon met his gaze. He wiped away another tear. "…Have… have you ever lost anyone, Corvo?"
"…No," Corvo replied, lowering his head. "I never knew my own folks, been on my own as long as I can remember. Dunno if they're alive, or care that I exist." He shrugged, shaking his head. "I've never had anyone to lose. And… at this rate," he sighed. "I'll never have anyone to lose."
The air was heavy, as if everyone in the room shouldered the same invisible weight. The quiet gave William space to hear his own thoughts.
All the talk of family and loss reminded him that he hadn't considered the topic in a long time. Who were his relatives? Would he someday meet them? All this time, he had few chances to pursue any leads. Would any answers come soon? One thing was apparent– before he could address his own problems, he'd need to address the group's problems first.
Corvo rose from his chair and stretched.
"I'm gonna get some fresh air," he said.
The others regarded him, but offered no words. Corvo walked to the door, closing it softly behind him.
"…I don't know what to say," Andrew uttered.
"Maybe no one does," Enzo said.
"This is a shock to me, too," said Chase. "But if you guys need somebody to listen, I will."
"Thanks, Chase," Leon replied.
"Do you wanna tell us more about Dave?"
"…Well, I'm not sure, but…"
William left his seat as well. The others would console Leon. Now he needed to do the same for Corvo. So, he too walked to the lodge's front door.
The sky above Harvest was teal, fading to tangerine towards the west, and painted with fuchsia and violet clouds. The villagers left their fields vacant, save for those who spread textile sheets over their farmland, preparing for frost. Most had retreated to their homes for the evening, their windows lambent with candlelight.
Chilly autumn air breezed through, coaxing warmth out of William as soon as he closed the door. He shivered, acclimating to the new temperature. On either side of the porch were the same woven-chairs from earlier, though like before, they were left vacant.
Corvo must have ventured out further, which begged a question.
"If I were Corvo," William thought, "where would I go?"
So he walked down the porch stairs, stepping onto cool, plush grass. In the distance he spotted Volbeat and Illumise hovering over the river, their signal lights reflecting off the water, coloring the coming night. William turned left, wandering around the log-woven building. On the left side he spotted a pile of disused crates and barrels. Just above the stack of wood was the porch roof.
He mantled onto the crates, then jumped as he swung his notched club.
Clack!
As he pulled himself up, Corvo came into view. The Snivy sat upon the tiled roof, in front of a window. His head was bowed and he stared into his silver coin, making no attempt to mask his emotions.
"I thought I'd find you up here," William said.
Corvo snapped his attention to him, looking startled. But upon seeing William, he relaxed.
"May I join you?" William asked.
"I guess so," Corvo answered.
William walked across the slightly-slanted terrain, settling himself beside Corvo, in front of a dark window.
"So, why come up here?" William asked. "Why not take a seat on the porch?"
"I've always felt more comfortable on rooftops," Corvo shared. "Like everything's safer up here."
"As long as you're not afraid of heights, I suppose."
"Heh, true…" He cast a concerned look at William. "You're not afraid of heights, are ya?"
William thought back to when that Staraptor tried to fly away with him, then dropped him to the ground. Compared to that, sitting on a rooftop was nothing. "No," he answered.
The sun had dipped more than halfway past the western horizon. Early stars began to appear, dotting the coming night sky. Though it was peaceful, William was still processing what Leon had shared with them. If there was a rift between Leon and Corvo, would it compromise the team?
"So, do you have any thoughts on this?" William asked. "About what Leon said?"
Corvo shrugged. "What's there to think? His little brother bit the dust, some con cashed in on it, and he hates my guts cuz I'm just like that Golduck." He turned his head away.
"Maybe in some ways," William said. "But this past week, you've been a steadfast ally to all of us. And I hope you feel the same way about us, too."
"I'm used to travelin' alone," Corvo said. "Goin' with you guys has been, well, different. It's like there's more weight, but I don't gotta carry it all on my own. It's nice havin' folks to watch my back, but… Some of the looks I get ain't too friendly. Like they're expectin' me to backstab 'em over a gold coin."
It sounded like Leon's revelation had shaken Corvo, and unearthed some hidden vulnerabilities. Maybe Corvo did want to stay with the team, but hesitated because he felt as though he wasn't trusted. William knew from experience that Leon's trust, in particular, was difficult to earn and hold. And given Corvo's reputation, it would be especially difficult for him.
But not impossible.
"I don't believe you've done anything as heinous as that Mercer character," William said. "Have you?"
Corvo stared down at his silver coin, as if he was sorting through his memories. "Maybe I have. Back when Andrew came to Wolfhaven, lookin' for medicine. I held 'em up. Remember that?"
"I do," William replied. "That was the day we met. Ironically, it brought us all together."
"Sure, but…" Corvo curled up, holding his legs close. "It's just… I dunno. I thought he mighta been lyin', and I needed the money. Had nothin' to eat 'cept crumbs that past coupla days. But none o' that changes the facts. I did Andrew wrong, and coulda hurt his dad by holdin' him up." He expelled a deep sigh. "Maybe they're all right not to trust me."
William glanced down, wondering what the others may have been discussing back in the lobby. Most of them hadn't made a comment on Corvo, but did they all distrust him? Even if they had misgivings about him, they couldn't outright deny his usefulness to the team. But more importantly…
"I trust you," William said.
A light smirk flashed across Corvo's face, then vanished. There and gone like a shooting star. "You're always askin' questions. Well, I've got one for you, brother." He cocked his head toward William. "Why do ya trust me? This whole time you've known who I am, an' what I do. So why?"
If William was being honest, he wasn't entirely sure himself. Like with a number of things, his interest in Corvo seemed to stem from something deeper than surface-level thoughts. Though as the question was offered to him, he could rationalize a few reasons.
"We have quite a few things in common," he began. "Neither of us know our families. We've been shunned by others, and struggled to earn trust."
Corvo formed a thoughtful expression. "…Never thought of it that way." He shook his head. "It ain't fair to compare yourself to me, though."
"Why would you say that?"
"You're a good guy, Will," Corvo began, straightening his tail. "You're always steppin' up to help folks. Leon, Jacob, Andrew… Even me. You can hold your own in a fight, or talk folks down 'fore a fight breaks out. And me?" Corvo picked up some piece of debris and chucked it off the roof. "I'm just some guy who swindles folks just to feed himself. A street punk."
"No," William spoke clearly. "You're not."
Corvo's mouth twisted into a bitter line. "What makes you so sure?"
William took a breath, pausing to gather his words. He measured each one before stringing them together.
"Because despite all that you've done, despite all your doubts, you're still here. You could've chosen to not help us. You could've chosen to leave on your own. But you didn't. And it wasn't because you were offered a deal, or blackmailed into it." He met Corvo's eyes. "What do you think that says about you?"
At first, Corvo's expression hardly changed. He tilted his head back, setting his eyes skyward. "You really think it's that simple? That a few nice things undo all the not-so-nice things I've done?"
William glanced down at the grass below. "Maybe not. But, consider this." He tapped the bone club at his side. "My memory spans back only a few weeks. I began with nothing but this club at my side, and the helmet on my empty head. I've had to reclaim knowledge that most take for granted, and still have a ways to go. Not to mention, discovering my own past."
He lifted his head again, meeting Corvo's eyes. "What if I discover that, before my memory loss, I wasn't a good person? Would you think less of me? Should I stop trying, then?"
A long pause followed. Corvo's expression morphed as William's words sank in. At his side, he fidgeted his silver coin. "…No," Corvo answered. "You've already done lotsa good things. Stopping just cuz ya might've done something bad? That'd be stupid."
"That's exactly what I've been trying to tell you," William replied.
Corvo's eyes widened, and he ceased fidgeting. The quiet epiphany hung in the air, accompanied by a gentle breeze.
"You've gone from being a street punk to a rogue hero," William said. "You can learn from your past, Corvo. You don't have to live in it."
"Hmm." Corvo laid back on the roof, starlight gleaming on his eyes. "What makes you so sure, brother?"
William stared away from Corvo for a moment, drawing his attention toward the darkening fields as night fell over Harvest. He certainly put a lot of trust in Corvo. Was it merely because they shared similar struggles? Or was it something else, a deeply-held belief, unknown to William until now?
"The way I see it," he began, "everyone has the capacity for good in them, even if it doesn't show. I admit, even as I speak this aloud it sounds like a naive belief to hold. But I've put my trust in you. You've been cold-shouldered, and have even had reasons to not trust me. And yet, here we are." He turned again, facing Corvo. "Would that answer your question?"
Stillness settled around them. Corvo held his coin out, staring at his own reflection before speaking.
"I guess it does. Honestly, I'm not sure if I've got faith in me. But hey, it sure sounds like you got faith in me. And maybe that's enough." Corvo looked William in the eye. The waxing gibbous moon reflected on his maroon irises. "You know why I stayed with you guys? It's cuz you said, 'we may never see each other again.' This might sound kinda sappy, but… The idea of never seein' ya again didn't sit right with me."
William smiled and nodded. "I, too, hoped that it wouldn't be the last we saw of each other."
Corvo took another glance at his coin, then stowed it in his sidepack. "So, I think it's safe to say you've gotten to know me, brother. That's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"Indeed," William replied. Though in a way, he wasn't finished getting to know Corvo. He had merely encouraged Corvo to open up, and William believed that, as time went on, they would both get to know the Snivy's true self.
"There's one more thing I've gotta ask, William."
"Ask away."
"You said everyone has good in 'em. Well, do ya really mean everyone?"
Ding!
He flicked his wrist and his coin appeared again, like a magic trick.
"Even those Eidolons?"
He caught the silver as it fell.
If William's words had shocked Corvo, the Snivy just turned the table on him. All along he had been focused on keeping the team together, getting them closer to rescue Jacob, he spared little thought asking why the Eidolons had taken the Charmander. If someone like that Bisharp had any capacity for good, after all he had done. Now he wrestled with a question that had been lurking in the back of his mind, dormant until Corvo brought it out.
"…It's difficult to say," he began. "They've taken Jacob, trying to get to his pocket watch. Why they want it so desperately, I can only speculate. But in the end, what does it matter? Our goal is not to understand them, but to save Jacob."
"Huh. Kind of a cop-out answer," Corvo replied. "But fair enough. Don't think I could answer that either, in your spot."
"In any case, if they're as formidable as that Bisharp, then we'll need to be at our absolute best when we confront them. Not just in individual skill, but in our coordination."
Corvo nodded. "I can be a team player, brother. What I'm worried about is whether or not the others will trust me."
"And by 'the others,' you mean 'mostly Leon?'"
"Yeah… I know he's got his reasons. But when fire starts spreadin', I gotta know that he's got my back, and I've got his. How will I know if Leon is willin' to bury the hatchet?"
William felt some kind of strange sensation on the back of his neck. It was like an odd, subtle magnetism giving him a gentle tug. He turned, glancing into the window behind him and Corvo.
"…You can ask him yourself," William said.
"Say what?" Corvo, too, turned around to peer through the glass.
In the dark room laid a bed, chest, side-table, and something that moved slightly. William tapped on the window a few times. After a moment, that 'something' rose from beside the bed and approached the window. They extended an arm, colored blue in the moonlight, and pushed the window open.
"Hello, Leon," William greeted.
"How long have ya been standin' there?" Corvo asked.
Leon's head slumped. "…A while."
William couldn't tell how much time Leon meant by that, but he assumed it was long enough.
"Heh," Corvo chuckled. "And people say I'm sneaky."
"You know, Jacob had eavesdropped on us, too," William recalled.
"Yeah, I guess he got that from me," Leon scratched his neck. "There's a couple times that got us in trouble."
"You know what?" Corvo said. "You an' Jake can tell us all about those stories when we get 'em tomorrow. And we can tell 'em all we did to get to 'em."
"Sure," Leon agreed. "And you know what? I wouldn't mind hearing any stories you've got too, Corvo."
"Sounds good to me, brother." Corvo mirrored Leon's smile.
Any remaining tension in William melted away. Maybe things between Leon and Corvo would be alright, after all. They wouldn't become friends overnight, and there would likely be other challenges between them ahead. But they were willing to listen to each other, and that was a start.
"But before that," Leon went on. "If you've got time, Corvo, there's something I wanna talk to you about. Sometime before we leave."
"What is it?" Corvo asked.
"Hey Will! Corvo!"
Chase's voice sounded off down below, from the edge of the inn's porch. A moment later they heard Enzo, too.
"Can't be far. Why leave the porch?"
"Feh, why leave the lodge?" For a moment, it sounded like Chase's teeth chattered. "It's so cold out here!"
"Not really…?"
"Let's just find them so we can head back inside and go to sleep."
William nodded. "Chase has a point, we ought to get what rest while we can."
"Andrew's gone to bed, too," Leon mentioned. "You guys could just climb through this window, it'd be quicker."
"You go on ahead," William said. "I'll go get Enzo and Chase, let them know that we're fine."
He nodded. "Cool. I think I'll stay up a bit with Leon," he gestured to him in the window. "Is now a good time to talk?"
"Sure," Leon agreed. "I was kinda hoping you'd say that, actually."
"I'll see you guys soon." William approached the ledge as Corvo climbed through the window, Leon pulling the glass pane shut.
Down below Enzo and Chase wandered around, searching for him and Corvo. So he latched his club on the edge of the roof, hanging for a moment before dropping.
"Where'd you think they went?" Chase wondered. "Maybe gone to do a bit of shopping?"
"It's night," Enzo countered.
"Well some places are open at night! Maybe they went to go and get some hot chocolate or something."
Enzo shook his head.
"You don't think… maybe… the Eidolon guys took them?"
William, now standing behind Chase, formed a wide smile. "I'd hope not," he said.
"Gah!" Chase fumbled, flailing his paws in the air as he made a hasty about-face, turning toward William. "Huh, what, oh, Will! Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Apologies, I didn't intend to startle you, or make you worry about us."
"Corvo?" Enzo asked.
"He's safe, too. Just went inside for the night."
"Oh good! Happy to hear it– now let's go back inside!" Chase shivered. "It's freeeeezing out here!"
William nodded, and gestured to the door. Chase eagerly pranced his way back to the warm lodge. Though Enzo stopped beside him.
"So. You, Corvo, Leon. You guys good?"
William glanced up at the window to Leon's room. It was now lit, and he could make out their silhouettes, holding a conversation.
"We are."