“Not today, I’m really tired,” Frid responded.
I moved away, giving them some privacy. My eyes landed on the windows of the small shops and moved over to a curious looking poster. I took a step closer, making sure Frid and Erin were still talking. It was a detailed drawing of a land called Talman. I was in the city of Riolle which was surrounded by wastelands. Another city was further to the north. The capital and a cluster of smaller settlements were down in the south. Further to the east were the sacred dragon lands. The area behind the borders of Talman was marked as The Fall. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure out the best way to get there. I did not know what The Fall was, but I had to figure it out. Only then did I manage to see the writing that decorated the empty spaces around The Fall and the empty spaces to the west. The writing said,“You may die,”while the same writing on another part of the map said,“No return.”
I pursed my lips, looking away. Frid would not be happy when she learned that I had escaped after everything she has done for me. But, I will not go back to prison to save someone else’s feelings.
Worried that I would appear too suspicious, I turned back to Frid. Erin was still trying to convince her to get drinks with him. But Frid would not budge, and slowly we walked back to the tavern.
CHAPTER NINE
TYNAN
Much later that night, Erin returned, unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol.
“Ty, my man. Why aren’t you sleeping?” He stumbled through the door.
I shook my head and returned to my book. I was reclined on my bed, still unable to sleep.
“Why are you constantly reading?” Erin continued, walking to the side table and pouring himself a glass of water.
“Does it bother you?” I asked, turning the page.
“You need to get out more,” the drunk man commented. I ignored him. “You can’t still be in love with Gabrielle.” Erin sighed, stretching out on top of the covers, fully dressed.
“Why are you so concerned with my love life?” I asked.
“You need to live a little. We walk on the edge between life and death every day. Doing something... I don’t know, man... unthinkable. We’re heroes.” He hiccuped.
“Sure.”
“There are plenty of girls that find men like us irresistible.” He snorted. I could not help the thin smile stretching my lips. “And Gabrielle, she doesn’t know what she’s missing,” he continued.
I sighed, returning to my book.
“Hey, can you wake me up before dawn? I have a long flight ahead of me.” Erin mumbled as his head hit the pillow, then he passed out.
I got up and walked to the window. Everything was quiet outside. Too quiet.
The next morning I touched Erin’s shoulder but he did not wake up.
“Erin!” I shook his arm with no effect.
I moved to the side table and grabbed the pitcher. Then I poured the cold water right over his face.
“What? What the hell?” the muffled voice struggled to come up with words.
“Rise and shine.”
He sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Why did you do that?” he asked.
“You need to report to the capital.”
Shortly after Erin was finally gone, I strolled down to the first floor to get some breakfast. The tavern was half empty, people were still sleeping after staying late last night. I enjoyed the early morning hours when there was no one around me. The blond girl behind the counter looked disheveled and could not seem to stop yawning. I ordered coffee and steak and eggs before Sol appeared next to the table.
“Did Erin leave?” he asked, not wasting any time on greetings.
“Yeah.” I took a sip of my steaming hot coffee.
