The Little One at the Inn 🍂

           I can't explain precisely how it all began or how I ended up here. Maybe it was fate. But I believe it was bad luck. I would prefer not to be here under these circumstances that force me to remember daily the reason for walking these hallways. It's painful. I would be much happier if it were otherwise.

           Being among the Masters of Midgard is an honor – at least for most – where the finest in managing and combating threats gather. Eventually, I thought, I would join the Masters. My sister wouldn't leave me alone in Granmir, even if I had the potential to be one of the best in the City of Magic. One way or another, Samane would bring me here to keep me close and watch over me. That wouldn't be so bad... However, it happened differently.

           It was strange at first sight. The Masters weren't at their best. Everyone carried a dense, heavy tension, not just because of the war, but among themselves. I didn't want to get too involved with what was happening, being so new and inexperienced. The last thing I would want is to know about others' problems. Nonetheless, Lionel, the Master Arcane and practically a brother to Samane, welcomed me kindly. I had never seen him before, only through the accounts in Samane's letters during her training with Valkyrie Nenmez. Despite his kindness and his serious, tired look, I noticed a deep sadness whenever his eyes turned to me. I understood him.

           To my surprise, Lionel already knew about my abilities, immediately putting me to learn with the resource manager of the Masters of Midgard, his brother Milkau. Help would be welcome to him, Lionel said. Honestly? I was where I should be, and that pleased me. But I didn't want to be a burden, so I asked to learn combat. Lionel studied me for a long time. How could a small, fragile, delicate young woman fight after having passed the ideal age? I waited for a "no," but a discreet smile appeared on his face.

           Master Hanz, the Knight, was assigned to teach me in the mornings how to fight with a buckler and a short sword. It was perfect for me, and thus I was satisfied. Dekker, the Paladin, also almost a brother to Samane from the days with Nenmez, was tasked with complementing my training with sword and combat tactics twice a week. In the afternoon, Milkau would give me books on commercial and personnel management and other subjects to study, dedicating hours to studying. At the end of the afternoon, I would repeat the morning's combat teachings. At night, I returned to management studies. Exhausting, isn't it? But it's in my nature to be very diligent.

           Every day repeating the same process, walking through the corridors of the great Masters' Inn. So vast, majestic, and, oddly, empty. I missed that feeling of contentment I was used to having since childhood. It's funny to hear from Sebastian (oh yes, the other almost brother of Samane) that it was possible to hear Samane talk or laugh from anywhere in the inn; he loved that.

           I saw my sister's travel companions, Elizabeth and Lívia, only once when I was younger. At that time, they and Samane were not yet Masters. Seeing them here was strange; they spoke to me, hugged me. However, they seemed different, something was missing, and I knew exactly what it was. With Nara it was different, a great friend Samane made just before becoming the Master Acrobat. She hugged me with so much affection, in a way that warmed my heart... I had never seen her before, but it felt like we had been friends for years. She seemed like my sister.

           I would have liked to meet these people in a different way. To have been part of this place in a different way. But that's not what I managed. I also think it's not what Samane wanted, but it was the best given the circumstances. Meanwhile, my steps echo through the long, empty corridors without being able to hear what Sebastian once heard.