Lyra (II)

Lyra watched the downcast expression on Sol's face. She wanted to comfort him, but words failed her.

She felt his pain but struggled to find a way to address it.

Eventually, she wrapped her arms around him and broke the stillness.

"You know, I'm thankful for you, fighting for this town. You saved the lives of many people here so of course, I'll do anything to help."

Sol just nodded, he knew the chances of finding Rhea again close to impossible.

She was definitely brought to this kingdom but that didn't help narrow things down, she could be anywhere and he could easily miss her since it was impossible for him to search every nook and cranny.

If she had been sold to slavers and was still with them that would easily narrow down the search, but she could as well still be with her captors or have been sold to someone else.

And that was if she was even still alive. Things weren't looking good at all.

Sol grimaced in pain. The memories that had flooded his mind had changed him.

He was an entirely different person now from the jovial one he was when he had just ended up in this world.

The terrible events of the last moments of Yōta's life, the gruesome memories of Sol's loss had taken the childish light from his eyes.

Lyra pulled him closer, burying his head in her chest.

"It's okay, I'm sure you'll find her again." She said.

She had never seen one so fragile and so concerned about anything but themselves.

None of the men she had ever been with had ever been like this. They were either just eager to get the deed done or brag about themselves.

None of them even cared to know anything about her.

They wouldn't even ask for her name.

Yet this boy was concerned for the lives of those he fought against, concerned for his missing sister and even concerned for her own.

He was concerned for everything except himself and it made her want to hold him close.

This boy was so... different...

Time ticked by, and eventually, their allotted time together was up.

But Lyra refused to wake the boy who now slept softly on her laps.

She stroked his hair as she watched him sleep, her heart beating wildly.

What was this feeling?

She had met countless men, but none had ever made her heart feel this way.

As the night fell, she slowly closed her eyes, and fell asleep with him in her lap.

***

Lyra awoke the next morning and the boy no longer in her lap. Panic set in as she looked around for him.

"Oh, you're finally awake," came a voice from behind her.

She turned to see Sol, his handsome features staring back at her. This time around, for some reason, she was the one unable to look him in the eye.

"Sorry," he said. "I wasted so much of your time."

"Oh, that's okay. I would have woken you up if I didn't want you to spend the night here. Please don't worry about it."

"How much do I have to pay you for the whole time together?"

"Huh..? That?" she said quizzically. "Don't worry about it." She waved her hands wildly and reached for the pouch of money. "Here, take it back."

Sol stared at the pouch of money in her hand confused.

"I can't take this."

"It's okay. I enjoyed my time with you very much."

'Enjoyed the time with me..?'

Sol tilted his head. He didn't understand it, all he had done was waste her time for the entire night.

"Besides," she continued, "we didn't get to do the deed. It wouldn't be right if I took this from you."

Sol shook his head. "No, I insist. You need this more than I do. And besides, you helped me get a heavy load off my chest."

"I-I did?"

"Yeah, the time with you was very healing. Thank you," he said. "I'll be leaving town today. It was nice meeting you, Lyra."

'Leaving..?'

Her mind began to race.

Of course, he was a mercenary. They never stayed in one place, traveling wherever the war took them.

This would probably be the last time she was going to see him.

The realization sent a jolt through her, and before she knew it, she had jumped out of the bed.

"Wait!" she screamed.

Sol turned back to her, wide-eyed, wondering what the matter was.

"W-what is your name? You never got to tell me,"

"It's Sol," he said.

"Will I... will I see you again?" she asked.

"Sure, if I ever come by Arn again, I'll make sure to come see you."

He turned to leave, but she grabbed his hand. There was no guarantee he would ever cross this town again.

She wanted to make sure she would find him again. She asked for several details, hounding him for answers.

"Hey, hey." He held her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"I-I... no, it's nothing. Sorry about that," she said, realizing she had forgotten herself in her desperation.

Sol eyed her up and down, then sighed, deciding to let it go. He nodded curtly and turned to leave.

"Take care of yourself, Lyra."

"You too, don't die, Sol," she said, knowing how dangerous the lives of mercenaries were.

The boy was still a frail child, only about fourteen from what he had told her.

His chances of survival would be slim, but still, she hoped he would survive. She didn't think the gods would accept the prayers of someone like her, but she would pray regardless.

"I'll try not to." Sol said looking at her one last time before turning to leave.

Sol left the tavern and went back to the barracks where his comrades were camped.

They were already packed and ready to leave.

Surprisingly, when they reached the town's gate, Lyra was there waiting.

She waved at Sol, bidding him goodbye, and Sol awkwardly waved back amidst the weird stares from Grimm's men. She stood there, watching their figures until they disappeared over the horizon.

Her heart felt like it had been doused in cold water the moment Sol's figure finally disappeared from her eyes.

All this time, chances of escaping the life she lived had seemed bleak. She has resigned herself to living this life of prostition, thinking she could never get out of the hold of her madam.

The fee for buying her freedom was too high and it seemed impossible she would ever be able to save enough.

But at that moment, she vowed in her heart that she would get out of this and find him again.

She would control her own life.