Hinted past

"So that was why we didn't return to Havenbrook yesterday night?" Rota asked as she used her hollowed hand to take water from the stream and washed her mouth and face.

"Yes. It's getting late already, the guards might give us trouble for coming late," Belialthorn splashed water on his face, getting his clothes wet. "Also a good reason for you to start getting use to sleeping outside. We are low Grade 1 but once we get to higher Grades we would be doing long distance hunting."

Rota scowled, it wasn't like she didn't want to sleep outside but it was unprepared for! No tent, no extra clothes and while the meat was good, there was nothing like eating seasoned food.

"Let's prepare for it better next time, at least we should know we would be sleeping overnight." Rota said.

Belialthorn shrugged. "Fine."

"So we really had no bounty to turn in." Rota said her voice somber. She thought about all the coins they should have made and felt like punching the Holy Church or whoever had that giant Vore.

They were both at stream, Rota staying at the stream bank while Belialthorn was knee deep in the flowing water. The sun was up so Belialthorn breath deep, taking in the rich smell of the forest. "At least you are alive."

That made Rota's mood turn sore, she had actually almost died. Could it be the Holy Church? It would not take a lot to convince her it was them.

"And you gained levels, you are now level four." Belialthorn reminded her as he noticed the way her face went sad.

She brightened. "Yes! Few weeks ago I couldn't even imagine ever hunting monsters not to talk of leveling up."

Belialthorn moved away from the water, his trousers wet but he paid it no mind. "What are you doing few weeks ago?"

It occurred to him that he really didn't know much about Rota's past. He only knew vague things like her mother being dead and her surviving on her own. She never talked about her father.

And the way her face tightened whenever Belialthorn mentioned the Holy Church made him think he wasn't the only one hiding things about their past.

"I was probably working at an inn and slapping away wandering hands. And talking myself into going for my choosing." Rota said.

"Why do you go for your choosing so late? I thought I was the oldest person getting a class so late." Belialthorn looked at her where she crouched beside the water, splashing gently.

"A promise,' Rota looked away from him and looked into the water. Then continued bitterly. "A promise I broke."

Belialthorn said nothing just look at the way her face settled into a mask. When she spoke next, it was with a wooden voice. "What happens when you make two contradicting promises?"

Belialthorn frowned, he thought about it. He had never made a promise to anyone before. Unless he made one when he was unborn and that was why his family punished him with not living up to his Noble class.

"I don't know," Belialthorn said slowly and she smiled without warmth, but he wasn't done. "I guess I would pick the one that would ensure my survival. The promise that would place me above weakness. The one that would benefit me because in the end, all beings are creatures of selfishness."

Rota looked at him for a while, her grey eyes like dusk, like twilight shun of light. Then she smiled and she was the setting sun again. "I guess you are right."

They made their way out of the wilderness in comfortable silence of mutual understanding. The sun was high up now and Belialthorn suggested they hunted some monsters. He suggested Rota hunt some monsters since he wanted her to get her level to 5.

Rota grumbled of course but with her spear in hand she hunted monsters through the afternoon until she was at level 5 same as Belialthorn then they made their way to Havenbrook. She also got some monsters to turn in for some coins.

"The line is unusually long today," Belialthorn said as the crowd leading to the gate jostled him.

"Don't you know? Lord Keenreaver is back! The city guards are doing a thorough job now." The man beside Belialthorn said.

Rota's eyes widen. "The Lord of Havenbrook is back?"

"Not the Lord himself but his son, Lord Alaric Keenreaver. His only son and heir." The man continued.

"Is that a big deal?" Belialthorn asked.

"Of course it is! This town is the biggest around here and its heir is now in town! The guards would be extra strict for a few days, do well to behave yourself." They had reached the gate now and the man went ahead, hustling his place in the queue.

Belialthorn raised his brows at Rota. "What's he talked about? He made it sound like it's strange for a noble to be back in his town."

Rota frowned. "That's because it's indeed strange."

"What do you mean?" Belialthorn asked but she didn't reply as they were now at the gate and the frowning guard started asking them a series of questions until they proved they were Hunters.

"Doing all this to impress nobles that did not give a damn about them," Rota said with a scowl on her face.

Belialthorn snorted. "I think they were doing all this to protect their source of food and it's their job."

"Their job should be protecting those inside the city walls, trust me I've seen some dark things going on in here and the guards looked away more often than not." Rota's eyes flashed. The guards are corrupt, more so than the nobles.

Belialthorn said nothing and instead, led the way to the Hunter's Association where they presented the monster's ears for poof of kill for reward.

Rota counted the coins with a smile on her face, her sore mood forgotten and Belialthorn shook his head, this woman almost liked treasures more than him.

She turned to him, grinning. "Time for a drink."