Old Thermes

Chapter 19

Old Thermes

The door swung open, and a man with a thick beard strode in, dragging behind him the weight of a massive bear-fur coat that left a trail in the snow.

The heavy cloak spilled around him as he entered. He was a wild, rugged contrast to the cozy cabin interior.

His blue eyes burned with intensity as he surveyed the room, taking in every detail with a mixture of suspicion and irritation. 

Everyone froze.

The man's face, hardened with fury, then softened to confusion as he scanned the room.

The cabin was completely intact— no sign of the black smoke that fueled his annoyance. His gaze landed on Dynil, and his expression twisted from anger to baffled annoyance.

"What is my ungrateful disciple doing here? And what on earth is going on?" He glared, squinting as if he could still see smoke rising in the corners. "I could've sworn I saw black smoke pouring out the windows. Don't tell me you were messing around with dark magic again."

Dynil lifted a hand in surrender. "I swear, it wasn't me this time. It's a… long story."

He glanced at Nameless, who still looked slightly dazed, though she was conscious this time. However her eyes were wary.

There was no helping it.

Her disguise was undone, and no one in this mortal world had reddish or pink eyes like hers unless it was of the Demon King's blood.

Dynil began explaining the chaotic events, detailing the mishap with the relic and Nameless's unsettling reaction.

The man listened, stirring a pot of coffee over a small fire to the side. His rugged hands held a small spoon, scooping grounds and adding water with practiced ease.

Though his expression remained neutral, his sharp blue eyes lingered on Nameless and Eliron, assessing them with a gaze so piercing it felt like he could see through every secret they held.

Nameless shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, her mind raced with questions.

What baffled her most was how casually Dynil mentioned her connection to dark magic, as if it were an everyday fact rather than a dangerous revelation.

Dark magic was taboo, even feared. It was often linked with demons or their disciples.

She was obviously the latter, but being the former was considered just as dangerous though. 

There was only a handful of demons in the mortal realm. Her father and his minions.

Now their children as well.

Her heart sank as she wondered if that distinction even mattered to strangers who'd only heard the term. Demons were dangerous no matter how young— she was dangerous.

For a moment she wondered if she'd been complacent, leading herself and Eliron to a trap, blindly trusting Dynil.

Just because he was a companion of that being… it shouldn't mean he would remain loyal.

She shook her head at the thought.

There was no way Dynil would betray her.

He received orders to follow Nameless, just as that being promised.

Finally, the man took a long, quiet sip of his coffee, eyes never leaving her.

However when the man made an attempt to come closer, Nameless was surprised to be pulled backward.

Eliron stepped between the two of them, his expression unreadable.

Whatever happens, I will protect her.

He doesn't know why he wanted to but even if it's simply because he was grateful of her help, it was an okay reason.

The old man is strong.

Eliron doesn't know how to appraise people but he can feel it.

Dynil was strong too but he was akin to a person at the top of a stairwell, someone whose level can be reached with time.

But the old man was unparalleled even.

Like an immovable mountain ready to throw natural disasters to persuade you otherwise when you try to catch up to him.

The old man scoffed, amused, but his eyes narrowed with interest.

He raised an eyebrow, turning his attention to Eliron and studying him with new intensity.

"Well, well," he murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You must be Eliron, son of Gatha and Ruvan, I'd wager?"

Eliron's guarded expression shifted to one of shock, barely masking his surprise.

This was the first time he'd heard anyone in this world speak of his parents.

The man chuckled at Eliron's surprise. "Didn't expect anyone here to know, did you? Gatha and Ruvan—oh, yes. I knew them. Met them when I was a young trainee soldier. Back then, your father was the kind of warrior every soldier aspired to be. And your mother," he chuckled again, "was tougher than the whole lot of us." 

"But how did you… the sentry chief didn't tell you who I was nor what I was. How did you find out I'm a dragon?"

Eliron and Nameless heard Dynil's explanation and it was only about the latter's condition.

"You look exactly like your mother. Your parents trained us soldiers in human form after all."

He let his words hang in the air, allowing the weight of memory to settle around them.

Eliron's grip tightened slightly as he absorbed the information, feeling a strange mix of pride and caution stir within him.

At that moment, Dynil finally stepped in, clearing his throat with a wry smile. "Perhaps we're due for proper introductions here," he began, glancing between Eliron and Nameless.

"This here is a retired magic swordsman of some renown, though you won't hear him admit it— nowadays he prefers the quieter life. He's a bit of a hermit in these parts, goes by the name Old Thermes."

Thermes grinned at Dynil's roundabout introduction.

He seemed pleased.

"Yes. Now that I'm retired that's all everyone needs to know."

He turned his sharp gaze back to Eliron and Nameless, folding his arms with a casual yet powerful stance that seemed to command the room. 

"So," Thermes said, his voice steady as stone, "since I've already introduced myself, how about your master, young dragon?"

Nameless frowns. "Eliron is a free dragon."

"You say that but strong beings are better companions if they're bound to lower beings." Thermes explains, sitting down on a chair and gestured for them to follow. "It's nothing casual either. Stronger beings need to be grounded after all."

He sipped his coffee, looking out the window.

Nameless' frown never wavered and questioned again, "So? Does that mean Eliron had to be tied down?"

Dynil took his time thinking how to explain it mildly, "It's not about being tied down. Rather… the thing is, when strong people get to the top sometimes they are too high up and can't see below them. There are many cases in history when those on top want to reach higher and they won't dwell for the beings that just want peace."

"Like Pearce." Eliron mutters, understanding the concept.

"Right," Dynil acknowledged his example. "Pearce de Gaveu was a prince of a great country and was a son of great people that he thought he was great already from birth. And people who think highly of themselves usually don't want to mingle with anyone below them."

Nameless finally understood.

It was a concept she never thought of but had seen with Lemon and Lime, and from the children of Gashu.

Of course Nameless and Ayu were different from them.

Ayu was naturally different, and Nameless was just too open-minded.

Thermes watched them, smirking slightly.

"Well that's that. What I am curious from the start was the little miss. Who are you? I've only seen a few folks with those eyes."

Nameless gulped. "You already have an idea, don't you?"

"'Course I do but I'm giving you a chance to explain why you're here. This isn't' the first time your kind left their home base after all."

"My name… I'm Nameless."

After hearing her name, his face showed a slight change of enlightenment before scowling. "Your father's a punk for not naming you properly. Find yourself a better name later, okay? Anything you like."

Nameless straightened herself.

When introducing herself, someone got sad, another laughed, and this time someone was angry.

Beings outside Gashu are different. Each one are… different.

"Okay…" She nodded absent-mindedly, "We escaped Gashu to seek protection and have a better future."

"Seek protection, is it? You say that only about your other friends huh? What about you?"

"What do you mean…?"

Thermes crossed his arms and raised a brow at his disciple.

Dynil lowered his head unconsciously, "Could you have heard from the association already?"

"No. But I met your subordinates earlier and seen the report."

Eliron had no clue to what they were talking about.

Thermes seemed to understand his confusion and did not care about the wary of the other two, "Escapees are reported to the Heroes' Association, dragon kid. After evaluating them they are sent to refugee camps or orphanages."

He continued, "Apparently there was a child, Nameless, who wasn't part of the registry."

Eliron turned his head, eyeing Nameless.

She met his eyes with no issue.

"What… why?" He was confused.

The girl was someone who advocated of finding safety and protection. Though Eliron knew that she was detached to the children, he understood that the reason why she let Ynez and Loyd do extra work outside her plans was to give some semblance of warmth.

Getting clothes from Georgies' Castle, they didn't need to bring everything.

Utensils and some toys, Loyd suggested to get them, and they did.

Though Eliron bore the weight of carrying everything, Nameless carelessly said yes to everything though unsure if the dragon can actually carry it.

He didn't mind… because it was small things like that when he can read Nameless.

"Are you abandoning the others who trusted and followed you?"

Nameless tilted her head, a mask of coldness came out of her naturally. "Their parents asked me to get them to safety. When we find rightful places for them my responsibility's over."

Dynil frowned vividly.

It was cold. But it was a logical decision.

He knew that Nameless is a demon. There was nothing good to come out if the girl was found with them.

"What about Ayu? The twins?"

"Eliron."

He paused. It seems no one else realized that there are demons besides her.

"Then what about Royce? He follows you well, doesn't' he?"

"I'm the first person out of trance he met. The attachment… it's understandable but we lose people all the time. He can move on."

Eliron couldn't help but make a desperate face. He felt suffocated.

"What about Keith? Emman?"

Nameless smiled, confused. "Don't ask about them. They'll be fine on their own."

"Then what about…"

What about me?

He wanted to ask.

Eliron realized why she said she wasn't a guide or a saviour. She'd probably thought about abandoning everyone after saving them.

It's cold-hearted.

And the answer to his question, he already knew what she'll say so what's the point in asking.

The young dragon clenched his fists unconsciously and lowered his head, nodding. "I see. Well it's your choice."

"You understand, right? I only made the best choice."

"Then what about you? What will you do?"

Nameless pointed at Dynil. "I'll learn magic and work on the sideline, we already talked about it."

Before the sentry chief could show his disapproval, Nameless eyed him. A short command to keep quiet.

Eliron wanted to ask more.

He wasn't curious... It wasn't just curiosity.

He was worried.

He was grateful after all.

The child who talked about learning how to clean her fingers was already making plans of living her whole life away from everything. As if turning away from the life and people she had.

While everyone else were busy taking things in every minute or day by day, Nameless already had her life planned out.

Eliron who was slow in doing that…

He can only keep quiet.