"The Name's Azz"

(Gabe’s POV)

After what felt like hours, we finally stopped in a clearing.

The strange man turned to me, “We’ll camp here for the night.”

“It’s nighttime? How can you tell!?”

He sighed, “You get used to it after a while. A way to tell is that there are no stars in the sky when it’s day and stars at night.”

I nodded. I was in shock. He had not answered me this whole trip. Maybe I can get some answers now?

“Hey, why did you save me back there, and where are we going?”

“Those questions I can’t really answer right now, but all I can say is that it will be a safe place for you.”

Now knowing I will at least get an answer, later on, I asked another one, “Who are you?”

He scratched the back of his head, “I guess I haven’t introduced myself yet…. the name’s Azz. I am a local blacksmith and shopkeeper at the capital.”

“Capital?”

“It’s the city that surrounds the demon lord’s palace. It’s a bustling place where demons all come to either start a new life or land a new job. There are lots of reasons demons go there, don’t think that I can name them all.”

Azz suddenly walked away, “That’s enough questions. If you want to warm up, you better find some dry wood. Then, I’ll look for something to eat.”

(time skip)

Why is Azz taking so long? First, I gathered plenty of dry wood to make a huge pile in the clearing.

I shivered, ‘I hope he hurries. It’s getting even colder….’

That’s when he came up behind me, “I’m back-!”

I jumped, surprised.

He scolded me, “Keep your guard up! This is the dark world, not some fairytale world that you're so easily used to living in!”

“B-But!”

“No buts! That’s a fact, kid!”

I gulped but looked into his eyes and nodded.

“Good.” He then moved toward the big pile and frowned, “This is only big enough to last us a few hours… Oh, well…”

“A few hours!? What do you mean?!”

Azz explained, “If we are going to make a fire throughout the night, we’re going to need much more wood.”

I looked at him like he was crazy, “That’s a HUGE pile of wood!”

He Bopped me on top of the head, “No, it’s not. You can’t just make a fire with one pile of wood. It would help if you had more wood nearby to help fuel it. Otherwise, it’ll last barely any time.”

Now I frowned, “You have to fuel it?”

“Yes. Different rules apply to this place than what you used to.”

He then walked over to the pile and started pulling out pieces of wood one by one.

Azz then ordered me, “Don’t just stand there! Grab some wood!”

Not wanting to agitate him more, I quickly got to work.

(Titus POV)

Mother and father left. I did not want to say goodbye to them. So, I purposely slept in.

What’s wrong with them? Why would they question our generous queen and her king? I don’t get it. There is nothing amiss with her.

I patrolled the halls of the castle as I thought about what they said. A war among angels? That can’t be right. I’ve never heard of such a thing before. Was father’s retirement affecting him? I hope not.

I’ve always looked up to my father as a role model. I worked hard to become head of the royal guard, just like him. Maybe his retirement is affecting him, and all he needs is to go somewhere else for a change. That seems more like an idea. Then he’ll be back as soon as it’s over.

But. If that’s the case, then why don’t I believe it myself?

I sighed and turned to the soldier beside me, “I need a break.”

“Take your time.” he nodded.

Feeling doubtful, I decided to go back to the barracks and squash down that horrendous feeling.

Once I got there, I noticed something didn’t feel right. That’s when I noticed an older man off to the side. I rolled my eyes and approached him.

“Hey! The barracks are off-limits to citizens! So what is your business here!?” I demanded.

He didn’t even glance at me, “So you think that Gabriel did commit murder as your queen says?”

“Answer me!!”

“Do you just believe every word that a person says?”

“Um, no?”

He looked at me with faded brown eyes, “Tell me, do you ask for evidence first before you conclude?”

I cocked my head in conclusion, “Of course-!”

“Then why didn’t you ask for evidence during his trial?”

My mind flashed back to what Gabe had said before:

“Where’s your proof? I’ve done nothing wrong! I’ve served you and your kingdom for years! So why would I stop now!?”

I bowed my head in embarrassment as I realized something: there was no real evidence in Gabe’s trial. Nothing to back up the queen’s claim. If anything, Gabe could’ve been right, and that’s why mom and dad left.

Still, why would the queen lie? I need to find this out for myself. I need to find that evidence.

I turned to the man in question, but he had disappeared, “Wha-!?”

That doesn’t matter now. I need to find the truth. I will thank him later.