99.- Shadows on The Edge

The cool afternoon air hit Sebastián's face as he stepped out of the East Vigil guild, a crooked smile curling his lips while the echo of chaos still rattled in his head. Kaili had left Cassian as a heap of splinters and shattered pride, his sword twisted and his dignity smashed to bits before a gaping guild. They'd come chasing rumors of rare plants in the Veridian Forest, but after that show, a break didn't sound half bad. He adjusted his tattered pack with a tug, accidentally brushing Kaili's arm as he turned toward her. His fingers grazed the cold metal of her armor, and for a split second, he held his breath, expecting a smack or a jab. But she didn't pull away—just shot him a sidelong glance with those silver eyes that sliced like stellar ice.

"So what now, gardener?" Kaili said, her voice dripping sarcasm as she crossed her arms, the air around her faintly humming. "Or are you waiting for me to call all the shots like always?"

Sebastián let out a nervous laugh, running a hand across the back of his neck. "Well, we came for those rare Veridian plants, but after watching you trash that blond guy, I figure we've earned a breather. How about a stroll through East Vigil? We could check out the shops, try some food… stuff the living do."

Kaili arched an eyebrow, her black hair rippling like liquid obsidian under the setting sun. "Stuff the living do?" she repeated, her tone sharp as a freshly forged blade. "What, you want me to slog through your filthy streets like some random villager?"

"You wouldn't slog, you'd walk," he said, flashing a bold grin. "And who knows, maybe you'll find something you don't feel like crushing for once."

She snorted, a short, icy sound that buzzed in the air, but took a step forward, her armor clanging against the cobblestones. "I've got nothing better to do," she growled, her voice laced with mock disdain. "But don't expect me to get excited over your little trinkets, gardener."

Sebastián followed, his grin widening. "Don't worry, I won't make you buy a flowery dress… though it'd look good on you," he added with a wink that earned him a death glare.

"Mention dresses again and I'll rip your tongue out," she said, but there was a glint in her eyes, a sharp edge of amusement he didn't miss. He laughed, a nervous but confident chuckle, and with that, they plunged into the bustling streets of East Vigil.

The market was a riot of colors and noise: vendors hollering prices, kids darting between stalls, the rattle of carts over cobblestones. The air smelled of spices, sweat, and tanned leather, a mix that stuck to the throat like a stiff drink. Sebastián walked with a light step, guiding Kaili like he knew the city by heart, though he'd only pieced it together from the torn, blood-stained journals he'd found among the belongings of adventurers Kaili had butchered in the dungeon. She trailed him, her towering figure standing out in the crowd, her black armor gleaming under the sun like a beacon of shadows.

"What's that stench?" Kaili said, wrinkling her nose as they passed a street food stall. A burly man in a grease-stained apron was frying something in a massive skillet over a crackling fire, the sizzle filling the air with a thick, meaty aroma.

Sebastián sniffed, squinting. "Sausages, I think. Pork with spices. Not bad, honestly."

Kaili stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "Pork? That filthy, squealing thing you people raise? You actually eat that?"

He let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, and you'd be surprised how good it is. Come on, try some," he said, stepping up to the vendor with a copper coin. He grabbed a small piece and held it between his fingers, turning to Kaili. "Here, open your mouth."

She crossed her arms, her gaze icy. "What, now you're feeding me like a pup? Getting bold, aren't you, gardener?"

Sebastián grinned, brash, and held the piece closer, brushing his fingers against hers as he handed it over. The contact was brief but deliberate, and she didn't pull back—just locked eyes with him in a silent challenge. "Come on, Kaili, not everything we eat is as useless as Cassian," he said, his voice thick with humor.

Kaili huffed, but snatched the piece with a quick move, her fingers lingering against his for a second longer than needed. She bit into it with near-military precision, chewing with a grimace that slowly softened into something less scornful. "Tolerable," she grunted, swallowing. "But my fangs could rip that pig's throat out in one bite."

"No doubt," he said, with a nervous laugh. "Though I like watching you eat more than wrecking stuff… for now."

She shot him a sideways glance, a crooked smile tugging at her lips. "Keep pushing your luck, gardener, and I'll give you something else to chew on," she said, her tone laced with a sensual threat that sent his pulse racing.

Farther down, they passed a flower shop on the market's edge, a small stall bursting with colorful bouquets that gave off a sweet, earthy scent. Purple forget-me-nots, white lilies, red roses—a display that clashed with the dust and clamor of the street. An old woman with a wrinkled face and nimble hands watched them from behind the counter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Sebastián stopped, his gardener's instinct kicking in. "Look, Kaili," he said, pointing at a bunch of forget-me-nots. "They're like the ones near the dungeon, but these have a little more… life to them."

Kaili stepped closer, her armor clanking with each stride, and eyed the flowers with a mix of curiosity and disdain. "Similar," she said, her voice flat. "But weaker. They don't have the grit of ours."

The old woman smiled, unfazed by Kaili's imposing presence. "Like the flowers, do you, young ones?" she said, her voice raspy but warm. "These forget-me-nots are perfect for a gift. Maybe for the lady?"

Sebastián let out a nervous laugh, running a hand through his hair. "A gift? Well, not a bad idea." He glanced at Kaili with a crooked grin. "Hey, what do you say? I'll grab you some. They're not as deadly as you, but they had to try matching up."

Kaili arched an eyebrow, her gaze cutting. "Flowers? Seriously, gardener? What a waste of time," she said, but her tone carried a hint of amusement, not outright dismissal.

"Come on, just a few," he pressed, bold, and handed the old woman some coins. She passed him a small bunch of forget-me-nots, and Sebastián offered them to Kaili with a wink. "Here, for the most dangerous warrior I know."

She stared at him, the air humming around her for a second, then took the flowers with a huff. "You're such an idiot," she growled, but tucked them into a fold of her armor near her chest with an almost careful motion. "Keep talking, and I'll make you eat them, gardener."

Sebastián laughed, a warm, confident sound. "Tempting, but they suit you better than me. Though if you hate them that much, give 'em back."

"Not worth the hassle," she said, her voice sharp but her eyes glinting with something that undercut the sarcasm. "But if you're set on being pathetic, I guess I can put up with them."

A shout sliced through the air before he could reply, a vendor across the street raising his voice: "Ten thousand Argentium and a rare herbarium at the coliseum! Tournament starts tomorrow!" Sebastián turned his head, intrigued, but Kaili just scowled, brushing it off for now.

East Vigil's central square was a whirlwind of activity: street musicians strumming simple tunes, kids running around with shrill laughs, the steady hum of voices filling the air. A young guy with curly hair and dreamy eyes plucked a lute in one corner, his melancholy melody drifting like a soft breeze over the racket. Sebastián paused, letting the notes wash over him, but it was Kaili who caught him off guard by stopping beside him, her eyes closing for a moment as if soaking them in.

"Like it?" he said, his voice low and warm, staring at her. The sunset painted her pale face with golden hues, and for a second, she looked less like a harbinger of plague and more… human, alive.

Kaili opened her eyes, catching him in her gaze, and pursed her lips. "What, now I'm your muse?" she said, sarcastic. "It's tolerable, for music from the living. Don't make me gag with your notions."

Sebastián grinned, bold, holding her stare. "That guy plays decently, but you make all this feel… I don't know, more alive. Even the air's different with you around."

She gave him a sidelong look, a crooked smile creeping up. "How ridiculous," she said, but her tone was softer, almost amused. "Keep dreaming, gardener. I'm not cheap enough to be your lame excuse."

"It's not an excuse," he said, with a nervous laugh. "If you were my muse, I'd have to fight half the world for you. Wouldn't be a bad fight, honestly."

Kaili snorted, but didn't look away, her silver eyes gleaming with something beyond mere scorn. "Keep talking, and I'll give you a fight you won't win," she said, her voice thick with a sensual challenge that sent heat creeping up his neck.

The sun had sunk behind the rooftops by the time they decided to find a place to crash. They skipped the flashy inns, too full of prying eyes, and settled on a rundown joint at the city's edge: "The Sleeping Dragon." The barely readable sign hung crooked, the wood worm-eaten and the paint peeling, a stark contrast to the market's bustle.

Kaili wrinkled her nose at the sight. "We're seriously sleeping here?" she said, her voice cutting. "Looks like a breeze could knock it down."

"Just one night," Sebastián said, with a crooked grin. "Besides, it's quiet. No one's gonna bug us in this dump."

She sighed, a long, pained sound, but followed him inside. The lobby was dark and cramped, lit by flickering candles on the walls, the air thick with dampness, old wood, and a hint of stale spices. An elderly innkeeper with a scraggly beard and a lazy eye looked up from a dusty book behind the counter.

"Welcome to The Sleeping Dragon," he grumbled, his voice weary. "What do you want?"

"A room for two," Sebastián said, leaning a hand on the counter with a bold smile. "For me and my wife."

Kaili whipped her head toward him, her eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. "So now I'm your wife, huh?" she said, her voice dripping sarcasm as she crossed her arms.

Sebastián laughed, a nervous but confident chuckle, and slid his arm around Kaili's waist, his fingers brushing the edge of her armor. "Always have been, sweetheart," he said, his tone warm and brash, pulling her a little closer.

For a second, it felt normal, but then a searing heat shot up his hand, like he'd grabbed a live coal. He looked down and saw the spot where he held her glowing red-hot, her armor turning molten. "Damn it!" he yelped, jerking back with an awkward hop, shaking his singed hand as the smell of scorched flesh hit the air.

Kaili let out a feminine laugh, sharp and genuine, a rare sound that echoed through the lobby like a storm's rumble. "What's wrong, gardener?" she said, her voice brimming with glee as the red faded from her armor. "Can't handle a little heat?"

Sebastián stared at his hand, fingertips red and throbbing, and chuckled, a clumsy but warm sound. "Crazy woman," he growled, shaking it out. "If that's love, I'd rather take on Cassian again."

"Poor you," she said, with a crooked smile. "Touch me again, and I'll burn more than your hand."

The innkeeper gawked at them, a mix of awe and wariness in his eyes, but said nothing, just slid a rusty key across the counter. "Best I've got," he said after a pause. "Double bed, view of the back courtyard. One Argentium coin."

Sebastián dropped the coin with a wince, still shaking his hand, and grabbed the key. "Come on, 'wife,'" he said, with a wink. "Let's see if I survive the night."

She huffed, following him toward the creaky stairs. "Keep dreaming, gardener," she said, but there was a flicker of amusement in her tone he didn't miss.

The room was as pitiful as they'd expected: a double bed with a sagging mattress, a wobbly table, a broken chair, and a dusty wardrobe. A cobweb dangled in one corner as the only decoration.

"Charming," Kaili said, sarcastic, surveying the place with disdain. "Reminds me of my dungeon cell, but with less flair."

Sebastián laughed, dropping his pack on the floor. "Well, at least there's no monsters here… or so I hope."

"We'll see about that," she said, glancing at the cobweb with a grimace.

They headed down to the inn's dining area, a livelier but still gloomy space. Worn tables were occupied by travelers and locals eating in silence, the air heavy with the smell of stew and stale beer. They took a seat at a corner table by a window overlooking a dark alley, the lamps flickering overhead. A young waitress with messy hair in a bun and a patched apron approached with a pitcher of water and two clay mugs.

"What'll you have?" she said, her voice tired but polite.

"Meat and veggie stew, and a mead," Sebastián said, propping his elbows on the table.

Kaili scanned the menu with a mix of distrust and scorn. "Cheese and fruit," she grunted finally. "And water. None of that fermented slop you call a drink."

The waitress nodded and left, leaving a silence that filled with the murmur of nearby tables. Sebastián watched Kaili as they waited, noting how her fingers drummed on the table—a rare tic for someone usually carved from control.

"You okay?" he said, his voice low and warm.

She glanced at him, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yeah," she said, curt. "Just thinking."

"About what?" he pressed, with a crooked grin.

Kaili hesitated, her silver eyes locking onto him. "That tournament they won't shut up about," she said, her tone sharp. "Those fools on the street and in here keep squawking about it."

Before he could reply, the waitress returned with their food: a steaming plate of stew for Sebastián, a bowl of cheese and fruit for Kaili. He dug into the stew with gusto, the warmth of the broth climbing his throat, while she picked at the fruit with almost surgical precision. A group of men at a nearby table raised their voices, their words drifting over.

"Heard about the prize?" one said, a burly guy with a scarred cheek. "Ten thousand Argentium and a rare herbarium. A damn fortune!"

"I'm betting on 'Iron Hammer,'" said another, a skinny man with a pointed beard. "No one touches him in the coliseum."

"Nonsense," said a third, young and scruffy. "It'll be 'Scarlet Sorceress.' Her magic's unstoppable."

Sebastián listened, intrigued, but it was Kaili who surprised him by not looking away from the group, her expression wavering between disdain and something else. He grabbed a piece of bread, dipped it in the stew, and chewed with a smile.

"You know, Kaili," he said, with bold humor, "for someone who can crush a guy with one finger, you've got a ridiculously clumsy way of cutting that cheese. It's almost funny."

She looked at him, arching an eyebrow, but a faint, genuine smile crept across her lips, a rarity that lit her pale face like a bolt in the dark. "Funny?" she said, her voice sarcastic but soft. "Keep talking, and I'll cut you, gardener."

Sebastián stared at her, lost in that smile, the stew's heat forgotten for a moment. "Go ahead," he said, his voice bold and warm, "but don't blame me for getting caught up in that smile. It's the most beautiful I've seen, and trust me, I've seen rare plants that don't even come close."

Kaili blinked, the gleam in her eyes sharpening, and let out a huff. "What a pathetic poet," she said, but her tone was more amused than cutting. "Guess I'll let you live for that one."

He laughed, a nervous but confident sound, and took another bite of stew. Then, to his surprise, Kaili sliced a piece of cheese with her dagger, speared it with the tip, and held it out, her fingers brushing his as she passed it over. The touch was deliberate, firm, and her eyes bored into his with an intensity that thickened the air.

"Try this," she said, her voice low and laced with challenge. "If I've got to stomach your living folks' food, you can choke down mine."

Sebastián took the cheese, his fingers sliding against hers for a beat, and bit into it with a crooked grin. "Not bad," he said, chewing. "Though I'm not sure if it's the cheese or you giving it to me that makes it better."

"Idiot," she growled, but didn't look away, a crooked smile peeking through again. "Keep talking, and I'll give you more than cheese."

"Promises, promises," he said, with a laugh that bounced off the table.

She broke the silence after a moment, her voice turning serious. "We're entering that tournament," she said, dropping the dagger on the table with a dull thud.

Sebastián raised his eyebrows, the mead halfway to his mouth. "What? For real?"

"Yeah," she said, her eyes glinting with a mix of calculation and excitement. "That guild fool, Cassian, was all brute force and no brains. You're not gonna be another useless lump, gardener. We're joining, and you're learning technique."

"Me?" he said, with a nervous laugh. "I'm not exactly a warrior, Kaili. You know that."

"That's why," she said, sharp. "You'll watch, you'll fight, you'll learn. I'm gonna match those pathetic living folk—same strength, same speed. Power's nothing without technique, and you're not gonna be dead weight to me."

Sebastián studied her, processing her words, then grinned, bold. "If you say so, but if I die, it's on your crazy idea. Though that rare herbarium sounds nice for our plants."

Kaili smirked, satisfied, a dark edge in her gaze. "I won't let you die, gardener. But if you win even one fight, I'll give you a prize."

"A prize?" he said, leaning forward with a crooked grin. "What, more cheese?"

She stared at him, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. "A kiss," she said, her voice low and cutting. "But don't expect it to be gentle. If you can't survive a scrap, you don't deserve it."

Sebastián blinked, the mead nearly slipping from his hand, then let out a nervous, warm, bold laugh. "A kiss from you? Damn it, Kaili, now I've gotta win just to not miss out. Does it count if I let you win after?"

"Dream on," she said, her tone thick with challenge. "Tomorrow, we sign up at the coliseum. Get ready."

"No choice, huh," he said, raising his mead with a laugh. "To your health, then. Hope you don't crush me before it starts."

She lifted her water glass, a rare, almost mocking gesture. "To your survival, gardener. You're gonna need it."

And so, amid sarcasm, brushes, and fiery promises, the warrior and the gardener sealed their pact, the inn's clamor fading as the tournament's echo loomed on the horizon—a challenge that would carry them beyond the streets of East Vigil.