The heart of departure

"Miss, help—!" Houshao'nao cried, relief flooding him at Anna's intervention. 

Anna shot him a withering look before turning to the brute. "Brownbear, let him go. Or you'll regret it." 

"No way. He disrespected me, made me look like a fool—" 

"Spare me. You're just a drunk picking fights. He's my father's attendant—even a dog has its master. Cross me, and these fireballs won't miss next time." She conjured two blazing orbs. 

"Wait—! No need for that! I'll let him go!" The man panicked, releasing Houshao'nao like a hot potato. 

Anna's怒火 (anger) subsided as the brute dropped him. "Good. Remember this: next time you drink and, I'll roast you. Scram." 

"Yes, Miss!" The man slunk away, muttering, into the crowd. 

Houshao'nao groaned, clutching his side. "Ouch! Miss, why let him off? He broke all this—" 

Anna ignored the debris, voice frosty. "Think he acted alone? As a guild worker, brawling with clients is unforgivable. You'll pay for the damages." 

"Me? But I have no money—" 

"No money? Deductions from your wages until it's paid off." She bit back a smirk at his panicked face. 

"F-fine…" He dared not argue. 

Master Sheffield stepped forward, addressing the room. "Gentlemen, my apologies for the disturbance. To make amends, drinks on the house—consider it our peace offering." 

"Hell yes! Pour me a tankard!" Mercenaries cheered, trampling debris on their way to the bar. 

"Dier, return to work," Sheffield said flatly. 

"Yes, Master." Dier hurried back to the (bar), her elven grace a stark contrast to the chaos. 

Watching her go, Sheffield frowned. *A powerful mage hiding as a bartender… What does she seek here?* 

"Dammit, came to earn coins, not lose them," Houshao'nao cursed under his breath, staring at the wreckage. 

Anna observed his dismay, her anger fading. "You alive?" 

He risked a glance at her softened expression. "Barely. My ass is killing me." 

She blushed, glancing at her father. "Follow me. Father wants a word." 

"Yes, Miss." He trailed her, knees weak. 

Anna preened under Sheffield's praise. "How'd I do, Father?" 

"Splendid, as always." He turned to Houshao'nao. "Any complaints about Miss Anna's judgment?" 

"None, Master. It was fair." 

Sheffield's smile turned sly. "Good. Since you're *partly* responsible, clean this up. Spare tables are in the back." 

*"You (father and daughter) are out to get me,"* Houshao'nao seethed, but nodded meekly. "Yes, Master. It'll be spotless." 

"Anna, join me in my office. I have matters to discuss." Sheffield's tone turned serious as they left. 

Alone, Houshao'nao leaned against the wall, defeat washing over him. *No escape. My life's a nightmare.* 

In the office, Anna's playful mask fell at Sheffield's accusation. "How did you know I paid Brownbear?" 

"Your 'threats' were too gentle. And Brownbear's never backed down from a fight—until today." He chuckled at her shocked face. 

"So what? He helped teach that runt a lesson." 

Sheffield sighed. "Anna, you're a Sheffield. Stop bullying attendants. (Houshao'nao) knows his place; you should too. Now, about your trip to Aifar—" 

Her eyes lit. "Let him come with me! He can—" 

"No. You'll travel with Giles' son. It's part of the plan to secure our interests." 

She pouted. "That fool? Why?" 

"His father's wealth will open doors. Be nice—no pranks. Understood?" 

"Fine. But I want your pet lizard dragon." She clung to his arm, whining. 

Meanwhile, Houshao'nao roused himself. *Anna leaves soon. Just endure until then.* He rallied the donkey to haul debris, ignoring its complaints. 

"Boss, why slave over this? We're attendants, not janitors—" 

"Shut up. Extra duties." He lied, but the donkey's next words chilled him. 

"Earlier, I saw your 'Miss' scheming with Brownbear. They passed a pouch—gold, maybe?" 

Houshao'nao froze. *So it was a setup.* "We need to leave. Now." 

"Finally! That witch gives me the creeps." 

"Wait—first, I need to say goodbye to Dier." 

At dusk, he found her in a quiet corner. "I'm leaving, Dier. Anna set me up today; I can't stay." 

"You… you're leaving?" Her voice trembled. 

"It's not safe. She'll destroy me." 

"But… you're my only friend here." Tears brimmed in her eyes. 

He hesitated, heart aching at her vulnerability. "Dier, I—" 

"Go. I won't hold you back." She placed a hand over his, brief but warm, before pulling away. 

He nodded, speechless, and fled—unaware of the blue glow lingering where she'd touched him, or the tear that fell as she whispered, "May the forest guide you, Gris." 

In the stable, the donkey pawed the ground. "Ready to go, Boss?" 

"Yea. But first, one last stop." He glanced back at the guild, at Anna's window where firelight flickered like a silent goodbye. 

As they slipped into the night, Sheffield watched from his study, crystal ball glowing with the image of Dier's farewell. *So the pieces move,* he thought, *but where will they land?* 

Somewhere, Anna hurled a fireball at her pillow, cursing the smirk on Houshao'nao's face as he'd fled. *I didn't mean to drive him away…* But the thought was gone in an instant, replaced by plans to steal her father's lizard dragon. 

And in the distance, a lone figure followed the donkey's trail, hooded and silent—the same mage from the tavern, muttering, "Gris, Durade… the prophecy awakens." 

The night swallowed them all, each step a heartbeat closer to a fate written in fire, secrets, and the unbreakable bond of those who curse and cure in equal measure.