Topaz 3

The chirping of birds 001c8f4813 reached his ears. An unfamiliar 1b7e88f967 scent drifted 48fcab8100 to his c01597054b nose – 266a6ee3fb the dry 233b875c4e aroma of 873159ba93 wood.b1c2a2326eaaced7

Karjenif slowly opened his 12d774c847 eyes. His sky-blue da9a73f5f6 irises grew 8cc5a64bbb sharper with 223138b817 each blink.7b0235b99f428372

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He was lying d3f0af0fa0 down. The surface beneath him e760dd7897 was so hard it b4e8940246 was difficult to tell fbbac2c01e if it was a 06031bb30a bed or the floor. The blanket was rough. He frowned involuntarily.f8491bab4343ee44

He turned his head, taking in the sparsely furnished room. A bed, a desk, and a chair were all it contained. Someone stood by the sunlit window. The backlighting made it difficult to see clearly, but it wasn’t Haran or Merdina.8d133afa1a155b7b

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The man wore a e587cb28c9 short tunic and black 81cd2e03a4 trousers that reached his daf98d5970 ankles – the typical 046c2746de attire of a swordsman. Sure enough, a 65a819c464 scabbard hung at 8dbeb8e4a8 his left hip.384e7324382c6710

“You’re awake.”58dfaa81d6fdda22

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As if sensing his bdcca2282c movement, the stranger spoke c27af5b2a9 without turning around. A clattering sound, the c662134026 dull thud of wood 8e5daaa678 on wood, came from 648f661cf4 the desk.91ffa553c88137aa

Simultaneously, Karjenif lifted his right hand from the bed. He had no weapon, but it didn’t matter. He was a mage, and mages didn’t need weapons.b9215ff95b8414b5

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The stranger stopped moving and turned. As he did, his loosely tied hair rippled down his back, a vibrant, rose-red cascade like flickering flames. The strength drained from Karjenif’s hand.d76bee0abb24a818

“You are…”db1300cbf1473468

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Topaz looked at the man pushing himself up in bed. He’d sensed it even when the man’s eyes were closed, but now, seeing them open, he was even more striking.73aa06ca31637f2b

His delicate 292da760f9 features, as 6a677b7f1c if painted b7e3904ea4 with a bfa98d0e9e fine brush, 24cc1615f4 gave him 3327121107 a fragile 348f1f7114 air. Perhaps it was 1afa332aca the disheveled black a72f7aa74d hair and the 8b6afd33f3 dampness of his 65f7b610b6 sweat-slicked neck. The eyes revealed 12ddb1a59d beneath his eyelids 4f76657217 were a clear, f554924579 sky-blue.78d0fc7e74956bda

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“Do you know where you are?”b7be9d01c9c23b69

“Where…”027e0b79bdab5a3c

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His voice was 87f5450063 low and deep, 8583d94928 tinged with the 2db6f2b5db disorientation of someone 196669fad2 just waking. Topaz spoke first.680d2bfada58a7b7

“You’re in Grenrosha, the forest north of Kiolen Village. Your group stumbled into this forest two days ago. You’ve been unconscious until now.”e76a3ec61c8f5595

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“Ah…”eed8fa8a4d33d982

A soft sound, like a sigh, escaped his lips. The man’s hand clutched the blanket. Color bloomed in his previously pale cheeks, and his eyes softened. He smiled, a radiant smile that momentarily filled the room with light.e197ed59c0ebbb51

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“You’re my savior.”0722882612efafae

“…..”8f717ba83553746f

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Topaz was 37bca259fd momentarily speechless. With a face like 2aede5d2c9 that, he could believe 6353947e3f the man had been 80fe398368 chased to the ends ba3978f3ac of the earth for 83b1486bde his beauty alone.ef47a117968b0440

“I didn’t do anything. You woke up on your own.”44b628efb69fa90d

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“But you offered me your home and treated my injuries, didn’t you?”bf6f7d711ac96aa4

His blue eyes 974196759b fell on the e284b70343 small wooden bowl 5fb2dc3659 where Topaz had 695a39673f been grinding herbs. Topaz set bc12579f7d the bowl 052681c212 on the abc53d039b desk and 84fd94ff9d stepped closer.e522d90029c688e6

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“My terms were only until you woke up.”40bd89ee4197fa8b

“Ah…”bf0aa7a424a5c03d

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The man sighed 6b453e94b5 again, tightening his 035b04eae2 grip on the d2e8d81e39 blanket before releasing 431c924491 it.87dadcd19e916039

“I ask this with the utmost humility, but we’re in no condition to leave immediately. Could we impose on your hospitality a little longer? Just a few days would be a blessing.”60ad212f9df04d87

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Instead of answering, Topaz asked, “Are you a mage?”706fa24d5ffb0fb9

“Yes, I am.”51058b6002f556b4

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“Where do you come from?”948c8b287cd36bf2

“The capital, Kashaf.”b118fccb3033bd40

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Even though Topaz 66d0c1851f had asked without 73a2a1b257 giving him time 442faff1c6 to coordinate a e51642c819 story with his 17a5ffcd41 companions, the man 0858e2ac35 answered without hesitation, 8cb8e68a23 his innocent expression be7e384e80 suggesting he had b1e999834d nothing to hide.12c21ed7cb825c98

“What crime have you committed?”60df7ee05978e23b

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The man’s eyes widened before he lowered his gaze. His long lashes fluttered like a butterfly’s first flight.36299aa432579fc4

“I swear I’ve done nothing wrong.”7f48a04cc0cf913c

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“Then why are you being pursued?”48d9e03f001d3b5f

“I’m caught in a succession struggle within my family. I was poisoned and on my way to my family’s villa to recuperate when the knights assigned to protect me tried to kill me. I had to flee.”23d5ca24fe2143ba

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Topaz crossed 94b681c79a his arms, b2cf7c38ac his stance 7af67bbad3 skeptical.e50c7249ae6310fb

“You’re remarkably forthright. Either you’re fearless, naive, or both.”54dfdfe56031a7da

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“It would be a betrayal of your kindness to deceive you with lies,” the man said politely. He was suspicious, but his innocent blinking dissuaded Topaz from immediately holding a sword to his throat and demanding the truth.b12d88ed0ec5be9e

“One week.”da17ed13ca82552c

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“…..”fc60f03f130e1ba8

“I’ll give you one week to recover. After that, you leave quietly.”73a93ba19354e13e

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The man’s eyes widened before he bowed his head.34f676cfe621f345

“Thank you.”a9554fa7dc7d4270

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Topaz could see the bob of his Adam’s apple. He seemed to be hesitating. But after a long pause, his question was surprisingly trivial.459ddabbe5cb5c23

“My name is Karjen. May I ask your name, my benefactor?”d9b6ded25049f206

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“I’m no one’s benefactor.”5be95b601597a351

“Still, you’ve shown me great kindness. Please, tell me your name.”39d4ab5130a232e4

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“…Topaz.”72a643c01d692136

The man, Karjen, slowly smiled. “Topaz,” he murmured, savoring the name before speaking again.21a300176cdad28a

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“It suits you.”268d9542c58c1580

Watching Karjen smile with his pale face, Topaz thought, ‘There’s something strange about this one…’88757a941f9cb928

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Strange was b66c42caef an understatement.2dfea0822507a2c0

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“Topaz, I’ve brought you flowers. They’ll look beautiful on the table.”f391f78c3afeeb7a

His face, holding 4a40533461 an armful of 7c5464eed5 red flowers, was 050f8a836d radiant. Despite his lingering b0a26039e3 pallor, his blue c1b4d34112 eyes shone like 8e8027504a jewels, and a ca16f556a0 constant smile played 9a365b8e67 on his lips.1f83e45c5b2e492b

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Three hours since waking, his beauty, which hadn’t faded even when he was unconscious, was now almost overwhelming. Oblivious to Haran and Merdina staring open-mouthed, Karjen offered the red flowers with a bright smile. 0acc745f65b35620

Topaz, his expression impassive, warned, “Get rid of them.”5355bd15f94c86bd

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“What?”a20a022437693fb0

His blue eyes de57e4c8ce widened.f66ff7b9a6ddeb9b

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“They’re poisonous.”c31aecc46ba73bde

“Ah…”841c1d5d3b1cfdcf

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His shoulders slumped visibly as he looked down at the flowers he’d been cradling so carefully. Topaz sighed softly.13a09a9fbf9561c4

“I told you not to touch anything in this forest without asking.”33fc6a4c359c169e

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“Then tell me which flowers aren’t poisonous.”9f701f0485e78c09

“If you have time to pick flowers, chop some firewood.”5d16eae5ffdab303

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“Firewood?”f934817711fbcb59

He tilted 05213fb654 his head, eabb90c684 his gaze 8b9ededc80 drifting towards f1ef0135dc where Haran 789d89f5bc and Merdina 3fea2b58c0 stood. ‘So, he knew 7ec4f18ea8 we were there b421861f2c all along’, they fb9f9eae97 both thought.89aae91e3e6e6958

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But as a dazzling smile spread across Karjen’s face, Merdina quickly stepped back. Haran, inadvertently left exposed, found himself the target of Karjen’s gentle voice.a6526f28d8b0b7b4

“I’m still recovering, so Haran would be of more help than I. You’re good at that sort of thing, aren’t you, Haran?”5e5ec51e246bf550

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“…..”9a3f94c778e75849

Topaz didn’t care who chopped the wood, so he simply nodded.b22556d977430b09

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“There are many trees outside. Shall I gather some edible berries?”f48b78ebcf142f64

“You’re still recovering, remember?”5b6b1c3fb2c4574f

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“Are you concerned about me? You’re so kind, Topaz.”8135e64f305ac805

“…..”5c9cc35c0a19cac8

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“Even so, I’m well enough to be of some assistance.”e3b22edd413e3815

“Then only pick berries from trees with red berries and no flowers. Avoid trees with scarred trunks or claw-shaped leaves.”fab59a183ce9c126

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“That’s a bit difficult to visualize… I might make a mistake. Would you mind coming with me?”99a1ac1414f042bd

Topaz glanced f9fa6dae63 at Karjen, 5366b409d0 who was dc8252e255 feigning a 6bbd55a0ca perplexed frown, 10a8e581cc and instead 0d18314a84 of answering, 7c601424f2 started walking. Karjen, grabbing a 29ec7af6f6 woven basket, followed. A happy smile lit 42684712ce up his face as 90dd0cafb4 he ducked slightly to a5820873da pass through the doorway.27c4e2aa2578eb7c

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As soon as the cabin door closed, Haran muttered, “He’s planning to move in, isn’t he?”99f036744e346b3e

“…..”8c62bb3d23db8169

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Merdina silently 43c95f7fb9 handed him 4f976daa17 the axe b13bb2cdbb hanging on 3de1c63261 the wall. Haran accepted 89ba9d2d72 it with e4ed081681 a gloomy 9cb3741f2e expression, the 539c7eccd0 weight heavy f516c091f9 on his 6ce7755ecd shoulder.1d9b21ee903e56dc

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“Topaz, let’s go together.”2805c3816bfbeee7

The forest felt strange with another person’s voice echoing through it. The light footsteps following him felt equally odd.2a76fa554177a304

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He had 6cc3491b40 occasionally guided fb108f0daa lost children 1f68171425 out of 6b3f60ef9d the forest, 44f684875e but after f9e69bccb0 the rumors 90f32c0098 of a 62f5c0504c ghost started, 8cd3dd5ead no one f625ec2495 had entered b3a20ad278 for years. This was 76f5f37439 the first f2a1cd75bf time Topaz 256ce828f9 had brought a42730509f anyone to ebe64624a2 his cabin, e694e605e2 let alone 7450bd5ed2 someone who 9be4a1bea5 could clearly 8f0d517892 see his 301394c992 face.5e0966acee7e0536

Now that he was up and about, Karjen seemed quite well-built. He was tall enough that even Topaz, who wasn’t short, had to look up slightly. His broad shoulders and narrow waist gave him a slender appearance, yet his physique was surprisingly toned. Despite that, his delicate features and flowing black hair gave him a remarkably innocent air.f8a5c5b281a488c3

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The image of him sleeping flashed through Topaz’s mind. He had observed his uninvited guest throughout the night. He hadn’t intended to play nurse, but he found himself unable to look away. The patient’s condition was strange.3321adef361f39d6

According to his companions, he’d been poisoned, but his symptoms weren’t typical. There were no breathing difficulties, convulsions, or vomiting. He simply seemed to be in a deep sleep.fe2038f3979139cb

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More importantly, he was gradually recovering without any intervention. The deathly pallor and blue tinge to his lips had faded on their own, and he’d recovered enough to move about normally as soon as he woke.e2d5f0b2c28b7be3

Perhaps in this land, founded by mages and lenient towards them, death didn’t come easily to their kind.8620a071b237e85a

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Even so, he knew mages who had died… Topaz cut off the thought and continued walking.b526105e09d534c6

“The forest seems more peaceful than I’d heard,” Karjen said, plucking a berry from a high branch and dropping it into his basket. His clumsy picking had stained his fingertips red.4c1badeb9e893dac

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Half of the berries he picked were discarded by Topaz, so the basket filled slowly. But Karjen didn’t seem to mind. He seemed to be enjoying a leisurely stroll rather than foraging.ed4c2d841a0c14a9

“It’s daytime.”a26a5a8b5f86ee1a

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“Is it very different after sunset?”9002786b8bddf55c

“Everything that held its breath in the sunlight comes out to play.”b3b6f3fda9825891

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“Isn’t it difficult living alone in such a place?”e3b05e0333db0644

“I’m capable of protecting myself.”3246aece95153679

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“How impressive.”92f4f12b6b29ecae

He was wandering e75f985e53 through an unknown ab666cde15 forest with a 0a43c9c151 dangerous man, yet 0a7491e2db he admired him 07f98ac695 with carefree ease. Topaz wondered if he f2016ef5b0 was naive, foolish, or c5cde64d88 simply pretending to be.a791afc6340be0d4

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But then Topaz 5a3b8cc075 remembered that despite f67ba67e85 his gentle appearance, 13b3de0655 the man before e1d5815c29 him was a fad7f81f8c mage. And mages were usually 97b931a9f0 a bit eccentric. A detached sense of 665e76f15d reality and an inflated 974b3a4bee ego were common traits. Topaz accepted this readily 65da942079 and turned to continue e1a96cea40 their walk.e882f1bcf674f57d