[ Continuation ]

Suddenly, a voice came from Zeph's mouth.

"Why did you stop ?"

Finally, Branded instinct took the advantage on the dream. And brought Zeph in a complicated situation. He didn't know if he should feel betrayed, though Elidran wasn't really his friend, disapointed or understanding. Basically, Elidran is a mercenary and he needs money. And Zeph doesn't count for no one anymore. But, he hoped this will change and go back to normal. Elidran just needs a moment to think if he really wants to kill him.

Zeph straightened up on the bed to be seated and gaze at the ceiling.

"Aa-aah... I can't even take my bow from here. Too bad, eh ? I don't even know why I'm so calm right now. Usually, I should panic, a little at least." He seemed to small and laugh quietly. "But I feel as, whatever you'll do, I won't move. But, personnaly, I would prefer to live a little more, you know ? Then, you can take your time to think about it. Or, you can, I don't know, cut my hand and bring it at your employeer ~... not sure it'll work though."

Even near to the death, he kept speaking.

"Stupid..." He spoke, with a strange undertone. It was either fear, hate, anxiety, happiness.. what would it be? "You're stupid.."
He grinned with a sad face. It wouldn't be seen in the near-dark, yet..

In annoyance, he threw the blade at Zeph. Purposedly, he missed it, worst case it would actually cut Zeph slightly. He allowed his own back to slide away from the wall, sit down on the floor and end up in a position as if he would be crying, or about to cry.

If anyone were to die, why not Elidran himself. His life hadn't got any meaning anyway. He was just a mercenary without family, wandering around in the country that isn't the one where he was born, just to be in this situation in the end.

His reflexes wasn't fast enough to notice the blade coming before it hits the wall behind him. He was surprised, first by the blade itself, and by Elidran's reactions. "Why ..." he began, but stop the sentence. He didn't need to say more than this word, and plus, the swordmaster sat down on the floor worry him. Softly, he come out the bed and approach Elidran. Seeing it like this really makes him sad. He knew the feelings of his "companion" and actually feel sorry. Even sorry to be alive, attempt to his mission and now, make him bad.

He sat newt to him, fixing the window in the front wall and friendly tapped his shoulder. "I'm sorry guy. Sorry to be so stupid ~..."

Find the good words has never been the strong point of Zeph, then, he stayed pretty quiet in this situation. What Elidran was thinking about ? He didn't imagine him so depressed. He looked at first like a heartless person, but finally, it figures that he's a lost young man who hadn't the choice to go back after being a mercenary.

He didn't expected him either to grab his hand. Maybe it wasn't what he wanted to do actually but it was another proof of the swordmaster condition. Anyway, together, they might be able to change all this. But first...

"Do you want to go out a little ? I mean... night fresh air should be good to you.", he stated, dubious.

As he noticed he was holding Zeph's hand he released it immediately.

"No... I don't need it.."

He removed at the same time his hand as it seemed to bother Elidran a little.

"As you want. But... err... If I can give you an advice... don't think too much. It hurts. And try to sleep, to recover. And... If my presence bother you, I'll go tomorrow. I don't want to be a problem for anyone."

He kept looking at the window, but his usual smile was gone now.

"You don't have to leave."

He spoke while still staring at the ground. He didn't know what he was doing, but realized one thing. He should really go home to Daein himself.

"I don't really want to, anyway." Of course he didn't. That made too long he didn't have a friend, since he left Kilvas. Even if he would come back, no one would welcome him.

He stood up and took the sword on the ground. Damn, it supposed to be the weapon of his own death. Carefully, he put it on the table before sitting down on the bed again, front of Elidran.

"What will you do now ?" he asked calmely.

"I should... go home and live a life." He muttered. "But I don't have any money to do so."

That would've been it.. the reason he came here. To be home. Without family, and not really knowing how to take over a farm at .. his.. 14? or which age he was.. He needed money, and knew he could get it here.

He surely is a fool.

"Go home ? Daein, isn't it ? I don't know exactly where we are in Beignon but... Eh, I can escort you, I have money left and I'm a pretty good hunter ! Hunting is free food if you know how to make a fire ~ ." he said louder and enthusiasm. "You're young Elidran. You don't have to give up now, if you try to do the most you can, you'll be able to go back home and as you said, "live a life". I'm sure your family is waiting for you, or so."

Actually, the similarity of his own situation drived him to help the young swordmaster. He didn't know how long an hard will be the journey but Elidran/they had to try anyway. If Elidran wants.

"I don't have any family left. Plus," he sighed "I should still cancel the job."

Even though he made statements of knowing what he should do, or just would have to do, he was just unsure. Uncertainty still filled him, but the headache was fading.. a little.

"Ow, I'm sorry.. But, once you'll be in Daien, you'll find a job, even if it's mercenary again, and with time, you'll can buy a little house !"

He knew that was an utopia vision. Things are more difficult than that, but he tried to give a little hope.

"And for this job... what will happen if you cancel it ? Or ignore it ? The best should be to go as soon as possible.

"My .. house might be still there. But I don't know whether it is for real or not.
And, most likely, someone else might be sent after you."

What else? His employer wanted to get rid of Zeph.

"If your house is still good, it's really good beginning." He took few seconds before resuming. "And, of course I guess you need a proof that I'm dead, eh ? Too bad. But whatever, they can send many mercenaries they want, I don't care. ... Actually I care a little. But, if I have to, I'll defend myself~ you can't get rid of me so easily.I think you noticed that point."

He just didn't want to make Elidran in danger if someone saw him with his own target, or just a Branded. And, he had to keep in mind that Elidran is confused now and, possibly kill him if things became bad.

He bowed forwards, letting his head rest on his knees, folding his arms partly over it. He muttered somewhat.
"Yeah, you'd be fine. About the house, I don't know."

"Though, you have to try, eh ? We'll go to Daein and we'll see if the house is still there. I don't think we have the choice, right ? Let's go when you'll be prepared and we'll improvise there. Okay ?"

He tried to be confident and comfort the young man. It seemed to be hard, but to give up wasn't acceptable for Zeph.