“Although I would gladly assist, my son Valik is very ill. Right now, I can’t focus on work. I’m sorry.”

  Her voice, feeble and strained, barely carried through the air. She was pale, and her visible cheekbones hinted at malnutrition. Clouded and weary, her gray-blue eyes stared out from a tired face marked by dark eye bags from sleepless nights.

  A single mother.

  Red empathized with the woman. She was dressed simply but neatly, her clothes clean. It didn’t matter that she was the only seamstress in town when most of the clientele were poorer than her, offering food rather than coins. The other townsfolk cared for their clothes instead of spending money on new ones.

  “I understand, ma’am—”

  Red, being polite, shot a glance at Dave, who stood right behind her with Joaquin, as he interrupted her with a loud sniff.

  “Is there any way we can help?” she asked.

  Such an offer visibly took aback the seamstress.

  “A—ah. T—thank you. But the doctor has already been here. However, the medicine he gave Valik isn’t helping at all.”

  Her grip around the old doorknob tightened as her gaze fell. The burden of a sick child fading in front of a mother’s eyes is one of the heaviest.

  For a quick moment, Dave leaned towards Red and whispered something in her ear. As he withdrew, a faint smile curved her lips, and she continued with the conversation.

  “Ma’am, I understand how you feel. I have a younger brother, Cedrick. He was frequently sick, as far as I can remember. He was a fragile little boy. Once it was really serious, and the doctor’s medicine wasn’t working. However, his condition took a turn for the better when he started taking the doctor’s wife’s herbal remedy. Witnessing it was so inspiring that I decided to pursue the study of herbology.”

  “You studied herbology?” the seamstress asked, lifting her head, and her eyes, playing with a new gentle flame of hope, met Red’s.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Red nodded with a warm smile.

  “At Narzum University.”

  “Narzum?!”

  The change in atmosphere and the seamstress’s attitude were clear. Even Joaquin had a hard time keeping his face straight upon learning such a fact suddenly. He slowly turned his head to look at Dave, trying to seem as natural as possible. But Dave paid him no attention.

  Narzum was a well-known and highly respected university among all countries on the continent. Even people from beyond the seas were attending it. The kingdom of Saggezza Fedele built its whole glory and history around its university and the status of being the land of scholars. Everyone, even folks in small towns, heard of it. Parents wished their child would become a student there and graduate to earn the ring. The idea of Red attending it seemed crazy. She was young. And Sagezza Fedele lay across the continent.

  “I have my graduate ring here. Give me a second,” Red paused, then pulled a massive ring from her bag.

  It was made of white gold and featured the Narzum crest—a book and two crossed keys. Joaquin’s legs nearly buckled beneath him.

  “Here.”

  Red held out the ring for the seamstress to examine.

  “While my friends go to the market and buy other things we need for our travel, I can check on your son, ma’am. In herbology, we learn about various illnesses, so we better understand how each herb works and why. Maybe I will recognize something the doctor has overlooked.”

  Dave glanced at Joaquin, who had a lingering question in his eyes. With a tilt of his head, Dave commanded him to leave. Then he turned and started walking away.

  “We’ll be at Hertz Inn,” he said, and Red nodded.

  Joaquin bowed slightly and followed him.

  “She never mentioned that to me,” the bard said, once they were far from the seamstress’s home.

  “What exactly?” Dave smirked.

  “That she studied at Narzum.”

  “You don’t know many things, bard.”

  “I hope she will be able to help that poor woman.”

  Dave said nothing back, so Joaquin was left with his thoughts. He knew Dave wouldn’t be the fount of information to satisfy his curiosity.

  Narzum University.

  Countless stories and legends circulated about that place. It was the continent’s sole university, perhaps globally, maintaining the tradition of sharing knowledge of magic and mysticism. At least, real magic, not the fancy magic stuff from stories and mythologies. But all fields they taught shaped the greatest minds. Mathematics, biology, economy. However, getting through their entrance exams was extremely hard. He had met no one brave enough to attend, let alone graduate from there.

  Joaquin sighed, put his hands in his pockets, and a wide smile adorned his face.

  These two are truly something else.

  A real blessing for someone like him. He knew traveling with them would ignite his creative spark. Now, he dared to believe these two would inspire the greatest ballad ever told.

  ???

  “Where is Dave?”

  Red’s voice, a symphony laced with nuanced notes of exhaustion and concern, resonated in the ambient warmth of Hertz Inn.

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  Joaquin, ensconced at the bar, savored the depths of a dark beer. The hushed voices of regular evening guests murmuring tales of the day’s trials and triumphs while enjoying their after-work drinks were creating a familiar melody in the background. The graceful turn of the bard’s head released a cascade of unruly curls into the air, a fleeting dance that framed his pale, shaved face embellished by a frothy, white mustache. Red’s eyes, though weary, held a playful glint of amusement.

  “Lady Red, finally. The sun is already setting down. I was getting worried. Have you spent the whole day with the seamstress?”

  Red nodded wearily and eased into the chair beside him. The ritual of unbuttoning her crimson cape unfolded as if it were a silent performance, the fabric cascading down her shoulders with a soft rustle onto the bar chair, punctuated by an involuntary yawn.

  “I asked something first,” she said.

  “Ah, yes, sorry.”

  The bard’s gaze lingered on her features, a subtle puzzle unraveling in his mind. Did Red’s allure increase daily, or was it the beer’s essence? Or had she been this enchanting all along, hidden beneath the veneer of stress and circumstance? Maybe her exhaustion made her appear delicate and feminine.

  “Something on my face?” Red teased, and another yawn followed.

  “Something pretty, but it was there this whole time, my lady.”

  It was in Joaquin’s nature to be a maestro of charm, a role he embraced effortlessly.

  Red, subdued by fatigue, offered less resistance than usual and felt warmth spreading on her face. Also, the directness he employed was a rarity in her interactions with men.

  “Joaquin.”

  She elongated the name with a tone that carried both playfulness and reproach.

  “Well, it is true. As for Dave, the mystery of his whereabouts eludes me. He graced me with this beer, promising a swift return. A mere ten minutes have passed since his departure. I thought he might be in search of you.”

  “I see.”

  “Anything for you, madam?” the young innkeeper asked as he emerged from the kitchen and right away paid attention to his freshly arrived guest.

  “I guess it’s time for dinner. What do you have, Mr.?”

  “Grilled chicken breasts, legs, and wings with mushrooms and potatoes, or a beef soup with vegetables, madam.”

  “Mmm, beef soup sounds wonderful. How about you, Joaquin? Will you dine with me?”

  “Sure. Eh, soup is fine,” he said in a hushed voice.

  “Fine, you mean cheaper?”

  She poked him in the thigh, and a wave of shame washed over him for his feeble attempt to conceal it.

  “No, it’s—I mean.”

  He scratched his neck.

  “You and Dave have already done so much for me.”

  “Joaquin.”

  She turned towards him, her hand gently resting on his shoulder.

  “You don’t have to feel bad. Both Dave and I earn enough coin. Eating less or cheap won’t aid anyone.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. You’ve already been of great help. Asking about the seamstress and gathering information are valuable contributions. You do what you can within your situation. So, relax.”

  Her smile, radiant and cheerful, illuminated the space, though the weariness in her drooping eyelids betrayed her lack of energy.

  “I promise I’ll repay your kindness. To both of you.”

  “I know.”

  She tapped him on the shoulder and turned back to the young innkeeper.

  “I’d like one big bowl of soup and chicken breasts with all the other stuff for my friend here.”

  “Right away, madam.”

  “So,” Joaquin began, his voice weaving through the air with a delicate uncertainty. “What about the kid?”

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. It was intoxication. The seamstress had symptoms as well.”

  “Intoxication by what? Food?”

  “Stachybotrys chartarum.”

  “What in the abyss is that?!”

  Joaquin’s eyebrows shot upwards, and he almost spat out his beer.

  “A kind of invasive species.”

  Red directed her attention towards him, her tone low and serious.

  “It lives in dark, humid areas, spreads fast, and can easily kill. It produces a poison that causes dizziness, vomiting, and tiredness.”

  “W—wow. Wait, did someone take care of that? Have you spoken to the guards or the city mayor?”

  Red started giggling. Joaquin was pale and visibly shaken.

  “W—what’s so funny?”

  “It was mold, Joaquin. A black mold, to be precise.”

  “Mold?! They were poisoned by mold? You made it sound like some kind of dangerous creature.”

  “Well, it kinda is. All things considered, it is alive. It grows and reproduces. It can spread pretty fast if not dealt with, and inhaling consistently leads to poisoning and can easily cause death.”

  “That’s why the doctor’s medicine was not working? The kid was not sick; he was poisoned. And persistently breathing it.” Joaquin mused as he took a large sip from his beer and looked at Red with awe.

  This is song material. A slight dramatic change will give it a nice twist. Mold…

  “Yes, but he will be fine now,” Red said with a smile after she let out another enormous yawn and stretched in her chair.

  With the movement as she spread her arms to the roof, her shirt enveloped her curves. Joaquin, affected by beer, couldn’t resist inspecting her figure, especially her full chest.

  “After I checked the boy,” Red continued, undisturbed by Joaquin’s rude stare he thought she hadn’t noticed.

  To some extent, she enjoyed his attention. Because of her journey with Dave, she had little to no opportunity for flirting.

  “His mother led me to the basement, and because I knew what I was looking for, we swiftly found it. I explained to her the situation, and after a while, she got a few neighbors in who helped us clean it properly and carefully. I gave her tips on how to keep the area safe and gifted her a fistful of herbs to fight the intoxication. But even with the help of others, getting rid of it safely was difficult, that’s why it took so long. She was so nice and grateful she offered me lunch and also gave us a discount for clothes we needed from her. Tomorrow, we’ll go to get measured, but I won’t accept her discount. She needs coin more than we.”

  As Red spoke, she rested her head in her hand, leaning on the bar counter, and Joaquin listened to her with an open mouth.

  “Here it is, madam, your soup. Enjoy your meal,” the bartender said.

  With equal politeness, the innkeeper served Joaquin a plate of chicken before attending to the other guests.

  “Bon appétit, Joaquin.”

  With the first spoonful of the beef soup, a delightful warmth permeated her whole body. The rich flavors embraced her taste buds, and the tender chunks of beef melted effortlessly. The vegetables added a delightful earthiness, creating a harmonious balance of textures. It was a journey through a comforting blend of seasoned perfection, temporarily soothing the weariness that clung to her bones. Red closed her eyes, relishing the moment, as the aroma of the meal enveloped her senses, transporting her to a place of culinary delight.

  “To you too, lady Red. Also, you look tired.”

  Maybe I should offer a shoulder massage after dinner.

  Amidst pleasant thoughts of an evening with Red, a disturbing image of Dave beating him to death flashed through his mind. Despite not displaying any interest in her, and with Red stating they were merely travel companions, Joaquin sensed that the bond between them was not something ordinary or something to carelessly tamper with. However, he would love to mess up her long, chestnut hair.

  “Ah, yes, I am. The boy, Valik, was in such an awful state that I had to—” she stopped, and her relaxed expression narrowed.

  “You had to what?” Joaquin asked carefully.

  He knew the hesitation he just noticed in her speech very well. He almost learned something he wasn’t supposed to.

  “I had to prepare a complicated potion for him, to clean his organism. Also, getting rid of that mold was exhausting, and even though I used a scarf to protect myself, I definitely breathed in some toxins. But don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll finish my soup and go get some rest.”

  “You’ll truly be alright? Shouldn’t I go with you and…”

  She turned towards him with a warm smile and reached with her hand toward his face. He was taken aback by such action, but as she wiped off the rest of his foam mustache and chuckled, the corners of his lips fell before they both started laughing.

  “I’ll be fine. Wait here for Dave. Curious about the outcome, he’ll come to wake me up in my room.”

  With these words, she returned to her soup and continued eating. When she finished, she gave her thanks to the innkeeper and went straight up to her room.

  Joaquin found himself alone once more, with swirling thoughts of new knowledge and unanswered questions. He wondered what, and if something, Red was hiding from him.

  Was it really just a mold? Why did she hesitate when talking about helping the boy? And what was Dave whispering to her outside the seamstress’s house?

  Consumed by thoughts, he didn’t notice Dave coming back. Not just that. It took him quite a while to realize he was sitting next to him, staring, and holding something he would never expect him to bring. Oh, and how delicately he cradled it, as if it were a priceless gem, which it truly was to Joaquin.