Time passed. The travelers helped with some physical work: carrying material, cleaning, and so on. Midnight was approaching. Sadly, they weren't able to restore the wall or the gate. They had no equipment left. They were weak, sick, and tired, both mentally and physically. Most of their clothes were wet because of the rain. The campfire was far from the wall. As their camp was a secret place, they didn't use fire near the walls. Otherwise, the flames could be seen from far away. The camp was also suffering from a lack of manpower. For this reason, the commander gathered everyone near the campfire for a short time.
"All right, servants," Arrdun said, "this may be our last gathering, so I just wanted to thank all of you for your service and..."
"Hold your horses," Bardy interrupted. "What are you saying, Commander? I don't agree with this ending," he continued. "Only a monster can kill me."
The crew started to laugh, but not the travelers. Arrdun let Bardy speak.
"For this reason, nobody is guarding our gates," Bardy said, "because my smile is ready!" he shouted, and the crew continued to support him.
The crew started provoking the guests. Bardy recognized the moment and used it to promote himself.
"And how many dark divines or monsters have you met, dear travelers?" Bardy asked, looking at the travelers. "Oh, none. We are simple travelers, and we are afraid. Darkness is strong," Bardy answered himself.
"Ha ha ha, darkness is too strong," Bardy said laughing. "My smile will protect you, but I am afraid too," he continued. "Hoo-oo-o," he said, starting to make spooky sounds.
The travelers started to laugh and had a fun time. The crew was sharing stories to impress the guests.
"Indeed, we are simple travelers, Bardy. Luckily, we have you," the first one said. "This is how you keep motivation, I guess. Speaking about war, fights, right?"
"Yes. We speak about history, legends, or myths," Arrdun said. "We tell, we retell, and we try to learn from our own or others' mistakes," he continued. "The more knowledge we have, the better we are prepared."
"I am not sure about that," the first one said.
"Knowledge is good, but sometimes you need to consider other things as well," the second one said.
"What do you mean when you say 'other things'?" Arrdun asked curiously.
"Knowing about your forces is good," the first one said. "You have to take into consideration the enemies' numbers, strategy, and weaknesses."
"Indeed, that makes sense," Arrdun said.
"However," Bardy said, "only for our cook we speak also about the food."
"Food. That is good," the second one said. "I like it."
"Speaking of that," the first one said, "what unexpected fights can you tell me about?"
"Maybe you also met some of our clients," the second one said.
"The Commander and I have more experience and knowledge than others," Bardy said. For that reason, we are leading this crew."
"Experience and knowledge are good, but what about skills?" the second one asked.
"Skills? Why would I need that?" Bardy asked.
"Don't confuse him," the first one said to the second one.
"My mistake. I like to dive deep," the second one said.
"Looking for the unexpected?" a servant asked. "Life itself is unexpected, no fights needed."
"For me, if I had to choose, I would say the monsters," another servant said. "That is unexpected."
"Hmm, interesting," the first one said. "And how many have you already managed to kill?"
"Only one!" the crew shouted.
"That's brave," the second one said. "And how did you do it?"
"Well, actually, we were just lucky," Arrdun said. "We were at the right place at the right time," he continued. "For the record, only Bardy, a few other soldiers, and I handled it."
"So, the way that you folk answer, I will suppose that whatever your clan claims, you speak from it, right?" the first one asked.
"Right, all of us do like that," the crew said.
"Monsters are a joke," Bardy said.
"That's wrong, fool," a servant said to Bardy.
"You don't know," Bardy answered him.
"A joke?" the first one asked. "Maybe you can take one by yourself." The crew started to laugh.
"No, what a question. Of course not," Bardy said. "I just wanted to say that, for me, what is unexpected is witches."
"Ohh," the second one said. "That's truly unexpected."
"You see, the thing is, when you see a monster, it's simple," Bardy said. "You know it's a monster, and you'll probably run as fast as you can." The crew laughed. "However, here is the real problem. When you see a witch, it's complicated," he continued. "You don't know what to expect. I mean, indeed, nothing good, but at the same time, it's hidden."
"Hidden?" the first one asked. "Do you mean that it's hard to find out?"
"Exactly!" Bardy shouted. "Finding out is the key phrase. Witches are unexpected because you are never sure if the person truly is a witch or not."
"Yeah, that's for sure. Maybe we are also witches," the first one said, smiling. "Owo, owo," he said, starting to make some scary sounds, and the crew was laughing.
"Surprisingly, in many places, people like witches because they can resolve some problems," the second one said.
"That one I know. That's why I hate them more than the monsters," Bardy said. "Witches are true monsters hidden inside beings like me," he continued. "Problem-solving, yes, but at what cost? And at the same time problem-creating for someone."
"Maybe you are jealous of their powers?" the first one asked.
"What would be the first thing that you would do if you become a witch?" the second one asked curiously.
"Power? No, I am not jealous. I have no problem with that. The problem comes when that power is used to harm others," he continued. "The first thing I would do is go and kill all witches, then kill myself."
"Maybe you are a bit harsh with yourself," the first one said. "I guess there is something that bothers you a bit about witches, right?"
"Yeah, there is this thing I can't understand," Bardy said. "You see, I've been doing this for about fifteen years. Most of my opponents were humans like me. I've already seen monsters a few times and managed to kill just one," he continued. "As for witches, well, personally, I've faced many of them and killed them."
"And what is the deal with that?" the second one asked.
"Well, the thing is, for me it's still unclear. I'll give you an example," Bardy said. "Long story short, my group and I managed to find one, and I went alone to face the witch. The other's role was to create a distraction. I never saw his powers myself, but others told me about the harm he had done," he continued. "I sneaked in and entered the hearth, pretending to be a client. The witch was a boy, about ten or twelve years old," Bardy added. "He looked at me. I took out my bone dagger. He was confused," he continued. "Before he managed to talk, I rushed in. I was fast. I stabbed his throat, and he died."
"And what bothers you?" the first one asked.
"Do you regret it?" the second one asked.
"No, I don't. I would do it again if needed," Bardy said. "I just looked at him. He was like me, a human, and I can't understand what they are," he continued. "What do they want, and why do those beings look like us?" he said. "Undercover monsters. Why don't they look like simple monsters that everyone can see and recognize?"
"Hm, I think I get it," the first one said. "You weren't sure if he was really a witch, right?"
"Yes, I think so," Bardy said.
"All right. It's also about feelings," the second one said. "If the witch had looked different, now you wouldn't have the feeling that you killed a boy."
"No, it's not about feelings. I don't care what shape the witch takes, whether a boy, a girl, a baby, a man, an old person or a woman," Bardy said. "Just for me, I don't understand. Visually, we are so similar, but how different we are."
"Understood," the first one said. "The origin and the motivation, right?"
"Exactly. You got it," Bardy said.
"Tell something new, Bardy," Arrdun said. "For me, witches are weaker versions of the dark divines. They are like the dark divines but much more vulnerable. Speaking about power and jealousy, I would say the dark divines themselves are truly unexpected."
"Boring," the crew yelled.
"Commander, you are wrong. For the dark divines, being unexpected is normal. It is their nature," a servant said from the crew.
"They have rights and reasons. They protected and freed us," another servant said. "With their flaws and mistakes, after all, they made all things. They can do it."
"Speaking like that about the dark divines?" the first one asked, surprised. "But before this, you said that you have no masters. You are funny. Just tell me which Dark Divine is your master, there is no reason to hide."
"Hmm, I am confused," the second one said. "A private clan that serves no masters, yet still praises them?" Can you remind me who they protected and freed us from?" he continued. "From themselves? Does this even make sense?"
"Weird. I thought a clan with no master should hate the dark divines," the first one said.
"Honestly speaking," the second one said, "I think you have a master but just don't want to tell us."
"Commander, Commander!" the crew shouted.
"Commander," Bardy said calmly, "did you hear that? Did they just call you a liar?"
"Wait, wait, my apologies," the first one said. "No, we didn't want to disrespect you."
"We're just speaking and discussing the matter," the second one said. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"All right then, speaking about the matter I will say," Arrdun said, "yes, we have no masters. Yes, the dark divines protected and freed us," he continued, "but that doesn't mean they are good or that we trust them," he said. "I don't know how your lives went, travelers, but there was nobody else. Only the dark divines took action. If you know someone else, I am listening."
"The painful part is when the dark divines were fighting against their enemies," a servant said. "I heard you don't even have time to escape."
"Yeah, that's for sure," Arrdun said. "Me and Bardy saw a few small fights, and that was impressive," he continued. "And who knows why they were named dark divines?"
"Good question. I think I know," the first one said. "I suppose before a fight they cover their body parts with dark clouds of colors such as gray."
"Exactly, so you saw them too, cool," Arrdun said. "But you know what, dear travelers, I have a better question than your unexpected fights."
"We will see," the first one said. "Ask me and maybe I will be surprised."
"What I will say isn't just my own perspective. Many others share the same. As a commander of this crew, I tried my best to keep all our values and I succeeded," Arrdun said. "Through pain, suffering, wetness, blood, and darkness, my servants, soldiers, and I did it. However," he continued, "after fifteen years of service, I have come to the conclusion that nothing matters anymore."
"You mean that you gave up?" the first one asked.
"No, it's not about giving up," Arrdun said.
"Maybe you can join another clan?" the second one asked.
"No, I am not saying that joining the dark divines, monsters, witches, or whatever is a good idea. But," Arrdun said, "fifteen years is a long time. Let me show you."
Arrdun took out a small sharp rock from his pocket.
"Can everyone see what I'm holding?" Arrdun said loudly as he showed it to the crew.
"Yeah, we see," the crew with travelers said.
"As I said, we kept our values but at a horrible cost," Arrdun said sadly and placed the rock on his throat. "We never give up and most of the time the enemy can't capture us," he continued. "What would change if I cut myself?" he asked. "Maybe I am dumb but I just want to understand what I am doing in this shitty world."
"You know, Commander, if that was a joke, I would like to laugh. But I would say cleaning the shit is our job," the first one said seriously. "We may not know each other, but I feel your pain."
"Maybe you won't believe me," the second one said, "but jokes aside, we came here to find answers for that specific question too."
"You talk a little too much," the first one said to the second one.
"Midnight is here and even passed a bit," the second one answered. "Are you going to keep your hands clean?"
"What do you want from me?" the first one asked.
"Asking like you don't know," the second one replied.
This small discussion between the two travelers confused the crew.
"What did you come here for?" Arrdun asked and put the rock back.
"Nothing," the first one said coldly. "He wanted to say that we were also searching for answers."
"Those questions are very hard to answer," the second one said. "And even if you find answers, will that give you the strength to continue?"
"Strength," Arrdun said laughing. "There is no strength left. Do you know why we don't have masters?"
"No, but I know that you know," the second one said.
"Ha, ha, you are smart," Arrdun said. "We didn't choose the dark divines, monsters, or all that stuff because, for us, they are evil," he continued. "And we hoped and believed that something or someone different might exist, and one beautiful day things would change dramatically."
"Crap!" the first one shouted, standing up and looking at the sky.
"What, did I say something wrong?" Arrdun asked, confused.
"No, you did nothing wrong," the second one said, looking at the first one with an angry face.
"All right, it was nice to meet you folk," the first one said. "But I just remembered that there is something I need to do," he continued. "I will need to go now."
"Go? Now? Where?" Arrdun asked, confused.
"You people are strange," Bardy said smiling.
"Great," the second one said loudly, looking at the first one. "I wish you good luck."
"What, are you staying here?" the first one asked tensely.
"So what? I changed my mind," the second one said coldly.
"Feeling uncomfortable?" the cook asked while looking at the travelers.
"The day wasn't the best one," the first one said gently.
"Maybe you can explain where my cup is?" the cook asked.
"Sorry, we lost it," the second one said. "I will give you a new one, even a better one."
"Lost it?" the cook asked, surprised. "How? Where?"
"I don't remember. It fell from my hand," the first one said.
"Hmm, a new cup, even a better one," the cook said. "I don't know what that means, but it sounds interesting."
"Don't worry about the cup," the second one said, looking at the cook. "I liked your tea and you have my word."
Some time passed. Everybody was silent. They only heard the sound of burning wood in the campfire. The travelers were speaking with each other a bit far from the campfire. Then they came back and noticed that everyone, with sad faces, was looking at the fire.
"Please, may I ask a question, mister, before you leave?" a servant said, breaking the silence calmly while looking at the travelers.
"Yes, sure," the first one said.
"But don't get angry," he added. "I don't know you. I thought it would be a good idea to ask permission first."
The first one didn't look at the servant but smiled and nodded.
"Thanks. I often ask this question to different people and see what they will say. Prepare yourself; it's something vague," he said. "The question is," he said, paused, took a breath, and continued in a different tone, "Why?"
The voice was clear and calm, but through it the travelers heard the pain and sadness. Two travelers looked at each other. At that moment, the first one was playing with the campfire, stirring a small tree branch inside the fire. He stopped moving the branch and looked at the servant, then at Arrdun. "Because the light lost," the first one answered sadly.
"What an answer!" the servant said.
"Wow, I wasn't expecting that kind of answer," Bardy said, surprised.
"True, even for me," Arrdun said, surprised.
"What is happening?" another servant asked. "Something that surprised our commander and his friend. I have never seen this before."
"Why is that?" the first one asked.
"You see, simply they are more experienced," the servant said. "Fifteen years is not a joke.
They have been doing this since they were young."
When the travelers heard this, they smiled.
"Something funny about that?" Bardy asked seriously.
"Wait a minute, my hearing is as sharp as my knives," the cook said.
"We still have knives?" Bardy asked, surprised.
"Only death will take my knives when I die," the cook said. "Don't interrupt, please."
"Dear traveler," the cook said, joining his two hands, "you speak as if you regret something. I recognize that voice."
"There are no regrets," the second one said.
"My words weren't for you," the cook said.
"No regrets? That's a lie. Everybody did something wrong," Arrdun said.
"Confirmed!" Bardy added.
"All right, wait a minute, cook. Your sad dull knives can wait," Arrdun said. "As much as your answer surprised me, it also makes no sense. Are you playing smart, or are you smart?"
"Both," the first one said.
"Maybe you meant to say that we lost the light?" Arrdun asked.
"No. I'm telling you the light lost against the darkness. It's different," the first one said, correcting.
"You're wrong. It can't be," Arrdun said.
"Why can't it?" the second one asked.
"Because, as said by the dark divines, the light is just an illusion. It doesn't exist, only darkness," Arrdun said. "If it did exist, it would definitely have won against darkness."
"Confirmed!" Bardy added. "Are you born yesterday, travelers? The world was made by the Dark Divines. They have ruled it from the start and will rule until the end. Even monsters couldn't overthrow them. Maybe the light from this campfire can defeat them."
"Didn't know I was sitting with experts," the first one said.
"We should learn from you," the second one said.
"After all, folks," Bardy said, "if the light existed, someone would know or notice it, right?"
"Yes, correct!" the crew shouted.
"There is no record about the light," Bardy said. "I don't know what or whom you refer to when you say light."
"Maybe some decent Dark Divine, I guess so," a servant said, "or a less evil one or a monster?"
"So, tell me, stranger," Arrdun said looking at the first one. "If the light lost, what happened next? Where did the light go after the defeat? Where are they now?"
"He's right," Bardy said. "For comparison, we all know where the Dark Divines are. They aren't hiding. But where is the light now?"
"I don't know all the answers, but I know where the light is," the first one said.
"About the answers, he is lying," the second one added, smiling.
"Light, light, light," the crew shouted.
"Do you really want to know? I think you won't believe me," the first one shouted, smiling.
"Yes, we want to know," the crew shouted back.
"Don't, not like this," the second one said quietly to the first one.
"All right, as you wish," the first one said.
The second one put his index finger near his mouth, and the crew became silent.
"Now the light is here," the first one said.
For a brief moment, the crew was silent. Then, everyone burst out laughing loudly.
"You're a better joke maker than Bardy," a servant said.
The travelers noticed something hanging around Arrdun's neck.
"What is that? What are you wearing?" the first one asked curiously.
"Oh, just nothing. Not a big deal. Just a piece of wood," Arrdun said.
"Can I see it up close, please?" the first one asked calmly.
"Me too, me too," the second one said eagerly. "I would like to see it, if it's possible."
"All right, but don't get too close to the fire, please," Arrdun said. He pulled the wooden necklace from beneath his tunic, took it off, and handed it to the first one while the second one tried to get a look as well.
"Just useless wood," Bardy said. "When we get bored, we make random stuff from whatever we have."
"Darkness may take me!" the first one said surprised.
"Where did you get this?" the second one asked.
"Well, actually, it's so old, I don't even remember who gave it to me," Arrdun said. Crap! No way they recognized it. It's our ancestry's secret history. I thought we were alone. How can other groups exist? He must be pretending or confusing it with something else.
"How much do you want for this?" the first one asked seriously.
"Sorry, I can't sell it," Arrdun said.
"Why not?" the second one asked. "If it's random stuff, as Bardy said."
"Good question. Why do you need it in the first place?" Arrdun replied.
"Well, it's private," the first one said. "Answering a question with a question, nice try."
The crew laughed.
"You know, after all," the first one said looking at the second one, "you may be right or this might be a waste of time."
"Strange. It's confusing," the second one said looking at the first one. "They are or they stole."
"Anyway, here, take it back," the first one said. Without standing, he reached out to give the necklace back.
From the darkness, a noise was heard.
"What is that?" Arrdun asked worriedly, quickly taking back the necklace.
"I'll check it now," Bardy said as he stood up, but when he turned, nobody was there.
"It could be animals," the first one said. "They saw the fire."
"Weird. The fire should keep them away, not attract them," the second one said.
"Yeah, I agree," Arrdun said. "There are no animals nearby."
"Don't forget about the rain," Bardy added. "They'd probably be hiding."