Edrin had learned something new about cities.
They were even worse when you had a mission.
"I don't understand how buying supplies became more stressful than fighting monsters," he said, clutching a small bag like it might try to escape.
"Because supplies don't try to kill you," Ronan replied.
Edrin frowned. "That's exactly why I don't trust them."
Lyra ignored both of them as she spoke with a merchant, calmly negotiating in a way that suggested she had done this many times before.
Edrin leaned closer to Ronan. "…She's terrifying in a different way."
Ronan nodded. "Very."
"I think she just convinced him to lower the price without saying anything threatening."
"She didn't need to."
Edrin watched as Lyra returned, handing him a bundle.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Food," she said.
Edrin blinked. "That seems important."
"It is."
"I will protect it with my life."
"You won't need to," Lyra replied.
"You don't know that."
Ronan laughed. "At this rate, the food might survive longer than you."
"That's not encouraging."
They moved through the market, gathering what they needed—water, supplies, equipment.
Edrin tried to help.
He failed.
At one point, he attempted to carry too many items at once and nearly dropped all of them.
"I had it," he insisted as Lyra took half the load away.
"You didn't," she said.
"I believed I did."
"That's not the same thing."
Edrin sighed. "It felt convincing."
Eventually, they stepped away from the busiest part of the market, regrouping near a quieter street.
Edrin leaned against a wall again.
"…I'm tired."
"You haven't done anything," Ronan said.
"I've existed in a stressful environment."
"That's fair," Ronan admitted.
Lyra crossed her arms. "We still need information."
Edrin groaned. "More talking?"
"Yes."
"I preferred the part where I almost died."
"You'll get that again soon," Ronan said.
Edrin paused. "…That's not comforting anymore."
Before they could move, a voice called out—
"Lyra."
All three of them turned.
A man approached, dressed in light armor, his posture confident but controlled.
Lyra's expression shifted—just slightly.
"You know him?" Edrin whispered.
"Yes," she said.
"That tone suggests history."
"It does."
The man stopped in front of them.
"Didn't expect to see you here," he said.
Lyra remained calm. "I could say the same."
Edrin looked between them. "…Should I be concerned?"
"Yes," Ronan said.
"I thought so."
The man's gaze shifted to Edrin.
And paused.
"…So it's true," he said.
Edrin sighed. "I'm starting to hate that phrase."
"You're the one drawing their attention," the man continued.
Edrin nodded. "I would like to stop doing that."
"That's not possible," the man said.
Edrin looked at Lyra. "Everyone keeps saying that."
Lyra didn't respond.
The man stepped closer. "Name's Kael."
Edrin raised a hand slightly. "Edrin. I fall a lot."
"I've heard," Kael said.
Edrin blinked. "…Of course you have."
Ronan smirked. "His reputation is growing."
"I don't want a reputation."
"Too late."
Kael crossed his arms. "You're heading north."
It wasn't a question.
Lyra nodded. "We are."
Kael's expression hardened slightly. "Then you'll need more than supplies."
Edrin sighed. "That sounds expensive."
"It's not about cost," Kael said.
"That's worse."
Kael looked directly at him.
"You'll need someone who knows what's out there."
Edrin pointed at Ronan. "We have him."
"I heard that," Ronan said.
Kael shook his head. "Not enough."
Lyra studied him carefully. "…You're offering."
"I am."
Edrin groaned softly. "More people."
"You need it," Kael said.
Edrin looked at Lyra.
Then at Ronan.
Then back at Kael.
"…Are you also going to judge me?" he asked.
Kael paused.
Then shrugged slightly. "Probably."
Edrin sighed. "At least you're honest."
Lyra spoke before he could continue. "We'll consider it."
Kael nodded. "You don't have much time."
"Tomorrow," Lyra said.
Kael's expression didn't change.
"Then decide quickly."
He turned—
And walked away.
Edrin watched him go.
"…I don't like him," he said.
"You don't know him," Ronan replied.
"That's part of the problem."
Lyra remained silent for a moment.
Then—
"He's strong," she said.
Edrin groaned. "That means we're taking him, aren't we?"
Lyra didn't answer.
Ronan grinned.
"…We're taking him."
Edrin sighed deeply.
"…Of course we are."
But as he looked toward the northern horizon—
He couldn't deny it.
They were going to need all the help they could get.
Even if that help came with more problems.