Ignite the Sun

Alison looked at Damien with a confused expression.

"Student?"

"Yes, I would teach you how to use a sword and everything I know about the world – additionally I can ensure you get all the food, housing and clothes you could ever need."

The girl stared at him, mouth agape; she clearly wasn't expecting an offer like that from him, much less without any strings attached.

"...would I become a knight like you?"

"You could, if you want to of course." Damien nodded. "You could also join the Verdant Watch or do something else entirely if you decide fighting isn't for you. I will never force you to do something you don't want to."

Alison fell silent – Damien could almost see the cogs turning in her head, perhaps she was wondering whether he was tricking her.

"How about you give it a one day trial?" He suggested. "You'll see what it will be like, and you can make your decision afterwards."

"...okay." she mumbled.

Damien grinned and offered her a hand.

"Come on then little spitfire, let's go get something to eat and find a place to sleep."

***

They bumped into one of the city guards while they were passing the tavern where Damien was supposed to tell stories – using the opportunity he asked the man to inform the people inside he won't be coming back today due to important business.

Fortunately the guard was happy to oblige, and even didn't ask about the little girl at his side despite the curious glances she got.

"Why aren't we going there?" Alison asked quietly after a few more streets.

"That one is a bit noisy and frankly they rooms aren't particularly comfortable – also I'm staying in a different inn."

They walked through the empty streets for a solid half an hour before they reached their destination – a cozy looking three-story building with a wooden signboard identifying the place as 'Elder Keg'.

The insides were almost empty due to the late hour and the festival, but well furnished and very inviting.

There was only one person in the dining area – a rather bored young brunette woman behind a counter; the inn didn't get much clients this late but it did happen occasionally so they had to leave someone to run the business at night.

Damien confidently strolled up to the counter and smiled at the girl.

"Hi Ginny, could I bother you for a moment?"

The woman returned the smile.

"Of course sir Damien, that's why I'm here after all – what can I do for you?"

"I'd be eternally grateful if you could whip up something to eat for her." He inclined his head at Alison.

The receptionist bent over the counter to get a better look at the girl.

"Sure thing, anything else?"

"If you'd have a free room she could use that would be wonderful."

"Sir Nickolas and sir Leon moved to the Fortress yesterday, you could move her to one of their rooms."

"Great thinking, that way I can be next door."

Damien reached into his pouch and produced a large golden coin, handing it to the woman.

But she didn't take it – instead she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Um, paying you...?"

"I don't know what made you think I'd take any more money from you – half of the funding we get from the city is because we host you every year and you still insist on paying for your rooms every time, you've already paid enough to live here for the rest of your life."

Damien was about to open his mouth to argue but the murderous glare from Ginny made him reconsider and retract the coin.

"Alright, whatever you say."

"Good, now go grab a table and I'll bring the food in a bit."

The two of them thanked the woman again and took seat at a table near the entrance – if the tavern wasn't empty they would've surely gotten a lot of curious states, a famous knight and a frail homeless girl wasn't a very common combination of people after all.

They sat in silence for a bit, but Damien noticed that Alison was staring at him intensely, almost as if trying to see through him.

"Do you have a question?" He decided to start the conversation.

"...the lady said you come here every year."

"I do."

"Why?"

"Well I come for the festival and need somewhere to stay."

"Don't you have a house? Why do you need to stay in an inn?"

Damien finally understood why she was confused – she didn't realise he was from another settlement.

"I don't have a house in a traditional sense, but I do have a home – it's just not in this city. I'm a part of the Order you see, and I live in a place called the Fortress of Giants with other people like me."

Understanding sparked in the girl's eyes, and then almost instantly she frowned.

"Does it mean I'd have to go with you?"

"No, I will be the one staying here for longer – if you decide to become my student of course."

At this point Ginny appeared from the kitchen, holding a tray with two plates and two cups. Alison got tomato soup, sandwiches with pulled meat and orange juice, while Damien received a cup of green tea.

"I know you can't get drunk but I think alcohol wouldn't be appropriate." She commented.

"You're absolutely correct, thank you."

Ginny nodded.

"You can leave the dishes here once you're done. I'll be on the backroom to mark the room for her as booked if you need anything."

The receptionist smiled once more and left them alone again.

Alison looked between Damien and the food – she was clearly hungry, but she also wanted to ask him questions and she couldn't do both at the same time.

"Eat first, if you're not sleepy by the time you finish I'll answer all your questions to the best of my ability."

She didn't need more encouragement – she dug into the food like someone who hasn't eaten in days.

Although considering the situation she might have actually not eaten for that long. Before any training began Damien had to make sure the girl was healthy and happy.