The city lived its own life and, for the first time, did not press down on them.

  After two days of rest, the noise no longer hurt their ears. It became a background — distant, alive. Cart wheels creaked, merchants argued, somewhere children laughed. Kael walked in front, but his pace was slower than usual. He allowed himself not to hurry.

  — If this keeps going, — Rin said, — I’ll start thinking we’re on a walk, not in a mercenary city.

  — Don’t jinx it, — Elf snorted.

  Nika and Mika walked ahead together.

  — Look, — she said quietly, — sweets.

  Mika smiled.

  — and ran to choose.

  Mika hesitated for a long time, then pointed at simple honey cakes. The seller handed them over, wrapping them in paper. The girl took a bite — carefully, as if she couldn’t quite believe they were really for her.

  — Is it tasty? — Rin asked.

  Mika nodded. She said it was very tasty and shared it with Rin, even though Rin hadn’t asked.

  Kael walked through the city and somehow let out a breath. It felt like they had finally rested, and the heavy burden he carried was slowly beginning to fade.

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  They kept walking. Without a goal. Without a route.

  They bought a cheap “luck” amulet — Rin said it was nonsense, but still tied it to her belt. Elf stopped by a weapons shop, stared at the blades for a long time, but didn’t buy anything. She was just memorizing them.

  In the square, someone was playing a string instrument. The music was uneven, sometimes off-key, but alive. Rin sat down right on the edge of the fountain.

  — You know, — she said to Kael, — I’m slowly starting to fall in love with you.

  — You’re lying, — he answered calmly.

  Rin smirked.

  — Doubt it.

  Mika tugged on Nika’s sleeve

  — and pointed at the beautiful flowers.

  Nika also stopped to look at them.

  The sun was leaning toward sunset. The stone of the houses grew warm, the streets softer. Even the smells changed: less smoke, more food.

  When they returned to the inn, the tiredness was different. Not the kind that breaks you. The kind that comes after a good day.

  — Sometimes, — Rin said as she lay down, — you forget why you fight at all.

  Kael put out the light.

  — For days like this.

  Silence covered the house.

  They had breakfast together.

  On the table stood a bowl of warm porridge, a piece of butter, cheese, fresh bread, and milk. Simple food, but filling. After two days of rest, they were finally beginning to recover from everything they had been through.

  Rin was the first to reach for the bowl.

  — This is how you’re supposed to live, — she said. — Not rushing. Not on dry rations.

  Elf carefully spread butter on her bread.

  — Get used to it, — she replied.

  Nika slid the plate closer to Mika.

  — Eat. Today will be a long day.

  Mika started on the porridge. Slowly. Calmly. While telling a story about Elf.

  Kael sat across from them. He ate in silence, but without tension. For the first time in a long while, his body fully obeyed him. His shoulders didn’t ache, his hands didn’t tremble. The rest had been real.

  — We still have some money, — Rin said between bites. — Not enough to waste, but enough for the road.

  — And for equipment, if we’re careful, — Elf added.

  Kael looked up.

  — So, no hunting today.

  Rin glanced at him with mild surprise.

  — You’re sure?

  — Yes. Today — the city. Tomorrow — the road.

  Nika smiled quietly.

  — Good.

  For a few seconds they ate in silence. Without awkwardness. Without worry.

  — It’s cozy, — Kael said.

  Rin smirked.

  — You just finally rested properly these past days.

  — Exactly, — he replied. — Now I’m ready.

  Elf set her bread aside.

  — Then we decide this: today we prepare. Rumors, maps, supplies.

  — And in the morning, we leave, — Kael said.

  Outside the window, the city was noisy, but the sound reached them only muted.

  As if giving them a little more time.