Part VI

Sagus looked at her and realized for the first time that color aside, their cloaks were very similar. Her's was somewhat shorter and narrower, but other than that...

"You have good taste in clothes," he said. She laughed.

"Why, thank you."

He pulled back his hood, and Marianne skipped a breath. His hair was a lot like her's, long and black, but notably shorter and well, not as clean. But his face! 'He's not only my hero twice in a few minutes but hes also....really handsome!' Marianne thought.

"Are you alright, miss Marianne?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes! I'm fine!" She blushed at being pulled from thoughts like that. Sagus didn't realize what he'd done, so he turned and continued walking, Marianne close behind, then next to him. She kept looking over at him, trying to say something. She didn't realize it, but her steps had synchronized with his, and she was playing with her hands a little. The first stage of attraction had already taken hold of her. Sagus didn't notice. He did glance over at her occasionally, though, getting quick glimpses of her breasts and face. The blindfold prevented her from noticing it, but if she had, contrary to her usual nature, she would have been flattered. Both tried to start a conversation with the other. They were going to be traveling together, after all. They should get to know one another.

"Why are you traveling, Sagus?"

"I'm going to find a villain. A monster."

"A monster. You say that so casually. Is he truly a monster or are his choices simply different from your own?" He glanced at her. She looked down slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. Please continue."

"It's alright. People do tend to call anyone who believes in something they don't a monster these days. From your words, you've seen this yourself." He paused, but Marianne only looked further away. "But I use it accurately. I'm not seeking an ordinary monster. I am after Arakarin, the so-called Demon King of Tyren." Marianne stopped dead in her tracks.

"Arakarin!? Forgive my asking, but why are you after him?"

"He destroyed everything I cared about and cursed me to a fate worse than blindness. I will find him and throw his head into a volcano!"

"Sagus....seeking out Arakarin is suicide! I know we have only just met, but I ask you to turn back!"

"I've been after him for a long time. It'll take more than your asking to make me abandon this journey."

"Then what will make you turn back?"

"News of his ****." Sagus walked on, leaving Marianne to follow or turn back. Her approaching footsteps announced her choice to him.

"You can still go back. Just because i'm throwing my life away doesn't mean you have to follow me."

"I owe you my life and my purity. I will follow you, even to destruction." He looked back and paused, then smiled.

"You're very loyal. Your husband will be a very lucky man." He turned back just in time to miss her blushing.

'Husband,' she thought. 'If I survive traveling with Sagus, perhaps I will be married one day. Who knows? Maybe I will be married to S-...no! I don't even know him yet! Still, I can't return to my hometown, nor am I likely to find any man who will not turn me away upon learning my skill. Sagus too is a mage, so maybe he'll understand.' She sighed, watching Sagus walk slowly. He turned back.

"Are you coming?"

"Oh! Uh, yes!" She ran to join him. "Sagus?"

"Yes?"

"If we do succeed in defeating Arakarin, what will we do then?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, will we continue traveling or will we settle down somewhere and raise a family..." Sagus raised an eyebrow. "On, no, I-I didn't mean together! I meant we would each have a family!"

"Oh. Assuming I'm still in one piece, I plan to build a memorial to those Arakarin has slain and cursed, and live under it with my wife and children." Marianne looked down, disappointed.

"You have a wife waiting for you?"

"Not yet. I haven't had time or the means to find a wife, but once Arakarin is dead, it will probably be the focus of much of my time."

"You want to be married? That's surprising. Most men only want a woman for a night, not their lives."

"No offense, but most women I've known can only remain loving for that long. After that, they want children to appease their families and are reduced to servants for their husband. I'm not interested in a woman like that."

"So...what woman are you interested in?"

"One who will be a good wife, yet still a good woman and friend to me. But I digress. Tell me, what will you do once Arakarin is dead?"

"Me? Well, I don't know. I imagine I'll try to get work at another cafe so I can buy land to live on."

"No family?"

"I would like a family, but...i'm afraid that's unlikely."

"Oh? Why is that? You seem like you could have had your pick of men in your hometown."

"How did you know I wasn't from Sange," she asked, using a turn of her head to indicate the town they were walking away from.

"You looked too nervous to be a local. Walking down the road alone seemed to scare you. Outsiders fear those roads, but residents know they only appear frightening. If you know how to handle yourself, they're harmless. But, again, why is a family unlikely?"

"I...I have a secret that most men find...unappealing. Frightening, even."

"I don't suppose you would tell me what it is?" She shook her head. "Of course. Will it kill you or me?" She thought, then shook her head. "Then I won't pry further." He hesitated, then "However, I think that so long as your secret is benevolent, and if you are indeed a woman, then a family is an attainable goal for you."

"Thank you. I hope I have one one day." She flipped her hair off of her face and twirled it briefly, unknown to her. 'And I hope if you know my secret that you'll still accept me.'