“Ugh. That pale-skinned fuck,” Yuko sat up and rubbed her eyes with her arm.

  “That’s the first thing you thought of?” Veyric was sitting on a chair near an open window in the infirmary. A cool breeze flowed through, causing the curtains to float apart and let in sunlight.

  The book was in his lap, and his eyes drifted toward her. Yuko’s brows furrowed down.

  “What’re you doing here? I don’t need a babysitter,” Yuko pushed the covers off her body.

  “It was quiet in here, so I thought it’d be a nice place to read. Glad you’re all right,” He said.

  “What’s in it for you, caring about me being alright?” She said.

  “There’s nothing in it for me. But that doesn’t matter. It’s just that no one cares that you lost most of your arm—they only care that they don’t have to deal with your curse,” He said.

  “Rightfully so. The curse isn’t their burden, it’s mine. But I don’t care about losing an arm, I just didn’t want that white freak to feel like he got a new toy to play with,” She flaunted her nub.

  “After what everyone saw, they know that I’m as bad as the curse. All of those white creatures were once people, and I slayed them without a second thought. Veyric, I kidnapped an envoy for money. Do you not understand how selfish I look?” Yuko said.

  “Sure, it was… A bit much, but you were trying to survive with what you knew best.” He said.

  “Just stop talking if you’re going to be so naive. What I did is going to come with a cost that I’m not going to live down with these people. They’re knights, they uphold justice and punish crime. If even my own clan doesn’t want me, what makes you think Leviara would?” She said.

  Veyric scratched his head and looked away, sighing. The door to the infirmary swung open, Xena stepping inside.

  “I knew I heard chatter coming from here,” She said.

  “That’s a new look…” Veyric said.

  “Might as well. I have my work cut out for me,” Xena sighs.

  Her hair was lightly trimmed, and instead of wearing her day-to-day armor, she wore casual black clothing.

  “You look like an everyday person, now. Guess you’re not trying to stand out when you go looking for the prince.” Yuko said, her bandaged nub moving.

  “Your arm…” Veyric said.

  “I always wondered what it was like to lose a limb, but I never thought it would happen to me. Guess I’m just like him, now.” She sighed.

  “What’s that mean?” Veyric asked.

  “Nothing,” She said, moving to the edge of the bed, using her other arm to rub her eyes.

  “Zeta used a rune to disable incantation-infused weapons. My armguards crumbled to dust, and so did the weapons of many others. I relayed the information to the institute. I hope they know what rune combination creates that effect. If not, then the warding runes we put up are useless.”

  “He might already know they’re useless. It won’t be long until he does something again,” Yuko said.

  “That’s a grim possibility. Right now, Leviara is in the Vanguard division's hands. Veyric, you saw them yesterday, didn’t you? How were they?” Xena said.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “They’re good in my eyes. But based on where I’m at compared to them? I don’t think I have the right to judge them,” He said.

  “I’ll have to trust Echthron, then.” She said.

  “Does anyone know where my sword is?” Yuko stood.

  “Underneath the bed,” Veyric said.

  Yuko used her foot to drag the katana from underneath the bed, then picked it up.

  “It’s in good condition, but fuck… I wonder if I’ll be able to fight the same as I used to,” She placed the sword on the bed.

  “Sorry that I couldn’t be of much help…” Veyric’s gaze softened.

  “If you look at me like that again, I’ll kill you.” Her face scrunched up with annoyance.

  “I was just—”

  “I’ve been knee deep in bodies before. I don’t need you to feel bad because some white-haired maniac took my arm. You should be worried about what I’ll do when I find him,” Yuko said.

  “Well, for a fact, I am worried about what you’ll do if we encounter him again. When rage unleashes, it can be impossible to pull yourself from its grasp,” Xena said.

  “Ugh, you’re starting to sound like that old hag,” Yuko rolled her eyes.

  “Chiyo’s said something similar to you before?” Xena asked.

  “It was after I won my first spar against a so-called prodigy. Putting him on his ass wasn’t enough—I wanted to see him bleed as he made me.” Yuko sat back down.

  “What’d you do?” Xena said.

  “I beat him until he cried. That was as sweet as fruit,” She said.

  “I think I’m starting to see a pattern here,” Xena furrowed her brows.

  “Where’s that prodigy now?” Veyric asked.

  “Dead. That arrogant cunt took on a task he wasn’t ready for.” She answered.

  “Whatever, where’s the bread? I’m starved.” Yuko said.

  “Downstairs. A fresh batch should be coming out soon,” Xena said.

  “Looks like I’ll be first in line,” Yuko walked out of the infirmary.

  Once her footsteps vanished from the halls, Xena sighed.

  “She’s troubled. We have no idea what to do with her, but we need to keep a good eye on her, especially because of that curse,” She said.

  “... I’m not sure if troubled is the right word. I think she feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere. I know what that feels like, so… I thought I could try talking to her,” He said.

  “You can’t care for people who don’t want it, Veyric. You’ll reach your hand out, and the distance it goes to meet theirs will seem to grow further and further. If Yuko really wants help, she’ll have to ask. And that alone would be a learning experience for her.” Xena said.

  Veyric stood from the chair, looking out the window.

  “I hope I’m strong enough to help if she does ask one day.”