Life in a new Kingdom

Caleb and Nana picked up their pace after their sudden battle. The horrifying truth revealed about goblins only pushed the young boy to hurry his pace. Nana understood his feelings and obliged with them. However, she noticed that he was pushing himself harder than before. Hours had passed long into the night. Caleb's breathing was heavy and sickly.

"If you need to rest, I can stay on watch," Nana suggests. She was molded into being a survivalist, living on scraps and having sleepless nights during stressful jobs or hunts. Caleb had barely any experience with any in comparison. Watching him breathe hard was a clear sign that he would only tire himself out until he passed out.

"We made good progress this night. Resting will benefit us more than not. We'll pick up the search at first light." Without much delay, Nana stops Caleb in his tracks. He tumbles over and hits the snow with his elbows and arms. Sweat pours from his forehead, and his breathing is filled with gasps.

"We need...to keep going..." He persists.

"Look at yourself; you're barely able to stay awake. By the position of the moon and stars, we still have a couple of hours of night. Take the time to rest until the sun shines, and then we move on. A few hours will do great for you."

"We need to cover as much distance as possible... I can keep going..." Each gasp for air is painful and burning. Caleb is still limited by his age and size. Without a moment to ponder, Nana slams her sword into the ground next to a tree and lifts Caleb with one arm. "Wait! Put me down!"

"If you won't listen to my advice, then I guess I will ensure you can't do anything about it. Sit tight." Nana sits on the tree and wraps her toned arm around the small human. Letting him rest in her lap and holding her sword in front of her, prepared for any incoming threat.

"Nana, we don't got time for this... We should do everything to-"

"Quiet. I made up my mind, and this is what is best for the both of us. Just close your eyes and rest. I'll keep watch." Her voice was softer. Softer than before for her size and build. Caleb was beyond feeling exhausted and leaned back in reaction. Her breasts parted slightly by his head. The soft chest was warm, and the scent of her body was sweet. For her exterior personality and demeanor, she was still very much a woman.

"Wake me up...at first light..." Unable to keep his eyes from drifting closed, Caleb eases into the unique comfort and breathes softly. Like a child with their mother, he hears the gentle heartbeat through her chest, and the soft rhythm creates a lullaby for his dreams.

Knowing the young Lord in her lap was fast asleep, she gently cradled him closer and wrapped her cloak around him. The soft touch of the boy was enough to get her to remember her younger years. A long time ago, she held someone this close to her. A small child around the same age as Caleb. His name was Liethel, and he was an orphan. His parents died of disease when she found him on one of her quests. He was barely alive until she saved him from his fate. Loving him as her own, she decided to take a break from her party and spend time raising the boy. But it didn't take long when the Demon King of that time attacked with their Lords. The boy sadly died because of it. Leaving Nana with a gaping hole in her heart that has never healed. Something that she holds onto her soul for many years now. Seeing death never changed her until Liethel's passing.

Now, Nana had another boy in her lap, sleeping just like Liethel. A feeling she thought she lost was now burning once again. She brushed her fingers through the pretty white hair. It was the same back then, too. Liethel had the same color and everything. Except his eyes were yellow instead of blue. Beyond that, this could well have been that boy long before. She knew deep down that Caleb wasn't that boy. But for the moment, she just wanted to forget and pretend that he was here with her again. Her breath was caught up in the mix of emotions swelling inside her as grief settled once again. Wet tears froze on her cheeks, which made her scrape them with her own finger.

After the moment of sentiment within her own feelings, she wiped the only good eye she had left before taking a deep breath. However, the image of an imperial knight killing Liethel, proclaiming him a Demon as he murders such an innocent creature filled her with rage. It was this moment that propelled her to becoming a Guild Master, getting a status that gave her voice weight. Her years as a diplomat as, she would visit the Empire to discuss with other guilds in attempts to reform them. With the last years and now a war with the land's Lord, she was forced to refrain from any attempts and carefully escaped any capture to return to Heistorm and Saiana village. She held tight onto Caleb as the time passed.

When the sun hit her eyes, she took a large breath, thanking for the peaceful time she had resting. With a gentle touch, she wakes Caleb from his sleep. It takes a minute for the young Lord to open his eyes, blinded by the sun's light for a moment. Rubbing his eyes to adjust to the sudden shift, he lets out a yawn before his awareness returns.

"Was it uneventful?" He speaks without looking at Nana.

"Yes, it was quiet with no issue."

"That's good. That means they haven't realized that their recon was killed yet. If we hurry, we could find where the battle took place and look for their nest before nightfall." She lets him go for his own comfort, and soon, he stretches his body. Unaware of her gaze that follows him. Nana shakes her head from her daze and stands up. Holding onto her blade before sheathing it, she places her hand on her chest, slowly letting go of that memory of Liethel slip into her mind once more; she readies herself.

"I know the path to the location. Once you are ready, we shall head there immediately."

"We need to do everything we can to prevent anymore disaster. Finding the survivors is our top priority; lead the way, Guild Master."