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No!

Stand up, Telara.

It's all okay now. They've fled.

Kestrel looks down at the ground by her feet, at a shuddering Telara clutching her hair, as well as the bandit leader whose throat she just skewered.

But behind her, another bandit, sprawled on the ground a moment ago, is now up. While she's turned to check on Telara, the bandit's machete swings for her back.

Kestrel, your back!

We need to find something to staunch the wound!

It's fine as long as you're safe. I can't let them lay a finger on you.

Gather up all those 'bite marks' you drew. I can walk off a wound like this.

But these are... look, even if you don't think they're total messes, now there's blood all over them.

We should hurry to the market and get your wound looked at instead of worrying about these. They're just scraps... You're still bleeding...

Glancing at the bloodstained worksheet in Telara's grasp, Kestrel's only response is to quietly pull the girl to her side, and take the sheet from her hands.

Fresh blood wells forth from the wound on her back, staining the white-painted patterns on her skin red.

Telara, the very first 'bite marks' were painted by warriors in their own blood.

It was so we would always remember the blood the warriors shed, their sacrifices.

People started using paint instead long ago, but the significance of it has never changed.

My 'bite marks' will forever remind me of my responsibility to protect. A non-lethal wound like this will heal before you know it. There's no need to worry.

But... what about the merchant...

I'm alive, I'm alive. Scared me to death, though.

The traveling merchant pokes his head out once more from the overturned wagon. His hair is frazzled and his clothes in disarray, but he seems to have escaped any harm.

Thank the heavens all the boxes were strapped down properly. The goods are alright.

Miss Kestrel, are you alright? Can we still make it to the border?

No problem. The only issue is that the two burdenbeasts got hurt. I know this is the final stretch, but we can't force them.

Someone needs to make a run to the market, and get the wagon back in order.

I'll go, Kestrel.

The bandits backed off for now, but they can't have gone far. No way I'm letting you go alone.

But... leaving you here isn't safe either.

How about this, Telara? Take my sword, and get to the market fast.

They've learned a lesson in blood. They won't try anything against anyone holding the sword that spilled it. It'll protect you. And guarding the merchant will be easy for me back here.

Your sword... okay, no worries, I'll make it to the market safe!

Be careful with your wound, Kestrel. Don't overexert yourself.

I'll be back as soon as I can!

Having an attendant is a real lifesaver, isn't it, Miss Kestrel?

She's not an attendant. She's my student.

Or, maybe more like a friend.

Student? But you haven't been teaching her any combat skills. You're one unique warrior, I'll say that much.

*sigh* No, never mind. Let's just get the wagon sorted out for now.

A unique warrior... you say.

She picks up Telara's fallen copybook off the ground, carefully places the bloodied 'bite marks' back between its pages, and lets out a long, slow breath.

What a close shave, running into that nonsense right before our destination. Thank goodness I thought of hiring a bodyguard before I left.

The wagon needs repairs, and I've had to swap in two fresh burdenbeasts, but at least my wares are all safe.

Miss Kestrel, a toast not just to our safe arrival, but in honor of you!

Hiring your protection was the best money I've ever spent in my life! Here, cheers!

Oh... sure, cheers.

As long as you two are safe, that's mission complete for me.

And I guess taking on that gang of desperados is something worth celebrating.

Kestrel toasts, but her gaze is drawn to the side, to Telara silently studying her copybook.

Gulp... pahhh! That hits the spot!

Hey, I've been curious, Miss Kestrel. What <i>is</i> it that you and that little apprentice of yours keep fussing over? Drawings?

Oh, you mean the 'bite marks'? Yeah, I suppose they're a kind of drawing. Only we Sargonian tribesfolk practice these, no one else does.

Not that many people even know how to draw them these days. I've been meaning to pass the technique down. That's why I took in Telara as a student.

Oh, so barely anyone knows of this practice anymore?

Yeah. Every member of our tribe knew how to paint these designs, once upon a time...

Now... there's a few lucky survivors like me out in the wilds, but they probably don't have anyone to pass it down to.

I had no idea it was such a rare thing. No wonder you put your life on the line for her.

I can see there's real value in these things, just like my wares. Ha-hah!

Value? No, that's not the reason I'm fighting for them at all.

Besides, 'bite marks' are priceless, and Telara is <i>especially</i> priceless for agreeing to come with me.

She abandoned her comfortable life just because she was willing to travel with me...

I wouldn't say 'abandoned'. It's not like I wanted to spend my whole life in that town.

It was nice enough minding my parents' shop, but you can't just cling to the past forever. That's what I think.

So when Kestrel took on a delivery for our place, I asked if she could take me as a student.

I once met another group of kids your age. But all I taught them back then was how to fight. It's my fault they never learned what mattered more...

Kestrel downs her drink in the trailing silence, then stares somewhat distantly into her empty glass.

Knowing what you have to protect... You could say I hadn't fully figured it out back then.

Fascinating, fascinating! This is the first time I've ever heard such a story.

The previous bodyguards I've hired were certainly up to snuff, but combat was all most of them knew. I've never met one like you before.

What do you mean? There's warriors like me all over the desert. Most people just fail to see a warrior's true side, that's all.

I say that, but...

Ah, whatever, let's drink! Telara, put your book down and raise your soda for a toast with us!

The escort mission's complete. This is your last chance to say goodbye.

Yes, one more round of drinks! I've still got to make it to the next town before sundown.

Empty your glasses, and we'll bid farewell!

Took the words out of my mouth! Here!

Cheers!

Oof... This Sargonian tipple can really knock you sideways... At least I didn't try to match Miss Kestrel's drinking pace.

What an interesting person she was. And their desert artform seemed quite distinctive too, not to mention how rare she says it is...

Alright, one final inventory, and then I depart.

Box quantity... labels... all fine.

Hm? What's this...?

One week later, in a market somewhere in Sargon.

Here, this is your cloth. And the red one here is yours. You can pay in a moment, let me tally it up!

Perfect, that's exact change, and then—

Friend! Excuse me, friend!

Sorry, can I show you these for a second? Do you know where I can find someone who can draw these?

At a draper's stand, a totally foreign merchant makes his excited inquiry as he brandishes a paper sheet filled with patterns.

Anyone here will do. If you find me someone who can draw these, I have a supremely handsome reward for you!

Hm? What is this...

The draper gives the designs a puzzled squint, before pulling a disdainful look at once.

Where the hell did you get this from? These are those 'bite marks' the tribesfolk draw on their bodies.

Yes, yes, yes, that's exactly what they're called! So could you find the two people for me who can draw these things?

These designs are worth money, you know! I'm willing to pay big, I'll pay buckets, if I can find them and have them draw a few more!

Sir, I think you might've been swindled. I can tell at a glance these 'bite marks' are all messed up.

These things are a tribe's heritage. You draw them <i>according</i> to something. What you've got there is wrong—the colors are wrong, the patterns are wrong.

Show anyone else if you don't believe me. No one will tell you the designs on that sheet look alright.

And even if they were fine, they're still just a way for tribal warriors to record their battles. What kind of price are you hoping to fetch with these?

No, no, they're hot commodities in collectors' circles right now. The duo left a legitimate specimen in my wagon, and I had it taken off my hands for a high price in Columbia.

Her name was, what was it... yes, Kestrel! Help me find her—

I told you—

Away from the draper's stand, in the bustling market crowd...