totter

The east side of town. Just head east along the fountain. Are you ill?

I have a batch of emergency medical supplies that I thought might come in useful for somebody.

Medicine, not money, is the most powerful currency in the barrenlands. Now that the cat was out of the bag, I had to prove I was worth the trip.

I think my luck's about to change.

Time to cut your losses, buddy. Your wife isn't gonna like it when she finds out how much you've lost.

Eh, it's just some spare change. I play for the thrill.

Ha, that's what we like to hear!

One more round! Let's go!

I found footprints outside my window Wednesday morning, as expected. Someone tried to cover them up, but it was the work of an amateur.

Have you ever hunted, Mr. Haller?

Wild animals have their own territory, and they follow certain rules when they look for food or wander around in it. Understand their habits, and you'll know where to place your traps.

Leaving so soon, sir?

Yes, I'm concerned about these bandits I keep hearing about. The sooner I can leave, the better.

Do you know of any other routes out of here?

To be honest with you, sir, it makes little difference whichever route you pick. They know every move you're about to make, and there's no way to avoid their ambushes.

Have you all been attacked before, then?

My convoy tried leaving by a tiny trail to the east, but the bastards were laying in wait an hour out from town.

That's terrifying. Has anyone managed to avoid them?

We tried many different routes, big and small, but it makes no difference. You're doomed to run into them no matter what.

I identified where the bandits operated by comparing the convoy routes to the locations where they encountered the outlaws.

I found a few sniping vantage points, from which my crossbow could cover those areas.

The final step was to lure my prey into the trap.

Hey, kid, wanna make some quick cash?

What do you want, sir?

I'm leaving town tomorrow. Get me ten days' worth of fresh water and dry rations, and have my burdenbeast fed before sunset. I'll be leaving before dawn.

Here are four gold coins for your trouble. I'll be waiting at the west entrance at 5 a.m. tomorrow.

Wow! You've got it, sir.

Now get going, and don't disturb me. I need to sleep before the trip.

No problem, sir. I'll get it done!

Two gold coins would have been a fair price, but I paid him twice that.

A kid that age can't help but brag when he runs into a stroke of luck. And the more people he tells, the better.

So you weren't sleeping yesterday?

No, I slept. Needed to be in top form for what was to come.

(Takes a gulp)

So... that's what happened.

You sound disappointed.

Yeah... I thought I'd hear the breathtaking story of a legendary mercenary, but it ended up being more like one of my wife's business proposals: detailed, but boring.

A good plan doesn't need twists and turns. The safer it is, the better.

That's what she said, too! She even had a notebook with her at all times, just like you.

It's a good habit to have. People shouldn't trust their own memories. So what's she doing now?

The bandits cut off her head... I told you that when I first came to you.

...Oh, right. Sorry.

It's okay. At least she doesn't have to worry about writing any more business proposals. She'd probably have been a poet, if I hadn't dragged her into my business.

Yes, poet is a good occupation. Safe.

To be totally frank with you, chatting with you makes me uncomfortable.

I get that a lot. I'm just grateful to those who are satisfied with merely saying so. Plenty more wouldn't leave it at that.

My brain tells me I should say something comforting, but my heart would never let me.

Sorry.

(Shakes head) Never mind.

Can I take a look at your notebook?

Sure.

Your writing is really big.

I have something of an eye problem. I can see things far away perfectly, but things that are up close, not so much.

Looks like you meticulously plan out everything in life.

Yes. Having a plan in place makes things less hectic when trouble comes up.

(Closes the notebook)

Someone like you must have everything under control, with nothing ever going wrong or deviating from plan.

I'm sure your life is smooth sailing. You'll never wake up one day only to find you've lost everything.

(Guzzles the drink)

(Rubs the mug nervously)

Not exactly...

Not exactly what?

No, my life has hardly ever been in my control.

(Takes a sip)

Poor thing.

Please don't say that.

I meant myself.

(Finishes in a single gulp)

Alright, I've got to go... Hey, where's my money? Oh, right, I gave you everything I had left.

I'll pick up the tab.

Thanks.

Why don't you take these gold coins? You'll need them.

Nah, I won't. Keep them.

You're drunk.

Don't worry about it, I can stand on my own. Farewell, friend.

♪I held her in my arms, before the day was gone♪

♪She smelled of jasmine, beneath the purple veil♪

♪Her soft lips take me away♪

♪To our eternal home far away♪

♪A moment of pain, for a lifetime♪

The drunk merchant staggers towards the rising sun, the great red orb on the horizon swallowing up his silhouette. He does not turn back, as though he is headed for his beloved's burning embrace.

The dry winds of the desert cover his song in a thin layer of sand, to be preserved for the next traveler.

♪Louisa, Louisa in my heart♪

♪Take me home with you, and I'll want nothing more♪

♪Louisa, Louisa in my dreams♪

I'm sorry, Totter, but we have to leave you here.

We're headed north, and there's no way you can keep up with that injury.

You'll just abandon me here?

This is near the Snow Realm. It's a beautiful place.

But you're still abandoning me here, right?

I'll leave some money for you. There's a village nearby where you can buy necessities.

Stop dodging the question! Answer me!

Totter, I...

Do you think the same, Ann?

Don't be like that. You know we can't slow down for you. We have our missions to complete.

So you're abandoning me.

You're not a child anymore. Throwing tantrums won't get you anywhere.

This isn't what we agreed on, Ann.

No one can predict the future, Totter... We might be back by next spring. Or things may have changed by then. Don't beat yourself up over it.

Ha. So will you come back for me?