How can I save the world if I'm no longer the hero?

Joan sighed and leaned against Bauteut as they walked. "I feel so old now. I have a limp."

"You have a limp because you nearly lost your leg," Bauteut said in an annoyed tone. "And please, be careful with it."

"I am," Joan said quickly. "Very careful. I wonder why nobody wants to come play politics with me. The chances of me getting us executed are actually quite low."

Bauteut rolled her eyes. "I don't know about Francis and Ifrit, but Qakog told you why. I'm admittedly more surprised that Penthe suggested we do this to begin with. She's a little protective of you, from what I've seen."

"The Chosen know she's here and that she's helping to keep me safe," Joan said. "If anything happens to me, they'll find out and want her head. Possibly more."

"And another poor soul finds herself trapped in the trial of keeping Joan from hurting herself," Bauteut said in an only slightly teasing tone. "How does your leg feel?"

"Not so bad," Joan said. "You did a good job on it. A lot of legs to fix up in the demon lands?"

"So many," Bauteut said. "I have been getting more practice than you could imagine. Some days when I crawled into bed I could still see the stitches with my eyes closed."

"I guess I really am lucky to have such a talented healer taking care of me, huh?" Joan asked with a small smile. "I really do wish I'd spent a bit more time as the Hero learning how that kind of magic works."

"I imagine learning how to heal everyone else when you are tasked with fighting monsters that few of us could even imagine isn't the largest priority, is it?" Bauteut asked with a knowing smile. "I don't think you'd have it in you, though. A healer's job is often to avoid confrontation, even hide from the battle at times. If I do everything correct I won't even be involved the moment blades are drawn. I've known you too long to ever expect you to run from a battle, even if it would be for the good of others in the end."

Joan gave a soft sigh and nodded. "Probably not. I can't imagine what it's like." She glanced at the people as they passed. This city was filled with so many people and while most of them were human, there were an assortment of non-humans mixed in. A few demons, dwarves, at least one elf. Plenty who hid behind cloaks. But she couldn't help but notice the closer they got to the mayor's residence, the fewer non-humans appeared.

They soon entered the mayor's district and she felt her stomach do a little jump and a wave of nausea pass over her. It was like there was something in the air, a tension she couldn't place. Worse, she'd hoped it would pass, but it didn't. In fact, it only seemed to get closer with every step they took. She leaned in a little closer to Bauteut, hugging her arm.

"Joan? What's wrong?" Bauteut asked.

"Nothing," Joan said softly. "I just don't feel good. I'll be fine."

Bauteut reached out and put a palm against her forehead. "You feel fine. No temperature. Is it your leg? Does it hurt any?"

"No more than normal," Joan said softly. "I just feel a bit nauseous, that's all."

Bauteut nodded and pulled her to the side of the road. She then looked down at her, a frown on her lips. "Do you want to go back? We can do this another time."

"It's fine," Joan said. "We're almost there, anyway. I'd hate to come all this way and then have to turn around."

Bauteut gave a soft sigh before nodding. "If you're sure. But if it gets to be too much, let me know. I'm sure we can call for an escort or something."

"If you don't mind helping me, I'll be fine," Joan said sheepishly. "I'm sure it will pass."

"I hope so," Bauteut said.

Unfortunately, it didn't. As they walked through the district she could only feel that tension getting worse. It wasn't severe enough to make her want to head back, but the tension was still so strong she worried she might be sick.

Joan did feel a little bit of relief when they came to a gated manor. Two guards were stationed outside, but as they approached she could see a steady line of messengers going in and out of the gate. The guards blocked their way for only a moment before Bauteut handed over the invitation they'd received and explained who they were. To her surprise, they were directed away from the main entrance where most were seen moving in and out from, instead to one of the messengers who beckoned to the pair to follow him.

Joan felt another small bit of relief from the most unlikely of places. As they passed by one of the windows she managed to see people waiting within. While everyone up to this point had been human, she saw a demon standing and talking to a pair of humans.

Weird, she never thought seeing a demon anywhere would bring her that much comfort. Maybe she was more nervous about the mayor than she'd realized.

"Where are we going?" Joan finally asked.

"Lady Wulfwynn asked if the Chosen or any of their comrades appear that they be taken to a place they'd feel most comfortable," the messenger said.

Joan glanced around. As far as she could tell they were just being brought to a garden. Not that she minded, it was certainly a nice enough garden. There were beautiful flowers of red, blue and yellow. Plenty of fruit trees. Even the path was nice, made of old, white tile.

But it wasn't very special. She didn't see why they'd be sent here of all places. Her eyes narrowed and her hand moved to rest on the hilt of her sword. An isolated garden would be a good place to ambush them.

Except the guards hadn't even tried to take their weapons. They could have, but didn't even try. Was she being paranoid again? Or maybe it was just because she didn't feel well.

She just didn't get why they had to come through--

Then it all made sense. Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth when they stepped into a small, elaborate clearing in the garden. Fourteen statues, one for each of the gods, stood in the clearing, with the path moving between them. On one side the Phoenix, Unicorn, Swan, Wolf, Griffon, Tortoise and Scorpion stood. On the opposite side, facing their other halves, the Peacock, Lion, Boar, Toad, Goat, Snake and Snail stood. In front of each were small stone bowls, which held ash in them. Further down the path a long row of stone benches rested.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Normally this garden is only open to visitors during special ceremonies, but for those who are comrades of the Chosen such standards can be nudged aside. Please, feel free to make yourself comfortable. The mayor will come as soon as she can and food will be brought shortly," their guide said before bowing his head and making his way quickly back the way they had come.

Joan sighed and walked over to one of the benches before sitting down. "I'm not sure if we're getting good or bad treatment here."

"It seems good," Bauteut said softly. "This is a nice little garden. Though…"

"What?" Joan asked.

"Do the statues seem… angry?" Bauteut asked.

Joan glanced to the statues and, frankly? They didn't seem any angrier than the normal statues to her. Lion and Wolf seemed angry, but the others seemed entirely normal. "Not really."

Bauteut walked over and sat next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Still a bit nauseous," Joan said before leaning against her. "Maybe do a quick look?"

Bauteut nodded and placed a hand on her forehead. She could feel a light tingling before Bauteut gave a little sigh and shook her head. "Nothing. You feel perfectly fine. Well, aside from the injuries. Maybe you're just nervous about meeting the mayor. Let me know if it gets worse."

"Meh," Joan said with a shrug. "I've met lots of mayors. They're all like… political and stuff. A bit annoying, but they're not exactly the most… they're kind of eh, I guess? If that makes sense?"

"Not even a little bit," Bauteut said with a smile. "Maybe… you're nervous about being alone with me?"

"Well, I am a bit now," Joan said sheepishly, her cheeks going red. "I uhhhh… have been, admittedly, trying not to think about that. Considering the last time we really saw each other, I uhhhh…"

"Kind of admitted to having a bit of a crush on me?" Bauteut offered.

"A-and Searle and Qakog," Joan said quickly. "Don't judge me. Korgron says it's okay, I can crush on whoever I want."

Bauteut gave a soft little chuckle before she reached up and gently stroked Joan's hair. "Well… I would say that it is highly unfortunate for one to get nauseous by being alone with their healer."

"Don't worry, I've bled on you a lot by now," Joan said with a playful grin. "If I throw up on you it'll hardly be the worst thing I've done to you."

Bauteut rolled her eyes. "Ahhh, ever the charmer. Was the Hero any good at such things?"

"Gods, no," Joan said. "It was all just like… huh. You know, now that I think about it? I don't think I ever actually did any of the flirting when I was the Hero. I mean, I'd flirt. But never actually flirt. You know? It was more just the kind of flirting people expected me to do? I did it to Queen Emeline when I first met her."

Bauteut went entirely still, her mouth falling open. "You… you didn't. Please tell me that's a joke."

"Oh, how I wish it was," Joan said with a shudder. "Mind you, I didn't do it well. I was just a kid then and was only playing the role I was expected to. I think it horrified and disgusted the queen more than anything else, not exactly a hard feat for the Hero."

"As opposed to when you were an adult and playing the role expected of you," Bauteut said in a playful tone of her own. "Or now, when you play the role that makes us all horrified for you."

"I always wondered if that was part of why she hated me," Joan said with a sigh. "If I'm right, it turns out her daughter died right before we met in most of the timelines. So… yeah, let's just say I didn't make a good impression."

Bauteut didn't say anything, she just reached out and gave her a hug.

"W-what? Why? I didn't do anything to deserve this," Joan said with a little squeak.

"I can't imagine what it must be like in your head," Bauteut said softly. "In your world. The things you've done, the things you've seen. The things you've been through."

Joan's cheeks burned, but she gave a small little nod. "Y-yeah. It has been an adventure. It's done now, though. I think the queen likes me a lot more now. And ummm… when I flirt, I kind of mean it now. Maybe? I think," Joan said sheepishly.

Bauteut gave a small little chuckle and shook her head. "I see. But… about that…"

Joan gave a small sigh. "I know, trust me. I wasn't planning to… I mean, I didn't want to like, err, I just, you know? I ummm…" Try as she might, she couldn't come up with a solution or comeback or really anything she could do or say to cover for just how nervous she felt now. "I just… you know? And, I guess, I mean, you know? So, uhhhh, maybe, if you'd, err, not? Think on it? F-for now? That'd be b-best? Perhaps? Err, or not?"

Bauteut gave a small little snort and shook her head. "Joan…"

"I mean, you and Searle are together now, right?" Joan said sheepishly, slowly pulling back from the hug. "And, well, I didn't even want to admit it, but Korgron warned me if I didn't she would, and I don't even know what it's like to really like someone. For all I know it's just hormones, right? That's what they do? I-I've been through puberty before. Many times, in fact! Just this time it's from the other side, but it's always confusing and could the ground just swallow me up now? That'd be helpful? Please?"

Bauteut just watched her for a few moments before laughing, a hand moving up to cover her mouth. "Joan, I don't think this is something that's going to be solved by rambling."

"I could stab it? I'm pretty good at that?" Joan offered.

"It would solve it in some ways, but cause new problems," Bauteut said with a soft sigh. "You know, sometimes I wonder if the Hero had managed to bypass all stages of life."

"What?" Joan asked, staring at her. "I don't get it."

"The Hero obviously never had a childhood," Bauteut said in a dry tone. "And now I'm doubtful he was ever really an adult."

Joan gave a light snort. "Oh, so you're the adult, then?"

"No," Bauteut said, shaking her head. "I'm the big sister, apparently. As for this, I'm unsure. I… love you, Joan. We all love you. But I'm not sure if I love you in that manner. I've certainly never thought of falling for the Hero of all people. And a Chosen as well. I expected a calm, boring love life. Perhaps with a nice mercenary. But this? Is so far beyond my depth I don't know where to start. It's all so dramatic."

"Better than traumatic," Joan offered. "But… yeah. I… I don't know. I guess… I'm just…"

Bauteut nodded and put an arm around her shoulders, giving her a hug. "I know. We don't need to worry about anything like that for a while, okay? Besides, I know Searle will be joining us as soon as he can. We can discuss it more then, okay?"

"We could go and raid ancient tombs together," Joan offered. "You, me, Searle, Qakog."

"Ah, of course," Bauteut said in a playful tone. "Where would our relationships be without constant near death experiences?"

"Boring?" Joan asked.

"Stars forbid," Bauteut said, a hand moving to her chest as if in alarm.

Joan paused and glanced up. She could hear rapid, excited talking approaching them. "It sounds like the mayor is on her way. You ready for this?"

"Of course," Bauteut said. "Just don't overexert yourself. You are still wounded."

"I'll behave," Joan said. "Just this once." She was rewarded with a small chuckle from Bauteut. She then glanced down the trail and braced herself for what was coming. Politics.