Elina

Because humanity has a certain smell to it. Something you never find in nature.

At first the wind will carry a hint of smoke. Where there are people, there is fire. Where there is a town, there are chimneys.

It is said that large towns form where two roads meet. Cities form around two roads and a river. And capitals appear when two roads, a river and an ocean come together.

I liked to imagine that at a place where two roads meet, a lonely traveler decided to stay and wait. After a while more travelers came in. Some would move on, some would stay. And those who stayed became the founders of a village. They'd give their village a name, and their children would grow up there, and the children of those children would see the village grow into a town.

"What is it?" Elina asked.

"Hmm?"

"You're sniffing like a dog."

"Can't you smell it?"

"Smell what?"

I watched Elina. Her nose glowed with a subtle silver light. She sniffed the air.

She said, "Ah, the smell of humanity."

"Which is what?"

"Sweat and smoke and dirt."

"You can smell the sweat?"

"Mh-hmm~" She put a finger on my nose. Her fingertip glowed with a silver light. It was warm and gentle. Like the first time I met her. When she used her magic to heal the cut on my forehead.

I looked at her. There was a smile dancing in her eyes.

She said, "Want me to use a little magic on your nose? Then you can smell it too."

"No, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite sure."

She withdrew her hand. She sniffed the air again. She grew quiet.

---------------------

Elina: The smell of humanity wasn't the only thing in the air.

There was a sound. A sound only witches could hear.

It was faint, easy to miss, but it was there. It came from the direction of the human town in the distance.

But if I could hear it from here, then it must be strong in the city.

Which was strange.

Because ever since the Witch Council had retreated into the mountains, witches have chosen to stay away from larger human settlements.

But this sound from this town. It was an emergency signal. A silent cry for help whenever a witch was driven into a corner. When she had no other choice.

Hmm...I guess I will find out when I get there.

"What is the name of that town?" I asked.

"Larose."

"Never heard of it."

"It's a large town that became larger because it needed to become large."

"Why?"

Salem pointed at the road.

He said, "There's a rule. A kind of law. Every seven to ten days, there will be a large a town. We're just about seven days away from Merkelborough. So it makes sense to have a large down right around here."

"Because travelers need to stock up on supplies, merchants need a base to find a buyer for their goods. And seven to ten days is usually the limit of a traveler."

"Huh...I never thought of it that way."

"Why?"

"Because witches fly to their destination. We don't need any supplies."

"Can you fly?"

"Yes."

"Then why don't you?"

"Traveling by cart and having someone feed me is more comfortable."

He looked at me and said nothing.

The wheels continued to turn, the sun continued to sink.

Bit by bit, the road became more crowded. I changed my hair to blonde and my eyes to blue. Salem gave me an odd look. I nudged him with my elbow. I snickered. This look should be useful for what is to come.

We came across groups of traveling knights, merchants, journeymen, even a few traveling priests, eager to spread the Word of Light.

I sniffed the air. Larose. What an interesting city. A city teeming with magic.

I said, "There is something I want to ask you."

"Hmm?"

"Can you promise to answer with full honesty?"

He breathed in. He breathed out. He looked at me.