Death Guns In Another World

The rest of their journey passed in relative peace. The road ahead was quiet, the forests no longer bristling with the tension of lurking ambushes. The merchants rode with a renewed energy, their once-wary glances replaced with lighthearted conversation. Saeko remained vigilant, but even she could sense the shift—this part of the land had grown quieter.

By the time the first blush of dawn touched the horizon on the second day, the town of Rivermere appeared in the distance like a jewel nestled in the valley. Towering stone walls surrounded it, their ancient surfaces weathered but strong, crowned with banners fluttering in the morning breeze. Behind those walls rose slate rooftops, the glint of glass windows catching the early sun, and the distant chime of bells marked the beginning of a new day.

The gates stood open, guarded by a pair of town sentries in dark blue cloaks. One of the merchants rode ahead, presenting their papers and explaining the journey. Saeko remained on foot, her katana strapped across her back and her eyes scanning the watchtowers above. The guards gave her a respectful nod as the caravan passed through the gates, their gazes lingering on the steel at her hip.

Rivermere was alive with morning activity. Narrow stone streets wove through market squares and residential lanes. Merchants called out to early customers, peddling freshly baked bread, gleaming apples, bolts of dyed cloth, and glistening fish hauled from the nearby river. Children darted between wagons, laughing. Saeko inhaled deeply—the air was crisp, tinged with woodsmoke, spices, and the earthy scent of river mist.

She had made it. The mission was complete.

After the caravan was safely unloaded at the merchant’s warehouse, Saeko received her payment—a generous sum placed into a leather pouch. The merchant, a balding man with a quick smile and an unshakable sense of optimism, turned to her as laborers bustled around them.

“Come join us tonight,” he said. “A celebration is in order. You saved our lives, and our wares, and frankly, we owe you more than coin. There’s a restaurant—’The Riverstone Ember.’ It’s quite well known here. You’ll be our guest of honor.”

Saeko hesitated. She wasn’t one for parties. But then again, Rivermere was a key location—one of the major towns on the trade routes and home to several guilds. Making connections here could prove invaluable.

After a moment, she nodded. “I’ll be there.”

•••

That evening, she stood outside The Riverstone Ember—an elegant establishment tucked beside the riverbank, its exterior built of dark timber and smooth riverstone. Warm light spilled from the windows, and the scent of roasted meats and honeyed wine lingered in the air.

Inside, the restaurant was alive with laughter and clinking glasses. Long oak tables stretched across the floor, lined with fine cloth and polished silver. A bard played a lute in the corner, weaving a soft tune that danced between conversations.

The merchant party occupied a large central table, already deep in merriment. When Saeko stepped inside, a hush fell over the group. Then, someone raised a mug.

“To our savior!” a voice bellowed.

“To Saeko!” the others echoed, lifting their glasses.

She gave a sheepish smile and took the offered seat at the head of the table. Plates of roasted duck, honey-glazed carrots, buttered rolls, and smoked trout were brought out in abundance. A server poured her a glass of elderflower wine—sweet, light, and cooling on her tongue.

Conversation flowed easily. The merchants recounted their version of the battle, each one embellishing his own bravery just a little more than the last. One even claimed he’d thrown a dagger—something Saeko distinctly didn’t recall.

“So, what’s next for you?” the merchant asked her between bites. “You’ve got the skills. Plenty of guilds here would want someone like you.”

Saeko wiped her fingers on a napkin, her expression thoughtful. “Rivermere’s just one stop,” she said. “But it might be time I found more permanent footing.”

The merchant leaned in. “Then this is the right place. There’s the Crescent Moon Guild, for one. Or the Crimson Flame. Both operate out of Rivermere. Good reputation, decent pay.”

She nodded, filing the names away.

As the evening wore on, Saeko found herself loosening. The wine warmed her chest, the food dulled the edge of battle-weariness, and the laughter around her felt genuine. One of the younger merchants—a woman named Miri—asked her to teach a few sword moves, right then and there, in the open space between tables. Amid laughter and scattered applause, Saeko obliged, showing her a basic stance and how to hold a blade.

“Like this?” Miri asked, raising an imaginary sword.

“Close,” Saeko said, adjusting her posture. “But if you keep your feet like that, you’ll fall on your ass the second someone pushes you.”

Laughter erupted again, even from Miri.

Later in the night, as the party dwindled and only a few lanterns remained lit, Saeko stepped outside to the balcony overlooking the river. The moonlight shimmered on the water. The wind, her ever-present companion, brushed lightly against her face.

She leaned on the railing, the sounds of the town quieting into a tranquil hum.

So much had changed in the past few days—each encounter sharpening her instincts, testing her resolve. She was getting closer. Stronger. But she could feel it: this town would be more than a waypoint. Rivermere held something important—an opportunity, a reckoning, perhaps even allies.

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

“You’re not used to celebrations, are you?” It was Miri again, holding a mug and joining her at the rail.

Saeko shook her head. “Not really.”

“Well,” Miri said, taking a sip, “you should be. People need heroes. Even quiet ones.”

Saeko looked out over the river, her voice soft. “I’m not a hero. Just someone trying to do the right thing.”

“That’s exactly why they look up to you.”

The two stood in silence for a while, watching the current move past, moonlight rippling across the surface. Eventually, Miri bid her goodnight and returned inside.

Saeko stayed a little longer, the cool breeze brushing her hair.

There would be more battles ahead. Rivermere might test her in ways she couldn’t yet foresee. But tonight, under the stars and surrounded by newfound allies, she allowed herself a moment of peace.

Tomorrow, the real work would begin.