TOR:SON OF ZELDA

The men turned their gaze to the corner of the tavern, where a man who had been quietly sipping his ale had stood up. He addressed the men with a sense of authority and chivalry.

"Didn't your mothers teach you boys not to harass women?" he said, his words laced with disapproval.

The man who had been thrown across the tavern quickly rose to his feet, his anger fueling his attack. He charged at Samuel, swinging his fist in a wild punch. However, Samuel swiftly dodged the blow, his movements quick and precise. With a calculated countermove, Samuel landed a punch on the man's neck, instantly paralyzing him.

Without using magic, Samuel skillfully fought off the other two men who charged at him. His movements were precise, and he quickly dispatched them with his fists, displaying a level of strength and skill that left the other men groaning on the ground, defeated.

Samuel calmly collected coins from the men's pockets, leaving them writhing on the floor. The remaining men carried their paralyzed companion out of the tavern, their defeat and humiliation clear in their faces.

He then walked casually towards Rachel at the counter and placed the coins in her hand, grinning.

"Here's for my drink, theirs, and for the destruction they caused," he said with a nonchalant tone.

Rachel shook her head, a grateful smile on her face.

"You don't have to do that next time," she said, her voice soft and sincere.

Samuel smirked and retorted,

"Oh sorry, next time I see men harassing you, I won't interfere," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Rachel rolled her eyes, annoyed by his remark.

"Very funny," she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm to match his.

Samuel grinned and extended his hand for a handshake.

"I'm Samuel," he said, his tone friendly.

Rachel hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand.

"I'm Rachel," she replied, her tone more measured and wary.

Samuel glanced around, noting the late hour.

"I better head home," he said, his tone casual yet aware of the time.

Rachel also surveyed the empty tavern, realizing they were the only two left.

"I better lock up too," she agreed, her voice soft and tinged with exhaustion.

Samuel asked Rachel as she started cleaning up the place.

"Where do you stay?" he asked curiously.

Rachel responded, her voice tinged with tiredness.

"Oh, I stay just before the market," she explained, wiping down the counter.

Samuel chimed in, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Mine's just after the market," he remarked, stretching his arms lazily.

Rachel couldn't help but notice the odd proximity of their homes.

"It seems we're practically neighbors," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.

Samuel suddenly suggested, his tone sincere.

"Mind if we walk home together?"

Rachel paused, the exhaustion evident in her expression, but she couldn't deny the safety of company.

Rachel nodded in agreement, glancing around one last time.

"Sure. I'll just lock up," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of relief at the prospect of having company.

Samuel gave a friendly nod and headed for the door.

"Alright, I'll wait outside," he said before disappearing through the tavern doors.

Rachel swiftly locked up the tavern, ensuring everything was secure before joining Samuel outside.

Samuel offered a friendly smile as he gestured for them to start walking.

"Shall we?" he proposed, his voice casual yet eager.

Rachel nodded and fell into step beside him, the night air cool and the silence of the evening enveloping them.

Samuel and Rachel walked side by side, the evening's quiet shrouding them both. Their footsteps filled the silence, their breaths synchronized with each other.

Every once in a while, their shoulders would brush against each other, sending a subtle jolt of awareness through them.

Samuel shattered the quietness, breaking the comfortable silence.

"You heard about the execution at the marketplace?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

Rachel's face turned solemn, her tone tinged with sadness and sorrow.

"Yes, I did," she responded, her voice soft and filled with melancholy. "Lady Zelda...she was a best friend's mother, a mother to me too. Now, my best friend is locked up, awaiting trial tomorrow for attacking Lord Joel."

Samuel nodded, his gaze meeting hers with understanding.

"It's a tough situation for both of you," he remarked, his tone conveying empathy.

Rachel sighed deeply, her voice laden with emotion.

"It is," she agreed, her voice heavy with grief. "I just hope everything turns out alright tomorrow."

Rachel stopped in front of her home, looking up at the small building before turning to Samuel.

"We're here," she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion and a hint of gratitude for his company.

The moonlight illuminated her face, casting shadows on her tired features.

"Thanks again for walking with me," she managed a small smile, despite her weariness.

Samuel gave Rachel a reassuring embrace, wrapping his arms around her in a warm, comforting gesture.

"Anytime," he said with a gentle voice, the moonlight casting a soft glow on them both.

Rachel felt a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, but she quickly composed herself and stepped back.

"Get home safe now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rachel gave him one last smile before stepping inside her home.

"Goodnight, Samuel," she called out softly before closing the door.

Samuel watched her disappear into the house before turning away, a hint of a smile lingering on his face.

"Goodnight," he murmured to himself, feeling an unexpected warmth in his chest.

With the night settling around him, he began walking back home, the silence broken only by the soft crunch of his footsteps and the occasional distant howl of an animal.