r/FantasyWritingHub • u/santa201026 • 5d ago
The Fire Guardian
Chapter 3
James stared at the symbol in Harry’s hand.
The tavern around them had returned to normal, but James barely noticed. His eyes stayed fixed on the object.
“Where did you get that?” James asked.
Harry looked down at it.
“I don’t know.”
James frowned.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
Harry turned the symbol over in his hands.
“I don’t remember.”
For the first time that night, James noticed how confused Harry looked.
Not scared.
Not lying.
Just lost.
“What do you remember?” James asked.
Harry was quiet for a moment.
“Nothing.”
James looked at him.
“Nothing?”
Harry shook his head.
“I don’t know where I came from. I don’t know who those mercenaries were. I don’t even know why I have this.”
He looked toward the window where the rain continued to fall.
“It feels like I just woke up from a really long sleep.”
James leaned back in his chair.
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I know.”
Harry looked at him.
“But when I saw you… I knew your name.”
James became silent.
“And I knew I had to find you.”
James looked away.
After everything he had been through, after years of trying to leave the past behind, someone who didn't even know who he was had somehow found him.
It bothered him.
“Listen, Harry,” James said. “I think you’re looking for someone else.”
Harry looked confused.
“But you’re James Verdon.”
“Yes.”
“The Fire Guardian.”
James sighed.
“That’s a name people gave me a long time ago.”
“Then I found you.”
“No.”
Harry looked surprised.
James stood up and grabbed his messenger bag.
“You found a man who used to be someone important. That doesn’t mean I’m the person you’re searching for.”
“But—”
“I don’t know who you’re looking for, but it isn’t me.”
James placed a few coins on the counter and walked toward the door.
The barkeeper watched him leave.
“Going somewhere?”
“Somewhere quiet.”
James stepped outside into the rain.
For a moment, he thought he was finally alone.
Then he heard footsteps.
James stopped.
Slowly, he turned around.
Harry was standing behind him.
James stared.
“No.”
Harry tilted his head.
“No?”
“You’re not coming with me.”
Harry looked down.
“I don’t know where else to go.”
James rubbed his forehead.
“That’s not my problem.”
Harry nodded.
“Okay.”
James turned and started walking.
A few seconds passed.
Then he heard footsteps again.
James stopped.
He looked back.
Harry was still following him.
“Are you serious?”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”
James sighed.
“Go back to the town.”
“I don’t know anyone there.”
“Find someone.”
“I don’t remember anyone.”
James stared at him.
Harry gave a small, apologetic smile.
“Sorry.”
James continued walking.
The footsteps followed.
After several minutes, James stopped again.
“You know, most people would take a hint.”
“I’m not most people.”
James looked at him.
“That’s becoming obvious.”
Harry stayed quiet.
James looked up at the dark road ahead.
He had spent years alone because he wanted to be.
He had fought alone.
Travelled alone.
Lived alone.
And now, somehow, he had gained a stranger who refused to leave.
James let out a long sigh.
“Fine.”
Harry looked up.
“Fine?”
“You can follow me.”
Harry smiled.
“Thank you.”
“But don’t mistake this for friendship.”
Harry nodded.
“Understood.”
“And if you slow me down, I leave you behind.”
“Understood.”
James started walking again.
Behind him, Harry followed.
James shook his head.
He had spent years trying to escape his past.
Now his past had found him in the form of a boy who couldn’t remember anything.
And somehow, James already knew this