Assimilate All Talents

Entering the inn, he saw Miriam, the kind lady who runs the inn alongside her husband, Harvey. She saw Sol and gasped before power walking over to him. It looked like fast movements hurt her, but she didn’t care as she approached with a worried face.

"Sol, you’re back! Are you okay? We were worried as we didn’t see you for days."

"Yeah, sorry about that, I got caught up in a long quest. By the way, is my room still available?"

Last time Sol stayed in the inn, he reserved his room for three more days, but then he was captured for an entire week. He didn’t leave anything important besides some dirty clothes and his backpack with some outdoor gear, but he still decided to ask.

"Oh, don’t you worry about that. Business is slow here so I left your room as is."

"Wow, Thanks! Here, I’ll pay for the missing days and for tonight as well."

Miriam didn’t want to accept the money, "No, it’s fine, the room would have been empty anyways."

Sol shook his head and insisted, "It’s okay, think of it as thanks for being such great hosts."

She relented, "Oh, you flatterer. Fine, but come downstairs later for dinner. I’ll make something special just for you."

"Will do, see you later."

Heading back to his room, Sol found it exactly how he left it with only one small difference. The goblin idol he left by the desk was gone, but he already knew who took it. What surprised him was the fact everything looked essentially untouched. Sol wouldn’t have even known someone came inside if not for the missing item.

Sol went to the bed and laid down, feeling the soft mattress on his back.

’Finally, I can get some rest.’

Just as he was about to close his eyes to rest for a few hours, from the corner of his vision, he saw a figure looking at him from the window. Sol felt his heart almost jump out of his chest as adrenaline rushed through his body, ready to fight. It was not until he saw who it was that he calmed down.

’Red Sands…’

Sol got up from his bed and opened the window to let her in.

"You know you could have come from the front door…"

She ignored his comment and simply stated, "Memories."

Almost as if asking to hand them over, Sol could only awkwardly chuckle.

"I know, and I do intend to help you to the best of my ability."

Sol narrated his conversation with the Guildmaster regarding what she would do with those other victims and how they didn’t have access to anyone who could help them.

"I wished they would have an easy solution on hand, but I still have an idea of someone who can help you."

Sol wasn’t the type to continue talking without input from the other person, but Red Sands didn’t say anything and simply waited for him to continue.

"Uhh… My dad was the one who placed the barrier in my mind that protected me. He also has the talent of [Mind Shaper]. The problem is… well… I have no idea where he is. Last time I saw him was when I was 10, but because something happened, he and my mom had to go into hiding. I have no idea where they could be right now.

"While it’s true I have no idea where they could be, I know someone who does. The issue is that the person is a bit high profile. Do you know who the Saintess is?"

From Sol’s memories, he remembered one of the knights mentioned that his father, Roman, can’t run away as they will find him with the help of the Saintess.

Red Sands shook her head. She was never briefed on anything that wasn’t related to her targets.

"8 years ago, a young girl with a legendary talent was discovered. She was a commoner who had the legendary talent [Fate] able to see glimpses of the future. The whole kingdom celebrated when it was found out and she was taken to the capital, officially titled as the Saintess. My parents had to go into hiding because of… things my father did in the past, and I’m almost certain the saintess is using her ability to track him down."

Sol then pulled out Warhawk’s Talon from his spatial ring.

"The plan is simple, since we can’t simply approach the Saintess and ask her where my dad is, I am going to become a knight!"

Sol then struck a pose similar to those of knights he had seen in the past. He felt awkward doing all the talking and wanted to add some movements to maybe ease the awkwardness.

Seeing Red Sands’ lack of response, Sol felt like talking to a brick wall.

"So, uhh yeah. I’m sorry I can’t help you restore your memories immediately, but if you can wait until I find my dad, I can promise you there is no better person to help you. How does that sound?"

After a period of silence, Red Sand shook her head, "No."

"Huh? Why?"

"Follow."

While Red Sands kept her sentences to a minimum, much to Sol’s dismay, he understood what she meant to say.

"You want to come with me? Are you sure?

"Yes."

Having another companion to join him on the long trip to the capital isn’t a bad idea, and Sol didn’t really have a reason to deny her. The only issue that he could see arising was his talents and skills being known to Red Sands, but he doubted she would go around spreading that knowledge if that ever came to be. He also realized there might be a positive effect on Red Sands if she traveled and saw more of the world.

"Sure, why not. Even if we can’t find my dad anytime soon, maybe the sights of new places and people can help awaken the memories. It’s a long shot but who knows."

Sol then looked at Red Sands and noticed an issue.

"If we do travel together, I don’t know if the assassin getup would be a good idea. It will bring a lot of unwanted attention especially if we are going to the capital."

Red Sands nodded in understanding and took off her cloak, Sol was finally able to see what she truly looked like underneath. She had short black hair that didn’t interfere with her sight or clothes. What stood out the most were her light red eyes that with a deadpan expression, pierced directly into one’s soul.

Sol originally thought she was called Red Sands because of the cloak and her sand body skill, but it seems the red actually came from her eyes. He had never seen eyes like hers before, so he stared for a bit too long. Luckily, it seemed the assassin didn’t care, and Sol quickly collected himself.

With a small cough, Sol asked, "What should I call you? It feels awkward calling you Red Sands."

"Don’t know."

"They didn’t call you any other name?"

She nodded and started listing a few names, "You, idiot, trash, Sandy…"

"Wait! Those aren’t names, and I’m pretty sure Weaver called you Sandy in a mocking way… I meant names like Samantha, Olivia, Amber…"

"Amber." It seemed she liked that name.

Sol was just naming a few as an example, but she chose one from them.

"No, that’s not what I- Ugh this is exhausting. Amber it is…"

He didn’t want to argue with her and force her to come up with her own name. Sol was fine with the fact that she at least picked it for herself rather than it being given to her. With that out of the way, he decided to finally get some rest.