The girl's hand was small in Liora's grip. Barely a weight at all. But it grounded her more than the steel of her sword ever had.
They moved slowly. The girl's legs were thin and unsteady, but she didn't complain. Liora offered to carry her once, but the child only shook her head. Too stubborn for her size. Liora could respect that.
The forest trail wound ahead in silence, broken only by birdsong and the occasional snap of a twig. Every so often, Liora glanced down at the little girl, and each time, those wide hazel eyes met hers for just a second before flicking away again.
No name. No words. Just silence and a shadow of fear.
Liora knew the look. She'd seen it in the mirror before.
They arrived at the village gates just as the sun began to set, casting the cobbled streets in orange. Children ran through puddles from the evening rain, and the scent of baking bread lingered from the market square.
The girl's steps slowed as the buildings closed in. Her grip tightened.
"It's alright," Liora said gently, pausing. "No one will hurt you here."
Still, the girl clung closer.
Liora led her past the blacksmith's forge, past the guild hall, and stopped at a plain wooden building, the inn Liora had been calling home since she got to that village.
She pushed the door open with her shoulder.
Inside, the warmth of the fire and food greeted them. The same crooked tables, the same innkeeper, a man in his forties, polishing mugs behind the counter. He looked up, brow raised.
"A stray?" Zio asked, nodding toward the girl.
Liora smiled. "She'll need a bath. And something warm to eat."
Zio sighed. "You taking her in?"
"For now."
"Room fees are still per head."
Liora slid her pouch across the counter, already knowing it would hurt. "Take three nights in advance."
Zio nodded and took it without counting. "Room five's open. I'll send up stew."
Their room was small, barely more than a cot, a bench, and a washbasin, but it was clean. Liora knelt beside the basin and filled it with warm water from the jug.
She turned to the girl. "Let's get you cleaned up."
The child hesitated. Liora paused, then stepped back.
"I'll wait outside the curtain. You can wash yourself if you like."
After a moment's stillness, the girl gave a tiny nod.
By the time the stew arrived, the child was wrapped in Liora's spare tunic, sitting cross-legged on the cot with damp hair and wide eyes. She ate more slowly this time.
Liora watched her in silence, then asked, "Still no name?"
The girl paused mid-bite. Then, quietly, she whispered something.
"…Aria."
Liora blinked. "Aria, huh?"
The girl nodded once. Her voice was barely above a breath.
It could've been a real name. Or one she made up just now. Didn't matter.
"Alright," Liora said, leaning back against the wall, arms folded. "Nice to meet you, Aria."
And for the first time, the girl smiled.