Side Story 92: The Future of the Past (5)

I spent a little over two years traveling with everyone in Va-Vanbil.

By then, we'd settled into clearly defined roles. I considered myself a member of the troupe, and I think they felt the same way about me.

Va-Vanbil traveled slowly around the continent while trying to avoid Lifrea. Looking back now, I suppose the reason they barely set foot in Lifrea, including the former territory of Rudek, was out of consideration for me.

Life was fairly difficult, but over those two years, everyone's skills as acrobats had improved by leaps and bounds. I, too, was reasonably useful in various places, so all things considered, things were going well.

Those peaceful days came to an abrupt end one day.

It was Rev who forced me to say goodbye.

〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜

"Is today Roa's birthday?"

"Yeah. Didn't I tell you?"

The day began with a morning conversation between Rubel and me as we stood side by side at a stream, washing our faces...