It’s dark out. Shaw has usually summoned me by this time in the day. I hope she hasn’t given up like all the others.
I’ve met many Tarnished over the years, and most of them don’t finish their quest. In the end, it doesn’t matter. They all leave me. Whether they stay until the end or move on before; they rarely come back. I’m just a way to help them travel faster.
Shaw is different though. She’s the first Tarnished to give me a real name: Sir Mix-a-Lot. I don’t know what it means, but it sounds important. I’ve overheard some of the soldiers being called sir; usually the bigger ones, with the prettier, shinier armors. My given name is Torrent, although I don’t remember who gave me this name, and most of the Tarnished don’t use it. They just whistle when they need me and send me back when they’re done.
When I first met Shaw, she didn’t summon me very often, but after a few days, we were riding everywhere together. She told me that I gave her the courage to cross the bridge into the Weeping Peninsula. I sense she cares deeply about me; she won’t even ride me into battle. Whenever she senses danger, she always approaches without me, summoning me only if she needs to escape quickly.
She talks about feeding me apples. I don’t know what those are; something from her world. They sound delicious, crunchy, and sweet. I can just taste them. The only fruit we have in the Lands Between are Rowa berries; I don’t like them very much. In Shaw’s world, riders will often camp next to their mounts, sleeping close together for warmth. That sounds nice. I don’t sleep. I just wait in the void for Shaw to summon me.
I love riding with Shaw; she often makes me double-hop just for fun. It makes her laugh. I had never heard anyone laugh in the Lands Between before Shaw arrived.
It’s almost tomorrow, I don’t think Shaw will summon me today. I hope she comes back.
Dedicated to Tortellini, The Elden Ring-playing goldfish (2022-2025). RIP.
