Amon nodded as lifted Little One and placed him back into the baby chair. As he did only then did he notice the view outside.
Village Square standing right in the middle of the village was a huge fountain, water flowing from a vase being held over the shoulder of a mermaid that sat at the edge of the water with her tail on land. Underneath at the edge of the water were other 3 mermaids sticking their heads out of the water as if they were all having a conversation with the one on land.
The fountain was quite old and had green algae growing around it and some of its grey coat was peeling off revealing the black underneath the first coat. A short distance away were vendor stalls that surrounded the statue. All stalls were closed, leaving the statue standing all alone in the dark which gives out the feeling that the statue was lonely.
" That's one lonely-looking fountain. Starting to think about it, why are we the only two people here? Where's the innkeeper?"
Amon asked as he scans across the empty dining area.
" Oh! Right! I told her that I wanted to wait for you. So she gave me a little bell to ring when we were ready. "
Philomel recalled with a grin as she pick up a small handbell on the table and rang it. Little One suddenly leans over and tried to grab the bell. Philomel quickly move it away from his reach which made Little One fussy.
" It took almost forever to get him to leave it once it was in his hand. It was like listening to a high-pitched rattle that pounded in my mind. "
Philomel explain as she placed the bell on the other side of the table away from a very pouty Little One.
" Here we are! Hors d'oeuvre of the day! Pig in a blanket. "
Mrs. Barrett announced as she placed the plates down in front of Amon and Philomel. She then took the sawn folded clothes from the table and with a quick flick of her wrist unwraps them before placing one on Amon's lap and the other on Philomel's lap.
" Umm... Thanks again for your hospitality. I don't think I have ever been this welcomed anywhere. "
Amon said with an awkward laugh as he rubs the back of his neck.
" Human, light elf, dark elf, or even demons. Barrett's Family Inn welcomes all. Can't be too picky now that not many visits this village. You two have nothing to worry about in this village. It's all humans, no light elves to jump out of the brushes and challenge you. Since we do live right next to curse Mountmend and no I do not fear it since that entrance has been sealed for decades. Yet the village is being taxed like crazy for protection knights. My, what has our little village become? Well, you little cuties enjoy, ring if you need anything. "
Mrs. Barrett informed with a smile as she returns to the kitchen.
" We will Mrs. Barrett. Thanks again."
Philomel said with a wave.
" I told her to bring Little One's milk during the main course. That's around the same time Little One normally eats right?"
Philomel asked as she turned back to Amon.
" Hmm... now is 8:45... Yeah somewhere around there. "
Amon confirm after looking at the cuckoo clock that hung on the wall above the kitchen serving window. Amon turns to his plate just to notice more than the number of forks and spoons that he was used to. Amon turned to Philomel just to notice that she was in the same predicament as well.
" I think you better ring that bell again. She gave us far too much cutlery than we need."
Amon suggested as he examined the different shapes and sizes between all the cutlery.
" That's what I thought as well but it seems this is human culture. They use different types of cutlery as the courses change. Mrs. Barrett told me if I ever get too confused on what to use, start with the outer cutlery and work your way closer to the plate."
Philomel explained with a gesture.
" Humans are weird but they are more innovative than elves."
Amon commented as he pick up the fork on his left.
" Did you hear that city Luxtorious used to be a human city?"
" Yes, before the Dragon War, right? How did it end up in the hands of the light elves?"
Amon nodded as he took a bite of the pigs in blankets. Instantly, a crackling crisp crunch, along with a buttery soft mellow, texture of the inner layer of bread. Before hitting the cheesy goodness, wrapped around a soft tender chewy, pork hot dog, that has small kicks of black pepper and salt, that brings out the flavor of the meat. Amon's eyes instantly widened at such flavors as he recalled back to the good old days...
The good old days when his mother came home and waiting for her right next to the door was little Amon with a huge hug. Days when he still could perfectly remember the sweet smile on his mother's beautiful face. The warmth of her embrace as she hugs him back, lifting him off his feet with a spin around the room. The tenderness of her kiss on his forehead. Feasting on the wonderful food she stole as she told the daring adventure she had to steal them while they wait for his father to come home from his own mission.
" Elves open their home when humans' homes were destroyed by the dragons, in return they did the same when the forest was burnt down. Luxtorious was a city that was designated by humans and made with the help of the elves. Elves compare to humans, live 5 times longer. It didn't take long for the light elves to hold the citizens' majority within the city. I think after that the humans got uncomfortable living with so many elves and moved away or was it because the Kingdom Ranrion pulled out their troops after the dragon war?"
Philomel roughly guessed the answer as she recalled the tales her daddy told her as he tucked her into bed. A small smile found its way to her lips as she recalled her overprotective father, Anubis constantly going off-topic or weirdly linking the tale to include a reminder never to trust any male. The small cute laugh her mother, Asteria would make whenever Anubis did that. Before waving him off, and telling him to trust Philomel more, since she wouldn't always stay his little girl.
The scoff of Anubis as he determinedly announced Philomel will forever stay his little girl, no matter what happens, and that he would always be her supporter, her protector in all situations. Especially those that involve another male, those situations Anubis swore he would teleport from under the ground and make the guy regret ever doing anything to Philomel.
" It was probably something like that. "
Amon nodded as he wipes a tear from his eye and continued eating. Slowly savoring each and every last bite.
" Are you... are you crying? Is the food that good for you to cry like that?"
Philomel asked with a tilted head as she pops her third piece into her mouth.
" Yes. If you eat nothing but campfire cooked of whatever you caught that day for 3 years. Then you would feel the same and agree. "
" Probably, hmm... guess being a scavenger rather than a self-appointed entrance guard has its many benefits. Especially being thanked for what I do even though it's nothing much. You on the other hand save many lives yet not even a thank you in return. Heck, other than 6 (Philomel, Anubis, Asteria, Odo, Chydleluve, and Commander Julius ) people no one else even acknowledges that you're even there."
" .... You know I'm not feeling any better over here."
" Thank you for your sacrifice. Without you as an entrance guard, I don't know how our tribe would have turned out."
Philomel casually said without any feelings knowing it was what Amon wanted to hear.
" Ah! Two times in one lifetime! I must be blessed! Now I guess I can rest easy now, knowing that I have done the right thing and my parents would be proud."
Amon emotionally admitted as he wiped a happy tear from his eye. The words he had been waiting 3 years to hear, by that point, he didn't care Philomel said it without feeling.
Philomel couldn't help but smile along with him.
"As long as it makes him happy then I'll repeat as many times as I can... it's the least I can do since it's my fault he is in the nightmare in the first place."
Philomel reminded herself as she picks up the handbell and rings it for the second time.
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