I showed him around the rest of the town and also the river Sen where Eli found him.
He looked at the spot for a long time. Maybe it will bring back something? Anything of his past.
" How does one end up in Emet? I mean, what kingdom is this..and what land?" - he turned to me after watching the water for a bit.
" We are living on the continent of Longinus. This is the Kingdom of Insatel, one of four and the largest. Ruled by King Chensler, the .. Conqueror."
He smiled at my tone when it came to the King.
" I assume the 'King' is a bit of a tyrant or a fool, huh? "
" What makes you think that? He might be a great one.."
I asked in a teasing way. Before he answered, he knelt down to the water and let the current caress his hand.
" He named himself Conqueror and has the largest kingdom, and yet there still exist beside him. He doesn't seem to care about the divine monsters like Emet terrorizing his people and occupying his lands. " - he played with the water as talked some more.
" ..And there's the issue with his feudal lords, who take too much and, often even his own people as payment for imaginary protection."
I was stunned how much he understood just from a few conversations in passing.
He looked at water with a sad expression. Did he feel sorry for the people? Those he didn't even know? He felt sorry for himself?
" I .. you saw more than I gave you credit for."
He looked up, his sad expression nowhere to be seen.
" I've paid attention.. I had hoped something.. some information would return my memories to me. Maybe lady Vistellia was right." - he opened up the first time since he woke up.
" I'll might never find out who I was, or how someone so clearly different like me even ended up here..."
He seemed in a strange mood. He had more to say.
" I have these dreams.. I can't tell if they are memories of my own life or just fantasies conjured by my mind like everyone. - he pulled out his hand and looked the way the Sen came from. Thousands of miles away.
" But, even if they are mine, my old memories.. how could a few moments of carnage possibly help me find my real home? "
I wanted to comfort him somehow, but nothing came to mind. What words could possibly console someone like that?
He might have family out there, parents or siblings who mourning his supposed passing even now. Maybe even a wife or fiancee who has been crying herself to sleep in the last couple of days.
It started raining. It was nice and cooling, I got soaked pretty quick and started to feel my shoulders getting cold.
But I didn't wanna leave without him.
He didn't move from the water for a few more seconds. Just watching the rain drops hit the surface over and over again. He closed his eyes and sighed, then stood up abruptly.
" We should have back. I'm sorry.. I got lost there for a little while. You might catch a cold because of me.. Your home is close, and let us hurry." - he walked past me with his usual polite smile, nothing like the real one.
I looked at his back in the rain he felt infinitely sad to me, and I couldn't even see his face.
---
Back home was a full house. Along with my own family, Demelza was there with Arnold.
" Your back.. how was the village? Did you enjoy your walk with ..Lylly?" - Eleanor was the first to speak.
Ugh, I just pushed my sister aside and went to sit close by the fire to dry my soaked hair and clothes faster.
" It was great. I learned a lot about this land and met some good people thanks to her." - he took off his boots and placed them a bit further from me.
Demelza, with her son in her lap, sat near me and let little Arnold crawl around, discovering the house.
" How come you're here, Demelza? Everything okay?"- I took my eyes off his shoes and turned to rare guests.
She smiled and nodded, sipping some tea.
"Hmm.. I came to talk to your mother. The boys still training in the rain and Arnold here was bored." - she picked up her crawling son and squeezed him. " So was I."
She maybe five years older than me..and she came to talk to my mother. Even though It really should be me.
My choices, though my own did, left me isolated from those near my age. It's the reason why none of my old girlfriends from childhood come over to see just me anymore.
I don't have the same problems and worries they do.
They have much more in common with my mother now. Looking at Demelza playing with her son once again asked myself if my choice were the right ones?
These feelings of being so distant from her, from all girls my age..I created it myself, it overcame me whether wanted or not.
I politely laughed at her admission and poured some tea for myself.
I wanted to ask Zephyr if he wants some. But Eli long filled his hands and were deep in conversation about Alexander and his trainees.The Sacrifice in a few weeks.
I saw him laughing on something Eli just said
but his eyes returned the way it always was. I was able to see his real laugh. This was nothing like it.
I guess I'll just check on granny then.
I felt she needed to know about Zephyr's intentions and maybe talk to Eleanor. Clear the air so she doesn't fall too far.
I found her tending to the stone mortar and pestle. Humming along.
" Hey, granny, we escaped the rain, we gonna have to gather the flowers in the afternoon at the earliest."
" No problem, sweet one. Now tell me, how was your outing with him?" - she went on with her work while she asked.
I told Granny all that happened with Alexander and Ilianna. Him talking at the river. My own confusion didn't make the list.
"...He also mentioned that he plans to leave once knows more about..everything. - I put the flowers into separate piles to help her work. " He doesn't want to be a burden."
" What could possibly make him think that? He's been nothing but respectful and grateful.." - she kept putting more and more camilla onto the mortar and added honey.
"..perhaps it's just his pride. I'm not surprised about the news of him leaving Lylly. He told me not long after he woke up."
She knew..?
So why let Eleanor get entangled like that?
Why not tell me?
Letting me act like a spoiled brat who couldn't even return a smile to him or a morning greeting. ..fully knowing he will leave eventually?My face must've been enough. Granny went on.
" You thinking why not just tell Eli or maybe.. you as well? Because it's just one of many paths that might happen, take this.. " - she handed me the mortar and started rubbing her tired hands.
"...it might not happen. Look at today. That little girl, Helena orphaned daughter. She seemed to be opening up to him. Maybe in time, she might, with our help, change his heart."
" W-why ..you wanna change his heart? "
She looked at me and stopped my hand.
" Be honest with me, Lylly. Knowing everything you learned since this morning.. just this few hours and, as little as it may be..do you want him to go that bad? "
If asked just this morning, I would say yes in a heartbeat.
Remembering his interactions with the people around him, his strength yet his kindness.
Would others in his situation act so open with the strange world surrounding them? Would they bother with the effort to make a poor girl laugh or extend a helping had to some over eager idiot who just tried to kill him?
He was an odd one and ..something else.
How can I not want someone like that around?
My silence was enough, so I didn't need to say anything embarrassing. She looked like someone who knew exactly what my reaction would be.
" See?..why not let fate decide then. He might find everything he needs right here. Plus..." - she reached out and touched my cheek. " It would be nice to see at least one of my granddaughters truly happy before my time ends."
" Granny, please don't talk like that..."
" Don't worry, sweetheart. I am not planning my exit just yet, but this is a cruel world, Lylly. Life doesn't just give us happiness. We have to fight for it, in our own way."
She squeezed my wrist, and I made sure to remember. Everything she said sounded good advice for the future.
" Let me tell you the same words, I been told by my mother. Love is all about timing.. it can be there one second extending its hand then forever taken by someone the next."
I took her words to heart.
Do I have to wait for him to extend his hand? Or would he take mine? But I didn't have more time to ponder on it further. Eleanor walked in.
" Lylly, I'm taking Zephyr to the forest to search for Ilianna. He is worried." - she wasn't even looking at us, just a quick check on the overall state of the room. " Please take over my choirs for me?"
" Sure.. but maybe I'll sho.."
" Thanks, see you later."
She left so fast that I could practically see her outlines.
"...Well next time maybe fight harder."
I was left alone by my laughing granny and saw a rainbow through the window after the rain.
Fight harder, huh?
I already skipped my chances. Then why do I feel like.. that it should've been me out there looking for that girl by his side?