Sitting silently, he and Stella just waited for them to return; he finished drinking his tea and tried some snacks. He had to admit they were delicious as he looked at Stella and sighed.
"I can tell you are dying to ask questions; until they arrive, you can ask some.."
He didn't want to answer, but he couldn't precisely leave...well, he could, but that would make him look guilty.
"Are you okay?"
Charlotte flinched and shook his head.
"No...today just hasn't been my day. I want to lie down and forget that today has ever happened."
Stella gives a sad smile and pats his back; Charlotte rubs his face.
"Thank you for caring."
"No problem, and don't worry. We can leave as soon as I get paid; I wouldn't want anyone snooping into my life either."
Once again, they sat In silence, but at least this was a comfortable silence. The tension was gone; he sat back on his chair and closed his eyes. The sound of the wind and birds chirping helped him relax. Occasionally, he could hear Stella chewing on one of the cookies, which made him chuckle.
Footsteps were heard a few minutes later; Zac was walking beside a taller man. He had blue eyes and golden hair, and he could see a few graying hairs with his increased focus, especially in his mustache. The man was still in his prime. His build looked intimidating, and his gaze and presence resembled Zac's. He could also use Chi most likely, but he couldn't tell how much strong he was. As he got closer, it felt almost as if the sun's heat became more noticeable, which was worrying.
"Hello Stella, it's always a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for always being so punctual in your deliveries."
He smiled as he reached into his coat pocket and placed a bag filled to the brim with coins on the table.
"I heard about the bandit attack you experienced; I included some extra payment for the increased risks. I'm glad no harm came to you and your companion."
He turned to look at Charlotte, the same friendly smile on his face. It only made him feel nervous. He wanted to be anywhere else right now; even the rift in the river looked more inviting than this place.
"Thank you, Mr.Joseph, it was nothing. If it's alright, my companion and I would like to head to an inn and possibly rest. Today has been challenging, and we haven't gotten any rest."
Stella smiled and picked up the sack of coins, putting it away inside her pocket. Joseph seemed to be contemplating something.
"Of course, before you go, though. I want to show your companion something. If that's alright with him?"
Charlotte didn't want to muddy the relationship between the two. He might never meet Stella after they separate, but she treated him respectfully, so he could only do the same.
"Of course not. Please show us."
"Perfect, please follow me."
Joseph and Zac walked off As Stella and Charlotte stood up to follow behind them. He felt like he was walking into a trap, but that was likely just his nerves. He could only expect the worst.
As they walked inside, he looked around Joseph's mansion. Almost everything inside the house seemed to be made of wood from his familiar town. Not only that, but it appeared to have been made by an expert in woodworking. He had a feeling Joseph was the one who constructed most of them; a few outliers were made of a different type of wood. The craftsmanship wasn't as refined, however.
They stopped near a fireplace with a sword hanging from a wall—the familiar insignia on the sheath.
"T-"
Before Joseph could speak, Charlotte cut him off, tilting his head with confusion.
"My dad didn't make that sword; he wouldn't ever put his insignia on a sheath."
Joseph stayed quiet for a bit before laughing; everyone else stayed silent, waiting for him to finish. Zac looked a bit nervous. However, he didn't seem to find it amusing.
"Damn, you didn't even let me try to sell you on it... You are correct; your father didn't make this sword. I just wanted to be sure you were his son. If someone were using his emblem and claiming to be his son, I wouldn't let that go."
Charlotte's confusion grew; he didn't know his dad had a friend like him. Before he could even ask, Joseph kept talking.
"Your dad and I used to be rivals; he was a talented prodigy in blacksmithing. We met in a competition, although I wouldn't imagine he remembers it. We worked on different mediums, but I still felt a rivalry develop between us. He couldn't be matched in blacksmithing and I in Carpentry...it was quite sad hearing how things played out with his wife; I'm glad that things seem to at least be going well; how is he?"
He ran his hands across a cabinet he had constructed and seemed to be reliving memories from long ago. Charlotte almost felt terrible about what he would have to say.
"I don't know; he disappeared from my life seven years ago. I don't even know if he is alive."
He turned to look at Charlotte, almost as if he was gazing into his soul.
"That....how old are you? You looked quite young."
"I'm eighteen."
He struck the cabinet next to him, easily shattering it. Stella jumped back while Zac and Charlotte remained composed.
"That... Sorry for losing my composure. I'm sad to hear that, Charlotte. He was a great man and respected; time changes all things, it seems."
He was rubbing his eyes as he turned away from them.
"You have my condolences, please do take care...Zac, escort them out, please."
He walked away hurriedly, and Zac bowed before turning to them.
"Please follow me."
Stella looked at Charlotte; he knew what she wanted to ask. So he gave her a thumbs up to try and let her know he was okay. She returned the favor by smiling slightly and giving him a thumbs up.