'What? I'm not recognised...? Then how... Is this thanks to Hewie?' A million thoughts run through my head as I try to figure out how this is possible.
Ellirith just looks at me, her gaze almost piercing, but she scoffs a bit before shaking her head. "It seems like you don't know the answer yourself, Alaire. But keep in mind that this will definitely happen again in the future of your journey."
After that, she adds with a stern tone and a rather hard glare. "You're lucky that I know more than you at the moment. Others may not be like that."
I stare at her with a shocked expression. 'She knows more than me? Does that mean that she knows something about this?' But despite my obviously suspicious and curious look, she doesn't give me answers.
I look at Hewie, who's sitting on my shoulder and seemingly sleeping. She's such an oddball. 'But if this place is protected, then who kidnapped Liralia? Since she mentioned that it happened in the outskirts, it's possible that the barrier doesn't reach there, but that's very unlikely.'
I think hard and try to put something together so that at least one thing makes sense. 'How complicated...' I sigh and look at Ellirith, my eyes narrowing a bit. I'll have to take her word for it and trust her for now.
Since we're alone in these gardens that probably nobody else can access, there's a possibility that she might kill me if I ask her too much, know too much, or even overstep the boundaries. Ah, how scary...
I take a deep breath and then exhale, calming myself down before I put on my calm facade. "I have an offer..."
"I'll find Liralia for you and bring her back, and you'll support me. You wouldn't dare spill my secret unless you want me to reveal yours to the whole village." I continue, hoping that she'll fall for it.
"Is that a threat?" She asks with a somewhat amused and annoyed smirk, raising an eyebrow. The villagers probably won't trust me over her, but I still hold her secret. Unless she kills me right here...
"Maybe. Depends on how you take it. For me, it's more of a deal." I say with a small smirk, extending my hand as a seal of our deal. "So?" I wait for her to do something as I nervously gulp.
"Hmph, fine. You're a sly one, aren't you?" She says and grips my hand rather tightly, and I return her tight grip with one of my own. "I'm not quite sure if I understand." I say and shrug a bit, our deal now sealed. Phew, I'm safe for now...
After the whole ordeal, we walk through the gardens, side by side, as she clearly keeps an eye on me. 'She's probably cautious of me, thinking I'll stab her in the back, literally. Well, I have the same worry, so I can't blame her.'
After some time, we get out of the gardens. Finally, I feel like I can breathe a bit better now. It's like the barrier is denser in the gardens...
I lock eyes with Merle and decide to take him with me. I need someone who knows Eldur more than me, and Hewie doesn't really count. She's more of a distraction than anything. She says what she wants and mostly doesn't answer my questions.
And you know what they say. The more, the merrier. I give Ellirith one last look before I depart and make my way towards Merle.
"Will you join m-" "Can I join?" We speak at the same time, and I blink a bit in surprise before I give a small laugh. I didn't expect such a thing to happen. Merle just gives a small smile.
"There's no need to ask." I say, and he puts an arm around my shoulders. I'm glad that he's more comfortable with me now. Hewie laughs in the background, clearly wide awake now. 'What is this crazy bird laughing at now?' But she just flies around and motions at something with her claw.