Chapter 438 - Village of Earn [3] (1/2)
”Not so fast,”
”What!” inquired she with a less than inviting voice – one of which was of profane origin.
”I don't mean to be rude,” said he still holding her forehead. She had tried to embrace and push the man on the bed. ”I'm a married man, and what thee are trying to do is the same as the man earlier attempted. Is that really the way thee wishes to proceed?”
”N-no,” she gave into deep breaths. ”It wasn't my intent,” she fell to the floor, ”-I wasn't trying to do anything malicious. It's just, earlier, you came and killed the man who had plagued my life ever since I came into this village. Like you, I was a traveler, sent off to the mainland during the war so many years ago.”
”Come on,” after toggling the slightly helpful light, ”-get up,” he gave a helping hand.
”T-thanks,” she grabbed to stand, ”-I'm sorry I was trouble.” The full moon's ray caressed her face.
”Take a seat,” he offered to then close the curtain.
”A-are you sure,” the figure gently sat, the motion screamed of pain. The right foot had dark-black rashes. It explained to her limping earlier.
”There's no need to be tactful. I'm sure standing up must be a vexing prospect.”
”Well,” quietly tilting her head to stare at the roof as well as keep the man in her field of vision, ”-I can't let this stop the work I have to do. Some people count on me in Arda, the money I send is very much important for their upbringing.”
”I see,” said he comfortably, ”-want to tell me about it?”
Her hands moved in a confused manner. Her ears and tail spoke volumes of her not knowing how to respond. The flickering of the lashes, the mild spasms of her nose, and the noticeable heavy breathing. ”-Give me a moment,” she paused.
”Here,” he offered a glass of water.
”T-thanks,” gulping the whole thing, ”-thank you for earlier.”
”Don't mention it,” said he returned to the opposing chair.
”Is there anything I can do for you?”
'Avoiding the issue,' he thought, '-she knows things that may be of interest. What's the best approach…'
”Yes, actually,” the aura changed into one reminiscent of home, a place where one relaxed in the company of others. 'She misses her family; I guess manipulation is going to come in handy.'
”Could you tell me a bit about the Village of Earn?” the m.o.a.ning of the neighbors grew into a full-on fight – screams of pleasure disrupted their conversation.
”The village of Earn,” unbothered by the noise, ”-it's a pretty nice place to live. I mean, there's food and shelter, life here isn't expensive. The heat isn't as obvious as in Lazuli. I mean, as long as you don't get in the way of the people's belief, their prayers of the night, then you're fine.”
”Could I pry a little more?” asked he with a fatherly impression.
”I-I…” she stopped.
”I apologize, there's no need to recount what thee don't want,” the voice suddenly filled with sincerity and trueness of goodwill. ”I don't want to be uncomfortable to a lady who was…”
”No, no,” the hand and head shook in dismissal, ”-I needed a few seconds to gather my thoughts.”
”No, no,” returned he, ”-there's no need to speak if thee don't want to – I respect thy choice of silence.” The ajar window had a breeze snuck into the room. The warmness soon divulged into the cold reality of Earn. Amidst the breeze came the faint crackling of burning wood. The ground moved with stomps and chants. Lights from lanterns cast shadows against the close buildings. It cut the conversation; her face froze.
”Don't,” she whispered sharply, ”-don't stare!” even the noisy inn grew into a grave.
The tinkling of bells painfully ambled along the road for a while.
*MORE,* came from the hallway, the activity resumed as the bells faded.
”That was close…” exhaled Mela. Her face was met with a suspicious Staxius. The figure sat with fingers gently tapping the chair's arm. The intruder breeze carried his hair to the side.
”I think we're done for tonight.”
”No please,” she said loudly, ”-I'll tell you everything.”
'Easy,' thought he stopped midway standing.
”The village of Earn has darker secrets than most places around. We have the involvement of the underground as well as a few cults who cull the 'forsaken'. I'm willing to continue the conversation. I'm sure the stories would be entertaining, but I don't want to say anymore that could endanger the life of a traveler, let alone a stranger.”
”I'm touched that thee think of others,” said he coldly, ”-it's admirable, I truly respect said mindset. Though I'm not a mere traveler, I came here for a good reason. We have our secrets.”
”I understand,” she nodded, ”-let me start with the underground. The DG is selling pills. Well, that's what the sellers on the street tell us each time. I've seen people go insane after a few doses, I don't know if it's the pill or the dosage. I mean, everyone knows the rumor of the DG being a chivalrous dark-organization. They helped the poor many o' time. The cults, I mean, you heard them, earlier right? They cull the forsaken. I heard that from the few drunken guests. After one of my companions took the dose, she never came back, I figured her to have gone back to Arda. Well, I don't think that relates to the cult. We are told by the village leader to not sneak out at night, from 23:00 to 00:00, no one is allowed to get out. Tis the culling hour, they pray for protection against the monsters. The screaming forest is a real menace to our lives – just yesterday, a boy and girl went missing. There's been no news yet. The search ended in only a boot being found farther inside.”
”Is that all?”
”Yeah, that's all…” her face lightened; ”-I feel much better now.”
”About the man earlier,” voiced he, ”-is he related to the DG?”
”I-I t-think,” apprehensive about speaking, ”-he s-said s-so.”
”Forget I asked,” smiled he, ”-what are you going to do now?”
”I'm done for tonight,” said she, ”-I'll head home.”
”Let me accompany you then.”
”No, there's no need…”
”Don't worry,” grabbing the nearest coat, ”-come on, a lady must not venture at night so late.” Pushing the door open, she gracefully accepted the offer.
'I've killed the supposed member of DG. There's a chance the other lackeys to come ask questions. I care less about her safety; she'll be the perfect bait.'
”You going home?” asked the other worker.
”Yeah, see you tomorrow,” they exchanged kisses to continue outside. The full-moon made it easier to see. The modest street-lights here and there didn't affect much. They but added to the atmosphere. The duo walked along the pavement.
”Why did you come to Elendor?” asked she with hands inside her coat.