I stood up from the hay pile and hugged Master. "Aw, you could have sent me a letter if you were coming," she said while hugging me back.
"I was a bit busy killing monsters and trying to survive the wilderness".
She then introduced the girl that was being shy peeking around the corner of the barn entrance. "This is my granddaughter, Lily; she is quite the energetic and curious one". Lily came up to me and pointed at my sword, "Can I play with it". I hesitated "Um, isn't it a bit dangerous for you".
"Not really, cause Grandma Garu lets me swing her war hammer at trees". I looked at the Master with worried eyes, but she said, "It's faster to pick apples from trees, not to mention, she can use its powers, isn't that great!" as she grinned at me. I can't believe my Master trusted her granddaughter with her war hammer, which is known to shake the ground and make high damage results.
Like knocking back her foes 10 feet away, bringing down at least a 30-meter stone wall, and more commonly just to bash away anyone she wants. "Well as long as you're training her Master". Lily ran past us as she went to get her older sister in the cabin.
We walked to her cabin where she invited me in as a friend. The cabin was more wood based, it had a second floor but looked small. As we got in it was way smaller, mainly the walkway path was one person at a time. "I'll get you something to eat ok, just sit at the table," Master said. I sat on the nearest chair in the dining room, looking around I saw just a picture of Master carrying Lily on her shoulders and an older girl beside Master all smiling. I wondered where Lily's parents were as I looked for another picture frame, but there was nothing. The cabin had many blankets hanging on the side of the couch with cushion pillow seats that I'm sitting on.
"Here you go from last night's meal, grits and gravy with a grilled chicken leg. With the side of steamed broccoli and a mug of water". "Thank you very much, I thought my last meal would be river water and wild berries'', as I ate her food.
"So kid, why are you way out of your training?" I replied to her question "You see Master, I have a secret letter to send to the Great Wizard of Phastel, he must receive the letter." She glanced away looking behind her as the stairs were leading to the upper floor. She and I knew what the message was about, "Was it Empress Tanya orders, kid" I nod my head "It was going to happen eventually as we are a part of this world."
She began to feel sad and worried, as her hand shook in fear. "You know the Great wizard has little time left" as she looked at me. "From what I heard, he is sick and because of his age, he has about 2 months left," I said. "Yes, he is," she says with a sad tone. Just then Lily came down the stairs very loudly bringing an older girl with her. As I looked at her, we both met eyes, she stopped at the foot of the stairs. She was a bit hesitant to walk further, as I placed my sword down the floor and took my coat off to show me as less scary.
She walks to the master's side, "It's a pleasure meeting you sir, my name is Ariel" as she bows her head. "No need to bow my dear, I'm just a friend of your grandma you see." as I smiled at her. As I looked down the floor, Lily crawled on the ground to get my sword. I caught her in the act, so I reached into my pocket and gave her a black box. She took it and my sword and went to play with it upstairs smiling. "Have a seat Ariel, do you remember this young man?" Master said. "He looked like the boy that saved me from the village incident," she murmurs.
I remembered the incident like it was yesterday. It was a murder scene; Ariel was a little girl wearing a formal light blue dress. It happened at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was running away from the party, as older teens made fun of her dress. She was the only one in an off-color dress, while the women at the party wore a white dress. It was a special and private party celebrating the Great Wizard's 80th birthday. I ran after her as I was there being chaperoned by Gura.
Ariel ran past the guards in the front gate, I told them she'll get back safely. She ran into an alleyway where she followed a stray cat into an alleyway. A man was being mugged and screamed for help, but he was stabbed, and his neck sliced by the thief. The Thief saw Ariel as he looked toward her direction facing the street. He walked toward Ariel holding the knife-stained blood, to cover his murder scene. I got there in time and threw my coat at her face, as I swiftly pulled out a curved knife that killed the thief. His neck was sliced, clean without blood on my knife.
As she uncovered the coat from her face and saw the dead body oozing blood from the neck that stained the pavement, I lent a hand to her saying "Let's get you back to the party now". As I brought her back, the Master relaxed as she was safe. Everyone else in the party except the bully kids didn't know what happened. I was 12 and she was 9 during that horrific day.
Ariel thanked me for saving her life as she hugged me so suddenly. I was shocked, yet hugged back at her, she cried silently so I helped her calm down with the hug. As I looked at my Master, she grinned then looked away. As she pretends not to notice the awkward scene. She then plays around with her fingers full of rings of her journey's winnings. After 6 minutes we stopped hugging, I blushed at her affection and warmth the whole time. She then smiled and excused herself to go shopping outside, to get food. Garu then told me to go with her, as a girl alone brings misfortune to herself.