They walked in silence for a bit, following a simple dirt road. As they went further into the village, Arin could see even more people milling about. Their movements were unhurried, and conversations were carried out in low murmurs only punctuated by the occasional, quiet laughter.
Everyone moved with purpose, and yet, there was no sense of urgency in their movements. The odd rhythm of this small, tight-knit community was entirely unfamiliar to a city-dweller like Arin.
As the sun continued its slow descent towards the horizon, a number of villagers were starting to return from the fields. Some handled sturdy cattle, others carried assorted farming tools, and yet others simply strolled at a leisurely pace as they made their way home.
Looking further past them, Arin beheld vast fields of grain, rippling in the gentle breeze. The colors of sunset were further enhancing this golden expanse, lending to the scenery an almost dream-like ambience.
As he looked on in wonder, his gaze followed a flock of birds flying past. Their distant calls rang out across the open sky. All of a sudden, Arin felt a strong, inexplicable sense of nostalgia.
'Beautiful, isn't it?'
Arin was pulled back into reality by that soft voice. He realized that Layla had stopped walking, and was watching him with a small smile on her angelic face.
'It is,' he agreed.
Layla nodded, then started walking again, at a slower pace this time. 'The village is named Lullwater after the Lullwater River – there, to the south,' she pointed. 'It doesn't flood, nor does it ever run dry. It meets all our needs with nary a complaint.'
Arin blinked. 'Uh, so the river is alive?
What was up with bodies of water in this world? At least this one seemed to be good-natured…
Layla paused to stare at him, a faint look of amusement on her face. 'Must you make fun of a village girl trying to be poetic with her words?' she said finally, shaking her head.
Oh. Never mind.
Arin laughed along awkwardly. 'I've seen that you also have an orchard to the north,' he said quickly, trying to change the topic.
'Oh, yes,' Layla replied. 'And the meadows in the west are vast and fertile.'
'Nice.'
'Fruit, fish, fowl,' Layla listed out on her fingers, 'and land enough to feed both ourselves and the livestock we rear, year-round.' She leaned in close, her large eyes sparkling. Pretty, gray eyes. 'Wouldn't you say our village is blessed, Rin?'
Arin had to admit; it did sound perfect.
Much better than the life of honking cars, smelly alleyways, and unpaid overtime that he was familiar with.
'Certainly, more than any other place I've seen,' he answered honestly.
Layla seemed satisfied. 'Since you agree, it must be quite an urgent business that has you leaving tomorrow morning itself.'
'Oh.' Damn. 'Well, I do have some, uh, important matters to deal with. I'm on my way to… the east. Through that forest.'
'East?' Layla's eyes widened. 'Oh! Are you, perhaps, traveling to -?'
Her words were interrupted by loud squawks. A young boy had run past, startling a few fat chickens that had been pecking near a bush by the dirt road. The birds now ran in all directions, flapping their wings angrily as they screamed.
'What is the matter with these -? Oh, Layla, it's you. And…'
A middle-aged lady had come running out of a house nearby. Her voice was unnecessarily loud, almost like she was calling out to someone still within the building she had just left.
'Who is this handsome young man accompanying you?'
'Just a traveler, Alvona,' Layla responded. 'Looking to stay the night.'
'A traveler…' the lady, Alvona, scanned Arin with an intense gaze.
'Uh, good evening. I'm Rin,' Arin smiled in greeting.
Alvona nodded. 'We rarely have outsiders visit our Lullwater. Say, young man, why don't you spend the night with my family? I have two sons your age, who most certainly wouldn't mind sharing their space with you.'
'There will be no need for that,' Layla interrupted before Arin could respond himself. 'After all, we wouldn't want to inconvenience them. My house has a spare room that I'm sure will suffice.'
'But, child – '
'Oh, please don't worry!' Layla's dimples deepened on her cheeks. 'My grandfather has also already agreed to it. Even so, we must thank you for your thoughtfulness, Alvona.'
In a polite, yet firm manner, Layla bade the older woman goodbye. Arin followed suit, allowing himself to be dragged away by his guide.
After they'd walked far away enough to not be overheard, Layla pulled back her hand and groaned. 'I apologize. But please, believe that I only have your best interests in mind. I simply could not, in good conscience, allow you to stay with Alvona tonight.'
'What's the matter, Layla?' Arin was confused.
'She is not a bad person by any means, but I doubt you would enjoy spending the whole night being hassled about marriage.'
'To… one of her sons?' Arin raised an eyebrow incredulously.
Were they that open-minded here?
'To the daughter she conveniently failed to mention.'
'Oh.'
After a few seconds of silence, he added, 'That makes no sense to me.'
'What doesn't make sense?'
Arin shook his head. 'I can't imagine allowing an unknown man to spend the night with the intention of introducing him to my daughter as a marriage prospect. For that matter, I can't understand why even you are so willing to invite a stranger to your house. All you know of me is my name.'
And it wasn't even his real name.
'Well, I also know that you have an exceptionally handsome face.'
…
Upon seeing his stunned expression, Layla broke out into laughter. Sudden, delightful laughter. Arin could only look on as he stood to one side. It took the young lady a few minutes to calm down enough to continue talking.
'Rin, you are not a frightening person,' she said, her lips still twitching at the corners. 'Anyone who has interacted with you can see how well-mannered you are. You haven't expressed any aggressiveness or disdain, nor any covetousness for anything… or anyone in our village. Most importantly…'
Layla tilted her head to smile at him. 'You just seem kind.'
Arin felt his face heat up. He was pretty sure the last time someone called him kind had been when his preschool teacher had lauded him for sharing his crayons with another boy. They hadn't even been his crayons.
'But what if someone was merely pretending to be kind?' he mumbled, refusing to meet her gaze.
'And why would anyone ever do that?' Layla seemed a little puzzled by his words. 'I do not know what you have encountered, but most people are good, Rin. And as you know, we have few travelers come our way. The last one – before you – was here nearly three years ago. It would take an impossible coincidence for someone so strange to show up in Lullwater.'