The two left the tavern and made their way to the lonely mound. A long walk on the cobblestone path where most villagers lived by, to gravel path with few living by it, to a lonely dirt path surrounded by trees.

  Arlene had a curious thought aloud, “I don’t get it,” she crossed her arms. “Everyone’s here seemed lovely. They all waved at me and even at you surprisingly. There were always smiling and laughing aloud along our walk. Why does no one live near the mound?”

  Wattyson glanced at her side eye, “What do you mean ‘surprisingly’? And yes you’re right. Even I don’t know. I suppose they just want to let her live in peace, unbothered by the noises outside. Even if the noises were from happy places…”

  “Do you know? You spoke as if you know the elder, even asking to come visit.”

  “Once upon a time yes. Even so, I don’t know the reasons why she chose to live on the mound far from the village.”

  They hiked the small mound and eventually saw some form of tall structures. A wall of stone with an opened gate leading to a humble house. Arlene couldn’t put her finger on it. It seemed eerily that such a lonely place would leave their gate open and yet no one on the lookout.

  Then again, judging by how carefree the villagers had been below, maybe this place really was safe now. At least, after the Dark Lord’s war.

  They decided to invite themselves in, walking closer to the house. A lone girl in a maid outfit sat kneeling on the front porch. Her eyes closed, her head tilting side to side gently, her two hands lightly tapping on her knee.

  “Hello” a hoarse voice startled her.

  “AHHHHH PLEASE DON’T EAT ME!” screamed the girl as she cowered in fear.

  Arlene on the other hand looked to Wattyson in confusion. “Why is your voice like that?”

  Wattyson was catching his breath, though he wouldn’t show it. “I was… exhausted from hiking. It was taxing me”

  “But… you’re not even sweating?”

  “Mentally”

  “I see” Arlene then turned to the girl, offering her a hand. “It’s alright” in a low yet soothing tone. “Sorry we startled you. Don’t let this weirdo scare you.”

  The maid looked up, perked up and took her hand. “Thank you!” she stood back up on her feet, her hands wiping off the dirt on her clothes. “Ah!” she covered her mouth. “Where is my manner! Good afternoon. I’m Neciel! I’m the village elder’s caretaker!”

  Arlene had a wide grin, seeing this jovial caretaker. “I’m Arlene, a traveller and this weirdo” she nudged him, “Wattyson, he’s uhh… a person.”

  “A person?” raised his eyebrows.

  “I don’t know how to introduce you.”

  Neciel leaned forward her posture and took both their hands in turn, shaking them. “Nice to meet you both!” She straightened back. “I assume you’ll here to meet the village elder?”

  “Yes” answered Arlene politely. “My friend here would like to visit.”

  “Ok! I’ll take you there!” Neciel beamed and led them, seemingly hopping.

  The two shrugged and followed the jovial maid. The home was modest. Clothes hanging near the entrance, an old standing clock echoed out tick tock, tick tock. It wasn’t that long till we reached the living room. Bookcase filled with dusty books, paintings and pictures of the elder’s family seemingly framed on the wall, navy blue lumpy sofa and lounge chair surrounding a table with a recorder. Next to the recorder was an old woman, resting on a recliner chair.

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  “Grandma!” greeted Neciel, waving a lazy wave. “I brought guests!”

  “So you have…” she turned around, her eyes were half shut. “Hoho… I may be old, but even I can still recognize you, Wattyson.” She had a faint smile. “Please sit my friend, and you too… Chosen One.”

  “You know her?” asked Wattyson as he moved with ease, sitting down on a sofa and extending his legs out like it was his own home. Though the village elder didn’t mind. Arlene did too, quietly sit down beside him after.

  “I do. My grand nieces always spoke of the Chosen One, showing me their drawings of you. They did again yesterday too” she added out with a small chuckle. “They wouldn’t believe me when I say she is in my humble abode right now.”

  She turned to Arlene, her expression softened. “Though I’d say they didn’t capture quite the beauty you are in real life… but they never mistaken your insignia.” She smiled wider. “Thank you for your service.”

  Arlene stared blankly for a bit. She never got thanked directly like that. Her expression softened in return, returning a smile. “Your welcome, and no worries. I only did what I thought was right.”

  “Like the prophecy foretold, you sure are humble and modest.” She tilted her hack back slowly to Wattyson. “Is she your girlfriend?”

  “No”

  “Shame… she looks lovely. I thought you had settled down since you never visited me for over a year.”

  “Well I am here now, so reset that timer.”

  A quiet moment settled. Arlene could see the elder shut her eyes, and bopped playfully to the recorder’s music. The recorder’s music? She could only hear it now, it was a soothing melody invoking the feeling of calm and mellow though somehow invoked sadness within her. She glanced at Wattyson, his face was still stoic but his fingers were tapping lightly on the armrest.

  How strange… Her mind harkened back to why she couldn’t hear it till now. Could she herself be nervous to hear? She glanced this time behind her, Neciel too was waving her head in response to the music. It must’ve been just her then.

  The elder finally spoke up, “I take it you heard of my failing health, Wattyson?” her body shifted, betraying how she appeared earlier. Frailty etched into her gesture.

  “I did. I’m also here to tell you I won’t be in the cottage any longer. I’m leaving with her on her ‘quest’.”

  Arlene chimed in meekly. “Our quest”

  The elder found it amusing. “A quest huh? That’s good… anything to get you to stop being reclusive.”

  The room fell quiet, until Neciel came back with trays of tea and coffee. When did she leave for those?

  Neciel kneeled down, laying the trays nearby and giving them the drinks. “Here you go, grandma.” She handed the tea to the elder, another to Arlene, and passed the coffee to Wattyson.

  Neciel then slowly hopped her way to the front porch. What a carefree spirit.

  “Surprised she knew you like coffee?” smirked the elder. “I told her about you.”

  Wattyson took a sip of his coffee. It was sweet. Too sweet.

  “I may have told her you like it very sweet” The elder smiled.

  Arlene watched the two like a grandma teasing her grandson or perhaps a daughter pranking their doting parent.

  The elder sighed of relief. “Though… I am thankful. I feel like I won’t be long for the world. To think on my last day, I get to see you Wattyson. I only wish I’ll be alive long enough to see my entire family when they arrive tomorrow.”

  Arlene leaned forward, beckoned her attention, “You don’t know that… maybe the heavens will grant your small wish” in a gentle yet pleading voice.

  The elder only smirked in return. “When you live this long with an illness lass, you can feel when death comes knocking. I don’t regret my life… and again to you two. Thank you for visiting.”

  A few moments passed before Wattyson stood, “You’er welcome. May you be well” was all he offered before he strode to the front porch.

  Arlene looked to him with shock. How could he sound so… cold? This wasn’t what she knew of Wattyson until now.

  The elder only chuckled. “Don’t be mad at him”

  She noticed what Arlene’s face portrayed as she turned to the door, smiling faintly. “He’s… not used to goodbyes. He means well. However, living alone for so long, he doesn’t know how to put words together.”

  She waved her hand lazily, or because of her failing health. “Thank you again, Chosen One. I am truly blessed to have the hero herself visit me.”

  Arlene offered no word. She bowed in farewell and stepped out as light as a feather, to meet up with Wattyson.

  He was standing outside, leaning on the wooden pillar. His gaze set on the setting star.

  Arlene didn’t say anything, giving him a look of understanding. She nudged him to walk back to the tavern together and walked ahead.

  He merely glanced to her then strode to walk side by side, down the dirt road leaving the lonely mound. Returning to the village and rest for the day.