Alicia pried her still-heavy eyelids. Another summer morn in her inner sanctum, she surmised. While catching the scattered energy that seemed to float on the ceiling, the young girl tried to recall the events of the previous night.

The triumvirate was at the town square that night, caught up in a fight against a black mage. Alicia's mind flashed back to the moment her two companions had collapsed, and she herself had come perilously close to ingesting the dense, dark essence that threatened to rot her body. Then she relived the time when her vision was glaring and dim. Her half-conscious self somehow surrendered herself to concentrating on Orb, channelling its power to corrode the black magic energy emanating from the mage's body, ultimately forcing the mage to flee.

Then the cradle of a beautiful, melodious sound broke her train of thought. Morning Alicia! You’re finally awake! That was what the melody meant to her ears. She discovered Orb resting on the table, the same as the night before.

“Och, there you are. Good morning to you too, Orb,” said Alicia in a polite tone. Alicia stared at her torso. An oversized, short-sleeved, wide-neck t-shirt with her favourite singing band from Sjittordam called "The Grimalkins" printed on it. A pair of black satin shorts were attached to her bottom. Now, at least she did not have to worry about who changed her clothes anymore.

Alicia then remembered something. “Och, how did they get me this far after last night’s fight?”

Orb just gave a callous chant, Your friends are in pain to death, but they’re fine.

But the lass was not as callous, was she not? She immediately jumped out of bed, but that earned her pain and soreness struck her very being. A groan of anguish was heard. Every muscle and joint felt as if she had engaged in some gruelling session of weightlifting the night before. With Orb in hand, she made her way across the room, limping slightly.

As she walked down the hallway, Alicia's ears picked up a snoring in Leith’s room. Slowly, she pushed the partially open door and glimpsed Gilmore sprawled out on his brother's bed, sleeping in a dishevelled manner. It felt rude for a guest to doze in specified rooms. But considering what had happened last night, Alicia did not want to disturb him further. She allowed him to bask in the comfort of the exquisite room as an expression of gratitude.

Not having Nadine in Leith’s room, Alicia tried to check the guest room directly opposite her. And sure enough, Nadine was falling asleep with her back to the door. At least Nadine was more civilised. But then again, if all her pals were exemplary citizens, Alicia’s life might have been idle and boring.

“Looks like I have to make some breakfast,” remarked Alicia.

Orb chimed in, responding, Protein! Proteins! Serve protein! Protein is good for the body’s recovery!

“Protein, eh? Now ye just sound like Gilmore, don't ye?” Alicia gave a tiny smile. “But aye, protein shall aid the damaged muscle from last night. Let’s see what’s in the kitchen.”

Alicia checked the ingredients in the icebox. She thought about making bacon rolls stuffed with cheese and scrambled eggs—her signature breakfast dish that the lads in her family loved so much. Finnan Haddie (smoked haddock) seemed like a great accompaniment too. She took out all the ingredients, and just as she was about to cook, the doorbell rang from the living room. Alicia made her way towards the front door, with aching steps and discomfort in her body.

Upon opening the door, Alicia was greeted by an elderly woman wearing a purple-violet sweater and a long, grey-patterned skirt. Her hair was curly, white, and fluffy. Before Alicia's eyes was a familiar figure who used to take care of her when she was little. Even now, the old lady still took the time to look after Alicia and Leith sometimes.

“Auntie Mandy?” Alicia welcomed her lovely neighbour with a warm expression.

"Alicia, mornin', hen... Wait, hold on,” Auntie Mandy, initially returning her warm welcome, scrutinised her keenly. “Alicia, ye awright? Whit happened tae ye?” Auntie Mandy pointed to the medical tape plastered on her head, along with several other scars and bruises all over her body. Her accent seemed even thicker than Gilmore's. "Whit in the Hades happened tae ye, lass? Who did this? We're going tae take this tae the civil guard right noo! They'll sort out these scoundrels that have nae respect for a lass!" Aunt Mandy held Alicia’s hand, "Dinnae fash yerself. Just tell the civil guard whit happened. We cannae let another Esmer Philo case happen again!"

Shocked to see Aunt Mandy’s overreaction, Alicia attempted to free her hand. “Auntie! No need! I wasn’t mistreated by anybody! I… tripped and fell down while learning to hunt wild boars and seeking... uhm... wild berries in the woods with Nadine and Gilmore!” she lied.

“Ye? Hunting wild boar?”

“A-aye.”

“How come dae ye want to hunt a wild boar, hen? Ye're a lassie—a noble lassie! Ye're nae like them whose parents are in the army and were raised like yin. Ye shouldnae be going hunting!" Aunt Mandy expressed her opinion with a lingering old-fashioned mindset.

“Ah… ye ken, Auntie Mandy. Just to fill the summer break.” Alicia let out a small, forced chuckle.

Aunt Mandy just sighed, “Divine mercy, hen. Ye're supposed tae seek a uni if not a mate.”

"W-what?"

Aunt Mandy just went straight into Alicia’s house, paying no heed to Alicia's gasp. It was the old woman’s habit to just enter her house that way, and the whole family did not mind at all.

“House is a pure house of the deid. Where are yer papa and Leith? Leith is home, isn't he? It's summer break,” asked Auntie Mandy.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“They’ve gone to Eidyn. ‘Family’ meeting.”

“Och,” Aunt Mandy was stunned, implying she understood the meaning. “Nae wonder. 'Am here tae check on ye. Ye ken about yon tragic incident last night?”

“Aye. What a... terrible event.”

“Tis pure terrible! Och, brassic Nancy! How come anybody has the heart to do that to an elf like her? May the Silent Divine grant her Eternal Peace upon her soul! Ye should tell yer papa and Leith aboot it right away! And ye'll need tae be more canny, especially since ye dinnae have magic tae defend herself!" She kept walking deeper into the house and yet her rambling had not yet ceased. "They're sayin' that black mages are appearin' in Trinketshore. This peaceful old village is becomin' even more unnervin'. First, it was the murder of Esmer Philo, and noo Trinketshore's turnin' into a battlefield of magic..."

Blah blah blah. That was how Aunt Mandy kept on babbling and advising Alicia all the time. All Alicia could say were "Aye", "Of course, dear Auntie Mandy", and so on. For someone who had few people caring for her, Alicia actually got the warmth of a chatty figure that she considered an adoptive grandmother. And Auntie Mandy had a point. Trinketshore was now in chaos, just like other regions. Just like the big cities and big countries she watched and read about.

“That’s a lot of stuff! I ken yer tummy cannae even handle a whole haddock for breakfast!”

“Uh, no, actually, I want to make bacon rolls and haddie. Gilmore and Nadine are staying and sleeping upstairs.”

“Och, okay. Ye sit down. Let me dae the cooking.”

“Auntie, ye dinnae have to!”

"Nonsense! Ye're jist limpin' like that! Jist watch something on the tele and get some rest."

Auntie Mandy could not be compromised on such matters. The young girl relented and walked towards the sofa.

"Och, and that. That wee odd magic baw." Auntie Mandy glanced at Orb tucked away on the kitchen table. "Dinnae keep yer da's magic tools lyin' aboot the place. Ye're nae a wizard. Whit if something happens tae them?"

Alicia’s eyes widened. Her throat almost choked in panic. Ouch, stupid me! How come did I even keep Orb there?

Fortunately, Auntie Mandy did not have the slightest idea about Orb’s brilliant nature. Alicia quickly took it and kept it in her room.

Not long after, with the elderly woman’s tenacious and nimble hands, all dishes were ready to be served. At almost the same time Alicia’s two friends found their souls retired to the mortal world and descended the stairs, inhaling the aroma of the heavenly meals, otherworldly tempting.

Yawned Gilmore was the first to come down. “Mornin’, Alicia, did ye make breakfast? Och wait, that’s Auntie Mandy! Awright, Auntie Mandy!”

“All of ye! Did ye really catch wild boars or have a brawl?”

“Boar? What dae ye mean...,” Gilmore then saw Alicia’s odd mime, pleading with him to take part in the role play.

“Och, aye, boar! Yesterday’s wild boar wis pure mental! I even thought it wis a magical creature!”

“Either we’re catching wild boars or having a square-go with bears,” Nadine followed down the stairs. Both Nadine and Gilmore hobbled like lame people. “Morning, Alicia. Morning, Aunt Mandy. Shift aside, Gilmore.”

Aunt Mandy just shook her head at the behaviour of the three teenagers. She then served the food and orange juice in a glass jug on the table, then said, “Whatever, weans. Here, sloch.”

A gleaming Gilmore flew over to have the bacon and smoked fish actions. “Whoa! Auntie, ye're the best! Thank you so much!”

“Alicia, is there anythin’ else you’ll need?” asked Auntie Mandy.

“Ah, no, no, no. You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll take care of the rest! You’ve helped a lot,” replied Alicia, blushing.

“Helped a lot? But I’ve only cooked,” she said. “As ye wish, then, I'll be back home. If there’s anythin’, tell me, awright, hen? As for Nadine and Gilmore! Nae more hunting in the woods today, let alone taking Alicia! Out there’s pure chaos. Black magic has entered the town again since the Stoatin War!”

“Aye aye, captain!” Gilmore retorted with a mouth full of food for stealing his first turn. After the trio thanked Aunt Mandy, they advanced to enjoy the smokiness delicacy called breakfast. The mood in the room suddenly became quiet and awkward. Being unable to stand the situation, Gilmore tried to start a chat.

“Yesterday wis pure stressful,” he said.

“Yeah, really stressful,” replied Nadine.

It appeared Alicia was still too shy to join the discussion.

“The Silent Divine still blessed us to make the black mage escape,” continued Nadine.

“Aye, aboot that! I cannae believe what I saw last night. Orb’s power completely consumed that mage like it was enveloped in a thousand leccy eels, pure epic! Well done, Alicia!”

“N-no. It’s nothing. There’s no need to flatter me,” replied Alicia, her tone gloomy.

Nadine seemed to be concerned, and tried to persuade her little pal, “What’s with your dreich coupon, hen?”

“I…” Alicia sighed. “I owe ye pals an apology. For some reason, ever since I had Orb, I felt like I was acting recklessly without a second thought. I should have listened to you more, but instead, I pulled you into the fankle I made. Now, look at us. Ye could have been killed that night. I… could have been killed as well.”

There was silence again for a moment.

“Hm. Alicia doing things without thinking is nae her style, though.” Gilmore devoured his smoked fish again.

Nadine also sighed. “Well, you could say we survived because of you, too. There’s no need to feel bad.” She then hugged Alicia’s shoulder. “After all, we chose to get involved, too. You remember. Just like back in school, when you threw a rock at one of the top-class students while they were ganging up on Gilmore. You gave one of them a pure dead concussion, and you got suspended for it! You naughty lass!”

“Och, och! Or dae ye remember when Alicia threw a balloon filled with a chemically fake shite she made at the school athlete lassie, who cheated and humiliated Nadine during a caber toss match? She then elbowed Alicia’s tummy and poor lass wis lying in the clinic all day!”

“You crazy bampot! That was your daft idea that landed Alicia in the bloody hospital!"

“A shared idea. Alicia and I both took part in the revenge,” Gilmore countered smugly.

Alicia’s face blushed. “Pals, we’re eating.”

“Alicia, maybe ye were not yourself yesterday, making such a stupid decision. But it can’t be helped. If we didn't face it, no one would have come anyway,” said Nadine. “Besides, that night was the first time I saw you stupidly wanting to do something, even though you were scared to death and your life was at stake.”

Gilmore continued, “Well, at least ye're more excited than when we first met, nae lookin' half as hee haw as ever. Found a purpose in life indeed, cheers to Orb.”

Alicia had a shocked reaction when she heard that statement. “What? That’s how ye see me all this time?”

“Well, dinnae ye're feelin' that way?”

Alicia sighed again while looking down. “Well, aye.” But the girl returned a small, sincere smile. Despite being friends from a young age, Alicia still could not believe she still had the two with her. It feels like their presence was enough to survive the bitter tempest of life.

“But of course, such an incident must not happen again,” Nadine’s firm disposition made Alicia’s imagination shatter. “Your aim was poor, your stance was terrible, your movements were predictable and your attacks even weakened like being hit by a light breeze.” The spectacled lass just made a sheepish grin when Nadine mentioned her shortcomings one by one.

“Aye! That’s it! Ye're completely inexperienced in fightin’! Well, tis decided, after this,”—Gilmore gulped down the glass of cold orange juice and then continued his speech—"After this prepare yerself, we will train ye to become a proper knight’!" []