A strong smell of spices and herbs assailed my nose that woke me up. While it smelled appetizing, the odor itself stings my nose and I could not help but promptly cover it. I felt like it was pushing my mind into the edge.
Feeling the dizzying impact of the odor, I hover my other hand to my side to see if Heliotrope is still sleeping, and to my guess, she is not.
Having been robbed of my sleep in a quick instance, I bounce off lightly from the thick layer of makeshift bedding I was lying in and observe my surroundings.
Seeing the ray of light spreading dimly across the land was not surprising and gave me the idea that the morning has just come. Naturally, since I just woke up, the first thing I do is leave the carriage and see everyone or perhaps brush my teeth.
But the smell is so strong that it made me want to investigate it so I head out.
I immediately caught glimpse of Elder Uisce, Atil, and Ahmed around the campfire with a steaming metal pot seemingly that has the content, the source of the smell. The three of them noticed me and I shyly waved at them.
"Good morning..." I said while covering my nose with my hand, muffling my voice as I greeted.
"Good morning to you too, Aster. Well, it's glaringly obvious that you are the same as Heliotrope, huh." Atil said whilst pointing over to their far-right.
"......" I followed where he pointed at and there I saw Heliotrope sitting on a stump while covering her nose with her hands covered by her tail as if she is burrowing her whole face on it.
We should both have keen noses natural to us Divine Beasts as we have a trait similar to an animal, however, from the looks of horror in her face which is pale, it left me wondering.
"Hey, Aster!? How are you even taking that thing's smell so lightly?!" She screeches at me with a high pitch voice, purely out of desperation and anger while pointing at the food inside the pot.
"No, it has a strong smell but I've known this smell beforehand so I am quite used to it, well, before. Now, it kind of stings." Honestly, I felt a little hungry when the familiar smell registers in my brain.
Maybe because Heliotrope never smelled such food before that she is not used to it. However, for me, it was already registered as consumable so it was a bit bearable for me. Heliotrope's brain hasn't confirmed that the smell is actually from food so it must be less bearable for her, at least, she may think It was something even dreadful.
Out of sheer curiosity, I approach the boiling pot that Ahmed continuously mixes over medium heat. The smell gets stronger but it was the least of my concern as soon as my sight landed on the thick and sticky mess of food.
"What...meat is this?" I pointed as I can barely see any traces of meat in the brownish roux. "And how long have you been cooking this?" I asked in a rather impolite tone to Ahmed who showed a wry smile.
"It's mutton! Dried meat of mutton since we do not have any way to preserve fresh meats. I've been cooking this for over an hour now." Ahmed answered without breaking his words as he stirs.
"It has a manly smell to it. I wonder why someone else seems to be having a problem with it." Elder Uisce made a snarky comment while giving Heliotrope a sidelong glance with a smug.
"I am not going to even argue over this!" Heliotrope shouted back while turning her back on us.
The meat was well past overdone. It was cooked for so long that the meat starts falling off from the bone and mixing with the thick soup making it thicker than possible. Even pointing at the fact that they used dried meat makes me dread over the thought of cooking it until it softens up.
"See, even Aster's face shows what abomination you three have done! It smells so horrid it made her go pale! She's usually cool with everything, you know!" Heliotrope shouted again at a standstill.
"It's...for another reason actually but..." I muttered to myself, not wanting them to hear my comment. I feel horrible for the meat that got banished into slimy bits so I will faithfully eat it so there wouldn't be any waste.
After a couple of more banter from Heliotrope and Elder Uisce and small talk between Atil and I, Ahmed took the pot out of the fire after fifteen more minutes of stirring.
He fetches bowls to pour the raving food that is not quite identical to the food that I had in my mind the first time I smelled it. The food made a plopping sound as it landed on the bowl as Ahmed poured it.
After that, he handed me one with a big grin.
"Umm...how did you learn to...um...cook this?" I asked while looking at my bowl with the food as my breakfast. The smell started settling down for me but it is still quite a punch for my nose.
"My wife once met a foreigner who came from the far east, taught her the recipe and cooked it for me. It's called curry and I loved it to the point that I had my wife teach me how to cook it." He said with a proud smile.
"I see...then I will taste it. For the record, how good are you at cooking?" I asked timidly as I received the bowl with piping hot curry devoid of any visible meat.
"I am quite familiar with grilling and roasting meat, however, this is my first time cooking this. Well, I had my wife taught me to do it so I am confident about it." Ahmed said as he handed out portions for the others.
"I was just wondering if your religion is okay with this?" I asked with the knowledge that his religion is similar to Islam.
"It is not, but I already settled in the Kingdom of Ecklan. I have to convert into the religion my wife practices or else we will be meeting troubles left and right. Besides that, I am also a traveling merchant and I cannot choose what I eat in certain situations. My environment won't bend to my practices, especially places like the Rousse Empire and the Tirheaarn Kingdom." Ahmed, seemingly honest with his words, is now on a better light in my mind.
I never think ill of Ahmed from the outset of our initial meeting up until now. For what reason he pursued a life outside of his kingdom or country?
It was really simple and pure.
It is because he found someone and made a family. It became his reason to live and that is what I can truly call simply beautiful. He has a fulfilling life together with his wife and children. He is kind and simply devoted to his family that turning back from his former religion simply became a lighthearted talk for a casual conversation.
I am quite jealous but happy for him.
"Family..." I whispered to myself as I look at my food while trying to think of a scenario of me having a family.
"..." Atil intensely stares at me with gleaming eyes. It seems he caught what I've just said and made an appeal with his gaze.
I ignored him.
We've already had a word about this just hours ago.
"I'll help myself with the food." I said as I scoop up the food with a spoon. It made a weird sticky sound and the spoon got heavy all of the sudden with its newfound contents.
Enduring the smell and the stares that ensues because I am the first one who has the actual curiosity to taste it, I put a spoonful in my made and immediately, the flavor burst into my mouth.
The curry is definitely there as slight spiciness flares my tongue up and the mixes of herb made a jolly degree of tastes. The taste of the mutton is also there and roughly mixes as mush in the curry.
The taste is fine and all, however, there's a huge problem.
"..." I can feel my eyes tearing up as I prematurely put the food on my mouth and now it's hot and the mush of the food starts putting a strain on my jaw because it was so hard to chew. It felt like a piece of chewing gum, but masticating ten of them at the same time.
"Aster, spit it out, right now!" Heliotrope shouted with widened eyes as she starts rocking my body back and forth.
"Hey, don't shake her like that!" Elder Uisce said as he also into action.
"That seems painful!" Atil commented as he panics trying to find water for me to drink.
However, I didn't wait on any of them to relieve me of this labor so I made a big gulp to swallow the food whole. Good thing it flowed smoothly on my throat and didn't make me gag. I am still in tears though...
All three of them with Ahmed as an exception looks at me with eyes of disbelief as if they have just witnessed a freak show.
"Besides the strong smell, it was tasty and full of flavor with the right spiciness. I recommend eating in small bites." I gave my verdict as I start scooping a smaller bite this time.
"You...do the most unexpected things, you know." Heliotrope said in a low voice while shaking her head left and right.
"Unexpected...bizarre would be more accurate to describe her. Did you teach her to be this hardcore?!" Elder Uisce threw in remarks I overlook.
"Surely your oversized brain would think twice to swallow that too, right?" Heliotrope replied sarcastically.
"Unlike you, I find this quite appetizing." Elder Uisce said as he takes a mouthful of the gooey curry whilst sprouting a smug at Heliotrope.
However, unlike Elder Uisce's expected outcome, his countenance was immediately painted with redness and what seems like steam started coming out from his mouth.
The pouch of water that Atil planned on handing to me was immediately snatched by Elder Uisce and started pouring its content into his mouth.
"That was hot it scalded my tongue! By Urst, I felt like my tongue dipped into Goddess Cerridwen Cauldron!" Elder Uisce exclaimed with a face comparable to a bull seeing red.
"Hahahaha! Like a critter bit its foot! Someone seems to have a cat tongue among us! It's terrifyingly hilarious!" Not missing the chance, Heliotrope chides in with poetic insults.
"I'd be sticking up a foot up your mouth but your beauty spare you of such grievance." Finding no rebuttal, Elder Uisce relented the round of banter to Heliotrope.
"Flattery won't win you another round." Heliotrope calmly replied accompanying it with a smug.
After the banter, Heliotrope and Elder Uisce kept to themselves while eating the curry with difficult faces as each of them has their peeves about the food.
"Well...this is quite a sight..." Atil muttered to himself with a bemused smile.
"Certainly is so. Isn't it wonderful when they show so much passion for eating food I prepared with so much care?" Ahmed said while eating his portion.
"That passion completely missed its mark..." I whispered to myself.
Atil caught wind of my words and laughs to himself trying to stifle it. Ahmed turned to Atil and me with a slightly confused countenance before shrugging and returning to his meal.
As the curry cooked by Ahmed cools down a little bit, the richness of the taste becomes even more palatable. There was a slight spiciness but was easily replaced by the salty yet sweet combination of the mutton and herbs mixed with it.
The clash of the spices inside my mouth spews a minty exhale from my nose that was both refreshing and nauseating. It was indeed quite a rare experience for me.
The same thing could not be said towards Heliotrope and Elder Uisce who started competing for who is faster to consume their meal, which of course, mixed in with various facial expressions through the sheer tediousness of the task.
I guess dignity has become secondary to their petty match as they forefront competitiveness.
"You two get along so well! It reminds me of my daughters back home when they always fight over the small stuff." Heartily said by Ahmed with a bellowing giggle.
"By the name of the faes, I am going to hound you with curses till you get dehydrated if you dare say those words one more time!" Elder Uisce snaps in a serious tone.
"I could say the same thing! I am going to brazenly pray for bad luck to rain down upon you, wishing you stub your toe twice each and out of the day." Heliotrope chimes in with a frightening tone knowing that she is capable of it.
"Eeeep! I can't have both! Please spare me!" Ahmed brought himself down and kneeled.
"Spare the man! That was just a hearty joke." Atil defended Atil, however, he is hiding his smirk under the cover of the bowl of curry.
It was another tirade of back and forth. Waves of laughter and petty insults are thrown here and there that it echoes throughout the forest.
It was nothing sort of malicious fight or pitying laughter, it was just a normal morning with people having breakfast as peaceful as the sea of the forest surrounding us.
Seeing the spectacle in front of me, a sudden sensation erupted in me. It was a sensation that I hadn't felt for what like an eternity.
"Fu...fuu...ha...haha...Hahahaha!" At first, it was just a stifled giggle but before I realize it, it came, a burst of laughter coming right from my heart. "Hahaha! Ku...hahahahaha!" It just keeps on coming, the emotion that I completely forgot.
I just really find it hilarious, this situation.
It is as if I just realized that I have already escaped and freed myself from the shackles of my former self. To be able to enjoy such peaceful commotion, I never thought of it in my lifetime.
"Hahahaha! Fu...fuu...hahahaha!" I couldn't contain myself. It was all too ironic and hilarious, I am laughing at the past me for not enjoying such moment with these people. I cannot pity my past self nor I can give her a shred of this happiness, however, I will indulge myself at this moment for her.
For the next moment, I found myself being gawk at by everyone around me. All of them expressed an extremely uncomfortable countenance as they stare at me. I was able to stifle what left of my laughter and began examining the situation.
Heliotrope has her jaw slack as she furrowed her brows in an attempt to fully comprehend what just happened. In contrast to Heliotrope, Elder Uisce has his mouth shut in a frown while averting his gaze.
Even Atil covered his face with his hand not to show any emotion. The only one who doesn't show reaction was Ahmed.
"..." I stare quizzically at everyone present around the campfire.
"Aster, is it okay for me to ask you an extremely important question right now?" Heliotrope, recovering from her daze, asked me with a tone of urgency.
"It's...fine?" I was caught off guard by the sudden question, however, since Heliotrope, the person I know who exhibits so much pride, meekly asked my permission to question me, I had no way of declining.
"How often do you find yourself laughing...?" She asked whilst doing her best not to lose eye contact with me.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
"For as long as I can remember, the last time I've laughed this hard is when I was a child." I said as that memory started racing inside my head.
As far as my memory goes, my parents started agonizing me with studies and extracurricular activities when I was five years old. From then on, it was just days after days that I get berated and pushed to my limit.
All for the sake of standing up to their elite status in high society.
However, I can still remember that time when a stray bird came flying down on the veranda of my room when I was seven years old.
It was just nothing but a canary but its visit that day held meaning to my heart. The freedom of a bird is a lot better than my situation.
Then and there, I laughed at the irony that was brought into my face.
I attempted to keep the canary with me in hopes to have a space of freedom in my world, however, the next day, I found out my parents had it killed.
I didn't get sad for the bird but I found it regrettable that I wasn't able to keep the small fragment of freedom the canary brought to me even for a couple of days.
Remembering it erupts another streak of laughter from me as I find it ironic or rather, extremely pitiable.
"Is something that bothers you?" I asked audibly to show my concern over this matter.
"There is! If I were to describe it, your laugh sounded like an empress that was able to take her seat back in the empire with her plot running in the shadows and had her plans going smoothly to overthrow the whole nation with fire and poison scented with the burning carcass of your fallen enemies!" An elaborate description by Heliotrope that sounded nothing out of fiction.
"To an arguable degree, Aster sounded more like a queen that steps upon the masses that garnered both praises and hate that saw the pile of incandescent abomination that is the populace that couldn't measure to even a worm." Elder Uisce chimes an as elaborate description with Heliotrope.
"Can't you guys just say she sounded so haughty?" Atil remarked with an extremely perplexed countenance.
"My kindred Atil, it does not suffice to just say haughty, at the very at least but I agree that they did spring out unneeded elaboration." Ahmed said while scooping a second serving of his curry with a delight.
"Was my laugh...really horrible?" I said, dejected while looking away.
"We don't want to discourage you such expression, however, you should be aware of how it sounded!" Heliotrope immediately tried to comfort me.
"you mean it's so terrifying that I should keep it in check?" I probed a question.
"I know your level of intelligence, Aster! At this point, I already knew you are somewhat messing with me!" Heliotrope caught my little part of the fun that I only smiled faintly.
With food in hand, we ate in the morning peacefully with all smiles. I was driven with a joyful sensation that I never had before and for momentarily, I was able to set aside my woes that weighing down my mind.
I was able to bring myself into the conversation, keeping in mind how this life started reaching out to me.
I am still worried, but I am aware that it is a necessity in the path of wandering I am planning to take.
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After an hour, we decided to finish the pointless banters and talks to start a serious discussion about our pathways suggested by Elder Uisce.
"I am going to cut this short. Heliotrope and Aster, abandon your travel towards the Kingdom of Madd, towards Queen Seifer's territory, and recourse towards the Kingdom of Ecklan." Elder Uisce looked at us with adamant and unwavering eyes.
"Bold of you to assume that we will obediently comply with your request. It will take you two or three reasoning to recourse." Heliotrope firmly sets her foot down with her counter-reasoning.
"I am quite aware of how cautious you are and your words are plausible voice questioning. However, what I am about to tell the two of you is the reasoning Atil and I confounded and agreed upon." Elder Uisce stood up and walk towards me and Heliotrope.
"We are listening." Heliotrope and I nodded in unison to confirm Elder Uisce that we are open for discussion.
Seemingly found his cue, Atil stood up while Elder Uisce sat back down with a huff.
"There might be a huge possibility that the Rousse Empire may track the two of you down, especially Heliotrope. The possibility is low, but we rather not risk it." Atil explained that even made Heliotrope nodded in agreement.
"I do not have any talent in magic. Aster doesn't have any aptitude in controlling the Faes. It only means that the two of us are susceptible to such occurrence." Heliotrope hypothesized in which she met with an approving gaze. "I see, you guys are hiding an army within that kingdom!" Heliotrope followed up.
"There are various reasons why we are here in the forest of Tirrheaarn in the first place. Cover out tracks, recruit potential ally, and investigate the movement of the Empire of Rousse." Atil explained while turning a gaze at Ahmed.
"I heard nothing." Ahmed said, feigning ignorance while cleaning up the camp.
"Is it really fine to tell us this? I thought Elder Uisce don't have a part on this." I asked while looking at Elder Uisce.
"I do not. But I didn't exactly say that they are doing covert operations under my nose. He and I have different objectives but at this point in time, we have the same means." Elder Uisce shrugs before sprouting a confident smile.
Atil came all the way here to cover their tracks and cannot afford a minuscule threat to get their cover blown. True to their objectives, Heliotrope and I are considered a threat in blowing their operations.
"As much as I'd like to make my claim for anything, I find no guarantee that we will not be tracked. Of course, even if we push through in getting to the Kingdom of Madd, chances are even though slim, that we will be pulled into the war." Heliotrope knowingly acknowledge Atil's concern.
"I am grateful for your understanding. The second reason why we wanted the two of you to recourse is the living condition within the Kingdom of Madd." Atil said whilst making a complicated countenance.
"Living condition? Was it bad?" I asked while tilting my head.
"The economy isn't exactly bad...but...the place itself is a den of red light districts. It will be the best way to earn a living there." Atil explained.
"What's a red light district?" I asked with eyes quizzically pondering on the words.
When I asked that, everyone's faces drop in unison.
"Wait...you mean to say you do not have an idea of what happens in a red light district?" Atil clarified with me.
"...Is it a place with red lamps?" I answered bluntly.
"It's a place for a sexual favors in exchange for anything with monetary value. It's a job that prostitutes and gypsies alike to take. They get paid for sleeping with men. You could say it's a job with no dignity, all fun." Elder Uisce explained to me with great disinterest.
"I don't know much about the Kindom of Madd's economy, that was a good heads up. Now I don't want to go there." Heliotrope breathed a sigh as she leans on a tree.
"How do they live with that?" I directed a question towards Atil.
"It pays well, especially if the girl is someone the customer prefers. Not to mention, fresh virgin girls fetch a high prices." This time, it was Ahmed who answered my question. "But do note that prostitutes are frowned upon by society." He added.
My ignorance about the red light district is a shameful one, however, I am aware of the negative stigma prostitutes receive from the people of upstanding society.
If it does pay well, I could consider such a thing, given that this body that I have should be untouched. As long as we do not go in the--
"Hey, if I ever caught you considering such thing again, I am going to slap you hard on the face. Never considering doing it." I found myself disturb in my thoughts by Heliotrope as she gave me the angriest glare for a while giving an iron grip on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry..." I apologize. If Heliotrope said so, then I will not pursue such an occupation.
"You better be. I will not tolerate such an act." Her face is mixed with anger and concern.
I can tell that Heliotrope, even if in her narcissistic attitude, knows how to give me value. I should not forget that.
"You are an untouched asset I like having around." Heliotrope followed up with a heavy sigh as she looks at me with eyes engrossed in anger.
"I don't know how both of your minds work but that was an incredible insight into Aster's psychology, Heliotrope." Atil said with a frozen smile, probably flabbergasted at what just happened.
"She's really smart but lacks common sense in some areas." Heliotrope spat those words.
I easily accepted those words.
"Well, moving on, the third reason is specifically why we want you to head to the Kingdom of Ecklan. It's--" Before Atil could continue with his explanation, Elder Uisce cuts him off.
"It's because the two of you will be breaking the balance of the war, no, this whole world, throwing it into utter chaos. This is no exaggeration on my part." Elder Uisce stated with eyes glued specifically to me and Heliotrope.
"...And you think the people of the Kingdom of Ecklan won't take notice of us? We stand out too much and our secrets can be laid down in the broad daylight easily." Heliotrope snaps with a snarky question.
I do not know how Heliotrope or I could throw this world in disarray. At least, I believed that much as the two of us cannot use magic commonplace in this world or Faes that the Gauls are proficient at.
As we have learned recently, we, the divine beast or so what the people of this world called us, have a huge effect on basically the karma of people around us. The laid it out in a simple explanation depending on my understanding, Heliotrope is the Child of Fortune, in which she bequeaths luck everywhere she goes. On the other hand, I, Aster, is the Child of Misfortune. will only bring calamity everywhere I go.
Right now, I am serving as a counterforce for Heliotrope's excessive release of good karma and likewise, she is repelling mine.
"You look unsure of what we meant, Aster." Elder Uisce called out to me with an extremely displeased countenance. As such expression didn't sit well with me, I was taken back a little.
"...Yes, I am quite at loss." I answered honestly as I was being stared down.
"Alright, I can already grasp what kind of mentality you possess and frankly, you are way scarier than I thought." Elder Uisce stresses the last sentence as if to grind that fact to my face.
"...I'm sorry." Unsure, I apologize.
"If you still haven't figured out, let me give you a scenario. Imagine we bring Heliotrope back to the Empire of Rousse and we toss you at the Kingdom of Ecklan." Elder Uisce, undisturbed, created a scenario I am extremely opposed.
"The Empire of Rousse...will gain back Heliotrope, the one who is the very being of fortune herself..." I addressed Heliotrope in a manner of importance from the Rousse perspective.
"That is correct. Now you, Aster, is in the Kingdom of Ecklan, with no counterforce for your onslaught of misfortune, will stay there. Imagine how things will go down." Elder Uisce grips the hem of his robe as he spoke, possibly imagining the worst-case scenario.
I get it now. I, undoubtedly, will bring great misfortune to the Kingdom of Ecklan while the Empire will once again flourish. If that scenario happens, the Empire of Rousse will gain enough power and resources to attack the Kingdom of Ecklan.
"I understand now, however, if the people of the Kingdom of Ecklan finds out that I am the source of misfortune, all they need to do is to kill me." I answered as a conjecture to the thought.
"You still don't get it. If you and Heliotrope are separated, you two are invincible. Heliotrope will just luck her self out of trouble or pinch while you will bring drastic misfortune to people the brings you pain. Your Karmas will serve as your automatic defense." Elder Uisce shook his head.
"...Then..." I uttered weakly.
"If you and Heliotrope are together, that's where the two of you are the most vulnerable, however, you two bring no threat." Elder Uisce explained with Heliotrope nodding in agreement, albeit with gloom on her countenance.
"Are you certain with all that you have said?" I asked, trying to find a doubt within Elder Uisce's words.
"I am not, however, scenarios depict such as yours, the brought down the regime of King Cuh, to be proven true. Even though we have planned methodically, it was all rushed due to the karma you brought upon us. That, I am certain." Elder Uisce's merciless words rang into my ear.
I...?
It was me...?
"You and Heliotrope aren't just a threat to the surrounding kingdom. The two of you are a threat to humanity, objectively speaking." Elder Uisce stood up and heads toward Ahmed.
"If that is true...then...wouldcan't things be better if I wasn't summoned at all?" I asked with a weak voice.
"No, you are needed. For one, you became the other half of that pesky girl there, though I will admit that your appearance and pulling Heliotrope here opened an opportunity for us as the Empire of Rousse started showing vulnerability." Elder Uisce smirked by the end of his words.
"We are still in danger, what are you talking about?" Heliotrope snaps a comment at Elder Uisce.
What Heliotrope said was true. It is as Elder Uisce said, the two of us are the most vulnerable when together.
It is the perfect opportunity to take us out of the picture.
"I understand that that's why this guy is conveniently here." Elder Uisce grinned as he patted Ahmed's shoulder twice.
"Me?!" Ahmed exclaimed with a surprised face. "I see, there are things I need to arrange but I can instantaneously guarantee their safety." Ahmed added as he already saw through the idea.
"That's a peddler for you, ideas struck you like lightning." Elder Uisce grinned. "Well, at this point in time, you can't decline us now or there will be consequences." Elder Uisce grinned wider.
"This is a tight spot for me but I will do what I can so please don't threaten me!" Ahmed pleaded as he took out a parchment from his pocket. Well, I am in a bind so this helps out too." Ahmed confirmed.
At the bizarre situation or rather, sudden turn of event, I could only tilt my head in utter confusion. Heliotrope and Atil followed as they have a quizzical look on their faces.
"What? I thought you knew about this!" Heliotrope screeches at Atil.
"Why are you mad at me?! I was just about to think that you already knew what will happen since your foresight of the circumstances is exceptionally accurate!" Atil answered in a panic.
Atil and Heliotrope immediately snap a stare at me.
"...No idea." I said as I shook my head.
The three of us watch Elder Uisce and Ahmed talk among themselves while Ahmed writes on the parchment he took out earlier. After writing the parchment full, Ahmed took out two more parchments and starts stroking his hand with graceful penmanship.
Heliotrope, Atil, and I were left with remarkable curiosity as we observe the two with quizzical stares. Occasionally, Ahmed and Elder Uisce will have a small banter regarding what they need to write on the parchment, however, they made it clear that it involves Heliotrope and me.
After a while, Ahmed and Elder Uisce finished their talk and Ahmed immediately comes up to me and Heliotrope.
"So, what's up?" Heliotrope asks while staring at Ahmed, whilst, covering her nose that I also imitated.
"I believe my proposal will be beneficial for everyone here. I have an offer to make and I am sure you will love it." Ahmed said as he handed Heliotrope three rolled up parchments. "They are letters. Please read them and inspect that as you wish." Ahmed added.
"You two made statements in this letters without input from me and Aster? I can only see this as suspicious but I will read it." Heliotrope reluctantly agreed with a pout.
Heliotrope opens the parchments in question and immediately reads it at top speed. Meanwhile, even as I look at it, having a bottom of the barrel knowledge of this world's lexicon, I gave up trying to decipher the words.
After ten minutes of reading through the statements, Heliotrope's face went from being idly curious to a rage.
"Thou art looking down on me or thou art patronizing us?! Don't make fun of thee, fool!" Heliotrope shouted as she slams the parchments on Ahmed's face.
Heliotrope completely exploded on Ahmed and her way of speaking has reverted in a more commanding, or rather, a voice of someone who knows how to stand atop others. Ahmed picked up the parchments before woefully looking at Elder Uisce.
"Say, she doesn't seem pleased..." Ahmed said as he hid behind Elder Uisce as Heliotrope's glares at both of them majestically enraged.
"That's expected! You think this will pass on easier than you thought?" Elder Uisce calmly said but there's bullet of sweats forming on his forehead.
"She's angry! She's really angry that the way she speaks changed!" Ahmed pointed out as he nearly grovels at the sight of the furious Heliotrope.
"It's probably how she truly speaks, an authoritarian figure, I must say." Elder Uisce concluded while having a staring match with Heliotrope.
"Thou wants an explanation for such an impudent act!" Heliotrope demanded.
"If I may speak my opinion, considering any oversight, it was an appropriate compromise." Elder Uisce's tone was subdued but still voices out as compelling.
At this point, I recalled how Heliotrope lives in a completely different world than me, that she does not acknowledge anyone else as her equal as she was at the top of everyone.
Heliotrope, being in this place is just a whim that turned into a commitment. I know that the commitment I mentioned is completely tied to me.
"Then, I do not need to hear an explanation from you, rather, I will take Aster's thoughts regarding this matter." Heliotrope, calming down and reverting to her former way of speaking, directed a sight at me.
"I am unable to read what was written on the parchment." I said while sinking my head, feeling embarrassed about my illiteracy of their language.
"Fool, I am aware of your circumstances. I just need your thoughts about it." Heliotrope beamed a sincere smile at me.
Troubled as it is, I took the parchment from Ahmed who is also in the middle of the crossfire. I timidly open the parchment and upon closer look, I could read some of the letters, however, none made sense to me.
"Let me help you." Atil said as he took the parchments off my hand. "I want to read what's written on it too." He added as he smiles.
"Ah, thank you..." I thanked Atil.
Atil. before reading, sat next to me and holds the parchment in front of us. He was rewarded with a death glare from Heliotrope and he tried to shake it off.
"The first letter states that Heliotrope and Aster will gain favor from the peddler Ahmed, who is a famous merchant in the Kingdom of Ecklan. You two will be acknowledged as his new employees and will be given a pass to enter towns and cities at your leisure. Ahmed nominates Heliotrope and Aster as his new apprentices entrusted with delivery to his firm located at the capital. That's the gist of the first letter." Atil said as he rolled the first parchment and handed it to me.
It was an introductory letter that favors us to have access to any cities and towns in the Kingdom of Ecklan, thus, giving us free rein to travel around whilst giving us adequate reason to hide our identity.
"The second letter compromises of instruction to Ahmed's business firm associates. It clearly states that Heliotrope and Aster will be a top priority. It doesn't say anything about your secrets but it is implicitly telling that they cannot pry anything about the two of you. With the introduction, Heliotrope and Aster will be treated as important as Ahmed himself." Atil reads.
The two letters in front are outright patronizing, as Heliotrope stated earlier. I can sense no ill intentions behind these letters but it will come with a price. Albeit there are no reasons to be worried about our monetary assets yet, spending on accommodations is worrisome.
We are dealing with a merchant after all, whether his skill in the market is insufferable or one of the best. Plus, Ahmed seems like a man worthy of trust even in Heliotrope’s standard.
“I am sorry Heliotrope. Frankly, I want to have a good acquaintanceship with Ahmed. We could benefit under his protection.” I said to Heliotrope while casting down a gaze.
“I understand your reasoning, however, you do realize that we need to pull out a portion of our leftover assets. Doubting him at this point should be hard with all the threats laid down on him. But besides that, frankly, this conversation is moving too fast and as I said earlier, these men will be patronizing us with a simple letter. Whether to doubt that too or not is a question that can be answered through going with this plan.” Heliotrope gave her own opinion, contradicting and complimenting my conclusion.
Are we certain this plan is foolproof? Ahmed may be honest and valiant with his words but we need to look at the extremities, especially towards his firm.
“Um, I am just saying but, Elder Uisce agreed to pay half of the amount needed for my service. That means I am cutting down the money I will ask of you needed to do the operations behind.” Ahmed raises his hand while gleefully explaining.
“Since I was the one who suggested such a plan, I will take responsibility for half of your initial problem. This is as far as my help will go.” Elder Uisce gave Ahmed’s words reinforcement.
“That’s the reason for my caution. This was an abrupt idea and you want an answer ready at the moment’s notice. Your tweedling head believes that we won’t be asking questions about this matter as if we are a child in mentality.” Heliotrope took the bits out of my lips in better words.
“Everything is in your advantage! How difficult is that to comprehend?!” Elder Uisce, popping a vein on his forehead, argued back.
The conditions or our advantages over the situation are not at fault. The one rejecting the notion is none other than Heliotrope herself given her nature. Truly, even I would be dubious of it, however, the authenticity of their intentions are heartfelt.
The reason I agreed with Heliotrope in rejecting the compromise mentally was that I knew this would happen. Her impossibly high-end pride wouldn’t bow down to something like this.
I would have never done something like this in the past but I cowardly steep through this conversation with Heliotrope’s temper tantrum.
“Aster and I don’t need any protection. As it is, the two of us are enough to keep each other safe. Trying to make us owe you is seemingly distasteful.” Heliotrope scoffed before giving Elder Uisce a stink eye.
“Fine…” Elder Uisce threw his hands up in resignation. “Advantage or disadvantage, none of those matters to you. Your pride genuinely steps over mine. Just how spoiled and rotten are you?” Elder Uisce remarks only gained a smirk from Heliotrope.
“Indeed, you could say Aster was the most level headed among us for riding into my insane rants and abrupt decision.” Elder Uisce and Heliotrope looks at me.
It was painful to be stared like I was a criminal has gotten away from my crimes. It was no surprise that Heliotrope caught on to me feigning ignorance.
“Well, isn’t it fine to disregard the second letter and only acknowledge the first and third letter?” Atil suddenly voices out his thoughts as he read the third letter in silence.
“I was also thinking about that as it sounds more fun.” Heliotrope broke out in a grin.
“That’s the part I don’t want to consider but I am threatened! Please don’t be too hard on me!” Ahmed shouted in utter defiance.
I tiled my head in confusion. Even Elder Uisce shows a smile.
“Well, it was nothing but loss for Ahmed at this point. It’s nothing of monetary in sense, however…” Elder Uisce glances at Ahmed.
“My life is actually on the line. I asked utmost caution…for my sake.” Ahmed broke out in cold sweat.
I prodded at Atil hastily with my fingers to read the last letter. I suddenly had the urge to pick up the pace.
“Calm down! I already kmow it so you don’t have to be pushy.” Atil smiled at me.
“I am kind of left out so please tell me the contents.” I said as I look up to him.
“This…what’s this?! You have this luxury all to yourself!?” Atil shouted at Heliotrope while pointing at me hysterically with a flustered countenance. Heliotrope only returned a smug.
Naturally, I tilted my head, confused.
“Pardon but I don’t quite get the commotion. Is there something on my face?” I asked while staring directly at Atil with anxiousness building up in my chest.
“Don’t mind my flippant reaction. For now, Aster, the third letter, yes.” Atil shifted the conversation altogether about the third letter.
“…” I glued a stare towards Atil, giving my attention towards him.
“The third letter specifies that both Heliotrope and Aster are to be accommodated by none other than Ahmed’s wife, Helena, in their territory. As it said, you two will be taking up indefinite residence at Ahmed’s house under the care of his wife. I take it you and Heliotrope will trust Helena more than the firm.” Atil blatantly smiled.
“This is why I don’t like that suggestion.” Ahmed said in lamentation.
“Two unfamiliar girls taking up residency in your house with your approval, I bet your wife is going to have a time of her life planning what to shout at you. This is bound to become exciting.” Heliotrope said with a villainous smile.
That morning, I felt bad for Ahmed.