Disclaimer:

“Dialogue”

‘Thoughts’

-Author notes-

Chapter 17: We meet again

“I made it…” Zephyr stared at the town's entrance in the distance.

He was able to get this far without encountering any groups of people, but there was no more avoiding it….

‘Keep your head down… don't look at them in the eyes… buy the map, some supplies, and leave.’ He reminded himself.

The big doors were wide open with no one guarding them.

As he crossed them, he started to hear the sounds of people going about their day.

It was still fairly early in the morning, so most would be going to their workplaces or doing some shopping at the market.

“Move!” Someone shouted at him.

Zephyr heard the sounds of the animal hooves hitting the stone road and moved out of the way.

As he did, a merchant cart being pulled by an ox passed by.

“Stay out of the road if you're not going to pay attention.” The merchant warned him as he went.

‘It's hard to know where I'm going if I keep staring at the ground…’

He knew this, but it was too risky to walk like this, but the alternative was worse.

At least he didn't have to worry about running into a Celestial since they would rarely walk the streets, except at the end of the month when it was time for the Offering.

‘Where should I go?...’ He wondered.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

This was the first time he visited this town, so he didn't know where anything was.

‘I'm going to have to ask someone…’ He thought with dread.

With no other choice, he walked toward the source of the noises, which he assumed was a marketplace.

“Excuse me…” He found an empty food stand and approached the seller.

“Oh, would you like some dried meat? We have prairie wolf and black ox today, it's just one copper a piece.”

“I'll take two pieces of ox…” Zephyr handed two of his coins to the man, and he handed a small bundle of meat wrapped in a leaf.

“Thank you for your business!” The merchant said happily.

“Mister merchant… could you tell me where I can find a map seller here?”

“A map? Are you a hunter, perhaps?” The merchant observed Zephyr with attention but could not see the typical hunting tools on him. He was also wearing a very simple robe instead of leather armor.

“I'm just an apprentice… my Master is in need of a new map.” Zephyr was well aware he could not pass as a hunter. They were the ones who would usually buy maps.

“An apprentice… I see. You must come from Elmeria Village then. Well, the only one here who could have something like that is Old Graham. He has a small shop in the west part of town. Just follow that road, and you will find it.”

Zephyr had to lift his gaze slightly to see where the merchant was pointing. “Thank you, sir.”

Not wanting to remain longer than necessary in a place filled with people, Zephyr kept his hood down and started to walk out of the market.

But then, when he passed by a fruit stand, he heard a familiar voice.

“Good morning Miss Hill. I would like the usual.”

The voice of a young girl entered his ears. It was shockingly similar to a voice he had grown accustomed to hearing over the years.

“Of course, my dear… you must be working very hard as usual.” The shopkeeper said before she started to fill some bags with several kinds of fruits and vegetables.

“I'll do what I can…”

Zephyr stopped in place and lifted his eyes just enough to catch a glimpse of this girl who was talking.

When he saw her, he immediately recognized her.

Her black hair had gotten longer in the two years since he last saw her, but her blue eyes were as intense as the day she awakened her magic.

“Dalia?!” The name escaped his mouth before he could stop it.

“Yes?....” She looked at him but did not recognize him since he was hiding his face completely with the hood of his tunic.

“Do you need something, sir?” She asked.

“Sorry… I…” He didn't know what to do. He could not reveal who he was right here, in the middle of the market. And he couldn't reveal his face either.

For a moment, his hood was lifted slightly, and they stared into each other's eyes.

“Zeph?” This short glimpse was enough for her to recognize her old friend.

Zephyr got nervous at hearing her call him. ‘Oh no! I'm going to be found out!’ He turned around and walked out of the market in a hurry.

“Wait!” Dalia called for him.

Zephyr could not stop now. He walked into a narrow alley and heard steps behind him.

He then stopped at a seemingly empty spot and waited for Dalia to approach.

“Zeph!” she called again.

“Here, but keep your voice down…” He answered.

Dalia got closer to him.

“You are alive… Dalia.” Zephyr said.

“Is that really you, Zeph? Why are you covered like that? What happened to you?” She asked with concern.

Zephyr sighed. “Please, try not to make any noise when you see this…”

He pulled down his hoodie and revealed his face to her.

His long silver hair now covered part of his face, but his silver eyes were clearly visible.

Dalia had to cover her mouth to prevent any noise from escaping. “Zeph… you… you have become an… awakened.”