Aphanes, a village nestled like a jewel in the heart of a war-scarred world, stood an enigma. There were no bloodshed or distant howls of raging battles but rather a calm tranquil community of people. How did its tranquility—a soft, melodic hum against the world's barbaric cleave —endure amidst the thunder of raging wars and the lure of ambition's dark gifts?
The threads of logic unraveled before the tapestry of Aphanes' peace. Perhaps a power, vast and unseen, weaves a luminous shroud around Aphanes, warding off the encroaching storm?
The peaceful morning of the village began with sunshine flowing through the village. As its subtle shimmering glow reached the dew-kissed leaves, they sparkled with an unusual brilliance. Reaching into Silas's room, the light coaxed him awake from his cozy slumber.
Silas thought to himself, "What a great day. I just want to sleep and relax. But I think I am forgetting something."
Silas woke up distressed, his heart a frantic drumbeat against his ribs, his breath catching in his throat as his father's promise slammed into his memory.
"Son, I promise I will take you with me to my work tomorrow. So try to wake up early or I will leave you behind."
As his eyes fluttered open, the cool, smooth surface of the aged wooden floorboards greeted his bare feet. The maple plank walls, rich with caramel hues, seemed to embrace him as the morning sun rays filled the room, and the fine wood of the ceiling creaked softly in the morning breeze.
But he didn't have time to relax.
Silas rushed out of his room as his heart pounded rapidly. He checked his parents' and grandpa's rooms, then rushed down the hall, almost tripping on the stairs.
As he went downstairs he smelled the aroma of warm bread , along with the familiar smell of chicken and noodle soup of his mother. Soon after He saw his mom in the kitchen, while his grandpa was enjoying breakfast at the dining table.
Silas's gaze, previously sharp with worry, softened as he eagerly asked his mother.
"Ma, where is father? He promised that he would take me to work. But i can't find him anywhere, Did he leave already?"
His mother, delighted by his attachment, reassured him,
"Honey, he had to go to work early, as something urgent came up. But you should find him near the river."
Feeling satisfied, Silas sought to meet his dad as soon as possible.
"Thanks, Ma."
As Silas tried to run past, his mother caught him. With a slight frown,
"Where do you think you're going without having breakfast?"
She gently pulled out a chair and in a soft comforting melody said,
"Silas, if you want to become strong like your dad, you have to eat your breakfast. Besides, without breakfast, you'll end up a stick. So come eat first."
Silas sighed, a puff of air that ruffled his bangs. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustrated helplessness.
"But Ma, I need to get to Dad, or he will break his promise again"
Silas's mother chuckled as she paints a picture in her mind, "Ah, like father, like son. Both are always rushing into trouble without a worry in the world."
"No buts," she said, her voice firm yet her eyes softened with affection. "First eating, then going to father."
She stretched Silas's cheeks as a showcase of love. After his mom released his cheeks.
Silas,his cheeks pink from his mother's love grew warm as he sat to eat, pouting in frustration.
His grandfather, from the corner of the table, let out a hearty laugh and teased ,
"Don't be too frustrated now, Silas. You father isn't going anywhere. Though, with Alena's cheek-pulling, you might start resembling a chifan monkey ! (A kind of monkey with big cheeks residing in Aphanes)."
His grandpa laughed while taking a large bite of the bread. Silas's mother pouted childishly with anger and complained,
"Come on, Father. I am just adoring him. It won't turn my sweet, adorable baby into some monkey."
She then thinks thoroughly about that. She thought to herself that Silas's cheeks were slightly fluffier. Then, with a concerned face, she asked, "Will it... though?"
His grandpa guffawed, slapping his own thighs and jokes, "Who knows? He still looks like one though. "
Alena (Silas's mother) tightened her lips, her eyes bright from unshed tears muttered, "Am I turning my son into a chifan?"
Silas silently denies as he eats his breakfast.
Grandpa chuckled , "I was just teasing Silas, Alena. You really worry too much and tear up easily."
"Too much worrying will worsen your health. Sometimes sit back and let things happen" a word of wisdom from an old geezer, true as always.
Alena playfully slapped Silas's grandfather on the shoulder and in a bittersweet voice said, "Come on, Father, don't worry me for no reason."
While they joke around, Silas finishes his breakfast quickly then he proceeds to rush out of the door.
"Mom, I finished eating. I'm heading out."
Alena stopped Silas, gently gripped his arm.
"It's dangerous near the river as you don't know how to swim. You could drown or hurt yourself. "
Silas frowns squinting his eyes and pressing his lips together, murmured, "But Mom, the river is calm and it is not even that deep."
Alena's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Oh, so the river's a puddle, is it?"
She tilts her head and teases him by saying, Even a little tadpole like you could still get swept away, you know."
Then Silas's mother walked him toward his father. As they step onto the cobblestone path, the crisp morning air carrying scent of pine and damp earth welcomes them with a gentle breeze.
The sounds of the village awakening drifted toward them. A chorus of distant voices, the clatter of wooden carts, and the gentle bleating of sheep created a soft, bustling hum that filled the village.
Alena and Silas meet their neighbors as they walk out, John Omar, a trustworthy, reliable strong man. Beside him stood his wife, Selena, a lovely, passionate soul loyal to her other half.
"Good morning, folks, are you out for errands?"
John, a weary tired sigh escaping his lips, conveyed,
"Well, I have to head out this early because of Arthur (Silas's father). He sent me a messenger saying he needs help at the river and it's urgent. So I have to go help him. But he didn't give me the specific details."
John thinks,"River trouble, this early? Arthur better have a good excuse. Probably just a snagged net, knowing him."
Silas's mother brims with curiosity but also reassured,
"Oh, in that case, could you take Silas with you? His father promised to take him to work and now he's troubling me."
Selena replies, "Well, at least he is active. Look at our son, still sleeping in his bed, like a pig ."
Alena jokes, " I see he has taken after his dad as well, just like Silas."
John complains, "Hey! I am not that lazy. Dont go badmouthing me"
Selena with a mischievous eyes, a grin in her face chuckles, "I think you are lazy, my dear husband. "
Silas also lets out a laugh ," Uncle John, you are lazy, aunt is saying the truth."
John's ears turned a shade of pink, a faint blush but a slight proud smile sparkled on his face.
Not because he is getting teased but because Selena called him dear husband in front of Alena and Silas.
"I am still somewhat diligent. So,stop targetting me now. I need to get to work." John playfully exclaims, flustered by them.
Selena's eyes connected with Alenas as they joined in a soft laughter.
"Oh my, is someone blushing?"
John's blush deepened to a near-crimson, "what... no. I... wasn't.. ."
Then John takes Silas with him and they quickly set off on their journey.
"I will take Silas with me then." John scratches his head, as his eyes dart around.
"You ladies have a good day."