Chapter 23 — The Village
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Kael Grenfort:
"Hurry up, Kael!"
A voice called from downstairs. I was rushing to get dressed.
"I'm coming!" I shouted back.
My hands trembled slightly as I fastened the buttons — nervous, or excited, or both.
I finished dressing. Father had brought new clothes yesterday — like a noble's attire. Black velvet trousers, a crimson waistcoat embroidered with golden threads. A soft, silk fabric at the chest. On the sleeves — delicate, hand-stitched patterns.
And a cloak. Light, emerald green, draped over my shoulders, flowing beautifully behind me. The hood was thrown back, fluttering in the breeze.
I looked in the mirror.
Wow…
The boy before me — was me. But different. A noble. Confident. Strong.
Red and black noble clothes, and over them, a green hooded cloak. Everything fit perfectly. I looked great.
When and where did Father get this? I wondered. He even knows my size…
With these thoughts swirling in my head, I started running downstairs.
On the first step — I suddenly stopped.
Did I forget anything?
Backpack? Got it. Book? Got it. Mana core? Right there.
No, nothing forgotten.
I started running again.
"Are you done yet, Kael?!" Father shouted angrily from below.
His voice seemed to shake the whole inn.
"I'm coming down!"
My steps were quick, almost flying down the stairs.
"Here I am!"
"Walk slower on the stairs!" he said.
Father stood by the entrance. He was dressed just like me — the same style. Black and red. A green cloak over his shoulders. A slender black cane in his hand — his sword.
He bought the same clothes again. Why does he always do that? We look like twins.
Well, whatever… let's go.
---
We stepped outside.
Silvan stood by the carriage, leaning against its side, playing a flute.
The melody was beautiful — soft, like flowing water, blending with the distant birdsong. I stood for a moment, listening. Father also paused.
Silvan lifted his fingers from the flute. The music stopped.
"Well, gentlemen. I hope you rested well. Do come again," said the innkeeper.
He was still standing at the door — tall, gray-haired, dressed elegantly. There was something in his eyes — wisdom, or experience, or both.
Is he some kind of noble too?
"Of course, Mr. Xavier. If my path brings me this way, I will always stay at your inn," Father said.
"Very well, Mr. Sedric. I look forward to it," he replied.
They shook hands. Brief, but firm.
We climbed into the carriage. I got in first. Silvan took the driver's seat. As Father held the door, the innkeeper spoke again:
"I wish our cooperation to be long-lasting, sir."
Sedric paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, I hope so too, sir."
He bowed his head slightly in respect. The innkeeper did the same.
"Well, until we meet again," he said.
Sedric climbed into the carriage. The door closed.
"Move on, Silvan."
"Yes, sir."
The carriage began to roll.
---
Many days passed.
We traveled, and traveled, and traveled.
Each day was the same — waking up, eating, the road, lunch, the road, dinner, sleep. But even in this monotony, there was a certain beauty.
Father's terrible jokes — sometimes they made water burst from my nose while drinking.
"Kael, do you know why elves live so long?"
"Why, Father?"
"Because they don't rush. You rush. So you'll live a short life."
"Is that a joke?"
"No, it's an observation. I also joke — remember the other day, the Death Worm…"
"Father, please!"
"Hahaha!"
His extraordinary magic — sometimes he'd flick his hand, and a distant tree would burst into bloom. Or he'd touch dry ground, and a spring would gush forth. I watched in amazement.
"Father, how do you do that?"
"Lots of practice, son. And patience."
"I don't have patience."
"I know. That's why you need school."
There were rainy days — rain so heavy that the boundary between sky and earth disappeared. Silvan created a small canopy with magic, hovering above the carriage, keeping us dry.
This time, only one carriage. No caravan. Almost nothing. Sometimes we rested by the roadside — by a river, on a hill, under a large tree.
Ahhh, how wonderful.
Various animals crossed our path — rabbits, small lizards, once a wolf in the distance. But they were no problem. Even I could handle them.
Hehe.
And finally — we entered another barony's border.
The Gosen Barony.
In two more days, we would be in Gosen itself.
From here, small villages multiplied. They lined the road — close to each other, small, their smoke spreading across the sky.
"Father, let's rest in this village," I said.
"Silvan, we'll rest here for a day," Father said.
"Yes, Mr. Sedric."
---
We stopped at the village.
The houses were dilapidated. Walls blackened, roofs collapsed, some without doors. But people still lived here. Children ran in the streets — their clothes patched, faces dusty, but their eyes alive and cheerful.
In my world too, there were such places. Poverty, but also hope.
"Father, where will we stay?"
"Well, since the trade route passes through here, almost every small village has an inn, even if it's small."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you."
Asking the passersby where the inn was, we finally found it.
The carriage stopped. Father got out. I followed.
"Greetings, sirs! Welcome!" a man said, bowing deeply.
I was surprised. His movements were extremely respectful — almost servile. Hands on his chest, head bowed, knees slightly bent.
"People of your noble standing rarely come here. Pay no mind — I'm just showing my respect."
"That doesn't interest me. Give us the three best rooms," Father said.
"Yes, sir. There are about ten rooms here. I'll give you the three best."
He placed his hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and showed his respect.
"You may enter," he said.
We all began to walk.
---
"Father, before going in, I'd like to walk around the village a bit. It's not very big. If you allow," I said.
"Alright, go ahead. The sun will set in three hours. Be back by then."
"Yes, sir!"
I raised my hand to my forehead in a salute, like a soldier.
Father gave me a cold look.
"Hmm… do you want to become mute, or what?"
"Hahahaha! No, no, Father! Thank you!"
Honestly, he scared me a little.
---
The village was small. About fifty houses — clustered together along narrow streets. Some houses had carvings on their walls — ancient, worn by time, but still visible. In the center of the village, a small square — a well, a tree, a few benches.
Few adults. More children. They stared at me silently when they saw me. Some pointed, some tugged at their mothers' skirts.
Strange feeling. I'm a stranger here.
Hmm… I walked around. Nothing interesting.
At the roadside, I saw a girl about my age. Black hair, pale skin — her face was clean, but her clothes were dirty, patched in one place.
She looked at me. Not afraid, just curious — as if studying me.
"Hey, kid, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"What? You're a kid too, aren't you?" she replied.
I liked her answer. Not afraid, not shy. She looked at me — and then came closer. I felt taller than most children my age — natural, I suppose. After all, someone like me.
How old are you, little girl? I thought, then asked aloud.
"How old are you, little girl?"
"I'm eight. And you?"
"I'm ten, you stinky girl!"
I laughed a little — I felt like teasing her. I looked at her face, expecting some reaction.
But she didn't get angry. She just tilted her head and looked at me.
"Alright. Call me 'big brother.' Got it?"
"Okay," she said.
Her obedience surprised me a little. Not afraid, but respectful.
"Well… I'm a guest here. Can you show me around? Some place you like?" I asked hesitantly.
She thought for a moment. Then smiled.
"Okay, big brother. Come."
She grabbed my hand and pulled.
Ahhh!
How can such a young child have so much strength?
"Well, whatever," I said sarcastically.
"Did you say something, big brother?" she asked without looking back.
"No, no. Lead on!"
---
We left the village.
She took me to a hill — a ridge. The path was narrow, rocky, with tall grass on both sides. She walked fast — I could barely keep up.
"Where are you, big brother? Faster!" she called.
"Are you joking? Your legs are short, but you run well!"
"Thank you, big brother!" she said, laughing.
Finally, we reached the top.
"This is my favorite place," she said.
And I saw it.
My eyes lit up with wonder.
The ridge was high, rounded — as if the earth had raised its hand to hold up the sky. On top — lush green grass, soft as a silk blanket. The wind blew — the grass rippled like the sea.
On the slopes of the ridge — several villages. Their houses were small, white, with red roofs. Smoke spiraled in the air, playing in the sunlight.
In the distance — a river. It sparkled like silver, turning red and gold as the sun set.
In the sky — birds. They circled and sang. Their voices mixed with the wind, creating a melodic music.
And everything — quiet, peaceful, as if time had stopped.
Such beauty…
I stood silent. The girl also stood silent.
"Is it nice, big brother?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," I said. "It's nice."
"I come here every day. After Father left… I feel like I'm not alone here."
There was sadness in her words. But not complaint. Just — as if she was speaking her thoughts.
"Where is your father?" I asked.
"Far away. Working. I hope he comes back."
I wanted to say something — but couldn't find the words. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"He will come back," I said. "Believe it."
She looked at me. There were tears in her eyes, but she smiled.
"Thank you, big brother."
---
The sun was setting.
The sky was red, orange, fiery. Birds were returning to their nests. Lights began to appear in the villages.
"Let's go," I said. "My father is waiting."
"Okay," she said.
We started down the ridge. She still held my hand. Not tightly now — gently, trustingly.
We reached the village. She stopped in front of her house.
"Goodbye, big brother," she said.
"Goodbye. And… thank you."
"For what?"
"For reminding me of something today."
She didn't understand, but she smiled.
"Will you come again?"
"Maybe," I said. "If I have time."
She went inside. I walked toward the inn.
Behind me — the sun was setting. Ahead — a new day.
---
Wait.
I stopped.
I had walked a few steps when something stopped me. I turned around.
She was still standing at the door, watching me.
"Hey," I called.
"Yes, big brother?"
I walked back to her. Reached into my pocket. Pulled out some coins — about ten gold coins. All I had on me.
"Take this."
Her eyes widened.
"For showing me around. You earned it."
She looked at the coins, then at me. Her hands trembled as she took them.
"Big brother… I… I can't believe there are people like you in this world," she said, her voice cracking.
I shrugged.
"Goodbye, little girl. Maybe we'll meet again."
She nodded, tears in her eyes.
"We will, big brother. I'm sure we will."
I turned and walked away.
Behind me, the sun had almost set. In front of me, the inn's lights glowed warmly.
Ten gold coins. Enough to buy four horses like the ones pulling our carriage.
I didn't want to give them.
But something made me do it.
Maybe… that's what it means to be human.
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