Chapter 2: Strangers at Grinas village.

The tale goes back to twelve years ago when two couples first arrived outside a village.

"We've arrived. This should be far enough. Plus, it is almost time." said a woman with ebony dark hair as night and ruby-red eyes like crimson were cold and unfeeling like a frozen hell. She rubbed her bulged belly with a rare smile on her pale lips before it disappeared. 

"Yes Dear, it should keep us hidden long enough." The man beside echoed her words, his voice warm and sweet as he glanced at her belly. His similarly dark hair and coffee-brown eyes radiated with warmth. 

There was a stark contrast between the two temperaments. 

Near them was another couple with the woman having a bulging stomach as well. They glanced at each other and simultaneously nodded as they began their approach to the village in distance sight. Before they got to the village's periphery, many had gathered and the commotion attracted more. The village chief arrived slightly later.

An elder with obvious signs of time effect of age and wisdom. A map of wrinkles trailed his face and told of a journey that led to the old man who stood before them and long grey-white hair flowed to his back similarly to his lengthened brows and beard. Both gentleness and worry were visible in his eyes. 

Behind him, was a crowd with hushed chatter and lowered whispers mixed with constant glances stolen from the newcomers. Others blatantly observed with unhidden wariness to strangers. Their curiosity stemmed from the newcomers' exotic and outlandish form of dressing. It was a natural, rather, instinctive rejection towards those they deemed invaders to their peaceful lives.

"How did noble subjects find yourselves this far into our small village?" The elder asked with a deep accent. His voice was without any haughtiness in the presence of the couples. His slanted, wrinkled eyes had wisdom but dared not offend the people they considered invaders. However, his firm stance showed that he would not allow harm to the village.

The man with a warm smile stood out and mediated. "Hello. Call me Mitchell. My wife and her sister are pregnant and we need to settle. Due to circumstances, we hope to reside in your village for a while."

He kept it short.

With that said, all eyes fell on the women and saw they were indeed expectant. After comparing the similarities of the 'sisters', they failed to find any. The village head nodded in understanding and looked back at the man.

"We are happy to help those who ask for our help. You may settle in our village as long as you like on the condition that you bring no harm to the villagers. Can you promise this?" asked the village elder.

"Yes. We hope to repay kindness with goodwill. We will not bring harm to the village or the villagers. We will strive to protect it as our own. Thank you." Mitchell bowed slightly and swore.

"I am Dunstan. The villagers call me chief. Welcome to our village, Grinas."

The elder beckoned for the quadruple to follow along as he led into the village. On the other end of the village was a pair of houses. They were close to each other but far from the rest of the villagers. They were slightly run down and could barely hold up. 

"You will stay there. The villagers will help fix it up for the winter. You will get help from the villagers this winter but starting next winter, you will need to provide for yourselves." Dunstan said with his deep accent. 

All of them thanked the village head and moved closer to the run-down house. It looked worse up close, but for them, it was a blessing in disguise. Fixing such a house was a snap of a finger, but to avoid suspicion, they went along with the arrangements which took the whole day. The fixing was superficial just to make sure it didn't suddenly collapse and covered the openings.

By night, the house with a few adjustments was livable.

"I hate this inconvenience. It's so dirty and uncomfortable." A voice broke the silence. It was filled with grievance and discomfort. 

"Stop it, Bianca. We made it this far, we should be happy that such a secluded and hidden village exists. As your friend, I find you too demanding." The dark-haired woman criticized with a cold voice.

"I know that Anette. Just venting my frustration." Bianca pouted and grumbled. Her drooped eyes looked especially alluring. The watery ocean blue within made any feel the urge to protect her.

"..." Bianca's husband sitting beside her speechlessly glanced at her and back to the man sitting across him.

"We should focus on welcoming the children to the world for now. It shouldn't be long off now," said Mitchell with a warm voice. A gentle smile formed on his lips as he looked at Anette's belly.

"Annette, how long will it take to set up the runes?" asked Bianca.

"A mage should know more about this, but you featherhead were too lazy to learn. Ahh! It should take two weeks to make a complete rune circle and three for a reinforced rune circle. For safety, we should go with the reinforced rune circle. I don't want to gamble with my child's life." Annette responded in a cold voice.

"So we are three weeks away from delivery. Phew~ It should be enough time to take care and erase our traces." Bianca glanced at the house and added, "We need to set up protection measures in the house, but before that, the men should build the houses well. I want comfort after this." She said it in a soft mellow voice but everyone knew it was not a request.

The men nodded in agreement.

"What about the food? We can't just pull out food from thin air and expect the villagers to be unsuspicious," asked Mitchell.

The pair, Bianca and Merlin looked at him in discontent. 

"We bewitched the villagers as soon as we set foot in the village. They won't realize if and think they have warmed up to us, so we don't need to worry about the food. Didn't you hear what he said?" Merlin was referring to the chief. 

"Oh. Was that what he meant?" Mitchell chuckled to hide his embarrassment.

"Now, the first step to our children's future has just begun. The prophecy can not be allowed to pass. Let us prepare them well." Merlin said.

Everyone's expression grew heavy and nodded in unison. There was only one thought in their minds,

'This is just the beginning.'

(～￣▽￣)～