3: Meeting A New Friend

"I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, sir," Rufus just smiled and served tea to his guest. He could feel his hand trembling as he poured the tea. It was an honor, but at the same time, he questioned the motives.

"It's okay. I have nothing to do right now," he replied, his eyes smiling. Perhaps he should clean up the mess. He had worked so hard that he never had time to tidy up his shop. With the arrival of uninvited guests like now, he was learning a lesson. Clean up every day.

"I just wanted to stop by and say thank you on behalf of Prince Hadrian for the potion,"

"That wasn't me who created that potion,"

"We know. But, if it's not because of your teaching, he probably would have never created such a soothing and relaxing potion," Rufus just smiled.

He remembered the first time he met the boy. He walked into the store, running from guards who were always following him around and accidentally broke a jar full of dry lavender. Rufus had thought someone had broken into his store and had even chased him with a broom. He had to duck under the table like a cat.

The boy's blue eyes had made him stop shooing him away. Those innocent eyes were desperate for freedom. Eventually, Rufus had taken his hand and persuaded him to follow the guards, at least for a while.

Since then, the boy had never stopped coming to the store. His passion for potions had kept him coming back, even though sometimes their meetings hadn't gone quite smoothly.

"So, where is he now?"

"Probably walking around, finding some herbs to create something,"

"I hope he's safe here. It's quite burdensome to stay outside the palace..."

"He will be just fine. He has blended in with the people quite quickly and well,"

"I hope I can count on you for the sake of his safety."

Rufus began to feel uneasy. His throat felt dry. How could he bluff when he knew that this boy was somewhere unknown, without him knowing, offering himself as a potential meal for the beasts?

***

"Let me go, you crazy lad!" Aden pulled his arm. The girl just pulled it back and continued walking, seemingly unfazed.

"For God's sake, let me go!"

"If you care about that person, you have no choice but to follow me," she asserted.

"How can I be sure about that? I don't even know you. You might be some kind of murderer..." she stopped walking and released him.

"I could have killed you a few minutes ago. And, I could have just ignored you and let the bear eat you for lunch. Maybe it hasn't had a meal in so many days..." the girl defended herself.

Aden looked at her cautiously.

The girl let out a heavy sigh.

"It's Ayleth."

"Sorry?" she cleared her throat.

"I'm Ayleth," she extended her hand.

"And why should I care?"

"Now that we know each other, there's no point in being paranoid. Come!" She grabbed his hand again and resumed walking.

***

"I hope I can count on you for his safety. Like I said 10 years ago, he might have been just a boy. But, the bloodline was already drawn," that man spoke with a calm voice.

Rufus simply nodded. But deep inside, his heart stirred like a tornado. That boy! Where the hell had he gone?!

***

"Where are we?" Aden looked around. There was a massive tree with a platform made of beautiful wood on top of it. Everything looked amazing.

"My muse," Ayleth answered, a smile gracing her face. She walked to a grassy field in front of them.

"Most importantly, no one knows about it. It's my secret base," she turned back to face Aden with a grin.

"Looking for this?" She held out a flower with big fire-red petals. Aden rushed towards her.

"Where did you find it? This is what I've been looking for!"

"There are plenty of them, growing like a flower bed here,"

"So, the rumors were true.."

"What rumors?"

"Those locals said that this flower blooms greatly here,"

"So, why on earth did you get yourself caught in Binkaberm Forest?"

"This isn't Binkaberm? You've got to be kidding me!"

"No, this is The Meadow. Binkaberm Forest is on the dark side of this region. People have to pass through The Meadow before going into that forest," she pointed towards the muddy road leading to Binkaberm Forest. Aden blinked in disbelief.

"I guess they were lying.."

"And nearly got you killed. I wonder, perhaps you annoyed them on the edge of a precipice, making them want to kill you so badly," Ayleth chuckled. Aden shot her a sharp look, and she quickly closed her mouth, though the laughter lingered in her eyes.

"I'm sorry.." Aden remained silent. He gazed at the flower with a mixture of depth and intensity, like a precious diamond. A diamond for someone he loved.

"Happy now?" Ayleth asked, a grin tugging at her lips.

"Yes.. thankfully. Thank you so much,"

"You shouldn't wander alone here. It's dangerous.."

"Then why are you here?"

"To practice," Aden glanced at Ayleth, his expression questioning. She simply smiled, climbed onto the tree, and stepped onto the platform.

"Practicing for what? A lunch buffet for bears?" Aden chuckled. Ayleth's grin widened as she retrieved something from her sling bag.

"Unfortunately, no. Besides, Lilith doesn't eat meat. She prefers fish," Ayleth said, her finger gesturing through the air as she moved her hand forward.

"Lilith?"

"Yes, the baby bear that just wandered off. She was just curious, you know, since she's only familiar with me. She's never encountered another human besides me," that bear? She knew that bear?!

"You know her?"

"Yes. I've known her since she was just a tiny cub. I knew her mother, father, and her two brothers," Ayleth pointed the bow at the target she had drawn. With a swift motion, the arrow flew directly to the big red dot in the center of the target. Aden's jaw dropped.

"Who are you?" Ayleth just smiled, motioning for him to climb up the tree.

It was Aden's first time climbing a tree, and he looked awkward and unskilled.

"What kind of man are you? Never climbed a tree before?"

"Let's just say, I'm more of a ground person.." Aden sighed. Ayleth smiled, refocused on her target, aimed her bow towards the red dot, and...

The arrow sharply flew through the air and snap the previous arrow into two.

"Woah, you're much better than the royal archer!"

"How did you know? I thought locals weren't allowed to enter the army camp,"

"Let's just say, some of them are my best friends.."

"Are you..." Aden felt his tongue twist a bit. How could he just talk so easily like that?!

"...their servant?" Ayleth chuckled. With his obvious appearance, he must at least be working as an armor cleaner. Aden laughed heartily.

"I treat... no. I clean their wounds, just a simple task,"

"Hmm... I thought you might be sharpening weapons. Working with the military hospital, huh?"

"Yeah, sort of, kind of," Aden looked to the side, too shy to look at Ayleth. He wasn't used to talking to ladies, especially strangers.

"So, is that flower for them?"

"No, it's for my brother. He's sick with a certain disease, and this flower might be the cure,"

"Oh, I'm sorry for my inappropriate joke earlier,"

"Don't worry about it. He's really important to my people right now,"

"Your people?" Aden scolded himself for slipping up again.

"Oh.. actually, my brother is the next heir to the rulership... of our tribe!"

Oh no, he said too much again!

"A tribe? Interesting! Which one?"

"Just some tribe,"

"How did you end up working with the army?"

"I have a friend,"

"Where is your tribe located?"

"Please, no more questions!"

"Why? This is fascinating! I've always wanted to know about tribal life,"

"Our life is a secret, so if I told you, I'd have to kill you," please let this work as a deterrent! He'd already revealed too much about his own life.

"Have the guts to kill me?" Ayleth looked at him with a sharp smile. Aden couldn't take it anymore. He walked toward her, getting so close that her back was against the tree. He gazed into her eyes, intense and focused.

"What do you think?" his eyes sparkled.

And she deflected.

"Oh, my mother must be worried by now! I should be going," Ayleth quickly climbed down the tree. She was just beginning to walk away when...

"Hey!" and she turned back.

"What?"

"Don't ever tell anyone about this!"

"I promise!"

"And... are you always here?"

"Yes, so?"

"Just in case we have a chance to meet again?"

"This meadow belongs to no one. You're always welcome here. See you!" She smiled and waved. Aden smiled and watched her until she disappeared into the forest.

That smile stirred something within his heart!