ASCELLA: The Untold (Untold Stories 1)

15

"Grata Retro,"

Hearing the Chief greet the man with a foreign language made me curious about how was he related to the Chief and to the village. As the Chief said earlier, he was the guy who informed us of the situation back then. He looked like he was about the same age as the Chief, he was wearing a leather coat, a pair of gloves, and had his cotton bonnet. The mask he was wearing covered half of his face.

 Beside him was a maiden wearing gray knee-length, long-sleeved clothing. She also had her bonnet and was holding a big bag of luggage. Another person came with them as well, he looked like he was our age. He wore a black leather coat, a pair of black trousers, and gloves covered his shivering hands. his hair was as black as coal and it was covered with drops of snow. 

"Have you been good, Your Grace?" the man who was referred to as an old friend of the Chief spoke.

The Chief smiled before answering. "Tough, it has been a lot tougher since you left," she sighed.

"I hope my return will help ease and lighten the burden you carry in your shoulders," he uttered.

"Well, these kids here helped me a lot with all the struggles." the Chief pointed us out.

"Yeah, I noticed you have two new faces here," he exclaimed and opened his arms.

The Chief walked towards us and introduced us to him. "This is Liam, the Vice-Captain of the Soldiers," 

"Nice to meet you, I'm Paul," he introduced himself and Liam accepted his request for a handshake. 

"Liam, pleased to be at your service, sir," Liam responded.

They greeted each other with a smile and shook off their hands. After introducing themselves to each other, the Chief instantly walked to where I was standing and held my back. Paul went in our direction and looked at me in the eye. 

"This is Jill, Captain of the Archers," I gave him a small bow before making a courtesy.

He removed his bonnet before answering. "A female captain?" he chuckled. "That completes your line of captains, Your Grace, what a strong addition!"

By the time he removed his mask, it revealed how he looked like which left me a grave impression. My lips parted from each other and the shock made my knees tremble. I was surprised by what I saw, surprised to the extent that I tried to keep my emotions out of the situation but I just can't seem to press it in. 

"D-delighted to meet your acquaintance, S-sir," I stuttered. His physique, his upbeat frame of mind, everything, everything was so familiar and clear.

"Oh! Too much courtesy, my dear. You don't have to call me that, you can just call me 'Paul'." his voice sounded different from before but seeing how well he looked made me realized and remembered the past.