Only Darkness Lies

Chapter 16

On his way back home, Arson was not paying much attention to his surroundings. He was sad because Elvira left him, the thought of her fighting made him worried and all he hoped was that she stays safe and comes back to him.

Suddenly he heard someone call out to him, he looked around to find Jisa, smiling at him. He found her behaviour rather unusual because she rarely changed her expressions.

"Upset that your girlfriend left you?" Jisa taunted him.
"Yes."
Arson gave a short reply, he didn't want to waste his time talking to her, explaining her, how he feels about Elvira leaving him for her mission.

According to him she was not worth the explanation because there's nothing she could do, other than make him feel even worse.

He loves Elvira and Elvira loves him too, he didn't want a third person to explain him otherwise. No matter how hard someone tries he has faith in Elvira and that faith won't break this easily.

He moved ahead and his act irritated Jisa. He replied to her, yes, but this was not the reply she had expected. She wanted to tease him with that question but his calm behaviour relayed that it didn't have much of an effect on him.

"Just forget her if that makes you upset". She shouted.

Arson heard her loud and clear but didn't stop or slowed down his pace. He smiled to himself and pitied her.

If it would have been so easy, then people could forget about the things that makes them upset. But it isn't easy to just forget about someone, especially someone really close to your heart, even if their memories hurt you.

As for Elvira, he didn't want to forget her. He wanted to remember her forever. Even if it hurts him now, he was sure that he would be alright after sometime. He believed that once Elvira returns his wait would be fruitful.

Elvira was not halfway through her journey yet but following Arson's words she thought it would be best to take some rest. Afterall she couldn't cover the whole distance in one day. She needed to be patient and in the meantime think of a plan to find those murderes in a big village like Tinpole.

She needed some more information about the village first afterall trying to find the murderers in such a big village, without any knowledge about the place, would be the same as trying to find a needle in a haystack.

She rode her horse to a nearby tea shop and got inside. There were not many people in there, so she quickly got the food she ordered. The food was delicious and while she enjoyed it, she kept an eye on the customers constantly searching for someone who can provide her some information about Tinpole.

After some time a middle aged man entered the shop and ordered tea, he had a load of objects with him. The shopkeeper out of curiosity asked him if he was travelling and he answered in the affirmative. He began to tell him about his long journey, which consisted of him travelling around different villages, collecting objects. "It's my passion'' he said "to collect different artifacts".

Elvira was eavesdropping to their conversation. That's it! If he had travelled to different villages, he might provide me some information about Tinpole.

She was done with her breakfast, so she approached the man, pretending to ask him directions to Tinpole.

"Tinpole, you say?" The man asked.
"Yes, I need to reach there".
"It's towards east, it will take you two days."
"Have you been there?" She asked.
"Yes. It's a big village. I especially liked the people, they were so friendly and determined workers. They were always ready to help others especially visitors though it's not all for free." He laughed.
"I see, thanks for your help."

She left the tea shop after making the payment and thanking the shopkeeper for the food.

After travelling for the whole day, she was tired. Tinpole was still far and as darkness set in, she began to look for an inn. After looking for more than half an hour she found one to spent the night.

But even though she was tired, she was unable to sleep because of anxiety of reaching Tinpole. Around midnight, she finally fell asleep.