Legends of Magnoria

Chapter Twenty-Three ~ An Odd Thing

Atalo ate his sandwich quietly under a tree. Phoebe and Serena sat nearby him, also eating their own sandwiches. It was quiet, although Atalo knew it was because everyone was tired.

It was dawn when the trio had left Rumppidum and they had been travelling on the road at a leisurely pace. Around noon, they had all agreed to stop for some lunch.

"Maple Falls," Phoebe wondered aloud, "Sort of a unique name, don't you think?" She turned to Serena for her opinion, however was ignored as Serena continued to devour her sandwich.

Atalo chuckled lightly as Phoebe sighed at Serena's ignorance. He looked up at the sky and listened to the birds chirp. Despite the odd encounter with a Monster here and there, Atalo loved the open area. The big trees, the breezes, the feeling of open space. Atalo breathed in the fresh air as if it was his last breath.

"Who made these sandwiches?" Serena asked Phoebe, finishing her last bite.

With a look of annoyance and irritation across her face, Phoebe turned her head away and rolled her eyes. Serena didn't see it, but Atalo did.

Phoebe turned back to Serena and faked a small smile. "The barmaid," she answered. "Gifted them to Atalo when he came back from his walk."

Serena rounded on Atalo, "Did you thank her?" She snapped, almost as if she was hissing.

Atalo coughed from the sudden surprise of the interrogation. "Of course I did," he said, clearing his throat.

"Good," she said, turning her head away. Atalo rolled his eye.

Taking a bit more time to eat and digest their sandwiches, the three soon packed up their things and got back on the road. Atalo strapped his sword back onto his back, Serena made sure her daggers were sheathed to her sides and Phoebe checked for all of her potions and medical gear.

"Are you both ready?" Atalo asked. The women nodded their heads. "Well then left's go."

The afternoon passed by slowly as Atalo, Phoebe and Serena made their way to Maple Falls. The day was calm and quiet, however the odd popup of a Monster happened here and there.

It wasn't long before the trio became restless and bored of walking in silence. Serena couldn't resist herself and soon began to hound Phoebe with questions and thoughts about Maple Fall.

From what Phoebe knew, Maple Falls was a large town that was separated into two smaller towns with a trade route connecting the two. No side had a different purpose from the other and were only disjointed due to complications with the land.

"I've heard that name before ..." Serena muttered, scratching her left ear. "Maple Falls ... Ace!" Atalo and Phoebe both shared looks.

"Ace?" Atalo said. "Ace as in —"

"Ace Swift!" Serena exclaimed.

Atalo tried to hide his chuckles. Clearly his parents had a weird sense of humour. Phoebe must have had the same thought too since she began to 'cough'.

Recovering from their fits, Phoebe turned to Serena. "What's this about Ace?" She enquired.

"Ace once told me he lived in Maple Falls. It's where he was born and raised until Nero picked him up." Atalo folded his arms in frustration. Ace — just like nearly everybody else — had volunteered to go with Nero.

The conversation came to a halt when Phoebe pointed out a distant figure. Not too far off was a cart that had fallen on its side. The supplies it carried had fallen off and were spread out across the road. A silhouetted figure was leaning over what seemed to be one of the supplies.