Our second world- book one: Past beginnings

Chapter 13

After three days of odd jobs and one monster hunting quest, Haren and August were finally able to earn enough money to buy themselves better gear. After breakfast, the two boys spent the majority of the morning looking at swords for August, and, after taking a break for lunch, they spent their afternoon picking out clothes that would be better suited for working. By the time they were done getting everything they wanted, it was starting to get dark. With some leftover money, the two decided to eat dinner at one of the many restaurants in town and returned to Aira's shop long after the sun had set.

~

For the next two months, Haren and August stayed with Aira and worked a number of jobs near and around Erebos. One night, while August was helping Haren out with his reading, August suddenly said he wanted to leave. When questioned about it, he explained that he wanted to travel to a neighboring country to visit his old partners' grave. He said he wanted to leave before winter started since they would have to pass through a large mountain range. Haren agreed to it, on the condition that they went back to Emir's town to pay a visit to Grace before they left. August agreed, and on the morning of July 5th, they got up early. Aira was sitting at the kitchen table when they got downstairs and didn't ask many questions when they left. The two boys spent a day traveling and arrived at the forest shrine Grace was living at on the morning of the sixth.

It was early, and Grace wasn't awake yet, so Haren and August decided to wait outside for her. Haren sat on the steps of the shrine looking up at the clouds. It was colder than usual, and a frosty wind swam through the forest, tugging at the cuffs of his pants and loose strands of his hair. Fall was ending, and winter would come soon.

"What business do you have here?" Haren looked up at the sound of a child's voice to see a tiny, doll-sized girl with blue wings hovering in mid-air in the doorway behind him. Her blue eyes took in the two standing in front of her as she crossed her arms.

"I need to talk to Grace," Haren said, ignoring the strange appearance of the strange girl." Is she awake?"

"Lady Grace has just woken. Tell me your business, and I'll go fetch her for you."

Haren sighed," Fine. I'm a friend, and I need to ask her about something."

"Very well then." The girl turned and walked...er...flew back into the shrine. She returned a moment later with a tired-looking Grace at her heels.

"Oh, good morning, Haren," Grace yawned. Her hair was a mess and she was still wearing her nightclothes.

"Morning."

"Wait--Haren?! What are you doing here?"

Haren laughed," we just got back. August and I are planning to take a trip to Croanade. It's the country to the north-east of here. We were wondering if you wanted to come with us."

"Wait, really? You'll take me with you?" Grace asked excitedly.

"My Lady, traveling between countries is dangerous," the blue-haired fairy said." I cannot allow you to travel alone."

"Come on, Alfheim, I'll be going with them, and I've been wanting to travel for a while now. Please can I go?" Grace whined." Emir said it would be fine as long as I got permission from you or Elen."

The girl sighed," fine, but I will accompany you."

"Yes!"

"We'll be leaving today, so--"

"I'll go get my things ready right now." Grace spun around and ran back inside. She returned shortly after, dressed and holding a small bag.

"Well then, I suppose we'll be going now," August stood up.

"Elen had some business to take care of in the southern mountains, so she's not here, but it should be fine," Grace said." I'm ready to go."

Haren noticed that Grace was wearing what looked to be a simple, cherry red and white kimono, but he noticed it was similar to his coat. It was enchanted with protection magic.

"Let's go," He grinned.

The four of them started walking in the direction of Erebos, where they planned to stay for the night since it was on the way. Well...the fairy girl, Alfheim, flew, but the rest of them walked. Since they were walking, it started getting dark before they got to town.

"Hey Haren, when are we stopping?" Grace asked, running over to him.

She had been messing with some wildflowers she had found on the side of the road.

"We're not unless you want to sleep outside tonight," Haren replied.

"Ok, but how much longer?" she asked.

"We told you, it's about two days on foot. We left this morning, so if we keep walking through the night, we should reach Erebos sometime tomorrow morning," August said." We'll rest up at our place before we leave."

"Really? Where?" Grace asked.

"You'll see," Haren grinned.

They walked in relative silence along the worn forest road, eventually arriving at Erebos around dinner time the next day. Much later than they had originally planned. People were everywhere.

Wanting to get to Aira's place soon, Haren and August walked quickly through the crowds. Grace hurried after them with Alfheim hidden in her bag to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. Passing a series of merchant stalls and slipping through a side alley to another less crowded street, Haren stopped suddenly, causing Grace to smack into his back.

"Ouch!" she whined, rubbing her nose." What was that for?"

"Should be ok now. Probably didn't follow us, right?" Haren asked, turning to August.

"Don't think so," answered the blond.

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing," he said quickly." Don't worry about it. We're here."

They walked inside to find Aira was gone, so they went upstairs. Grace dropped off her things and August went down to the kitchen to make something for dinner. After the four of them ate, they went upstairs and got ready to sleep. They'd walked all day today and yesterday, and they would be walking again tomorrow, so the four of them wasted little time getting to sleep. They'd need it for the long days ahead and there wouldn't always be a warm place to stay, so they'd have to enjoy it while it lasted.