Chapter 5 — A Delicate Flower

Despite his seemingly disdainful and snub treatment towards his older and only brother, Johann is always quick to notice any strange action he does — be it little and unnecessary. Maybe it roots from his mindful nature, or maybe his sibling instinct. Whatever it is, the repeated back and forth marching he has been doing since he got home from the town this morning is already quite concerning as it looks.

Finally finding it unsettling enough as he work on bathing their livestocks while he's supposed to be sweeping hays, he was ready to give his silence up to break his brother's troubling engrossment. 

"Have you seen a fairy before?" 

Left with his mouth slightly open, he was unable to properly vocalise his thoughts and in addition, the words his brother spoke made him even more confused. Even so, being a master of his expressions, he completely hid it off his face, showing his usual irritated intonation and emotion instead. 

"Not yet. I would rather not," he replied. 

"Eh? Why is that?" his brother once again asked, disappointment clearly evident on his 'stupid-looking' face.

The younger brother sighed, "Rug says they are undeniably beautiful, deceitful and dastardly creatures."

Eyebrows arched, Tristan intuitively proceed on his sweeping job. "That's a pretty diverse and horrible description, Thea's not gonna like that."

"That's the only answer I could give, what about it?"

Taking another stop, his gaze went up, as if reading a memory of the past in his mind, from it, something caught his fascination. "Come to think of it, you'd never listen to my bedtime stories before."

Almost caught off guard, Johann made another turnaround. "Tch. I prefer sitting on Rug's narrative sessions."

Much to everyone's awareness, Rug is a roaming old man of no permanent dwelling. He is most of the time seen at the middle of the town plaza, communicating senselessly to himself. 

There are also instances when he would speak of reasonable sermons, beautiful poetries and entertaining stories whether anyone would listen to him or not. His sanity is obviously unstable, though he could be randomly asked for some advice that turns out to be logical at times. And for the young boy, listening to him is fairly entertaining and worth spending his extra time to. Also, as he was never given the chance to undergo a formal education, he sometimes finds Rug's lectures truly informative and helpful. 

"You really have no fondness for me, no?" downhearted, he commented. 

"Yes and - or you're just being dramatic."

Just when the two impulsively went back to their individual tasks, a question suddenly popped up on Johann's mind. 

"What's with the question though? You did came home too late last night from the forest. . . tell me, you've seen one?" he asked out of pure curiosity and observation.

"I-I don't know. . ."

The quick shift of his brother's tone didn't go unnoticed, from there he contemplated that something is absolutely off. 

"How did you not know? No use playing dumb with me, bro."

Scratching the back of his head, he turn his flushed face away, "A'ight, I think I did."

"You're not certain? I knew it, you already had your mind played," Johann jokingly replied, clicking his tongue as he slowly shake his head left and right. 

"Ugh, this won't take us anywhere. Do what you must, I've got work to do."

Even at the state of complete doubt and bewilderment, he let his brother go off and kept his questions aside. 

"Sure."

***

The night before. . .

"So it's you. . ."

"N-No, i-it's not what you think — I didn't — I didn't intend to — alright, I'm sorry. I sincerely apologize for intruding your territory, I-I won't do this again, I swear."

Hands on the air, Tristan already held his pride and truth at complete surrender. Even with the total understanding and cognition of what actually happened, he was quick to ask for the woman's forgiveness, out of feeling something he couldn't explain himself.  

"Declared sincerity is no sincerity at all, Mister," she spoke with a subtle yet unnerving voice. 

"H-Huh? Then what should I — look, I'm really—"

"You've had me exasperated enough of that. Say, you know unnecessary hunting is illegal in this country, right?"

"I'm not hunting. . ." he defended. 

"Then what explains the bow and the wounded deer?" Even with her questions getting more and more provoking, there was never a change on the tone of her voice. 

"It was an accident. . ." Tristan on the other hand, would have his head lowered each time she asks a question.

"You came here armed, I believe that's all to it," she asserted.

"No, you're mistaken — I was just. . ."

"Just?"

"T-Training."

He knew lying won't take him anywhere out of this tormenting situation, so embarrassed he may be, there's no other way, he thought.

"The annual selection, is it?" 

"Y-Yes."

"Just as I've anticipated."

'Anticipated'? Could that mean anything? He asked himself. Asking the woman herself is the path he would never consider. There is no telling what's on her mind nor the meaning behind her words are, as well. With that perturbing calmness of her voice and that aloof look on her face, just answering her 'yes or no' questions are already difficult. 

"Anyway, the night's getting deeper, the forest will comfort you no more at its rest. You better go."

Not that he want this very situation to last, but it never occured to him that the woman would just let him off quick. Was he expecting anything? He do not know either.

Still deciding on which step to take, the woman taking the initiative to turn away became his go signal to not hesitate anymore and reach her out. 

"Wait!"

Facing him once more, this time, he had a clearer glance of her face as the moonlight from above shone directly on her like a theater spotlight. 

"Your name — I mean, we may not see each other again, yet I'd want to remember at least your name. . ."

"I'll surely meet you again sooner so there's really no need to catch up to me."

Another indistinct and unexpected reply put him at more complex puzzlement.  

"What do you—"

"Then, for future necessity, you may call me Ersilia."

'Ersilia. . ' his voice repeated through his mind.

"Delicate. . is it. . ." he whispered to himself, watching as her back fades completely into the depths of darkness. 

***

"That's it, go back to your rat holes, slaves!"

It was the usual closing greeting by the boss they were accustomed to. For this last job of the day, Tristan is tasked to transfer the processed sacks of rice from the stockroom to the cargos until sunset. Although it is certainly hard for a teenager, he also find it quite helpful for his physical training. 

With the bag of coins in his hand and long bow in his rucksack, he made his way to the path directed to the human deserted forest, quietly hoping to see someone who caught something in him. 

As part of his another routine, he would walk to the end of the cliff to sight-see the magnificent sunset he adores since childhood, do a short stretch exercise and proceed with his training. Upon reaching his destination, he sat down with his legs crossed, untied the bag of bread he brought from the bakery this morning and savoured the brief moment of the day he has for relaxation.

"I believe that does not appear too fitting for consumption anymore."

Almost jumping out off shock, he immediately turned around to face the one who spoke to him just now. "H-Hey! W-Why are you here? How — what — when did you —" 

"It just so happened I have a spare time for leisure."

It was the woman he was unconsciously waiting for, although she came earlier than he has expected. 

"D-Did you, by any chance. . .intend to meet me. . ."

"You may assume that."

Flushed, he held his breath and slowly gulped air to his throat. 

"I found the same bread at the Wind Catcher's altar just when I arrived."

Flashback of himself running his life out to reach the forest before lunchtime to offer his baked goods to the Wind Catcher's altar crossed his mind. The Wind Catcher, as the myths say, is the protector of the forests and its inhabitant. She was said to be of the Fairy race and is chosen by the Gods to execute the said duty. 

Believing she could be a Fairy who lives among the forest creatures, he thought doing such deed would let him see her once more. 

"So you chose not trust my words, after all," she whispered.

As it was too inaudible to hear, he was unable to decipher nor answer what she just spoke of, "I didn't quite hear what you said, I am really sorry but could you please repeat —"

"You actually thought I was a fairy, did you not?" she tilted her head a little on the side. 

"Is it a bad thing?" he asked, agitatedly.

"Not that it's a compliment either, honestly."

Still at the state of surprise of earlier encounter, his mind did not allow him to think of anything to say anymore. 

"Anyway, I would like you to come with me," she said, staring at him directly in the eye, making him obviously uncomfortable.

"Huh? Where to?" 

"Somewhere. There is something I would like to confirm."

"Is there really a need for me to go alongside you?" he asked, doubting the genuineness of her sudden invitation. 

"You will see, now let's go."