To Glimmerholm

Morning came too quickly, it seems. It felt like I only got a few hours of sleep. I wanted to jokingly ask for five more minutes but then I saw Felaris, and it reminded me that he probably stayed up all night. Better not say anything at all and just get ready.

As I had thought, we’re eating the soup Elvina made last night again for breakfast, although she did add a bit more water and ingredients to increase the volume.

It tasted just as good as it did last night–we’ll definitely need the energy for today’s journey. After that, we cleaned up and continued our journey to Glimmerholm.

This time, it seems it’s only me and Arin sitting inside the carriage while the two will be the ones driving. If he ever tries anything weird, I’ll be sure to instantly let Elvina know.

That something never came though. The long journey has him deep in thought, as if something bad is going to happen. I’ll let him be for now.

Eventually, he breaks out of his trance–I guess it’s time for him to mess with me.

“How’re the clothes, by the way? Is it to your liking?” He asked rather seriously that it threw me off.

“What? I guess it’s fine. Oh, that’s right! Is this really clothing for humans? How come Felaris didn’t recognize me when he saw me last night?”

“Of course, it’s for humans. Felaris probably just didn’t expect you to wear that kind of clothing.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s clothing made for humans during their coming-of-age ceremony. Since you look fairly young, I thought it’d be a perfect fit for you.”

“Oh, I’m already past that though. I’m 22-years-old.”

“Is that so? Well, it still fits you so it should be fine.”

I don’t really see how that’s significant. Well, as long as it’s actual clothes and not some weird fetish for him, then I guess it’s fine.

“By the way, how will things proceed once we reach Glimmerholm?” It’s definitely something worth knowing.

“We’ll have to relinquish you to the high court. During that time, they will detain you. Don’t worry, I know someone inside. I’ll make sure they take care of you.”

I sure hope that’s the case. I’m afraid that I’ll get tortured again.

The roads that we took today made the trip rather uneventful–must be thanks to Felaris’s scouting. We opted to take less breaks to make up for the time we lost yesterday. At first, I was worried that the deer wouldn’t be able to take all the strain, but they surprised me with their endurance.

Nighttime arrives but instead of making camp outside like yesterday, we stopped by an inn–run by elves, of course. As much as I enjoy camping with good company, nothing beats the comfy feeling of a bed. I’m going to enjoy sleeping tonight!

As we are about to enter inside, Arin plops what seems like a full-body cloak–it even covers my face, kind of like a ranger, or better yet, a strider.

“Don’t say anything and don’t act suspicious.” Arin whispered to me.

It sounded serious in tone. I better follow his lead.

As we enter the inn, about four elves look our way. They all seem to be employees of the inn. I guess guests aren’t that usual at this moment.

Arin did all the talking. It seems the innkeeper recognizes Mr. Celebrity here–and him being an influential figure, as very few words were said.

We got four rooms for each of us. I personally wouldn’t mind being in the same room as Felaris, if I’m being honest, though, the potential of having to be in the same room as Arin scares me that I’d rather not think about this anymore.

Our rooms are located on the 2nd floor of the inn. It really makes me feel like we’re adventurers staying the night at an inn we happened to pass by–tomorrow we continue our journey. I just wish tomorrow’s destination was more of a pleasant place rather than my potential deathbed.

Oh, well. There’s nothing else I could do aside from trust Arin’s words.

Inside the room is a bed, desk, and chair. Despite the very normal inn room that you’d normally find in a fantasy world, I was impressed by it. Probably because this is my first time being in one.

The night is still young though; no reason to rest yet. I exit my room and try to wander around as much as I can but I instantly got stopped by Elvina, who’s staying at the room next to mine.

“Naoki! Try not to go off on your own, okay? She whispered in a commanding tone.

I was honestly disappointed–not at anyone specifically but I would’ve really liked to goof off right now.

An employee of the inn came and talked to us.

“My lady. Dinner is ready. Lord Arin is already in the dining room.” He quickly went back to the kitchen after calling for us.

“Come, Naoki. Let’s go get dinner. It seems the innkeeper has prepared something for us. Also, keep in mind what Arin told you earlier.” I nodded in agreement.

Oh? Is this Arin’s influence at work? I wonder if the innkeeper is doing this out of duty or to garner favors? I guess we’ll see.

Me and Elvina went to the dining area located in the 1st floor of the building. There, Arin and Felaris are already seated. We joined them and shortly, the innkeeper served us his food.

The food kept on coming and coming–to the point of excessiveness. He’s definitely looking for a favor! Though, this amount of food didn’t really match the small and simple ambiance of this place.

Weirdly enough, the innkeeper didn’t seem to be busy as he just kept on pacing around our table whilst we ate. He couldn’t make it any more obvious! But for some reason, nobody else at the table seem to acknowledge it. Maybe because it is the fact that it’s obvious that they choose not to see it.

Maybe I’ll throw this guy a bone.

“Do you need something, sir?” I asked the innkeeper.

Instantly, the three quietly sighed in unison. I guess they really were trying to ignore him. Oops! But I don’t want to be rude to him. He did serve us all this food.

“Lord Arin! You and your group are en route to Glimmerholm, are you not?”

Arin did not give an answer, and so does everybody else. I wanted to reply back but Elvina puts her hand on my knee. Maybe it’s not such a good idea.

“Please, my lord! You must stop the King. He is enlisting all abled-bodied elf in this part of Eldergrove–male or female, to fight the humans. It’d be fine if it’s just me but my wife will end up being forced into enlisting as well, leaving our daughter with no parents to watch over her.”

The innkeeper’s pleas truly hit me in the heart; it even made me shed a tear. My friends at the table seem to think otherwise though. It was a side of them that I’ve never seen before. A side that I could only hope not be at the receiving end.

Arin was to be expected. I assume it comes with the job. Felaris too. I can see situations as a warrior where you have to close your heart to make hard decisions. But Elvina… perhaps she was always like this--all of them were always like this. She mentioned her life as an adventurer before. Maybe they aren’t completely good people like I’ve always thought them to be.

I decided to just shut up and follow their lead–close my eyes and ears to everything. The innkeeper’s pleas fell to deaf ears. Soon, he stopped and excused himself.

Everyone continued eating like nothing even happened. Arin even thanked the innkeeper’s wife for the delicious food. I, on the other hand, couldn’t find my appetite after watching all of that unfold.

I didn’t linger in the lounge any longer. There is no energy left within me to talk with anyone. I went to sleep–at least tried to.

The morning came. Barely any words were exchanged as we left the establishment.

As I am about to enter the carriage, I look back towards the inn. I find the innkeeper and his wife looking at us. I couldn’t even wave at them goodbye as thanks for their plentiful service the previous night.

I could only muster to raise my hand slightly up as a way to acknowledge their existence.

Soon, I boarded the carriage and we made our way to Glimmerholm.

The mood seems to be back as everyone returns to their usual selves. Arin is talking up a storm, noting some “fun” facts about Glimmerholm and his title as a lord.

It seems that it’ll only be a couple of hours until we reach our destination. Glimmerholm is the capital city of the elves of Eldergrove. Since the forest is vast and there are many elven cities within, the king assigned lords to these cities to govern them–the lords still answer to the king.

Arin is one such lord. He has governed over Hollowspire for several decades now; believe it or not, he’s the newest of the lords to be instated.

He also mentions the presence of other races within the forest like humans and orcs, but they have long gone to greener pastures. It seems that the elf king has mandated them to not touch any natural resource in the forest–a horrible tragedy for such races.

Those are the only things that he said that stuck to my mind. Sadly, I’m still upset about what happened last night that I can’t focus.

He notices eventually and asks me what’s wrong.

“Are you alright, Naoki?”

“About last night-”

His face instantly changes–the delighted expression shifts into a blank expression. I didn’t care how he’d react. I just wanted to get it out there.

“Why didn’t you help them, Arin? You’re a lord, aren’t you?!”

… He didn’t answer.

“You’re more than capable, so why didn’t you-” I started shouting but stopped as soon as I realized.

I only realize now that tears are streaming down my face. My emotions that I bottled up are spilling out and I can’t stop it.

Arin puts his hand on my shoulder, urging me to calm down.

“Forgive me, but I’m not all-powerful. You have a righteous heart, Naoki–your parents raised you well. Maybe that’s why you want to save everyone… But you just can’t help everyone.”

“Then at least tell them that. Don’t just leave them in despair.” I retorted instantly.

“I’d rather not say it. As selfish as it may be, I do not want to be reminded of my pitifulness.”

I didn’t have anything else to say, so I kept silent.

Nothing else was said inside that carriage from then on, making the overlapping noise from outside more apparent.

Elvina gently knocks on the carriage’s wall. “We’re here.”

I look outside the window, only to see a most majestic sight. We’ve finally reached Glimmerholm.