Chapter 4 - Trentmoor Manor

The garden proudly displayed in front of the manor was even more breathtaking from up close. Aside from the white stone pavers that cut through the garden, separating the flowerbeds into sections, every aspect of the garden appeared as if it could naturally occur within nature. There was an organic beauty to it all, and yet even Eran could tell that each individual flower was precisely curated.

“This way, if you would.” After Cedric spoke with the guards posted by the entrance, he gestured for Eran and Leafa to follow him further into the property. The guards had grim looks on their faces as they ran off; likely to retrieve the captured thugs, the cart, and their fallen comrade.

Leafa had remained mostly silent the whole time, but as they walked through the garden, she couldn’t stop herself from muttering something under her breath to express her awe. “Laamu elik…”

Though Eran did not understand the language she spoke in, the way her eyes sparkled as they took in the sight of the flowers told him everything he needed to know. Even as they crossed the bridge that went over the stream and drew nearer to the manor doors, the young man could sense the monster girl’s longing. He felt her hand tightened around his, and saw that her gaze never left the vibrant flowerbeds until they were inside the manor itself. Eran had expected her to let go of his hand and run off toward the garden on her own, but she never did.

The interior of the manor was just as beautiful. Marble halls spread outward into two wings, and directly ahead of the front entrance was a grand staircase that led to the second level. Maids in elegant black and white dresses wandered the property, each of them wearing a large, puffy mob cap as they set about their chores.

Cedric led the young adventurer and his new monster girl friend upstairs. The stairway diverged to wrap around the main hall on either side, leading to the second-floor hallway that pressed against the front of the house. At the center of the hallway was a finely carved oak door, behind which was a room that hung over the front entrance of the manor. The old butler approached the door and firmly knocked with the back of his hand. “My Lady, a noble adventurer has arrived with your delivery from Oakwood.”

“Let them enter.” A firm feminine voice responded from within the room.

With a grand gesture, Cedric opened the doors and deeply bowed as he introduced the two guests to his master. “Sir Eran, Lady Leafa, may I introduce to you Lady Elizabeth of House Trentmoor.”

Within the spacious room stood a lone figure behind a desk. An ephemeral beauty with long, pin straight hair that reminded Eran of the wheat fields back in his home village. Just as the sun illuminated the golden crop in his memories, morning light poured into the room and cast the woman’s silhouette in a golden glow, as if she too was being nurtured by the gentle light.

A massive window took up the entire back wall of the room, offering a perfect view of the garden Eran and Leafa had walked through moments earlier. The elevated position showed off the garden in a new light, and it was so stunning that Eran wondered if the entire thing was arranged to be viewed from this room.

The woman who had been looking out the window turned to face her guests. She wore a pure white dress and had skin so pale that the two nearly blended together. As she slowly stepped forward, Eran thought about how elegant she appeared, but also how solemn and lonely. “Eran and Leafa, was it? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Her pale green eyes focused on the pair, and it was only when she stood in front of them did Eran realize that she was nearly half a head taller than him.

“Likewise, Lady Elizabeth. As requested, I have brought this for you.” Eran made his best attempt to match his tone to the atmosphere, drawing upon his experiences reading through stories that took place in more formal settings. He reached into his shirt to retrieve the package, presenting it to Lady Trentmoor on one knee.

“There is no need to be so formal, Eran.” The sight brought a tiny smile to Elizabeth’s lips. She accepted the small wooden box into her hands, carefully cradling it as she turned her attention to her butler. “Sir Cedric, these are noble adventurers, yes?”

“Indeed, my lady. Whilst returning from Oakwood, Sir Vic and I were beset by brigands. It was due to my own carelessness that he has met his end, and thanks to Eran and Leafa’s bravery that I stand here mostly unharmed.” There was lament in Cedric’s voice as he gave his reply.

“Noble indeed.” Elizabeth said. The expression in her eyes remained unchanged upon hearing the grim news, though it had already been a sorrowful one.

Eran had been bothered by something shortly after entering Trent Forest, but hearing Cedric’s account confirmed his suspicions. “Can I ask something? If Cedric came from Oakwood, why did you need an adventurer to deliver that box?”

Lady Elizabeth closed her eyes as she smiled once more. “A perfect question. I expected nothing less.” When she opened her eyes, there was a spark of hope in them that had not been present before. She removed the lid of the box and turned it over, showing Eran its entirely empty contents. “What I desired from the guild was not this box, but the kind and capable adventurer who would deliver it. That person, of course, is you.”

Eran’s mouth fell agape. He had known the job he accepted was odd from the start, but the concept of it being a test was something he hadn’t considered. “I don’t understand. What if someone who wasn’t kind and capable accepted the job? How can you be so sure that I’m who you want?”

“All fine questions. Only someone willing to take on a mundane task with little promise of reward would fit my criteria of kind. Did you believe the job regarding the lost kitten was a real one?” Elizabeth winked at Eran as she revealed yet another portion of her scheme.

“I see,” Eran said. “And what if I wasn’t capable?”

“Then I would have sent you off with your reward none the wiser. Truth be told, I had several inquiries prepared to help me judge your character and capabilities, but I have already been shown enough. Cedric has vouched for you, and that is all I need.” Elizabeth’s gaze shifted from Eran to Leafa, and her smile widened as she gave the monster girl a knowing look. “If I may, however, I am quite curious about the adorable young lady beside you.”

Leafa let out a timid squeak as she ducked behind Eran. There was a pleading expression in her eyes as she nervously looked up at the tall woman, which seemed to bring out a small chuckle out of her.

“This is Leafa. I met her on the way here, and it was her cry for help that led me to save Cedric. I don’t think I would have been able to beat up the thugs without her, either.” Eran said.

“Fighting alongside a monster girl is not too common of a tale. Might you be a monster girl tamer?” Elizabeth asked.

“I am, but I haven’t tamed a single monster girl yet. Leafa is actually the first one I’ve ever seen.”

Elizabeth grabbed at her chin and lowered her head in thought. “I see. Do you intend to tame her, then?”

It was a natural question to ask, but it made Eran pause. He turned to look down at Leafa, who was staring up at him with her curious blue eyes. It was as if she too were silently asking him the same question. “I don’t know…,” Eran said. “I feel like I should, but I just can’t imagine myself doing it. I guess it’s something I’ll need to think about more. If I could avoid it, I wouldn’t want to tame her against her will.”

Leafa reached out to grab Eran’s hand and returned to his side. She gave the young adventurer a genuine smile, seemingly pleased with his answer.

“Interesting. You truly are a special one, Eran. I am even more confident in my decision to request your help.” Lady Elizabeth took on a serious tone and clasped her hands together. “Something precious was stolen from my family, and I cannot safely retrieve it without putting the rest of my house in harm’s way. That is why you are needed, brave adventurer.”

Eran tightened his grasp around Leafa’s hand. Hearing Lady Elizabeth’s request made him uncomfortable. Deep within himself, a voice told him that he was unworthy of the task; that it would be more dangerous than he could handle. For the time being, all he could do was probe for more information. “Do you know who it was that stole from you?”

“I do not, though I can think of several people within Oakwood who find my existence troubling.” Elizabeth stepped forward, a defiant flame burning within her eyes. “Please, Eran. I beseech you to help me reclaim that which they stole.”

The self doubt within Eran continued to feed on itself. He had only just begun his new life, and despite becoming one of the most prolific classes, a monster girl tamer, he hadn’t cast a single tamer spell. Eran felt that it was too early for him to take on a quest that carried so much importance behind it. The hopeful gaze that Lady Elizabeth stared at him with did not inspire confidence either, but fear.

“Nima.” A soft, raspy voice spoke out. Leafa curled her fingers around Eran’s hand, her fingertips gently caressing the back of it. She looked up at the young adventurer and repeated herself. “Nima!” It was yet another foreign word, but this time Eran felt its meaning. The monster girl’s gaze challenged him, asking if he had the courage to accept.

Eran’s chest tightened. He didn’t know if he could help the Trentmoor family recover their stolen item. If Elizabeth’s enemies went after him, he was unsure if he would be able to defend against them. The only thing Eran was certain of was that he did not want to betray the look Leafa was giving him. “Alright, I’ll do it. What was it that they stole from you?”

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. Her tense features melted away into a small, grateful smile. “A gemstone in the shape of an acorn. It has a green hue and shines brilliantly in the light. You cannot mistake it for anything else.”

“Finding something like that might be difficult, especially if the thief were to sell it. Do you have any clues at all on where it could be?” Eran asked.

“Whoever took it still has it in their possession. That is something I know for certain.” Lady Trentmoor balled her fists and made a lamentable expression. Frustration was written plain on her face as the solemn mask began to crack. “That seed is a family heirloom that has been entrusted to me by my late parents, and theirs before them. They know how dear it is to this family, and so they are holding it hostage. So long as they carry it, they know I cannot strike against them.” Elizabeth closed her eyes shut. Her brows furrowed as she held back the tears that began to form.

Cedric stepped forward and held out a handkerchief to his master. “Do not blame yourself, my lady. The thief is the only one we may allow ourselves to condemn.”

Lady Elizabeth held her hand out to deny the offered cloth. She recentered herself with a deep breath and returned to her stoic self. “It was my responsibility, Cedric. One that I have failed. That is why I will not hesitate to cast away my pride.” She placed both hands over her chest and bowed her head to Eran. “Though it pains me to place my burden onto another, I am grateful for your help. You have not only rescued my retainer, but given me your cooperation. Five gold coins is hardly a worthy reward, and so if there is anything else you may desire I shall grant it to you.”

Eran was overwhelmed. He had never wanted anything aside from becoming an adventurer, and that was something already achieved. He had no need for riches nor favors, so he asked for the first thing that came to his mind. “If I’m allowed anything, then I’d like to be able to visit your garden with Leafa.” He looked past Elizabeth and beyond the glass wall, taking in the sight of the flowers once more. Though there was nothing he wanted for himself, he remembered the look of longing Leafa had as they walked past the beautiful arrangements.

The monster girl’s head snapped up to Eran, her eyes widened and jaw dropped to form an incredulous look. She tugged on his arm in an attempt to get him to change his mind before it was too late.

Elizabeth had a look of shock on her face too, but it broke shortly after with a feminine laugh. “How amusing. Very well, then.” She clapped her hands together and gave the pair a warm smile that melted away the solemn atmosphere. “Sir Cedric, please fetch Sir Eran a suitable reward. In the meantime, you and your monster girl companion may enjoy my garden to your hearts’ content. Any day you wish, at any time, my garden is yours.”

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Eran followed after Leafa as she ran to each of the flowerbeds. Seeing her cheerfully giggling and pointing out her favorites amongst the flowers brought a warmth to his heart. It reminded him of the time Wendy had begged to visit Greenhorn Village in order to see the farm animals. Unbridled glee was plain on her face as she dashed from animal to animal, and Leafa was not behaving differently. Of course, Eran also enjoyed the flowers. There were many shapes and colors he had never envisioned a flower being able to possess, and yet they existed. He wondered how many other types of flowers were out in the world, and where. Eran wanted to see them all, but that was something he could never accomplish if he remained within the Trent domain.

“Guess I’ll have to leave eventually. Once we’re done here we’ll probably split ways too, huh?” Eran looked down at Leafa, who froze as she reached out to delicately caress her fingers across the flower petals.

Leafa looked back at Eran, tilting her head in confusion.

“Aren’t you going back to the forest after this?” Eran asked.

The monster girl shook her head. “I’m with you.” She pointed at the young man and spoke out in her raspy voice.

“Wait, you actually want to stay with me?”

“Not wanted?” Leafa pointed to herself as she asked.

Eran reached out to pat the monster girl on the head, her leaves rustling from the gentle affection. “It’s not that, I’m just surprised. If you want to keep following me around, I don’t mind.”

A slight blush reddened Leafa’s cheeks. “Partners?” She asked.

“Sure! We can be partners. Just like with those bandits, I’ll be counting on you from now on.” Eran gave Leafa a bright smile.

Leafa grabbed both of Eran’s hands and took them into her own. She interlocked their fingers, their palms pressed together as she held their hands up and stared up into his eyes. “Laamu et Leafa. Leafa sim Eran.” The monster girl squeezed Eran’s hands as she continued on. “Eran sim Leafa. Repeat.”

The young adventurer nodded his head. He didn’t know what she was doing, but it seemed important to her. “Eran sim Leafa.”

“Dyndrophos.”

“Dyndrophos.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Eran felt a gentle wind surround him and Leafa. It was warmer than the sun that witnessed their ritual and softer than the flowers that heard their vows.

“Now we are treemates. Dyndrophos.” Leafa let go of her new partner’s hands, running off to continue her tour of the garden.

Eran rested a hand over his chest. He felt a unique warmth that he had never experienced, and the wind felt clearer to him than ever before.

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Back in the manor’s audience hall, a lone woman stood by the window and gazed out toward her garden. She held her hands together, her finger lightly caressing the ring she wore.

“The dyndrophos ritual. How adorable,” she said.

“He reminds you of him, does he not?” The woman’s butler stepped up to the window, watching the adventurer and his monster girl companion as well.

“Clever as always, Cedric. You saw right through me. Was it naive of me to trust him so easily?”

“Of course not, my lady. Your judgement is as sharp as ever.”

The woman walked over to her desk. She picked up a lone picture frame and wiped off the tiny bit of dust that had gathered along the top of it. “It’s been nearly a year since I’ve last seen my husband. The corruption in this country must run far deeper than either of us imagined.”

“We live in uncertain times, though I am certain my lord is doing everything in his power to root out the sources of unease within our domain.” The butler said.

“Of that, I have no doubts.” The woman smiled as she set the picture frame back down. She faced the garden once more, and the sight of it made the corners of her lips widen even further. “I believe those two have had enough time to themselves. You may present them with their reward, and be sure to wish them well.”