“The Mountain Village.”

We stand side by side, before the outskirts of the village, lined with small houses and a well.

Beneath the setting sun, a  woman plays with her child, chasing them around; her long brown hair, raveled into a loose braid, sways with each spring she takes—she stops as her child rushes to her, pointing in our direction.

The woman's eyes widen with fear as she holds her child close.

Jorvain opens his mouth to speak—but she recognizes him—

“J-Jorvain Alberchet! “

She exclaims.

“Ah, yes, that’s me. We didn’t mean to startle you; we’ve just arrived at this village after a tedious trip. If it’s not too much trouble, we’d appreciate your hospitality.”

He says, bowing his head.

“Of course! You’re all adventurers! And adventurers deserve hospitality, don’t they, Anika?”

She says with a warm smile, looking down at her daughter, who stands close to her thighs, gripping her dress nervously.

“You must all be so tired! Follow me; I’ll help you with whatever you need.”

We all glance at each other, relieved. We follow her into the village.

Maelis wobbles, resting against Emrys for balance. The little girl turns back, pointing at them

“Mommy, are they okay?”

Her mother glances back, smiling softly.

“They’re tired, honey; they’ve come a long way, it seems.”

“We have.”

Emrys says

“A long, long way.”

Dain stumbles, groaning in exhaustion

“I’ll help you!”

The girl shouts, rushing to him

“Oh, Honey! Anika, wait!”

Her mother calls out to her

But she’s already grabbed hold of Dain’s hand to “help” him walk.

He hesitates, but walks with her. Taking off his helmet, he lifts her up.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry. She has no manners; you’re already exhausted.”

“It’s okay, she’s as light as a feather.”

Dain says with a small smile, looking back at the girl.

The girl giggles and hugs his armor. Her mother smiles.

“Before I give you a tour of the town, please take a drink from our well; you’re probably parched!”

“Thank goodness!”

Maelis exclaims

“Not so fast!”

Emrys shouts, grabbing them by the back of their robes

“Dain drinks first; he’s exhausted.”

“Fine.”

Maelis mutters.

After we’ve all had a drink, the tour begins

“My name is Serena; my daughter's name is anika.

She says with a sweet smile, kissing her daughter on the forehead.

“Aww!”

Jorvain and Dain say in sync. Dain then looks away with a cough.

“This is the mountain town of Acedia. If you’re one of the king's attributes, you must be on your way to defeat Acedia. Right?”

Serena asks, looking back to confirm.

Acedia, the Prince Of Sloth. Each town ruled by one of the Royalties shares its name, shaped by the presence of their ardor, stretching over the village.

My hometown, ruled by the Prince of Greed, suffered from poverty.

“That’s right, we took a shortcut to be here, and we’ll be on our way shortly.”

Jorvain answers with a nod.

“A shortcut, oh my, what kind?”

She asks curiously.

“The uphill, scary cave kind.”

Maelis answers, eyeing Emrys, who looks away, acting clueless.

“Wow! No wonder you’ve been assigned as one of the king’s attributes! What bravery! Our people made the path around the cave specifically to avoid it.” Serena says, sounding impressed, unknowingly putting salt in the wound.

“You don’t say.”

Dain says sarcastically.

“Have you considered investing in a sign?”

Emrys asks with a sheepish smile.

“Hm, no, not really; it’s just that we didn’t expect anyone to go into a creepy cave willingly. “ Serena answers, casually gutting Emrys.

“Fair...”

Emrys mutters with a sigh.

We carry on through the town; it’s small, but the further in we go, the livelier it gets.

People stand on ladders and hang decorations—the delicious aroma of all sorts of foods mixing and wafting through the air. The festivity is undeniable.

People even wave as we walk by; some squeal and point, most likely at the sight of Jorvain. Everyone knows Jorvain Alberchet—even the people of this tiny mountain village.

Although I guess the older people didn’t.

“Wow, this really was the village the man on the mountain mentioned.”

Emrys states, waving back to the villagers as we pass them

“But these people are so kind and polite.”

I state, thinking back to the people before; I shudder.

“Do you think they know us?”

Maelis asks.

“Dunno.”

Dain responds, absentmindedly, making a silly face at the little girl to make her giggle.

“Of course they do.”

Serena says sweetly.

“The great Hero Jorvain Alberchet, you're the one who inspired my husband to be a hero; he used to get excited just thinking about fighting all the Demon Royalties beside you.”

“Really?”

Jorvain says with wide eyes.

“Does that come as a surprise?”

Serena laughs.

“I guess it shouldn’t; I’m honored.”

Jorvain says in a tone that sounds almost shy—running his fingers through his long, wavy hair nervously.

“I’d love to meet him.”

He adds with a small smile.

“He would’ve loved that too, but he passed a while ago; He died fighting the King Pride. I told him Superbia was too strong; he hadn’t been defeated in decades. And surely enough, a year or so after my husband passed, Pride disappeared. Ah, but he’s in a better place now.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Emrys says with furrowed brows.

“But I didn’t know that rumor was true, that Pride’s really disappeared from his palace.”

She says in disbelief.

I had heard the rumors as well; they began circulating about two years ago. The people of Superbia celebrated, free from the effects of his ardor, but the king was terrified.

“I believe it to be true, yes. As for why, who can really say?”

Serena says with a somber look in her eyes.

“What do you think, Jorvain?—

“Jorvain? What’s wrong?”

Emrys says, looking back at Jorvain, who stands still with his head low.

“I’m sorry, Serena...for your loss. I wish I... I wish I had been there to save him.”

Jorvain says, looking up into Serena’s eyes.

“Don’t be sorry; I’m sorry to have bogged the mood down. He really did love you. And he was a great hero, just like you. I bet he’s smiling in heaven right now.”

She says with a bittersweet smile.

He nods his head, catching up to the rest of us. Dain pats him on the head; Anika copies him and does the same, and Jorvain smiles.

“Think he’s up there with Agenes? “

Jorvain asks.

“Um, yeah…Yeah, I think so.”

Maelis says with a small smile.

“Hm?”

Serena asks.

“Nothing.”

Jorvain says with a smile.

***

“Uh, can I ask what this festival is for?”

I say as I look around at all the decorations.

“The anniversary of my husband's death. His name was Smith. It’s been two years now.”

She says with a gentle smile

“Papa’s birthday!”

Anika exclaims, clapping her hands.

Her mother laughs.

“That’s beautiful.”

Maelis says

“I think so too.”

Serena agrees.

“Now that we’ve reached the town square, what do you say we get you all some supplies? I noticed you don’t have a horse or a wagon; you must be traveling on foot, but surely that’s going to be a struggle the further you go.”

“It’s already a struggle now.”

Maelis groans.

“We would love that!”

Jorvain exclaims.

“Especially the wagon part.”

Dain adds.

“You, uh, you wouldn’t happen to have any maps, would you?”

Emrys says with a sheepish smile.

“Of course! “

Serena exclaims as she walks to the ginormous bell in the center of the village.

“Oh my!”

A nearby villager exclaims in fear.

“It’s okay, Drustan, it’s not dangerous; we have visitors! They’re adventurers on a journey to defeat Acedia. The Sol Viridis!”

She says with a smile, ringing the bell.

As the sound reverberates and echoes, the nearby villages pause and turn to see the source. Soon they’re all gathering round.

“It’s the Sol Viridis! “

“It’s Jorvain Alberchet! “

The crowd exclaims in awe.

“Hi everyone!”

Jorvain shouts, waving and smiling at the crowd.

“They’ll only be staying for a bit, but in honor of today's festival and their brave journey, let’s shower them with plenty of gifts and kind words, okay? Let’s go, everyone! “

She shouts, full of passion.

“Yeah!”

The crowd shouts in sync.

And next thing we know, people are shoving all sorts of gifts into our arms, food, supplies, bags of herbs and—

“Maps! So many maps! “

Emrys exclaims with pure joy

“What wonderful people! “

“What’s the meaning of all this!”

We all pause, turning in the direction of the voice.

My eyes widen in horror—

“It’s the old man!—

“Father!”

Serena exclaims, full of joy. “

“Grandpa! “

Anika shouts from Dain's arms as he lowers her to the ground. She rushes to the old man, hugging his legs.

“Her father?!”

Emrys exclaims in disbelief

“So then Serena was the daughter he was trying to get back to…

Jorvain says, everything clicking in his head.

“You!”

The old man shouts with rage.

“You!!”

Emrys shouts back with even more rage.

“You…two know each other?”

Serena asks, confused.

“Not by choice! Your father almost ran us off a cliff! “

Emrys shouts, her hands on her hips.

“And crushed half of our rations and made the other half fall off the cliff! “

Maelis adds, still mourning our lost supplies.

“Father! “

Serena shouts in disbelief.

“Now, now, that isn’t true! I didn’t run them off the mountain! And I wouldn’t have crushed their things had they moved when I asked! What kinda morons—

“We didn’t know other people took that shortcut! And you didn’t even give us time to move! You were rude and extremely disrespectful!”

Emrys barks, pointing her finger at him.

“Disrespectful? How dare you! I was nothing but patient! And your friend there tried to shove me! “

He shouts back, spit flying from his open mouth!

“Enough!”

Serena and Jorvain yell in sync.

***

“Apologize, Dad. These people are great adventurers. That’s Jorvain Alberchet, for Pete’s sake! “

Serena says, scolding her father.

“Well, I didn’t know that!”

He shouts, annoyed.

“And that doesn’t explain why they were sleeping on my mountain! “

“Father!”

Serena says, placing her hands on her hips

“Your father has a point; we should have known better than to sleep on that path, whether we knew people lived near or not. "

Jorvain says with a sigh.

“Jorvain.”

Emrys whines, clearly not completely agreeing with him.

“That doesn’t excuse his attitude! He should have known better.”

Serena says.

“I’m sorry, all right! Can we go now? We still have planning to do for tonight!”

The man barks.

“I’ll see to it. You stay in, apologize, and make sure they get the best horse and wagon we have, please. Come on anika.”

Serena says in a stern tone, bending down to pick up her daughter. She waves goodbye as she turns on her heel and walks away.

“Bye bye!”

Anika shouts from her mother's shoulders.

We stand in awkward silence.

“Ahem.”

Jorvain grunts.

“What are you all gawking at?! You want your horse or not?”

He shouts, muttering under his breath in frustration.

“Uh, yes sir.”

I reply, sweating.

“Follow me then.”

He grunts.

“You know you really are very rude.”

Emrys says, sounding very offended.

“You don’t say.”

He replies, with little care behind his words.

“Let’s just all get along.”

Jorvain says, chiming in.

Now that Anika’s gone, with a roll of his eyes, Dain puts his helmet on, while Maelis hugs the abundant bag of herbs in their arms with joy.

We walk through the town, following the old man to the stalls.

As we pass more people, they wave and greet him.

“Hey Arne! How’s the festival coming along?”

“Fantastic as always, Bjorn. I look forward to seeing you at the lantern show.”

“Lantern show?”

Jorvain asks, a curious glint appearing in his green eyes.

“It’s the main event of the festival.”

The old man, apparently named Arne, says, rolling his eyes.

“For my daughter's late husband.”

He says with a gentle sigh.

“That’s beautiful. I’m sorry for your loss; he sounded like a great person.”

I say softly.

“You bet my brittle bones he was; only man there was good enough for my daughter. Not even Jorvain Alberchet, the Great Hero, could live up to his love for my daughter; his skill could've used some work, though.”

He laughs, bittersweetly.

Emrys mutters under her breath but doesn’t bother to speak up.

I glance at Jorvain, but he’s just smiling, with a soft look in his eyes.

“Here we are, just a moment—Clement!”

He shouts in front of the stall, over the sound of neighing horses.

“Clement!—

“Comin'!”

He shouts back from behind the counter.

Emerging from behind the counter is an old man with a big beard and a smile on his face.

“Arne! What brings you here? I see you brought friends—Jorvain Alberchet! You’re Jorvain Alberchet.”

He exclaims, his eyes wide with awe.

“That’s me. It’s nice to meet you.”

Jorvain says with a sheepish smile.

“They aren’t my friends, you fool; they’re my daughter's guests, and I’m here to give them a wagon and horse, your finest.”

“On it! “

Clement says, practically bolting into the back of his stall.

A moment later, he’s pulling a magnificent horse by its lead from the stall, a wagon at its rear.

“This here is our finest wagon and horse. Reserved only for the most heroic of heroes. Like Jorvain Alberchet.”

It’s not hard to tell the wagon’s high quality from just a glance, the way the wheels gleam in the light, the condition of the wood.

And the horse—

“It’s beautiful!”

Jorvain exclaims with joy.

“Does she have a name? “

He asks.

“No name, Your Greatness; you can decide for yourself.”

He says, patting the horse’s side with a smile.

“Agnes Junior Smith! After the late Agenes and Mr Smith!”

He exclaims, full of passion.

“Are we…allowed to do that?”

Maelis asks.

“That’s…why that’s a marvelous name! “

We all turn around with wide eyes to see Arne smiling from ear to ear.

“I love it.”

He says.

“I’m glad!”

Jorvain beams.

Arne sighs, crossing his arms behind his back.

“I’m sorry for the mountain. There was no need for such horrible treatment. I probably put an unbearable burden on you, and for that, I can’t apologize enough. I was just in such a hurry to return home and help my sweet Serena. This day is…so hard for her, and she panics when I leave the village because she worries for my safety.”

He frowns.

“Still, it’s no excuse. I hope you can take that wagon and horse, along with anything else you need, as an apology. I can tell you made my Serena smile today, and I may not have been able to do so myself otherwise.”

“That’s enough. You’re forgiven; all me and my team ask is for your forgiveness as well.”

Jorvain says sternly, but gently, smiling with compassion.

“If, if you insist, then of course I can forgive you for your foolishness as well.”

He says with a grin.

“I suppose I…can apologize as well. I hadn’t considered how much of a hurry you were in, even if you were rude.”

Emrys says reluctantly, looking away with a tad of pettiness.

“Same here.”

Maelis agrees.

“Ah, I’m sorry as well. I didn’t, uh, mean to disrespect you or your sister.”

I croak.

“Hmph.”

He huffs.

Guess that means the apology doesn’t extend to me.

We all turn to Dain.

“I’m starving.”

He says bluntly, his stomach growling in agreement.

***

“This here is Acedia’s mountain pub. Best place there is to rewind and rejuvenate your ardor and strength. “

Arne says with a proud grin, standing before a small, cozy-looking pub with a dark brown brick roof.

“Well then, “

Jorvain says with a grin, placing his hand on his hip

“Who's ready to relax and eat something yummy? “

“Me.”

Dain says, taking off his helmet and holding it at his side. He raises his hand, his voice lacking the same hunger as his eyes.

“Same here!”

Maelis adds.

“I could eat.”

I chime in.

“Just try not to get drunk this time. “

Emrys pleads.

“No promises! “

Jorvain says with a cheeky grin.

And with that, we enter the mountain pub.

End.