A new Adventure - 6

Candra set the table with a steaming pot of vegetable stew. It was a simple dish, but she had cooked it to perfection.

“You’ve done so much for us, Grandma Candra, I don’t even know how I could ever pay it back.”

“What are you saying, boy? I do it because I want to.”

“That’s kind of you. But I want you to know, I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for us.” He said, inclining his head.

“And if there’s ever anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“It’s alright.” A smile itself across her face. “You’ve already done a lot, just by being such a kind boy.”

Across the table, Freya watched the exchange in silence. She was surprised by how easily the boy lied without even the slightest hesitation or guilt crossing his face.

On top of that, he possessed a sunshine smile that could warm anyone’s heart.

Just who was this retainer of mine? She thought.

After the meal, Atmik gathered the plates and went to wash them himself.

Despite Candra telling, three times to leave them be, he persisted. He rolled up his sleeves, picked up the water bucket, and continued washing until the old woman finally surrendered with a laugh and went to sit by the hearth.

Freya remained seated on the floor, her eyes distant, as she lost herself in thought. She was still there when the old woman’s voice brought her back.

“Are you worried about tomorrow, Maya?”

The name startled her back to the present. Freya turned her head and found Candra sitting beside her.

“Uhm…no. I mean— yes,” she stammered. “That invitation seemed suspicious.”

Candra reached out and gently took Freya’s face between her wrinkled hands.

“It will be alright.” She murmured softly. “They may be evil and corrupt, but if you two stick together and continue to trust each other, you can overcome whatever they throw at you.”

She smiled warmly.

“...Is that so?”

Freya was caught off guard by the direction the conversation had taken.

“That’s what it means to be married,” The old woman replied, with complete confidence.

Then she withdrew her hands and pressed her palms together.

“As for those wretched guards. I will pray to Hijaukara that they face his divine retribution.”

Freya couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“You really do have a terrible opinion of the Empire knights. Have they done something to you?”

“Huh? Does it show every time I talk about them? How embarrassing.”

The old woman’s expression softened. Then it turned somber.

“I had a son. A bit older than the boy,” She paused.

“I had trouble conceiving, so he was my only child. I was already at an age when many people would have considered it too late to have one. But, my husband and I loved him more than anything in the world.”

A faint smile crossed her lips.

We were adventurers too, you know. Just like you two.”

“But…during one mission, I didn’t go with him.” Her voice grew quieter.

“He died.”

“He was already past his prime. I told him many times that we should quit being adventurers but he was stubborn. He said he wanted his son to have a much easier life than he had.”

Candra looked down at her hands.

“After his death, I quit being an adventurer. Honestly, I started hating the job.” She let out a small, bitter laugh.

“And like that five years went by, I raised my son on my own. It was a little sad, not having him around. But the boy gave me a reason to keep living.”

Her smile faded, as next words escaped her lips.

“But as they say…happiness doesn't last forever.” Tears began to well in her eyes.

“It was three years ago. My son was recruited into an Imperial knight unit. Seeing him dressed in armor, with a sword at his hip… it brought me such joy. He looked just like his father had in his younger days.”

“For half a year, everything was fine.” Candra’s voice trembled.

“Then, one day I received a strange letter addressed in his name. At first it looked like one of his usual monthly letters. But halfway through he began writing strange things.”

She swallowed.

“He said his knight order was hiding something. He said the current king was a puppet and that the empire was doomed if it stayed in hands of such corrupt people.”

Candra lowered her gaze.

“Honestly, He’d his father's sense of justice. That was what worried me.” She wiped at the corner of her eye.

“I didn’t want him fighting for things like justice, you know. I just wanted him to live a long and healthy life.”

“So I wrote back telling him not to trouble himself over such things and to stay away from them.” Her voice broke.

“But after that, I never heard from him again. He just vanished.” Candra’s shoulders trembled.

“I went to the capital. To the knight court. To so many different places. I even met that man, Wijaya.” Her hands clenched.

“He told me he knew nothing”

“I tried everything to find him. Adventurers, magic, prayers.” Her voice faded. “Yet, nothing ever came of it.”

The old woman broke down.

“Sometimes I feel it was my fault.” Tears streamed down her face. “That letter… What if it fell into the wrong hands? Maybe if had never sent it, nothing would have happened to him…”

Freya moved without thinking. She wrapped her arms around the old woman.

“It’s okay," she said, her voice soft. “It wasn’t your fault.” She held tighter. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Freya could feel the old woman’s heartbeat reverberating against her own chest. Gradually, Candra calmed down.

“How embarrassing…” The old woman gave a weak laugh. “Someone as old as me, being comforted by a youngling like you.”

Freya smiled. “It’s okay. Sometimes everyone needs a shoulder,” she said.

For less than a heartbeat, Candra gazed at the beautiful young girl in front of her. Then, she smiled.

“Hu-hu. You are right.” She slowly straightened herself. “Well then, I should be going now. You two need your rest. I’ll sleep in the next room.”

“Ah…okay.” Freya hesitated. “Uh, again, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my…h-hus-ba”

“You’re already heading to sleep, Grandma?” Atmik suddenly cut in, flinging the door open.

“I thought we’d stay up all night talking, since it’s our last night here.”

“Boy, you shouldn’t do that. You need your sleep. Who knows what sinister things those knights have planned for you?”

“Who cares about those good-for-nothing knights? They could drop dead for all I care.”

“Boy, you have a sharp tongue, you know.” Candra shook her head before glancing toward Freya. “But I suppose that’s what makes him attractive.”

She gave Freya a look that seemed to say, "Isn't that why you chose him?"

And like that, she left Atmik and Freya alone in the room.

“...She has a really nice personality,” Atmik murmured.

Freya stared at him in disbelief.

“Why are you staring so intensely like that, princess?”

“It’s Master.” Her voice was soft but firm.

“And I’m simply amazed by how crafty my retainer can be with his words.”

“That’s nothing.” Atmik smirked. “As the amazing retainer that I am, I must tell you that sometimes you have to do whatever you can.”

Freya said nothing. His answer irritated her to no end. Yet, she was also amazed by how effortlessly he could act as though he had something meaningful.

She rubbed her temples, before rising and sitting on the edge of the bed. For a while, she said nothing.

“You heard it all, didn’t you? The conversation we were having.”

“You mean the part where you were trying to act like a humble wife and showing your gratefulness.” Atmik tilted his head. “I must tell you that you are supposed to bow your head to show sincerity.”

“What…no..I didn’t..I mean…” Freya’s face reddened. “Uhh! Forget that!”

“And just so you know…” She puffed out her chest. “Freya Valkyria never bows down.”

“Alright, Alright.” Atmik smiled awkwardly before sighing.

“...How did you find out though?”

“I sensed your presence by the door.”

“You really are incredible.”

“Of course.” Freya raised her chin. “Who do you think I am?”

An haughty princess, Atmik thought, but he kept it to himself.

“I guess I’ll be counting on you to save me tomorrow, then, if things go south.”

“Sure. Those knights are nothing but bugs.” Freya’s confidence returned instantly. “At my full strength, I could take them all on with one hand and still win.”

“Full strength, huh?” He glanced briefly at her legs before looking away.

“In your condition, will you really be all right out there? He paused. “Was I too hasty accepting that invitation?”

“You had no chance.” Freya’s expression hardened. “We should have left before they arrived. That was the only real option.” She placed a hand against her chest. “And now that I’ve awakened, thanks to Gra–that old woman. I’m sure I’ll regain my full strength soon.”

“About that.” Atmik hesitated. “There’s one thing I haven’t told you yet. Something Grandma said to me before.”

“What is it? Freya narrowed her eyes. “As your master, you are not allowed to keep secrets from me.”

“Well…it is only a hypothesis.” He hesitated. “So I wasn’t sure if I should tell you.”

Freya braced herself for truth.

“Grandma told me that most of your physical wounds had already healed when I brought you here.” His expression became more serious. “And she said reason you remained unconscious and weak had something to with something else.”

“...whar does that even mean?”

“Well it’s just a hypothesis and you don’t have to take it seriously.” Atmik looked toward her.

“Remember what you told me about what happened to you and about the strange curse.” His voice lowered.

The topic was something Atmik wished he could avoid but he thought she needed to know what awaited her in the future.

“I think it’s the curse that’s made you lose all your strength.” Freya’s eyes widened slightly.

“I think the curse has been eating you from the inside.” Atmik’s voice became quieter.

“And It’s possible…” He hesitated. “... that you may never regain your full strength.”

The colour drained from Freya’s face. Her fingers tightened around the blanket. Then her body simply folded onto the bed.

Atmik stared at her. “You don’t have to take it seriously,” he said quickly. “I’m only guessing.”

But, Freya didn’t answer. She simply lay there, silent and motionless like a corpse.

Truth to be told, that was how she felt. The thought that the very thing that made her Freya Valkyria had been robbed from her, that it might never return. It had shattered something deep in her heart.

A sense of guilt crept over Atmik. Maybe he shouldn’t have said it. Whatever mental toughness she carried, whatever haughtiness she wore like armour over herself. In the eyes of Atmik, who barely knew her and who wasn’t from this world.

She was just a young beautiful girl, trying not to drown.

He thought about it until his thoughts wore themselves thin. Eventually, he slowly fell asleep in the same place as always, his back against the wall.

The same place where he’d slept for the four days since they arrived.

Morning came out much sooner than Atmik had hoped.

They washed up, gathered their few belongings and prepared to leave the village with the knights. A horse had been prepared for them. It was only a matter of mounting and leaving.

Freya and Atmik hadn’t exchanged a single word since the previous night. It made him feel awkward.

And yet, when he woke up, he’d found a blanket wrapped around himself. He wasn’t sure who had shown him such kindness. He wanted to believe it was Grandma Candra, but when he asked, she’d denied it.

That left Freya…which was impossible to imagine. It must have been a kind-hearted fairy, he decided. Despite not believing in such things.

Currently, he was waiting by the horse watching from a distance as Freya had her final talk with Candra. He wanted to know what they were saying but Freya had given him the glare. The one that meant, don’t you dare butt in.

So he watched, and waited.

“I guess this is goodbye,” Candra said, sadness touched her voice.

“It is.” Freya awkwardly said.

“Uhm…thank you for everything you’ve done for us.” She attempted a bow, but halfway through. The result was a strange position that could be called neither bow nor standing.

Candra laughed softly.

“Hu-hu. It’s ok. Watching you two brought back some wonderful memories.”

“Uh…” Freya hesitated, deceiving the old woman, of all people suddenly felt strangely difficult.

“Here, Take it.” Candra pressed something into her hands, a necklace with a blue crystal.

“We found this during my adventure days, my husband and I.” She smiled faintly. “He had it made into a necklace for me, and I’ve worn it ever since.” Her fingers lingered on the crystal. “But I think it’s time it moved on to a new generation.

“But…Ican’t accept this.” Freya tried to hand it back. “It must be a precious memento.”

“It is.” Candra smiled. “Which is exactly why I’m giving it to you.”

“But I…”

“It’s alright. Don’t overthink it.” The old woman’s eyes crinkled. “I know life is uncertain.” She gently closed Freya’s fingers around the necklace.

“Besides, just like you, I have special eyes, you know.” Freya looked at her. “You too will be fine.” Candra smiled. “Great things are ahead of you.”

She paused.

“One more thing.”

Freya waited for her to finish.

“Protect him.” Candra glanced toward Atmik. “You’re the stronger one, aren’t you.”

“I…” Freya looked down at the necklace. “I don’t think I can.” Her voice was quiet. “Not right now. Even if I wanted to.”

“No.” Candra’s answer came without hesitation, as if she could see Freya's future. “You can.”

Freya looked up.

“You’ll grow far stronger. I know it.” The old woman smiled. “Trust yourself.” She gently patted Freya’s hand.

“It's a big world out there.” Then her smile widened. “And it’s a new adventure.”

Freya, who had always believed there was little of value in a commoner’s words, found herself unable to dismiss them.

She waved her hand and smiled, holding a necklace against her chest. Then she turned and walked.

Toward Atmik, toward the horse, toward the hunt.

Toward a new adventure.