Noral Village II

All nations of the continent, Falfor, were once part of one empire. However, after that empire broke apart, differences in perspectives and cultures caused the language to change. Although the common language was used all over the continent, spoken and written variations of the language also existed. Carolyn hadn't known why her mother taught her most of these variations during her study sessions, but that knowledge came to be of use here.

At first glance, the book appeared to hold simple text, but it was written in a code made by mixing variations of the common language. As this mixture was something her mother had already taught her, Carolyn was able to decode the text fairly easily. Although the entries were written in chronological order, Carolyn found the book to be closer to an observation log than a diary. Details about places and events were written clearly, but names of people were omitted or disguised. It would probably be of great use if she decided to follow her dream of exploring the outside world, but Carolyn wasn't interested in that at this time.

"Is this really all that you left for me?"

Grateful but also disappointed, Carolyn flipped through the pages until she reached the most recent entry. It was dated on the day their family was split apart.

"Lyn, if you're reading this, then I'll likely have left this world. There's so much more that I wanted to teach you, but there's not enough time. I should have told you a very important story before I left, so all I'll say here is that no matter what choice you make, your father and I will always support you.

Live well, my most precious and marvelous treasure.

With love,

Mom."

Before she knew it, tears had fallen from her eyes and landed on the page. Carolyn turned the book over and tried to wipe away her tears, but it was of no use. They simply wouldn't stop. They went on and on, with no one to stop them.

"Mom..."

Nearly an hour later, Carolyn heard Atla knock on the door, so she immediately tried to wipe her eyes and face.

"It's Atla."

"Oh, yes. You can come in."

Atla didn't hear anything from outside the door, so she was very surprised when she looked at Carolyn.

"Lyn, you okay?"

"? What do you mean?"

"Your eyes—they're so red and puffy."

"Oh. I'm sorry, but could you ignore it?"

Without answering Carolyn's request, Atla approached and pulled her head to her innocent chest.

"You can keep crying. Just pretend that I'm a pillow over your face."

Oddly enough, Carolyn's self-control weakened due to her embrace, and the tears she thought she had stopped came bursting out once more. Atla gently rubbed her back as she wailed, and eventually Carolyn fell asleep.

Over the course of the next few days, Carolyn studied the observation log and the maps in her mother's bag. After reading her mother's message and crying her heart out, she was finally ready to make her next move. Although she didn't think her parents' would be upset with her for living in the village, she didn't forget about the story her mother told her and the choice that she would have to make one day. Considering how much her mother stressed it, Carolyn knew it had to be something very important, so she didn't want to avoid it if possible.

The morning after she had memorized most of the book's content, Carolyn asked Teri for permission to leave the house. Teri encouraged it since light exercise would be beneficial, and sought out Atla to be her guide. When Atla arrived later that day, having already been asked by Teri to show Carolyn around, Carolyn was dressed in a simple blouse and pants, with her hair tie serving as a bracelet. Outside the room she used was the kitchen and dining area, and beyond that was the village. As soon as she left the house, Carolyn had to raise her hand to defend herself against the blindingly hot sun.

"How you feeling, Lyn? Should I go ask Teri for a big hat?"

"No, it's just been a while since I've been in the sun like this. I'll get used to it once we start walking."

"Okay! Then follow me."

The village plots were smaller than the farms of farming villages, most likely only for self-sufficiency. The village she lived in was similar, but less people farmed since they could rely on the forest for sustenance. Teri was in his field outside his house, so they greeted him as they passed by.

"You can stay out for lunch, but make sure to return before dinner."

"Yes, I'll make sure not to lose track of time."

"You can count on me, Doc."

After passing Teri, the two headed towards the village square, where most of the village houses were built. To get there from Teri's place, they had to pass a couple fields, and on a bright day like this, these fields were naturally populated with villagers doing farm work. However, some of these villagers found it hard to focus while they were around.

Atla had gotten used to it, but as a recovering patient, Carolyn had the appearance of a delicate fairy, quite unlike the strong and lively women of the village. Her presence encouraged them to do all they could to protect and impress her, but these hard-working men didn't help the women's impression of Carolyn. The general details of her situation were already well known among the villagers, and if it had been a couple days ago, they would have felt sympathy for her, but the latest gossip changed their views.

According to someone who was a relative of someone's relative, Hanson spent an entire night at Teri's place, and the next day he looked like he hadn't slept a wink. If it weren't for the lack of evidence and everyone's trust in Teri, a few nosy aunts would have certainly paid her a visit.

As they walked through the fields, Carolyn could sense how she was being viewed by the villagers, but she kept herself restrained with a wry smile. As she was an outsider, it was hard to expect that everyone would be as welcoming as Teri, Hanson, and Atla, but she did feel a little disappointed. As for the admiring gazes she received from men, she had learnt how to ignore them from her mother, so they didn't count. It was more than what she was used to in her village, but it was too late to use makeup to hide her beauty, so she decided to endure.

Atla wasn't fully aware of the sorts of gazes targeting Carolyn, but she was perceptive enough to know that the villagers weren't acting like normal. Regretful and upset by their behaviour, Atla apologised.

"I'm sorry, Lyn. I didn't know that they would react like this. We can turn back if you feel too uncomfortable."

"No, I expected this much when I made my request. Besides, I still have you, don't I?"

"Of course!" Atla responded enthusiastically.

Carolyn was fourteen while Atla appeared to be ten, so when Atla held her head and led her forward, Carolyn seemed to be indulging her, but she knew that she was the one saved by Atla's cheerfulness.

The two soon reached the entrance to the village square without any issues, but then they heard the high-pitched voice of a child calling Atla.

"It's sis!"

Atla and Carolyn turned around and found Alan running towards them, with five other children trailing behind.

"Oh, Alan."

"Sis, what are you doing? Let's go play."

Alan grabbed his sister's arm at the same time as he asked, but she was stronger and older than him, so she easily pulled him off.

"I can't. I have to show Lyn around. Oh, Lyn, this is my lil' brother, Alan."

"Nice to meet you, Alan. My name is Carolyn Foyer, but you can just call me Lyn."

Alan was briefly stunned by Carolyn's smile, but he quickly wore a sour expression.

"Alan, why aren't you saying anything? You have to greet Lyn."

"It's fine, Atla."

"But..."

"Yo Atla. Is that the girl you left us for?"

One of the children who had been trailing behind Alan arrived and questioned Atla. He seemed to be the same age as her, but he appeared more of a troublemaker.

"Don't make up such a fuss, Ryan. If you missed me, then you can just say so."

"Wha-?!"

"Haha! Ryan's got a crush on Atla!" shouted another boy among the children.

"I do not! I, I just want to remind her who her friends are. You guys feel the same way too, don't you?"

"Well..."

From their responses, it seemed the other children also wanted to play with Atla more. Carolyn could tell that Atla wasn't against playing, but she kept a firm grasp on Carolyn's hand. This was the first time Atla seemed so much like her age, so Carolyn decided to intervene.