Celes Toys with Lucia

The source of the smoke turned out to be a small village — or maybe ‘settlement’ would be better? There were only about ten houses, all close together in the middle of a forest.

An old woman carrying a water bucket noticed us, and asked us with a dubious voice, “Who’re ye two?”

“We’re travelers,” Sir Celes replied.

“Don’t look much like travelers, carryin’ nothin’.” She gave us a look. “Where’re ye from? Who are ye?”

Hmm, it’s true that we looked suspicious with no belongings. Two people in light clothing with empty hands... We’re nothing if not suspicious!

“We’re on our way to the Vatis Capital, Hirsch, from the Kingdom of Banfield. We ended up falling off a cliff and into a raging river. I managed to dry us off with the bit of wind magic I can use, but we lost everything we had with us.”

“Really? What’re ye goin’ to the capital for?”

“To see a friend named Boccardo.”

It seemed that he was going to hide that we were members of the Sacred Maiden’s party. I would have to ask him why later.

The old woman didn’t seem to believe us, and walked slowly over to us after putting down her bucket. Being thoroughly inspected from head to toe didn’t feel very nice. “Hmmm? So this girlie is with you? Don’t look like siblings to me.”

“We aren’t.”

“Boy... Are ye a slave trader? Scary, havin’ one with such a nice face.”

She thinks Sir Celes is a human trafficker! I was about to try to correct her, but Sir Celes stopped me. I guess he wants to do it himself?

Putting an arm around my shoulder, he smiled and said, “She’s my wife.”

I looked at him, shocked.

“Doesn’t look like she knew that.” Apparently I had it written on my face, because she pointed that out meanly. Ugh, she knows we don’t have our story straight!

“We just eloped, so she’s still not used to it.”

“Ah, is that so. Must’ve been a difference in social status, huh. Yer wearin’ some nice stuff. Geez, if she’s yer wife, ye’d better get her some better clothes.”

“I want to, but I came and took her in the middle of the night. She’s still wearing what she was wearing then.”

Sir Celes, that’s...not a very good excuse. I think we’d be more believable if we just told the truth. And saying we’re married? Really!? That is completely unnecessary! You should’ve just said that we’re half-siblings!

Watching me dart my eyes, the old woman sighed, “Whatever. Neither of ye look good, so I can at least make ya some warm tea. Even if yer a bad guy, I’ve got nothin’ worth stealin’ in my house, and even if ye kill me, it’ll just mean I can see my dead husband again.”

Now that she mentioned it, I noticed that her hair was cut short above her shoulders.

In Banfield, women who died or were widowed had their hair cut short in order to give the dead something to trade on their last journey. I wonder if it’s the same in the Vatis Duchy? I heard that we all speak the same language, but it would be nice if small things like that were the same, too.

“Thank you. I’ll carry your bucket,” Sir Celes said, and I followed up with, “Thank you very much!”

“Alright, I’ll leave ’em to ye, then. Ah, but can ye fill it from the well first? Yer a man. Help an old lady out.”

“Of course. Where’s the well?”

Thankful that we’d met such a generous old woman, we followed after her.