Valleys of Time

02.𝓐 𝓛𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝓑𝖔𝔂 𝖔𝖗 𝖆 𝓨𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖌 𝓜𝖆𝖓?

"What do you mean? What if I'm just from another region or something?"

I asked worriedly.

He then started laughing like tomorrow would never come. And this continued for almost a whole minute. At the time he finally stopped, his eyes pierced at me. It felt like I was hit with daggers.

He continued to speak saying,

"First of all, anyone would know that you are not from here due to what you are wearing. Second, you don't have wings, horns, tails, scales, or anything that defines that you're from here. Not even a little feather or something."

He emphasized the last sentence.

"Third, Someone from here would know that those berries, that you were trying to eat, works like poison when eaten. And should never be played with nor eaten. And lastly, even if you were miraculously from here, with no unique features, no idea about the berries and you just wanted to try a new look for a change, you would have an enchantment. Since you look like someone above 18. Or maybe you aren't?"

The boy made me question everything as quickly as that.

Yet, the only thing I could say at that time was.

"Yes, I am above 18..."

And his sharp, piercing eyes became sparkling, glowing ones in an instant.

"Madam if you may?"

He asked. While motioning his pointer finger, in a circle, in the air, telling me to turn around. I was confused at this point. Nonetheless, I still took the hint to turn around. He also asked me to count to five.

"You may begin counting now madam!"

He said in a cheerful tone. And so I did.

"One... Two..."

I counted, curious of what was happening behind me since he was silent and there was a warm breeze coming from behind me.

"Three... Four..."

It was still quite silent but the breeze has stopped and instead I heard a rubber band being stretched.

"Five..."

And that's when I heard a young man's voice calling out to me,

"You may turn around again madam."

His voice was deep and soothing to listen to. Though it was obvious that he smiling. Who was it? As far as I remember I was talking to a little boy.

And so I turned around, shocked to see what was now in front of me. I was greeted by a man, much taller than me. It seemed like he had brown medium-lengthened hair that was tied in a ponytail. He had a slight scar on his left eye. He had ethereal blue, crystal eyes. And his lips were forming a little smile. He indeed did remind me of someone. But it also looked like he had little HORNS on his head? The little boy I met didn't have any, so who is this?

As I was standing there, staring at him. He asked,

"Madam, are you alright?"

He had a concerned look on his face.

"Ah, were you calling me?"

I asked in confusion, as I was lost in thought when he questioned.

"Yes I was, is there... Anything wrong?"

He continued to question.

"Where is the little boy that was with me a while ago? Who are you? Why do you have horns? Why are you so friendly towards a stranger?"

I answered with a couple of questions.

As soon as he took in what I said, he started laughing hard. Now I'm certain that he does remind me of a little boy I met a while ago. This went on for a couple of seconds again. Till his sharp eyes met mine. He came closer to me until he was towering over me. Then he slightly bent down and said,

"I'll tell you everything when we get to the council."

His sharp eyes turned to crescents when he said that. I am still really confused. And this was when he turned around. He started walking and said,

"Come along, Madam...?"

I then questioned and said,

"Why should I trust you? We just met a minute ago You might hold me imprisoned here. Or even worse you might feed me to some creatures. And what council are you talking about?"

He then said,

"Well, you won't find anyone else here that you could trust. I don't even think people would even try talking to you. And I may find answers to all your questions."

He was tempting me, and it also seemed like I didn't have any other choice. For this place seemed like a dense forest. I wouldn't want to spend my time here.

"So shall we get going, madam...?"

He questioned. I answered back saying,

"Latil, Latil Vivienne."

I answered.

"And yours?"

I asked hoping for an answer.

"It's Seft, Seft Kein."