Spread Her Wings

As tears trail down her cheeks, she wipes them dry. She clears the lump bothering her throat.

Baba Lucia and Senya cannot say further but let her cry in silence. Although curious about the reason, they waited for her to calm down and be ready to speak once again.

Later on, she asked. "How far is this village to the Great Kingdom, Baba Lucia?"

Baba Lucia and Senya looked at each other. It was Senya who returned the question as more curious to know everything about her.

"Are you living in the Great Kingdom, sister Harrah?"

Harrah did not respond instantly, but she contemplated what to share with them. Yet, she doesn't like to tell lies, but she keeps her true identity.

"Um, honestly. I remember nothing of being familiar with everything around here. But a shaman read my memories, and he perceives everyone calls me Harrahinah. That's how I learned my name."

Indeed, she has no idea about this world, but she has to tell only half-truths for no further questions.

"Then, you don't know who is your family?"

She nodded. "Maybe, I could get more answers once I go to Asana City. Maybe I could remember something. That is why I may leave soon to look for my friends."

"Do you mean that you have a companion?"

"I have, Baba Lucia. The Caravan said there was a huge storm, and then we separated because of it. But it seems we parted. I have to find them," she answered.

"Would you be okay to travel alone? If you have lost your memories, you must know this continent is now dangerous. It has been 18 years since the king disappeared. It means a lot of dangerous activities going around, especially since the 3000th year's celebration, the founding of the Great Kingdom, is approaching. Bandits would be around."

"Oh, right? My friends were in a hasty. We were in a hurry to arrive in the kingdom to help organize the celebration."

"Wow! It sounded like a huge celebration! I haven't been there yet!" Senya confided.

"You need not mention. I know you wanted to go to that city, and your head began running wild now." Baba Lucia rebuke.

"It's all because you haven't brought me there yet, granny!"

"I cannot travel that far anymore. Look how old I am already."

"Eh!" she twitches her lips in disappointment.

"Hmm… but Harrah, I cannot allow you to leave and go on a journey alone. Still, the good people that left you here need assurance that you will be in good hands."

"Yes, yes! You need company, sister Harrah!" Senya winks at Harrah, which makes her laugh.

"Senya!"

"Granny? I am just suggesting, you know," she pouted.

"Like I haven't perceived that you are recommending yourself."

"Hehe… that could be one thing also," she grins.

"Senya!"

"All right! I'll go and get us tea!"

Senya left, and this gave them to converse properly. Sighing hopelessly, Baba Lucia speaks out.

"Please, I apologize for my granddaughter's behavior."

"There is nothing you have to apologize for, Baba Lucia. Senya is just a witty person."

"Hmm… a witty, indeed. She was like her mother, a cheerful woman full of humor. I know she just wanted to spread her wings and wished to fly like a free-winged beast."

"You worry not because of her behavior but disappointments she may encounter. Is it Baba Lucia? It is what you afraid she would feel one day she stepped outside this village?"

Baba Lucia stunned by her words, then smirks. She already perceives that she is not just a pretty face; her wisdom is more mature than her granddaughter Senya.

"I do."

Harrah smiled. She could relate to it. She also dreamed of spreading her wings and flying on her own… no matter the outcomes, she's determined to carry out the duty her forefathers passed on to her.

* * *

Senya brought her around the town. It was still night in Lorrie Village, with the two moons giving them bright light. Since she can not sleep again, Senya drags her out while Baba Lucia is resting.

She wandered around the central town and learned how their life works with a longer daytime and nighttime.

Some stores open only at night, and stores just open a day—the villager sells alternately.

"Hello, Miss Gimli!" Senya greeted a middle-aged woman who was preparing to open her store.

"Good morning, Senya!" she returned the greetings. "You seem very early today?"

"Ah, I cannot sleep since our guest awake!" she told the woman.

The middle-aged woman, Mrs. Gimli, owned a small store selling fruits and vegetables. She scheduled her store to open five hours before the sun rises and closes the store before sundown.

Sometimes, Senya helps her to watch the store. And then she will give her vegetables and fruits they could have consumed for several days since only the two of them: Baba Lucia, and she, eat up all the foods they receive for free from the villager.

Mrs. Gimli noticed that she was not familiar with her companion. She is new to her eyes.

"Oh, is she that girl, Senya?" she guessed it was the said guest.

Cheerfully, Senya replied. "Yes, it was her, Mrs. Gimli!"

"Oh, gracious! Finally, you woke up!" she talked to Harrahina this time.

"Hello, Madam." Harrah bends her knees and bow partly, gesturing a noble greeting.

"Oh, gracious!" the middle-aged woman blushes, her eyes turning heart shapes. "I was never called by Madam this sweet voice!"

"See? I am right, Mrs. Gimli? She is truly from a wealthy family! Perhaps, a noble!"

"She looks like a princess. She sounded like a well-educated person."

Mrs. Gimli and Senya glanced at Harrah, standing quietly on the side, but eyes seemed to marvel at her surroundings.

"The way she sways her body, she looks like, never been in the slum area. Haha!" Mrs. Gimli laughs in a low tone.

They were peering at Harrah, who curiously scanned the vegetables and fruits displayed in the store. Her eyes are beaming while looking at them, sparkling from excitement.

She picks up one fruit that has a purple color and weighs seven pounds. Not that huge, but considering it great. Scrutinizing its appearance, she could inhale the pleasant aroma of the fruit.

"How it tastes like? Is it sweet? It seems, smells like one!" she asked innocently. Her eyes were glued onto the fruit, so she did not perceive their reaction.

Senya and Mrs. Gimli dropped their jaw; shock smudged on their faces. They weighed whether to laugh or assume that she never visits their kitchen.

"Is something wrong?" Harrah asked, puzzled.

Mrs. Gimli and Senya shook their head. Smiles tore their lips, pretending they weren't shocked at all. They would not make any comment that would embarrass her. Who she seems never knew what kind of fruit that is…

Who doesn't know what kind of fruit it is? They weren't to think their guest had never seen one before, but everyone knew this fruit as it could be found in every corner of this planet.