shhh, don't let them know I like gold. (II)

With both of us finished with our meal, he directed me to his room. He had a candle in hand as it lit up the darkness. They were one only bed that looked very comfortable and the other that was more like a hammock with a pillow and a blanket. His room would be considered a classical boys room with wooden toy monsters and wooden swords. For someone his age, it was a bit odd.

"You can have my bed."

For a moment, what he said surprised me. This kid was actually kind enough to give up a comfy bed. I thought he was all teeth and claws this whole time with his rude demeanor, but they were some good qualities for the moment.

"You sure?"

"Yea. Take it before I change my mind." Phil stubbornly stated. He was changing out of his clothes as if I was not there with his back against me. He did not care if he stripped half-naked in front of me.

I did not have any extra clothes with me, nor did I feel like getting out of the comfortable clothes that I had on. Instead, I got up on the soft bed and snuggled in.

Hmm....this bed was not as comfortable as the bed back at the castle, but it would do. I couldn't help but think this was like some kind of sleepover with friends, but Phil was not a friend, more like an acquaintance I met today, and somehow became a part of his family.

"Hey, Phil," I called out.

Phil blew out the candle and got up into the hammock. I could hear the squeaking like sound that the hammock made as he got comfortable.

"What?"

"Can you tell me more about this world."

"...."

"I would appreciate it if you could help me out." With the best girly voice that I could muster.

For a moment, there was no sound except Phil breathing. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, tell me first about the Forgotten Forest. Why is it called that?"

"I can't believe you don't know anything about where you live. Fine." Phil turned over towards me and began to speak. "The reason why it's called the Forgotten Forest is because there is no information known about the forest. Everything about the forest is considered a mystery. They say a thick fog comes by every year, making it impossible to travel through. The fog stays in the air for six days and disappears like smoke. Anyone who travels through this time disappears in the fog and never returns. The last known thick fog that appeared was last year."

"Last year?"

"Yes. People who live in the Forgotten Forest understand that leaving during the time of the thick fog is foolish and stays at home."

"Then how are you and your grandma still here to this day?"

"We found a way to coexist within this forest. A simple doll charm that you keep on the front door to appease the angry gods."

I had a bit of a difficult time believing that a doll charm would keep something at bay, but this world was magical in some shape or form, so it was not highly unlikely.

"It makes me wonder how you have survived when you don't know this."

"I lived on the mountain." I bluntly replied it wasn't a lie.

"The mountain!? You don't mean the Solitary Mountain do you?"

"Solitary Mountain?"

"The mountain is at the edge of the borders of the Kingdom of Dragon's. Also, it is at the center of the Forgotten forest. Not only that, on the other side of the mountain is the ocean."

I couldn't help but be silent. I didn't go out to survey the land to know what was on the other side of the mountain. Today was truthfully my first day out.

"I can't believe this. You're saying you live in a high, densely packed magical area where special class monsters roam?"

"Yes."

Phil was stupefied. "Do you know how dangerous it is to live in those mountains? Forgotten Forest has monsters that eat the intruders. So you're saying that you live secluded in the mountains where the strongest monsters live and survived?" He didn't seem to believe her at all, looking at her as if she was lying.

"Yep." Honestly, I didn't know what to say.

"Wow." Phil was shocked to hear what I just said. "You got guts. I can't even tell if you are lying anymore."

"The Kingdom of Dragon's is it the only Kingdom around?"

"No. There are six Kingdom in total. Each Kingdom represents the six Legendary Creatures that tend to wreak havoc on this land. They are Kingdom of Leviathan, Kingdom of Hydra, Kingdom of the Black Gryphon, and finally the Kingdom of Titan. Each is ruled by their respective King."

"I see. Then your grandfather is part of the Kingdom of Dragon. How far is it away from here?"

"It's a three-day trip. Duke Hon's territory is small, and it lives right next to the Forgotten Forest. The land's not as fertile as the other territories around the Kingdom. I don't get why Uncle Jeremy and grandfather pride themselves over the pitiful land. Our family is considered the laughing stock out of the whole Kingdom, and they want me to take up that position?" Phil started with disgust. "I rather not associate myself with them at all."

"Well, from your grandmother's perspective, it is her home. Wouldn't that be enough to protect it?"

Phil was quiet for a moment. It seems like I did hit a nerve somewhere in his heart for him to not rebuttal me.

"You're right. I'm only going to do this for grandma. Not for grandpa or Uncle Jeremy. Nor for my parents either." Phil stared up at the ceiling. His resolution affirmed.

Phil was an interesting character in his own way. Prickly like a cactus, but soft when it only matters to his grandmother. In a sense, someone that would take time to get to know. Just being in this household was fascinating in itself. In one day, so many different things happened that felt like a hurricane had passed through, but even so, it was a delightful experience. I knew if I stuck around with this family a little bit longer, I could enjoy a lot more of the exciting new things this world had to offer.

Digging my hands in my pocket, I took out three gold coins. Quietly as best as I could, I slipped them in my mouth.

Crunch!

"What was that?" Phil asked.

Gulp. Damn it. That was just the first of the three coins that I had eaten. I had two more that I needed to finish. There is nothing that I can do, but to quickly end this.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Gulp. Delicious! I squirmed in the bed, happy.

"Is that coming from you?" Phil was on his elbow, looking towards my direction.

"Hmm? No. I think it was probably from outside." Dang, it. I had to lie again. Today I'm becoming a habitual liar, and I do not like this at all. I know what happens, when one lies, it gets pretty bad when people find out.

"Are you sure? It sounded like metal breaking."

"It does? I thought it was something else."

I couldn't help but start to sweat. I hoped Phil didn't find out. If he did, maybe I would have to eat him? That sounds like a dragon, right? Gah, I was hoping that I wouldn't have to resort to violence. For the next five minutes, my mind was in turmoil, until I finally exhausted my brain.

"Good night Phil." Pulling up the blanket to my chin, my eyes were becoming droopy from sleep. I didn't even hear him say goodnight, and instead, I spiraled into darkness as sleep took over.