A New Friend

At the Falconer household, in the study, Elion sat in an armchair, enjoying his drink without the mask, while Jack stood nearby, reading a book.

"What is it? Why did you call me?" Jack asked.

Elion took a sip of his drink, maintaining a serious expression.

"This time, we have a new mission, to the north."

"Is it them again?"

"An informant reported that a village was attacked: cows were found dead with strange marks, and villagers have disappeared."

"How many do you think there are?"

"I'm not sure, but I believe there are two or three."

"Do you want me to call more men?"

"No! The two of us can handle it. We've fought these monsters before and know how to act without putting more people in danger."

Jack turned to Elion, his eyes reflecting deep concern.

"These monsters have been showing up more frequently lately. Just like back then…"

Elion got up from the armchair, put on his mask, and walked to the table, where he picked up some documents.

"This is our job; we have to do it to prevent more villagers from being killed again. Here, take this and deliver it to the king. It contains my informant's report and also states that we will handle the matter."

"When do we leave?"

"Later today. Prepare everything for the journey."

"Today? But…" Jack averted his gaze, his expression slightly saddened.

"What is it?"

"It's just… tomorrow is Claris's birthday, and I promised to be there."

"I can handle this alone."

"No! I'm going too!"

After losing his companions in that traumatic event, Jack couldn't bear the thought of reliving something similar. After all, birthdays happened every year, and he believed this could wait.

Leaving the house, Jack mounted his horse and rode straight to the castle. After delivering the documents to the king, he returned to the stables of the Falconer household to prepare the horses for the journey. Once finished, he hurried to inform Elion.

"Boss, I've got everything ready!"

"Lately, it hasn't been safe to sleep in the middle of the forest. The nearest village is almost two days away, so we have to move fast. Before nightfall, it's best to camp near the river, where we'll have water and better security."

✧༺⚔༻✧

Saito's point of view.

As I walked through the corridors of my house, engrossed in a book, I let myself be carried away by the fascinating narrative. The title was Memories from Beyond the Veil: The Travels of Sylvain.

The book told the story of a man who had traveled the world, describing incredible things: animals of all kinds and sizes, an astonishing variety of vegetation, magnificent cities, underground ruins, and much more. Despite all this grandeur, it was hard to believe it was real. It clearly seemed like just an invented story.

Shortly after, I saw my father and Uncle Jack leaving the study. My father passed by me, and I immediately averted my gaze to the floor. I could never look him directly in the eye. Uncle Jack was right behind him.

"Hey, Uncle Jack! I finished my studies for today. Are we starting training?"

"There won't be training today."

"Again? Are you leaving?"

"I have something important to do with your father. It will take about three to five days before we return. Don't forget to practice your fencing. Repeat those movements I taught you yesterday."

"Five days? But, Uncle Jack… what about our trip?"

Every month, he and I traveled to villages or camped in different places. It was part of my terrain recognition training. Still, it was the most enjoyable part of the month, and I always counted down the days eagerly.

"When I return, we'll go. And to make up for it, during our trip, I'll make that roasted chicken over the fire that you love so much."

I could hardly wait to savor that chicken, with its crispy skin and tender meat. Just imagining the aroma and taste made my mouth water. You might not think so, but Uncle Jack was an amazing cook. During our trips, he always taught me some recipes, saying it was so I wouldn't have to live only on soup and roasted meat when traveling alone.

"Alright, I'll wait! Is that a promise?"

"Yes, it's a promise!" We shook hands firmly, sealing the deal.

Then, he started walking toward the house's exit but soon turned slightly toward me.

"Oh, so you won't be alone, I'll ask Margery to stay here taking care of the house and the food during this time."

"Okay." I waved goodbye.

As they departed, I watched through the window, following them until they disappeared from sight, while a mixture of loneliness and frustration settled over me. Uncle Jack and my father's absence made the house feel even quieter. I tried to push these thoughts away, but the feeling of helplessness remained.

To occupy my mind, I decided to go outside and train with my sword. I passed through the kitchen and saw Margery preparing food, as usual, in her traditional maid uniform. She was stirring a pot with her back to me.

"Miss Margery, excuse me, I'm going outside to train!"

"Alright, just be careful not to go too far from the house!"

"Got it!"

I ran toward the training area, grabbed one of the wooden swords, and began striking a straw dummy. Then, slightly out of breath, I continued looking at my sword, thinking about how Uncle Jack had performed that technique.

I positioned myself just as I had seen him do that time, breathing calmly, listening to the sound of the wind rustling the tree leaves. The whisper of the leaves created a soft melody, and the cool breeze brushed against my face. These sounds and sensations helped me focus, almost making me forget the momentary loneliness.

Suddenly, an unexpected noise coming from a bush startled me. I quickly turned in the direction of the sound, gripping my sword tightly. I walked slowly, each step crunching on dry leaves, while my heart pounded and a chill ran down my spine. I imagined the fierce eyes of a wolf hidden in the shadows. However, to my surprise, a small rabbit emerged from the bush, its bright eyes reflecting the sunlight.

I took a deep breath, relieved to realize it wasn't a wild wolf. A smile appeared on my face when I saw it was just a tiny, harmless rabbit.

"Hey, you shouldn't be here. This forest is dangerous. Come on, I'll take you somewhere safer." I approached slowly, but the frightened rabbit ran deeper into the forest. "No, wait!" Instinctively, I ran after the little creature, determined to rescue it.

It was fast, but I didn't give up and gave it my all to catch up. I ran as fast as I could, dodging branches and weaving through bushes until, with an agile leap, I finally caught the rabbit.

"Gotcha! Hahaha. You're small, but you sure are fast."

However, when I stopped to look around, I realized I was lost in the middle of the forest—exactly as my father and Uncle Jack had warned me about.

I was far from home, and I needed to be careful with wolves. I had never fought one before, and they could appear in packs. Even worse would be encountering a female with cubs, as they became even more aggressive in those situations.

I looked in all directions, trying to identify the way back home. I knew I couldn't climb a tree while holding the rabbit, as that would be risky—a fall could injure both of us. Climbing would be a last resort.

"Oh, how stupid of me. How could I forget this? Uncle Jack always told me that if I ever got lost in a forest, I just had to follow my own trail, as there would always be tracks."

I carefully observed my surroundings, attentively examining the ground for footprints or any other sign that could guide me home. I noticed some broken branches and decided to follow them, believing they would lead me in the right direction.

After taking only a few steps, still holding the rabbit in my arms, I heard a strange noise that made my heart race. With nothing to defend myself, fear began creeping in.

What do I do? Should I run? No, I'd just get even more lost. But why did a wolf have to show up right now?

The sweat dripped down my face as I looked around, trying to find any sign of danger, but nothing seemed suspicious. Suddenly, the noise stopped for a moment, only to be replaced by a voice coming from behind me.

"Hey, you found him!"

As I turned around, to my surprise, I saw a girl. She looked about the same age as me. Her golden eyes gleamed with curiosity, while her snow-white hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, held in place by an elegant hairpin adorned with a small, shimmering gem.

She wore a simple yet charming light blue dress, decorated with delicate white and gold embroidery that resembled flower petals. The light fabric danced softly in the breeze, giving her an even more graceful appearance. Her lips curved into a warm smile, conveying a reassuring calm, though her eyes revealed a subtle concern. She was panting, as if she had just been running.

"I'm so glad you found him… I've been looking everywhere."

I was completely paralyzed, unable to say anything.

"Hey, are you listening to me?" She waved her hand in front of my face, trying to bring me back to reality.

Finally, I snapped out of my daze.

"Y-yes, I'm listening!"

"Can you give me that little one?" She extended her delicate arms to receive the baby rabbit I was holding.

"A-ah, yes, of course. Here you go."

"You gave me quite the trouble, huh?"

I kept watching her as she gently stroked the rabbit in her arms. Her movements were delicate, transmitting a tenderness that seemed to calm the small animal.

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"My name is Saito. And yours?"

"It's Yuri. You look tired. Let's go to my house; it's close by."

"Hmm? Wait, your house is here? In the forest?" I was curious and a little worried, trying to imagine what it would be like to live in such a dangerous place.

"Yes, come on!" She started walking towards her house, while I followed a bit hesitantly.

"But aren't you afraid of wild wolves?"

"Wolves? I've lived here for a long time, and I've never seen a wolf."

I stood still for a moment, trying to understand why my father and Uncle Jack always insisted that the forest was dangerous. Maybe they exaggerated the dangers, or maybe Yuri was just lucky never to have encountered a wild animal.

"What is it? Why are you just standing there?"

"N-no, it's nothing. Let's go."

When I find Uncle Jack, I'll ask him. I'm sure he knows something. Still, why has he never told me anything?

After walking for a few minutes along a narrow trail surrounded by tall trees, we finally arrived at Yuri's house. The songs of birds filled the air, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

The house was simple, made of wood, but surrounded by a lush garden filled with flowers of all colors and sizes. Next to it, a small enclosure housed rabbits hopping from one side to the other, bringing life to the place. The sweet scent of the flowers spread through the air, making the space even more welcoming and inviting.

"Don't run away again!" Yuri placed the baby rabbit with the others, and I couldn't help but notice the affectionate and attentive look she gave to the animals.

"Do you live here alone?"

"Yes!"

"How do you get water and food?"

"I do the cooking, but Mr. Jack is the one who brings supplies. He's super kind and comes here almost every day. Mr. Elion also shows up sometimes; he brings books and other things for me to read. He's also a really good teacher."

A wave of surprise and curiosity rushed through me, stirring a mix of unease.

I knew it! Uncle Jack and my father already knew about her, but I've never heard them mention anything about her.

"Come in, I'll make some tea," she said as she opened the door.

As I entered, I was impressed as my eyes wandered around the room. Small shelves displayed vases with colorful flowers, adding a cheerful touch to the place. The floor was covered with a thick, slightly worn but impeccably clean rug. In the center, a dark wooden table was surrounded by cushioned chairs, while the windows allowed the soft sunlight to flood the space, illuminating the furniture. In one corner of the room, there was a simple but well-kept bed, with a blanket that looked extremely cozy.

I felt a comforting warmth as I observed every detail, as if I were in a safe and welcoming place—something I would never have imagined finding in the heart of the forest.

"Don't mind it too much. It may look old, but I keep everything tidy."

"It's not that, it's just… your house is very beautiful," I whispered.

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"A-ah… nothing, nothing."

"Alright, wait here; it'll be ready in no time."

As I examined the surroundings, my eyes landed on some books stacked in a corner. Driven by curiosity, I approached one of them, a peculiar volume with letters I had never seen before. I flipped through its pages but couldn't understand anything written inside. Frustrated, I closed the book and sat at the table, letting my gaze wander around the room again, still fascinated by the details.

Yuri placed the cups on the table, adjusted her hair, tucking it delicately behind her ear, and poured the tea with smooth movements, while I watched her skilled hands. Her gentle and calm demeanor seemed to captivate me more with each passing moment.

After serving the tea, she walked to the window and paused for a moment, gazing outside with a serene and contemplative expression, as if lost in thought.

"I love flowers. Let's just say they're like my companions. Each one has its own unique beauty. Daisies bring a charming simplicity, while red roses are incredible for their sweet fragrance. But lilies have a special place in my heart because they were my mother's favorite."

"You seem to know a lot about flowers."

She suddenly approached, slamming both hands on the table with enthusiasm. I was caught off guard and jumped slightly.

"You know, my dream is to travel the world in search of them. I read in a book that there are many species, some still a mystery. I want to discover them all."

As Yuri spoke, my mind wandered, enchanted by her soft voice and the passion she conveyed. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and I, so absorbed in watching her, got lost in my own thoughts.

Then, distracted, I ended up burning myself with the hot tea.

"Ouch… ah!" I quickly placed my hand over my lips.

"Careful, the tea is hot!" She sat across from me. "Do you live near here?"

"Yes, I live near the forest."

"Ahhh, that's cool! How old are you?"

"I'm ten."

"Hahaha. I'm ten too!"

As she spoke, my eyes couldn't look away from her hair and eyes. I always imagined that only older people had white hair. Is it some kind of rare condition? And those eyes… I've never seen anything like them before.

"Why are you staring at my hair so much? Is there something on it?" She ran both hands over her head, trying to find something.

"No, it's just that… I think it's kind of… beautiful."

"If you like it so much," Yuri smiled and, suddenly, plucked a strand of her hair and extended it toward me. "Here, take it!"

A little surprised, I took the strand and, with both hands, stretched it toward the light, admiring it with fascination. It wasn't completely white; it had a silver hue that reflected grayish tones, only revealed under the sunlight, making it even more enchanting.

"Where are your parents?" I asked.

She touched the beautiful hairpin with a red jewel that adorned her strands, while her gaze became melancholic.

"Mr. Elion told me my parents died when I was still a baby. The only thing left was this hairpin, which belonged to my mother. It's the most important thing I have."

Her answer stirred a mix of sadness and curiosity in me, but I tried not to let it show.

"It's really beautiful; it even makes you look like a queen!"

"Thanks. Your blue eyes are beautiful too; they're just like Mr. Elion's."

"This is because he…"

"Do you have more friends?" Yuri interrupted.

Cough… Cough… I choked slightly on my tea at the unexpected question. "Ahhh, I have lots of friends, I've even lost count."

"Incredible! I wish I had more friends too. I live here alone, and I only know Mr. Jack and Mr. Elion. There was a time when I got sick, and a woman named Nissa came to take care of me. But after a while, she stopped coming."

As we talked in the living room, my eyes drifted to the window, and I noticed the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange. It wasn't completely dark yet, but worried about my safety, I decided it was best to leave.

"It's getting late; I need to go back. Thanks for the tea." I stood up, noticing the slight disappointment on Yuri's face.

Before I could leave, Yuri also stood up and said, "Wait…"

I turned to her, curious.

"Today was really fun. Since you live nearby, would you like to come again?"

At that moment, a wave of joy washed over me, a warm and unexpected feeling that lit up my heart. I never imagined that someone like Yuri would want to see me again. The surprise mixed with happiness made my lips almost curl into a broad smile. I tried to contain my excitement, but I couldn't hide how genuinely happy that made me.

"Of course! I'd love to."

"Then let's be friends."

She stepped closer and extended her hand, an unexpected gesture that made me hesitate for a moment. I looked at her hand and then at her eyes, feeling my heart race. A wave of happiness surrounded me as I realized that Yuri wanted to be my friend. An involuntary smile appeared on my face as, with a mix of shyness and excitement, I reached out my hand to hers.

"Alright, let's be friends." As I shook her hand, I felt incredibly happy, after all, she would be my first friend.

"You're my first friend." Yuri gave a radiant smile that lit up her entire face.

As I left her house, a genuine joy warmed my heart at the thought of having made a new friend.

Shortly after, I climbed one of the tallest trees in the forest, trying to identify the direction of my house. The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon, and I knew I needed to get back as quickly as possible before Margery realized I had left.

"I have to hurry. I can't waste any more time."

After confirming the direction I needed to go, I carefully climbed down the tree and started running as fast as my legs would carry me.