Sena stared back at Idris, her mind reeling. Wondering. Confused. As if caught in a lie. A lie she could barely remember.
A sharp, throbbing pain pierced her head, as if a migraine had erupted. "You… Y– You can see my soul?" she choked out, each word a desperate gasp.
Idris held her gaze, watching the outlines of Sena's soul waver and quiver, visually distorted to his senses. He waited for her to say something, anything else, but kept his own mouth shut.
Sena's breathing turned ragged. Her heart hammered louder and louder. Her anxiety was rapidly spiraling out of control. Distraught, her mind raced, a whirlwind of panicked questions.
What… What do I say? What? Why do I—I have what? An old man… And a baby?!
A sudden weakness seized her knees, making her sway.
"Wait, Idris. I—I don't know what you want me to say," she pleaded, fighting back the hot tears that welled in her eyes. The confusion was overwhelming.
Idris felt the raw pain radiating from her.
Perhaps the question was truly too much for her to grasp right now. He clicked his tongue in frustration, a soft "Tsk!" escaping him, then brushed his hair back.
"Sit down, Sena. Think carefully about my question," he advised, his voice firm but gentle.
"I don't know what you're trying to hide, but… no matter what it is, I won't judge you." He placed his hand softly on her head and patted it.
Sena instantly clutched his arm, holding on tight. She didn't want the comforting pat to stop.
The tears she'd been holding back finally broke free, trickling down her cheeks. She kept her gaze fixed on Idris, whose imposing glare from moments ago had now softened completely.
Idris slowly moved his hand down her cheek, letting her maintain her desperate grip on his arm. He hadn't meant to make her cry.
"Sena, will you sit down on the couch, please? I really hate hearing someone cry," he said softly.
They slowly moved towards the couch nearest the door, Sena leading the way, never letting go of Idris's arm. She didn't understand why she couldn't release him.
Sitting side by side, she finally looked down at her lap and, with a silent sigh, let go of his arm.
A moment of heavy silence engulfed the living room. Neither of them wanted to break it.
Then, out of nowhere, Sena looked at Idris again. He was staring at the coffee table, doing his best to appear nonchalant, just waiting in the quiet with her.
"I want truffles…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
His ear twitched. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. He understood that earning her trust was key to her speaking freely. He probably had put her too much on edge.
She might have the outline of an old man's soul, but she certainly acts like a baby, he thought to himself.
"Do you want rabbit steak with black truffle gravy?" Idris inquired, a hint of tease in his tone.
"Yes… I—I'd like that a lot," Sena responded, her words punctuated by lingering sobs. She couldn't understand why she was being such a crybaby, always wavering, always distraught.
Why were her tears so easy to swell? Why did her heart waver so easily? She pondered these overwhelming, overflowing emotions engulfing her.
Just a night after truly seeing herself for the first time, after starting to appreciate her own beauty, she was now faced with a question so profound and shocking it defied comprehension.
How can Idris see my soul? she pondered.
The intense craving for rabbit and truffle lingered in her mind, making her mouth water. These were the very foods she'd struggled to forage back in Silvershroud Forest. And now, Idris was offering them as if he knew exactly what she wanted, making her wonder if he could read her mind too.
She wailed and laughed at the same time, seemingly losing her grip on the strange turn of events in a funny, almost absurd way.
Idris flinched at her sudden mood swing, then burst into hearty laughter himself. "Hahaha! Wipe your snot, come on! Let's go find you some truffles!" he urged with a wide smile.
Sena, now calmed, smiled from ear to ear. She wiped her tears and cleared her throat. She felt the grounding pleasure of seeking comfort food after being overwhelmed. She felt the warmth and fondness from Idris's caring gestures and kind offer.
Idris got up and headed for the kitchen to put away the vegetables and rabbits he had foraged earlier in the day. He picked up his basket again and hung it on his back.
Waiting for Sena by the door as he held it open for her, Sena looked up at him with a soft demeanor on her face, appreciating the moment. She got up and followed Idris.
They walked towards the trail in Idris's backyard. Sena followed close by. Looking around her, the trees swayed and danced to the music of the wind, their slender forms moving with a gentle grace.
They lacked the towering majesty of Silvershroud Forest, yet held a quiet charm of their own. Less commanding, but no less alive with whispering secrets.
Birds fluttered and twirled through the air in delicate arcs, their soft twitters weaving a gentle melody. Bees hummed contentedly, tottering from bloom to bloom as if drunk on sweetness.
The scent of wildflowers laced the breeze, wrapping the forest in an embrace so tender, it felt like the warmth and fragrance of a newborn baby… soft, pure, and impossibly new.
Sena followed just slightly behind Idris. The gleam in her eyes revealed how unbelievably reliable and benign he was. She felt lucky to have been found by him.
Looking at his back, she noticed his profound physique complementing his height, guessing he was about 6 feet tall. He looked remarkably fit without being overly muscular.
His broad shoulders were defined just enough to suggest physical labor, but not too flashy, given their V-shape contour.
He was wearing a white long-sleeved chemise with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing his arms. Some prominent, almost pinkish scars contrasted against his cream skin.
His hair was black and straight, mid-length reaching his ears and slightly covering the top half of his nape, slightly tousled but textured with uneven layers.
Grey, slightly loose pants that ruffled at the waist with a string complemented his white chemise. She couldn't tell if his legs were muscular too, but overall, he looked dignified with each stride.
He didn't bother to bring any weapons along their walk, which made Sena a bit cautious, but she still decided to follow along.
A thought lingered, and she couldn't help but indulge it. "Idris, do you have a wife?" she asked, looking at him expectantly.
Idris jerked and flinched at her question, stopping in his tracks. "What?!" he exclaimed, his head snapping toward her like he'd just been stung by a wasp.
Sena noticed the blush rising on his neck and ears. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to tease," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's just… you're so gentle, is all."
Idris looked down, let out a long sigh, and resumed walking.
"I'm a roadkeeper, after all. If I show hostility toward wandering or lost folks who find themselves astray, wouldn't it be better to treat them kindly rather than intimidate them?" he said, a quiet pride in his voice.
That makes sense, she thought. He had been nothing but accommodating. I've probably just been too guarded all this time. I wonder why that is?
Her hand drifted to her chest, gripping lightly as a pang of anxiety passed through, like an old reflex, as if expecting to be shunned. She paused, feeling a small ache of guilt.
Idris had shown her nothing but kindness, yet she had greeted it with suspicion. Maybe this time… It's okay to trust him. Just a little more.
Along the path they took, Sena noticed Idris plucking some round, blackish-looking berries. He then started snacking on them one at a time. Her eyes trembled in shock.
"Idris! NO!" she cried, reaching out to him, trying to swat his hand just as he downed the last bit.
"Huh? Why?" he asked, confused by her startling reaction.
Fear and terror etched in her eyes. Deadly Nightshade - That must be it! He just poisoned himself!
"Hm?" Idris tilted his head. "It's just blueberries, do you want some?" he informed her calmly.
"B-blue… berries?!" her voice squeaked a bit from confusion. "Aren't those deadly nightshades?" she asked, almost choking, almost relieved, but still very shocked.
Idris smirked, a tinge of softness forming in his eyes. "Looks like you do know some things after all," he teased.
"B-but… how can you tell without seeing it?" she inquired.
Idris continued walking while plucking more blueberries and tossed some to Sena. "This part of the forest is like my backyard, you know. I know everything that lives and breathes and thrives here. Have some!" he urged.
She was on edge. She realized, upon closer inspection, it was nothing like a Deadly Nightshade and more of just a healthy, plump blueberry.
She let out a long sigh and munched on the berry slowly, chewing it delicately as if waiting for it to taste bitter or tangy, but her mouth welcomed a sweet-tart, juicy texture that she surprisingly enjoyed.
"Calm down, Sena. The forest here is not out to get you," Idris said reassuringly.
"Every single poisonous plant was removed by the Daughters' Sisters a long time ago. There shouldn't be any left here. They were all moved into Silvershroud Forest," he slowly uttered his words, "...a long time ago."
Thinking about what he said aloud, Idris thought that maybe Sena did come from inside Silvershroud. And lived there.
He couldn't shake the feeling that maybe she was poisoned at some point and might have encountered far more than she'd be willing to share, which made her hostility all the more reasonable. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
"Daughters? Sisters? Well, isn't that confusing?" Sena thought, trying to grasp what Idris just said while feeling a sense of relief she wouldn't be encountering any poisonous plants along the way.
"Ah… Uhm, yeah. I keep forgetting you have a very dominant 'I don't know' persona," he chuckled.
"Hmpf!" Sena, feeling slightly teased, let out under her breath.
"Daughters of the Ash, they're the religious authority here in Azarette. Unlike other beliefs, like in Ophilim, the churches we have here are led by women," he said informatively.
"You really should start reading those books in your room, you know," he said teasingly, brushing off a dried leaf that landed on his head.
"I could even tutor you for some lessons if you like." He slightly turned around to show Sena his smirk and grin.
"Hmmm. Isn't that unconventional? Will I meet one in the capital?" Her eyes looked hopeful and dreaming, imagining female priests.
She wondered just what religious teachings were prominent here in Elioudra, or here in Azarette, for it to have women as church leaders. Even Ophilim sounded mystical to her ears.
"So these Daughters of the Ash, do they have like a Mother?" she asked, a bit jokingly.
"Hah! I see what you did there." Idris indulged her.
"While there is technically a 'Mother,' she's referred to as the High Matron. The most revered figure within the Church, as she also descends from the Ashriel Bloodline, the only divine royal family in all of Azarette," Idris continued informatively.
Sena listened intently, picturing a strict-looking nun, or perhaps a fragile old woman with grace and dignity. A gentle smile flashed in her mind, making her eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"The Daughters of the Ash have their religious accords from lesser nobility, called Sisters. They do most of the field work, so you might encounter them here and there. But the Daughters are mostly stationed in churches across Azarette," he continued as if lecturing a kid. But he didn't mind.
"Ohh… Is that so? Is that taught in school or something? Or is it just because Azarette is religious or something?" she inquired, a bit more.
"Hmm. Yes. Actually, they follow a Holy Scripture called 'Echoes of Elioudra' that's been passed down since the beginning of time," said Idris matter-of-factly.
I have that book!Looks like the cabin's books do serve as a manual on how to live my third life, Sena thought to herself. She now found a new sense of purpose in learning more about Elioudra.
"...But given the divinity and rarity of the Holy Scripture, being only one in existence, only the High Matron and some chosen Daughters can actually read that book…" he continued.
"What? Only one? They didn't make copies?" Sena inquired, a new anxiousness rising, knowing she had a book called Echoes of Elioudra.
"Sure, some of the passages of the Holy Scripture have been made. But you wouldn't really call it a 'book' per se, more of a pamphlet or booklet really," he mused.
Should I tell him I have the same book? What if he thinks I stole it? Better hide it later… or not. He won't be able to read it anyway, she thought.
"Something you wanna say?" he asked intentionally, after sensing Sena's internal thoughts racing.
"Huh? What?! Don't tell me you not only can see my soul… but can read minds too?" she asked in a mocking, almost suspicious remark.
"Hmm. No… I just figured you might be thinking strange things. I can sense your shifts in emotions, you know." Idris told her in a conceited way.
So his senses must be insane for him to know just how much my feelings waver. Especially now, I don't even understand why there are sharp changes and surges of emotions I'm experiencing.
They continued on their path a little ways away until they reached a clearing.
A small lake within the forest behind Idris's house. It glistened and glimmered under the morning sun. It looked so pristine and inviting, like a swimming pool.
Clear waters that slightly swayed with the wind, abundant in aquatic ecosystem. She looked genuinely pleased staring at it from a short distance.
Sena noticed some patches of darkened grass nearby the lake's shore and wondered if this was a traveler's spot or a fisherman's spot.
"I come by here sometimes to enjoy a picnic with my students. Wanna camp out here next time?" Idris asked invitingly.
Sena scrunched her face in a sulk and thought that she might not be too excited to eat grilled fish. But after some consideration, she did think it sounded very exciting to camp out near a lake.
She wondered how stunningly beautiful the moon would be, having it reflected in this small piece of water.
"Sure… I'd like that," she said shyly.
"We're close, come on! Let's see how many truffles we can find today," Idris urged her, sensing her lost in thoughts. Just a little ways away, past the lake into another part of the forest, was where the scent of truffles was strongest.
Both of them sniffing and following the scent, until Sena noticed some small holes atop a loamy patch of soil.
Idris crouched down and gently swatted at the loamy soil, not wanting to do any intense digging to damage the truffles.
Sena watched him as he moved so gracefully and softly. For a man to be so gentle and finessed, in contrast to both his height and build, he seemed like a gentle bear. Or maybe a huge dog.
Not too long a time passed until he noticed Idris's big hands clasping something inside, while slightly rubbing the soil off something round.
Truffles.
Her eyes gleamed in excitement and her mouth watered at the thought of rabbit steak being complimented with truffle sauce.
Idris placed the truffles he had gathered in the basket and said, "Do you want berries too? There should be some blackberries and cranberries along that way," as he pointed in another direction.
"We could take that path going back to the road leading home." He said with tender eyes as he sensed Sena's excitement.
Eyes—wide, dead, unblinking.
Lurking atop a tree branch.
Silent. Still. Waiting.
As he was brushing his hands off the dirt that had covered them, he sensed a hazy outline or form sitting, or floating, on a branch just a little bit above Sena.
His brows furrowed, and with a swift wave of his hand, the tree where the presence had just been shot a spike of wood from its trunk, ultimately stabbing the foggy figure.
But as soon as the spike shot sideways, supposedly hitting the figure, it dissipated like smoke on a breezy day. Until the form was gone.
Sena flinched at the sound of fast snapping trees behind her and instinctively covered her head as she slightly crouched down.
Turning slowly, she was confused as to how the tree just a little bit above her seemed to have a large protruding spike forming at its side, like a thorn out of place from the rest of its trunk, sticking out.
"Woah! What was that?!" she asked, surprised.
"It's nothing. Probably just the wind. Ignore it. Let's go." He urged as he moved along. This time, he stretched his hands forward, allowing Sena to lead the way ahead.
She moved forward, following Idris's guide. Not knowing what just happened, she moved on happily, looking for blackberry and cranberry bushes along the way.
Idris focused his senses on their surroundings for a quick moment. Checking the vicinity if there was any other presence, or maybe a maledict that had formed along the way.
There was none.
So he continued on, now following Sena from behind.