To the far west of the land was where the mountains began and with nothing but wide open plains of grass. Some claimed there was a dungeon was somewhere in the mountains, with some kind of monster hoarding a large pile of treasure. But it was all old rumors, wives tales and stories told to children at bedtime.
A place like this, they were not very large in terms of those born to be mages. Many came this far out into the country to get away, to start over, or to find some peace.
Thus why such a small settlement would remain tucked away from the coast and capital. Those that wanted a slow honest simple life. The people all knew each other and weren't above offering a helping hand to travelers. Thus they named their settlement: 'Serene'
One such was an old baker, George. He had lived his whole life here with his wife as baking was just their pride and joy. But a few years back his wife's health started declining. But he always had help, another resident who wasn't much of a talker herself...
It was another usual day in the life of Xylia, quickly getting out of bed in the early hours of Sunday morning and dressing in her usual attire of a light brown dress with her signature white apron.
She quickly locked the door to her home and made her way down the cobbled path towards the bakery that she worked at every day.
It was such a wonderful place to be, knowing that George needed the help and that she could be helpful and not need to say anything at all.
Xylia hadn't spoke in years, for reasons only she knew and only her would ever know. She trusted George with her life yet never found herself able to speak.
Walking the normal cobblestone streets and usual route she always took to work, the exact number of steps to there, the amount of time it would take, almost down to the second. Everyday like clockwork. It was little things like this that Xylia focused on most. Keeping her mind busy, away from thoughts she'd rather not let in...
George was busy with just the usual Sunday routine, getting their usual stock made for those that would come by after church. He hadn't heard the door open more the bell ring. Turning around he jumped some surprised to see her.
"Gods! Xylia! How many times are you gonna sneak up me like that kid?" George said his hand on his chest from the unintentional jumpscare but offered a warm smile nonetheless just happy to see her
As she approached George, she too jolted and gazed at him with a slight shock on her face before smiling brightly at him as he chuckled and smiled warmly.
She pointed towards the freshly baked goods and raised her eyebrows. "I know I know, you usually do this but I was up early anyway and the wife is resting!" He defended with his hands up in the air.
Xylia rolled her eyes and puffed out some air before walking up to the counter and giving him a nudge. "All right all right, I'm going. I don't need to tell you what to do right? I'll see you in an hour or so" he called out, waving at her before disappearing into the town.
Xylia waved and continued his work, mixing dough and kneading it gently.
As the church bells sounded, the usual crowd was headed back home for their own rituals of making a big meal and enjoying time with their families. Others would stop by the bakery for their daily orders or the special kind that Xylia knew by heart.
That's how this town always, quiet, slow, the same cobblestone streets and buildings that had been here since before even George was born.
For some people, they liked that and were content. Others were always on the edge, waiting for something new to happen. But then there was a third less seen, the kind of person who may show no interest in the world or it's doings. And that was where destiny would always seem to step in like a strong summer breeze that momentarily distracts you.
You could hear everyone whispering, even in a town as quiet as this. They all saw it. They all suspected he had to be a mage of some sort, but his outfit was most peculiar.
He simply wore a set of long black robes with a layer of white underneath. The wrapping around his waist appeared more tribalistic. Some kind of layer of white fur with varying beads and other materials hung from this belt, trophies. But holding his robes closed was a large pale violet rope tied around his waist and the fur. Tucked in the rope on the left side of his hip was a sword of some kind. But as he strode past, his left sleeve seemed more, empty. His hair long and shaggy, covering most of his face, most only able to catch the one dark blue eye he had as he walked silently on.
It didn't take long for people to start coming into the bakery, one particular women in general always came in and smiled at Xylia. "Goodmorning my love! Same as usual please!" She asked happily and pulled out some coins ready to pay.
She was an older woman and more stout, but she always seemed to be happy and have something talk about, and Xylia listened.
Xylia offered a kind smile and quickly prepared the bread and buns for the old woman, working quickly until they were sat on the counter ready.
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Xylia nodded her head and took the coins when the woman frowned. "You know, every day for 4 years I come into this bakery and see you yet you never speak and I've made my peace with that. But I at least need to know your name" she said with a chuckle, grinning up at her with wide eyes.
Xylia smiled back and quickly turned around, scribbling something on a piece of paper and handing it to her.
With a chuckle the lady looked up and took her bread. "Thank you dear Xylia, see you tomorrow!" She waved and went on her merry way,
'So this is the place he wanted to me watch over? A small town in the middle of nowhere?' Rin thought to himself
He'd been hiking for days to get here. A small village beyond the borders of the Branch Guilds. They'd been adamant about maintaining neutrality from the guild not wanting protection. But it wasn't his place to question those that chose how to live.
But there was more than met the eye, he could feel a strong magical presence off in the mountains, it was easy to smell in the air, his tracking skills still sharp. But that's when he felt a cold breeze whip past him making him turn around.
'A mage? Here?' he thought now feeling an even stronger magical aura, but it was unrefined
He found his feet guiding him towards a bakery making him feel even more curious. The small building showed its years. The wood treated to ensure it would last for a long time, the old diamond shaped glass windows. A large chimney pumping out smoke and the smell of fresh baking bread. As he pushed open the door a gentle bell rang only to find a girl standing behind the counter. She seemed roughly his age or younger, but it was truly peculiar...
Xylia's eyes lifted as she heard the little bell ringing and when her eyes met the young man, she offered him a warm smile as if to say welcome.
She wasn't used to seeing anyone the same age as her around these parts, it was mostly elderly people who came to spend their golden years in the quiet town.
Xylia held his gaze for a short moment before returning to her jobs, pulling out the fresh bread from the oven whilst she waited for him to decide what he wanted.
Rin moved inside now, feeling this magical aura getting stronger. This cold that surrounded this girl, he could feel it in his bones. Like she was pushing everyone and everything away, even herself...
Placing his hand over his chest he could tell she had suffered. For one to be so cold but not freeze themselves, that was a rare gift indeed.
He slowly pulled out a small leather folded wallet from inside his robes.
"Excuse me miss. If I could have a moment of your time? We don't even have to talk if you don't want to. I'm just... curious." He said finally after clearly his throat "I'll even buy some bread, to not waste your business's time either." He offered as well setting out a single platinum coin and his wallet
This one coin alone was worth a month's salary for her, but he was patient man and money held little value to him, and understood others like her could use it more.
The wallet had an identification card, listed as a freelancer of the Branch guilds. Not officially a member who took contracts. But the kind of person who wandered around with the blessing of a guild master. Even now the guild's didn't like rogue mage's or undiscovered magic.
She studied the wallet and identification. Her face slightly soured at seeing this. Guilds. She'd heard about them. But she never left town only heard about them from the paper. But her eyes fell on the coin he had offered. No normal man goes walking around with that much.
But there was something else about this man that she couldn't quite understand, something inside her was coursing through her veins, like she could feel his own power and was reacting to it.
'No! No I can't do that!' She thought immediately trying force herself to calm down and snap out these delusional thoughts
"May I ask a simple question, hear my explanation. But if you don't like anything I have to say, I will leave the money and leave this town. You have my word." He said breaking the silence as her head snapped his way looking at him with wide eyes
She wanted to say and ask so much. But the words stayed stuck like a lump in the back of her throat, threatening to choke her. The look in his eye said enough as he gave a slow gentle nod in understanding as she too nodded for him to continue.
"Has anyone ever notice how cold it gets when you're around?" He asked slowly
She truly was lost and almost offended by this question. But the gears in her brain were turning before she could get angry at misunderstanding the question. Then it hit her. Countless times people would be confused by how cold the bakery was anytime they came when she was working. Certainly George would've mentioned this at some point to her.
Rin could see the look on her face shifting from anger to confusion, pondering and then realization. She looked up at him again. Xylia's eyes asking what she could not voice with words.
"You're staring to understand. What is happening to you won't stop." Rin said with his tone growing as she looked shocked at this news
Xylia couldn't even believe what she was hearing. This couldn't be true, this couldn't be real, she couldn't be...
"You've already ignited the spark in your soul, the fact you haven't lost control is truly amazing. It's a rare thing you have, something many don't achieve over a lifetime of study, meditation and application. Many try, many have died by their own stupidity. Or worse, driven themselves so insane they must be killed as act of mercy." Rin further explained and nailed home the importance of this
Xylia gulped hard as she heard this. She even rubbed her throat some now, feeling almost overwhelmed by all this. But curiosity was overtaking her, she'd unintentionally unleashed this cold from within. And this man was at the very least a freelancer for the guild. But everything else about him said he came from somewhere far off, her eyes then fell on his empty sleeve and sword.
The door opened as George returned from his errands.
"Hey Xylia! I got you some lunch. Oh! I didn't know there was a customer." George said instantly changing his tone from normal happy to a businessman
"It's alright. I was just passing through. On my way to the mountains. Good day ma'am." Rin said taking his wallet and loaf of bread, but leaving the coin as he walked past George now and nodded to him "Good day sir." He added before leaving
George could read what she wanted to ask even she wouldn't nor give it away in her expression.
"Cmon kiddo. Sit down and eat with an old man." He said smiling softly as he sat down at the small table by the windows, unwrapping his sandwich
Xylia knew better than to stand defiantly and not eat. Sitting she unwrapped her own food and ate with him. Something about this took her back to a simpler time, her gaze turning to outside the windows. Days like this, when she was younger, before the accident...
"I've always known." George answered snapping Xylia out of her haze as she looked his way confused "I know I play the old fool of a man well. But I'm anything but ignorant Xylia. I've lived a lot longer than you think." He added
She couldn't believe it. After all these years, she'd thought it was just in her head or something only others noticed.
"The day I hired you I knew. There's a cold storm raging on in your soul. If you don't stop and take care of yourself, it'll consume you. Never able to find any kind of warmth." He confessed finally as she was only reeling from all of this "That man can help you." He added
She couldn't believe any of this. She'd never really thought about George being that old, still completely bamboozled. Many across Oronia knew they could live for long periods of time, though it was always jarring to meet someone who had lived so long.
"There's a lot out there kiddo. You've got plenty of time ahead of you." George added kindly
She finally heaved a heavy sighed. Thoroughly annoyed by all this, truly thrown for a mental loop. But everything was making sense and where she needed to be.
"Go home and get some rest. Think on it. I'll be alright for a week or so." He assured her putting a hand on her shoulder and smiling softly
Xylia looked back him still with curiosity and wonder. But simply nodded as she stood starting to leave.
"Don't forget this." He said offering the coin to her "It's yours after all." He added
She exhaled through her nose as she accepted it before leaving. So much had happened today. So much of her routine had been disrupted. Her normal day to day life now completely changed by everything. Her life was no longer normal, she knew she couldn't just ignore this stranger. Tomorrow was cleaning day, the day she spent cleaning her cottage and doing laundry. She couldn't do that. Her head was spinning from this all.
Arriving at the little cottage she took it in. For the first time she remembered whose it actually was. Her parents, they came out here in the summer time. The garden always blooming and beautiful. Now the beds remained empty and untended. It's white wood boards chipped and in need of repainting. The front porch needed sweeping, the roof needed cleaning, chimney no doubt needed a good sweep. So much work to do, so little time with so much changing so fast...
These were the least thoughts she had as she wandered inside, not remembering crawling into bed as she drifted off...
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