It's been too long and I am really sorry about that! Sometimes my attention fixates on something else for a while and I just kind of have to wrestle it back. Hope you enjoy this one!
Time flies when you are a busy illager. To Archie's great surprise, a week has passed since he joined the village. Everyday Yumi would fetch Archie from Valkory's house and guide him around. All the while, the hero would trail behind. Sometimes Archie would see Valkory out of the corners of his eyes, leaning against a building, standing in the shadows, and generally out of the way yet close by. This caused him to be anxious for the first few days, thinking at any given moment that this hero would crush him into a pulp at the slightest mistake. Once he thought his end was nigh when he accidentally bumped into a mason villager, causing him to drop an arm full of clay pots. The resulting crash was loud, startling everyone in hearing shot. The mason was rightfully upset and turned to yell at Archie to watch it. Valkory stepped out from an ally, hammer in hand, and held a stern expression. She stood between him and Archie, who was shaking so bad.
Thankfully Yumi calmed him down since it was an honest mistake. Once the mason stopped shouting, Valkory motioned for his attention, bringing out her book and began to commune with him. Archie didn't know what the hero said to the village but whatever she told the village further cooled down his temper. With another stern glance then a snort, the village nodded towards Valkory and began to collect the shatter pots. It was later in the night did Yumi told Archie what the hero wrote. Turns out she offered to collect fresh clay and coal for the mason in order to replace the pots. This baffled the illager, still not used to the idea of any type of hero providing aid. Valkory is one odd hero for sure..
After that ordeal, Archie slowly began to trust Valkory a bit more, just a little. There is one thing, however, he is grateful is that with Valkory following him around, the village is much more relaxed around him. Everyone is much more willing to talk to him freely with the assurance that Valkory will protect them from any danger that Archie could give, be it very small. While the people of this village did not completely trust him, yet he told himself, Valkory's presence brought about a soothing aura. There were some villagers that were reluctant to share things with him, and that's reasonable. He is an illager, small or not. Hopefully in due time their fears and reluctance will be put to rest. In the meantime, Archie is determined and remained insistent to be allowed to help. So far he managed to be allowed to help at the local forge, certainly a good start!
As the days melted into a week, Archie learned a lot about the Squid Coast village. While illagers valued strength and cunning, these villagers place great importance to harmony, teamwork, and community. No one here shames anyone about late work or being unable to finish a task for any reason. There has been a number of times that Valkory herself freely helped the villagers. It was mostly manual labor, carrying heavy loads or holding something in place. Still it amazed Archie that the hero would help without being bribed or demanding anything in return. The small illager had long accepted the fact that he's not much use to the tribe, yet here the village is willing to find and make room for him. As long as he is willing to work and be useful that is, something he is all too willing to do. Now that he has a taste of a possible calm and stable life, Archie will do anything to stay! Well that's until…
"W-what do you mean you won't come?!" Stammered Archie, stiff as a board and his heart beating at a million miles per hour. With a sigh, Yumi folded her hands into her sleeves and bowed her head apologetically. She truly was sorry.
"Archie, today is the iron golem maintenance." Yumi said, "I will simply be too busy to find you chores today. Besides, has Valkory done anything bad to you?"
"No… B-but I can help!" Archie did not want to be alone with the hero. The thought sends shivers of fear down his spine. Yumi removed a hand from her sleeves and gently placed it on his shoulder.
"You will be fine." She spoke in a firm but reassuring tone. "Promise."
With that, Archie now found himself at the ocean docks. Alone with Valkory. The trip through the village was an awkward one, especially since she can't talk so Archie could not make light conversations. The small illager tried his best to keep his fear down and yet he fails… It was very clear that Archie was not happy about this. Stories from Thord's patrols surfaced into his mind. He was told how heroes would sometimes appear from the undergrowth and fought with the patrol. Many illagers were slain with each skirmish and now he's alone with one, forced to follow her down to the ocean docks…
Standing awkwardly, Archie watched with trepidation as the hero turned to peered down at him. She reached into a pocket and, for a moment, Archie stiffened as he feared the worst. Instead of a weapon, Valkory pulled out her book, flipped to a certain page then handed it to him. Blinking, Archie took the book and looked down. She clearly wrote something for him, yet… He couldn't read anything, to him it was just squibbles. Looking up from the book, Archie saw Valkory rifle through a barrel, pulled out a bucket then opened up a chest next to her. As she pulled out a pair of fishing rods, Archie finally understood what's going on. Valkory wants to go fishing with him! Perhaps what she wrote down was instructions? Returning to the book, Archie tried to decipher the words in hopes of learning something.
Alas, it was like holding water, Archie is gaining nothing. Shame and embarrassment bubbled up and turned his cheeks slightly red. Valkory, now holding a bucket of bait and two fishing rods, returned to where Archie was standing. She tilted her head curiously, seeing that Archie is upset for some reason.
"I…'' Archie began, lowering the book and avoiding Valkory's eyes. "I don't understand what you wrote… I can't read it."
There was silence between them, only broken by the crashing waves of the ocean and the occasional bird call. With a soft snort, Valkory placed her hands on her hips. She didn't look pleased. Thinking he was in trouble, Archie stiffened slightly.
"S-sorry…" He mumbled yet was surprised when Valkory waved him off then held out her hand. Once her book was returned to her, Archie watched the hero place the bucket and fishing rods back to their places. Once everything is in order, the hero motioned to follow. Now confused, Archie trailed behind the hero back into the village. Valkory weaved through the village, taking short cuts down alleyways, and avoided crowds. All the while, Archie followed and wondered what in the overworld is this hero taking him? Soon he got his answer as the hero found what she was looking for. A modest size building with a wooden sign hanging next to the door stood before the pair. The sign was in the shape of an open book. Huh… Archie didn't know why Valkory brought him here, but remained silent as she opened the door and ushered him in.
As Archie stepped into the building, the first thing that caught his attention was the amount of bookshelves! Rows upon rows of books lined every wall, leaving very little room for furniture. Chairs, couches, and the rare table were squeezed in between the shelves. The illager then realized this was a library! He recalled the library back at his former mansion but was never allowed in there. Only evokers and high ranking vindicators could step foot in that room. Valkory walked deeper in the library and knocked loudly on a shelf, breaking the calm silence. Almost at once there was a startled yelp in the back of the building, what sounded like a crash then a young village stumbled out. He clearly rushed towards the front, his robes were all bunched up and his glasses were about to fall off of his nose.
"So sorry!" He exclaimed, flustered. It was clear that this villager was not expecting any visitors. He straightens his glasses then smooths out any wrinkles from his white robes. Once he had calmed down, the village finally realized who he stumbled into and got flustered again.
"Oh! V-Valkory! Hi!"
The hero smiled softly, clearly used to this aloof villager. She raised her hand in greeting then took off her helmet. Surprised, Archie stared up in wonder, this was the first time he saw her without the helmet. He could see a light grey scarf completely covering up the right side of her face, and a long scar ran across her left eye. The villager spoke again, drawing Archie's attention back to him.
"What brings you here? You have at least two more days until your lessons."
Lessons? Archie returned his gaze over to Valkory with confusion in his eyes. He watched her approach the village with her book in hand. She wrote something down then showed it to him. A moment of silence as the village read. Once done reading, he looked down at Archie with interest.
"Really now?" He seemed surprised by whatever valkory wrote. "Pardon me for being so blunt but Valkory says you are unable to read?" He inquired, folding his arms into his sleeves.
Archie nodded solemnly then suddenly felt the need to explain himself. "There was never a need to teach me."
"I see…" The librarian licked his lips as he thought then nodded to himself. "All right then, I'll do it." He pronounced to Valkory.
"Uh, do… what?" Archie asked, turning his head a little.
"Valkory wants me to teach you how to read and I accept the request." Answered the villager with a smile. Suddenly he blinked "Oh where are my manners? I forgot to tell you my name! My name is Felix the Librarian, at your service!"
Felix bowed a little, a soft smile on his face. Archie blinked, a little taken aback.
"Archie…" He replied, still processing what is happening. Valkory convincing the local librarian to teach him how to read? And so easily too? Looking past the villager, Archie could see the hero already taking a seat at a table nearby. She was smiling, clearly pleased with herself. She motioned for the illager to join her and Archie complied. Once comfortably seated, the small illager watched Felix busul around the library, pulling books and paper from many shelves.
"Since you are new, we shall start with the fundamentals." Felix said all the while, taking care with what book he is picking out. "Today and for the next few lessons is about learning the alphabet."
With a light thud, Felix plopped down a small stack of books and sat opposent his students. Archie watched Felix pushing a book in front of him alongside a blank piece of paper and quill. Remainder for the day was spent in the library, learning each letter and painstakingly writing down. However, both Valkory and Felix guided him through the effort of learning the alphabet.
It was night when Felix decided the lesson was over. The moon slowly crawled from the horizon, taking over the sky and replacing the sun. Archie stumbled out of the library with an arm full of papers and books. His body felt stiff from sitting for so long yet the illager felt happy. Archie had soaked up the lesson eagerly and was very excited. He's learning how to read! Valkory followed him out, stretching her back and letting out a breath. Taking the lead, the hero guided Archie back to her house and this time, he didn't mind being alone with her.
Perhaps this won't be so bad after all and for once, Archie is looking forward to tomorrow.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter and alert me to any spelling and grammar mistakes! 3