Chapter 14: Haywood
"What'll it be gramps?" Asks the stout little bartender over the wooden counter.
"Water please." Replies the Elder.
"That's it?" The bartender grabs a glass and fills it with water from a plastic pitcher. "Sure I can't interest you in a fine wine or ale? Or maybe something to give you a boost, like a shot of whiskey? You sure look like you could use some."
"Water will be just fine." The Elder's weary voice is harsh, and all he wants is something to quench his thirst.
"All right, to each his own." The bartender sets the glass of water atop the counter in front of Ghilwood and waddles his way to the end of the counter to assist another customer.
The Elder closes his eyes for a moment. Sleep has been hard to come by lately, tossing and turning to the devilish dreams and heart wrenching nightmares; leaving him shaken with cold sweats and bouts of nausea. What he wouldn't give to have a fluffy pillow on this counter to lay his tired head upon. Instead he sets his elbows upon the counter and brings his head to his hands, to ease the pain in his mind, to—
*flash*
A vision suddenly breaks through to his eyes—the faces of Palom, Porom, then Cecil and Kain, Rydia and Edge…eyes with tears of blood…
*flash*
Another vision. A golden dragon slumped forward, ready to attack, its scales rippling with intensity, its wings bursting open…suddenly it morphs into something else—the shadow being with its wide, sparkling grin (Chaos!)…
*flash*
A woman garbed in white, her clothing tattered, torn, and bloodstained, is bent over lifelessly. Her pale white arms are spread, tied to a wooden cross…
*flash*
"Hey!"
The Elder sits up straight, his eyes wide in shock, his breathing erratic, and his fingernails digging into the counter.
"You okay Mr.?" The voice is soft and soothing to Ghilwood's ears.
He looks at the woman standing next to him—jet-black hair, brown eyes, smooth creamy skin, she looks to be in her mid forties. Her red outfit accentuates the curves of her voluptuous body. One hand rests atop the Elder's arm while the other balances a tray of empty, but used glasses. She's obviously a waitress here, Ghilwood thinks to himself as a stream of sweat trickles down his cheek. The touch of her hand is warm and calming, allowing the Elder to ease the tension in his body and to gather his senses.
"Yes, I'm fine," he tells her. "Thank you for your concern."
"I've never seen you around town before," says the waitress, setting her tray down on the counter. "In this small town everybody knows everybody, so you must not be from around here."
The Elder picks up his glass of water, his hand shaking with adrenaline and old age.
"I'm from Mysidia actually. I am the Elder of the Holy Council there."
"Really? I'm impressed," she takes a seat next to him at the bar. "So we have ourselves a top notch official of the church here huh? You on some kind of pilgrimage?"
"No, no, I'm afraid it's something completely different," He takes a huge gulp of water followed by another, and sets his glass down. The waitress leans over the counter for the pitcher of water and refills the Elder's glass. "I'm actually looking for an old friend of mine who's supposed to be residing here."
"Who might that be? I can probably tell you where to find this friend of yours."
"His name's Urbinus Stalinsworth."
"Oh, the old blacksmith huh? Unfortunately he doesn't live in Haywood anymore."
The Elder's face seems to sag considerably at the news. Having come all this way, this was not the news Ghilwood wanted to hear. His body slumps forward in defeat. His body starts to ache again, as his mind seems to shut down for a moment.
"He's not far though," she assures him. "He built himself a small home about five years ago. It's located just two miles north of here, overlooking the Symian Ocean. He's old, but that guy can still work as hard as anybody I've ever seen before."
The look on the Elder's face livens up a bit. At least he wouldn't have to travel too far.
"I thank you for the information young lady. I'm most fortunate to have crossed paths with you."
"Well we don't normally get visitors here, we're very remote and out of the way. Not many of us venture off too far from here. Most of the families in Haywood have been here for over seven generations, and have stayed here."
"You as well?"
"No, I'm one of the few exceptions. Most of my family passed away years ago and I've been making it on my own for over half my life. I've moved to so many different towns and villages, it was nice to finally settle down here."
"And when was that?" The Elder asks, finding it quite nice to be able to have a normal conversation with someone after being alone for so long.
"About ten years ago. I wanted to find someplace quiet, you know? Someplace where there was hardly any action, just peace. Moving all over was very hard on my son and I wanted him to grow up in a good environment." She reaches for the pitcher and pours herself a glass of water.
"What of your husband?"
"Oh I'm not married," she waves her hand quickly at the notion. "Never have been. I'm a single mother…I guess that must be hard on your ears being a man of the church."
The Elder smiles wearily.
"Not at all my dear. It's not my place to judge you, just so long as you're happy with your situation in life."
A sigh of relief washes over the waitress' face.
"Oh I'm definitely content with what I have. My son is all grown up—I had him when I was very young. He's actually moved with his girlfriend to the town of Silvera. Apparently her father was able to get him a good job in securities over there."
"Hey Bella!" Yells the bartendar from the end of the counter. "Break times over sweetheart, get back to work."
"I hear you Hinkly." She replies.
"Boyfriend?" The Elder inquires.
"No way," Bella whispers. "He just calls all the girls around here sweetie. He's nothing more than a chauvinistic piglet with big bosoms on his mind and an even bigger weight problem."
Ghilwood lets a small chuckle escape from his lips. He watches Bella get up from her seat and pour him another glass of water.
"What's your name, Elder of Mysidia?"
"Ghilwood…Ghilwood Llewelyn." He's never spoken of his true name for decades to anyone. Even the members of the church referred to him as nothing more than 'The Elder.' Yet for some reason, this particular woman makes him feel very comfortable. Perhaps it's her voice or the way she smiles at me, he thinks to himself. Or maybe it's her straightforward manor.
Though their time spent talking to each other is very brief, Bella kind of reminds the Elder of his late wife Annabel.
"Well Ghilwood, where are you staying tonight?"
"I think I'll start on northward to Urbinus' house."
Bella shoots him a stern glance.
"No you won't Mr. Elder. Not in this night and not out in this cold. If the freezing weather doesn't stop your heart from beating, the night creatures will surely tear you apart. Around this area, you have to be wary of the many flying beasts that come out to feed at night. During the day it's all safe and sound around here, but once the sun goes down you can hear the screeches of those ugly birds in the forest and near the mountains. Most of them nest along the ridges upon the mountain tops."
The Elder was sure that those beasts wouldn't be a problem as long as he wore his amulet, but he decides not to argue with the pretty barmaid. Besides, it might be good to get some sleep on a real bed for one night, he thinks to himself.
"You're staying with me tonight Ghilwood. No ands, ifs, or buts about it. You can sleep in my son's room."
Though taken a little off guard by her proposal, the Elder was quite relieved that he wouldn't have to pay for lodging, as his supply of gil was all but nil.
"Are you always this kind to strangers?"
"Well I don't consider you a stranger anymore Ghilwood. Besides, I like you. There aren't too many men around here with your manners I can tell you that. They know all too well that in this small town they can get away with being crude and insensitive, because they're the only way us ladies can get laid.
Bella catches herself and makes a correction.
"Oops, I mean make love to. So anyway, you just wait right here. I'll be off of work very soon."
The Elder watches as Bella the barmaid walks off to the backroom of the tavern with her tray of empty glasses in hand.
Interesting young woman, he thinks. He drinks once more from his glass while thinking of the far off past—days of his youth and of his wife, and of their love, which was tragically cut short.
Bella awakes to hear strange noises echoing through her house. She looks out her bedroom window—the night's moon is still shining bright. She gets out of bed and wraps a blue cotton robe around her body.
She tilts her head out of the bedroom door. The sounds are coming from her son's room, where Ghilwood is sleeping. She tiptoes to the entrance of the other bedroom and presses an ear to the door. Sounds of moaning, mumbling, and a panic stricken voice—the Elder must be in trouble, Bella thinks.
She quietly opens the door and peaks through the crack of the doorway. She can see the Elder's silhouette, outlined by the shine of the pale moonlight. Ghilwood's body tosses and turns, his voice is trembling as he mumbles words and names.
"He's having a nightmare."
Bella streaks to the Elder's side, shaking him and calling his name. Ghilwood awakens with a fright. The sweat on his face streaks down freely from his temple to his chin. His breathing is heavy and his body trembles, as it's done every night he's hit with those blasted nightmares.
Bella takes the Elder's head within her arms, holding him close to her bosom, to let him feel the warmth of her body and the calming effects of her breathing. She caresses his back soothingly and lightly kisses him on his forehead.
"It's ok now, it's over."
"No, it's not over," the Elder gasps. "It's only the beginning. The beginning of chaos."
"Shh, I'm here Ghilwood," Bella's cradling seems to have an effect as Ghilwood's body relaxes in her arms. "Come here." She lays down on the bed, bringing the Elder with her—his head still within her arms. Bella sets his head in the cleavage of her breasts and tells the Elder to sleep.
Ghilwood wrestles with the many thoughts bursting through his mind. The intense nightmares are more dreadful and bloody. He's not sure how much longer he can take them if they get any worse. He's liable to go insane if they don't stop.
Bella sifts her fingers through the hairs on the back of Ghilwood's head, and now he was thinking of her—her beauty, her voice, the way she puckers her lips from time to time when she talks, the way it feels to be between her breasts. He hesitantly wraps an arm around her waist, seeking security. She responds by placing a hand on his arm in reassurance.
A great peace falls over the Elder; one he hasn't felt in ages. His eyelids become heavy, and in moments he is fast asleep—a sleep which, for the first time in a long time, will garner no images of death, or blood, or weeping faces; but a sleep that will yield happiness, fulfillment, and enjoyment—the last good sleep before the darkness of death takes him over.