Chapter 12: Alone with Mithos
Outskirts of Iselia
As soon as we arrived where we were going to stay, I looked around at the house in awe. Even though we weren't even inside the house yet, it looked pretty just fro outside. There was a small well-like thing set up in front side of the house, and the house seemed small, but probably big enough to fit everyone of us inside. Mithos rushed inside as Martel quickly opened the door, so that the young half-elf wouldn't bump right into the door. Although even thinking about it humoured me a bit.
"Let us go." I heard Kratos voice call out as I noticed I was the only one standing outside.
Of course, this made me get scared as I quickly went into the house, as my eyes nearly widened, from the feeling of my face. There were two beds, and there was a shelf which seemed extremely bare; most likely for books and such, but nothing was up on it. I saw Mithos jump onto a bed as he looked at the ceiling with a comfortable look on his face. I walked over to the bed that Mithos didn't go on, the one closer to the entrance as I sat on it, resting my legs.
The sheets were so refreshing and felt so... clean. I clenced lightly onto the sheet as I realized how cool it was; it had most likely been washed a few hours ago or so. I liked these kind of newly cleaned objects, they were so refreshing and they refreshed me too. I noticed Martel talking to Yuan as Kratos simply leaned on the door, like always. I wondered if his legs were ever tired. Then again, trained mercenaries weren't probably so weary all the time like me. Kratos was simply the opposite of me from the looks of it, despite the fact that we share the personality of being quiet. But that was only because I couldn't speak. Why, if I knew how to speak, I would probably be a talkative half-elf that talks too much, I don't know. Mainly because I have a lot of things in my mind I want to pour out.
"Yeah! Did you hear? We're getting the beds, because we're the youngest! Whoever thought being the smallest and youngest one could pay off?" Mithos suddenly yelled with glee at me as I realized that Mithos and I were to have the two beds.
Then where were the other three going to sleep? That was soon answered as Martel walked over to me and announced that she was going to get my hair cleaned up and such, since it was practically all greasy now. But as we left the house, I noticed Yuan following. Then again, he hadn't washed his hair either, and probably needed to do that. Actually, Yuan's hair looked pretty fair already without any treatment. All it needed was some combing and straightning, that's all. Doesn't look greasy at all to me, while mine was so visible. So lucky, having been born with a beautiful, aquatic hair.
Further outskirts of Iselia
I didn't think the outskirts could go any further as we stopped dead on our tracks. As Martel moved out of my way so that I can see, I noticied there was an well that had an bucket on the edge of the brick wall of the water container. It was streaming one side with fresh and clean water. Then I realized it. Martel was going to use fresh and clean water for cleansing our hair, and somewhat get us cleaned up all the way. I knew this because Martel was holding extra sets of cloths in her hand, which I didn't notice until now. But as I turned to look at Yuan, he had his own set of different cloths in his hand. They most likely got an extra pair while looking around for a place to stay in the Iselia plaza and such.
"Alright now, Yuan, you go to the left side, and we'll go to the right side." With that, she escorted me to the right side, where there was a container of water in a bucket.
Further outskirts of Iselia-A few minutes later
I was soaking wet all over, and it was kind of cold too. But that didn't mind as Martel gave me a towel to wrap myself around in. It immediately warmed me and I felt comfortable once more. I had to rinse one side of hair while Martel did the other side. I never really got cleaned with fresh water, so I felt extremely refreshed. As soon as I was dried up, I felt as good as new, and as if I was never unclean before.
Martel handed me the extra set of cloths in her hand, "Here; it's your second pair of clothing."
Taking it with gratitude, she also escorted me to a small area where it was mainly covered with sheet, so that I can have some privacy. She left as I looked at the second set of cloths that were mine. I couldn't help but smile as I thanked Martel. Not out loud, but in my mind that is. These are the one of many times where I wished I could actually speak and thank the person directly, so that they know my direct feelings, instead of always having to try to guess what I had to say that was concealed in my mind.
The extra set wasn't too decorative, thankfully, and it was rather plain. It was mainly of the colors of red and blue. But I realized one thing; this set of cloth should be worn in winter or at some extremely cold time or so. Why? Because the set had the following; fingerless gloves, two shirts, two pants, socks, a two-piece cape that could also be somewhat used as a scarf, and a blue belt. I was supposed to wear all this at once, sadly for me. But I began to unfold the cloths and wear them one by one. Soon, I understand the actual ideal of the cloths.
I wore red fingerless gloves on each hand, and there was a blue tanktop, where I was to wear a red long sleeved shirt underneath to conceal the exposed part. Something samilar was with my pants. Except I had blue shorts which blended well with my blue belt, and a long pair of red pants, which showed starting from the knee cap point, since the shorts only reached my knee caps. My socks were white, like normal ones, which reached up to my ankles, where I folded it in half. I wore the two-piece cape draped over my neck twice, which reached down to my ankles, where it flew on the airI realized there was also a hair band as I went by instinct; trying desperately to wear it. I sort of messed up, so I took it off in a painful way, and went over to Martel, where she tied my hair into a ponytail, and gave mea set of brown leather shoes, which reached up to my ankle point, covering the view of the socks.
Martel observed me as she flashed one of her famous and beautiful smile, "You look great. I wonder if Yuan's done..." She trailed off as I looked to my right, which was left from the other view, where Martel was also looking.
"Seems like you're done now." I heard Yuan's voice call out as he appeared in view.
Juding from the previous set of cloths he was wearing and the set he was wearing now, Yuan seemed to have two sets of the same clothing. I guess some people liked to stay in one clothing at a time. Strangely, Kratos was somewhat dressed in the same cloths every single day also. As well as Mithos and Martel... I wonder, what would they look like in different clothing? That was none of my buisness, of course, so I shouldn't be wondering about such foolish things. I turned to Martel, who motioned to go back to the house as I nodded. Yuan trailed behind as we both went to the house and Martel insisted on teaching me how to speak. Although, I was forced to be taught, since I really needed it, I guess.
"Alright now, listen carefull to the alphabet..." Martel went on and on about the letters and such as I tried my best to pay attention, even though it did kind of grow not so fun after a while...
Iselia house-One hour later
Martel finally said that the lesson for learning how to speak was enough for now, and I felt like jumping up and down with joy, but I didn't want to hurt her. Due to trying to listen and pay attention to Martel so hard the whole time, I hadn't noticed that it was getting kind of dark, and the sun was setting. I looked out the window as I stretched, my eyes examining the sun set, which I found to be a beautiful sight. I always wanted the world to be so peaceful like this; not like the labatory back where I came from. It was a complete half-elf discrimination there. I don't think anyone in Iselia also knows we're half-elves, except for Kratos, that is. I kept on staring out the window, until the sun was fully set, and Martel called for me.
"Time for everyone to sleep; especially you and Mithos." She simply announced as Mithos came into the room.
"Okay, Martel." With that, Mithos climbed onto the bed as I did the same.
While Mithos and I were on the bed, I noticed that Martel was sleeping on the floor next to Mithos' bed with a clean sheet. Kratos was nowhere to be seen like always in my point of view, and Yuan was simply sleeping while leaning on the wall in a sitting position. I had to admit, Martel and Mithos were extremely close. Mithos would never let her out of his sight, and he proved that by a long measure when he was acting not quite so comfortable when Martel and Yuan had left to find a place to stay. He was worried, and said things such as "What if...?" and such. I was somewhat concerned also, but Yuan was with her, and he seemed to be an experienced fighter, so there wasn't much to worry after thinking that; although Mithos didn't like the fact that Yuan was even with her in the first place. But soon enough, my eyes grew heavy as I began to drift away to darkness.
Iselia house-A few hours later
I was awoken by a shuffling sound near me as my eyes flickered and opened. Looking around by moving little, so that I wouldn't wake the others, I saw a figure walking around to my bed, and kneeling in front of me there. It was none other than Mithos. Why was he awake at such a late time? Why was he even kneeling in front of me? Of course, I couldn't talk, so I wasn't able to ask, and if I attempted to talk, I would disrupt the others' sleep. But alas, Mithos answered my questions for me.
He talked to me in a low whisper, "I just couldn't sleep, so let's get fresh air since you woke up too. Why not go to the Iselia forest for more fresh air? The trees provide good oxygen."
Before I was able to do anything, he took my silence as a yes as he somewhat dragged me outside by grabbing my wrist. We were out of the house, and Mithos continued to bring me down the outskirts of Iselia, where we went to the plaza and went through the entrance, to exit the village. I simply glared at the Iselia forest as Mithos brought himself and me to the entrance of the rather suspicious forest. I couldn't help it; it felt just like when Ashura had been watching me at Triet. Was he watching me here too? Or was someone else watching me and Mithos? I grew quite weary and cautious, considering it was late at night, and I just woke up. And anything can happen late at night...
Iselia forest
As Mithos and I walked down the forest, my eyes, thankfully, had adjusted to the darkness, and I was near Mithos. I didn't want to lose sight of him in a forest that I wasn't familiar with. If I were to get lost at night, who knows what would happen. I continued to walk as I noticed Mithos ahead of me, and I ran up to him. He noticed my reaction as he slowed down, and faced me, his green eyes looking right at my set of eyes.
"You know, I can tell that you're scared. Come on, let's get this walk over with quickly." He encouraged as I nodded; I felt a little better; thanks, Mithos.
But as I was walking with Mithos, my suspicions had grown worse. That probably indicated we were close to the something or someone that was watching us. Of course, I couldn't find that out until it really did show itself. But I was sort of scared by the dark forest itself, and didn't want to think of anything beyong that, which I already had, and regretted. I was somewhat walking with my legs shaking slightly, making it hard as I felt my blood boil. Again, I couldn't stand heat. I picked up my pace to match Mithos', as the breeze also brushed against me and I was cooled down again. I then felt better as I continued to walk in the forest with Mithos, hoping nothing bad would happen.
Next chapter
Body Host Number 876407: I somewhat rid myself of my fear of what might happen, but the feeling's extremely worse; even worse than the time at Triet. But as Mithos and I are about to head back, something reveals itself, and it attacks Mithos without even saying a single word of reason...
Body Host Number 876407: Find out next on Chapter 13: A mercenary's rescue.