Chapter 2 Welcome to Phoenix Drop
The next day, I was woken up by the feeling of someone gently shaking me.
"Hey, wake up."
After hearing this, the woman slowly opened her eyes, and saw Aaron.
"It's time to get up", he said. "It's safer to travel through this forest during the day, so we should get up and going as soon as possible."
After hearing this, the woman sat up. Then, Aaron took out a bread roll from his bag and split it into two.
"Here", he said as he held up one half to the woman. "It's not much, but it should be enough to keep you going."
With this, the woman took the piece and bread and began eating it.
After she was done, Aaron held out a flask of water to her.
"We'll have to drink from the same one", he revealed. "I don't have an extra cup or anything."
This didn't bother the woman, who took the flask from Aaron and drank from it.
"Okay", he said, before standing up. "Let's go."
When I first woke up in the forest, it was really dark and scary. But, when Aaron and I traveled through it during the day, it wasn't that bad. In fact, Aaron was constantly scolding me because I kept on getting distracted by stuff I saw.
After traveling for a bit, we made it out of the forest, and had arrived at a village.
"We're here", Aaron said after arriving at his destination. "Welcome to the village of Phoenix Drop."
After hearing this, the woman took a closer look at the village.
When Aaron and I first arrived at Phoenix Drop, it wasn't in really good shape.
As I was taking in the village, someone suddenly came up to us.
"Aaron? This is quite the surprise."
After they heard this, Aaron and the woman turned around to face the person who had said it.
The man who came up to us wore armour and a helmet that completely covered his head. Also, Aaron knew who he was.
"Hey there, Garroth", Aaron greeted the man. "Long time no see."
"I wasn't expecting to see you here, Aaron", Garroth said. "What brings you to Phoenix Drop?"
After asking this, the man (who was named Garroth) noticed the woman standing behind Aaron. When he saw her, he suddenly became a bit flustered.
"Oh", he started. "Who is this?"
"I found her in the forrest", Aaron revealed. "She doesn't know anything about herself. Not her name, or where she comes from, or if she has any friends or family."
"Really? That's awful."
After saying this, Garroth walked up to the woman.
"It's an honour to meet you, ma'am", he greeted, before taking her hand in his own. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Garroth. I am the head guard of Phoenix Drop."
"It's nice to meet you, Garroth", the woman greeted.
For some reason, hearing her say his name made Garroth's heart rate begin to speed up. Then, he cleared his throat before speaking up.
"Aaron", he started. "Tell me, why have you brought this woman here?"
"Well, I don't know what else to do with her", Aaron revealed. "So I was wondering if she could stay here?"
"I see", Garroth said. "If the circumstances were different, I'd be more than happy to let her stay here. However, as you can see, Phoenix Drop really isn't in the state to receive guests right now."
"Speaking of which", Aaron started. "Why is this place in such a state anyway?"
"Phoenix Drop has always been a bit of a fixer-upper", Garroth revealed. "However, things have goten way worse a few months ago after…after our lord suddenly passed away."
"Your lord passed away", Aaron asked in shock.
"I'm afraid so", Garroth said. "And to make matters worse, his wife, who was pregnant, also went missing at about the same time."
"Which means…", Aaron started. "At the moment, Phoenix Drop is without a lord, or an heir to that position."
"Yes", Garroth confirmed.
"But then, who's running things around here at the moment", Aaron asked.
"I am. I have been trying my best to manage things around here, but it's difficult to do so on my own."
After saying this, Garroth looked at Aaron, and suddenly got an idea.
"However", he started. "Now that you're here Aaron, perhaps things can turn around for the better?"
"What do you mean", Aaron asked.
"Aaron", Garroth started. "Could you please stay in Phoenix Drop and help me improve the state of the village?"
"You want me to stay in Phoenix Drop and help me fix up the village", Aaron asked in shock.
"If there's anyone who knows what a village needs, it's you, Aaron", Garroth stated. "So, what do you say?"
"I…don't know, Garroth", Aaron replied. "This place is in really bad shape. It's going take a while to fix it up, and you know it's not good for me to stick in one place for too long."
"I know, Aaron", Garroth said. "Which is why I wouldn't be asking you this unless I was absolutely desperate."
After saying this, Garroth suddenly grabbed onto Aaron's hand.
"Please Aaron", he pleaded. "As your old friend, I am begging you, please help me improve the state of my village."
Aaron seemed really unsure about Garroth's request. But, after thinking about for a bit, he finally caved in.
"Fine, you win", Aaron said as he pulled his hand out of Garroth's. "I'll stay and help you fix this place up."
"Thank you so much, Aaron", Garroth said. "We really appreciate it."
"Now", Aaron started, before looking at the woman. "What about her?"
"Oh, right", Garroth said, "Please forgive me for forgetting about you, ma'am."
"I know you said Phoenix Drop really isn't suited for receiving guests right now", Aaron started. "But, I don't have anywhere else I can take her to at the moment."
"I see", Garroth said, before looking at the woman. "Well, I know what I said earlier, but I actually do have someone who can accommodate you ma'am. Zenix!"
After Garroth called out a name, someone also dressed in armour and a helmet suddenly came up to us.
"Yes, Sir Garroth", he said. "What is it?"
"This is my old friend, Aaron", Garroth revealed. "He will be helping us to improve the state of the village."
"Really? That's wonderful news, Sir Garroth!"
After he said this, the guard walked closer to Aaron.
"Allow me to introduce myself", he started. "My name is Zenix. I am a guard-in-training, and Sir Garroth's apprentice."
"Zenix", Garroth started. "This woman that arrived with Aaron needs a place to stay. Would you please take her Sylvanna? In the meantime, Aaron and I will begin discussing the improvements to the village."
"Of course, Sir Garroth", Zenix said, before walking up to the woman. "Please follow me, ma'am. I will take you to a place where you can stay in the village."