Chapter 6 Meeting by the Docks

I have been in Phoenix Drop for about over a week now. During this week, I've been helping around the village by helping out with little tasks Garroth gives me. It's not much, but getting to help out even a little bit makes me happy.

A few days ago, Brenden finished building a dock. And today, we got visitors from another village!

"Morning, Aaron", Aphmau greeted as she walked up to him.

"Good morning, Ms Aphmau", Garroth greeted as he walked up to her. "And good morning to you as well, Aaron. "I have good news. A few days ago, I sent a message to a guard I know in Brightport, and asked her if she knew anyone who would be interested in doing trade. It seems to have worked, as I just received news that a boat has arrived at the docks!"

"That's good", Aaron said. "Let's go check it out."

"Can I go with you guys", Aphmau asked.

"You're most welcome to, Ms Aphmau", Garroth replied. "Please follow us."

Aaron and Garroth led me to the dock. When we got there, I saw Brenden talking with two men I had never seen before.

"Hey there, Garroth", Brenden greeted as he walked up to him. "Good news! These two gentlemen over here are from Brightport."

"It's nice to meet you", one of the men greeted. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Paul. I'm a farmer from Brightport. And this here is my fisherman friend, Visher."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance", Visher greeted.

"The pleasure is mine", Garroth greeted. "My name is Garroth. I am the head knight of Phoenix Drop."

"So you're Garroth", Visher asked. "Azura is the one who told us about you. Said that your village just got a dock built and that you were looking for people to do trade with."

"That's right", Garroth said. "How is Azura? Is she doing well?"

"Actually, things have been quite hectic for her", Paul revealed.

"Why is that", Garroth asked. "Is everything alright?"

"A few days ago, our lord went missing", Visher revealed.

"The lord of Brightport has gone missing", Garroth asked in shock.

"Yes", Paul replied. "You see, there's a pack of werewolves that doesn't live too far from our village. We've always remained civil with them, but lately, there's been some unrest."

For some reason, when Paul was talking about the unrest between Brightport and the werewolf pack, Aaron seemed to suddenly tense up.

"I know of that werewolf pack", Garroth revealed. "Why is there unrest between them and the people of Brightport?"

"Apparently, one of the pack's pups has gone missing", Paul revealed. "They believe that the people of Brightport are the ones who kidnapped them."

"Do you know the name of the pup that's gone missing", Aaron asked in a worried tone.

"I don't", Paul replied. "Anyway. To try to calm things down, our lord left to speak with the alpha of the werewolf pack. However, it's been a couple of days, and he wasn't been back yet. People in the village are beginning to worry that he is being held captive by the werewolf pack."

"This isn't good", Aaron said in a worried tone.

"It's not", Visher agreed. "I just hope that the missing pup is found soon."

"Me too", Paul agreed, before changing the subject. "Anyway, would you be interested purchasing some crops and/or fish?"

"We would", Garroth replied. "However, we have yet to build a mine, so I'm afraid we do not have any sort of proper currency we can use to pay for the goods."

"That's alright", Paul reassured. "Why don't we show you what we have, and after you've chosen some items you would like, we can discuss any other materials you can trade for them?"

While Garroth looked at the items Paul and Visher had to offer, I looked at Aaron; who now seemed really worried.

"Aaron", Aphmau asked in concern as she went up to him. "Are you okay? You seem really worried all of a sudden?"

"I…", Aaron started. "It's nothing."

I could tell Aaron that was lying, but I know enough about him by now to know that he wasn't going to tell me what was bothering him.

"Hello there, young lady", Visher suddenly said to Aphmau. "What's your name?"

"My name is Aphmau", she replied.

"Aphmau", Visher repeated. "That's a very lovely and unique name."

"Thank you", Aphmau said.

"You know", Visher started, changing the subject. "I have something that might catch your eye, Ms Aphmau."

With this, Visher turned around and pulled something out of one of his crates. He then held it up so Aphmau could see it.

The item Visher showed me was a lilac, silk cloak. As soon as I saw it, I really liked it!

"Wow", Aphmau said in awe when she saw the cloak. "It's so pretty!"

"It is, isn't it", Visher asked. "A clothing merchant gave it to me in return for some fish. I've tried reselling it, but nobody seems to want it. Not even my wife wanted it when I offered it to her."

"Really", Aphmau asked. "But it's so pretty!"

"If that's the case, then maybe you can take it off my hands, Ms Aphmau", Visher suggested.

"Really", Aphmau asked happily.

"She doesn't have any money", Aaron suddenly said as he walked up to Aphmau and Visher.

"That's okay", he reassured. "This is a gift for the lovely lady."

"It is", Aphmau asked happily.

"Like I said, I haven't been able to find anyone else who wants it", Visher replied. "And there's no point in me keeping it. So if this lovely lady wants it, then it's hers."

"Thank you so much", Aphmau said, before taking the cloak from Visher.

As I write this, I'm wearing the cloak Visher gave me. I really like it.

"And…here you go", Paul said as he handed some crates to Garroth. "Pleasure doing business with you, Sir Garroth."

"Thank you very much, Paul and Visher", Garroth said. "These supplies will help us in improving our village greatly."

"When are you two heading back to Brightport", Aaron asked suddenly.

"We're heading back as soon as daybreaks tomorrow", Paul replied.

"Could I go back with you", Aaron asked.

"You want to come back with us to Brightport", Paul asked in confusion. "How come?"

"There's something I need to check out there", Aaron replied. "So, can I come or not?"

"You're more than welcome to come with us", Visher replied.

"Thank you", Aaron said. "I'll be back here tomorrow at daybreak."

With this, Aaron took one of the crates of goods Garroth had brought, before turning around and heading back to the village.

"Good day, you two", Garroth greeted Paul and Visher before walking off with another crate.

"Bye", Aphmau greeted. "And thank you so much for the cloak, Mr Visher!"

"You're welcome, Ms Aphmau", Visher said.

Then, Aphmau and Garroth chased after Aaron.

"Aaron, why are you going to Brightport", Aphmau asked.

"Like I said", Aaron started. "I have something I need to check out there."

"The question is, will you be returning to Phoenix Drop from Brightport?"

After Garroth asked him this, Aaron stopped walking and turned around to face him.

"Garroth", Aaron started. "You know I don't like to stay in one place for long, and I've already been here for over a week."

"I understand that, but the village is still in pretty bad shape", Garroth pointed out

"I beg you, Aaron. We need you."

When Garroth asked Aaron to come back to Phoenix Drop, he seemed conflicted.

"Think about it while you're in Brightport", Garroth suggested. "Okay?"

"Okay", Aaron replied. Then, he left.

"Garroth", Aphmau started. "Is Aaron going to leave Phoenix Drop?"

"His stay was never going to be permanent", Garroth replied. "However, I hope that he will stay a little longer. He's only been here for over a week, and yet, the village is already in a much better condition because of his guidance. However, there is still much that could be done, which is why I would like him to stay for a bit longer."

After Garroth told me why he wants Aaron to stay, I decided to say something to encourage him.

"I think that…Aaron is a very kind person", Aphmau said. "I don't think he would leave if there were people who need his help."

Garroth was shocked by what Aphmau said, but then, he was reassured.

"You're right, Ms Aphmau", he said. "I'm certain that Aaron will not abandon us when we need him."

I hope Aaron comes back to Phoenix Drop once he's finished what he needs to do in Brightport. For some reason, the idea of not seeing him again makes me sad.

After Aphmau finished writing this, she closed her diary, and leaned down on her desk. However, she suddenly shot back up…when she heard an explosion!