As we strolled through these crowded streets, we were greeted with smiles and friendly hellos from all types of fae. It was a rainbow affair, their hair color varieties ranging from blues to purples, to pinks and even ombre colors. They were all so very happy, their faces lit up with joy as they meandered through the village atop their horses and donkeys. Honestly I couldn’t remember seeing such a carefree group, you know, besides the savagery I’d seen in Guedmer’s moon tribune. People stopped and laughed amongst each other, exchanging stories and tales of their recent exploits in between bites of sweet berry pies.
Everyone seemed so peace-loving and friendly that it was hard to tell that they were in the middle of war...
“This must be the other side of Thalian,” I whispered to myself, my eyes catching a sweet petite girl with green pigtails and a bright flowery apron behind a storefront stall. She had a pair of mittens on, putting a tray of delicious pastries on display.
My mouth started to water, the sweet and spicy fragrance taking my taste buds for a ride. “Hey, Rufian let’s take a quick detour and grab some food for—” I stopped short, realizing that Rufian had peeled off somewhere. My eyes zipped left and right looking for him, until I noticed he was with a busty bartender across the street, making small talk.
“So, what time do you get off tonight?” I could hear him say, or at least, that was what I thought he said. Considering how big these ears were, I was expecting to get a super heightened sense of hearing, but they were all cosmetics.
I sucked my teeth, debating whether or not to march right up to him and interrupt his gawk fest, but my grumbling stomach was persistent, and I turned toward the food instead.
As I approached her, her bright green eyes met mine with a shy smile. I waved, giving her the same friendly aura, before she beamed, “Welcome, stranger! Have you come to taste my sweet treats?”
“Sure,” I said, admiring the display of rectangles and croissants, buns and tear drop-shaped pastries. “What do you have here?”
“Oh, just some fruit-filled yummies for the travelers passing by,” she replied with a giggle. “Would you like to try some? It’s good, and it’s free!”
“Free? Well that’s very giving of you.”
“Go on, then!” she insisted, so I took the one from the very top of her golden flaky pyramid and bit down on it.
My mouth was instantly bombarded with flavor. The filling was so warm, and the crust buttery. When the strawberry jam oozed from its blanket of soft flour, my taste buds got a first class cloud lift to heaven. The sweetness of the jam combined with the buttery crust was an explosion of euphoria that left me craving for more. As I took another bite, I closed my eyes, savoring every morsel of it.
It was the perfect comfort food for all of the stress I’d been in, and I tried my hardest not to wolf down the rest of it like a boar in front of this sweet short girl.
“It’s good, right?!” she asked, her eyes sparkling with admiration. I could tell from her beaming face that I’d just made her day from how passionate I was about these turnover-looking desserts.
“Very good,” I replied, my mouth still filled with food. “How did you make these?”
She leaned closer to me in a whisper, “It's my special recipe. But I'll let you in on a little secret. It's not just the ingredients, it's the love and care that makes them taste so good!”
“Good is an understatement. These things are amazing.” I smelt blueberry and went for a triangle looking one sitting on the corner of the tray. But when I reached in and inched the flaky pastry to my lips, the baker stopped me.
“It’s only one per customer!” she playfully scolded me. “But, I’ll let you have another if you can pay the price.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said sheepishly. “How much?”
“It’s barely anything at all.”
I smiled. “It’s all right. Something this good is worth paying for.”
“Then you won’t have a problem telling me why your heart is so heavy?” she said, her tone shifting to a subtle seriousness that mellowed out my smile. “What's your name?”
“Si-I uhgn, I mean, Syodas. Yeah. That’s it. Syodas Baewyn.”
“Mine is Hatti. Hatti Gamatarri. I know you can read names and levels and all, but that’s just too informal for me.” She tweeted. “I’m a local baker in my small village, and a very friendly one at that! I like to help people, Syodas, turning frowns upside down and helping people heal. While I was chosen to be a fire fae, I’d like to think that deep down, I’m a healer.”
Chosen? I wondered what she meant by that.
I remembered Rufian saying something about being given rights to his elemental powers, too.
“I don’t like it when people are sad. It is a very rare phenomenon in my village. But I see that you aren’t from here, because I know everyone! You’re a traveling fae, from our neighboring settlements to help with the war, right? I know things aren’t easy, but sometimes you have to take the time to appreciate what you have, and don’t dwell on things that you don’t have.”
I snickered. “Easier said than done, Hatti.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve lost friends and family in this crisis. Good people, caring people. There was a point in my life where I was struggling too just like you. But I learned that there’s always something to be grateful for, no matter how small it may seem. Maybe it’s the way the sun shines on the trees, or the sound of a bird singing in the distance. Or maybe it’s something as simple as a warm cup of tea and a good book. You just have to find the beauty in the little things so your heart could grow and your spirit may flourish.”
I looked at Hatti with a newfound appreciation. She was right. Despite the war and the chaos, there was still beauty and goodness in the world, AKA her small and quaint uplifting village. I took a deep breath and allowed myself to take in her advice, to let go of the stress, the worry, and the regret. I know I’d told myself before I gave my exit speech in Prism Point, but this was different. Being here, in this bubbling plethora of happy people was proof that a better future wasn’t just a dream. It was possible. And most of all, it was close… closer than I thought…
I smirked. “Thank you, Hatti. I needed to hear that.”
She smiled warmly at me. “Anytime, Syodas. We all need a reminder sometimes.”
Life was too short to waste it by being unhappy. So I made a decision to live every day to the fullest, to cherish the small moments and the ones I love.
And… to give Rufian more credit than I was giving him.
One trust point. He had an opportunity to ruin me and he hadn’t. Honestly, I should have given the strange fae more than just one point. As I looked over my shoulder and watched his theatrics with the bosomy maiden, I told myself that I’d finally stop fighting his decisions and go easy on him. Even though Alzera-Kar hadn’t given me a quest for the Grimoire, she also hadn’t given me a quest to murk this guy. So that was a good sign, right?
The better me, the new and improved version of myself. I reminded the new Silas that I’d went through the spirit world and left it an entirely different person. And being able to forgive and trust again was part of my enlightenment.
“Here,” Hatti said, offering me two blueberry pastries. “How about you give the other one to your friend?”
I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Are you nuts? I’m saving both of these for myself,” I said, taking her offering as she broke into contagious giggles.
“You should pay me a visit again sometime, Syodas. I’d love to make you an actual meal.”
I grinned. “I’ll take you up on that offer. Thanks Hatti.” I saluted her goodbye, heading to Rufian who was walking into the bar with a devious smirk and his arm wrapped behind the bar maid’s waist. They were heading toward the restroom until I snagged the hood of his cloak, clearing my throat at him. “Rufian,” I said sternly. “Where exactly do you think you’re going?”
