Book 1: Chapter 13

Unaware of what had transpired, Cyil and Baccaus flew to Fayburn with a carefree attitude. On their flight there, Cyil told Baccaus his concerns about meeting his mother and his friends again. He worried they might not remember him because he looked different. He was also worried that they would have changed since five years was a long time. To Cyil, it was as if only a few days had passed since he last saw them but for them it was 5 years since they last saw him.

To all his concerns, Baccaus expressed his own thoughts on the situation and tried to pacify the worrying young man. Baccaus even joked that Cyil would make the hearts of every girl in his town flutter. To this, Cyil blushed and retorted that Baccaus would get along well with the other grandpas and grandmas. Now it was Baccaus’ turn to react, and he emphasized that he was still young.

The journey was not a long one because Baccaus had originally not travelled too far after he ‘kidnapped’ Cyil from the Third Prince. Along with their cheerful conversations, it was a little pass midday when the two reached the outskirts of Fayburn. Adopting the same attitude, they landed a few miles away from town and continued the rest of the way on foot.

This time, Baccaus did not give the boy lessons on plants and animal species instead allowing Cyil to prepare himself. They traveled silently as they drew closer to Fayburn.

Walking out of the forest Cyil noticed that they were at the bottom of that hill he had so eagerly ran up five years ago. Opting not to waste any time, Cyil walked a fourth of the way around the hill and continued down the uneven road towards Fayburn.

The road was still the same as Cyil remembered, but as he drew closer to Fayburn he noticed that the large tree where his friend would often play and climb on was no longer standing; instead, the top half of the tree was on the ground and a nasty scar split the rest of the trunk. Apparently the tree had been struck by lightning.

Shocked and sadden by the scene, Cyil slowly walked towards the tree and gently caressed the rough wooden bark. Circling around the tree lost in thought, Cyil noticed some etchings within the tree trunk.

Gently tracing the worn out etchings Cyil was overcome with sadness, a hint of joy, and a mesh of odd emotions. The etched out symbols read: “To our friend Cyil, may you be with the kind elements and smile everyday. We all miss you. Betsy, Mundo, and Sigesar.”

Cyil knew that none of his friends, much less most of the townsfolk, knew how to read or write so he was sure they had asked someone to help them write this message onto the splintered tree trunk. And that someone who had helped them write the message was none other than his mother!

Cyil was sure, because he had seen her writing many times as she had taught him how to write and read. Only his mom’s writing would be so exquisite and neat.

Cyil could feel a throb in his heart. How much grief the news of his death must have caused.

“They’ll definitely be happy that I am alive, right?” Cyil began to question himself.

Baccaus inadvertently saw what the etchings said and seeing Cyil hesitate, he came up and patted him on the shoulder.

Cyil felt the reassuring pat and turned to smile at his grandpa. “Let’s go,” Cyil continued to walk towards Fayburn and left behind the lonely tree.

Cyil and Baccaus reached the town entrance within another few minutes of walking.

Not much had changed since Cyil had ‘died’. The wooden town sign had recently been replaced so that it now smelled and looked new. There were kids running around and playing in a carefree manner.

The only noticeable difference was the many men walking around going about their business.

Cyil sighed and knew these were the soldiers that had returned from the war five years ago.

“I’m home,” Cyil whispered as he stepped into Fayburn.

In five years, some new houses had been erected and older ones had been torn down but Cyil still easily found his way around. Cyil dodge pass energetic kids and staring eyes, quickly making his way towards his home when all of a sudden, a female fell into his embrace.

Right, a female fell right into Cyil’s arms so he had to catch her or else she would hit the ground.

“Ah,” the female, who was around 16 with a voluptuous body, moaned gently as Cyil caught her.

Not sure what to do, Cyil tried to help stabilize the female but she only clung onto Cyil’s neck and refused to let go.

“Do, do you need any help sister?” Cyil asked, worried that the female was sick.

“I do…” the female coyly whispered in Cyil’s ear.

For some reason, Cyil felt his heart began to race and his face flushed red but he still remained cool.

“Are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?” Cyil tried to stabilize the female again, but she refused to budge.

“I need…you.” At this point the female clearly indicated her purpose but Cyil, with the mindset of an 11 year old, did not get what she was saying.

“Sister, I am not a doctor. I don’t think I can help you. Granny Sueta is really good with medicines so you should go see her!” Cyil nodded, glad he could finally think of a way to help the female.

“Granny Sueta?” The female released her vice-like grip and pushed away from Cyil, perfectly standing up on her own. The female whose face was tanned and simple but cute looked at Cyil as if he was crazy. “You…Granny Sueta died years ago. Now, the only doctor in Fayburn is Ol’ man Badios. Wait, how do you even know Granny Sueta?”

The female was sure she hadn’t seen this handsome man before. She was sure he had come out of town and seeing his handsome appearance, wanted to bait him in. Usually, only those wealthy nobles who had never in their life worked a day of hard labor under the scorching sun would have skin so pale and clean.

She was sure this man was one of those nobles, and disregarding the reason for his visit she would be sure to milk him for all the money he’s got.

It was only when the man mentioned Granny Sueta that she lost her composure and revealeda flaw in her act. Could this guy be related to Granny Sueta, a distant relative? If that is so then I shouldn’t scam him. Thinking to this point the female dusted herself off and signaled to the man hiding behind a house.

Seeing the man leave with a questinoing look, the female smiled and stared the young man in the eyes. The young man returned the gaze and the female felt her heart flutter. Oh the elements! He was more handsome than I had thought! His eyes are so clear and attractive! The female then secretly decided that if she could hook onto the young man then she would leave behind her life of scamming people.

At this point, Cyil still wasn’t sure of what was happening but he was glad the female was okay. And looking at the female Cyil felt she looked familiar, but he didn’t think of anything of it and only smiled.

Baccaus observed all that was happening and laughed to himself. This is interesting, good luck Cyil boy-o, he thought.

The female adjusted her dress again and tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, waiting for Cyil to speak….

After a long 30 seconds of silence the female thought this man must have been captivated by her beauty and decided to make the first move.

“Hello sir, I humbly thank you for catching me. May your lordship please grace this humble lady with your name? I, myself, am named Betsy.”