Chapter 7: A Night in Yakul - Part 1
Ecuti's family was so welcoming to Ahli and Sharon as they greeted them with quite a feast. It was not super fancy dishes, just the regular peasant dishes that were served on the table, but the amount of it was enough to hold a party.
After the meal, Ahli felt so full and was so lazy because of it. He sat on the porch of the house, looking at the stars, trying his best to hold not to puke from overeating, while his stomach still digesting everything.
"It was worth it…" muttered himself followed by a smile.
He looked around toward the other houses in the village. There were lights in every one of them, and faintly he also heard how each household interacted. This place was so peaceful and it made him wish if he ever found Jena, he would take her back here.
"Hey, you okay?"
Ahli's head turned to see Sharon was standing behind him. On both of her hands were two mugs with unknown content as they were too high to be seen. Yet, looking at the steam that was vaguely visible, Ahli assumed that it was not booze, which actually something not he required at the moment.
"Yeah, still resting from all the rabbit meat."
Even though he said so, he knew his face said the otherwise. Sharon smugly chuckled seeing Ahli's condition and passed down the mug in her left hand to him. She then sat beside him.
Upon receiving it, Ahli saw the content of the mug. From the light reflection on its surface, he saw a green translucent color of the liquid. He smelled it and it was a familiar fragrant that he knew.
"Is this matcha? I mean green tea."
"Green tea? Is that what it is called in your world? Mrs. Granger said it was boiled Camellia leaves. People in this village had been drinking it to remove fatigue and also as a hangover cure."
Sharon took a sip of it and after she swallowed it, she took a deep breath. From the wide smile on her face, she seemed to enjoy the drink. Seeing her, Ahli thought that it would be no harm to drink it. And so, he took a sip as well.
As the liquid touched his tongue, he tasted a flavor that he really knew so well. It was green tea and its warmth had made his feeling of a full stomach disappear.
"You seemed to enjoy it." Asked Sharon who had noticed his reaction to the drink.
"Yeah, this is something that I can enjoy, unlike that bitter stuff that you forced into me." Mocked Ahli, remembering the liquid from the vial that Sharon gave to him in the middle of the battle.
"Hey, that liquid saved your life, right? Be a man, accept the taste." Counter mock Sharon.
"Yeah, right. That bitter stuff should be banned. What was it anyway? Don't tell me it was a healing potion."
"It was. You really know your stuff huh? Do they have it in your world as well?"
A healing potion? Ahli could not believe what he heard. All these years playing games with the image of a healing potion should be something sweet and pleasant, just destroyed with this truth.
"No, of course not. If we have one, there would not be any need for doctors."
"Doctors? What's that?" Before Ahli was able to answer Sharon's question, he heard someone open the door of the house. He looked in the direction and saw Ecuti in her sleeping attire. Both of her hands were holding a plate.
"Hi, I heard you two and so I was checking." As she walked toward Ahli and Sharon. "Trouble sleeping?"
"Well, not exactly. I tend to sleep quite later in the night, while this brother here, he just felt full." Sharon grinned as she deliberately showed Ahli that she was mocking him.
Ahli did not counter it and simply ignored her by asking Ecuti, "How about you? Why are you not sleeping? I could see you are already prepared for it."
Ecuti's face blushed and shyly she said, "I usually don't have many chances to talk to people from outside the village, therefore… I really… would like… to hear your story…"
Hearing that reason, Sharon and Ahli looked at each other. They knew what they should do, agreeing telepathically.
"Yeah, sure. Come and join us." Said Sharon as she waved telling her to get closer.
Ecuti smiled happily hearing their acceptance. She almost threw the plate she carried as she seemed to be overflowed by joy, luckily she didn't do it.
"What's on the plate?" Asked Ahli who got curious about it.
Ecuti moved closer to Ahli and she squatted, showing what was on the plate. There Ahli saw different kinds of nuts and dried fruits. However, it was not any nuts and dried fruits as they were shaped into a bar, just like a candy bar.
Ahli was not that surprised seeing it, even though he wondered how it was put together.
[Is it with honey? Or is it sugar? And if it's sugar, how do they produce it?]
Sharon on the other hand was truly surprised. Ahli observed from this encounter, how it was strange that a city girl knew so little, and a village girl was able to make a lot of delicacies that made the city girl amazed. Just thinking about it made Ahli laugh.
"Why are you laughing?"
Sharon's sudden question made Ahli have to hold his laugh, as surely if he blurted it out, Sharon would be in a foul mood till morning and it might make him leave the village alone perhaps.
"Nothing. It's just I'm amazed by what we had at this village." Ahli laughed again after giving his reason. Sharon and Ecuti looked at him still puzzled by the weird reason he gave.
Ahli grabbed one of the candy bars and took a bite of it. It was different from the one he used to taste, it felt so natural. And even though he was so full before, somehow there is still room for this Candy bar.
"So, good. It's so good." Said Ahli as she looked at Ecuti.
Seeing Ahli's reaction, Sharon quickly took one as well. As she bit it, she instantly closed her mouth and her eyes widened. Surprised would be the word again to be used. However, instant happiness would also be a correct word that described her at that moment.
Ecuti smiled widely as she saw how both of her guests were enjoying the treat that she made. It was genuine happiness that she expressed.
DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG! DONG!
The repeated ring of the bell at the gate could be heard suddenly. Ahli and Sharon quickly stood from their seat facing the direction of the gate. They walked away from the house to hear the yell of the village guard. It was quite faded because of the distance, but clearly, the gate guard was yelling, "BANDITS! BANDITS! BANDITS!"
Ecuti's door house was suddenly slammed open, which made Ahli and Sharon turn in its direction. Ecuti's father was standing behind it as he putting on a leather garb on his upper body. Behind him was his wife, holding a javelin that was taller than her.
After Mr. Granger finished putting on his body protector, he took the Javelin from his wife. As she gave it to him, Mrs. Granger said with a concerning face to him, "Be safe."
"I will." They kissed and as their lips separated, he passed through the door.
He looked at her daughter who had that concerning face, knowing that her father might be going into his final moments. Mr. Granger kneeled in front of Ecuti and put his right hand on her left shoulder. "Ecuti, go inside and follow your mom. Whatever happens, follow her lead."
Father and daughter stared at each other in silence, which was then followed by Ecuti jumping into her father's chest, hugging him. She tried to hold her tears, as it seemed that a part of her wanted to believe that her father would return home safely.
As she let go of him, Ecuti's father stood and faced Sharon and Ahli.
"I know it's inappropriate for the host to ask the guest to fight against the invader. But the more help we have the better."
Sharon pulled her sword from its sheath and said, "Without you asking, I'm prepared to help."
"I'll help too." Said Ahli which was then halted by Sharon who raised her hand in front of him.
"No, you stay here. Protecting Ecuti and her mother. You don't have any weapon." Said Sharon as she turned to face him.
"But I can fight. I have a wea…"
Before Ahli could argue any further, Sharon pulled him by the collar, making his face closer to her, so she can whisper to him.
"Listen, we can't risk your status as a card mage to be known by the people here. People's hatred of them is so big. Your good will might become your end."
"But, Sharon!"
"You stay! Do as I say! Please!"
Ahli grudgingly accepted her order. He did not like it, but he had to do it. Sharon then let go of her hold and turned to face Ecuti's father.
"Shall we go, sir? Ahli will guard your house."
Ecuti's father looked at Ahli and bowed, "Please keep my family safe."
As both of them left the house to join the village defense, Ahli walked toward the front door.
"Brother Ahli, are you okay?" Asked Ecuti.
"I'm fine." With a forced smile, Ahli said to her. He even patted her head just to make her sure that he was fine. From the way Ecuti looked at him however, he knew that she was not convinced. Ahli then looked at Ecuti's mother.
"Maam, please bring Ecuti inside. I will stand at the door."
Ecuti's mother replied with a short nod and she grabbed Ecuti and brought her inside the house. As they closed the door, Ahli turned to see the gate area. He really wanted to help.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MahessaFPS
MahessaFPS More fights coming in the next few chapters. This one would be a long one and more cards would appear. Hopefully, you guys enjoy the strategy that was shown in it.
Also, in the next few chapters, it would be shown the negative impact of the card mages, and why Sharon truly forbids Ahli from using them.
What do you guys think about this chapter? Please leave your comment and input.
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