The sun had already risen beyond the mountains surrounding Branvar. The morning mist was slowly dissolving, giving way to a clear sky and a fresh breeze that caressed the stones and the fields damp with dew.
At the Cocina la Paz inn, the morning bustle had resumed its rhythm after the incident with Ivyr. The villagers chatted among themselves while the aroma of freshly baked bread and hot stews filled the air.
"Aldrik's still got it, huh?" said a man with calloused hands as he bit into a piece of cheese.
"Of course. If it hadn't been for him, that thug would've had his way with Ana…" another replied, taking a sip from his mug of milk.
Eresh, sitting in his usual corner, calmly finished his coffee. His silver gaze rested on the window, observing the cobbled street where life continued to flow. Despite what had happened, his expression remained serene, as always.
When he set the empty cup on the saucer, he rose smoothly, took his umbrella, and approached Ana, who was diligently cleaning one of the tables.
"Ana," he called softly.
The young woman looked up, her sky-blue eyes lighting up when she saw him. Although her face still held a faint trace of discomfort from the earlier events, she smiled sincerely.
"Yes, Eresh?"
"I hope what happened didn't affect you too much."
Ana shook her head with a small laugh.
"Don't worry… I'm fine. Besides, Aldrik saved me before anything serious happened. I was more worried about breaking the cup."
Eresh smiled faintly.
"Cups can be replaced. You can't."
Ana blushed slightly but nodded gratefully. After exchanging a few more words, Eresh said his goodbyes and left the inn.
—
It was mid-afternoon and the streets were already bustling. Farmers carried baskets of tools, women chatted near the market where they traded fruits, fabrics, and utensils. Children kept playing, their laughter rising like chimes in the cool breeze.
Eresh walked unhurriedly towards the outskirts of the village, to a small house with a slanted roof where Mrs. Wyn, the village herbalist, lived. In front of her door, Ana and two other young women were gathered, preparing some baskets.
"Ah, Eresh," greeted Wyn, a hunched woman with white hair and sharp eyes. "It's rare to see you around here at this hour."
"I wanted to wish Ana luck with her exam."
Ana looked up and smiled broadly.
"Thank you, Eresh. We're heading into the forest to gather herbs for the test. Today I have to identify and collect ten different species."
"With your skill, I have no doubt you'll succeed," Eresh replied with a slight nod.
"I think so too," Wyn added. "This girl has a good eye… And if all goes well, she'll soon be able to start tending to small consultations in the village."
The young women said their goodbyes and set off down the path leading to the forest. Eresh watched them leave in silence, his gaze following them attentively like someone guarding without intruding.
—
On his way back to the village center, he came across Aldrik. The gray-haired man was sitting on a bench, carving a piece of wood with a small knife. Upon noticing Eresh, he gave a nod and a half-smile.
"Eresh."
"Aldrik."
There was a moment of comfortable silence before the older man spoke.
"I don't think that Ivyr fellow will come back… But just in case, the boys and I will do a patrol near the roads this afternoon. Can't hurt."
Eresh nodded slowly.
"A good idea. May Branvar remain in peace."
Aldrik let out a low chuckle.
"That's always the goal. It's what we all want."
Eresh noticed Aldrik looking at him curiously and checked if there was something wrong.
"What is it? Do I have something on me?"
"You… You always wear that elegant suit. Doesn't it get hot? Especially with this warm season."
Eresh glanced at his suit — things like heat or cold weren't something that affected him, though it was beautiful to experience them.
"Not really. I dress like this more because of my sister. She liked seeing me this way."
Aldrik's eyes widened, surprised by Eresh's words.
"You have a sister? Well, that's news! Hah. Is she just as quiet and reclusive as you?" Aldrik asked with a laugh.
Eresh smiled at the joke and shook his head.
"She's… the opposite of me. Eccentric, sharp, and kind-hearted."
"That's definitely the opposite of you—HA!"
After chatting a while longer, Eresh bid Aldrik farewell and continued wandering around the village, as he usually did.
—
The afternoon passed without incident. Eresh spent a few hours helping repair a fallen fence alongside some villagers, and later, as he had promised, he played with Lyla, Damian, and other children in the small village square. Laughter once again filled the air.
As night fell, the warm lights of the houses began to glow. Chimneys smoked, and the aroma of soups and stews spread once more.
From his home near the outskirts, Eresh observed the softly lit village, peace still reigning over Branvar. The children ran among the adults who roasted food in the village center.
Everything was so calm; yet, deep in his silver gaze, a faint distant glint crossed his eyes, as if a thought not yet fully formed had fleetingly passed through his mind.
But that night, like all the ones before, Branvar slept peacefully.