5
Malik was a great cover for the village. Because they didn’t have a traditional system, he wasn’t actually the Lord, not that they would tell most merchants that. Especially if the came from past the Sacred Wood, they usually had harmful views on magic, and more traditional views on Lords. Malik made his rounds peacefully, talking to incoming merchants, and checking in on the citizens. They weren’t that close, the fact that had to pretend to rule over them leaving them all a bit uncomfortable. He lived in a house off the paths into the woods with his wife, hidden like Kawaii~Chan’s by trees. Malik loved Phoenix Drop, the weather was warm most of the time, the sun was shining and the people were happy. Whenever they needed him for something, the citizens always knew where to find him. His job made him greet newcomers, and he liked doing so, always happy to talk to new people. Which was why Kawaii~Chan came to him to show the new guard around. He, strangely, wore a full set of armor, covering everything, even his face. It was unusual in a noticeable way, but nobody would comment on it.
Garroth didn’t talk too much, seeming to prefer to just look around. Malik filled the silence with chatter, giving him a brief history of the village, introducing him to the people they came across, showing him the guard tower where he would be living.
“Thank you, Lord Malik.”
“Actually, I’m not really the Lord?” Malik shakes his head. “I just help out.” Garroth shrugs, Malik guesses it’s the same thing where he comes from. ------------- Matilda happily talked to Kiki, stroking the kittens in her lap.
“Kiki, it’s unlikely that you would find a dolphin so close to our docks, we mostly travel by boat, it would be strange for them to come with all the activity.”
“Well, yeah, but I totally saw some!” The girl smiles softly at the cat in her lap. “Just ask Brendan, he’ll tell you!”
“I don’t doubt he would.” Matilda gently places down the kitten, and stands up with a stretch. “Excuse me, though, it’s almost dark. Get home safe, Kiki.” Kiki waves, carefully maneuvering the cats into a basket.
The walk to the house was soothing, the flickering of the wards humming gently over Matilda’s skin. She spotted Malik by the well, struggling with something, and sighs, changing her direction.
“Dale again?” Malik nods, and Matilda braces herself against the well, pulling on her husband. Dale’s arms came over the edge to assist in pulling himself out.
“Thanks.” He slurs, and Matilda huffs.
“Dale...” Malik’s face scrunches up. “You really need to be more responsible.” Dale nods, water pooling on the cobblestone before he walks off. They watch him in silence.
“So, I’m thinking stew.”
Matilda shakes her head. “We had stew yesterday.” She nudges him with her elbow and smiles.
“How about chicken?”
The two of them walk home, safe in the comfort of the trees.
(In the future, those trees wouldn’t be nearly as safe, but they would still be. Mostly. Maybe.)
