Chapter 6: The Boy of Burning Swords 1

The sun was nearly in the middle of the sky as Trinity followed Alexander to the eastern exit. On the former’s back was a large bag filled with a change of clothes, a few books, and other necessities for her journey. Oriana had thought it was strange for her to pack so much when she would be back that night, but Trinity knew better.

She was about to become an adventurer.

Reaching the edge of the village, Trinity stopped. All that stood between her and her journey were a few trees and a sign that read

> Atland Village: A place to call home

“Are you ready?” Alexander said, glancing back at her.

Taking a long, deep breath, Trinity nodded with a smile. “More ready than I’ve ever been.” She walked past him, past the sign, and onto the path to the eastern region. Once her feet touched the dirt road, she spun around and giggled.

She was finally free!

Trinity skipped down the road humming, Alexander close behind. Red and blue birds flew through the air, the sun shining all around the pair. Flowers were beginning to bloom in the grass, a few squirrels scurrying up nearby trees. One particular tree further ahead shaded an area filled with smooth stones. Trinity recognized it right away: it was where she first heard the legend of the Protector of Light years prior. Skipping over, she stood on the center stone. “Long ago,” she said in her best impression of her mother, “there was a heroic young woman known as the Protector of Light. And she’s standing here right now.”

She giggled to herself, Alexander frowning. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“Enjoying the journey!” Frown growing, Alexander continued to walk, Trinity catching up. “So, where were you before you came to Atland Village? Unless you’re really a merchant’s son from Southern Bridge?”

“Not even close,” he said. “Firstly, my father was a banker. Secondly, I’m from Rotamia.”

“I see,” Trinity said with a nod. “Wait.” She stopped and spun towards Alexander. “You mean the Ethenian town? You’re from another kingdom?”

“Do you have to shout?” Alexander said while covering his ears.

“Sorry.”

Sighing, Alexander continued to walk. “Yes, I’m from the Kingdom of Ethenia. However, thanks to the Protector of Words making the map for me, I was able to come here.”

“Protector of Words?”

“There are supposed to be one hundred Protectors in the world. With you, there’s—”

“One hundred Protectors?”

Trinity flinched at the last voice she expected to hear outside the village. Turning, she saw Phoenix coming towards her on a small brown horse. He pulled at the reins, the horse neighing a bit as they stopped before the pair. Shaking her head of her shock, Trinity put her hands on her hips. “Can we help you?” she said.

Phoenix flinched before turning towards Alexander. “It’s not often I meet someone else who knows the Protector story,” he said. “Especially someone from outside my village.”

“It is a well-known…story,” Alexander muttered.

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“A shame they don’t actually exist, though.”

Trinity’s jaw dropped.

“They do so exist!” she shouted, skin warm.

“Trinity!” Alexander whispered frantically.

Ignoring him, she stomped towards Phoenix. “Also, I’m the one who responded to you,” she said. “Would it hurt you to stop ignoring me every time we meet? You speak to my sister more than me!”

Phoenix’s mouth moved silently, eyes darting everywhere. “I—” Shuddering, he looked straight at Trinity and glared. “I have nothing to say to someone like you. Now, move.”

Trinity’s arms hung at her side as Phoenix kicked his horse. With a start, both rode down the road and out of sight. Alexander cleared his throat. “We should keep going,” he said. Trinity stood still, eyes focused on where Phoenix had disappeared, her mouth partly open. “Trinity?”

Startled, she shook her head and wiped her watery eyes. “Oh, um…” she muttered before squinting. In the distance on a small hill was a small building of wood. A large sign on the front read

> Border Parlor

>

> Come rest your feet and try some treats

“Hey, there’s a café up ahead. Let’s get something to eat.”

Alexander frowned before shrugging. “I suppose I am a bit famished.”

Slightly smiling, Trinity led him down the road to the building. They climbed up the hill and opened the door, a bell chiming. A few people sat at the tables, the smell of coffee in the air. Taking out her allowance money, Trinity went up to the counter, the shopkeeper behind it smiling. “Welcome to Border Parlor, the best spot to put up your feet during your journey.” She looked behind the pair. “A little young to be traveling by yourselves, ain’t ya?”

“Not really,” Trinity muttered with a huff.

Laughing, the shopkeeper handed her a menu. “Well, choose whatever you like. The food will melt in your mouth, or my name isn’t Anwari Cozy.”

Trinity read through the menu, Alexander peeking over her shoulder. A lot of it was food she could get at Chuckie’s along with some she assumed were eastern region dishes. Scanning it a few times, she glanced at Alexander. “What do you want?” she asked.

“Whatever you’re getting,” he said, looking away.

Chuckling a little, Trinity handed back the menu. “Two peanut butter and jam sandwiches with milk, please.”

She handed Anwari her payment, and within ten minutes, she was back with their food. “Here you are,” Anwari said with a smile. “Have a great day and be careful out there. There’s been sightings of monsters outside Southern Bridge recently.”

“Thank you,” Alexander said before he and Trinity went to an empty table. Sitting, he immediately began to eat. “We’ll have to eat quickly if we want to make it to Southern Bridge before sunset.” Trinity took tiny bites of her food, her head low. “Trinity?” Alexander frowned. “What’s going on with you?”

Lip quivering, she put her food down. “Why did he say that?” she said. Alexander’s frown grew. “Does he hate me?”

“That boy? If he’s someone you do not get along with, it is best to—”

“But I do want to get along with him!” Trinity shouted, a few patrons glancing at her. “Even if we can’t be friends again…I at least want to know why.”

“Again?”

Looking out the window, a small smile spread on her face. “It’s funny. That place was where we first met. We were maybe five or six years old, and it was New Year’s Eve. That was the night my mother told me the Protector legend for the first time. There was a whole group of us, some from Atland Village, some from Southern Bridge, I think.” She turned back to Alexander. “I was pretty sad thinking the Protector of Light wouldn’t come back but then this boy shouts out that his uncle was a Protector and that all Protectors would come back stronger than ever.”

“And that was the boy we just encountered?” Alexander said.

“Yes. That was Phoenix.” She chuckled while her fingers trembled. “We played together until the fireworks ended and then we went our separate ways. I didn’t see him again till we had grown, but by then, he had forgotten me. Not only that, but he started ignoring me every time I tried speaking to him.” Crossing her arms, Trinity leaned back in her chair. “I just wish there was a sign my friend from back then still exists somewhere in his heart.” Alexander quietly bit into his food, silence between the pair.

Out the corner of Trinity’s eye, the blue orb of light appeared.

She jumped back as it floated before the café’s door. “What are you doing?” Alexander asked. “Why are you using your magic?”

“I’m not…you can see it, right?” Trinity said, walking up to the light. “It’s the same orb from before.” Softly, noises came from the light. Trinity leaned closer, the noises changing to a voice.

“Someone…Father…help!”

The voice was one Trinity knew all too well. “It’s Phoenix!” she said. “He’s in trouble.”

“This must be one of your powers,” Alexander said. “Your eyes are glowing like the light.” Trinity looked in the nearby window’s reflection, her eyes indeed a bright blue. Suddenly, the orb began to fly away. “Follow the orb. That boy is likely being attacked by our enemy.”

“You don’t mean Marina, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter who. Let’s go!”