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The witch wore a cloak to conceal her face and attire. Not because she was afraid of the people, there was no reason to be. Witches were well–respected and even revered around here. But rather, because she simply preferred to keep to herself, and not be accosted by anyone. She weaved through the busy market, wondering where the stall with faraway spices was, it should be here, she remembered seeing one the last time she had come to this marketplace.
The witch hummed, wondering if she should retrace her steps, when she realised something. Whipping her head around, she realised her companion was nowhere to be seen. The witch tried her best not to panic, looking around keenly as she went back to the previous stalls she had stopped at, hoping to catch a glimpse of that golden hair or those clothes as dark as the eternal night.
It did not take long to find her. She was crouched near a stall selling apples, conversing with a child.
“What is it that you fear the most in this world?” Asked the woman with golden hair and ice crystals on her face.
The child considered the question, and then answered, “The dark.”
“Why?” The woman asked curiously.
“It’s very scary…..my mother tells me there are monsters in there that will snatch bad children and carry them far away.”
The woman seemed surprised, “Monsters such as those would spare no thought for the morality of a child. They would simply snatch whoever they found.” She told him.
The child hesitated, “No…..that’s wrong. My mother says only bad children get snatched away.”
The woman paused, “Then…what is a bad child?”
The boy thought about it, a little worried, he spoke, “One who does not listen to their parents.”
The woman looked at the boy, “But what about those who have no parents?”
“How can that be….” The young boy said, “Everyone has parents!”
“That’s not true,” The woman told him, “Some lose their parents to death, war, famine, or pestilence."
The child seemed to be on the verge of tears, “Wh-what?”
“Lady Eternity,” The witch came rushing in, calling out to the woman with golden hair. She looked at the distressed child and then reached into her pouch to pull out a bunch of candies to offer it to him, “Here,” She said, “Share it with your friends.”
The boy’s face lit up as he grabbed as many as he could in his tiny hands, nodding and running away after thanking the witch.
“Melly,” Eternity said as she stood up, "Is something the matter?”
Melly sighed, unsure of how to explain to the angel of death that children typically aren’t sophisticated enough to think about the morality of imaginary monsters, or of all the tragedies in the world.
“Forgive my bluntness,” Melly said, “But I think you should perhaps not preach such grim topics to children.”
Eternity looked clueless, “Grim topics?”
Melly pursed her lips, “Death and such…. Usually they are much too young to understand what it all means.”
Eternity seemed to contemplate the suggestion, and then, “But death is a fate that doesn't discriminate with respect to age. I come to all those who are fated to meet me. Be it young or old.”
Melly opened and closed her mouth, “I know that…..” She mumbled, “However….” She sighed, deciding she would discuss it later, “Lady Eternity,” She said instead, "Please stay close to me. Lest I lose sight of you and cannot find you again. Then it will be troublesome for both of us.”
“Oh,” Eternity looked at her and nodded, “I understand.”
“Good,” Melly said, “Now follow me.”
They began walking through the crowds again, this time Melly ensuring that Eternity stayed close by.
“I used to think it was unfair.”
Melly paused, “Pardon?”
“Death.” Eternity said, “Premature death. I used to believe that it was undeserving that those who are yet to see all of life should be subjected to the end of it so soon.”
Melly did not stop walking, but she slowed down, “Yes?”
“It was a mistake.” Eternity finally said, “Such thoughts. They prove fatal to impartial judgment. They pave the way for error and false verdicts. Hence, I had to discard such thoughts, so that I may bestow blessings and punishments as intended- impartially and equally to all.”
Melly fell silent, considering the words of the angel of death. Though her voice was emotionless and held no remorse….she couldn’t help but feel that underlying those words….was a buried regret from ages ago.
As they were walking, Melly stopped suddenly when she noticed a certain stall.
“Lady Eternity,” She said, turning to her companion, “Please wait right here.”
Eternity blinked and nodded, watching as the witch turned away and disappeared somewhere.
While Melly was gone, Eternity looked to the West. At the faraway mountain range which was her destination. The Kingdom of the Red Dragons. She would be meeting the first of her brethren there. Piety . Although, she wasn’t sure of what he must have been doing all this while….she was sure she could remind him of their duties once she reached there. And for that, she must remain as close to her guide as possible. Losing her way was simply not an option.
“I’m back. Thank you for waiting,” Melly said with a smile as she held something out for Eternity. The angel of death stared at the folded cloth the witch was offering her with a blank face, “Are you giving this to me?”
“I am,” Melly confirmed, “It’s a cloak,” She explained, “Just like the one I am wearing. I realised that this will make you look less conspicuous and draw less attention to us. After all, the road to the West is not an easy one.”
“Oh.” Eternity was surprised by the considerate act, she accepted the cloak, donning it immediately, “Am I wearing it correct?”
“Just a moment….” Melly stepped closer, reaching out to pull the hood over Eternity’s face, and then she pulled the threads of the cloak tighter and tied them into a neat knot at the base of Eternity’s neck, her fingers just barely brushing the holy knight’s skin as she pulled back. Although the contact was brief, the iciness remained in the tips of Melly’s knuckles, subsiding only after she stepped back with a slightly flushed face, “Pardon me. That was rude.”
“Not at all,” Eternity assured her, “I appreciate your gift, and your gesture.”
Melly cleared her throat, “Very well then, I suppose we must be off then.”
Eternity nodded, following along, “Pardon, but was this the stall you were looking for earlier?” She asked as she pointed to a nearby store.
Melly stopped and looked in that direction, “Oh,” She rushed towards it, how did she miss it in the first place? It had been right here all long, “Yes, it is the one. Please wait a moment. I will be done soon.”
“Take your time.” Eternity told her, the slightest hint of a smile on her face.
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