Reflection of the Shattered Mirror

After spending some more days in Silvailia and learning archery with Merle as my teacher and companion, I find myself growing more accustomed to this new life in this world called Elarion.

I become rather well-known throughout the village thanks to Merle boasting about me, saying that I'm his first ever student and have a lot of potential. How stupid...

Just as I'm practising, he walks up to me and taps my shoulder lightly. "Hey. The Village Elder wishes to meet you today. Get ready because we're going soon."

He drops that sudden news and disappears while I'm stunned by just how casually he says this big new. 'Okay...'

After putting away everything, I get ready to meet with the Village Elder. Once everything is ready, I walk beside Merle towards the biggest tree that's in the middle of the whole village.

I go up the stairs that frame the tree and knock. It opens almost immediately after I even barely touch the wooden door. I jump a bit in surprise, not having expected that.

A guard leads Merle and me into a rather spacious room, and I see an elf woman sitting on a stone chair representing a throne of some sort. It's decorated with floral ornaments on the sides.

I bow a bit, trying to be respectful. "Stand up straight, Alaire." A gentle yet firm and powerful voice that rings through the whole area.

I stand straight and raise my head, my green eyes locking with the woman's own violet orbs that seem to sparkle a bit in the sunlight.

"I'm Liralia, Silvailia's Village Elder. Pleased to meet you, Alaire." She introduces herself, and I slightly raise an eyebrow at that. 'Does she really need to mention her standing in the village?'

After that, she continues speaking. "I've heard of your, how shall I put it, genius archery learnings! I give you my thanks for teaching him, Merle."

While mentioning my archery, she eyes me up and down before giving Merle a small nod, which he reciprocates with a nod of his own.

"Thank you, Elder Liralia, but may I ask the reason you wanted to meet me?" I don't best around the bush and get straight to the point.

My gaze is calm yet serious as I stare at her, awaiting her response. 'I'm sure that she has a good reason for calling me here.'

She simply smiles at me, although I can see her cunning look. It seems like I've run into a sly fox. And right on the start of my journey to find out more about this world...

"I've heard of your incredible skills and abrupt improvement, Alaire. So, I would like to ask you for a favour." She finally reveals her intentions. However, I only raise an eyebrow in suspicion.

Her words rouse some doubt inside of me. 'My help? I'm ordinary, and my skills aren't anything exceptional or extraordinary.'

Silence takes over the room whilst I try to guess truly real intentions. Despite trying my hardest, I can't seem to read her. She's entirely unreadable.

"What is it, Village Elder?" My question breaks the silence and lingers in the air. Although she doesn't answer and leaves the question hanging in the air.

She only casts a glance at everyone else in the room before settling her gaze on me once more.