Renata was wearing a white long sleeved polo and black suspenders when she was waiting for Rory to come. She was silently standing straight in front of the gate. After a few more minutes, Rory finally came.
Unexpectedly, Rory came with Naya and someone unfamiliar. Renata was dumbfounded because of that. She thought Rory would come alone.
She was dumbfounded, unable to say anything and was just standing there. She immediately changed her facial expression from bewilderment to sadness and grief.
She was in shock. She never thought Rory would bring someone unfamiliar along.
Seeing the situation, Rory told Renata, "Renata, I'm sorry for not informing you but Naya and Heidi will be joining us. You will surely enjoy their company."
"Haa~" Revi gave them a slack-jawed look. She frowned.
"We met before, but I guess you were in a bad mood that time," Naya said, "oh by the way, this is my best friend, Heidi."
Renata looked at Heidi and sighed. She held out her hand and said, "my name is Renata. You can call me Revi instead."
Heidi and Revi shook hands. Heidi chuckled which confused Revi. “Your soul is old.”
Renata frowned. “My soul? Old?”
Heidi nodded. “Yes! I have a strange ability to gather information about a person’s soul. Teacher Rory said that it was a gift.”
Heidi crossed her arms and observed Revi. Because of this, Renata frowned even more. “Well, Revi, in your case, I can only tell that your soul is old and powerful.”
Revi raised an eyebrow. “Powerful? What do you mean?”
“I can't explain it in detail but . . . there’s some strange barrier or shield covering your soul and it’s not letting me to dive deeper about you.” Heidi sighed. “I never encountered cases like this. But why would I waste my time? I have no interest to know a lot about an old souled person like you, Revi.”
Revi frowned even more as Heidi turned her back to her and walked away. She rolled her eyes and said, “do you even know where we will go? Don’t act as if you know the road.”
Heidi gave Renata a slack-jawed look. “I didn’t realize . . . sorry.”
Renata shook her head and escorted them to the barn.
Why would she bring Naya and Heidi here? They aren’t even my classmates! They are from the higher grade level! And wow, Heidi even called me an old soul. The audacity. Although I’m expecting it from someone who has the ability similar to Heidi because even the priests in Atolon said so. But it still hurts, wow.
I didn’t expect this, yet I shan’t be rude and speak ill of them. Father and I will be staying here for years and it will be no good for me to have a bad image.
Renata sighed.
I need to put up with them. It will be good also to befriend them so I can have someone to trust or someone to ask for help whenever I get into a fight. I know I shouldn’t be friends with them, but I need someone on my side, too. I don’t know what will happen in the future so it will be better to gain their trust.
For now, I’ll use them. Yeah, I’ll use them for my safety or whatsoever.
After a long walk, they finally reached the barn. There were two horses and a lot of wheat.
Renata went to the side to grab her beret hat. She was silent, thinking if she should take the risk.
Suddenly, Heidi asked her out of the blue, “wow horses, where did you get them, Revi?”
Revi gazed at them. “I don’t know. We have them since I‘m not yet born.” She sighed. “We, uh . . . used to live in the province.”
Heidi smiled. “Really? What province are you from?”
Renata was dumbfounded. She didn’t know what to say. She painted a little grin on her face. “Uh, I’m from . . .” What will I say?
“Kindly do not ask about where she’s from. It’s a secret and important as that place holds the most beautiful memories she has.” Yner appeared in the barn.
Revi nodded. “He’s correct so I’m sorry and I couldn’t tell you for now.”
Naya smiled. “I see. By the way, when will Teacher Rory start teaching us?”
Heidi frowned as she gazed upon Naya. “You want to have classes here in the barn? Seriously, Naya?” She turned to Rory. “Teacher, you will teach us here?”
Rory chuckled. “Of course, it’s a no. I’m sure that Renata prepared a place for us to stay.” She looked at Revi. “Right, Renata?”
Revi nodded. “I prepared a place for ‘us’. I’m afraid I couldn’t bring you to my home since it might lead to some circumstances. I’ll lead the way.” Renata fetched her horse and led the way to the river.
While they’re on their way, Renata couldn’t help but to be annoyed of their constant chatters, especially the noise of Heidi and Naya. Rory was chuckling all the time while watching the two girls having a kiddy conversation while Yner was just walking with them quietly.
Renata sometimes gazed upon Yner and glared at him. Yner did the same thing to her.
Renata can’t do anything to Yner as she finds hurting him because of his blood ridiculous. Same with Yner. They might hate each other but there’s still respect between the two of them.
After a few minutes of journey, they finally reached the river.
Renata closed her eyes as a cold breeze welcomed her. Everything felt nostalgic the moment her eyes landed on the river. She remembered her friends and the memories she made with them. Reminiscing everything in the past lighted up her soul yet it also made her sad. If Madreign only did not attack Atolon . . .
Heidi and Naya yelled and ran to the riverbank. Rory followed the girls.
Renata just came back into reality and forthwith got off from her horse. Only then she realized that Yner stayed and did not follow the girls. “What?” she asked.
“I have a favor . . .” He averted his gaze. “Please don’t hurt Teacher Rory. She’s . . . she’s a good person, I’m telling you. She did nothing so please . . . Don’t hurt her.”
Renata ignored him and went to the riverbank.
 
To be continued . . .