The The Melian Revelation
Episode 12's

Vrey's surprised. This time Aelwen denied it. His anger is mounting. “Oh, yes?” reply Vrey. “If it wasn't for your big mouth, none of this would have happened!”

“I've apologized. How many times do you want me to apologize for being satisfied?” aelwen. This time Vrey was really on the blackboard, he was ready to give Aelwen a lesson, but Blaire held him back.

“It's enough!” Blaire was screaming. “Aelwen, go to the market and buy enough supplies.” He grabbed Vrey's money bag and handed it to Aelwen.

Vrey was just about to protest, but Blaire glared at him. “Close your mouth and pack up!” threaten her. “Or I swear that Gill's jewel will be nothing compared to what I will do to you later!”

Vrey's annoyance is tremendous, but Blaire is more senior, arguing it's the same thing as looking for a case with Gill. He decided to keep quiet when Blaire told Aelwen what to buy.

“And all my savings were gone,” Vrey scolded when Aelwen and his money bag left the room. “Why, anyway, Gill has to kick me out of everything?”

Blaire folds Vrey's chosen coat and puts it in a big bag. “He can't bear to see you like this keep.”

“Means?” Vrey raised next to his eyebrows.

“You think he didn't realize your strangeness this month?” ask Blaire. “The last time you behaved like this was six years ago when you suddenly stopped by to stay with the Elvar.”

Vrey was speechless, his tongue was faint. Blaire mentioned out loud the events she did not want to remember anymore. He hurriedly turned his face away, pretending as if he did not care.

But Blaire found him. “Gill worry about you.”

The gill? Worrying? In a dream perhaps, Vrey wrote in his heart.

Blaire continued. “When Gill found out about the Nymph's Cloak, she immediately understood what it meant to you. That's why he doesn't want you to give up.”

Vrey hurriedly switched the conversation. “But why should I take Aelwen? He, right, can't do anything.

Inviting him on a dangerous journey like this will only make a fuss!”

Vrey is no exaggeration, Mildryd is hundreds of kilometers away from Granville. Between the two cities lay a meadow and an uninhabited swamp that was a nest of wild beasts, robbers, and even Daemons. The merchants usually crossed the grasslands with Komodo dragons. They needed at least six days of travel, and they always hired mercenaries to protect themselves.

Vrey doesn't have any more money to rent a train. He wasn't even sure he would still have money left after Aelwen finished shopping later. To get to Granville, they had to walk. And during the journey, she must protect herself from anything she might encounter later. Plus, he also had to protect Aelwen.

What, the hell, is in Gill's brain?

Blaire took a breath. “Aelwen can heal magic and understand the intricacies of the city of Granville. He can also read. Who knows if he can find any clues you might have missed. Didn't you think of that?”

Vrey scratched his head in annoyance. “Good, well, you win, I won't complain anymore. Now that we're done packing, can I continue my sleep?”

Blaire breathed heavily. “Alright, I also have to cook dinner,” he said. “But after Aelwen comes home later, you should come down and eat with us, got it?” Vrey

nodding curiously before throwing himself up

the bed again.

But Vrey didn't really sleep, he couldn't sleep with emotions still bubbling like that. Eventually he spent his time hiding in a blanket all afternoon.

By sunset, Aelwen was back. Vrey is still upset and still wants to lock himself in the room. But when Gill's ferocious shout sounded from below, Vrey had no choice but to descend.

When he arrived at the dining room, everyone was already sitting in front of a pile of delicious dishes. Chicken grilled coconut sauce, sauteed meat with a variety of vegetables and spices, and

fish head soup with fresh tomato pieces. Vrey. He could not remember ever seeing their dining table plentiful in such good food. Blaire obviously purposely prepared a special dinner for her farewell.

The memory that tomorrow he must leave the house fills Vrey's mind, making his appetite go away. Vrey sat on the empty seat between Blaire and Evan before looking at the faces of his friends one by one. At the end of the table was Gill who was biting on the thigh of the grilled chicken tastefully. Next to him was Rufius who criticized the way Evan cut meat. The boy still could not use the knife and fork well. Blaire went around and poured drinks for everyone. While Clyde moved as many side dishes to his empty plate.

The scene seemed to have not changed by time. Vrey always had dinner with them at this place since fourteen years ago when Gill invited him to stay here.

Back then, other than Rufius, Clyde, and Blaire, there were still some other members who were now no longer with them. Evan and Aelwen had not joined. The faces of the people who once inhabited the house and were part of Gill's group suddenly sprung up in Vrey's mind. Some of them had already stopped being thieves, there were as well

they decided to go out and work on their own. Vrey still can't believe tomorrow is his turn away from that house and leave his friends behind, not until when.

“Gill,” says Vrey with vibrating voice. “I don't want to go. My house is here with you. I don't want to part with you guys just for Nymph's Cloak.”

Everything's silent. They stared straight at the languidly bowed Vrey in front of a plate full of untouched food. Vrey was ready in case Gill would curse or beat him. He did not want his friends to think the robe was more important than them. But beyond belief, Gill smiled. And not a sneaky grin as usual adorning the man's face. But a sincere smile.

“Listen Vrey,” said. “I know what that robe means to you. And before you get it, you'll never feel happy.”

“I don't need that thing!” sahut Vrey is full of emotion. “I just want to stay with you guys, that's it.”

“Then that's true,” Gill stared at Vrey sharply. “Why the last month have you looked so pathetic?”

Vrey dodged avoiding Gill's gaze. Those eyes seemed to read his deepest heart.

Gill drank the leftover wine in her glass. “Nothing, Vrey. You don't have to be ashamed to admit it. But I want you to go and pursue your dreams wholeheartedly. And whatever the result will be, remember ... You can always come back here, to Mildryd,” he said as he put his empty glass on the table.

Vrey looked forward. Gill was still staring at him. And this time Vrey couldn't hold back his emotions anymore, a grain of tears almost dripping down his cheek.

But it was Blaire who first cried and rushed to hug Vrey. The kitchen room turned silent, only to hear the sobs of Blaire. Even Clyde did not dare to let out a mockery to melt the atmosphere.

Slowly Vrey let go of Blaire's embrace. “Don't cry, dong, Blaire,” said. “I'm definitely home .. I promise!” Vrey desperately refrained from dissolving into Blaire's tears.

Evan suddenly stood up from his chair and hugged Vrey tightly. The boy rubbed his reddened eyes. “This place will not be the same without you, Vrey,” he said in a nasal voice.

Vrey smiled and ruffled Evan's hair back. He was truly sorry for being indifferent to all of them for the past month.

Rufius stood up and patted Blaire on the shoulder to stop crying. She grabbed something from behind her shirt and handed it to Vrey. “Bring this,” said

Vrey could not hide his admiration when he saw the object given by Rufius. A very beautiful dagger, in the handle there is a carving resembling the head of a snake that swallowed a violet colored stone. “This beauty is so beautiful, where did you get it from?”

“I stole it from a collector a few years ago. Punishment because he cheated payment,” Rufius explained. “This dagger is named Aen Glinr, made by the nation of Elvar and its age is very old. The stone in its hilt stores magic power to help the wearer cast magic. I actually want to keep it to myself, but I think you need it more. On the way you will meet many Daemons, your old dagger will be useless against them!”

“Thank you, Rufius,” replied Vrey. He tried to swing Aen Glinr. Vrey immediately felt the difference from his old dagger. The Aen Glinr is lighter despite its larger blade, a sign that the dagger is made of quality metal and well forged.

Clyde also took something from inside his pocket, a thick roll of parchment that was yellowed and slightly weathered. “I only have this,” he thrust the parchment at Vrey.

Vrey accepts and opens it. It contained an ancient map of the Granville kingdom drawn in faded black ink. The routes that can be taken from Mildryd to the Capital of Granville are clearly printed on the map. Inside the scroll was also a simple compass.

“Said the seller, this map is quite old,” said Clyde. “But I guess the road hasn't changed much.”

Vrey nodded. He rolled up again the map and compass from Clyde, then kept all the presents well. “Thank you, friends,” he said. “Sorry I've been acting shitty this month. Gill's right, I'll only burden you if you keep doing this. “

The originally silent Gill suddenly slammed his empty glass. “ARGH, stop all this nonsense! Why are you so crybaby?! Crying like someone wants to die! Blaire, my glass is empty, quickly fill again!”

Everyone hurried back to their seats. Blaire wiped her tears and filled Gill's glass to the brim.

“Gill is right,” he said while pouring wine in other glasses. “Vrey isn't gone forever, is it. He will definitely go home, why are we sad like this?”

Vrey nodded. “I'll find a way to make that robe and go straight home!”

“I promise I will help him as much as I can,” Aelwen who was silent from earlier suddenly spoke up.

Vrey felt guilty. He regretted having a fight with Aelwen this afternoon.

Rufius raised his glass high, the others followed. “We will wait for you here,” he said.

Vrey raised his glass. They toast and continue eating. Now that he had spilled out everything that was stuck inside his head, Vrey suddenly felt hungry. He ate all the dishes voraciously while laughing out loud, commenting on Evan's silliness or Clyde's cynical remarks aimed at the boy.

When they finished, all the food and wine provided on the kitchen table was gone. One by one left the kitchen and went up to their respective rooms above.

Satisfied, tired, and sleepy, Vrey immediately fell asleep in his bed, until morning arrived.