Chapter 166 - Overlooked truths
“So, what does a girl actually do for fun around here?” Rosa’s melodious voice rang out as Scarlett, Arlene, and the bard sat on the porch overlooking Freymeadow’s village square. Rosa was seated between Scarlett and Arlene, leaning back in her chair with both feet resting on the tree stump Scarlett had used during her practice sessions. It was now a mess of charred and fresh bark, forming seemingly random patterns across its surface.
“From what I have observed during your time here, I think you are better equipped to answer that question than I am,” Arlene replied in a casual tone. The woman had her usual cover-less book resting on her lap, although it was closed at the moment. Her gaze wandered over the dirt square, where the village children were playing near the wooden platform in the center.
It was the third day of this particular loop, and both Scarlett and Rosa had spent much of the morning working themselves tired. Now, they had been resting in the shade for the past half-hour.
Usually, Rosa would occupy herself with her own little adventures during these periods in Freymeadow, but she had been joining Scarlett and Arlene more frequently in this loop. Part of the reason was her involvement in some of the training, but it seemed that Arlene had also taken a greater interest in the woman after witnessing her bardic charms.
“Sure, but sometimes it’s good to get the perspective of the locals,” Rosa said. “That’s how you discover the really interesting things.”
Scarlett shifted her head to the right, glancing at the woman. Rosa likely knew more about this place than Arlene did by now, but that didn’t stop her from engaging in this type of conversation, it seemed.
Arlene kept her eyes on the children. “I’m not a resident of this village.”
“Really?” Both of Rosa’s eyebrows rose, although she was probably already aware of that much. “Where are you from, then? Freybrook?”
“No, I come from a minor barony to the west. I’m staying here simply because it’s remote.”
The bard nodded along to those words. “I can understand that. Ain’t the easiest place on a map to find. I’ve been to hidden caves and ancient ruins that were less secreted away than this tiny little village.” Some of the kids looked over at them, and Rosa waved cheerfully in response. “Never thought I’d utter that sentence in my lifetime, I’ll tell you that.”
“With your imagination, I find that difficult to believe,” Scarlett said.
“Right? I’m almost offended at myself for not being prepared that, at one point in my life, a strange noblewoman would come swooshing in and whisk me away into a world of adventurous exploration and tomb-raiding. I was too naive.”