Chapter 19: The New Life 2
Her father struck her at that time, for she showed vulnerability. And her heart indeed turned a little bit colder, but it was towards her father.
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Lara emerged from the water, the coolness lingering on her skin as she wrapped herself in the blanket she had brought earlier. She carefully removed her three-piece inner garment, washed each piece thoroughly, and laid them out to dry under the warmth of the morning sun.
While waiting for her clothes to dry, she turned her attention to the southern part of the plateau. This side was lush, far greener than the barren northern region. The difference, she surmised, was likely due to the presence of a cascading waterfall that spilled life into the surrounding area.
The house, perched strategically at the plateau’s center, struck her as deliberately placed. Was the old man obsessive-compulsive? The precise positioning of the house suggested he had meticulously measured the plateau, ensuring it served as a perfect midpoint. Shrubs and bushes bordered the southern edge, interspersed with medium-high trees. One of them, a medium-sized moringa, stood out against the backdrop of green.
Yesterday, when she viewed Galeya’s Throne from Ourea’s slope, other than the waterfalls which she had seen clearly, the house and the large mango tree partially obscured her view of the southern part.
Now, as she surveyed the area more thoroughly, she noticed the old man had cultivated a small herb garden on the southwestern side, near where the water flowed from the plunge pool. Among the plants, she recognized turmeric, garlic, chives, peppermint, and yarrow.
How long had the old man been here? Did he have a family somewhere? What had driven him to this secluded existence? These questions lingered in Lara’s mind as she pondered the enigmatic figure who was now her master—a term unfamiliar and somewhat unsettling to her.
Lara was curious to know about her new master. He was the first master she ever had. While she had a long list of teachers and coaches, she did not consider them her master, just as they did not consider her their disciple. To them, she was just a source of their income.