-

The path from the Merchants’ District led up into the countryside first, and then the hills.

That area was filled with farms and cultivable land whose production of fruit and vegetables, according to the girl who does he accompanied, was so great that it could satisfy the needs of the whole Kingdom.

Outside the city walls, the path had gone from paving to a reddish clay. On the right, an expanse of flowers with yellow petals it swayed to the rhythm of the wind. On the left an expanse of grass: a green sea that it reached as far as the horizon where, here and there like fish, curious ones appeared small white orchids. They stood proud, not too far from the path, two chestnut trees under which rested two boys with their hats on the face.

Ethan could feel a light breeze scented with salt who reached them there from the coast and moved the girl’s long, golden hair. The graceful movement of the golden cascade corresponded to the diffusion in air of her extremely refined floral smell: hyacinth. The Merchant couldn’t help but inhale as hard as he could as it was a familiar, warm smell. It made him feel safe. He did not remember where or how, but he felt the sensation as if he once had had that perfume surround him voracious.

They had chatted about childish matters, often forcing the conversation. For some minutes now they had been walking in silence.

Ethan saw in the basket, which the girl carried with both hands gathered at the height thighs, seeds, and chicken feed, among other food items. “I presume you live on a farm” he said while pointed to the basket with an index finger. Banal affirmation. He regretted having said those words at the very moment they came out of his mouth.

“You suppose well, Mr. Merchant. You really look like a man perceptive. Of course, not that it was difficult to understand given what I bring in hands” she said, and the only visible corner of her mouth rose forming one of his usual smiles that hinted at, linear and white as plaster, perfect teeth. She looked at him out of the corner of one eye of ice.

“What about your family? Do you take care of the farm together?” Ethan asked, pretending he did not catch the sarcasm of the previous comment. He was curious to learn as much as possible from that woman before parting with her as he perceived an inexplicable attraction.

In addition, he had believed in the impossibility of their further meeting and that he would never see her again. Instead, here she is. Fate was pushing him towards her, he was almost sure.

“No, not really. It used to be like this. We lived together on the farm and together we looked after agriculture and livestock. It wasn’t an easy life, neither fatigue-free, but it was a happy life. How did you say, Ethan? Beautiful things don’t last long, do they? One day they left me and ever since, ten years ago, I take care of myself on my own.”

Ethan felt that the girl’s aura had changed shape.

He was no longer next to a girl who was amused by everything around her, but to a sad and lonely soul who used that appearance as armour against gossips and against those who, on the other hand, asked uncomfortable questions in good faith, just as the merchant had just done. “I apologize. It wasn’t my intention.”

“Ethan!” she interrupted him in an imperious tone that was in extreme contrast to the usual delicacy of her voice and her appearance. “Past is immutable. Ruminating on it is certainly not useful for changing things. We’ve to think about the uncertain present, trying to make it as joyful as possible for us and for those around us so that the unknown future can be radiant. You’ve to be careful, because if you advance along the path observing your own footsteps, you risk falling” she concluded, smiling again.

The merchant felt, however, that was a smile artificial, bitter, almost resigned to a mocking fate that had punished one blameless little girl. Besides, he knew too what it meant to be, in one way or another, abandoned by his own affections. Ethan, at least, had was lucky enough to have been welcomed by Deniz.

“As you wish” was all he managed to utter.

They had now reached the yellow mansion with a gaudy red roof. It looked very old, to put it mildly. Next to the building that seemed to rise on two floors, there was a very small granary set up on a huge yard fenced in several compartments. The most extensive of these was reserved for a sleeping cow far more than well fed. ‘Fat’ some would think, ‘Succulent’ Ethan thought instead. A second followed compartment with two freshly shorn sheep intent on ruminating energetically and, finally, two pairs of chickens pecked at the last seeds of feed from the ground in front of their personal drinking trough.

There were not visible farms to the horizon since, probably, the possessions of the family of the young golden-haired girl were exceptionally broad.

In the last part of the walk the two fallen back into the eloquent silence they had already known. It was embarrassing, sure, but still it was natural. Neither wanted to force the discussion that, if it had to be born, it would have done it spontaneously.

“I’m sorry I was a fool” Ethan began, in the end. “Sometimes I can’t weigh words, let alone hold back my tongue. Curiosity has always been part of my being, a flaw, perhaps. I can’t help but to question after question.”

He realized this since the moment he started talking. He was doing it again, he was focusing too much on himself while the only thing he perceived at that moment he really cared about was knowing her, without even knowing the reason. That self-centeredness was a kind of unstoppable impulse, like it of his curiosity.

“Ethan, thank you, especially for accompanying me up here from the city. You’re an interesting man, you know?”

You’re her opposite, girl, Ethan thought fleetingly. All what my eyes see, from hair to gaze, from height to skin colour, from the way you pose to posture. Everything is the exact opposite of her. Then why? Why you’ve to use her own words?

“I had a very good time in your company, beyond everything” resumed the girl. “If you’ll ever happen to find yourselves in these countryside, knock on my door for a chat or two. It’d be nice offer you a hot meal or a nice glass of rum if you prefer. In the end, even if you’re not a sailor, you’ve to drink like one of them “ she said laughing to herself.

For a moment, that smile seemed sincere to Ethan. “Stay well sure I will,” lied the merchant, watching her climb the steps led to the porch of the mansion. He knew that in a few days he would leave, and they would never have a chance to meet her again.

He was almost to forget it again. “Girl!” he screamed. “What’s your name?”

The young, golden-haired woman was now standing at the entrance door. She turned, looked him in the eye, then she smiled and closed the door at her shoulders.

He didn’t know why, but Ethan just wanted to smile.

That sensation lasted only for a moment, since in front of that scene, again the desire to leave the sea crept intrusively within him: starting a life on land.

Garatier proved more and more the city suitable for the purpose, thanks above all to people he was meeting, old friends and new acquaintances. So, it seems the moment of separation really came, huh? He thought. May it arrive today or in a year or a decade, it’ll never be easy. I need a hold of strong position, a clean break. Yeah, I’ll do it. I’ll do it tonight if I’ll have the firmness. Divine Cohar, grant me your Courage.

Time with her had flown by. The appointment with Deniz was set for about noon and that deadline had passed by at least an hour. However, he was reassured by the fact he had sent Shinji to the old man. Probably seeing a friend after years would have distracted Deniz from his delay.

It was time for come back as soon as possible and start doing what he came to Garatier for. He took one last look at the mansion and even managed to catch some more of that hyacinth wonderful perfume.

Once out of the possible field of view of the mysterious girl, if she ever looked out of one of the windows to follow him with her gaze, he began to run.