The Decoder - Chapter 4

Avery

The task of being on the lookout and catching bandits was a routine for Avery. It only requires patience and plenty of observation. But it became difficult when civilians were involved, unexpectedly. His duty when on night patrol had been mundane until this night. Avery had caught sight from afar, of a bandit creeping up to a woman who stood before the archway of Cyel Street.

Damn you.

Avery decided to observe from a corner and strike at the perfect opportunity. When civilians are involved, it’s best to strike at the best open opportunity unless the civilian was in immediate grave danger. Assessing the situation, the lady does not seem to be in that category. The last thing he wanted was getting the civilian injured or killed.

When the perfect opportunity came, he’d strike the bandit and getting injured in the process was no big deal for him. He had been injured countless of times during his combat trainings. For him, getting slashed at the non-vital parts of his body was the least of his worries. However, the woman before him was a concern for him, the woman whom he’d met on the previous night and earlier in the evening. And, he’d recognised her as more than just the woman he’d met. Though he couldn’t double confirm his suspicions, he hadn’t doubted for a second that the woman was none other than his childhood best friend, Edith Alcoft, the moment he met her round rich hazel eyes and the navy-blue satin ribbon she had used to secure her braid. It was the ribbon he’d given her nine years ago. Her baby face had grown out and her features were sweet and dainty with a small mouth and celestial nose. He wanted to pull her into his arms, wanted to question her, but the public was not an appropriate place for it. He could only hope to run into her again in this small city, which he was certain he would.

So, why was she so guarded around him? Now that she was sitting opposite of him, treating his injury. Unaware of the person before her was her childhood best friend. Is it because of my uniform? Based on her swift movements and expert fingers, he was certain she’d learned some medical skills for the past eight years they’re apart. After the raid on the Alcoft home in Falborg Forest, which he’d learned two days after the incident, after returning from a personal business at Hathage, he was devastated at the news. He searched frantically for Edith and her father, but to his utter dismay, they were nowhere to be found. He continued to search for them the next seven days, but to no avail, his hopes crushed, with nowhere to go. At least before he met High Commander Ekker.

Avery watched her, noting her facial features up close that further confirmed her identity. Now, he only needed to double confirm that she was indeed Edith. He was becoming aware of the silence and the tension around them and was growing uncomfortable. He wanted to ease the tension. But, how? He needed to say something, start a topic.

“You’re good at this,” was all he could managed, and he silently scolded himself for it. Is this all you could say, you oaf?

There was a moment’s silence and he continued to hope she would say something. Please don’t give me the silent treatment.

When she finally said something, he released a sigh he did not even realise he was holding.

“I learned some medical skills from my uncle.” She did not look at him as she focused on applying iodine to his injury. He winced at the sharp sting.

“How long have you been learning?” Avery asked, hoping to continue the conversation.

“Since eight years ago.” She finished applying the iodine and took the bandage that was sitting next to the basin, the clear water now a murky red.

“What were you doing prior to picking up on medical skills?” Avery was trying his best to dig some information from her in confirming her identity. She looked up at him and blinked. A frown formed on her sweet-looking face, and Avery could tell she was beginning to suspect him.

“Why would you like to know?”

“Just out of curiosity and…” Avery stopped to think for a short while to make his answer convincing.

“For conversation sake. The silence is uncomfortable.” He finished with a shrug. She assessed him for a moment, those hazel eyes that was full of intelligence. She smiled the smallest of smiles and resumed with her task of bandaging his upper arm.

“I spent my time playing the pianoforte and composing songs.”

Edie is excellent at the pianoforte, isn’t she?

“I see…Do you often play the pianoforte, say, in a certain home in Falborg Forest?” Avery dared to question. Hoping their conversation will lead to where he intended it to.

“Yes—” She stopped short and looked at him again, her round eyes growing wide.

“Wait, how…?” She questioned. Bingo.

“Edith.” Avery said her name softly, never averting his gaze from hers. Edith swallowed hard and stared at him. Her mind was probably flooded with memories from their childhood days. When she did not say anything, Avery decided to prod further when he had confirmed her identity.

“Don’t you remember me, Edie?” The use of her pet name brought memories of their childhood days came rushing in full force, suddenly missing her smiles, her company, her warmth. How he had missed calling her by pet name very much.

“Of course, I remember you, Avery.” Edith’s face softened and whispered his name, tears shimmered in her eyes; her bandage work forgotten.

When she said his name, the urge to pull her into his arms was overwhelming, but Edith beat him to it. She stood and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her. Her hair smelled wonderfully of lavender and he just wanted to lay in her embrace for a long time.

“It’s been a long time. Where have you been?” Avery asked, placing his uninjured hand on the small of her back.

“I am always here, Avery. I thought you…you left.” Edith choked back a sob.

“No…And I thought you left.” He did not wish to mention about the thought of her being dead either. He brushed off the thought and focused on the present.

“How did you end up in the Militia?” Edith pulled away and Avery immediately missed her warmth. He wanted to pull her into his arms but thought the better of it.

“I—” Avery started to say but was interrupted by another voice coming from the hallway.

“Edith? Is that you?” A middle-aged man stood at the doorway of the consultation room, dressed in his night shirt. Edith turned at the sound and smiled.

“Yes, it’s me, uncle.” At the address of her uncle, Avery immediately recognised the middle-aged man as Uncle Vern, Edith’s father’s younger brother who had treated his injury eleven years ago, which was now a deep scar that ran from the top of his right eyebrow to his bridge nose. The injury that nearly killed him eleven years ago.

“What are you doing in the consultation room at this hour?” Her uncle stepped into the room. His hair was disheveled, probably from sleep. There were streaks of grey hair and his face was weathered.

“Uncle, do you remember Avery? The boy you treated eleven years ago.” Edith asked.

“Avery? Yes, I remember that fellow.” Uncle Vern said and a warm smile spread across his weathered face upon spotting him sitting next to the table at the corner of the room. Then, almost immediately as the smile appeared, a frown replaced his expression at the sight of Avery’s left arm. The work was abandoned half- way. Avery moved to stand, but Edith immediately pushed him back down, and finished her task with the bandage, expertly tying the knot.

“Hello, Uncle Vern. Long time no see. How are you doing?” Avery threw a smile at the older man.

“I’m doing well. My…Look at you. All grown up like my niece here.” Uncle Vern gestured at Edith who was now moving to stand next to her uncle. The girl who was once nine years old when he’d met her was now a fine and sweet-looking lady with her waist-length hair braided. The memories from their childhood days came flooding back, and how he wished he could just stay in that time forever, the only time he was truly happy. If only, the reality wasn’t so harsh on him.

“And you look wiser, Uncle Vern.” Avery grinned. Edith chuckled; a soft feathery sound Avery never grow tired of hearing. It made him feel at ease.

“And, how did you end up in the Militia?” Uncle Vern questioned. It was a question Avery dreaded answering. He knew how the citizens feel about the Militia and he was afraid of their judgements, just like how he was afraid his brother would come to haunt him. He took a deep breath and stood, draping his coat over his uninjured arm. Just as he opened his mouth to answer, a soft click was heard. He looked to see what have fallen out of his coat’s pocket and noticed the necklace with the star pendant. Avery had forgotten all about the necklace amidst the events that took place.

He heard Edith gasped and rushed forward to pick the necklace. “You found my necklace.” Edith pressed her hands to her chest with the necklace clutched in her palms. Avery could tell it was a keepsake and precious to her. He mentally berated himself for forgetting all about the necklace.

“Yes…I’m sorry for keeping it and forgetting all about it. But I swear I was meaning to return it the owner.” Avery lowered his head, feeling guilty.

“No, no. Thank you very much. I was beginning to worry that it had fallen into the wrong hands.” Edith beamed, flashing her straight and white row of teeth, a girlish smile which made her all the more charming.

“You’re welcome.” Avery returned her radiant smile. He braced himself for the next question he’d been wanting to ask since he met Uncle Vern. Sir Alcoft was nowhere to be seen. Is he asleep?

“If you don’t mind me asking, where is Sir Alcoft?”

Avery was met with an uncomfortable silence that penetrated deep into the atmosphere that spoke volumes. The silence indicated it was bad news, and he wasn’t prepared for it. Edith was no longer smiling, and her eyes darted to the white walls. The unmistakable sorrow he’d seen in his own lingered in those hazel eyes. He swallowed and averted his gaze to Uncle Vern, seeking for answers. Uncle Vern cleared his throat and shifted a little.

“He was shot by the Elites eight years ago, at the Alcoft residence in Falborg Forest.”

The answer rendered Avery speechless, shocked. He hadn’t expected that, no less this was about his ranks committing the ‘dirty work’. He’d never heard of this news. All he knew was the Alcoft residence was raided for reasons he didn’t know. He was away to visit his mother’s grave at Hathage Kingdom, long after the official date, when the incident had occurred. He did not wish to bump into anyone from the castle, especially his older brother, Noel.

“I’m sorry to hear about this…” Avery offered as he lowered his head. “But, why?” His curiosity was burgeoning. Sir Dann Alcoft was like a father to him albeit the short three years he’d come to know the man and his daughter, Edith.

“We would like to know the truth as well.” Uncle Vern sighed.

Avery averted his gaze to Edith, but she said nothing. She was still staring at the wall. He didn’t like the atmosphere in the room was shifting and turning sombre. He would need to leave this question for another time.

“It’s getting late and I ought to return to my quarters.” Avery said quietly as he moved to the doorway, but Edith’s voice stopped him in his steps.

“Won’t you stay for the night?” Edith asked. She was now looking at him.

“I wish I could, but I would need to report for duty early tomorrow.” Avery would gladly accept the offer to stay the night in their small residence, but duty preceded his wishes. It had been eight years. He would love to engage in a conversation with Edith all night, wanting to know her well-being and everything that took place in the eight years they were apart.

Edith’s shoulders slumped in resignation and moved to the door. “Alright. I understand.” The corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly. Avery sensed that she had wanted to catch up on their lives as well. If only he hadn’t sworn to his duty. They walked in silence to the clinic’s entrance after wishing good night to Uncle Vern. At the very least, he knew where to find her now.

“I will come to visit you.” Avery smiled.

“I couldn’t believe you have been in Rayard all this time. Why hadn’t our paths cross sooner.” It was a rhetorical question and Edith took his overcoat. She held it out as he slipped his good arm, followed by his injured arm.

“I wonder the same as well.” Avery turned to face her and patted her head. A habit he had adopted, and he will never grow tired of.

“Good night, Avery.” Edith smiled, unfazed by his head pats.

“Good night, Edie. I will visit whenever I can.” And he intended to spend most of his free days or whenever he was not on duty with Edith from now onwards.

This was indeed a spectacular night.

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