Edwin

He opened his eyes. He found himself lying on a comfortable bed with warm sheets. He looked out of the window and saw the street outside. It was abuzz with people. Hawkers trying to sell their goods, children playing about.

Andlenore.

He tried to sit. His arms and legs felt a little sore. A girl came in with a jug of water. She wore a simple dress, the colour of dirt. She was a servant. Probably not more than sixteen years of age.

"This is Andlenore, isn't it?"

The girl was astonished to hear him speak. She stammered, "Yes..Yes Sir! Good to know you are awake. Should I bring you anything?"

"How many days has it been?"

"About one and a half. I found you in the forest lying inside a cave. I tried to wake you, because the forest is dangerous, but you wouldn't wake up. So I called my master. They carried you to the town and consulted the doctor. The doctor said you were fine, just exhausted. A proper sleep would put you back in good health. So that's what my master did. You are at his place right now. All your belongings are in that sack to your right. We haven't touched it."

He raised an eyebrow. She sure is talkative.

"Then I would like to thank you for saving me from danger."

"You're most welcome, Sir!"

He eyed the jug she held in her hand, "Lend me a glass of water, and you will have saved my life yet another time."

"Most certainly, Sir!", she giggled.

He walked out of the room, after having the glass, to find himself in a hall where, two men were discussing something in a grave manner.

The first was apparently a merchant who had recently faced a certain loss in business and the man he was talking to, was a priest. It was most likely that the priest had come to ask for donations for the temple.

What else do holy priests require of wealthy merchants anyways?

Most of the furniture in the house was made from local wood, but the carpets had a very intricate design. Such elaborate work was less likely to be done by someone in Andlenore. Most of the skilled craftsmen resided in the cities after all. So he could either be a merchant, a traveller, or both. But the man didn't seem like he appreciated physical work. His body posture proved he was a lazy fellow. Moreover, his shoes barely had any wear. He probably didn't even like to go out of his home. This was further proven by the fact that the hall had a more professional touch. The furniture had been so set that multiple people could converse facing each other. Meaning he held most business related meetings here. That also meant he had men and servants working under him. He knew that the merchant had faced a recent loss from the fact that the painting on the wall had a lighter border around it on the wall. The dust free border present there meant there was a bigger painting in its place before. This was usually indicative of an economic loss.

The priest was the first to notice, "So you have finally woken up, Sir! I was quite assured you would. How can anything tragic happen in a town that has just been visited by Almighty himself? On the contrary, you are really a lucky fellow to be here!"

"How do you feel, Sir? I recommend you rest before you regain your health! Other formalities can be done at a later time", said the merchant.

"Either the people here treat every ill passerby this kindly, or God really has visited Andlenore. Although improbable, given human nature, the second possibility sounds more likely than the first," he replied bemusedly.

The three men burst out laughing.

****

The comfortable bed found company again, as he introduced himself to the priest and the merchant, between sips of tea.

"I am Edwin, a traveller. Although I was born here, I have spent many years of my life in the East, traveling and writing about my times there. I have returned now and plan to find some adventures on my homeland again! And I am welcomed in a most grand fashion, by a merchant who lets me stay in his lavish home and a priest who tells me, God visited Andlenore."

The merchant looked astonished, and the priest chuckled.

The priest, who seemed more talkative of the two, introduced himself as Priest Bill and the merchant as Dolin. He then went on to recount the tale about how The Giant oppressed the townsfolk and how God himself came to save them. His face read bewilderment, curiosity and disbelief.

...He came riding on the wind! I tell you, Sir. Never before have I seen such a spectacle, never before have I felt such force. He could have destroyed the whole town without as much as an eye blink. But he did not. For he was a God! He was above human base desires. He reconstructed the whole town as he left. He healed those alive and dead. The blessing he endowed on us as he left. But mind me, not his last blessing. Do not ever mistake it as his last blessing. For he was eternity itself. He was our Lord!....

As the priest spoke, he became teary eyed. The merchant stared intently at the priest, before finally adding, "What he says is all true. I have seen it with my own eyes. His regeneration cleansed my soul. I feel lighter now, cleansed completely of my past sins. I am a changed man. But one thing still bothers me. Why would the all powerful God, make his presence known to humans as insignificant as us? The people in this town are but simple folk."

Priest Bill was quick to respond to the query, "For he sees all humans as one. All are equal in his eyes. All deserve justice in the same proportions. A King is no different than a pheasant. Both breathe the same air. The same air that God rides on!"

The merchant nodded his approval. Edwin was listening to their conversation attentively.

The priest got up to leave, "I have other matters to tend to, as of now. Do take care, my dear traveller. Thank the Almighty who saved your life. And do contemplate on our kind offer , Dolin. Generosity does not go unnoticed in His eyes!"

"It would be my pleasure!" Dolin said as he shook his hand.

As the priest left, Dolin turned to face Edwin."Do not hesitate to inform me if you are in need of any help, my friend. My servants will tend to you as they do to me. And I am especially eager to listen to some of your tales. I hope you can find some time for that! But now, there is much work to be done."

****

Author's Note: Thank you for reading!

This chapter is dedicated to SweetZafirah. If you like the genre 'Romance', do check out her works!! :)