The trio exited the weaponry shop shortly after they strode along the stone path headed directly towards the northern gate entrance opening onto the far horizon.
Their eyes narrowed, and gradually spotted the familiar postilion who had brought them earlier.
"They lifted their hands, waving as if trying to catch his attention.
The postilion came up, finally noticing them
"Then, where to next?" The postilion asked, smiling warmly.
"We're on a que—" Ben started but Cedric interjected.
"Let me handle this." Cedric said, his hand raised facing Ben.
'What?' Ben thought slightly.
"We're on a quest. A quest that will soon decide our fate. Can you take us to the forest, or more specifically at the very heart of the forest?" Cedric said dramatically.
"First of all, does your friend suffer from any mental curse?" The postilion asked, eyes worried.
"Hey that's harsh." Cedric retorted.
"Let's just get over this?" Ben said, calming the situation.
"We are assigned to trade with an old man in the heart of the forest. If we manage to trade, we will get our money and soon pay the weapons we currently have now." Ben explained.
"You're trading with that old man?" The postilion said, eyebrow raised.
"Why is there a problem?" Cedric asked.
"Yes. A very large one. That old man is crazy. Many traders who tried trading with him don't come out alive. Why is that even your quest!?" The postilion said, stomping heavily, his leather shoes marking the dirt path.
Conflict does really well when I'm involved. Traders don't come out alive? We're done. So done.
Merlin pondered then let out a soft chuckle snapping him back to reality.
"Why did you laugh? Are you insane? Are both of your friends insane?" Postilion said, stepping back. "I've got no choice, but to take you all there."
"Really?" Cedric said.
"Yes! I've got no choice anyway."
Afterwards, the trio rode the carriage heading out to their destination.
"Merlin may I ask? Do you always overthink? Does it affect you much?" Ben questioned while looking at his bow.
"You could say that. But what can I do It's part of me." Merlin replied, tone low.
"Your embracing your flaw, which is natural but learning while embracing it is much better." Ben said, raising his head first then his eyes followed, gazing deeply at Merlin. "My friend once told me that, failures can happen, you can fail again and again but each time you fail, you must learn and adapt to it, if not then you're stuck. Nothing's going to change if you never learn."
"So heartwarming—" Cedric said then Ben grabbed a thick brown cloth dumping on Cedric.
Then Ben said, "Calm down, it may be hard but I promise it will all soon be better." Word for word he spoke slowly.
Suddenly Merlin chuckled, with tears falling down. He never cried in a long time, Ben moves his heart by motivating him but pierces his heart shortly after, making him reminisce about his mom saying the same thing. "Calm down, it may be hard but I promise it will all soon be better." Merlin's mother said.
appearing on his mind wearing a white cotton sweater, with gray pants and black shoes, her black hair raised up.
Mom. I'm trying my best.
Merlin thought, while silently sobbing infront of his friends.
"We're here!!" The postilion said loudly, snapping back Merlin to reality.
"Let's go." Cedric said.
Ben soon followed, and Merlin as well while brushing his eyes until there is no sign of him crying.
The group stood, gazing forward to the forest that cuts out the dirt path below.
"What's behind all of this forest?" Merlin murmured.
"I don't know. Traders and people who have the same job as me, don't know what's behind all of these tall large trees." The postilion said.
"You said the king pays your wage but how do you get it?" Ben questioned.
"We get them in front of our door. I forgot the term... It's called delivery. That's how we get our wages." The postilion said. "Go on. Go on now. Travel the forest, trade what do you need to trade. I'll be waiting here."
"You sure? You won't leave? Really? There's no way." Cedric said, he gazed at the postilion with suspicion.
"Are you doubting me young man? If so then it's much better to lea—" postilion started but Ben cut off. "Please stay." He continued. "Don't worry about that guy, he's a bit crazy."
"Just go!"
The trio started walking, minutes later they stood with Cedric holding the large wooden chest. And Ben and Merlin with bow and staff out, ready for any attack.
Finally they started. Entering the forest. Each tall trees planted randomly causing different paths for the trio, a half and hour later they reach the middle point of the forest. All paused, letting out a breath.
"How long?" Merlin asked.
"We're close, very close." Ben said, breathing heavily. "Let's go."
"Can't we just rest for a minute or even an hour?" Cedric complained, lying down on the ground.
"Do you want to be hunted? Choose wisely."
Ben said.
"Fine. Let's go." Cedric stood up, brushing leaves behind his back.
An hour passed by, all froze, looking at the house.
"This is it?" Cedric asked.
"I think. Let's go inside." Ben said.
"Are you sure he's here?" Merlin said, stepping up the short stairs.
They stood in front of the wooden door studded with long metal from upper edge and below and lastly a metal doorknob.
Merlin back and forth moves the doorknob, trying to open it but no luck.
"We need a key." Merlin said.
Suddenly a hand appeared between ben and Merlin, holding a golden key.
"Are you looking for this?" Old man said, his voice graspy.
"He's behind me isn't he?" Cedric said.
Then the old man said another. "I'm hungry."
Then the trio screamed.