I knew from the bottom of my heart that the baby was Levin. It had to be Levin. The birthmark...it had to be him. After bringing him back to the village, Zenix and Zoey said I shouldn't just jump to conclusions and instead try to see this more critically. Zenix even brought up the theory that the babe was placed as a trap or some tool to destroy us. In most cases, I would have agreed with him. But I just couldn't. The baby had Malik's hair and eyes but, I swear he looked more like Matilda. Everything about him just told me that it was Levin. It had to be Levin.
Right after we arrived, Zoey, Zenix, and I held a meeting in her home to discuss the situation. Aphmau offered to take the child and just watch over him while we did so. Unfortunately, I don't think she had any motherly instincts. Distant cries could be heard with calm hushes following. I would have offered to do it myself but, I had to address it all first with these two.
"Should we even inform the rest of the village that this could be Levin? It might create false hope," Zoey said, leaning against the wall as a warm fire glowed brightly in the fireplace next to her. Her dining table was covered in ingredients and books. I felt a slight guilt about interrupting her work but she insisted that this was more important. "It could encourage some of them to go out and look for Malik and Matilda. Are you sure you didn't–"

"Unfortunately Rowan and I didn't see any remains," Zenix explained, looking down. I could tell he was distraught. Knowing him and his feelings about the accident, this couldn't have been an easy thing to discuss for him. "I think we should keep it between the four of us. For now, just act as though this is just some random baby. Shouldn't be hard to believe after some random lady was just dropped at our beach. Then, if he is Levin, great. We'll announce it."

"How are we to ever know if it is him? We just have the birthmark to go off of," I said, crossing my arms. Zoey just sighed, slowly shaking her head as she said; "There's just no way of telling. I don't think we'll ever know for certain."

There was a silence between us. The cries of the baby are still ringing in the distance. Then, an idea came to mind. "I'll travel to the surrounding cities and small villages to see if anyone has seen the man that we saw. Also to see if they have seen anyone resembling Matilda or Malik."

"I'll accompany you–" Zenix offered, to which I turned to say; "No. You need to stay here and watch over the village. I love Dale but...I trust you, Zenix, to keep everyone safe. Especially with this...man on the loose."

"More like a green ghost," He mumbled in response but, agreed anyway to stay. Then, Zoey was next to say; "Then let me go with you. It's dangerous to travel alone and you know that."

"And have the village loose their only doctor? I'm afraid that won't work either, Zoey. I'm sorry."

"Then let me come." The three of us looked to see Aphmau now in the entry of the room. She somehow had finally managed to get the baby to sleep in her arms. He probably tired himself out. I titled my head as I said; "Miss Aphmau, you don't need to–"

"But I want to," She insisted, taking a couple steps closer. "You heard Zoey yourself. It's dangerous to go alone and you need Zenix here. I can assume because of that statement that you also don't want Dale to accompany you."

"Just because you're willing doesn't mean you're able to," Zenix sighed, opting to now take a seat at the kitchen table. He did have a point. Just because she was offering to, doesn't mean she was the best option to take along.
"You all have taken such good care of me in the past weeks. Let me help, even if it's small," She then urged once again. "I may not have any experience with a sword or much background on the land but, if just being there offers any support, I would be glad to do it."

I saw from the corner of my eye Zoey smiling softly. I quickly had to make a decision and I knew that. I knew that I needed to at least travel to Meteli, Scaleswind, and Brightport, which means it wouldn't be a long trip. In fact, probably only a week's time. Aphmau also had a foggy memory of the man's face...
"Fine. You can come," I finally answered. I could feel the eye roll from Zenix hit my back. "We'll have to leave tomorrow, if that's alright with you."

"I don't mind," She said, an excited look on her face. Zoey then came up to her and said; "How about you stay then with me tonight with the babe? That way I can make sure you rest fully and help you pack."
The two of them parted into their own conversation, slowly making their way into the other room to probably up the stairs. Zenix then took the opportunity to come up to me and say with annoyance in his voice; "Are you kidding me? At this point Rowan, I'd say you have a small amount of affection for this woman."

"Oh shut it," I say, turning to him. "You know that she is probably one of the better options I have. Besides, isn't her out of the village what you wanted?"

"A girl who doesn't even know her full name, Rowan? I can assure you, there was someone far more capable to do the job," He muttered, pacing now once the girls were far enough away. "And, for your information...I have been warming up to her. But what I can't understand is why you were so willing to trust her. It's like the moment you saw her, you were immediately just ready to open the village's gates for her."

"Well the gates are broken–"

"You know what I mean," He snapped. I shut my trap, seeing that I overstepped. "Rowan, we don't know her. We may never will. So, as your second in command, I think it's in your best interest as head guard to put up a boundary. For everyone's sake."

And with that he left out the front door to presumingly go home for the night. I took a deep breath, contemplating if this truly was the best decision.
—

The next morning, packing and getting the horses ready ran smoothly. It wasn't even midday when Miss Aphmau and I were ready to part. Zoey, Donna, Molly, and Dale were there to see us off. Zenix was nowhere to be found.
"Now, Dale, I trust you and Zenix will be alright. Just please, in an emergency, send a raven to the closest village we're supposed to be at based on the itinerary I gave to you," I explained to him, latching my bags securely on my horse.

"Geez Rowan. If you don't stop having this much worry on your shoulders, you might go gray before I do," He laughed in response. "But, seriously, everything will be alright. I promise that the village will be in better shape from when you left it when you return."

I sigh, nodding as a thank you. But he could probably read my body language. "He'll be fine. You know Zenix. I'm sure when you return, he will not even remember it. Just focus on your task."

"Alright then Dale...thank you. We'll see you in a short while."

He patted me on the shoulder and let me be off. The women were helping Miss Aphmau on her horse which I feared may be too much for her. But she seemed to get on with ease. I smirked on my helm before getting on my own horse. We said our final goodbyes and started on the trail. Once we passed the old gate, Aphmau was quick to turn to me and ask; "Where is our first stop?"
As much as I enjoyed her enthusiasm, I hoped she understood the possible dangers of leaving the village. Before I came to Phoenix Drop, I became familiar with the woods being infested with outlaws and dangerous creatures such as werewolves. It was no place for the two of us to travel alone. But, I didn't want to scare her so I simply said; "Meteli. A couple hours ride from here. We'll most likely arrive around midday. But be on the lookout for any travelers on the trail. They may have some answers about the man we're looking for."

She nodded and the two of us went silent as we continued on. But the silence wasn't long. "What's this Meteli like? Is it bigger than Phoenix Drop?" She asked, riding at my side. I was shocked to see her so at ease on the horse but I tried to push that aside. Or at least just make note of it.
"Yes. It's about twice the size. As it should be. It's the harvest capital of Ru'an. Most cities and villages trade with them for those necessities. Including us from time to time."

"That's definitely impressive. What do we trade in return, if you don't mind me asking?", She then asked.

"Our land. Most people who are forced to move from these larger cities need shelter and we're probably the closest to them. As well as Brightport. Which is most known for their fish."

"Ah...well, I would hope not many people need to relocate their home."

"Why do you think Phoenix Drop is such a small village, m'lady?" I remarked, laughing under my breath. She couldn't help but giggle as well. "In our defense though, Phoenix Drop was pretty independent. But that was ages ago."

"Like...how many ages ago?"

"Many. Probably when our grandparents were just children."

"Oh my, well, then there's at least a goal to work our way back to."

That, again, stuck out to me. But I asked this time. "Our?"

"Why of course. If I am to resign in Phoenix Drop, I want to do whatever I can to help. Why do you think I'm traveling with you today?"

"S-So you wish to stay? In the village?"

She shrugged and said with a smile. "I don't see why not. I guess you better watch out for me then. Might catch a peak at what you really look like. Maybe you were lying to me and you did see Phoenix Drop in it's prime."

"Oh hush," I laughed once more. Truly though, part of me was unsure how to feel about her staying. But, I wasn't unhappy. No. I did feel a sense of relief. Perhaps it was because I didn't need to worry about helping her travel somewhere else and make arrangements. But part of me knew that Zenix was partially true about one thing.

I enjoyed this young woman. Her company and sly remarks. It was refreshing. So, yes, maybe I selfishly was happy to have her with me. Maybe by the end of this journey, we could be considered friends. Something that I hoped she wanted too.