Arin didn't respond immediately. Try as he might, he just couldn't recall the details of whatever Siel was claiming had happened last night.
All he did know for sure was that there's no way he had somehow floundered his way into fixing anything or saving anyone. For starters, he still didn't quite understand what a curse entailed in this world, and had absolutely no clue how one would locate or identify such a thing.
Much less destroy it.
Oh, well.
Stretching his stiff back until there was a satisfying crack! – Arin threw off the blanket and stood up.
It's not like he could just shake Siel by the shoulders and demand that the boy give him a play-by-play of everything he knew. He had to keep playing the part of his aloof and indifferent senior brother, after all.
But still, this strange sense of discord… It wasn't just about the things he didn't know or understand. There was also something he'd… forgotten?
Something very important.
Arin sighed. 'Let's go,' he said briefly.
'Go… back to our Tower?' Siel stared expectantly at him with his wide eyes.
'After we've spoken with the village head's family about the curse, yes.'
'Ah! Of course!' Siel nodded in understanding. 'I'm afraid I hadn't considered that. Our work isn't concluded until we've learned why it was here in the first place – lest we leave the smallest chance of such a dangerous event reoccurring in the future.'
The two of them took a moment to neaten themselves and the room, and gathered their things before stepping out together.
As soon as the door thudded shut, a young maid came hurrying around the corner.
'Magician sirs, you are awake!' she exclaimed. Bowing slightly, she continued, 'You've missed breakfast, but worry not, as it'll be time for lunch soon. Is there anything I might be able to offer to you in the meantime?'
'Would the master of this household be available for a discussion, if he's not terribly busy?' asked Siel, tilting his head inquiringly. Arin remained quiet, simply looking at the young girl's face searchingly.
'Things have been busy all morning, but that's to be expected since we've all suddenly woken up with over a month's worth of affairs to be handled,' the maid laughed. 'But for you, our saviors, I have no doubt the master would put everything aside. He was far too disoriented when he spoke to you last night,' – she nodded at Siel – 'and he's been eagerly awaiting the chance to thank you both, sir,' – she nodded at Arin – 'in person.'
'If you'd please follow me, I shall take you to him.'
'Then you have our thanks!'
So saying, Siel jumped into conversation with the young lady. Within moments, he and her were laughing and chattering like old friends, as they walked towards the headman's quarters. Arin followed silently, still staring at the back of the girl's head.
He didn't recognize the maid.
Of the three maids who served the headman's estate regularly, he'd briefly seen the faces of the two who had fallen into the strange sleep while still at work. They had been settled to rest in the privacy of one of the spare rooms, and were among the eight who slept in the household.
He'd also heard of a third maid, who must've asked for leave and returned to her family before the curse had struck. Sir Veylor had told them that she had been found, similarly asleep, in the company of her family.
This wasn't her, was it? Surely not.
Arin couldn't imagine anyone choosing to return to work the very first morning after finally awakening from a sleeping curse – let alone one so severe that it had lasted an entire month.
Star employee or not, it made no sense.
Well, not to him, anyway. Maybe the people of this world were just built different. More devoted, with a crazy sense of responsibility. Who was he to judge, anyway?
Their little entourage was making its way through a large hall, when a door to one side was opened by someone on the other side. An angelic-looking girl entered after a moment, stopping short when she saw the three of them.
The young maid smiled and greeted the figure.
'It is good to see you, Lady Elara.'