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The Tea Merchant
Forum-Index → Fanmades → Fanfictions → The Tea Merchant
Posted: Sat, 08/02/2020 17:10 (4 Years ago)
Now, I was previously a resident of Aelhollow. I only recently moved out of it, but hear me out, I've got a story to tell.
Ahem. Like all story starts, once upon a time, in a quiet town called Aelhollow, it was once considered a ghost town due to its location. Travellers and hikers alike would come and go. Reside at the town's inn for the night and head out to their desired location on the very next day. Kids and adults would stay inside, sheltered from the snow eith the warmth of their fireplace. Making snowmen and snowangels were a common occurence for the kids and they deemed it as a 'boring activity', which I agree, as I was also born and raised there.
One fine, snowy day, a travelling merchant took the townsfolks by surprise. Especially when news about a small shop that had the smell of tea wafting through the air spread fast in the town. Well, it was understandable since it was a small community and everyone knows each other and what you do for a living. "Who are you?" Mayor Goodsman of Aelhollow town had asked rather rudely to the merchant one day. It sounded rude, but really, that's how the old man talks. "Apologies for the intrusion," the merchant apologized in advance. "I've heard stories and rumours about this town and how it was hidden at the base of Southwald Mountains. I decided that hey, why not start a business there?"
The merchant's explanation had managed to make everyone bewildered. Who was he, why would he start a business in the middle of nowhere? When he had served us his tea, the questions had seemingly left our minds. The flavour was something else, I don't think I've had tea this good in my life before; I thought. I was more of a coffee than tea person.
"Ah! I don't think I've properly introduced myself yet!" The tea merchant clapped his hands, which made us escape from our previous momentary bliss. "Cecil Beynart's the name! I'm a travelling merchant and I sell various kinds of spices and tea." Beynart was a weird last name, but neither of us questioned who this man was and what his true intentions were. It seems that Beynart's tea managed to win over Mayor Goodsman, as the elderly man is now alright with this merchant's presence whereas he was hostile just five seconds ago. Mayor Goodsman was probably thinking of how this young merchant would greatly benefit his town is what I assumed.
Cecil Beynart was a man of average height, probably in his early thirties. His tanned skin was proof that he was not a resident of Aelhollow, as we do not get enough sun all year round. His face was freckled and whenever he would smile, his pearly white teeth would show. His hair was curly and short and positivity seemed to follow suite whenever he was around. He was the Sun of Aelhollow Town, as Miss Rosa, the innskeeper once said. But somehow, underneath the facade, he was a scheming man. Cecil would observe people and use it to his advantage. He also had back up plans for his back up plans, he was very careful in these sorts of things.
"Oh, Arin!" The tea merchant had greeted me when I stepped inside his shop, one fine day in the month of August. "The usual?" He asks. 'The usual' was a blend of darjeeling tea, served in a China pot and tea cup. With a curt nod and smile, I had myself seated on the chair as I observed Cecil work his magic. Once the darjeeling tea was poured into the porcelain cup, I had brought it to my lips, enjoying its fruity and floral flavour.
Carefully setting the cup of tea down, Cecil was now seated opposite of me, a smile never leaving his face. "So Cecil," I started, getting a hum of reply from the older male. "What kind of name is Beynart? I don't think you're from Froela, not even the warmer parts. Mayhaps you're somewhere from Glenia? I've heard that it's much warmer and hotter there." I asked, tucking my mint green hair behind my ear. The male in front of me simply hummed and closed his eyes before opening his emerald green eyes again. "Yes, I am from Glenia, that part is true. However, Cecil Beynart is not my real name. I'll tell you that much, Arin. Too much prying is no good, y'know!" His tone was teasing but he and I both knew that his words were true.
"True," I smiled at him, standing up and walking towards the exit. "Same goes for you, Mister Beynart. Spreading rumours would do you harm, some day. Thanks for the tea," As I walked away from the store, I heard him call out a "How did you know it was me?!" but I simply ignored the man.
Yes, one thing the tea merchant would do is, he would intently listen to the townfolks' gossips and then turn it into rumours that would instill fear in them. Although his behaviour was peculiar, everyone seemed to like his presence, despite spreading false rumours. Perhaps they didn't know it was he who started the rumours first as his methods are...Suspicious, to say the least. Last week, rumours circulated that a suspicious individual was seen breaking and entering people's homes, which made everyone vigilante without a cause. As long as no harm was done in his rumour-makings, I guess. It made everyone lock their doors before going to bed which never happened before Cecil came, so I guess it was for a good cause.
Two years later, Aelhollow was involved in various imports and exports. Business was booming, thanks to Cecil being a stepping stone for the town's economy. More people would come and open up their business there and the population seemed to greatly increase. Soon, Aelhollow was on the face of the maps, located on the base of Southwald Mountains. Mayor Goodsman passed away due to natural causes, but he died as he wished ー to see Aelhollow on the face of the maps.
But it was only momentary bliss. One day, imperial soldiers marched through the town. The town was eerily quiet that day. The children didn't laugh and play. Everyone had stayed inside and peeked through their curtains and wondered just what would the soldiers want from them? Unlike the rest of the townsfolks, I had went outside, on my journey to visit my friend, the tea merchant. One of the soldiers had stopped me, asking if I knew of a guy named 'Cecil Beynart'. I had simply pursed my lips and lied through my teeth with a "No, I don't," as they marched towards the tea house. I remembered feeling sick that day and went back to my house and stayed inside for the rest of the day.
The very next day, the townsfolks seemed to crowd around the tea house, murmuring about how Cecil was gone and why there was a blood splatter on the walls. It was true. There were no signs of Cecil Beynart anywhere. I assume he was killed and brought with the imperial soldiers.
"I-I believe this is for you." Miss Rosa handed me a letter with shaky hands. To Arin, it read, in cursive handwriting. "He told me to give this to you when 'his time was up'. I didn't want to pry any further, so I obliged," The innskeeper said with a sniffle, gathering all her willpower to not cry on the spot. Right, ever since her late-husband's death, she was always alone, until Cecil stepped into her life and became her friend.
With the letter in my hand, I went back home and to my office, opening the letter with a shaky sigh.
Dearest Arin, it read.
By the time you're reading this, I am either dead or captured by the imperial soldiers. Or both.
Remember when you asked me of my name and I replied that it was not my real name? My real name is Elliot Casarez, a man framed for the murder of his best friend, the Prince of Ostholt. Yes, I am from Ostholt, Glenia. I managed to slip away from my beloved home and started a new life under the name Cecil Beynart, as you may know me. I'm sorry that I can't serve you any darjeeling tea after this, my friend. Did you know? Besides the Prince of Ostholt, you are my first friend. I've always been casted aside and considered as an 'outsider'. I know that my time in Aelhollow will be short, but know that our friendship is real.
P.S.: Hey, why not come to Ostholt sometime and experience the hot weather? Don't forget to come say hi to me, or uh, to my family if you do!
Your friend,
And so, was the story of The Tea Merchant of Aelhollow town. After his disappearance, Aelhollow was back to square one. Back to being the quiet town it was. Despite the absence of the tea merchant, the familiar scent of tea wafted through the air outside of the now broken down tea house.
As for me? I'm travelling to Ostholt, planning to start a tea business there.
this wasnt proofread so uhh, apologies for any mistakes
feel free to share your thoughts about this!!