Traveler

A suffocating feeling seemed to envelop Lila as she struggled for air. She choked as she tried to swim upward toward the light. Panic filled her hazy vision as she was pulled deeper and deeper into the darkness beneath her. Lila tried to scream for help, but only bubbles came out of her mouth.

Lila heard a sinister laugh that sent chills down her spine as a cold, claw-like hand gripped her ankle. Fear squeezed her heart as she heard a scream that was all too familiar sound from beneath her. She could only gurgle as she struggled.

Hysteria flooded her until she could take it no more. Lila felt herself jolt awake, and she gasped desperately for air, still unable to lift her heavy eyelids. Wracking coughs swept through her body as she breathed in the fresh air. She slumped in relief as she calmed, feeling drained as her breathing steadied. The pounding in her head seemed to ease a little as a short sigh escaped her mouth.

"So you're finally awake." Lila's mind began to clear at the sound of an old worn-out voice. A quiet scraping noise could be heard from the same direction as the old man hummed a tune under his breath.

"W-Who are you?" Lila croaked, trying and failing to lift the heavy blankets thrown across her.

A faint chuckle emanated from the side before he answered. "You should worry more about the state you are in than who I am, but if it bothers you so then, I am just a wandering trader." After his answer, there was a long pause as he continued the task at hand.

"What are you doing?" Lila asked, her voice soft from her dry throat.

"I'm carving wood." The old man answered simply. "It's always been a hobby of mine." He sounded sad as he continued carving it.

With a push of strength, Lila cracked her eyelids open. They were in a small cabin-like room with no windows. A blurry figure sat in front of the roaring fireplace that lit the small room up. The night brought such a silence that the crackle of the campfire was all that could be heard above the scratching of the man carving wood. Flames sent red sparks dancing into the air. Lila felt her face being toasted warm with the flames. She was mesmerized by the smooth, confident motions of the old man. He seemed to be making a tiny figurine or instrument.

Lila tried to summon up the strength to get up, but she could only feel tired. Those assassins seemed to have gotten smarter, Lila thought. I need to be more careful next time. But something about the ones that attacked this time seemed off...

A sudden spike of pain shot through her head as she tried to recall what she had seen. Wait, Lila paused. Where is the notebook? Dread swept through her as she felt for the notebook.

"Looking for the notebook?" The old man spoke as if he could read her mind. "It's on the table here. I picked it up from the ground after hauling you from the water." Lila's frantic searching ceased as she saw the thin book sitting on the table next to the man.

Slumping back onto the bed, Lila quietly whispered. "Thank you."

"Since you are still recovering, I want to give you a couple of things to think about as you lie there." Lila's curiosity spiked as the old man set his carving tools down and picked up the notebook. A wizened face peered out from under a mop of grey hair. His eye lines told of laughter, of warm smiles, and affection. His forehead told of worries past and worries present. But Lila could still see the spirit in him as he stared at the notebook.

"What is this notebook to you?" He asked, his hand stroking the spine of the notebook as if he was about to open it.

"It was my Grandfather's," Lila admitted truthfully, feeling no ill intent from the old man. "Now it's mine."

"This notebook...belonged to an old friend of mine. I wonder if you happen to be his granddaughter." He didn't look at Lila, but the both of them knew what he was implying. He knew who Lila really was, but what that changed was still a mystery.

"Now, don't be so cold." He guffawed as Lila remained silent. "I will offer you a clue about the contents of this notebook, but for a price."

"Name your price," Lila answered, sitting upright. She had deciphered all that she could, but she knew nothing more than what she discovered.

"Defeat me in a duel."