The mind of the traveller was astonished and awed. Curiosity filled his thoughts— his tongue, desperate to ask upon witnessing such magic, but his instinct said otherwise.
"Oh, good enchantment you have." Natalak stretched his arms, testing the armour's flexibility.
"Thanks, mister, but don't praise it too much. I'm still just a beginner."
"Hmm." Nods the traveller.
After a minute of testing his equipment.
"So how much is all?" Natalak ask, yet anxious inside.
"Please let it be just one silver. I don't want to be a labourer." The words that were screaming in Natalak's thoughts.
"That would be sixty-five coppers," Barry replied.
"Thank the maker."
Once the transaction is finished, Natalak rushes over, stuffing the whole armour into his bag. That moment captures the father and daughter's attention.
"Young man, are you an archsage or something?" Barry blurts.
"Ah… What do you mean by that, mister?" A worried voice, Natalak said.
Using the flick of his fingers, Barry sends a gesture at his daughter without Natalak's notice. The girl then quietly locked the door and placed the closed sign, as she secretly travelled away towards some drawers while concealed from Natalak's senses. In return, she came holding what appears to be a white sphere. Acting as if she didn't care about the situation, she went rummaging through the items at Natalak's back.
"I'm just asking where you'd taken that bag of yours. I want to buy it from you." Barry implores as he tests the water.
"I ah, I found this bag from my travels." Natalak reasons.
Barry took a slight glance at the ball and seemed to say a dark mist-like form begins to take shape. But it was a small spec, the size of a m
"It's okay to lie, I'm not one of those two criers."
Suddenly, Natalak remembers receiving the bag.
"Ah, father gave it to me." Natalak follows
Barry glanced at the ball, which seemed to be covered in the dark mist that quickly condensed until the sphere was pure white.
"Oh— take it that your father didn't tell you much about the details. It's quite rare to have that kind of item. If I were you, lad, I'd best keep that bag in secret. I heard only a few people wield such a relic, and those people are not to be trifled with." The blacksmith responded.
Natalak's eyes glance sideways as he looks for another word to utter. "Yes, father only told me what this thing can do. He never mentions anything related to this bag."
"Then you're lucky, man, to journey here without getting that bag stolen. More or less being killed."
"I see, so is there any lesson I should be enlightened about this sack?"
"Well, technically—"
Without giving Barry a second to speak, her daughter barges through their conversation.
"To be more precise, having that kind of bag signifies formidable respect and power." Without taking a second break, like a triggered machine gun. "There are only four existing relics, and one of those that possesses such a relic is none other than Archsage Azageis. The three, however, were on the mist, so that makes you the second holder."
"Me?" Natalak points the finger at himself.
"Yes, you, and I suggest being more cautious. Providentially enough, you're the only customer that enters here. And no need to be worried, I'm not one of those crooks." Barry replied.
"I see, I'm grateful to you then."
With not enough information, Natalak had to change the topic, so they might not think of him as an obnoxious person.
Looking around the shop, Natalak searched for other handy items for travelling or dealing with enemies. It was then that he noticed a few cooking utensils displayed on the other side of the corner. Walking towards the pots and pans, picking up every utensil, Natalak then asks for compensation for the wares.
"That would be three coppers."
Once paid, Natalak gazed upon the window. And through the window, light slowly dims as night starts to battle with daytime. It was there Natalak greeted them farewell and went outside to look for a place to stay.
"Isn't it odd that that mister didn't emit any magical energy?" Barry's daughter whispers.
"Me neither. This is one unexpected day for me. I'd better write some letters back to Garry."
Closing the door of the shop and turning to face the front. After a few steps of sauntering, Natalak's eyes were wide open, shocked and afraid of the person he didn't want to meet yet, standing twenty meters away. Before seconds could erupt, Natalak hastily worked his legs.
"WAIT, YOU THIEF!" Ashalain shouts.
Stiffing as fast as he can, the paladin slowly closes their gap.
Natalak runs through the alleys, giving him the advantage of confusing her with lots of pathways. Thirty minutes of going through left and right cluttered her mind as to which way Natalak went. When he corners the last side, Natalak finally smokes Ashalain out of his tail. Quick as he is, he rummages through any piles of rubble and debris.
Passing minutes— the moment Natalak decides to crawl out, Ashalain again appears desperately searching for any sign of Natalak. So, the thief had to return to his hiding place. And while in burying, he desperately muffles his gasping.
Hugging his bag, the traveller took a peek. There, he saw Ashalain pressing her hand to her chest, trying to recover her hard breathing. Adding up, tears start to fall from her eyes, a heartbroken scene, a pity for stealing her sword.
Natalak looks at the pitiful paladin; there, he understands her connection with the sword.
Dusk approaches, and rain opens to water the land, but still, Natalak resumes his hiding spot, waiting for the paladin to leave. And it didn't take long for her to depart in a depressed and sorrowful way.
Emerging in soaking wet cloths, Natalak brings out the sword from his bag. Deciding what to do—
"A pity for someone like her, should I probably return this sword to her?"
"If I had the chance."
Examine: There are red gems etched into the sword. It's no ordinary gem, he can tell by the clouds of fire swirling inside.
"There's always what we call a refund." Natalak grins, prying out the gem.
He shoves the sword into his magic bag and separates the gem from his pouch of coins. Once he'd take his time fiddling with the sword, dizziness engulfs his mind; not only that, his stomach pleads in hunger.
Pouring rain, crossing streets… looking for a place to stay.
Karma strikes as he wanders through the city seeking inns and shelters. He was disappointed when all the inns were fully booked. Even the bars and attics were full, inhabited by peasants and merchants who couldn't afford high-end rooms. The only available inns were for nobles and rich merchants.
"This is so bad luck. Why do I always end up like this?" Natalak is driving through the road, seeking any shade to stay.
He'd filled his stomach for a little more than two coppers. But even that simple porridge wasn't enough to fill his hunger. A city is different from a village— that's when he remembers the orchidarium where few people linger.
Taking a rest, hoping the rain would stop, he heard a female voice calling and trying to wake him up from his slumber. Annoyed, he opens his eyes to be confronted by a lady casting light magic, banishing the darkness.
"I'm glad that you open your eyes. I thought that you were an injured person, so I came to take a look at you." The woman said.
Eyes still weary, and fatigue overcomes the coldness of the night. But the persistent nudge of the woman brought him out from his slumber. Once he finally clears his vision, Natalak shudders. It was the same woman he'd met hours ago.
"You're from that woman before." Natalak expressed.
She nods. "Well, isn't this the strangest coincidence? I had fallen asleep in the other corner while tending to the flowers." The lady pointed to where she slept.
"You're from afar, are you?" The lady follows as she inspects him top to bottom.
"Yeah, I'm a passenger, you see. I'm from Earth."
"Earth? I never heard of that place before. What kingdom or country is your village, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Kingdom?"
"Well, it's a very faraway land that I don't want to talk about." Natalak jolting his eyes.
"I understand, I'm Ashena by the way." The lady extended her hand.
"I'm Natalak." Natalak shakes her hand.
As the early night progresses and the rain pours heavily. Curious Ashena asks Natalak about his experience from his travels. For the traveller, his thoughts were in chaos, contemplating a word of reason. Then it came: that was when Natalak told a story about his past world, telling how mortals can communicate through portals. The philosophers and ancient people of Earth.
Astounded in silence, Ashena was deeply immersed in his stories. Some are true and false, and some were true but told outrageously. Consuming less than two hours of storytelling, the rain begins to subside.
"That's quite fascinating stories you had. Why don't you have some rest at my house, it's not a big place but—"
"Ah, I think I'm already good in here, Lady Ashena. Plus, I won't linger too long in this place." Natalak said, evading her words as he returned to his sleep.
"If you do that, the guards might throw you into the dungeon. And I happen to know someone just around the corner."
"Are you serious?"
"I'm serious. And this place is home to noble houses. Lucky for you, the guards are lazy this time of year. But I don't know about the night patrols; the security from this area is on high alert due to the rampant guilds." A solemn tone, she nods.
"Hmm, I think I should—"
Before Natalak could leave, two patrols appeared from the scene. One is a mage, the other a soldier, along with three flying lanterns that hover as they walk.
"Madam Shilvia?" One of the Guards exclaimed.
Calm and quick to respond, Ashena managed to convince the guards.
"Stay safe, Madam Shilvia." The guards spoke in a low voice.
Ashena turned to Natalak and spoke. "Still want to stay here?"
After mere five minutes of walking…
Gazing at the mansion, the traveller feels embarrassed, as it is probably owned by a royal or noble.
"You-you said… Your place is just a simple house." Natalak said, gawking at the façade.
The woman ignores his words and goes to the door. "I forgot; I haven't fully introduced myself. My name is Ashena, Ashena De Shilvia."
"I-I didn't realise you were a noble person." He stammers, hinting at a mortified voice.
"Don't worry, Natalak, I'm not a queen, now come inside before the cold gets biting." Ashena opens the door.
Too embarrassed, too nervous to enter. All he could think of was running away. Yet the moment he tries to turn around, Ashena grabs his hand.
"What the?"
Her hand felt different— Ashena's strength was like a buffalo or worse, an elephant. He couldn't even give her a good force while he struggled.
"Just come inside," Ashena said, her tone forced.
Once stepping inside, Natalak listened intently to Ashena, who was seemingly bantering with the butler in his mid-fifties.
"Madam Ashena, who might be this person with you tonight?" Implores the butler, followed by a cold dagger eye, an unwelcome look.
Their conversation and the butler's eyes made Natalak more mortified.
"Okay, I regret going with her. I should have just run away to god knows where."
"My-my him? He is one of my friends, a guest for today."
"I see..." The butler then eyes Natalak whilst he walks in Natalak's direction. "I'll lead you to the bathroom first." The butler sighs, a sentence made of dagger-like words.
Following the butler and just as he observes the place, he speculates that the mansion is large enough to accommodate three families.
"Smell my ass." Natalak mutters.
Hungry but still, Natalak had to hold his hunger for a while, even if it was like eating his intestines.
After a few turns and walks, the butler stopped. "Alright, sir, this room leads towards the bathroom, and call me if you need something. I'll be here." The butler spoke bluntly, with ominous eyes smeared across his face, as he handed the traveller a device Natalak is ignorant of using.
"Thank you, kindly, sir. I think I can take care of my own affairs." Natalak responds.
Washing his mood through the warm water while thinking, thinking about his future step.
"What am I doing with my life?" Natalak burbles.
Suddenly, he remembers the place. The place where he'd felt something, the place where he'd emerged. A feeling that creeps his bones.
"What to do with these Earthly clothes. The heck with it, I got clothes to spare." Natalak says.
Meanwhile, Ashena was rummaging through Natalak's clothes.
"Aha… these clothes would be fitting for him," Ashena exclaimed, then ran to the bathroom, yet on her way, the butler was waiting for her.
"Madam, are you sure about bringing a stranger into the house?" Consults the butler. "Your father and Lady Asha—"
"It's okay, Larry." Ashena blurts, hinting at a resentment. "I got this, oh— and would you mind preparing the tables, my sister will be coming to stay here for a while."
"As you wish, my lady. Then please take care, madam. And I apologise for my words, Lady Ashena." Larry bows before treading the hallway.
Hearing a knock at the door, Natalak then hastily stuffs his wet clothes into his bag and quickly puts on the spare clothes he bought.
As the door opens, the traveller is yet again confronted by Ashena, and with her are clothes. However, the clothes she brought are those of a silhouette, close-fitted trousers and linen collars. There are also breeches with gold embroidery. And thick coats that are ornamented with velvet gems and golden threads. It was a cloth Natalak wasn't fond of.
"I see you got spare clothes," Ashena says in a slightly disappointed tone.
To put her disappointment away, he borrows the slippers rather than the tight boots she'd offer.
"By the way, how did you find me lying at that place?"
"I heard you talking to yourself." Ashena smile.
"Really?" Natalak's thoughts, and without a warning, his stomach starts pleading for food.
Meanwhile—
From the rainy street of Ravalind, stressed and miserable, the paladin was still searching and still longing for hope that she might retrieve her sword.
"Forgive me, Salvaril, forgive me." Ashalain mumbles as tears and rain drip from her cheeks.
Tired, Ashalain decides to visit her sister.