The mind of the traveler was astonished and awe. Curiosity filled his thoughts— his tongue, desperate to ask upon witnessing such magic, but his instinct say otherwise.
"Oh, good enchantment you have." Natalak stretching his arms, testing the armor's flexibility.
"Thanks mister, but don't praise it too much I'm still just a beginner."
"Hmm." Nods the traveler.
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 laborer." The words that were screaming at Natalak's thoughts.
"That would be sixty-five coppers." Barry replied.
"Thank the maker."
Once the transaction is finished, Natalak then rushes by stuffing the whole armor from his bag. That moment captures the two father and daughter 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 locks the door and placed the close 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 she didn't care the situation, she goes rummaging the items at Natalak's back.
"I just asking where you'd taken that bag of yours, I think I would like 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 seems to say a dark mist-like begins to take form. But it was a small spec, size of a m
"It's okay to lie, I'm not one of those two criers."
Suddenly Natalak remembers how he received the bag.
"Ah, father gave it to me." Natalak follows
Barry glance at the ball, seems enough the dark mist quickly condenses 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 best to keep that bag in secret. I heard only few people wield such relic, and those people are not to be trifle 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 your lucky man to journey here without getting that bag stolen. More or less being killed."
"I see, so is there any lesson should I be enlightened about this sack?"
"Well technically—"
Without giving Barry a second to speak, her daughter barge 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 relic and one of those that possesses such relic is none other than Archsage Azageis. The three however was on the mist, so that makes you the second holder."
"Me?" Natalak points the finger to himself.
"Yes you, and I suggest to be more cautious. Providentially enough, you're the only costumer 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."
Stocking enough information, Natalak had to change the topic for they might think of him as an obnoxious person.
Looking around the shop, Natalak was searching for other handy things when traveling or dealing with enemies. It was then he notices a few cooking utensils displayed on the other side of the corner. Walking towards the pots and pans, picking everyone part of the utensils, Natalak then asks the wares' compensation.
"That would be three coppers."
Once paid Natalak gazed upon the window. And through the window light slowly deems as night starts to barter with daytime. It was there Natalak greets 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 whisper.
"Me neither, this is one unexpected day for me. I better write some letters back to Garry."
Closing the door shop and turning to face the front. Once after a few thirty meters of sauntering— Natalak's eyes were wide open, shocked and fear the person whom he didn't want to meet yet standing twenty meters away. Before seconds could erupt Natalak hastily works his legs.
"WAIT, YOU THIEF!" Ashalain shout.
Stiffing as fast as he can, the paladin slowly closes their gap.
Natalak runs through the alleys, give him the advantage of confusing her with lots of pathways. Thirty minutes of going through left and right cluttering 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 his body to any piles of rubbles 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 into his hiding place. And while in burying, he desperately muffles his gasping.
Hugging his bag, the traveler 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 understood 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 deport 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 likes her, should I probably return this sword to her?"
"If, I had the chance."
Examine, there are red gems that etched to the sword. It's no ordinary gem he can tell by the clouds of fire swirling inside.
"There's always what we called a refund." Natalak grins, prying out the gem.
Shoving the sword into his magic bag and separating 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 wonders through the city seeking inns and shelters. He was disappointed when all of the inns where completely accommodated. Even the bars and attics were full, housed by peasants and merchants who couldn't afford high-end rooms. The only available inns were nobles and rich merchants.
"This is so bad luck, why do I always end up like." Natalak droning through the road, seeking any shades to stay.
He'd filled his stomach for a little no 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 are 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 was in shudder. It was the same women 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 from the other corner while tending to the flowers." The lady pointing 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 far away land that I don't want to talk about it." Natalak jolting his eyes.
"I understand, I'm Ashena by the way." The lady extend her hand.
"I'm Natalak." Natalak shakes her hand.
As the early night progress and the rain pour heavily. Curious and inquisitive Ashena ask Natalak's experience from his travels. For the traveler, his thoughts were in chaos contemplating a word of reason. Then it came, that was then Natalak told a story regarding his past world. Telling how mortals can communicate through portals-like. The philosophers and ancient people of Earth.
Astounded in silence, Ashena was very much immersed through his stories. Some are true, and false, and some were true but told outrageous. 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 to 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 from this place." Natalak said, evading her words as he returns to his sleep.
"If you do that, the guards might throw you to 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 securities from this area are on high alert due to rampant of the 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 manage to convince the guards.
"Stay safe madam Shilvia." The guards spoke in low voice.
Ashena turns at Natalak and spoke. "Still want to stay here?"
After mere five minutes of walking…
Gazing on the mansion, embarrassment overcomes the traveler, an estate owned probably by a royals or nobles.
"You-you said… Your place is just a simple house." Natalak said, gawking at the façade.
The woman ignores his words and goes in front of the door. "I forgot; I haven't fully introduced myself. My name is Ashena, Ashena De Shilvia."
"I-I didn't realize you were a noble person." He stammers hinting of mortified voice.
"Don't worry Natalak I' 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 worst an elephant. He couldn't even give her a good force while he struggles.
"Just come inside." Ashena said, her tone was forced.
Once stepping inside, Natalak was listening intently towards Ashena who is seemingly banters 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 mortifying.
"Okay I regret going with her, I've should just runaway to god knows where."
"My-my him? He is one of my friends a guest for today."
"I see..." The butler then eyes on Natalak whilst he walks in Natalak's direction. "I'll lead you to the bathroom first." The butler sigh, a sentence made of dagger-like.
Following the butler and just as he observes the place, he speculates the mansion was 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 is like eating his intestines.
After a few turns and walks the butler stop. "Alright sir, this room leads towards the bathroom, and call me if you need something I'll be here." The butler expressed bluntly, and with ominous eyes smeared on his face just as he gave the traveler a device which Natalak is ignorant to utilize.
"Thank you, kindly sir. I think I can take care of my own accords." Natalak responds.
Washing his mood through the warm water while thinking— thinking his future step.
"What am I doing with my life." Natalak burbles.
Out of sudden 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 clothes for Natalak.
"Aha… these clothes would be fitting to him." Ashena exclaimed, then rans to where the bathroom was, yet on her track was the butler who was waiting for her.
"Madam, are you sure about bringing a stranger on the house?" Consults the butler. "Your father and lady Asha—"
"It's okay Larry." Ashena blurts hinting a resentment. "I got this oh— and would you mind preparing the tables, my sister will be coming to stay here for a while."
"Then please take care madam. And I apologize for my words lady Ashena." Larry bows before treading the hallway.
Hearing a knock from the door Natalak then hastily stuff his wet clothes to his bag and quickly wears the spare clothes he bought.
As the door opens, the traveler yet again was confronted by Ashena and with her are clothes. However, the clothes she brought are that of a silhouette close-fitted trousers and linen collars. There are also breeches with gold embroidery. And thick coats that are ornament 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 bit of disappointment tone.
To put her disappointment away, he borrows the slippers rather than the tight boots she'd offer.
"By the way how did you found me laying at that place?"
"I heard you talking to yourself." Ashena smile.
"Really?" Natalak thoughts, and without a warning his stomach starts pleading for food.
Meanwhile—
From the raining street of Ravalind, stressed and miserable the paladin was still searching. Still longing for hope that she may retrieve back her sword.
"Forgive me Salvaril, forgive me." Ashalain mumble as tears and rain drips from her cheeks.
Tired, Ashalain decides to visit her sister.