Chapter Eleven
Vessener
The rays of the late morning sun streamed into the bedroom and fell on the neatly tied bed as warm air wafted through the opened windows. Nara sat on a chair and was putting on the last boot so she could wonder off outside after a long restless sleep when Ingrid walked in and rushed in for a hug. Unprepared from the sudden hug a look of surprise crossed her face, and a heavy breath left her lungs from the impact of her sister’s determined hug.
“If you do not let me go we will fall” She warned Ingrid who had her hands wrapped around her neck, feet crossed around her waist, and chin tucked on the nook of her neck. Ingrid’s hand reluctantly let loose and dropped to her feet. Nara straightened; the hem of the loose dress she wore hanging on the ankles.
“Come here” Nara smiled and hugged her tightly and spun on her feet. Giggles erupted from the young girl as the room turned in her eyes.
“Enough” Ingrid breathlessly protested. Nara laughed softly and sat her small light frame to the floor.
She smiled at her and watched her flushed tawny face as she struggled to catch a steady breath. Ingrid who had just turned twelve years old was clothed in a light floral dress, her thick hair styled in well twisted locks which were adorned with jeweled pins.
“Mother told me you were here. You came last night” Ingrid said looking up at her with a bright smile while she perched herself on the bed.
Nara nodded.
“How have you been?” Nara asked distracted as she busily opened a drawer and picked the sheathed small dagger.
“I’m well” Ingrid scrutinized her face while scrunching her nose. “And you?”
“I’m fine”, Nara tucked in dagger into her boot. She was grateful the remedy her mother gave her had completely healed the ache, and she had also noticed earlier this morning when she examined herself in the large dresser mirror positioned at the corner of the room, the blackness around her eye and the swell on her face was barely noticeable now.
“Mama is going to have a baby” Ingrid squealed.
“Yes. Are you excited you’re going to be a big sister?” Nara gave her a grin, an elated warmth latched onto her chest, she was yet to get the good news.
“I’m happy” Ingrid replied enthusiastically with a big smile.
A lively look swept over her sister’s face as she chewed her ear off being excited for the new baby, wondering if it’s going to be a boy or girl and how she’s going to play with him. All the while Nara listened, nodded and commented when needed. Most of all she soaked in her sister’s innocence. It was refreshing for her tainted soul.
Shortly after the brief time she spent with her sister, Ingrid soon lost interest in her when her friend came looking for her. Ingrid had eagerly left her with promises she’d be back home early. Reluctantly, she let her go but not before telling her to be careful. Her sister’s safety mattered to her considerably especially with everything that’s happening. She hadn’t slept well, slaughtered children from the attack haunted her in sleep.
Shortly after eating breakfast, Nara decided to leave. She came across the maids going about the manor as she navigated the short corridors of the house. She took the flights of stairs that lead outside. It was hot outdoors the heat burning through her clothes to her skin. Unlike its neighboring province in the west Fisher Port, where the season’s weather made you feel warm, and the sea breeze cooled you by night or the Ruhig mountains in the east where the temperature was cold like a fresh waterfall in this time of the season, in Vessener the heat was hot and sticky. Her back tingled under the single drop of sweat sliding beneath the dress.
Nara strolled down the high-end area occupied by nobilities, forwarding through the twisted paths that lead to blacksmiths sector. Her fellow peers strut by her, engrossed in themselves under the reticent atmosphere. With pressing affairs of her own and lest one of them noticed her and decided to pull her aside to engage in small chats, her feet picked up pace hasty to leave the area. She hurried and left the king’s wall.
On the streets, people strode about one way or the other. The streets hummed with life, colorful stores were opened as merchants sold their goods while children played and chased dogs and chickens even the birds chirped loud as they flew above landing on nearby trees and rooves.
The restlessness she had been feeling since she woke this morning rode on her back, nagging with each step she took. It was time for her to find out where her kingdom laid since the attack. She was sure the news had reached the king already. Would he command their force to match forward? Nara could not say, for King Lorenz was a complicated man.
She quickened her steps to the military base. As she hurried down the streets, a figure in a worn straw wide brim hat and a green cloak that reached the ankle of tall boots, caught her eye. Nara regarded the person across from the road she was on. She understood the purpose of the hat but not the cloak, it was odd for someone to wear such a dark cloak in the current hour and weather. Even the desperate court ladies she knew who would sacrifice their comfort for fashion would not subject themselves to such kind of torture.
What a peculiar person, Nara mused, ruling out the person may be sick after noticing the person’s determined strides, very brisk as if in a hurry to attend an urgent matter. For unknown reasons, she was curious to put a face on the mysterious person as she continued to stare inquisitively, taking notice how its fair hair glossed in the sun. As if sensing her probing eyes, the mysterious person came to a halt and turned, locking eyes with her for few heartbeats then looked away and hastily walked on.
No, it cannot be. Eyes narrowed suspiciously, Nara crossed to the path which the lady was on and trailed her, hurrying under the shades provided by the canopies and townhouses extended roofs, leaving some distance between them to not make her intentions known. She squeezed herself between the crowded footpaths and tried to not lose the mysterious lady agile footsteps which seemed to gain momentum each second. The lady didn’t glance back again, instead started running, her steps fast and soundless as if she was air bound.
An unhinging feeling settled in her stomach. Nara sprinted toward her, the air in her lungs thinned as she tried to close the distance increasing between them. Someone groaned and cursed at her for pushing them out of the way. “Sorry” She turned and apologized hastily when she looked forward the lady took a turn between a shabby looking townhouse and a tavern. She followed, not wanting to lose sight of her.
Is she one of Abasi’s spy? Her mind spun while she gave chase after the mysterious woman down the narrow mossy path and wished she was not carrying the sword case which moved awkwardly on her back, jamming her shoulders as it swung with her movement.
For lungful minutes, Nara chased the tail of green woolen cloak in the meandering winding paths between buildings when suddenly, her target’s quick strides decreased in motion and came to a halt in the overshadowed passageway. The lady turned, lifted her head upward. Indigo eyes honed on her.
Goddesses’ name! Nara froze still and gaped. An elf!
The elf was beautiful, with an oval face, high cheekbones, nose and well-proportioned lips. The elf was also taller than Nara, her stance upright and subtle like a cat.
“Why are you pursuing me?” asked the elf in Nyr with a faint accent to her voice.
“Why are you here?” Nara asked, giving the elf a quick, thorough look. There was no visible weapon on the elf, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have one, a small dagger could be hidden perfectly somewhere within her attire. As if the elf needed one. Nara had no doubt the elf could’ve her neck snapped with just her bare hands before she could draw the dagger hiding in her boot.
Instincts warned and urged her to stand ready. Nara willed her tensing muscles to relax.
“You have not answered me. Why are you following me?” the elf retorted with a pointed look.
“What brings you here?” Nara challenged with an edge to her tone that said, ‘this isn’t game’ of who can answer a question with a question.
The elf’s lips twitched in irritation. “Are people of Forod not welcomed here?”
There was a second of silence before Nara gave in first coolly. “It’s not often we see an elf in our midst except trade day that is why I’m curious to know your purpose here but, of course, your kind are allowed here.” The words felt terribly wrong to her ears and tasted foul on her tongue. She found no pleasure of their sight, not after what they did to her people. The elves had declared the humans to be beneath them to associate with. They were immortals, and humans were mortals, a clear distinction of who belonged where in the hierarchy of beings. Human existence seemed to displeasure them and had enraged them further when some of the elves had taken humans as their lovers. That’s when the Dark War began, led by non-other than the elven prince who had set to annihilate them.
“Are you afraid that I was sent to spy on Murisa or be in alliance with Kalil?” the elf taunted.
Nara stiffened. It can’t be. Abasi wouldn’t sort help from them, the little doubt was squashed with the memory of her fighting Kalil warriors not too long ago. Well, not everything is what it appears to be.
Alarm shot through her, and she shuddered inwardly. Nara commanded herself to remain calm and not let the elf see fear wrecking her resolve. She lifted one leg and slowly drew a step closer to the elf.
“I forewarn you, come any closer I will hurt you” the elf declared. Nara’s nostrils flared but didn’t move another step. Nara was aware of the elf' uncanny abilities. Abilities that her own kind gossiped, envied and feared in secret even though many of them have not bared witness to what they could really do. The elf could kill her in a blink, but she would not forfeit her life without a fight. “Leave me be to my ways, and I promise I won’t break your bones,” the elf stated. A dangerous threat. Nara heard it loud and clear.
Nara bit the insides of her cheek until she tasted blood then slowly stepped back. Today she drew the short stick, it was best to let the elf go but next...next time she won’t be lenient. The elf be damned!
“Good choice,” the elf commended and took off running without a glance back. Sourly Nara watched the elf vanish at the end of the alleyway that poured unto crowded streets.
Has she let another foe run free like they had left the nykr, Kalil General? It was all she could think of. Belatedly, Nara pursued the elf with all her strength, her. She emerged in a throng of busy life goers, her chase wasted. She exhaled harshly through her nose, her lungs burning for a steady breath and in a futile attempt, she scanned among the walking forms for the elf. The elf was long gone.
The military headquarters came in her sight as she neared. The headquarters were secluded far from other housings, from a top view its walls formed a smaller ring inside the high wall of Vessener. The hem of her skirts had turned brown from collecting dust as she trekked, it fell into place to her ankles when she stopped inside the arena. Her back felt sore. Sweat from the training women and men mingled in the hot air. The undertone of the air inside the small wall was also charged entirely different from outside-it was strained and gloom. She searched for the General among the warriors first, in case he was in the crowd. All she saw were men and women perfecting their skills and others who stood talking intently.
If the General was not among the warriors, chances where he might be in his small work room. She turned to the direction where his room was and found the door open. Just before she could walk towards the chamber, Barra emerged out from the disclosed room with a little young boy behind him. The poor boy appeared to be about a year or two older than Ingrid. The short boy’s mouth moved quickly as he talked to Barra who had turned to him, his back towards her. Nara could not read lip his words, but she was sure the young man was angry because he bared his teeth a few times at Barra.
Barra placed his arm on the young man’s shoulder and patted him, calming the young man. As if sensing her, Barra looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers briefly then turning his attention back to the young man. The young man grinned at Barra and hurriedly left. Maybe Barra had heard a word from the General, after all, he had the General’s favors as his subordinate. Not wanting another person to snatch his attention she hurried toward him and at the same time he too forward at her, meeting halfway.
“Who’s the boy? She started first.
“Just a street boy I know. I gave him his final warning told him if I caught him stealing again I’d find another use for his detached hands,” he said nonchalantly yet an emotion in his eyes betrayed his tone. According to the short story he had un-enthusiastically told her, he was abandoned by his parents. When he was a young boy, he and his parents came to Vessener on a trading day, and they decided to leave him. In Barra’s own words, his parents never loved him. They found him to be a burden, just another mouth to feed. He never felt a sense of belongness with them. Just a lad, he didn’t know his way back home hence he grew in the blighted area of Vessener, dogfighting to find food and shelter until General Tatu had taken him under his wing. She couldn’t picture the constant struggle of such life. Knowing it was a sensitive subject to him, Nara didn’t press any further. Bara folded his hands across his chest, his muscle flexed against the short sleeve white shirt he wore. “What is it you want to tell me?”
“Any word from the king?” she asked.
“No kali man, woman or child is to leave these lands,” Barra replied.
“What’s he planning to do?”
“He hasn’t said his purpose for them yet, but I won’t pass it by him not to keep them captive later” Barra suggested.
Nara nodded. “Anything else he ordered?”
“He commanded a word to be sent to Elp, Ble and Il that they should be extremely vigilant.” Elp, Ble and Ile were the major routes that led to the copper and gold mines and roads which traders and officials used when they travelled along Fisher Port to Vessener or Rive. They crossed from the west, north and the center of Murisa.
“When, was the word sent out?”
“Last night after I told the General the full report on Latrell, the General delivered the news to the king and the king immediately requested the General to send his men out to give the order.” It was a good decision. She understood the importance of guarding all the key routes that lead to the major provinces and cities, but she was anxious and curious to know what other measures they would take on Kalil.
“That’s it. Nothing else?” Nara asked. Barra’s lips thinned and shook his head regretfully. The uncertainty ate at her calmness, the waiting and not knowing what to do was making her ill at ease. She wasn’t enjoying the suspense. King Lorenz needed to come with a better plan sooner than later, guarding the main routes won’t be enough to counter Abasi’s army once they arrive. Just thinking of his army had her stomach flipping. Perhaps a negotiation between the two kings would not be rebuffed. She frowned at the incredulous notion. She hated herself just thinking of this but despite the terrible ambush, she would be willing to cast her anger toward them aside and the need to avenge and tolerate a new reconciliation if it meant the safety of her family and the rest of Murisa people. Heading to war would cause a lot of consequences and not just for the loser but for the winner too. She snorted inwardly. She had a feeling King Lorenz would not favor her thoughts.
The elf! Where does the elf fit in all this? Nara mulled, strange things were happening. It’s far more than a coincidence for the elf to show up right now.
“What is it?” her eyebrows lowered and scrunched together when Barra stared at her too intently.
“What?” he asked blankly.
“You’re looking at me.” she told him.
“Is it wrong to look at you?” Telling him, she didn’t like to be stared at was useless when he already knows how she felt about it but never cared to stop.
Nara shook her head. “No. It’s just the way you’re looking at me, like…” she licked her lips. It was like how he looked at her the last evening in Latrell, his stare was too long than usual and held something she did not want to discern. Barra drew closer, his boots almost touching her clad feet and murmured lowly. “like how?”
“Like…” Nara lifted her eyes to his face and found him looking over her shoulder and called, “Astrid.”
Nara turned and distanced herself from Barra quickly, but Astrid seemed to not have noticed or cared how close they were, rather Astrid was the one who looked embarrassed when she met her gaze. After the talk that night in the woods, everything became awkward between them. Astrid would avoid her gaze or would barely speak to her. Nara was confused, did she say something to offend her?
“May I have a word with you, alone” Astrid averted her eyes to Barra. She felt the cold shoulder.
Alright then. Nara thought to herself. She knew where she was not wanted.
“Tell me when you hear more.” Nara turned to Barra. She could see it in his eyes that he didn’t want her to leave, he still had more things to say, like answering him foremost. Nara glanced at Astrid again, her friend didn’t spare her a look. There’s nothing she could do, If Astrid didn’t want to speak with her, it left her no choice but to leave.
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