Zaril in the night breeze, which blows cool wind enough to make him feel comfortable, The moon seemed to be covered by clouds and had darkened the surroundings.

He took off his hat and took a deep breath. he can see the Carriages moving in the peaceful night of his surroundings, while pedestrians of many nationalities were passing. He started to walk and directing his steps toward the Plaza and looking towards it him as if to recall the place.

i the side of the streets their are identical houses with their white and blue walls, whitewashed with bad imitation of granite. In the other side the illuminated clock church can be seen, there are Celestial shops with blue curtains and iron gratings.

"How slowly everything gives me nostalgia"

He murmured as he carefully watch. The vendors were repeating the same shrill cry, saying "We have the best meat in town" while smoky lamps that is identical to the Chinese lamps was giving light to the surroundings and some old Yushanian women who sold candy and fruit are talking to some customers.

While he was meditating upon this marvel of the city's stability in a country where everything is so unstable, a hand was placed lightly on his shoulder. He raised his head to see the old lieutenant gazing at him with something like a smile in place of the hard expression and the frown which usually characterized him.

"Young man, be careful not to end up like your father!"

was the abrupt greeting of the old soldier.

"I'm sorry, but you seem to know a lot of my father. Can you tell me how he died?" asked by Zaril while staring at him.

"Have you tried asking Captain Renas?" asked the officer.

"I asked him about it, but he wouldn't promise to tell me until tomorrow. Perhaps you know?"

"Well, I do, as everybody else. He died in prison!"

Zaril stepped backward in surprise and fixedly gazed at the lieutenant.

"In jail? I'm sorry, who died in Jail?"

"Your father was somewhat in a confinement," is the vague answer he got

"My father in prison...confined in a prison? I do not understand sir? Do you know what kind of person my father was? " demanded by Zaril while holding the officer's arm.

"Of course. I quite know your father."

"I see" echoed Zaril weakly.

"Well, I thought it would be best for you to know as soon as possible" muttered by the officer in a tone of compassion as he saw what was passing in Zaril's mind.

"but be brave! I know your father was honest and honorable man."

"I will take your words as comfort but..."

spoke by Zaril in a weak voice, after a few moments' silence.

"Can you tell me why he was in prison?"

The lieutenant seemed to be perplexed.

"It's strange to me that your father didn't tell you"

"His last letter was a year ago, he said that I should not be uneasy if he doesn't write, as he was very busy. He encouraged me to continue my studies and sent me his blessing."

"Then he wrote that letter to you just before he died. It will soon be a year since we buried him."

"Again, why was my father a prisoner sir?"

"For a very honorable reason. But come with me to the barracks and I'll tell you as we go along."

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They moved along for some time in silence. The officer seemed to be in

deep thought while the are on their way they didn't muttered a word to each other until they reached their destination.

"Well you know" he began,

"Your father was the richest man in the province, and while many loved and respected him, there were also some who envied and hated him. We Celestials who came to Yushania in the order ofof helping to develop this country are unfortunately not all we ought to be. The power struggle, the corruption in the higher circles, the favoritism has caused the corrupt leaders to be appointed in Yushania

The worst people of the higher circle has come here, and even if a good man does come, they will be pressured heavily by the friars.

The officer hesitated for a while.

"Some months after your departure the troubles with Father Neil Frey began, but I am unable to explain the real cause of them. Neil Frey accused him of not coming to confession, although he had not done so formerly and they had nevertheless been good friends, as you may still remember. Moreover, your father was a very upright man, more so than many of those who regularly attend confession and than the confessors themselves. Neil Frey accused him as a heretic who doesn't follow the teachings of the church, and for that reason he was arrested but I believe that there is more deeper reason than that but unfortunately I cannot launch an investigation since friars are under the protection of King Herald IV who governs both Celestia and Yushania."

Again the old lieutenant paused.

"There happened to be a guy in the province a former guard of Father Neil who has been discharged from the army on account of his abuses to the natives.

but that man had wasn't punished and wasn't permitted to engage in manual labor, which would injure our prestige, but he somehow obtained a position as tax collector. That little devil had no education at all, and the natives soon became aware, as it was a marvel for them to see a Celestial who didn't know how to read and write.

Every one ridiculed him and the payment of the tax was the occasion of broad smiles. He knew that he was an object of ridicule and this tended to sour his disposition even more, rough and bad as it had formerly been. They would purposely hand him the papers upside down to see his efforts to read them. The natives mocked while they paid him. He swallowed his pride and made the collections, but was in such a state of mind that he had no respect for any one. He even had an argument with your father."

"One day when he was in a shop trying to read a document over and over in the effort to understand it. A boy began to make signs to his companions and to point laughingly at the collector with his finger. The fellow heard the laughter and saw the joke reflected in the solemn faces of the bystanders. He lost his patience and, turning quickly, started to chase the boys, who ran away shouting [Stupid Celestial]. Blind with rage and unable to catch them, he threw a stone and struck one of the boys on the head, knocking him down. He ran up and began to kick the fallen boy, and none of those who had been laughing had the courage to interfere.

Unfortunately, your father happened to come along just at that time. He ran forward indignantly, caught the collector by the arm, and reprimanded him severely. The former guard, who was full of rage raised his hand, but your father was too quick for him, some said that he struck him,

others said that he merely pushed him, but at any rate the man staggered and fell a little way off, striking his head against a stone. your father quietly picked the wounded boy up and carried him to the town hall. The former guard bled freely from the mouth and died a few

moments later without recovering consciousness."

"As was to be expected, the authorities intervened and arrested your father. All his hidden enemies at once rose up and false accusations came from all sides. He was accused of being a heretic. To be a heretic is a great danger anywhere, but especially so at that time when the province was governed by a Friar who was corrupt and unfortunately close to the former guard who died. Everyone abandoned your father and his books and papers were seized. He was also accused of inciting rebellion saying he sent you abroad to learn magic and sword style. Everything was all an accusation. Had it been any one but your father, it is likely that he would soon have been set free, But his wealth, his mistrust to the law, and his hatred of every abuse of the Celestials to the Yushanians just made matters worst."

The officer paused to take a deep breath, and after noticing the silence of his companion, who was listening with averted face, continued

"At your father's request I prepared the defense in the case. I went to a Yushanian lawyer, but he refused to take the case. [I could die] he told me, [and me defending him would cause a case against me].

Your father's enemies were numerous, some of them hidden and unknown. False witnesses abounded, If a lawyer succeeded in destroying of their false testimony that lawyer undoubtedly be in prison.

"The sufferings, the worries, the hard life in the prison, or the pain

of seeing so much ungratefulness from his fellow Yushanian, broke your father

and he fell ill. When the case was almost finished and he was about to be judged guilty of being an enemy of the fatherland and of being the murderer of the tax-collector,

he died in the prison with no one at his side. I arrived just in time to see him breathe his last."

The old lieutenant became silent, but still Zaril said nothing.

The officer stopped and said, as he grasped the youth's hand, "Young man, if you want more details ask Captain Renas. Now, good night, as I must return to duty

and see that all is well."

Silently, but with great feeling, Zaril shook the lieutenant's firm hand and followed him with his eyes until he disappeared.

Then he turned slowly and signaled to a passing carriage. "To Raven Inn," as he spoke in grave ind scarcely audible voice.

'This fellow look scary' Muttered by the carriage driver in a volume Zaril can't hear.