The skidding sound of hooves reverberates together with the wooden wheel treading upon the earthen path. The carriage sways ever unsteady but the cushion of our seat provides a minimum comfort to stave off the detrimental effect of the fatigue in travel.
My hazy eyes lay upon the familiar man in front of me. Upon seeing my countenance slowly trying to familiarize my sense around me, the old man leans back on his seat with a disgruntled frown.
“Falling asleep for the first hour of our travel, just how laid back are you?” Domhan grunts while shifting his gaze beyond the window of the carriage. The scenery outside had me befuddles as it was nothing but a sea of trees. Unfortunately, falling asleep at will something I have mastery over because of my unfortunate circumstance in the past.
“Where…are we?” I hesitatingly asked to Domhan with a little tilt of head as curiosity and confusion slowly seeps into my mind. The last thing I know was that we left the castle in a carriage.
“We already passed one town while you were dozing off. I reckon you have no idea how much time has passed.” Domhan’s face shows a little bit gentleness but whilst it is still tinged with permanent sternness.
“I remember we left as early as sunrise.” I took a peek outside the carriage and saw the sun majestically rising above us.
“You were asleep for about four hours. Lass, it’s almost noon.” Domhan once again lets out a disgruntled voice while he places his elbow on the window’s rail and gazes outside once more. “We’re about to arrive at another town. From what I see of your scrawny figure, we’ll be needing meat so you’ll gain a little bit of weight.” He added.
Surprisingly, his recommendation leans toward my scrawny figure. If I were to compare myself with Doiteain or even to Domhan, I am indeed thin but I’d like to address myself as lean rather than scrawny.
As for the reason I slept so much early in the morning, I was occupied sitting in front of Doiteain’s door. I was begging her to take me in the zone because I wanted to see the reality of the face of this war they are fighting.
At first, Doiteain was so furious because of my stubbornness. I desire to see something new, even if it is a place where I could lose my life. It is my desperate attempt to find a meaning; a purpose in my being here.
After an hour where servants started watching from afar, Doiteain comes out of her room with an extremely perplexed countenance and gave in. She strongly opposed my involvement but I can no longer sit back and do nothing. Domhan never gave any comment about this issue but I can feel that he’ll oppose my decision if he opens his lips.
The next morning, I learned that Doiteain left on a horseback before sunrise as she was urgently needed in the frontline of the zone. Admitting this myself, I felt like she purposely left me behind so I end up going with Domhan in a slow-paced carriage. As soon as I sat on the seat of the carriage, I immediately doze off.
“Hey, brat, you’re dozing off again!” Domhan called out to me as I was listlessly staring outside. Before I knew it, we were traversing a town. I did felt like sleeping again but that is just plain rude now towards Domhan so I inhibit myself from sleeping.
“I’m sorry. I will do my best not to sleep.” I apologized to Domhan with slight bow.
“No, it’s not like I am angry at you or anything! It’s just that excessive sleeping may ruin your appetite.” Domhan said as he turns to look away from me.
I didn’t know that excessive sleeping could actually ruin one’s appetite.
Ah, but now I felt awake as I saw the scenery of the town that the Gauls have. It wasn’t as innovative as a square house with four walls and triangular roof. This town has houses made of earthen walls and they are rounded. The wall of the house looks sturdy enough to withstand earthquake and typhoon. Like any other houses, it has windows, door, and chimney and of course, there are people living in it.
The houses aren’t built in a cluster but rather, they are far from each other and elevated on a different land formed like a stair. There are concretely built stone stairs for people to actually walk on and unlike in the castle where the entirety of the land is built with a stone panel, this town has an expanse of grass.
The smell of the freshly trimmed grass wafts in the air that is quite pleasant to my nose.
Our carriage stops at the town’s center where most business and trade are commenced and the buildings are more modern than the rest of the residential houses. They are built concretely with stones and their roofs are hedges.
“This is the town of Meryth. It has an average population of a thousand. From here on, we need to travel half a day more to reach the main camp.” Domhan explained as he the carriage driver opens the carriage’s door.
“It’s a beautiful town.” I said in compliment while observing the landscape of the town.
“…That perception may change after a while.” Domhan said with a melancholic voice while he helps me get down from the carriage. He guides my hands and supports me by my hips while I step down.
Before Domhan and I starts walking, a bald and hunched old man using a cane as his support in his walk comes to us with the most earnest countenance along with two looking normal villagers. They took a quick confused glance to my direction before gleefully bowing down at Domhan.
“Lord Domhan, I am glad to see you fine.” The hunched old man said with a wry smile.
“Yes, Old Mort. We just came by to have a quick meal.” Domhan bitterly talks with the man with an extremely dim countenance.
“I see. Is the lass with you a relative?” Old Mort asked.
“There’s no relevance telling you anything about her. Don’t mind her.” Domhan said as he places a hand on my head and pulls down the hood I am currently wearing further down.
“Is that it? Anyway, please have a…pleasant stay.” Old Mort said with a snicker before turning his back from us and walks away with the two people with him.
Domhan sighs at the encounter as he watches Old Mort walking away from us. Old Mort’s smile and their gestures are all theatrical. All of it, fake, and it was something I cannot miss. It was a smile to show off and to hide something beneath.
It was something I can describe as both ugly and beautiful as the spectacle of two countering sides are perfectly synchronized to create a performance.
“Aster, this way.” Domhan peeled my attention away from Old Mort’s fleeting back and led me to a path towards a big establishment.
“Wait…” I appealed as I almost fell down. My gaits are steady if I just stand still but walking is another hurdle for me to cross. Since Domhan immediately learned of my current plight, he immediately assisted me by holding on my one hand; as if he is escorting me.
“How’s this? You don’t look all pathetic, walking around like a limp. Just hold my hand and move at your own pace.” He told me with knitted brows. Little by little, my feet were able to do half steps at a time. If Domhan ever felt that my body would sway, his hand would immediately steady my momentum by my shoulder.
“Despite your rough attitude, Domhan is really nice.” Those honest words slipped out from my lips.
“Damn it…you’ll be walking with crutches next time.” Domhan replied while he threw his gaze away from my sight.
I find it a little funny that Domhan’s ears are a little reddish. Despite all of his complaining, he was gentle and refined in helping me.
After several minutes of struggling, Domhan and I arrive at the said establishment. The exterior of the building was plain but the inside is promising as it has proper tables and chairs neatly arranged. There are several people who are eating on their own table while a woman diligently serves each one of them.
The waitress comes to us with a heavy stride and greets us.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Lord Domhan. How can I help you today?” The woman who seems to be in her early twenties asked Domhan with a theatrical smile.
“Please, a table for us, Melundi.” Domhan grimly spoke.
“Aye. Over here.” Melundi led us to a vacant table by the corner of the establishment. I might as well start calling it a simple diner. After making sure that I am firmly seated on my chair, Domhan handed me the menu. Although I said menu, it was only a parchment attached to a thin wooden board. It seems that this make-shift menu is one of the only three available here.
The list of food here are ranging from a simple rye bread accompanied with either a glass of water or any alcoholic drinks to cooked meats such as deer, bear, and rabbit. It made me think that pig, cow, and chicken are difficult to grow here in the forest.
The price… I am not well versed with their currency. I glance at Domhan, a little bit worried. He just foisted a smirk on me that undoubtedly tells me that it was not even a problem. In the castle, I mostly eat creamy soups with vegetable and bits of meat. Doiteain personally arranged a nutritional meal for me so I am grateful.
However, right now, I may get to pick something else other than Doiteain’s recommendation.
“Then…I’ll be having a tenderly grilled rabbit…” I hesitatingly said while stealing a glance to Domhan with every word I spoke.
“Aster, keep your excitement in control. Your ears are flapping beneath the hood. We do not desire to reveal your identity to public for safety measures.” Domhan scolded me.
I didn’t notice it. I place a hand inside the hood and ruffle my ears. It is ticklish and surprisingly sensitive. Hiding it beneath a hood made it unbearably hot but I just couldn’t take it off. I then notice that my tail is slightly wagging so I did my best to control it.
“It’s hard to keep them in check.” I said with an extremely apologetic tone.
“Well, it can’t be help. You’re not to blame as it is not something like your body from the past. Anyway, I’ll be putting up our order now.” Domhan shook off my worries and called for the waitress.
“Domhan, you are so nice.” I mindlessly uttered.
“Are you having fun teasing an old man?!” He blurted angrily which in a replied with smile. “If you keep running your mouth like that, I’m going to send you back to the castle!” He added in which just made me giggle a little.
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After a while, the waitress brought us a platter full of food. The rabbit that I ordered was far bigger than I thought. I couldn’t even finish a quarter of it and the spice of the grilled rabbit elevates my body temperature to an unbearable degree.
Domhan ended up eating most of it while he sips on a tankard with a foamy beer and picking on his shredded lettuce.
“I saw this coming so I held back from ordering too much food.” Domhan showed a smug.
“There are foams stuck in your beard.” I nonchalantly said as I lean back on my chair’s rest. Domhan immediately brushes the foams away with his bare hand in panic before taking a plentiful of gulp from his tankard.
I tried relaxing on my seat, however, my tail jolts in an indescribable anxiety. I didn’t notice it earlier because of my excitement but now, things has become apparent for me. With great caution, I surveyed the surrounding by directing my sight to their gazes; to the people we are dining together in this establishment.
As I met people’s sight, they immediately turn away from my gaze. The people who were eyeing on us are all wearing ragged clothes despite dining in a clean diner like this. It’s like a big mismatch.
The smell coming from them…is somewhat moldy and earthen. Judging from the gloves that they are wearing, they must have been dealing with something connected with rocks or the like.
“Lass, let’s rest on the carriage before we move forward.” Domhan said while he took a last gulp of his beer. I reluctantly nod at his words before making one last look on the people in our surrounding.
Domhan, like earlier, helped me gently with our walk. This time, eyes watching our movements increased and they are blatantly showing themselves.
“Domhan…” I clutch onto the hem of his clothes. It’s uncomfortable to be gawked us so I’m a little annoyed.
“Don’t be scared of them. I am an elder, they can’t touch you.” Domhan assured without looking to my direction, however, from his voice is an extremely boastful old man that knows what he is saying.
“I’m not even slightest scared.” I knit my eyebrows as those words failed to enter Domhan’s ears. He started emitting an aura that says that I can rely on him more. I fail to see any magnificent to his demeanor but I do say he is reliable.
With a humming Domhan, we arrived back at our carriage. The coachman was already seated on the driver’s seat with a huge bulky sack strapped beside him. Domhan lifted me by his arms and set me down on my seat.
After that, he left me on my own and talks with the coachman outside of the carriage.
“Did you get it all? Have we reached the quota this month?” Domhan’s stern voice echoed inside as he talks to the coachman.
“Lord Domhan, like the usual, we are short on the quota this month too. The miners told me that they have exhausted the mines near here.” The coachman’s raspy voice replied to Domhan’s query.
“Is that so? And when there’s a visible changes in the war’s direction for unknown reason, our supplies staggers down little by little. Anyway, we’re continuing.” Domhan said as he turned away from the coachman and boarded on the carriage.
Domhan sat on his seat and per his signal, the carriage starts moving again as the coachman started whipping on the horses. The sound of the hooves and the rattle of the carriage once more reverberate and the scenery of the town of Merlyth slowly becomes distant. Not long after, the sea of trees has become another passing view for us once more.
Seeing that there are no eyes to gaze at me anymore, I took down the hood and unfurl my ears beneath of it. The black furred, triangular ears twitch as it felt the breeze of the air. It was an unstoppable reaction but it was pleasant as the heat that built up was released.
“How is it, lass? Feeling awake now?” Domhan asked while sneering at me.
“No…I feel sleepier than earlier.” I honestly answered as I felt the urge to once again return to dreamland. With a full stomach and a sunny weather with gentle breeze of wind, it’s a perfect opportunity to sleep. The verdant view adds up on the best tranquility to elevate the mood.
“You’ll get fat. Not that we don’t allow you to. Anyway, don’t sleep.” Domhan lightly scolded me with a slight frown.
“Yes, I’ll try not to sleep. For that, Domhan, could you please tell me something about you and Doiteain and the other elders.” I took the opportunity and asked Domhan about details regarding the elders.
“Hmph, you little rascal. Well, it’s fine for me.” Domhan agreed with a raspy voice but his lips are slightly curving upward.
With a sigh, Domhan’s eyes lit up with a really vicious motivation that it made my feet cold.
“We the elders were deep-rooted into this land but not all of us are actually full pledge druids. There are only two of them and that’s Doiteain and Iarann. You can say that Doiteain and Iarann are the first and foremost supporters of the first King Mac Nessa.” Domhan started the story to a time table I never expected.
“Doiteain was actually my mentor. She was a woody hag as I remember when we first met when I was just a boy. She saw talent in me in controlling the Faes of woods and picked me up from my small village. I trained under her guidance and became that man that I am today.” Domhan had a sneering scowl while recalling the story; probably remembering the time when he and Doiteain met.
“I thought you, Doiteain, and all of the elders are the same age.” I queried abruptly.
“That’s false. I only had a grandchild of the first degree.” Domhan bitterly said with default countenance.
“Had…” I repeated that word, seemingly painful to utter for the old man in front of me. His eyes are hazy with sadness and other emotions that are hard for me to describe.
Still, despite knowing that Domhan is experiencing a painful recollection, I still can’t fathom how it actually feels. To be deprived of someone you love never happened to me. In fact, I never had someone to be deprived to begin with.
Feeling for one is attached by your bonds and emotional surges through the time that you are together. Whether it is familial, friendly, or even romantic, they are all developed through an illogical system.
I can describe all of those feelings but I’ve never felt them myself. If I have a need of someone, that may be called attraction but to actualize a feeling for a person, a hurdle called bond should be in progress and bond should be something built overtime; not overnight.
That’s right; I know what those are because I am deprived of them. I never held anything warm before but I’ve grasped the concept in which a man unloved could think.
It’s all self-pity and self-deprecation but in the end, I only have my own logic to rely on.
“The town earlier, that’s the town where my granddaughter grew up.” Domhan painfully exclaimed while trying to sound uncaring.
“I see…and that village…why is it so dim despite its people smiling?” I asked a question based on my observation.
“Each of us elders governs a land. The Merlyth town is a part of my domain. The reason the people look dim is because of overworking.” Domhan said while groaning a little with before taking a small clear of the throat.
“They are miners, yes?” I concluded. Of course, it’s still my observation but at this time, it’s really apparent.
“Lass, what do you think of King Cuh? You may have had a little time with him but what kind of impression do you get from him?” Domhan asked me a question that has been bugging me for a while too.
“I am stumped on how to answer that. I do not have any words to speak negatively against him but I do not have praise for him at the same time. If anything, King Cuh Rux might actually be a man with a hidden face.” I answered honestly.
“Any words you speak shall not be an offense. You are a divine beast, an existence we cannot violate. But, your words are little off about King Cuh.” Domhan asserted my position once again but rejected my pre-conceive notion of King Cuh Rux. “King Cuh Rux is a tyrant.” Domhan added.
As the word tyrant was laid down on the discussion, Domhan stares at me uncomfortably. Beads of sweat start rolling from his forehead and his hands are gripping the railing of the window of the carriage.
“Is that so? Isn’t fine to be a tyrant? As a king especially in a war, he needs to give out roles and jobs to people. He basically gave everyone a purpose.” Which something I never had or I might have it in the past but lost it somewhere; a potential.
“Was it because of your upbringing, I wonder…” Domhan scratches his nose funnily as he breathed a sigh of relief. His expression is still stern but his eyes are little bright and cheery.
I don’t know much about ruling over people or how to behave like a king, however, I know that giving out jobs and purpose accordingly to people who are capable of it takes skills. For me, that’s just an ideal king but it also reckons the fact that all kings are also tyrant for giving out orders and jobs.
A man should know how to use a pawn correctly. It’s neither a rook nor bishop but a pawn has its own uses; whether to become a sacrifice for a noble cause or to rise up using its potential.
“Anyway, that town has a lot of mines where we get a lot of emeralds, rubies, topaz, and many other more. Once, we used them for trade to boost our economy, however, since the war started, its demand rises.” Domhan explained to me while he took out an emerald, as big as a marble.
“I see, you use those precious stones for the war now instead of trading them.” From my words, Domhan nodded knowingly.
“Correct. Since there’s a certain range where we can use the power of the Faes, we store runes into these stones to conjure our spellcraft. It became an indispensable material for us. It takes a little time and stamina to execute the runes stored in it. Even the basic of soldiers can use it, however, the problem is that when a stone is repeatedly used, its purity fades and the effectiveness diminishes drastically.” Domhan explained as he took out another stone. This time, it was a dimly lit emerald stone.
Both of the stones are without a doubt emerald, however, the other one has a glitter to it that brightly shines while the other one rejects all signs of light passing through it. With just one glance, I already knew that there’s a rendering degree of gap in the quality.
“What we bring in the battlefield determines our survival, especially parts where we cannot use the power of the Faes. That’s why we keep the battle close to our borders. To fill our needs of these supplies, a mandatory mining job for all capable men who aren’t participating in the war was implemented. We do not prohibit hunting and foraging the forest for them to eat but we set a certain amount of quota for each towns and villages. But as you heard earlier, the quota keeps declining as each passing month.” Domhan explanation ends with a soundless sigh after a long pause.
To be honest, it sounds like a horrible economy. But if we factor the war, the economy is bound to stagger like that I think.
However, abruptly, Domhan’s face immediately tenses and his back straightens with a snap. He immediately dons a face of a distinctive alertness. Calmly, he faces and starts talking.
“Lassie, I think it’s a good time for you to take a nap.” Domhan said while he brought out a yellow stone; probably a topaz.
“I don’t feel sleepy anymore…I…but…” The stone that Domhan held shines a little and a wave of haziness assaulted my vision. My head slowly waves back and forth and my eyelids got heavy. Before I knew it, I was caught by Domhan’s arms and I slowly fell back to dreamland.
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The chill of the setting dawn tickles my ears and my body reacted accordingly with a shiver. As I slowly rose up from the carriage’s seat, a blanket nearly falls off my body. It was a thick and warm blanket that gave me comfort in my sleep.
As I look outside, the sky was already dyed in crimson blood color and the trees have gone from a sea of greenery to a land covered with shadow. The smell of the burning wood wafts in the air and in sheer curiosity, I set out from the carriage to see the situation myself.
I steady my gait while frigidly trying to get down from the carriage with shaky knees. Using the handle of the carriage’s door as a support, I successfully manage to climb down the carriage without a problem.
Then, what beheld in front of me is a sight I don’t stumble upon every day.
“Lass?! The effect wore off earlier than I expected!” Domhan shouted in utter shock. I immediately noticed that pile of bodies in front of him, tied up with roots of trees.
“Are those ruffians?” I instinctively asked without many expressions to show.
“W-Well, indeed, they are. They are bandits who targeted our carriage a while ago. Well, I really don’t want you to see such sight but…” Domhan knitted his brows trying to search for words. “People like this appear from time to time. Actually, you can say that these people are…all those who refused to work under the mandated mining job.” Domhan added.
Rebels, I see. Even with the war, people inside their system may actually feel unsatisfied so they will either try to rebel or escape responsibilities.
“They run out of luck when they targeted our carriage. I won’t even let them lay an eye to you, lass.” Domhan boasted while puffing his chest.
“Bandits, huh. Are they still alive? What will happen to them?” I queried.
“If they are still an official subject of the king and didn’t involve in theft and murder, we might have just sent them to a mine, however, such degree of crime like attacking an elder or worse, the divine beast, even in their ignorance warrants death.” Domhan firmly stated. There was no shred of sympathy in his voice.
“No, I mean, if they are still alive.” I once again asked and cleared my intention.
“They are still breathing, though, since I have the jurisdiction to judge them, I will execute them on the spot by strangling them with roots and sending them back to the earth.” Domhan said as the root entangled to the group of bandits start constricting.
One of the bandits immediately opens his eyes as the pain slowly crawls onto his neck. His eyes full of rage are directed to Domhan.
“Bastard! If you only submitted to the Empire, then our people wouldn’t suffer! Stop hiding behind the façade that everything will be solved by bravery and honor! Shame on you! Shame on these lands!” The bandit shouted with bloodshot eyes.
“Shame? What a sham you are spouting. I do not need to reason with single-minded people like you. Return back to the earth.” Domhan coldly said as the roots violently strangles the man.
“Wait.” I hurriedly exclaimed.
“Lass?! What are you doing?!” Domhan shouted as I stagger towards the conscious bandit. His eyes met with mine and I immediately felt the resentment behind it.
“There’s something I’d like to ask him.” I told Domhan as I squat down to look at the bandit eye to eye.
Domhan didn’t stop me, although he stood behind me closely to monitor what will happen. The bandit himself looked confused by my sudden interference but there was something I’d like to know from him.
“What did you wanted to achieve? What kind of role do you dreamt of?” I asked those questions as I saw a man who struggles for something, even if it cost him his life. He refused a purpose and tried to find another one. Although it ended up in the wrong spectrum of society, he still managed to find himself a role.
“Achieve?! Role?! Dream?! Don’t mess with me, kid! Those are nothing in the face of these people! If I had a choice, I’d be a man peacefully living in my own house! We are robbed with a chance to choose! The Kingdom of Tirheaarn refused to become a part of the Empire and that led to poverty in our lands!” The man spat those words like they are a curse.
It seems that he didn’t understand my question. It seems he confused role and circumstances. It was wrong of me to ask him for an answer, though I respect him for finding something for himself in this place, I indeed don't need his way of gaining such feeble and transient desire.
It’s not wrong to say that I’ve seen those eyes that he has before. It was eyes that wanted more for his self rather than giving out what he has. He reminds me of the people that stacked expectations on my shoulders.
It was both beautiful and ugly. It was an art like I said. Theatrical features are always a concept available to every being in any world. Whether they don sadness or joy despite it was contradictory to what their mind dictates.
“I see. I’m sorry for taking a bit of your time.” I stood up with Domhan’s assistant and I walk away from them. The next thing I heard was a scream so loud it disturbed the resting birds.