Understand Each Other
Right now, I'm staying inside Elena's room. I guess half an hour has passed since the earlier murder was made. People in this town are in fear, most of them are afraid to go across the scene that occurred the murder case.
The local guards have surrounded the area, not letting anyone go in because they're investigating the crime scene.
All of a sudden, I hear the room's door open when I was observing the outside through the window. That is Elena. This girl is showing me a tired face when she returns here to have a break. She doesn't smile or say hi, she immediately lies on the bed.
I've learned something after I committed the murder.
The woman who rushed to baker Talas after he was stabbed was her. Through her conversation with the innkeeper, I knew that she was going to the guy's shop after she finished her 1st job. She was going to start her escort quest but it turned out to be a nightmare.
The victim's mother - our innkeeper, is now depressed after his death. Elena had just returned after consoling the old woman in unstable state. Minutes earlier, I heard her roar and cry downstairs many times non-stop. Her emotions are a bit "silent" for now.
Hmmmmm... I peek out of the window once again.
The murder was well done.
The victim didn't have a relationship with me. I got out of the inn by climbing down through... the window route. The innkeeper didn't detect me, nobody passing by detected me. Elena is the only witness who might be able to describe to the investigators the dimmed killer she saw.
The black hoodie that got the blood stains is now left under Elena's bed. I kept the bloody knife, maybe I will dispose of it someday when I see it fit. Up to now, I haven't gotten used to the town's terrain and other things yet. So I can't risk it to drop the knife randomly.
I was quite... surprised after I murdered the baker, honestly. The second-in-command of the resistance ordered me to kill his twin brother that freely. What a cold-blooded guy... as if he prioritizes the utopia path of the resistance more than his family's relationship.
I have finally accomplished the mission. Right tomorrow, I'll get to that tavern to take the reward they they said. Hopefully I won't be wiped out, or vanished from the resistance's sight. Because need to get money anyway.
I got here with amnesia, I don't remember who I am, I don't even remember where I come from. And yet... I don't even know where I am either. But that girl - Elena saved me, she is very nice. Someday, maybe I will use her, but no.
At least not now... I respect those who respect me.
Now she is in debt and she needs money. Alright, I will be willing to help her, yeah.
Hmmmm...
For some reason, the room is now so silent.
"Brother...". - All of a sudden, Elena gently called me
She gets up, she slowly sits up on the bed. Her face looks so tired, she covers it with her right hand, breathing a bit. Her expression makes me feel like this was the first time she had ever experienced this kind of incident. Her eyes seem to be quite shocked.
"I'm fine, brother...". - She said, lowering her tired face. "Why this could happen...? This is the very first time... I thought this town would be very... peaceful...". - She started sobbing, she used both of her hands to cover her face
Hmmm... it's ridiculous for me to comfort her. I honestly want to hug her, but I will do that when I am ready for it. Hmmmmm. Elena can be seen crying, she tries to hold her tears, trying not to go loud.
"Is anybody home?". - I was sitting beside her, and somehow I heard the door downstairs got knocked
"Is anybody home? We're guards that sent here to collect statement, answer us". - Oh, so those guys come here to investigate, huh?
Those guards keep knocking on the door more several times. Nobody answers them, so they start speaking loudly "We're sent here to investigate, open the door and let us in, citizens!".
I ignore them. I return to check on Elena and I see her get off her bed to go down. She wipes her tears, she slowly opens the door as if to get downstairs. I follow her, but she tries to give me a smile while closing her eyes.
"I will be alright, brother...". "Ahh... nothing, it's nothing... I'll be fine". - She replied
"That lady... needs to be comforted too". "I'll give them the statement on behalf of you so... you can't talk anyway... please don't worry".
Elena closes the door and then goes downstairs. I am now inside the room, alone. After a few seconds, I can hear a conversation happening down there, she is speaking to them. But I will surely eavesdrop on this conversation too, just in case.
While hearing their conversation, I slowly glance at the bed. In case Elena complains about the stink that she smells in her room, I hope she thinks of something else. Maybe I must dispose of my hoodie someday. But not now, I must consider every moment, must be careful.
I will sleep on the floor when we go to bed, Elena deserves to rest well...
...
...
...
...
...
Alright. This time is the next day's morning, and both of us are on the Woodsrow street. The innkeeper still doesn't feel well. She didn't make breakfast for us, so we had no choice but to eat outside.
This street seems to be more deserted than yesterday despite being morning.
It's obvious. I think the mobs are afraid of passing by the location that used to be a very gruesome murder scene. The local guards have been increased in the town, I have no surprise. But still, they don't know who was behind this brutal murder case.
"Brother...". - When I was thinking, Elena called me
I turn around and look at her, she shows me a sad face with her tiredness. She has been wrapping my right hand from the time we went outside till this moment without letting off. She seems to be scared, she feels insecure. Sometimes this girl breathes a bit heavily.
"The tavern's been closed... it's very near the scene so...". - She sighed slightly. "Could you please... follow me...? Today, I mean... all day". - She looked up, whimpering
I nod.
"Thank you...".
Elena hugs my hand, she goes silent for a while. I keep my eyes away from Elena for a bit to look at the murder scene. The location can be seen very precisely from this distance, it's not too far. The entire area there is empty, deserted.
Not because the guards are still there. They had already left the scene before dawn. Even though, some traces of the murder scene still remain in that location. The blood stains, the bloody footprints, must be left by Elena... I hope.
The street seems to be a bit gloomy today. Guards in the street are not many, but they stand and watch everything. No one dares to pass by that sidewall and that area due to the murder case. Most people just... change their direction.
Both of us are now walking in the street silently. Elena was supposed to be working all day in her tavern, but her plan got changed just recently. Her workplace was near the murder scene. The owner there seems to have closed the tavern to wait for the issues to settle down slowly.
That's why she decided to go to the Adventurer's Guild to take another quest. I'm escorting her to the building.
Hmmmm... wait a minute.
We just passed by the "resistance's headquarters". That settlement and other taverns manage to work normally somehow. Maybe this is a good moment for me to go in to ask for rewards.
"What's wrong, brother...?". - Elena asked me curiously when I stopped. "Ummm... you are still hungry...?".
I shake my head.
"Then why do you keep looking over there?".
I slowly put Elena near the tavern's door. I don't know how to communicate with her if I keep faking to be muted. Maybe I will use hand gestures, or facial expressions to speak to her. But I'd rather open my mouth, I feel so stupid to keep my mouth shut.
Hmmmm...
I point to that tavern twice, then point at my chest, I nod twice to let her understand.
"I... I don't understand... I...".
I put my hands on the young girl's shoulders. I nod to her, I tap her shoulders twice.
"Wait... what are you doing?". - I left Elena and then got inside the tavern alone
I walk in there for a few seconds then I stop walking, I look back. Elena can be seen standing outside of the tavern, she is a bit nervous. Maybe that's because the resistants in this place look so cold and so scary to her.
I slowly approach the stall to find the guy Joe. I keep looking around, but I see no one, I mean I don't see him. There's a woman with a red band tied on her head, she is looking at me. She has brown hair and brown eyes, she wears a wide white tunic.
"Are you here for a drink...? Or are you looking for someone?". - She asked me
"Hmmmm...". - I must say something, but I wonder if I can be paid for real or not. "Joe sent me to assassinate baker Talas".
"Oh...?". - She stopped doing her job, she looked up to see me as if she was surprised. "Jim, switch me". - She told her colleague, then she opened the stall's door to let me in
"My boss isn't here today, he's preparing for his brother's funeral". - As I got in, she told me something. "Thanks for getting rid of the worm that ruined the people's happiness, the resistance grows strong again". "That's what my boss told me to send you, you helped us and we appreciated it, stranger".
"So... he ordered me to kill his twin brother...?".
"Betraying the people's hope is an unforgivable sin, that's what we all have to carve into our hearts and minds...". "Even if that is your relative, the people's hope needs to be always prioritized". - The woman stood with her back against the stall, she put her hands there and stood freely
"We don't want to pressure you, please forgive my boss because he threatened you...". "Please... we need men... we bring hope to the people, not darkness...". - She stood straight, she looked into my eyes as if to hint at something
"I come for the payment".
The woman later opens the wooden drawer. She takes out a brown bag and puts it to me. I receive the bag, I can feel the weight of it. The weight of the coins, the money inside it.
"This is 100 Gads, your reward for helping us, stranger...".
"Don't go yet, I need to remind you something". - She told me
I stand there, nodding.
"My boss was not willing to pay you, you messed up this entire town". - Hmmm, what? Don't make me confused
"But I appreciated what you did, I respect you and you respect me back". - She punched my chest gently
"Listen, kid". "We expected you to kill that man in a wise way, but you only brought us just disappointment...".
"Don't ask a noob to act pro".
"I don't understand what you just said, but pay us some respect, kid". "You may be amateur, but I see potential in you a lot... work for us".
"Alright... I know you need time to think". "I'll go back and... convince my boss...". - She lowered her face, then looked up again. "It's good news that the target was eliminated... the resistance now can be breathing easily".
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"But you've messed it up, the guards are gathering here because of the murder...". "We'll reduce our activities from now on... to wait for things to settle down". "Come back here after a few days anytime, maybe there'll be more work for you, kid".
"Hmmm... that's all to say". "By the way, my name's Lilia".
I nod to Lilia. I slowly turn around and walk away.
I leave the tavern and come out of the street with a small money bag. Elena silently approaches me, her face tells me that she is a bit confused. Honestly, I want to give her some money. But I should also save some for myself too.
"Ummm... brother?". - Elena got confused, she glanced at the tavern and looked at me. "I saw that woman talking something to you... and you just... nodded".
Elena slowly touches my money bag, she smiles slightly as if to ask for my approval. After seeing my nod, she slowly takes it. Elena pulls out the rope, she sees many Gad coins in there, her eyes sparkle as if she were witnessing something great.
"So much money...". - She was a bit shocked, she started counting the amount of it. "Brother, did you...? You took a loan from there just because of me?!". "I can't take it, sorry, please give it back to them". - She gave me the bag, she shook her head many times in disagreement
I shake my head, I keep pointing to that tavern and then myself.
"?". "You... you don't take the loan from there, brother?".
I nod.
"You mean... you pointed that place and yourself so...".
"You mean... you are working there, brother?".
I nod twice.
"That fast?! Wow... I mean... I was still looking for a suitable job for you...". - Elena tried to calm herself down, she slowly retook the money bag
"But this money is too much... you just came here a day and now you...". - Elena returned to stare deeply at the bag. "They only pay me 3 Gads one day of serving...". - Suddenly, she looked up, looking at me. "Please tell me the truth, you don't take loan from that tavern, do you?".
I nod.
"But it's still unbelievable...".
Elena starts walking without looking, the girl's face just keeps lowering. She's more anxious when I have money instead of happy, I guess so. Elena stops after she passes two buildings. She holds the money bag to her chest tightly, she slowly looks up.
She looks at the inn - the 1st floor, our room - room 7...
...
...
...
The young girl decided to store the money inside her room's closet. She is afraid of using the money, some part of her still doubts my honesty. Elena seems to be scared of owing people. That's why the girl decided to store the money in case I "lied to her".
Hmmmm... now what kind of excuse should I use if I suddenly speak to her?
Nevermind. Elena is now on foot, on her way to come to the Adventurer's Guild.
"Hey, brother...". - Both of us were walking along and she silently spoke up. "I'm glad that you found a job, I wasn't paying too much attention to find a good one for you...". "I'm sorry...". - She lowered her face, feeling guilty
To be honest, she treats me nicely though I am a stranger. That's obvious when she did not pay much attention to me, because I have no relationship with her, she doesn't need to waste her time with me. But still, she tries hard to care about me.
"Though we're just strange people, I hope we can help each other". - Elena replied. "Brother, I don't know where you come from but please be safe here". "I will be here with you... I hope all the best for you, and the people".
Finishing her conversation with me, both of us check on the road ahead. The Adventurer's Guild is on our sight, just less than a minute to reach the guild completely.
"I will be home late again...". - I heard Elena mumbling, and she seemed to have spotted me as well. "Brother...". - She sighed. "Thank you... I'll take it from here all by myself". - She tried to smile cheerfully, but failed
"If you go home and see a guard or a letter kept by the ma'am, please let me know". "Maybe the guards will ask for my statements... that time, only I was around that area so...". "Please let me know if you see it, thank you very much". - Done thanking me, she silently entered the guild
I follow Elena from behind. She enters the building and immediately rushes to the big tall board. Unlike the previous time I visited it, there are people inside at this moment. Two people, a male and a woman standing near the wooden board. They seem to be a couple, they wear metal armors, full of equipment.
"Ummm... excuse me...". - Elena apologized, she both of them to stay aside
The girl doesn't have much time to stand before the wooden board. She tears out a quest paper, and then rushes to the stall area in a hurry. There are six adventurers standing before the slots of each stall area. Elena has to line up to wait for her turn.
I stand in a corner with my back against the wall to watch Elena's behavior. The adventurer leaves the stall when his paperwork is over. Elena comes up and pulls out a quest paper. She says something to the guide girl, I only heard "Yes, I need to resign from this quest... the quest giver is... no more...".
I stand there, waiting for Elena to return. Two minutes passed like a wind, but Elena is still there to do the papers. Two more minutes have passed too. I'm still waiting, hoping she to come back.
"Excuse me, mister". - Did someone just call me?
I glance at the source of that woman's voice. I see a guide girl standing before me on the right side, holding a package. She seems to be curious about why I am here. She smiles at me as if to say welcome.
"You don't look like to come here to deliver goods for the guild, mister". - She said, staring at my brown cloak. "This is my first time to see you here". "Are you an adventurer or... you come here with a need to register?".
"Oh, brother! Why are you still here?". - Elena returned in time, she was surprised. "Sorry, Ms. Guider". "My brother's mute so... he was just waiting for me...".
"Oh, I see". "Sorry for disturbing you, mister...". - The guide girl shortly returned to her work
Elena looks at me. She feels a bit nervous, she tries to understand why I am here.
"You don't go to work today, brother?".
I nod.
"You just got it yesterday, you know? How could you...?".
I wonder how can I explain to her with my mouth shut...
But if I do that, I have to explain to her the reason why I kept my mouth shut in the first place.
"Why?".
Elena doesn't ask me anymore, she rushes outside of the guild. But I keep following her no matter what. I must find a way to explain to let her know. Elena seems to be confused, yet she is a little bit angry at some point.
"Please stop following me!!!". - She kept walking, she yelled because of hearing my footsteps behind her
Elena keeps walking. I don't know where she is going to. There's a local guard standing before a shop. For some reason, she just goes in silence and passes by the guardsman like nothing happened.
"Please stop following me, brother... you hurt me, you ruined my trust...". "You don't go to work, you dropped it... you also took the loan and...". - Suddenly, she stopped saying in a low tone but kept her eyes on something ahead
Elena immediately sprints for no reason. I follow her and notice that she is heading to a tavern - the place that I went to previously... I get it now.
"I'm so sorry!!!". - After making a loud bang of entering the tavern, she rushed to the stall to apologize
I look around and see all the glances from the drunkards are at Elena. For some reason, these guys were shocked when she got in that suddenly. These drunkards later return to the tables. These resistants try to behave normally in public like nothing happened.
I return to check on Elena, hoping she is okay. All I can see is Elena standing before the stall with a bow to apologize to the woman Lilia. Lilia seems to be very confused. She froze for a few seconds, she only returned to move when she spotted me.
"It's just your misunderstanding, little girl". "Your brother did nothing, really...". - While explaining to Elena, she glared at me a bit
"He works part-time, he took place of my friend yesterday in an important part so his high reward was obvious". "He took no loan".
"Oh...? So...". - Elena woke up from her "misunderstanding"
"No work for him today, come back later".
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll leave now...". - Elena apologized again, she later hugged me, dragging me out
Lilia suddenly points at my face as if to ask me to be careful next time. I raise my middle finger at her then leave the tavern in peace. When we get outside, Elena stops by a shop and lets her hands off me. She lowers her face, as if she is feeling guilty.
"I'm sorry, brother... for not trusting you enough...". - Elena apologized in a low tone, as if to ask for my forgiveness
I tap her right shoulder, nodding twice. Everything is still okay, don't worry, girl.
"Thank you, thank you...". - She was relieved
We stand there for a few seconds to calm down before we move again. We walk on the sidewalk that has a few people walking at this time. Somehow I see the direction of Elena's movement is a little bit strange. She is not either going to the guild or the inn.
"Today you're free... would you like to follow me to help me, brother?". - She asked me, she later pulled out her new quest paper from a pouch
I nod.
"Thank you...". "I'm a bit delaying... this quest might take me days to finish...". "While they can ask for my statements... anytime...". - Alright, so she is worried if she should work first or meet the investigators first
"I'll meet them first, the outpost is near here...". "Please wait for me, brother, I hope they accept to let me in". - As she finished, she scrolled the quest paper and put it back in her pouch
...
...
...
Three hours have passed since this little girl entered the outpost. I'm standing outside, hoping she comes out because it is too hot here.
There is an outpost at the entrance of the Border town. Elena went in here to give statements. Up to now, she hasn't returned to me yet. Because of being the only witness at the murder scene, she may have to return here some more times. This process may affect her working schedule very much.
"Haaahhhh... finally...". - Suddenly, I heard her sigh
I return to stand straight, I look around. I see Elena standing in a corner with her slowly back against the wall. She lowers her face, she lowers her upper body as if she is exhausted. Elena for no reason touches her forehead.
I silently approach Elena, she looks at me weakly while standing still. I give her two small potatoes that I bought. Food prices here are quite costly to me. I intended to buy her some breads, but ended up buying these potatoes.
"Thanks, brother... for waiting for me...". - She grabbed one potato, she took some bites
"We can go now...". - She said. "The quest... must be done in the forest...". - She weakly moved forward, her eyes focused on the entrance of the town - she wants to move out
"Oh...". - For some reason, Elena took a gulp and widened her eyes as she finished gobbling up a potato. "Those who don't have cards are ordered to give money...".
"Please follow me, brother... I really hope we can make a card in this outpost...". "People generally do it in the Capital... well...". - Her hand wrapped mine tighter, begging me to follow
I nod.
...
...
...
Name: Alan
Date of birth: Winter, 988
Place of birth: Keres - Capital City
Nationally: Cal Kingdom
Card given date: Summer, 1008 - Poris Border town
This is what was printed on my citizen card. After some difficult moments, I managed to make a true citizen card. The information written on this card was all come from my thoughts. Elena had to become my talker to do all of the communication.
Nothing is dumber than fooling others by faking to be a mute guy...
"I was surprised, brother...". - I was walking while looking at this wooden card and Elena spoke up. "You can't talk but you can read and write well, how?". - Please don't ask me
I have no idea. I understand what the people here say although they don't speak my language, and so do they. Same thing went with the previous case. I don't know anything about the writings on the paper surfaces, but I understand their meanings.
"I guess I'll never know... unless you write it out...". - Done saying, she looked away, reading the contents of her quest paper. "I've forgotten some details of this quest... ahhhh... I have to return there again or what...? No no no...". - She got pissed, she forgot most of her quest's objectives due to three long hours of giving statements to the investigators
"I can only read the keywords, not all of them". - She looked at me in disappointment. "Unfair... you can't talk but you can read it all... while I...". - She lowered her face, she stored the paper in the pouch
Both of us are now away from the Border town. We're walking on foot on the trail to the current quest's location. Elena has a small fur map with her, so we're not afraid of being lost. But she forgot the location to do the quest.
I silently pull the quest paper out of her pouch. I look at its contents, then I slowly take the map away from Elena. Hmmmmm. "Escort a villager from Worbol village to the church in the Capital city". The quest giver must be the one who needs to be escorted, I think so. Villager Carlos.
Hmmmm... I'm checking the map right now.
The village is not too far from here, I think so. I mean... at least it looks nearer than the guard house of guard Ryva.
"Um, what?". - Elena asked me when I tapped her back
I show her the map and the quest paper. I tap twice on the map's location of the dirt trail where both of us are going. Then I point and hold the point of the location of the small village. I later slide from that village to the Capital city.
"Uhhhh...". - Don't be confused, your brain can load better than that, think...
You will load more if I suddenly start speaking...
"I know we have to move from that village to the church, brother...". "But...". - She focused on the map and the quest paper, she went silent for a while. "From Worbol village to the Capital city, uhhh... deliver something, right...?".
I nod. I mean... "deliver" is a bit close to "escort" so...
It still means to be from point A to point B. All the confusion will go away when we set our feet on that small village. Because the villager Carlos is surely there. We just need to reach the village first, everything else will be solved later when we get there.
"Thank you, brother...". - Elena thanked me, we returned to walking again
"So we need to deliver something from that village to the church...".
Both of us go silent. Both of us walk on the dirt trail, along with the bright sun above us. We're sweating a lot, today is quite hot. Elena is walking slowly while pulling out a leather bag to drink water.
"Ugh... ugh...". - She drank a small sip of water. "Urrgh...". - She coughed. "Brother, you need some...?". - She raised the water bag to my face
I shake my head.
"Hmmm...". - She put the water bag back on her belt. "The quest giver must be someone in the village... I hope we see him there...". - She pulled out the quest paper to read. "It's 40 Gads, it's very large, that money is for both of us to feed ourselves, brother...".
Both of us keep moving on foot on the dirt trail without stopping our feet. This time must be noon or about to get noon or something, no idea. We only know that we're trying to reach the village before night. I guess we need two more hours, or at least an hour to reach the village.
We keep walking, ignoring the terrible heat. All of a sudden, we see a large wooden carriage moving on the trail. Elena immediately rushes there fast while holding the quest paper. I also follow the young girl, I lead the path.
"Ummm... hello, Sir...". - Elena greeted the merchant guy who was on a horse, she walked to follow him
"Nice to meet you both". - The old man, I mean the merchantman greeted us. "Are you two the adventurers that are on your quest? We always meet people like that when we were in the Capital".
"Yes, Sir". "I need some help, please help us, I'll pay you".
The old man nods.
"I forgot about the details of my quest, I'll have to return to the guild again and it's a waste of time". - She gave the old man the quest paper. "Please help me translate it".
"Unfortunately, little girl... I'm also illiterated". - He smiled. "But my father always said this to me when he was alive: We hire wise men to let them tell us what to do, not us tell them what to do, it's very wasteful". - Then he gave the paper to the horse driver. "Mac, I'll take the wheels".
The horse driver slowly looks at the paper.
"Escort a villager from Worbol village to the church in the Capital city". - He said. "Quest giver - villager Carlos". "The reward is 40 Gads". - Done reading, he returned the quest paper to us
"Thank you". - Elena gave them one Gad coin to thank
"I guess I'll study to be like you someday... it's good to have you by my side, Mac". - The old merchantman tapped his servant's back
"By the way, we're on our way to the Capital". "The route is different from yours, but we assure you that the escort will be fast and safe, you decide?". - All of a sudden, the servant guy asked us if we needed a ride
"Ummm... it's so sudden...". - Elena smiled
I guess she is still afraid of being scammed...
I open my hand, I keep tapping my index finger into my palm to ask them.
"I guess the price is around 8 to 10, young man". - The old merchantman replied when he was returning to the observer seat
"Too expensive...".
"We assure you with the best services in a go".
"Maybe next time...". - Elena smiled, but she rejected him
"Then I hope you have a safe and successful travel, people". - The old man's carriage slowly moved faster. "We'll see you around someday".
"You too, Sir...". - Elena waved at the carriage when it was going away
She slowly stops waving the carriage when it is away from our sight...
"Let's go to the village, brother... I mean... Alan". - Elena smiled at me, both of us returned to do what we dropped off in the middle of the road
Finally... her smile has recovered some cheerfulness.