Erbe
Wagering

"What?"

The question words thrown from His Majesty Emperor Amos blurted through the silence of the Emperor's study. His eyes were perfectly rounded, and his fists looked so strong on the table. All down. The Emperor's reddened face signified that the Emperor's emotions were at the peak of anger.

"How did that happen? The guards of the dungeon were no ordinary soldiers. Why would Jorvik escape without a trace? You're disappointing me. Find him until he gets it!" emperor's Decree.

The entire palace was made stirred by the disappearance, Jorvik from the dungeon. The security of the palace was further tightened, corners of the country were visited in order to find Jorvik. On the other hand Erland began his adventure. Enjoy a big and beautiful world.

***

Crashberry trees make a stretch of fresh orange-colored soil, crashberry is the original berry of Grazepodhia. The fruit is smaller than a grape with a shape similar to an orange wine, small as a pea and sweet taste. Farmers are busy harvesting it.

This type of berry is commonly used to mix chylos, wheat porridge mixed with pieces of fruit and a little salt. Its unique taste, a sweet blend of unsalted and salty. Suitable enjoyed with a glass of Momoe flower decoction as a substitute for expensive tea for breakfast menu. This special food is only found among commoners.

On the other side of the village there was a group of men who were busy chatting in the stables. They're preparing their best horses for next week's horse race. Events like this become meaningful entertainment for the small people in Grazepodhia.

"What are you doing here, son?" scold a middle-aged man.

"I was just looking at the horses. They look healthy and strong."

"Do you like horses?"

"Like it. I learned to ride a year ago in Minelfild" Erland replied with a beaming face.

"Minelfild? Whoa! There was the village of the knights and Aigner, many great knights and also Aigner who came from there."

The man's face slightly changed, there were wrinkles on both ends of his eyebrows. His eyes looked at Erland questioningly, as not just anyone could go in and out of Minelfild. The little youth knew the meaning of his interlocutor's gaze, but Erland was calm.

"My uncle was a knight, I used to live there, but I was not at home and adventurous alone" Erland explained.

"Eventually? Oi! Where are your parents? Why would a kid as young as you wander around alone. That's very dangerous."

Again, Erland smiled in response to the man's words. He still looked relaxed as he leaned against the tree trunk, saying, "I'm a poor boy. My mother died when I was three months old, and my father was out of nowhere. Even if I'm alive, I don't expect to see him. I was raised by the Azaldes Forest, it made me used to being alone. More precisely I learned to make peace with loneliness."

"I have sympathy and empathy for your fate. You're a strong boy, son. I hope you can meet your father" said the man.

"Thank you, Uncle. But, I really didn't expect it," Erland replied as he passed.

His footsteps returned to the outskirts of the village, this time he was in the Yorash river. The flow is a little bit faster than the Dish river, a lot of big rocks there. One side shows four waterfalls lined up, with a large and swift flow. All four of them are almost the same size, like quadruplets.

Erland spread her body over the grass, the distinctive aroma of the leaves blinding her comfortably. Suddenly, a horse's foot sounded. One. Ah, naw. Maybe five or eight horses were heading in his direction. Erland's eye beads look very alert when he feels a very familiar me.

***

An old man approached Erland, seven other men dressed as knights. Faithfully accompanied the old man. Although it looks calm, but Erland is on standby. He predicted all the possibilities.

"You ... Erland?"

"Are you really the son of Zoisea?"

"Yes, Zoisea is my mother" Erland replied as she turned her face away.

"That means you ...."

Not yet had the Emperor broken his words, Erland got up from his sleep and stood right before Emperor Amos. His eyes were sharp looking at the Emperor. There was visible anger, but Erland tried his hardest to control himself.

"You are the son of Zoisea, the first empress. That means ...."

"Why are you looking for me? Maybe I'm not what you mean, Sire. I've never felt blood-related to anyone, not even you. And I don't have much time for pleasantries."

"Wait!"

Erland walked away, not intending to face Emperor Amos any longer. The hand of His Majesty who immediately held his step was removed. The knights prepared, if only the Emperor did not hold him back, perhaps they would attack Erland. This was an unworthy and extremely unethical treatment towards an emperor.

The tension of the two was cut off by the presence of someone between them. All eyes looked in shock, the knights immediately drew out their swords and made barricades to protect Emperor Amos. Yes, Jorvik's presence there was unexpected.

Jorvik pulled out his sword and pointed it at Erland. Jorvik's eye bead was like it had been possessed by a demon, so great a grudge emanated from his bead. He deeply hated Erland, the only person entitled to the throne, if it was true that he was proven to be the first empress' biological son.

"Take off your sword and fight me!" jorvik's word to Erland.

"Why should I fight you?"

"For what? Don't pretend to be a child. I challenge you to bet, if you lose to me, then stay away from Grazepodhia, do not put your hopes on this land."

Hearing his half-brother's words, Erland smiled. He even brought his steps closer to his stepbrother. They are only a few feet away. The eyes of both of them sat face to face, there was an invisible radiance of energy clashing with each other, mentally they also joined the fight.

"What if you lose?" erland asked confidently.

"I will obey all your commands for the rest of my life" replied Jorvik who was no less confident.

"Good! I accept your challenge."

"God! I praise your courage, boy. However, don't let out your tears if your little body is scratched by my sword" Jorvik sneered.

Emperor Amos who witnessed his two sons fighting only made peace in his silence. He didn't stop it. Although, his little heart was eager to defend Erland, his little son who was outcast. His wits worked faster, Erland would definitely reject him and Jorvik would insist on his wishes.

Amos' little heart was wounded, as a father, of course he did not want one of his children to be hurt. Despite the mistakes Jorvik made, he was still his biological son. Likewise, Erland. There was a longing as he stared at Erland's green-eyed bead. The feeling of a father having to succumb to imperial interests.

Whoever wins this fight, it's still my son who will get hurt. It felt like I wanted to break up both of them, but I couldn't take sides. An Emperor must be fair, though I must set aside a father's conscience.

***