Orsgadts
Tighourts

Ronald breathed a sigh of relief as his entourage arrived in Tighourt safely just moments before sunset. Some chariots from other troupes seemed to be too imposing until the horses were exhausted. He had Anzei arrange for all the horses to rest and be ready for the journey tomorrow.

Fiona takes Emune to a small house in the middle of town. The owner was indebted to Arrand some time ago and before moving to Imperia, he gave the house to Arrand.

“Just relax Emune. We'll spend 2 nights in Tighourt. After the crazy robbery, we should postpone the trip first. Do you really want to arrive in Alder?” ask Fiona.

“Of course not. I've never been anywhere so it's better to follow what you decide.” Emune can't force. It's just an onion that doesn't know anything.

“Look at the bright side, you'll be satisfied going around Tighourt. Who knew there was a young man who made you fall in love and decided to stay here,” tease Fiona. He flashes mischievously at Emune.

“Fiona, you keep teasing me. How are you?”

“I? What's wrong with me?”

“Don't tell me there's nothing between you and Ronald. There must be something, right?”

Fiona throws a blanket over Emune's face. “Knowing girl, in order for you to be satisfied, I'll just say once. There's nothing between me and Ronald. Just a sidekick. Ronald already has a lover.”

“Can't be trusted! How can you travel so far alone?” ask Emune.

“Hey, threesome. Just so you know, this is the first time Arrand went first to Ulrych and then to Eimersun.” Fiona grimaces with Emune so important that Arrand changes his habits.

“Sorry, I didn't know that ...” Emune. So Arrand changed their itinerary just to find me, Emune thought.

“No problem with that. Glad to have a traveling companion as funny as you.” Fiona smile.

Emune smiled. “Ronald will sleep here? What about the rest of the group?”

“Ronald will spend the night at the house of the chairman of the Merchant Association. They're friendly. Only women live here. Other members will stay at the homes of their friends or distant family. Oh yes, Anzei and Mr. Willard will be on guard downstairs.”

“Good then.” Emune was relieved that someone was looking after them.

“Clean yourself then we're out. You need to freshen up so you sleep well.”

“Where will we go?” ask Emune.

“Evening,” Fiona replied.

“Bekalku still there. I think I should skimp.” He remembered spending a piece of silver.

Fiona takes over the comb in Emune's hands. Emune's body rotated slightly then he tidied Emune's hair quickly. A small handful of strands of hair he neatly pigtails then wrapped around the rest of Emune's hair is brown.

“Well, very pretty. Come on, we'll be waiting. Don't make Grandma angry,” Fiona pulled Emune out of the room, down the stairs and out of the house, blending in with the crowd.

Wait, who's waiting for us? Grandma? Whose grandma? Emune the head bobble. He followed Fiona obediently. Every time she stops because something caught her attention, Fiona would nag and drag her away.

The house is small but the yard is very large. There were many people sitting around the wooden tables in the courtyard. A bonfire plus lanterns illuminate a night full of stars.

Fiona and Emune were greeted by a little girl of about seven or eight years old. He drove them into the house. Two large tables were filled with dozens of women and children. They were late, yes, because everyone was looking in their direction now.

“Sit. You're always late Fiona. Can't you come sooner next time? It feels like twenty times I said this,” said a grandmother who went around the table.

Fiona cleared her throat. With a serious face he answered his grandmother. “Sorry, Grandma, there was a bit of a hitch earlier. Me ...”

“Sorry, I made it late. I'm so slow,” cut Emune. He is not happy because he is Fiona to blame.

“Ah, we have a guest apparently. What's your name?”

“Emune.”

“Beautiful girl. Welcome to Amery's house. Stop by whenever you like.”

“Thank you”

Grandma Amery clapped her hands once. “Alright, welcome to all. I'm sure your journey has been exhausting. You need to rest enough later so please eat,” he said allowing everyone to start eating dishes.

Emune never saw food piling up on the table like that. He was only used to bread, cheese, eggs, bacon and honey water and a little fancy snack when visiting the Urndi cottage while on the table there were so many types of food that looked good.

“Eat what you want. We can take some back home,”whisper Fiona.

“Where are these foods from?” emune asked, whispering like Fiona.

“Traders always send a variety of objects and groceries to Grandma Amery. Too much to eat or save so Grandma Amery decided to share it like this.”

“Very well. How do I reply to it?”

“Sany for him. Can you sing? Beautiful girls can usually sing,” whispered Fiona.

“I'm not pretty but I can sing. Just a little,” reply Emune.

***

The rooms Emune and Fiona occupied were quite large. Two beds were lined up flanking a window and a small table underneath. Emune curled up on the mattress while covering her head with a pillow. Fiona's laughter hurt her ears.

“Sorry. I was just kidding.” Fiona pats Emune on the shoulder.

“It's not funny!”

“Oh, that's so funny,” Fiona chuckles.

“I shouldn't have done it. Singing in front of so many people. Ah, I'm so embarrassed. You're evil!”

“I didn't know you wanted to do it. You're so excited and your singing is good. Just remember, Amery's grandmother loved it. Other guests also applauded.”

Emune always loses arguing with Fiona. I'll be more careful, the message is to myself.

“As far as you are,” said Emune ketus.

Fiona smile. “Sorry that I'm overdoing it. This is my first time traveling with a woman. It was like having a sweet sister. You're really sweet and funny.”

Emune tries to figure out if this is part of Fiona's new joke or not. Not a joke, he thought. “I've always been told funny by people. Though I don't think.”

Fiona smiled again. “By the way, were there any of those lads you liked?”

“How can I see any young man after the embarrassing incident earlier?” grouse Emune.

“Aah .. sorry. Tomorrow night, you'll see them clearly.” Fiona grinned amusedly.

“Oh, not anymore. I'll eat bread, cheese and bacon just here.”

“Cannot. Amery's grandmother really likes you. He told me you should come back tomorrow. There's something he wants to talk about. Important, he said.”

Emune sighed. “Please get me a mask. I think I'll just wear a veil tomorrow night.”

“Hahaha, just relax. Well, rest. I have to check out some important things tonight. Good night.”

Emune grimacing. Fiona disappeared again. I don't know what to do on a night this late.

Both of Emune's eyes stared at the oil lamp on the table. The red and yellow flame tongues alternately swerve softly. Emune remembered everything she had left and now knew what it was like to miss. Missed for grief as he longed for a mother, missed his father who left him first and longed for the joy of having good people with him in Ulrych.

Elric's? Is he also part of something that can be called ‘indu’? Emune felt all the feelings that poured out on Elric just because he was the first man to kiss her. Elric was so handsome, he must have had a lot of admirers. Worse, he must have had many lovers.

“Huh, handsome young man does like to play with women,” grumbled Emune cynically. He immediately imagined Elric wearing knight clothes and carrying a sword while smiling flirtatiously. Emune shook his hands as if he wanted to erase his shadow earlier.

But, she chose me among the many women at the celebration that night, Emune slammed. They danced, ate together and even fled together from the indecent scenery near the bench. Does it not include ‘istime’?

Emune felt no need to continue the discussion about Elric. He knew nothing about the young man so there was no guarantee whatsoever that he was serious about his words back then. Emune didn't even have time to ask her origin. It must be a miracle if they ever meet again.

Emune blew the blazing fire from the oil lamp. The rooms are so pitch-black, perfect for a deep sleep after a long trip.

“For Dad, Mom and Ulrych, thank you,” Emune said as he closed his eyes.

I don't know how long Emune had been asleep when the sound of the door opening woke him up. The door opened wide and Fiona staggered into the room. Emune jumps from her bed when she sees Fiona almost fall.

“Gosh you're drunk. How much did you drink last night?” ask Emune riled.

“Hai, Emune, wine .. delicious .…” Fiona smiles silly from being drunk.

Emune helps Fiona to her bed. Fiona collapsed, fast asleep. Emune tidied up Fiona's sleeping position. Unlock her thick clothes, remove the leather sheath with three small daggers tied around Fiona's thigh and take off both of her boots. Emune enveloped Fiona who was sleeping with only her underwear.

Emune stared at the little daggers that were still safe inside the sheath. Maybe Fiona needs it just in case when going on a long trip, Emune thought.

The bath house had been open since then but Fiona advised to stay away from the place because it was not safe for a girl like Emune. Emune can shower in the back room on the first floor. There is a wooden pipe that drains clear water from the spring. It was so fresh to take a morning shower with very cold water.

The city of Tighourt in the morning is more crowded than last night. Emune has no definite purpose. He just wanted to go around seeing the city. He slipped among the crowd. He's looking for someone he saw last night. It was just a glance but he seemed to know her.

Between the flower shop and the butcher shop was a dead end alley. Last night he saw the man standing there. Emune does not want to wrongly reprove people but believes in his own instincts. He decided to go into that alley. At the other end there was only a person who was seen sitting behind a table. The Hand Line Reader, written on the wall behind it.

Emune turned around about to leave but the man spoke to him. “Come.” The hand-line reader extended her wrinkled hand towards Emune. “Sit down, I'll read your hand line, Miss,” he said in a trembling voice.

Emune hesitated but was curious. There used to be a fortune teller coming to Ulrych. Emune is predicted to have bad luck if he leaves Ulrych before he reaches seventeen. What a strange prophecy, despite the fact that Emune did not leave Ulrych at all until yesterday. Emune was curious, perhaps this fortune teller would tell him to return to Ulrych and not leave Ulrych until he was old.

The hand-line reader flips Emune's left hand to make his palm face up. Emune could not see her face as it was covered by a thick head covering.

“You brought an incredible fate line. You won't survive if you don't leave Tighourt soon. Orsgadt is your place,” he said slowly and trembling. He took off Emune's hand violently. “Go! Don't ever come here again!” snapped it.

“Tapi .…” Emune confusion. What's wrong with my hand line? Another weird prophecy?

“Go!” roar the old man.

Emune's surprised. He turned and walked away from the alley. His head feels dizzy. She hit a woman who was holding her baby.

“Sorry, sorry ...” murmured Emune. He continued walking back to his home. The next few steps, he felt his legs stiff, he fell near the cart filled with potatoes and carrots.

Everything's dark.