Orsgadts
Emeralds

“Foam. I think too long a cold shower,” said Mr. Fenn. Although he was not a healer but his knowledge of medicine was recognized and very much helped the merchant troupe while on the way. “Let's rest. Give honey water if he wakes up later,” his message before leaving. He turned to look at Fiona who was still sleeping. Fiona doesn't usually get sick, she thought.

“This one fell asleep because of a hangover. Don't mind,” said Ronald. Ronald pinched Fiona's cheek, which was sleeping like a rock, not moving at all. “Hahaha any storm will not be able to wake him.”

Mr. Fenn stroked his beard. “Happy young woman,” her lips and leave the room.

Ronald shook his head looking at Emune and Fiona. Emune loses the chance to see the jewelry bazaar and Fiona can't help her clear up the rest of the city's next ordered items. He advised Maddy, a member of the group staying there, to take care of the two. Maddy nodded. According to his estimation the two would sleep until noon so he took out a embroidery box containing half-finished embroidery, colorful threads and embroidered needles and began embroidering the shape of the leaves with green threads.

Ronald exits the house accompanied by Anzei. The endless crowds were common to them. Tighourt is one of the best stops in Arsyna. Travelers and traders make good use of their time here.

Delayed travel does not always bring losses to traders. A one-day hold on Tighourt allowed them to stay on business longer. In an instant the merchandise brought was only half. He was sure it would run out before they left for Ungran tomorrow morning. If there are no obstacles and if everyone wants a short lunch while resting the horses, they can arrive at Dastu in the afternoon. Forcing yourself to travel in unsafe situations will endanger all members of the group.

Horses interjected the crowds on the main street of the city. The crowd immediately split to the sides of the road. Ronald recognized the uniform. The royal horsemen of Arsyna. Looks like the second group of couriers managed to deliver the news of the robbery to the palace, Ronald thought.

He whispered instructions to Anzei who nodded and stayed at the hospital as Ronald rushed to the house and office of the chairman of the Merchant Association which he believed was the main purpose of the horsemen.

Inside her room, Emune opened her eyes. His head was still dizzy like someone had hit him. His hand gripped trying to get up but his body was still weak. She sees Maddy approaching and helps her sit down.

“What happened?” ask her slowly.

“You fell on the city streets. Anzei brought you here.” Maddy puts a pillow behind Emune so he can lean on. “Slow down, you're still weak.”

“I trouble everyone. Ronald .…”

“Ronald already knows. He was here and told me to take care of you.”

“Ah, thank you, Maddy.”

Emune blames her weak and unscrupulous self. Falling down on the streets is not an example of a healthy girl and being the choice of a sane man.

“Drink first so you feel refreshed.” Maddy thrust a glass of honey water at Emune.

Emune drank the honey water slowly. His whole life just this time a mouthful of honey water tasted so delicious. Slowly his eyes recovered. Fiona who was curled up in the same position as when she left earlier this morning made her grimace. How many booze did he drink to this extent?

“What is he always like?” ask Emune to Maddy.

Maddy laughed. “Only when overnight. He's fine, don't worry. You're the one to worry about. Falling in the streets like that .... Good thing Anzei is near there.”

“See, I feel dizzy and my legs are stiff. I better not go anywhere.” Emune kept the story of the hand-line reader to herself. He remembered Urndie's message not to talk about things that smelled of Orsgadt to anyone.

Who would believe this strange prophecy? Who the hell is that guy? Suddenly he sent me to Orsgadt and got angry and shouted like that, Emune grumbled in his heart. He didn't want his plans to go back to Alder messy just because of a hand-line reader's bullshit.

“You took too long a cold shower, so said Mr. Fenn.” Madi smile.

“Aduh Mr. Fenn join me. Seems like. Are people talking about me? Ah, embarrassing!” Emune covered her face with both hands.

“Do not worry. In Tighourt, people wouldn't care unless an elephant fell on the city streets,” joked Maddy. “I've been a dozen years join this group so know very well what a big city.”

“Really? Relieved it. Is there anything I can help you with today?”

“Nothing. Anzei had come to deliver a message to everyone to stay away from the crowd. The palace troops have arrived.”

“Very good. The trip will be safer if they immediately catch the robbers.” Emune felt there was hope for them to continue on the journey.

“If it could be that easy. The royal army has been deployed but although the kingdom of Arsyna is the smallest in Artamea, its territory is quite wide.” Maddy sighed softly.

“It looks like it took time to quell all the robbers.” Emune pulled her messy hair slowly.

Maddy stand. “I'll bring you soup. You must eat to be strong again.”

Emune thanked me. Maddy's a good girl. Any man would be lucky to have a wife like Maddy. Her stature was like that of Aunt Mary and her smile alone could make people feel comfortable around her.

Emune's looking for her little bag. He was relieved when he found the bag under the blanket and the contents were complete. He is annoyed at Fiona who turns around and continues her sleep while snoring softly. His hand quickly grabbed the pillow and threw it at Fiona's back.

“He won't wake up even if a spear sticks in his back,” joked Emune.

Unexpectedly, Fiona got up and tried to sit down. “Did I miss something?” his murmur was followed by a gulp many times. Her eyes were puffy, her hair was like the mane of a lion and her underwear was getting tangled.

“Oh, no. I have to help Ronald,” he said in a panic.

“No need. Ronald saw you lying down earlier so he took care of everything himself.”

“You're kidding aren't you?”

“No. Just ask Maddy,” Emune said casually just as Maddy came in with soup and bread for Emune. A tray of food and a glass of warm honey water was placed on the table.

“What is it? Ah yes, Ronald told you to follow him to Amery's House after lunch.” Maddy conveyed it firmly.

“Good, I'll be there soon,” said Fiona while rubbing her face and tidying her hair. He took the soup, dipped the bread and then ate it speechlessly until there was no more soup left. Next is warm honey water that refreshes the throat. He did not notice Emune and Maddy staring at him with wide eyes.

“OK, I'm ready,” said Fiona happy.

Maddy and Emune laughed. Maddy held her stomach. Fiona's turn is wide. After laughing, Emune and Maddy sat on Emune's bedside.

“That was my lunch,” said Emune ketus.

“You should take a shower and change your clothes before leaving the house,” Maddy added.

“Sial, this is because of the new wine from Eimersun. Sorry about lunch, Emune. Maddy, will ..”.

“Yes, I'll bring a new one for Emune,” cut Maddy.

“Thank you,” said Fiona. He breezed away carrying a bath basket filled with towels and clothes instead.

The food that Maddy brought was delicious. Fiona doesn't leave a single thing on her plate. Maddy is very kind-hearted in adding grapes and apples to Emune. Since Emune had to rest, Maddy left him alone in the room.

Emune grabbed her little bag and placed the bag on her lap. He remembered the gifts Mineda and Daniela had given him that had not been opened. Their gift was a wooden box with fine carvings. At first glance the box is similar to the box given by his late father through Arrand, only the material is different.

A letter and a silver bracelet were inside. The contents of the letter were very short, the bracelet was a gift from Daniela and the gift from Mineda was inside the secret room on the box. There was no clue how to open it because it was a mystery that Emune had to find for himself the answer. Emune smiled. Mineda does love puzzles and things that smell of mystery.

“Alright, try to see what mystery is in this box,” murmured Emune.

His fingers traced the surface of the box made of wood. Mermaid carvings decorate the top. Emune tapped and punched but nothing happened. Emune next went down the side of the box. There were only rows of carvings of small shells lined up neatly on each side.

Emune's desperate. Her shadow about the secret drawer evaporated already. It must be because of the pain, his head was unable to think of anything. Emune patted her cheek. Again try to more thoroughly see the four sides decorated with kerrang carvings. He was silent for a moment when he realized there was one side whose number of shells was more than the other. Emune is excited.

He shifted his index finger along the row of kerrang but like so, nothing happened. He pressed the shells in the middle because the shape of the shell is larger. Once, twice, three times. Still nothing happened.

Emune gave up and placed the wooden box on the table. He'll find someone who can dismantle it later. His eyes closed, he was sleepy. Suddenly the sound of ‘klik’ is heard. Emune turned his head and saw the center of the wooden box open. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

The box now has a small opening. Because Emune's fingers were too large, he could not reach the contents. He tilted the box so that it fell. A silver bracelet clanking on the table. Laughter cannot be Emune weirs because Mineda's bracelet is the same as Daniela's. How could they choose the same bracelet? If they were here, it would be like to hug them, Emune thought.

Emune stuffed her mail and gift bracelets into the box. Wooden box he keeps in the bag. Something disturbed him and out of curiosity, he took out his father's gift box.

“Is it possible that this box also has a secret room?” emune said as he twirled the box. Emune flipped the box and touched its surface. “Could there be a part I should press?”

Emune flipped the box to its original position and then pressed the bottom of the box. Without a sound, the bottom of the box opened. A small pouch fell into Emune's lap. Emune gaped at the pouch. Made of dark blue velvet, gold thread embroidery decorate the middle.

Emune's heart was pounding. Emune knew for a fact that it was the old royal emblem of Orsgadt because of the Phoenix bird embroidery. He carefully pulled the rope and peered at the contents. Unsatisfied with his limited vision, Emune spilled the contents of the pouch into his palm. An object fell into Emune's palm.

Emune stared unblinkingly. It was a gold necklace with a chain thicker than any ordinary necklace Emune had ever seen. The pendulum is an emerald that is larger than Emune's thumb.

“Why do you have this jewelry? Is this for me?” ask Emune in a soft voice.

If all their possessions in Alder were sold, it would be impossible to buy this jewelry. It can't be stolen. His father was not a rich man but he was an honest man. Is it possible for a noble to give it to Mother while working in the palace first? Why don't you write any messages about this necklace?

He flipped the necklace pendulum, no writing whatsoever. Emune looked towards his pocket. He flipped the bag and became very surprised. There was an inscription with a blue thread that was almost similar to the color of the velvet cloth.

“Elizai Murisie Nezca Orsgardt, heir to the throne Orsgadt,” murmured Emune. Orsgaadt. Orsgadt again. What the hell is going on?

Emune heard a foot approaching the door of her room. He immediately put the necklace into the bag and secured it in its original place. No one can know what he saw just now.