Orsgadts
Kahurrseig

The approaching footsteps became clearer. Emune tidied up her blanket and pretended to sleep.  Anzei and Maddy emerge from behind the slammed door.

Maddy spoke as she approached Emune. His words were extremely fast and could hardly be Emune cernas. He was struggling to normalize his heartbeat after the discovery of the emerald necklace.

“Quick Emune, no time. Anzei, that box and that one there.”

Anzei deftly composed the two boxes designated by Maddy. “There's more I have to bring?” ask the young man. There were not many items visible in this room and since they only stayed for a short night, there was no need to unpack all the luggage.

“Try checking one more time so that no one is left behind,” replied Maddy. “Emune, can you stand? You can walk?” ask Maddy.

Emune regained consciousness from the void that locked her away when she heard Maddy's voice in front of her face.

“Can, I think I can. What's the matter? Why should we hurry?” Emune reads the riots on Maddy and Anzei's faces.

“Government forces inspect all entourage. Reportedly there were robbers spies among the entourage that arrived at Tighourt. We have to get out of Tighourt before the city gate closes.” Anzei snatched away everything that his hands could carry.

“But there are no spies in our entourage, right?” ask Emune lugu.

“Although there is none, if we misreact, there is only the death penalty in place. We have to get to Kahurrseig. There is safer,” replied Anzei.

Emune did not feel the need to change her clothes. On the train, he thought. He snatches his little bag while Maddy tidies up Fiona's belongings. Fiona must be stuck with Ronald somewhere in town, he thought again.

Anzei first came out of the room. The other members of the group who were still on the second floor followed him down the stairs. Emune is aided by Maddy, trying to follow Anzei.

Arriving at the door, Mr. Willard gave a safe sign and then one by one came out quietly as if the panic in the house was just a charade. After everyone got out and moved towards the cars parked near the city gate, Mr. Willard locked the house and handed the keys to the red-haired boy to be passed on to Grandma Amery. The boy immediately disappeared within the hustle of the city while Mr. Willard caught up with the others at a quick pace.

The last group made it through the city gate. They rushed on their own trains. Emune is relieved that Ronald and Fiona are already on the train. Fiona helps Emune get on the train. He knew Emune had not been perfectly healthy from his pale face and the sweat on his palms.

“Rest, Emune. You must be tired of walking here.” Fiona has already prepared a place for Emune.

“Not what.” Emune is so thrilling. That necklace actually caught his attention.

“We leave.” Ronald announced it to both.

Ronald's train this time is in the back row. It was Ronald who would face whoever was chasing them from the direction of Tighourt. Soon they had to get to Kahurrseig. There is no better shelter than the residence of the Berham Nobles.

Ronald catches everyone in his entourage and finds it impossible for anyone to be a robber spy. Trust is an expensive thing among travelers. Cannot be bought, can only be obtained by proof. So far no one has looked suspicious because if anything, Ronald would know.

“You must be surprised. This is an extraordinary event. Not every time we have to run away like before,” said Fiona.

“Anzei explained it to me. What's that segawat?” ask Emune curiously.

“We got word that three bodyguards who were given the task of delivering the news of the robbery were found dead a few miles from the palace area. It can be ascertained that it was the work of the robbers who wanted to prevent palace interference. Because of that yesterday Ronald asked the chairman of the Merchant Union to send pigeons a post. The road was much easier and proved successful.”

“On spying, how can be ensured that .…” Emune does not like the idea that there are bad people in the merchant entourage especially if there are in their entourage.

“Because the robbers always know every time there is a messenger leaving for the palace,” said Fiona.

“So. Has it been caught?” emune asked as she squeezed out the blanket that covered part of her body. It could be dangerous if he was searched and they found objects belonging to Orsgadt.

“Unfortunately not. That's why we better get going.” Fiona held out a glass of water. Emune's face was still pale.

“Anzei says we are going to Kahur ... uuh .. Karru ....”

“Kahurrseig. The Berham Nobles Residence. He was a good friend of Arrand. As one of the advisors of King Arsyna, he was greatly respected. Government troops though will not dare to act rashly in His residence.” Fiona purposely explained at length so that Emune would not worry.

Emune mangosteen. The second day outside Ulrych was already full of stressful things like this, could his heart survive? Emune imagined how hard the struggle of the travelers.

Merchants had to travel tens or even hundreds of miles of Artamea territory to sell their wares. The stopover cities become the best shelter but the journey to the city is not without risks such as accidents due to difficult terrain, disease outbreaks and robbers.

I shouldn't have come out of Ulrych, inwardly. Her shadow of a trip back to Alder does not include the incident with a strange fortune teller and escaping the city while sick.

Kahurrseig is only 20 miles from Tighourt, it didn't take long to get there. Fortunately the horses and their carriages were in top condition so there were no significant obstacles on the way.

“We have arrived, it's the gate of the castle,” said Fiona who sat next to Ronald.

Emune nodded her head until she could see the abomination better. He was amazed at the castle building looks magnificent towering over a small land in the middle of a lake. The green background of the castle made him even more amazed.

A horse-drawn carriage drove across the bridge, the only entrance connecting the castle with the lakeside. Two guards checked the front train. As soon as Ronald's name was mentioned, one of them walked to the very back of the train. He spoke briefly with Ronald and then signaled to his partner to let the group in.

The horse-drawn carriages are parked neatly. A male servant ran to Ronald followed by several female servants who then lined up neatly behind him. The company was divided and they were escorted by the maids to where they rested on the right wing of the castle.

Emune wants to follow Maddy and Anzei's troupe who walk regularly following their guide but are held captive by Fiona. The man's servant announced that Lord Berham would be meeting Ronald. Fiona and Emune will be escorted to their room on the left wing which is the residence area of the noble family. Roland nodded at Fiona and Emune as a sign of agreement.

Albert, the man's maid, drove Ronald to Lord Berham's study. A female servant came and escorted the two girls to their room. Through a long and spacious hallway, Emune recalled the wall hangings and paintings he had encountered. He did not want to get lost in this castle, he thought.

The ceiling of the castle is a beautiful work of the best sculptors of Arsyna. Miracle painting, he once saw his little replica in Urndie's cottage. The statue of the soldier standing at every turn as if intended as a permanent guard there.

A ladder led them to the second floor. Just like downstairs, the hallway is illuminated by sunlight entering through large windows. Emune wondered what the scenery was like out there when viewed from a window on the second floor. A waitress named Agnes opened the door wide and let Fiona and Emune in.

“If anything is needed, please pull this rope. The waiter's room is downstairs, one of the waiters will help you,” he said politely. After bending over, Agnes came out and closed the room door.

“Luxury room. Too fancy for me.” Fiona put her ass on the bed.

“This room is very good. Big and fancy. Is this the noble princess's room?” ask Emune.

“Hmm..I remember Lord Berham had no daughters.”

“Honey once, a castle this big but quiet.”

“That's what makes Lord hush happy to accommodate Arrand's entourage. Let's see our company full of men, women, parents and children. It used to be only three trains that set out around Artamea and now it is growing every few years.” Fiona smiled looking at the limp and exhausted Emune.

“Does anyone ever get bored and stop trading?” ask Emune. I might die before the third day if I travel alone.

“Excellent! I love new places, people and cultures I've never seen before.”

“You missed Ulrych?”

“Of course. I've only been two days away from Ulrych. Do you think I look weak?”

“You fell on the street, it was weak. But ... You dare to take this decision and fight for it, it's very powerful. Not all girls dare to do it.” Honestly, Fiona admires Emune's determination.

“You are suddenly good, what do you want?” Emune moved her mouth and frowned at the suspicious mark.

“What? Ah, you think I'll tease you huh? Don't worry, I've always been nice here. Lord Berham is very strict about manners.”

Emune remembers the manners lessons he got from Urndie. Oh, my goodness, I mustn't take any science for granted!

“Will He expel us if we make a scene?”

“Buttery huh?” Fiona laughed amusedly. “I know this group is always noisier especially after dinner. Give them a barrel of beer and wine, they will turn out like a group of apes making a mess.”

“Or fall asleep like a rock until noon?” goda Emune's.

Fiona gaping. “You ...”

Emune laughs with satisfaction at being able to repay Fiona's innocence.

“Fiona, do you know how to know the past?”

“Last time? You mean your own life history or past events?”

“My own story.” Emune lowered her head and played her fingers.

“What do you want to know?” ask Fiona in a probing tone.

Emune couldn't possibly say he wanted to know about Orsgadt's history. Is it part of Orsgadt's history? How could the necklace be owned by his father? Why didn't his father give him any notes on the necklace? There was still another stack of questions but he wanted to limit his knowledge without involving anyone else.

Emune took a heavy breath. “Ibuku. I want to know about My Mom.”

“It's important to know your past? You live, you fight for life, that's all that matters.” A bitter tone sounded from Fiona's voice.

Emune grimacing. He doesn't know Fiona's history but he knows this girl, who only differs a few years with him, is a very strong girl. “Ah, just sheer desire. You're right, we live and fight is all that matters.”

Fiona looked at him seriously. “Voispir. Ghosts of the past. He will tell you about your past right down to the smallest parts.”

“Voispir? Where can I find him?”

“After the castle,” Fiona replied casually.

Fiona's answer irritated Emune. “You want to play me again huh? I asked earnestly.”

“Oh, I mean it. What is the need for me to lie. Just try you there? A little girl who wants to know what her mother is like. Are you the only one to watch out for?” spray Fiona on Emune. Emune could not speak in surprise. He wanted to apologize but Fiona had already walked out of the room with big steps.

Emune's after Fiona. He still remembered a few passageways but the rest was like mist in his head. He can't find Fiona and he believes he's lost. The ceiling he was looking at was not the same as before either. Emune closed his eyes trying to remember where he was at the moment. Deadlock, he doesn't know. Wretch!

“What are you doing, Miss?” ask a little girl who carries a doll.

“Oh! Oh, thank goodness. I'm Emune and I'm lost. Can you show me the way to the guest bedroom on the left wing? Am I still on the left wing?”

The little girl blinked her beautiful eyes. It was green, like that emerald, Emune thought.

“Lewat here,” said the little girl was short.

Emune was astonished because this little girl did not speak at all even though she had been raving about many things.

“Ah, that's Fiona. Fiona!” exciting Emune. I hope no one hears him screaming.

Fiona. Emune waved, replied by Fiona. Fiona approaches.

“Where are you missing? I've been looking for you since. Sorry I snapped at you earlier.”

“It's okay. Oh yes, I was lost and helped by .…” Emune was surprised when the little girl had already walked away from him. “Hai, Little girl, where are you going?” ask Emune.

The little girl turned around and waved while saying goodbye to Emune.

“That little girl helped me. She's so pretty. I've always wanted to have golden hair like that.”

Fiona touched Emune's forehead. Not hot. There's no way he's delirious.

“Tiny girl? No little girls here.”

“You didn't see it? Really? But there was a little girl. He helped me get back here.”

“No little girl, Emune.”

“Do you think I'm making up?”

“No. You've met the one you're looking for.” Fiona grinned.

“You mean he was .…” Emune stunned.

“Ghost,” says Fiona slowly. “You'll see Voispir.” soon

“Ghost,” his Emune. He held Fiona's arm. A ghost? In the afternoon? No way! Voispires!