Orsgadts
Elric

The well-dressed young man came down from his saddle and gave an apple he had stored in a leather bag to the tough horse. The horse he was riding was hardy, he was still fit even though it had been days through the hills and valleys.

"Wait here Draxe, I'll be right back" he said casually to the dark horse. The horse neighs as if obeying his master's words.

The door of the house was made of wood which was almost twice the thickness of the other house doors in the village. The young man knocked twice. He hoped someone would open the door for him soon. He was looking for a young woman who made him suffer with just one encounter.

The door opened, a round-faced woman appeared with her hair covered in scarves and dirty clothes.

"We didn't buy anything. Thank you" he said, then slammed the door.

Surprised by the incident just now, the young man grimaced amusedly. He knocked on the door again. This time he heard the voice of the woman yelling for someone to open the door.

A girl with a pudgy cheek appeared. He watched the young man from top to bottom. Another appeared, the girl whose face resembled the first. He did the same. The two girls who could be sure the twins were staring at each other then looking at the young man and simultaneously opened their mouths.

"Elric!" exclaim both.

The young man was shocked to a step back. These two twin girls must be Clarice and Clemence Grantea. Elric was about to open his mouth but the two girls were already flanking and pulling him into the house.

The two spoke at the same time to the woman who slammed the door.

"Mother, this is Elric. He's the one who danced with Emune at Ulrych's Celebration."

The mother of the twins immediately stood up and tidied herself.

"Are you the one I slammed the door on? Oh sorry, I didn't mean to be disrespectful."

"I don't mean to disturb." Elric smiled thinly.

"Please sit.” Mary Grantea. “Last-lately a lot of strangers are hanging around. It was not the merchants who used to come to Ulrych. Someone came to our neighbor's house yesterday. When you get the requested drinking water, know that the person is already in his room, unloading drawers and cabinets. The village chief reminded the citizens to be careful of all foreigners."

"I think so. It's just right that people saw me," Elric said.

"That's because you're handsome" the twins chirped.

"Huss, you are noisy" their mother rebuked. "Is there anything we can help you with?"

"I'm looking for Emune. Is he home?" ask Elric.

"Emune no d house. He didn't tell you?" ask Mary Grantea.

"No. Did something happen to her?" asked Elric in a hidden tone of anxiety.

"Emune's on his way to Alder, his father's house. He left early in the morning after Ulrych's Feast." Mary Grantea explained. He was a little surprised because Emune did not tell the handsome young man about his departure to Alder.

Elric was silent for a moment. How could Emune not say anything about his plans to Alder that night? "Emune's coming back?"

"No, he plans to settle down and will manage his father's estate."

"Who did he go with?" ask Elric wonder.

"The merchant entourage led by Ronald. Chances are they're out of Tighourt." Mary Grantea reads interest in Elric's voice. Ahah! Emune, Auntie would bet that this handsome young man would chase you to the end of the sky though.

"thank you. I better go now."

"You're gonna catch up with Emune?" ask Clarice.

"He would be so happy to see you again" Clemence added.

"Yes. I'll catch up with him. Oh yes, this is for you guys" said Elric. He handed me a small bag half filled with something. "I think you need this. I owe it to Emune that night. Don't worry, I'll pay for it straight away when I meet him. See you soon."

Elric came out of the house and rode his horse. He nodded at the three Grantea women standing at the door leading to his departure.

Mary Grantea and her twin daughters came in and locked the door. He sat down on the bench and opened the small bag. How shocked the three of them were to see so many pieces of silver and a few pieces of gold in the bag.

Elric rode out of Ulrych square. He headed for the turn of the road where his three friends were waiting. Cheers rang out as the Elric horse's roar rang out and a puff of dust followed behind him.

"Welcome, beloved beloved. I chased the sun to find ...." The welcome song of the three men who embraced each other while dancing came to a halt when they saw Elric come alone.

"Where's your girl?"

"You were rejected, right? Well, Elric rejected Ulrych's women!"

"I told you to find a woman in Imperia. You forced me to come here."

"Poor Elric ...."

Elric grinning. "My lady's on her way to Alder. Since you are my loyal and caring companions, you will accompany me to Alder." Elric smiled ignorantly. "Oh, I think the girls in Eimersun have to be patient waiting for you to come back."

Elric blinked at the three men who were now dumbstruck. They were noisily nagging and shouting protests at Elric but too late, Elric was already riding far ahead there.

Alder, a very distant place. It takes about two weeks of riding and with a horse carriage it can be three weeks. Elric worries about Emune going down a dangerous route to Alder.

In this kind of unsafe situation, the merchants would definitely avoid the night trip. Hopefully the entourage that Emune followed was wise enough to do so, so he could catch up with them. Elric felt like he wanted to get to Tighourt soon but the four of them had just arrived from Ghant City west of Ulrych, they needed rest as well as their horses.

Elric did not want to trouble his friends but he was sure the three would not want to let him chase Emune alone and return to Eimersun without him. They will spend the night in the nearest village they can reach this afternoon and then continue the journey tomorrow morning. Hopefully we can find him, hope Elric.

Elric's thoughts were on Emune. That innocent pretty girl must have gone crazy. Why did he suddenly decide to return to Alder and leave the peace of Ulrych? Not much is known about Emune but a girl living alone in the Alder hills is suicidal. Life there is very harsh and a woman needs a man to protect her.

That night he kissed Emune's lips. He does sound rude and domineering when he says that Emune is a woman but he means it. He chose Emune among the many girls at the celebration. The only one that looks glowing and is very 'living'.

Emune is cheerful, lively and funny. Elric did not get tired of lingering with her. Had they not had to go to Ghant that night, he would have gladly sat down beside Emune and listened to his story. It's never been that sweet on a girl before.

His arrival this time to Ulrych was to make a bond. A kind of engagement, without a special ceremony, is only a promise between a man and a woman who like each other and are willing to keep loyalty. He had prepared a necklace for Emune.

That night he saw Emune wearing neither gold nor silver jewelry. Just a leather bracelet coiled around his wrist. If she does not like to appear with jewelry then necklaces are the perfect choice because they can be worn and hidden behind clothes.

This decision was considered too hasty by his friends but they supported Elric. Maybe because this is the first time Elric looks excited when talking about a woman.

"We can't make it before night in the nearby village. How about spending the night on that hill?" Elric talks to his only friend who keeps a mustache and sideburns, Alfred.

"We can take shelter in that niche. The wind is a little strong tonight." Alfred pointed at the niche he was referring to.

Elric and Alfred drove their horses away from the main road, up the foothills on the left. Alfred's designated niche was quite deep, almost like a cave. In the back, their two best friends, Sean and Aiden, followed while checking around.

Four horses were left wandering around the niche. They can eat fresh grass in the hills and rest tonight. Meanwhile the four riders split themselves into two groups so that they could rest and stand guard in turns.

A small bonfire lit up the surroundings. The shadows of the trees blowing in the wind looked like they were dancing. Elric and Alfred took their first turn. Elric would not be able to sleep because he thought of Emune. Yesterday they crossed paths with the royal army chasing the robbers west of Arsyna. They're probably just from Tighourt.

Elric plays a wooden twig. He squeezed the end of the twig into the ground many times. Alfred laughed to see Elric writing Emune's name on the ground.

"You're really stuck in love, Young Master," said Alfred.

Elric wanted to remove the scratch but undo it. "You ever been like this?"

"Well, I don't remember writing his name on the ground" replied Alfred.

"Hey, I'm still young. It's different from a forties-year-old man's romance." Elric grinning.

"Hahaha, I'm imagining what your father's reaction would be to see you like this." Alfred laughing.

Elric grinning. "I don't want to think about it."

"Don't worry, the merchant entourage are intelligent people and survivors who can't be taken lightly. Emune must be fine" said Alfred trying to calm Elric.

Alfred suddenly gave a sign of silence to Elric. Elric. After getting a sign to wake the others, he approaches Sean and Aiden who are half asleep. He patted the two slowly and made sure they saw him giving a sign of silence. Sean and Aiden reach for their weapons, preparing for any eventuality.

Seven people dressed in black had sprung up to surround them. From the movements alone it is clear they are not good people.

"Tell you guys so you don't die of curiosity!" exclaim Alfred.

The men in black didn't answer. Each one pulled out his flagship weapon. Swords, axes, heavy iron-clad chains were ready to hit the opponent. They move around, threaten and attack.

Alfred knew they were outnumbered but he believed the fighting abilities of the four of them could defeat their attackers. Three young men with him are highly trained to face attacks both in the light and dark. Not waiting any longer, Alfred started the attack with a single loud roar. Ordinary criminals would run around hearing it but seeing his undaunted attackers, he knew who they were dealing with.

Elric, Sean and Aiden did not remain silent. The silence of the night was broken by the sounds of screaming and clashing weapons. The fight of death is inevitable.

When the number of each camp was balanced, Elric shouted to his opponent to surrender but not care. Elric parried and attacked without hesitation. His opponent fell down after a fatal slash hit his chest. Elric saw the others could overcome their opponents so he was on guard.

Suddenly from the south an arrow struck Aiden's arm. Aiden fell backwards but immediately stood up and fended off his opponent's attack. His right arm that was slammed with arrows felt numb. He must finish the fight immediately. Aiden moved quickly to fend off his opponent's sword, bowed then pierced his unprotected chest. His opponent knelt on his deathbed, Aiden drew his sword.

Elric who saw the arrow that hit Aiden immediately snatched Sean's bow and arrow. Bows and arrows are not his weapon of choice but in times of precariousness are very useful for taking down opponents who are in distant places. The arrow shot towards the darkness from the bow held by Elric. No sound was heard after that.

"You about it?" ask Sean. His opponent had already drooped without a life under the hill.

"I'll check it." Sean walked towards his horse.

"Wait," stop Alfred. "We don't know how many people were there." Alfred pulled the collar of his opponent's shirt which was already unable to move. "How many people have come with you?"

The man did not answer. Alfred took off the cloth that covered his face. Alfred frowned looking at the face of the man who had three diagonal cuts from his forehead to the tip of his ear.

"How many people did you bring to attack us?" alfred asked coldly. "I promise to ease your death."

The man grinned. He opened his mouth and revealed his tongue. Elric, Sean and Aiden immediately examined the corpses around them. All the same, someone deliberately cut off their tongue so that they could not speak. Alfred did not linger, he immediately fulfilled his promise to his opponent, which was a quick death.

Aiden and Sean ride their horses and rush to spur him towards the arrow released by Elric. They found the archer dead, stabbed right in the neck. After examining the corpse and not finding anything that could indicate his identity nor his purpose of attacking them, Sean and Aiden returned to the niche.

The wound on Aiden's arm was not severe, Alfred teased him by saying that his scar would attract the girls. Aiden grimaced because he was the one making fun of it now. A rough night begins Elric's journey to find Emune, the girl he loves. He did not give up even though it meant that he had to face many obstacles. The strong wind blew making the bonfire dim and die.

The night is still creeping. Mentari is still a long time ago appeared. Elric and his friends tried to take turns resting. There is still time to gather energy.