Orsgadts
Riots in Darfin

In the dimness of the night the gates of Darfin city are already visible. Emune and Fiona are delighted that the journey to Darfin has become faster with the help of the merchant troupe that will be heading to Darfin. Because they were carrying very important ordered items so they hired a few bodyguards so they could arrive soon.

One of the members of Fiona's entourage, Greg, volunteered to drive the train temporarily so they could safely get to Darfin. Fiona of course agreed. He can rest on the train and when he arrives in the city he will be fresher and ready for a long round of drinks.

Arriving at the town of Viona and Emune enter a small inn called Stavehass. This inn was sandwiched between two large inns and because the building was old and long unrepairable, voices from the streets went into the rooms at the front, Fiona and Emune chose one from the room in front as Greg suggested.

“If there's anything you guys just open the window and yell,” Greg joked.

Fiona directly pulled out her dagger and said, “Yelling? How about I just throw that villain with my splint?”

Greg grimacing. “Alright, I wait at the drinking house. Fiona, I mean. Emune, have a good rest,” he said sweetly and waltzed away.

“She's funny, yes. You're going straight to the drinking house?” ask Emune.

“It's best so. I have to gather information about the path we're going through tomorrow. If there is a group that carries bodyguards like Greg's entourage, it will be safer for us.” Fiona looked around the room and checked the doors and windows. The light of the oil lamp on the table and another one that was hung on the wall made the room quite bright. “This is a female-only inn so men are not allowed to enter. I feel safe. Just lock the door. I can ask the manager to open it when I come back later,” Fiona said while changing clothes.

“Wait, you don't shower first?” ask Emune.

“For what shower? Do you think those drunkards know the difference between a woman showering and not bathing?” Fiona laughs.

“But what about men who are not drunk?” ask Emune plain.

“Do I smell?” Fiona sniffed her arms and armpits.

“No-too-smell, I guess,” Goda Emune.

“Silly girl. Well, I'm leaving. Oh yeah, Greg's gonna deliver you some food. See you later.” Fiona waved then disappeared behind the bedroom door.

“Be careful and have fun!” exclaims Emune though sure his voice is not heard by Fiona.

Emune wondered why he felt tired when he did nothing on the train. He just sits, sleeps, eats and sleeps again while Fiona continues to drive the car up to Nogg. The journey from Nogg to Darfin is even more relaxed because their car is in the middle of the group and Gregg who became the train sais.

Emune opened one of the shutters to look at the situation in the square. Instantly the various sounds that entered made Emune surprised. Once his ears got used to it, he could slightly leisurely see the crowd down there. The street lights around the square provide good lighting for the human flow that comes and goes. The sound of music and laughter from the drinking house several meters across from the Emune inn sounded faint.

Emune felt like she had seen enough of Darfin's nightlife from her window. He closed it tightly and locked it. He checked his room and liked it. Although this small room is worth occupying, he thought.

Fiona who disappears from the room gives Emune a chance to clean up and later she will check out her magic book. The female-only public bath was behind Stavehass. The bath is small and can only accommodate five people in a shower lined with dark brown cloth bulkheads.

A pool of warm water for soaking also exists and is being filled by three women who are twice the size of Emune's body. The three whispered to see Emune who entered the bathroom with a basket filled with toiletries. He did not want to soak so he took a quick shower and immediately returned to the inn.

On his return, Emune's room is well locked and nothing less including his little bag which he throws under the bed. Fiona won't be back soon so Emune can relax. A knock on her bedroom door stopped Emune from reading the magic book. He pulled a blanket to cover his small bag.

“Who?” ask Emune.

“Gwenda, room server.”

Emune opened the door. A fat woman with a brown blemish stared in annoyance at Emune. He should have been at home had the man with the big hair not told him to deliver the second floor. How troublesome!

“Tipan from a factory-haired man,” he said flat. As soon as the goods changed hands, he immediately turned away while grumbling.

Emune doesn't care about the waiter. He closed the door and quickly opened the big heavy bag. The fabulous man called the servant must be Greg, he thought. He's the only big-haired guy Emune knows.

“Waaah .. thank you, Greg.” Emune found an apple, a wine, a bottle of honey cider and a piece of cheese keik stored in a wooden box with dried grape leaves. Emune snatched the cheese keik and opened a bottle of honey juice. “Lezaaat!” Emune's tiredness disappeared instantly with various flavors dancing on his tongue.

The little book was already on his lap. He knows that Fiona can't see him but is it just Fiona? What about other people? Should he try to bring her in the crowd? Emune kept that thought for a while.

The first magical thing Emune discovered was that the originally plain book cover now had a gold-colored phoenix engraving on the front. Emune flipped the book and found another gold engraving, not a phoenix but an Artamea map. Emune traced the surface of the cover with her index finger. The indentations of the carvings on the thick leather material were obvious so this was not an illusion.

The last time Emune opened the book, the pages contained poems and short stories. Now that everything is gone, there is only blank paper.

“No,” his Emune. There is something wrong with this book, he thought. Emune flipped through her pages once more in the hope that something would appear. Nothing happened.

“Weird book. What is the use of a book if there is nothing to read? Should I write something this time? Hmmm ... what need special pen?”

Emune opened the first page and placed her palm on it. He remembered Urndie. He would have told me how ridiculous I am for doing this, Emune thought. He unknowingly mentioned Urndie's name.

Suddenly Emune's chest felt tight. His body felt hot and melted. A moment later a white mist enveloped Emune. The fog continued to grow and rose to the ceiling, circling around and then stopping in the air. Around Emune there was only a white colored world.

The man suddenly shouted very loudly, “Stop, Emune!” His hand then stomped his wooden stick to the floor.

Emune covered both of her ears as the sound of the scream hurt her ears. His chest tightened again and his body lifted into the air and crashed onto the bed. The white fog had already disappeared without a trace.

Her head was dizzy and sweat was pouring down her nightgown. What was that? Illusory or did he really see Urndie?

Emune placed her hand over her racing heart. No, it's not an illusion, he thought. He looked for the booklet and found it upside down on the floor. Miraculously, the cover came back plain and as it turned over, the pages now contained poems and short stories.

Slowly he closed the booklet and put it in his bag. He immediately drank the water with big gulps. The throat is cold after the water enters.

Tiredness that had disappeared after bathing and eating appeared again and even became multiplied. Emune couldn't walk to the other side to turn off the hanging oil. He simply blew on the oil lamp on the table beside him and fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow.

***

Just a few dozen steps from Stavehass, stand tall Harregu, the largest drinking house in Darfin. The building that extends to the back has two floors that half of the upper floor is used as lodging. That's what it looks like outside. Very few know that Harregu has a basement where illicit trade deals take place. Call it the trade of stolen goods, exotic animals, slaves and even weapons.

Fiona and Greg sat at a small table for three people. The two of them did not wait for anyone. The third seat was just a decoration for them. It had already been two bottles of Imperia wine and one large glass of beer exhausted by Fiona herself. Greg was drinking just a normal beer. He already knows what Fiona is like if he is drunk so it's good that he restrained himself. After all, he would need his awareness and a little energy to bring Fiona home to his inn.

The two were busy talking about tomorrow's trip when a commotion broke out inside Harregu. People who were not drunk or half drunk came out of Harregu. Fiona and Greg jumped to their feet as their table was repeatedly hit.

Greg pulls Fiona to the part of the room that panicked people were rushing out of. Greg pulled one of the young men he thought was sane enough to talk to. The young man revolted but could not defeat Greg's grip strength.

“What's there?” ask Greg.

The young man gasped. “Tribute merchant entourage with knights escorting slave troupes to Orsgadt. Three people are dead. Let go of me.. release .…”

Greg released the young man who instantly infiltrated the crowd of people who left the drinking house. “We have to go,” he said then pulled Fiona while pressing forward following the others. He embraces Fiona, trying to protect her from impact.

The fanfare in Harregu caught the attention of everyone in the square. The city's security forces ran towards Harregu with full weapons. The order to close the city gate was already passed to the front post.

Greg and Fiona make it out of Harregu after Greg repeatedly punches and kicks to make room blur for the two of them. Once outside, the city's security forces were already preparing with spears pointed at their chests.

“Kneel! Kneel!” the soldiers shouted while hitting anyone who fought back.

Greg held Fiona's hand that was about to pull out his dagger. It was unwise to do that when the tip of the spear was ready to pierce their chests. “Quiet. They'll just check on us,” he said slowly.

The leader of the troops who had already stormed in seemed to have alleviated the problems inside Harregu. He went out with the knights whose faces and bodies were splattered with blood.  The knights stepped away as if nothing had happened.

“Harregu closed tonight. Return to their respective places of residence. No one makes a fuss anymore!” shouted the leader of the army.

After hearing the shouts of the head of the city's security forces, his army members straightened their spears. They entered Harregu in turns and the last person to enter closed the door.

Fiona and Greg stood up. Fiona's face flushed with anger. He walked quickly towards Stavehass.

“I have to check Emune. Hopefully he didn't come out during the riot. Greg, can you go to the front post just in case Emune gets carried away by the flow of people coming out of Darfin?” fiona Pinta.

“I'll check it.” Greg is gone.

Fiona kicked off the innkeeper's desk which could have been sound asleep even though there was a riot outside. The innkeeper who was scruffy and big-eyed woke up.

“Third two-room floor, lock,” Fiona said coldly. “Quick!” his yell.

After receiving the key from the caretaker who was trembling at her screams, Fiona climbed the stairs hurriedly. The room door is still locked, Fiona is a little relieved. It was only a moment until he entered and found his room empty. Emune wasn't there.

Fiona clamors to call Emune even though she knows it was a waste. There was nowhere to hide in that room. Looking at the wide-open window, Fiona concludes that Emune must have seen the riot in Harregu and then walked out of the room and brought her small bag to look for her.

“Damn it!” angry shouting.

Fiona slammed the room door and immediately went down to the first floor. He ignored the innkeeper who was hiding behind the table and immediately ran towards the front post. He hopes Greg finds Emune.

Arriving at the front post, Greg was absent. A guard came up to him and gave him a folded sheet of paper.

He's got Darfin's outflow. I chased. Meet in Elvoa. Fiona turned her head to read the message. He swore in his heart. He blames himself for being unawares. He shouldn't have gone to Harregu and left Emune alone.

“Sial, shit, shit! You're stupid, Fiona!” his screams shocked the guards.