Orsgadts
Save Emune!

Emune's legs were dragged as a stocky man grabbed him and carried him along with the flow of people coming out of Darfin. Emune rebelled and shouted. No one cares about him. People are busy saving themselves.

Emune as if he heard his name called. He looked back and saw Greg, very far back. Waving her free hand, Emune hoped Greg would see her. I hope he sees it.

Greg ran very fast while pushing whoever was blocking his way. Emune was there, far enough away but he was still able to catch up. If only these people hadn't gotten in the way. They are just people who are afraid themselves even though the unrest has stopped since. Greg did not blame, only regretting that something like this could happen to them. He himself did not expect that there could be such riots even more so in Harregu whose security is very tight.

A little more Greg could get close to Emune. Who pulled Emune? Damnit damnit! Emune instead of going with the flow in a panic, he was kidnapped!

Greg was angry. The stocky man clearly used the riot to carry out the kidnapping. Greg needs to be vigilant. It could be that he has a partner ready to take Emune away.

The stocky man dodged from the crowd to the left where a sizable carriage was waiting. Greg wasn't waiting for that guy to get close to the train. He ran while pulling out a small dagger and throwing it. The dagger darted and stuck in the left thigh of the stocky man, making him lose his balance and fall. The emune he gripped fell down smelling the dusty ground.

As soon as he saw the stock fell, the driver of the carriage immediately hit the steering rope, telling his horses to run fast. In an instant the train disappeared from sight. Greg ran up to Emune after pulling out his dagger and kicking the fat man unconscious. Emune is thrilled to see Greg even though his whole body is soiled in dust.

“You all right?” ask Greg. He helped Emune stand up.

“It's okay. I just scratched. Fiona, where is she?” Emune looked towards the gate.

“Fiona is okay. Come on, let's go back to town,” replied Greg.

Emune patted and flicked her dirty clothes. His face became whiter because it was covered in dust when he fell earlier. Greg was watchful at keeping Emune.

A few meters from the direction of the city gate he could see Fiona charging among the people who were still running around. Fiona manages to get to where Greg and Emune are waiting for her to avoid the frantic human flow. He hugged Emune tightly until Emune gave a shriek.

“Sorry. Emune, I shouldn't have left you. You hurt?” Fiona examined Emune's face and body with her eyes.

“I'm fine. Just gross. Hey, you got dirty for hugging me,” Emune said. Even though he said it was okay, he was still trembling considering the incident earlier.

“This is a bad thing. We must return to the city as soon as possible,” Greg said.

“Yes. Something is not right here,” Fiona said.

Greg escorted the girls back to town. At the guard station he told an officer that someone had attempted to kidnap his friend and showed him where the stocky man had fainted. Afterwards the three return to Stavehass to retrieve Fiona and Emune's belongings.

The two girls move into Greg's inn to make it safer. Greg gives up his room to be occupied by Fiona and Emune. He will sleep with his comrades in the next room.

Fiona watches Emune like an eagle. He left Emune only to drink. The two went to take a bath and ate a meal brought by Mady, one of Greg's entourage. The two girls were very grateful, as soon as the leader of the group found out that they were members of Arrand's entourage, he went to both of them and assured them that they were safe in his protection.

“You don't have to glare so. I'm still here.” Emune throws a pillow towards Fiona who swiftly catches her. “Fiona, I'm fine.”

“Ah, yes. Arrand will go berserk if something happens to you.” Fiona returned the pillow to Emune.

“I won't say. My mouth is locked,” Emune said as he showed a movement of people twisting the key at the corner of his lips.

Fiona grimacing. “Nothing Arrand didn't hear. Darfin is really dangerous. You were almost kidnapped in the crowd!”

“I was also astonished. I saw people scattering from the drinking house. They were screaming that someone was dead inside. I came down because I was worried you were why-why.”

“Then the stocky grabbed you just like that?” ask Fiona.

“No. I was screaming to call you. Then someone ran and said you were near the gate. I was wondering, why are you going to the city gate? It happened so fast. The guy said you were hurt so I'll be right there. When people get more and more, that's when something pulls me to the flow.” Emune sighs. He was easily fooled into panic.

“Gig was quick to find you. Greg and I suspected the riot was intentional to kidnap people to become slaves.”

Emune gasp. He covered his mouth with both hands.

Fiona whispers. “It looks like the city authorities are cooperating with the vandals.”

“You mean the merchant entourage or the knights? I heard people running around mentioning it.” Emune whispered.

“I suspect those knights. We will get more complete information tomorrow.”

“It was crazy but it could have happened if they were very desperate and had to get slaves.” Emune absorbs information well.

“You're smart. That's what temporary guess is.” Fiona straightened her seat and stared intently at the emune sitting on the bed opposite her. “Listen Emune, we should be more careful again. You have to tell me wherever you're going.”

“I promise.” Emune's tired of having to whisper. The secret passage seemed to have already passed so there was no need to whisper anymore. “By the way, Greg is great huh. Well, if you'd seen how fast he ran and threw the dagger right into the thigh of the fat guy. I have no doubt about it and I am right. You two will be the perfect couple!” exciting Emune.

Fiona is pounding hard. “Clear your voice. Sleep!” fiona's orders. He hoped that no one would hear Emune's call just now. Especially the last sentence. Fiona ignored Emune who was grumbling because he still wanted to have a conversation before going to bed. The restroom was pitch black after the oil lamp on the table was turned off.

Emune closed her eyes, praying for everything she loved. He is grateful to be safe today.

Fiona could hear Emune's regular breathing. He was sure Emune was asleep. It was a very exhausting night for everyone. Fiona turned her body. Emune's words just now are still ringing. Maybe he likes Greg.

***

The dining room on the first floor was full of members of the starving merchant entourage. Last night's events became the main topic of conversation. Fiona and Emune came down from their room. The nearest city is only half a day away so the group still had time to eat breakfast at the inn.

“Good morning. I know your nights aren't quiet. Breakfast is enough to restore your energy,” Mady greets and shows Fiona and Emune's seat.

“Thank you, Mady,” said Fiona and Emune in unison.

Greg was already at the designated table. Emune turned her head towards Fiona, hoping to see Fiona blush in embarrassment. Pseudo expectations, Emune thought, Fiona seems mediocre.

Sitting all three at the table was a little strange. Emune was being scrutinized by her brothers. Emune doesn't have a sister but maybe this is what it feels like, he thought. “I'm fine. Really am. Can we have breakfast? I'm so hungry”

“Sure. You're fine if you're still hungry. Fiona always starves every morning,” Greg said.

“If you had to scream and run like last night, you would be starving. Even though you've eaten a little before bed.” Fiona rolled her eyes in a sign of annoyance.

Mady interrupts the laughter of the three by bringing along two dishes containing all the good food that Emune knows. He thanked Fiona for talking to Greg about the incident last night. Emune ignored both. He ate with gusto while listening.

“The chairman is very angry and has already sent the news to the merchant network. Five merchants fell victim to those knights last night.” Greg spoke in an annoyed tone.

“So much as they were let go. Unfortunately we did not have time to stop the suspicious train.” Fiona gulped down the honey juice slowly. He turned to Emune who was busy with his food and smiled with relief.

“Oh that, they managed to get caught about five miles from here. There were three merchant entourage and one pilgrim troupe blocking their way. Fifteen men, eight women and four children were on the train. They were all kidnapped in Darfin. Everything was delivered back last night.” Greg turned his head for a moment towards Emune.

“You won't believe it. He stabbed his own heart,” replied Greg.

Fiona frowned while Emune instantly stopped eating.

“All the kidnapped people do not know where to take them. That sais never spoke.” Greg continued his sentence.

“What about city authority? People who died in the riots last night, they've been buried?” ask Fiona pafa Greg. “Emune, continue eating. Don't get sick,” he told Emune.

Greg laughed looking at the extremely obedient Emune at the fierce Fiona. “Emune, you have a very fierce bodyguard,” Greg joked who was replied with a wry smile by Emune.

“You haven't answered my question,” sue Fiona.

“Yes, they say they know nothing and expose the security of a city like this because of budget cuts from the kingdom. Really shameless. The five people who died will be taken to a cemetery outside the city. His family did not want them buried here.”

“Very unfortunate. I hope other cities are not like here,” Emune said.

“We'll be fine, Emune,” Fiona said. He picked up a piece of bread and began to chew.

“You're pretty tough Emune. You got a gun?” ask Greg.

“My uncle gave me a dagger but I never used it,” replied Emune.

“You have a dagger and you shut up when the stocky drags you?” Greg surprised.

“Hey, she is not a female knight who will cut down the villains she meets on the way. She is more like a princess of peace,” Fiona said with a chuckle.

“No, I am not the princess of peace. I'm just a sleeping princess who always hopes the bad events are over right before I wake up. Of course not. I'm a home girl who ... uh .. uummm ... reckless,” Emune said with pride.

His words made Greg and Fiona laugh. Emune snorted in annoyance.

Mady came running. “Chairmen want to meet you guys,” he said slowly.

The room occupied by the group leader was the largest room in the inn. Chairman Zachsein is a man almost sixty years old but has the fitness of a forty year old man. He was compiling chess pieces when Greg, Fiona and Emune were escorted by Mady.

He allowed them to sit. Fiona and Emune sat on the bench while Greg chose to stand alone.

“Overnight's events are deeply regrettable. Thank goodness you guys are okay. Actually I want you to stay in this group for your safety but we have to split up in Darfin because there are other cities that we have to spare,” the chairman stopped for a while. “How about you guys come to the next city while waiting for the escort group who will go to Eimersun?”

“The incident was indeed very unfortunate.” Fiona agreed to the chairman's opinion. “If wait in the next city, we will be left one to two days waiting for the escorted group.”

“And we can get caught in a sandstorm,” Emune added. He spoke as if he were traveling far away. He did not want his route to change because it meant that the longer he would reach Orsgadt.

Fiona looked towards the speechless Emune while playing chess pieces.

“Thank you, Chairman. We thought we would continue our journey on the usual route. We will avoid night trips and like you were so kind to us, I am sure other merchant groups will also help us,” said Fiona tried to reject the offer san chairman subtly.

Chairman Zachsein mangosteen. “Persis as Arrand kira.”

“Arrand? Arrand knows?” ask Fiona.

“Of course. The carrier pigeon came this morning. Arrand asked me to persuade you to take a new route.” The chief nodded slowly.

Fiona bit her lip. As expected, Arrand already knew. “We will continue the journey in a safe way,” firmly Fiona.

“About that, Arrand wants to make sure you are completely safe so Greg will accompany you until Eimersun,”.

“What? We don't need guards. Last night's events were just a little bit of chaos, something unexpected.” Fiona insists on refusing Greg's additional presence in her planned trip to Eimersun.

“I didn't force my way along but I also couldn't let anything happen to you guys,” Greg said seriously.

Fiona is pissed to the top. It wasn't Greg who upset him but Arrand's decision was like he didn't believe it.

Chief Zachsein smiled. He had only met Fiona this time but he could sense that this girl could be relied upon just that this one was no longer a request but an order from Arrand.

“Unfortunately, it was an order from Arrand. He did not want his two daughters to be in danger. Fiona, Greg can be as silent as a rock if you want,” the chairman joked.

Greg scratched his head to hear the president's words.

“I think one more person is not a problem,” Emune told Fiona. “We can lose time if we keep arguing about this.”

“Alright,” said Fiona reluctantly. “Thank you for allowing Greg to look after us,” he said while bowing respectfully to Chairman Zachsein.

“It is my duty to help you. Your chariots and horses are being prepared. Supplementary supplies will soon be put on the car. You'll bring one carrier pigeon. If anything happens, Greg will send word via pigeon post to our entourage.”

“Thank you, Chairman,” says Emune.

Chairman Zachsein looked at the three young people who left his room unblinkingly. His premonition said he would never see them again. He believed Greg would take good care of them so there was nothing to worry about.

The sun is not yet above your head. Greg is ready in the chair accompanied by Fiona. Fiona was no longer angry as she continued to be persuaded by Emune.

Emune sat in the back, playing a wooden unicorn-shaped statue. He wanted to read the magic book again, but later. It seems Fiona is still worried about him. It was as if he would vanish from the carriage if he did not check on Emune often.

“I'm still here. can you stop checking me?” pinta Emune sweet.

“Just want to make sure,” replied Fiona.

“Greg, do something. Fiona bothers me.” Emune complained to Greg.

“No, I just ...”

“Hei Fiona, look at me. If I panic, it means Emune's gone. Agree?” Greg smiled.

Fiona grunt. Upset but grateful that Greg helped keep an eye on Emune.

In the back, Emune was busy with his own thoughts. The world of white fog showed Urndie. Urndie wasn't in Ulrych when Emune left first. Emune believes there's something Urndie's hiding. He has to find Urndie.