Orsgadts
The Orsgadt legend
Lunch with Mineda and Daniela was really nice. Mineda makes a soft carrot soup with spices and a little goat milk. According to Mineda, it was her grandmother's recipe.
After a piece of bread and a few slices of mutton, Emune felt very full. Daniela brought wine and two light blue handkerchiefs that she gave one each to Mineda and Emune. Name-they are embroidered neatly with dark blue thread. Emune himself as usual could only carry the cheese made by the Grantea family but because the cheese was so famous, it became a luxurious gift for his friends.
That afternoon was more about Ulrych. The two friends are not interested when Emune tells about Imperia, which is hit by a sandstorm every year and Eimersun who will hold a solar festival.
“I'm not interested. First, I will never leave this village. Second, why talk about distant kingdoms? We have to prepare for our own event, Emune,”.
“Betul. Ulrych Celebration. The time you don't remember? Full moon in a minute,“ added Daniela
Emune frowned. “Ah, yes. Ulrych Celebration. Thanks for reminding me.”
Mineda placed both elbows on the wooden table, his hands covering his natural red cheeks. His eyes were closed and his lips twitched like he was saying something but without a sound.
“What spell are you recapiting?” Emune suddenly patted Mineda on the shoulder. Daniela laughed at Mineda.
“Ouch, not a spell. I was thinking, at the celebration, who's going to date Neville?”
Emune and Daniela looked at each other and simultaneously asked in a high tone, “Neville?”
“He's pretty handsome. I like her hair neat.”
“Hai, Miss, that Neat-Haired Mr. Last time, three days ago if not mistaken, was seen dating in the bushes near the springs. Lady Beatrien caught their wet,” said Daniela.
“What? Who's her date?”
“Maude,” reply Emune. He did not see directly but had heard the whispers of mothers on his way to the house of Mineda.
Mineda patted her cheeks a sign of annoyance at the news.
“Hey, what's wrong with Thomas? Didn't Thomas take you to the celebration?” ask Emune.
Mineda stood up, crossed her arms while turning her lips. “Huh, Thomas did take me but not only me. Merry, Alice, Eren and I don't know who else. Your foster brother is crazy!”
“No, don't associate with me. He is a problem that should be avoided by anyone,” Emune defended himself. He always made sure there was a special boundary between himself and the Grantean boys.
“At least the youths from the next village will come so we have a choice right?”
“Daniea true. C'mon Mineda. You don't seem to know Thomas. He's the G-I-L-A!”
The three young girls laughed a lot. They were busy talking about clothes, flowers and hair ornaments for the celebration. Since they were already seventeen years old, they could freely go to the celebration without having to beg their parents.
***
Emune returns to Urndie's cottage while running. He lifted his shirt slightly so he could run faster. He almost hit the little children playing around the fountain and the chickens were flying away from him. Despite running, Emune could see Mr and Mrs Schulliz clashing in front of their bakery. A few meters later, Lady Beatrien is seen feeding a kitten.
Urndie stood in front of his cabin. The small pots that lined up beside the door grew even more. The flowers of spring bloom beautifully. He's waiting for Emune. The girl must have been running around here, he thought. Sure enough, he heard the footsteps approaching. Emune up with breath gasping.
“Am I late? I'm not late, am I?”
Urndie chuckled. “You're not late. Come on in and rest first.”
Emune sat in the chair comfortably. His breathing was back to normal. This time Urndie made him a drink from pomegranate juice. Emune's thirst disappeared instantly with just one gulp. Urndie sat across, stroking his long, white beard. Emune straightened her seat and waited for Urndie to start telling stories.
“For thousands of years ago, Artamea was a world inhabited by humans, animals and mystical creatures such as fairies, giants and others. Not much different than today. It was a dark time, no government and no rules. Like the jungle, only the strong survive and rule. Humans have almost no chance of life because they are hunted by predators all the time.”
Urndie put a parchment on the table. He had been wondering since this morning whether he should show it to Emune or not. This time there is an answer “ya” in his head. He thrust the parchment to Emune.
The curious Emune just grabbed and opened the parchment carefully. His eyes glared in horror.
“Dragon, cerberus and giants? I don't want to imagine it. It must be very terrible,” said Emune lirih. The parchment in his hand depicts the dark times mentioned by Urndie. He rolled up the parchment and returned it to Urndie.
“The chaos continues until an incident changes everything. On the full moon in spring, the fairies travel sacred north of Artamae, once called Norkdarn, now the territory of Imperia. They reach the Desert of Hope but do not want to risk being trapped there and become easy prey for predators. The fairies have extraordinary powers but with the presence of little fairies who are not as strong as adult fairies, they become vulnerable. Fairy King Dougraff decides to take her entourage through Eupher which is now the territory of Orsgadt.
When it became dark, the group was ordered to rest. The little granddaughter of the fairy king played alone and was far apart from the entourage. At that time a group of black magicians were looking for young elves to be used as their magic potion. They managed to catch the little elf whose wings were not yet strong to fly and rebel.”
From behind the thicket of bushes, a young man jumped out and fought them by wagging the wooden stick he had burned at the end. He managed to snatch the tip of a witch's clothes. It happened so fast, the witches tried to escape with the broomstick but they collided in the air and the flames spread burning them. It was fortunate that the little elf who had almost fallen into the flame was caught by the young man. The little elf was finally able to be freed from the silk thread wrapped around her body.”
“Oh, thank goodness. Does he speak human language?” ask Emune. He smiled happily.
“All fairies can speak human but little fairies are not allowed to talk to humans.”
“Then what happened?”
“The screams of the witches were heard far away. Fairy King Dougraff appeared with some of her bodyguards. He almost went on a rampage because his favorite grandson was missing. He thanked her and promised to grant her any request.
Wilhelm Orsgadt, the young man who helped his grandson, was a kind and clever young man. Although his family was poor, he was not tempted by the treasures offered by the fairy king. He requested that the king exert his power to create a safe territory for humans to live in. Fairy King Dougraff granted the brave young man's request. The northern part becomes the territory of human habitation and the southern part becomes a residence for all mystical creatures.”
“Excellent! Truly a human savior. How did the kingdoms form now?”
“Everyone is so respectful and loving to the Great King Orsgadt who has freed them from the dark times. Some time later the king married and had issue. Initially there was only one kingdom, namely Orsgadt, but when more and more people the king himself sent three friends to find and open a new territory that can be occupied by many people.”
The people were given the freedom to move to these new territories. New kingdoms are growing rapidly. The four kingdoms established close relations in all fields. No bloodshed and all goes peacefully.”
“If our ancestors were friends, why didn't anyone help Orsgadt when the Goenhrad uprising happened?”
“The rebellion was completely beyond everyone's reason. Goenhrad had no large army, only a small group of assassins, greedy people willing to do anything for the sake of treasure. They are worthless creatures. The attack took place at night, just as the palace was awaiting the birth of the king's grandson. First they slaughtered the entire bodyguard, locked the palace and killed its inhabitants. The king's family was executed. Only a few followers managed to get out through the secret passage. They brought everything they could take back then.”
“G grandson of the king! Whether ... whether ..” Emune could not finish his sentence. His tongue was stiff and his eyes were glazed.