Early in the morning, Kenley woke up, trying to recover all his senses. Then he got out of bed and went to the window, rubbing his eyes. He opened the window letting the morning air fill a room that had become his shelter every day. He turned to his roommate who was still fast asleep. Kenley handed him a blanket to keep his roommate warm.
This morning, he had to get ready, that he would start a long journey that might be full of dangers ahead. He remembered how his head was spinning from the drunkenness last night.
Then he checked again to make sure his favorite Slikers were not left behind. He put the gun in a pocket that had been prepared by a special strap on his right thigh. In his heart, apart from being able to help Eldred find the legendary Cyrstal, Kenley desperately wanted to find out who and where his parents were. Maybe this was his big chance, he started to walk away from Ortania. A small town that is always bustling with natives and illegal immigrants who change every downstream.
Kenley left his guild to head towards the Seina forest. At a deserted crossroads, he hires Vlatsh to be able to deliver himself to the Seina forest on time. It costs about ten rubies to get there. On the way, he saw that it was still dark around him. There was only a few lights from the oil lamps in Vlatsh's cart that he and the people's houses were riding in. Although his eyes were still sleepy and his head was still a little dizzy, he was trying to stay focused. Kenley occasionally lightly slapped his cheek with both hands.
On his way to the Seina forest, Kenley was only accompanied by a coachman who was in charge of managing when the Vlatsh had to stop or advance. Kenley was in a wagon equipped with a wooden roof and red curtains at the back as an entry or exit. He occasionally hugged his body because it was still too cold outside. He was curious, how the coachman was able to withstand such cold temperatures, moreover, he had time to see that the coachman was dressed in plain clothes and a straw knitted hat which completed the coachman's appearance.
After arriving there, he was greeted by the sounds of small animals from within the forest. Seina forest looks still very dark. The grass and leaves in the forest trees felt damp from the morning dew that enveloped them. Kenley immediately got off the wagon and occasionally took a breath of air that felt very cool. After the coachman left, he began to walk, into the dark Seina forest. In his mind, he hoped that the morning sun would soon shine on the forest. His shoulders were starting to get a little wet from accidentally touching the leaves of a tree that was still growing lower.
"Where's Eldred?" he said quietly. "Could it be that Elfair hasn't arrived yet?" He muttered to himself. Kenley also intended to go to the Seiry River. After walking for a long time in the forest, he saw that the morning sun was starting to peek shyly. The light of dawn penetrated between the cracks of the tree and the leaves above it. It was as if the plants in the forest seemed to be blooming slowly. After walking for some time along the path in the forest, he could finally hear the sound of the river flowing, indicating that the Seiry River was near. He immediately sat on the bank of the river, on the rocks. He washed his face with cold river water. Instantly his head, which had felt heavy, slowly recovered. Occasionally he drank the river water with both hands.
An Elfair who suddenly appeared behind him took him by surprise. "Finally you came on time." The Elfair said suddenly. Kenley turned towards the source of the voice which turned out to be Eldred not waiting for him alone. There was another Elfair beside him. Judging from his appearance Elfair is a Kluith. "Why do you ask for help with the human race? You know that humans are the creatures that create the most chaos on this earth." Said Elfair who had been standing beside Eldred, he looked away lazily. He is Clevan, the advisor to the elders of the Elfairites who insists on joining Eldred.
"Stop it, Clevan!" said Eldred, then he hurried over to Kenley who was still crouched on the rocks by the river Seiry.
"I have a map of the Kivanal Magire Continent" said Eldred showing a small bag containing a scroll of the map he was referring to. "Lord Hardikha has indicated where the Crystal is." The connection.
"Why is there another Elfair here? Is he coming with us?" whispered Eldred quietly. "He asked Lord Hardikha with reason to accompany me." Hardik Eldred slowly. Clevan heard it, but tried not to care. As if he didn't know something, the waist-length jet-black haired Elfair cleared his throat quietly. "So, can we decide where we should start our first journey?" said Clevan in his mysterious tone of voice.
The three of them docked near a large rock which was not far from the river. The sound of the river flowing is deafening every second. The sun began to appear illuminating around them. That morning, the peaks of the Teilem mountains were clearly visible from the Seina forest, with the sun soon to be at the top of the mountains. The fog seemed to cover the mountain with a very cold temperature.
Eldred took out the map that Lord Hardikha had given him yesterday. He stretched it out on a rock with a fairly flat top. Don't forget to also hold every corner of the map with small rocks scattered on the ground. "Okay, here it is" Eldred started.
"First we will go to Gracylia to be able to find the Crystal Legend book. Because the book is only available in the library in Gracylia" Eldred explained.
"You mean, the capital that is always crowded with newcomers?" said Clevan. Eldred nodded firmly. "Because as far as I know, this book of legends of the continent of Magire Kivanal, is only in the library in the capital." Eldred replied again. Clevan turned to Kenley with an indifferent face. "Hey humans, think about how we can enter the capital without getting caught." Clevan said. Kenley thought of various ways. But if he had permission, it would be even more complicated because he had to go to the kingdom of Gracylia to ask the King for permission there. But if they infiltrated, these two Elfairs would be caught and they both knew very well what the consequences would be.
"I can only have one way. First we have to go to Gracylia castle so we don't have to bother disguised there. We have to have permission. Not us, you two to be more precise." Kenley explained with a serious face. Clevan chuckled softly. It would definitely take a trip and take a whole day. but, what can you do? "Okay, I know there's really no other way." Eldred said supporting Kenley's suggestion.
"We also don't want to bother being smugglers in human territory, do we, Clevan?" continued Eldred smiling faintly at the Elfair.
"From the kingdom to the capital, isn't it too far?" asked Clevan still in the same manner. "Not bad. We can ride the Vlaths from the capital to the kingdom." The two Elfairs finally agreed with Kenley's words.
"Alright, first we have to visit Myrana to get to Gracylia." Eldred said as he rolled back the map.
"But the distance from Seina Forest to Myrana is very far." Kenley said. Clevan stood up, his gaze fixed on the current of the river that was flowing quite fast to the west. "We might be able to go there by following the current of this river" Clevan suggested. Kenley held his chin in one hand, thinking of a way. "We could take a boat for our trip there" Kenley tried to argue.
"That's a great idea! I just happened to be in Larvard when I saw an Elfair carpenter, who knows he could build a boat for us." Eldred agreed to Kenley and Clevan's proposal. The current would carry them through the Seiry river which flows downstream, carrying them as far as Myrana. Clevan whistled. A whistle that even Eldred had never heard before. Perhaps inwardly, Eldred guessed that Clevan's whistle was meant to summon Vhipotus. Clevan's Faithful Bird who has been his partner for a long time. The bird can be trusted by the people of Fcycila's palace, as the bird that carries the message of the Elfaires.
With a few whistles, the Bird finally emerged from across the river Seiry, out of the Larnia forest on the other side. Vhipotus began to slowly perch on Clevan's hand because the owner had raised his right hand. The bird seemed to have understood and used to it. "Quickly you write something for the carpenter, so that the carpenter can immediately build the boat for us." Clevan orders Eldred. Eldred began to write on a piece of paper with his quill, containing the Elfair language.
After the ink dried on the paper, Eldred tied it with a white string, then gave it to Clevan. Clevan immediately tied the small letter with one hand skillfully. He then whispered an incantation while looking at Vhipotus. As if understanding, the Bird flew into the sky towards Larvard.
It was noon, the sun would soon be right above their heads. They waited for the Bird to deliver the message to them. Inwardly, Kenley thought why not use the Bird to deliver an official message to the King of the Gracylia Kingdom instead. That way, he doesn't have to go to the palace. Because that would be a waste of a day.
"Eldred?" called Kenley which made the Elfair turn to him. Eldred, who was examining his beloved bow, approached Kenley who was sitting by the river.
"Why?" he asked who sat beside him. "There's something else I'd like to find besides helping you find the Crystal of legend." Kenley said without looking at Elfair's face beside him.
"You mean?" asked Eldred incredulously, frowning and focusing his gaze on Kenley. The man was still looking at the stream flowing in front of him.
"There is something that I think is very precious on this continent." Say it again. Kenley's words just now confused Elfair. He didn't understand what Hamoursh was talking about. For a long time they waited, the Vhipotus finally returned with a small letter at his feet with the same string wrapped around the bird's left ankle. Clevan did the same as he usually did when the messenger bird brought the news. Clevan unrolled the paper he had removed from Vhipotus' feet which was now perched on Elfair's shoulder.
"He'll finish building the boat tomorrow morning," he said after reading the scroll. "Are we going to wait that long?" said Eldred. "But why don't we use Vhipotus to deliver an official letter to the King in the kingdom of Gracylia? That way, we can go straight to the capital. Without having to go to the palace first." Kenley argued. Clevan raised an eyebrow. "Do you want my bird to be caught by the humans there?" Clevan said squeaking softly at Kenley. Even though all the royals would probably know very well that the Elfairites had a messenger bird like Vhipotush. But judging by the way Clevan spoke, Kenley could very well understand why Eldred hated him too. Clevan is stubborn and will only follow his own heart. That's what made him seen as arrogant by other Elfairs.
"From your appearance, I'm pretty sure you're a robber. Or maybe there are other robbers who are more despicable than you. I know what stupid idea most robbers like you are doing, so don't expect me to follow all your advice." Clevan said, Throwing a hateful face at Kenley. As if the human race is the worst creature in the world. Kenley clenched his fists in anger.
But fortunately Eldred intervened between the two. "Clevan! Please stop." Deep in his heart, Eldred had always disliked this particular Elfair. How could Lord Hardikha appoint him as the royal adviser of the Elfair nation, if his nature alone makes the other Elfairs also feel sick.
"Please don't say that again, don't say that as if humans are the worst creatures. You can't just say inappropriate words to anyone, not even the Hamoursh people, you remember that!".
"Why? It's true. Humans are the most greedy creatures!" Clevan went away from the two of them. Indeed, Clevan's words are true. Because of his words just now, Eldred was reminded of an incident that took place a few months ago in the Larnia forest, where many unique and rare plants and animals that live there have become extinct. But it wasn't Kenley or his gang. Maybe another group of robbers from the capital, or even- Eldred bit his lip to try to stop remembering the incident.
"We will spend the night here, soon it will be evening." Said Eldred. The man nodded as he suppressed his anger just now. If Eldred didn't intervene, it might become a long new problem. Even though Kenley was only trying to give advice earlier.
"Don't ever listen to that damn Elfair, I hate it too." Eldred said quietly. This time Kenley was completely at a loss for words and his senses. In his heart he wanted to curse the damned Elfair with black hair that had made his chest tight.
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Orange clouds adorn the sky, the sun will soon say goodbye, and the cold night will soon arrive. Birds are seen flying in the sky in groups. Kenley raised his head to the sky, he thought if he could be like the birds up there flying in the sky without feeling the burden of life. He had time to think, why was he not born as an animal instead of having to become a human? Anyway, it makes no difference. Sooner or later they will all die. His gaze up at the sky was diverted by the sound of a bow shooting several arrows in the river. It was Eldred, the albino haired Elfair was looking for fish in the river for them to have dinner. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail, that Elfair looked very adept at using her bow.
"I will help you." Kenley said getting up from his seat. "No need, I'm just doing my thing." Eldred said still focused on the aim of the fish swimming against the current. Every shot from his bow, Eldred never misses launching an arrow at the target. Kenley saw Eldred like a Kluith with two abilities.
Because he was not allowed to help Eldred, Kenley finally could only collect fish that had been lying dying near the rocks by the river. "Is that enough?" said Eldred just turning his head. Kenley nodded firmly with Eldred's catch which was more than enough for the three of them to have dinner.
"Okay, I will go to Seina forest to collect twigs and wood there." Kenley said he was about to hurry. But Eldred stopped him. "No need. Clevan is going to find him there." Eldred said before continuing. "Besides it's getting dark, we don't know if any beasts or even demons will be waiting for you in the Seina forest." Obviously Eldred.
"B.. But what about Clevan?"
"Don't think about him. I can't believe that he will die just because of the attacks of the beasts there. Never mind, we have to prepare all of this. Clevan will be back soon." Said Eldred while cleaning his bow from the water splash earlier while catching fish.
Kenley installed an oil lamp and hung it on a shady tree branch. He occasionally looked into the dark Seina forest without the slightest light. It's true what Eldred said, just try if he didn't listen to what Eldred said earlier and tried to enter the forest, somehow it feels like if he entered the forest with only minimal lighting. Or even none at all. He understood how Eldred relied on his annoying compatriot. As he knew, the Elfairites had sensory abilities beyond him. That's why they can see clearly even at night.
Not long after, Clevan came with some wood and twigs. Vhipotus followed him flying from behind while making his trademark voice.
After that, Clevan arranged all the branches that he had gathered in the forest on the ground. A bit far from the river. Then the pointy-eared creature uttered special words, like a low-key incantation. A magic! He took out fire from his hand. He quickly directed the fire that was burning brightly towards the pile of wood and twigs that he had arranged earlier.
'Elfair is a Mage?!' Kenley said in his heart in surprise. But Eldred, he looked normal. As if a magic for him is a natural thing in the territory of the Elfair nation. But Kenley, in Hamoursh territory there are only a few people who study it. Mostly just a Kluith, Aithen, Or Vhynt.
The night grew late after they finished eating dinner by burning the fish that the archer Elfair had caught this afternoon. Kenley plopped down on the ground, using his hands as a pillow. So that its position is right on the night sky which is decorated with millions of stars scattered above. He often did that when he was still living at the church. Together with Kalisha, his little friend who disappeared had nowhere to go since then.
Occasionally Kalisha visits the Church, where Kenley lives. Now the girl he had never met. Kalisha must be growing up beautifully now. Thinking that, Kenley smiled to himself. Smiling with this unreasonable life. He subconsciously closed his eyes, then fell asleep as soon as a few gusts of the night air brushed against his face.
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