Early in the morning, the sun rises by entering its warm rays through the small gaps, highlighting an Elfair from the window of the room where Elfair is lying lazily.
The sunlight swept across his face which made the Elfair open her eyes slowly. His blue eyes collided with the golden sunlight. Due to the sunlight shining on her face, the Elfair pulled the blanket back over her head. It was already noon, but Elfair was very reluctant to get up, let alone get out of bed. He wondered why the night seemed to go by so fast.
But he remembered one thing that this morning he had to go to the capital to find information related to Crystal Crytilops.
Like it or not, he had to get ready to pack his things and leave the shop.
His gaze shifted to his bow which he had placed on the table and only realized one thing that the sword Lord Hardikha had given him was not there. His blue eyes were perfect. He remembered that yesterday when he entered this inn room, he put his bow and sword on the same table before Kenley finally invited him to dinner yesterday.
He immediately checked all over the room, but to no avail. The sword was completely lost. Suddenly something crossed his mind, 'Clevan!' Eldred hurried out of his room to Clevan's room which was close beside his room.
He saw that the door was open, and the room was empty. Kenley, who had just finished taking a shower, accidentally met Eldred in the corridor of the inn.
"Eldred? What are you looking for?" said Kenley innocently. "Where's Clevan?" asked Eldred from the doorway of the room which seemed to have been empty for a long time.
"I thought he was waiting for us downstairs" Kenley said walking to his room. "I'll get ready for our journey to Gracylia" he continued as he closed the door.
'Is that true? Then why did he disappear when the sword disappeared too? Could it be-' he thought to himself trying to guess. But it was no use if he just stood there doing nothing.
He went to his room and packed all his things to get out of here. He suspected that since the beginning of their departure from Fcycila palace, why did Clevan suddenly want to accompany him.
After the two of them were ready, they hastily rushed to the lower floor which seemed to be getting busier with customers this morning. Everyone there was watching the two of them, especially Eldred. But Eldred tried not to care.
He swept his gaze, looking for Clevan who was said to be waiting for them here. But Clevan's figure wasn't there. That means, Eldred really thought that Clevan had stolen his Sword.
"He's not there," said Eldred. "Maybe he's not far if we hurry," said Kenley.
The two of them exited the shop until they finally stopped at a fairly busy crossroads. "I think we should just let Clevan go?" Kenley suggested to Eldred. "What if he's going to do something bad with that sword?" Eldred hesitated a little, in his heart he wanted to snatch his sword back from the two-faced Elfair. But deep in his mind, he remembered that he had an important mission for more than a week.
"Alright, I hope this doesn't stop us from looking for the legendary Crystal" Kenley nodded in agreement, after all Clevan was really annoying from the start and Eldred didn't expect him to come with him.
"We have to go to the capital right now." Kenley looked around him, hoping that a Vlatsh would pass by for them to ride.
The day was getting hot, the two of them continued to walk along the path by the side of the road, where pedestrians usually used to pass every day. Today it seems people are very busy.
"Where are you two going?" asked the stranger who surprised Kenley from behind. They both turned to the source of the voice. It was just a spice farmer who happened to be passing by. With his straw hat he wore, protecting his head from contact with direct sunlight.
"We want to go to the capital, is there a Vlatsh train that can take us there?" Kenley asked the old man still sitting on the Vlatsh carrying the cart of spices.
"Hahaha, So you guys seem to want to go there? What a coincidence. Get on my Vlatsh carriage, I'm also going to the capital today." The old foreigner said laughing softly.
The two of them flashed bright faces. Luck was on their side. The two of them immediately rushed to get on the wagon train. It's a bit cramped because there are several sacks of spices leaning there. They were careful not to step on or sit on the neatly arranged spice sacks.
The Vlatsh they rode through the main road of Myrana city, with rocks neatly arranged on the ground. Eldred covered his head with a hood as soon as the sunlight hit his head. But his white skin didn't seem to burn, instead it glowed pale like the skin of the other Elfaires. Unlike Kenley, he had to desperately hide his hands under his chest so he wouldn't get burned by the direct sunlight.
He looked around him, the people who were going about their routine as usual. The city was so foreign to both of them. With a view of simple buildings that stand on either side. Many bakeries, fish, spices or shops they often encountered before yesterday.
"What do you need to do in the capital?" asked the old man controlling the Vlatsh in front of him, breaking the silence. "Nothing, we just wanted to find out important info about-" Before Kenley finished speaking, Eldred cut him off.
"We want to head to the Gracylia kingdom because of an important matter" Eldred replied hastily. "I see." The old man nodded in disbelief. "Is Elfair your friend?" he continued, looking back.
"Yes. He is my friend since childhood." said Kenley just now. "Oh yeah? Hahaha. That's great. I rarely see friendships between the Hamoursh and the Elfairs." said the old man while adjusting the position of his straw hat which was almost swept away by the wind. Kenley and Eldred looked at each other in confusion.
"This Elfair must be much older than you, right?" he asked again. "I know a lot about the Elfairs, because I used to be just like you."
The old man did not continue his words. "I also know Kenley just by chance," Eldred replied with a friendly smile. "If we may know, what is your name, sir?" Now it was Eldred's turn to ask.
"Gosh, I totally forgot. Hahaha." he said crisply. "My name is Gerrad Crount, you can call me Uncle Gerrad or whatever, it's up to you, Hahaha" he continued with a laugh.
"All right, uncle. I'm very grateful to you." said Kenley smiling at the kind old man.
****
In the late afternoon, the spice-laden Vlatsh carriage that the two of them were riding had finally come out of the gates of Myrana. Several thousand meters away from behind them, they finally arrived at an area full of trees without a single building standing there.
Eldred occasionally opened the map, they passed the appropriate path on the map. He thought about how Uncle Gerrad had crossed this path when he went alone to the capital.
They would arrive at the capital in about four or five kilometers, and the sun would say goodbye sooner. Which made their surroundings pitch black. They decided to take a break. Uncle Gerrad lit the oil lamp that was already on the wagon.
"Uncle, are you used to going on this trip alone?" Kenley asked looking at the parents who were still busy turning on the oil lamp.
"Of course. Every week I am busy with my work, delivering goods to the capital." said Uncle Gerrad hanging the oil lamp over his Vlatsh wagon.
"I am very familiar with this route. About less than five kilometers we will get there" he continued, then lit the fire.
"Great uncle," said Kenley. "Great why?" asked uncle Gerrad in confusion. "I'm just an old man, Hahaha," he continued with his trademark laugh.
Kenley thought at his late age, why does the old man still have to work in and out of town? He should be enjoying his twilight time at home with his wife. "Where's uncle's wife?" asked Kenley spontaneously.
Uncle Gerrad took a deep breath and let it out before answering. "My wife passed away a few years ago. She is a great woman." Hearing that, Kenley felt like he had unlocked the old man's dark memories just now.
"I'm so sorry uncle, I'm sorry" Kenley rubbed Uncle Gerrad's fragile shoulder trying not to think about it.
"It's okay, thank you very much. By the way, where do you live?" asked the old Uncle with a white beard that adorned his chin.
"I'm Kenley from Ortania, and my friend Eldred, from Eisternd, Elfair Territory." Uncle Gerrad turned his gaze to Elfair who was standing leaning under a large tree. Seeing Eldred, the old man couldn't contain his past memories. When he was a teenager.
"My wife used to be from the Elfair nation" Uncle Gerrad's statement just now took Kenley by surprise, especially Eldred.
"What you mean uncle?" said Kenley in disbelief. Hearing this, Eldred approached the fireplace, and crouched there too.
"Your Elfair friend always reminds me of the death of my wife, who was killed by humans."
"Why do Elfairs and Hamoursh fall in love with each other? Isn't that forbidden?" said Eldred still unable to digest the words he heard from his sharp ears just now.
'Hamoursh and Elfair could fall in love with each other?' Eldred thought to himself.
"Alright, we have to continue our journey towards the capital, otherwise it's going to be late at night." said Uncle Gerrad turning off the fire and hurrying to his nearby Vlatsh.
They obeyed and followed the old man from behind. They were both still curious and wanted to ask a lot of things, but they knew, it was just an old man who had just brought up his past memories. So, the two of them gave up.
Their journey to the capital, resumed. "Are there any children or uncles there?" Kenley asked. Uncle Gerrad shook his head before answering. "I only have a brother-in-law there, and he is an Elfair." he said, again making Kenley and Eldred's eyes widen.
"He's been in the capital for a few years, and he just opened a wheat bakery there." said Uncle Gerrad.
"Does he already have permission from uncle Gracylia kingdom?" now it was Eldred's turn to ask. Perhaps this was their golden opportunity to find out about Crystal Crytilops, which had only become a legend in the Kivanal Magire Continent. Because of their chance, there was an Elfair that Uncle Gerrad was referring to there. Who knows he has clear info. "Yeah, that's for sure. Hahaha." he continued.
The night was getting late, the dim light from the oil lamp was their only light when they were in the darkness right now. Kenley's eyes were already getting heavy. He couldn't hold back his sleep anymore. As for Eldred, Elfair was still able to sweep the view around the dark, even though he also felt sleepy. Hope there are no attacks from criminals, nor demons.
Up ahead, Eldred saw a crowded place with light around it. The capital of Gracylia was quite close.
The Vlatsh went smoothly, bringing them safely to the great capital. Oil lamps hang neatly in every building. Along the way, they still saw some people who were still busy with their activities.
"After this, what are you going to do?" asked uncle Gerrad. "We will quickly find lodging for the night, uncle." Kenley said as he yawned covering his open mouth with one hand.
"Lodging? Why don't you stay at your brother-in-law's bakery." said uncle Gerrad trying to offer something.
"The Elfair one? You don't have to, uncle. We've troubled you too much today," said Kenley, with heavy eyes.
"Kenley's right, we'll just find a place to stay here" Eldred said. Uncle Gerrad stopped his Vlatsh, by the side of the road. Kenley, and Eldred hopped off the wagon they had been riding since the afternoon. "Thank you uncle, here take the Twenty Ruby from us." said Eldred taking the money from his pocket. Uncle Gerrad shook his head. "It's okay. Just take it for your lodging costs. Hahaha" he said immediately leaving the two of them.
"Thank you uncle! Be careful!" said Kenley as he waved at the fast pace of Vlatsh who was getting further and further away from them. To avoid suspicion from the Hamoursh, Eldred again covered his head with the cloth hood he always wore over his shoulders. The capital city of Gracylia had an area several times larger than the city they had visited before. The two of them walked while sweeping their gazes around. From time to time they looked around the buildings that stood around them.
They walked through the small sidewalk available on the public road. Many buildings have closed, but some are still open. The two of them continued to walk until they finally arrived at a city park. In the park there are trees that grow neatly lined up, and a fish pond in the middle. There were several wooden chairs that had been decorated with the perfect oil paint. The park is very quiet at night.
The two of them stopped in their tracks and hurried to sit down on a stone staircase. "We must quickly find an inn." said Eldred. Kenley nodded.
"What about Clevan? I'm afraid he'll do whatever he wants with the sword he stole." Kenley said suddenly remembering the jet black hair Elfair who had been missing since morning.
"I've been thinking about him for a while too, I told you, don't we have more important missions than that greedy Elfair?" said Eldred reassuring Kenley so he wouldn't think unnecessarily. Kenley nodded resignedly. He exhaled. His shoulders felt very heavy. "Alright, we better hurry from here." said Kenley as he stood with his hands on his waist. The two of them resumed their hurried steps from the park to be able to quickly find an inn.
Until at the fork in the road, there is a building that stands among other buildings. On a crossbar at the entrance of the building was written 'Inn Kedai Malam' they finally entered the tavern to order a bedroom.
Inside the shop was very crowded. You could say it was busier than the shop they visited yesterday in Myrana city. Just as they entered, the people inside were distracted by their arrival.
The humans, robbers, prostitutes, or even the tavern maids were watching the two of them, especially at Eldred.
But the two of them ignored it all and continued walking towards the lobby of the shop which was filled with several barrels of sake in it.
There were also a few people sitting there enjoying their drinks. "Hey fairy! What are you doing here?!" said one of the shoppers. "Hahahaha, how come there are fairies here?!" so do the others.
"Son? Is she your Girlfriend?" said an old man who was right beside him. "That's pretty good boss, let's just make him a slave here. Hahaha but before that I want to kiss her first. Hahaha!!" . "Stupid! It's a boy." . "Sorry sir this place is not suitable for a sissy fairy like you!" The whole room laughed out loud. Those were the harsh words that now penetrated into the blue-eyed Elfair's pointed ears.
Eldred's ears felt like they had just been burned. He tightly rounded his hands, and seemed to want to beat up the gang of ruffians in this tavern. Or even he could have launched his bow immediately and be willing to bet, that it would never hit the target.
But Kenley knew that if Eldred had endured their ridicule, he'd be in even more trouble. So he tried to calm him over, quickly grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her out of the tavern.
"Fu*king human" said Eldred as the two of them exited the tavern as he yanked Kenley's hand off his shoulder roughly. Eldred hurried ahead and Kenley followed behind him. They now continue to follow their steps until they finally arrive in front of a bakery that says closed, but the door of the building is open as if someone is about to come out. They also saw a Vlatsh carriage beside the tavern.
"Uncle Gerrad?!" they said almost simultaneously. It was Gerrad's uncle, a middle-aged man who had traveled to the capital with him. "Hahaha, you guys again. How's it going? Have you guys found a place to stay?" asked uncle gerrad. "Not yet uncle, we feel very tired." said Kenley.
"I told you guys, stay over at my sister-in-law's bakery." said Uncle Gerrad trying to offer them again. "But-" Uncle Gerrad wiggled his index finger in front of the two of them, as if he didn't want to hear the same rejection again.
"Kairlt" Uncle Gerrad called to someone inside. The person finally came out, dressed in what looked like a baker. He's the Elfair the old man was referring to. He was the same height as Eldred. his eyes are also blue, just like most Elfairs. His blond hair was neatly arranged like a normal male human hair.
"Gerrad, I told you not to disturb I was making-" Elfair's words were cut off when she realized there were two men standing in front of her bakery. One was a human, and the other was an Elfair.
"Who are they?" Kailt asked, wiping his flour-stained hands. "They are the people I met in Myrana this morning, and it just so happened that they also wanted to go to the capital, that's why I gave them a ride, Hahaha" Uncle Gerrad laughed again with his trademark laugh.
"My name is Kenley Rhys and this is my friend, Eldred Carlton." said Kenley kindly. He knew that if he was Uncle Gerrad's brother-in-law, that would mean he was older than Eldred, and much older than him. But his face showed nothing at all. His face looked young like Eldred. "I'm Kairlt Lounish. Oh you guys are looking for an inn huh? Just come into my bakery, please. " said Elfair it really looks very friendly.
The room was quite spacious to just rest for one night here, that way it would save their money supply. Kailth headed to the kitchen to make them hot tea. The two of them sat on a chair at the table in front of them. They both swept their eyes across the room. There were oil lamps hanging from every pillar in Kailt's bakery.
Kairlt returned with three cups of still hot tea which he put on a tray. Then he set the tray on the table.
"So, what brings you here?" Kailt said as he sat down there. "I got an important mission from Lord Hardikha." replied Eldred. "Mission? What mission?" Eldred's statement made the blonde Elfair curious.
****