"So, How do you like it?", Riya asked, showing Eleni a mirror.
"I like it a lot, It resembles yours perfectly!", Eleni said hugging Riya. She felt happy that she looked like a family member to Riya.
"Come, Let's show it to Sil.", She said holding Eleni by her hand.
"Yes." Eleni smiled.
***
"Sil! See this beauty!", Riya said showing Eleni.
"Wow, it actually suits you...", Sil said carrying Eleni.
" Thanks Father.", Eleni said.
"Come let's get going. I bought a horse while you were busy. ", Sil said, helping Riya climb the horse. It wasn't a majestic horse, It had a similar build but a weaker constitution which made Riya reluctant to climb, It wasn't even full white, It was grey, a dull grey. It looked like a cheap knock-off of a Palace horse.
After she was settled, he carried Eleni in one hand and held the horse by other and they were walking ahead.
"Sil, What's the use of a horse when it doesn't run?", Riya asked, pointing at the lazy horse which walks slower than Sil.
"I bought the cheapest horse, it was a failure horse. They tried breeding a great stallion but this kid just got the unwanted genes. It can't run for long. I got it so you can sit and travel.", Sil said.
"Oh.. poor horse, What do we name it?", Riya asked.
"Name it? I don't know, I was thinking of selling it again once we reach Lozano territory...", Sil said.
"No, Its a part of our team now! What do you say Elle?", Riya asked.
"Its your wish...", Eleni said looking at the horse's sleepy eyes.
"Don't you think its beautiful? I know its lazy but I think it may be a good idea to keep him.", Riya said.
"It is beautiful...", Eleni said placing a hand on the face of the horse. The horse neighed loudly and moved away. Eleni pouted.
"Don't touch its face so suddenly... First get its trust..", Sil said guiding Eleni's hand to slowly pat the horse's neck. The horse didn't react violently.
"Wow.", Eleni said smiling brightly.
"Name... What will be good for it? Cloud? Storm? ", Sil suggested.
"July? Since we got it in July..?", Riya suggested and the horse neighed in protest.
"I don't think it likes that name", Sil said.
"Hmm... Twilight? Like a mix of day and night?", Riya suggested.
"That is appropriate I guess.." Sil said.
"Twilight huh.. I like it.", Eleni said brushing it.
It was evening by the time they reached the main gates of Lozano Empire. Just as they predicted there was a huge amount of soldiers stationed at every point, There wasn't any blind spots like before. Sil sighed as he could almost predict the amount of questions he would be bombarded with. It was going to be a hassle.
"What's wrong Papa?", Eleni asked.
"Papa?" Sil asked. A warm happy feeling filled his heart. He liked being called so.
"Do you not like it? I felt father was too proper.. So.. Papa?", Eleni said.
"No no.. I like it.", Sil smiled at her and was thinking what could be the best course of action.
"I say we go through the checking.", Riya said almost like she read his mind.
"You think so too?". Sil said.
"Yes, We are travelling mercenaries who happen to be a family. What do you say?", Riya said.
"Yea cool.." Sil said and slowly made his way to the gates.
The gateway looked small from afar, but coming closer, one could see the beauty of it, It was at least 30 feet. It could be more.. The gate had intricate designs carved into the stones showing off the grandeur of the Lozano Empire. The soldiers all had their armor on, ready for war. There were a few soldiers loading in supplies to cannons and arrows inside.
Just outside the gates, were many people all lined up to enter Lozano. They had strict checking, They were checking even the noble-looking merchants. The goods and resources brought were checked with even more care.
Sil walked ahead and spoke to the soldier who opened a side door and asked to go through that door. Sil turned and called Riya and Eleni. Riya held the horse and walked towards the side gate. Eleni stared with awe and tried her best to capture the whole picture and keep it in her memories. As they walked through, another soldier appeared. He seemed to be of a higher rank than the ones they saw before.
"You guys are mercenaries eh?", He asked.
"Yes, From Ezekiel Empire.", Sil replied. Ezekiel was a neutral country as it was under the dominion of the Temple. People from Ezekiel were usually seen as trustworthy people.
"Ezekiel? Like the previous one...Then what business you guys have coming all the way down here?", He asked his eyes searching for signs to put all of them in prison.
"We abandoned our group.", Sil said.
"Why? it is totally disadvantageous. I don't know man, your story sounds fake to me.", He said as his soldiers took their swords out pointed towards them.
"My friends and I had a huge disagreement and it lead to division of power. I got no missions and was without job. My countrymen hated mercenaries so I couldn't get any other source of income. I needed to move out. Lozano seemed like a better choice.. since people here respect mercenaries.", Sil said giving his best attempt to gain sympathy.
"disagreement eh? This your family?", He asked pointing towards Eleni.
"Yes, My daughter, Eleni.", Sil said.
"Eleni, Nice name. It looks like she didn't get anything from her father except his eyes. She looks a lot like her pretty mother.", He said laughing.
"Yeah..", Sil said trying to keep a straight face.
"I will let you in for the tryouts, If all is good we will see each other soon. If not, we will see each other very very soon, possible with me holding your heads." he threatened before allowing them passage into the city of Dew.
The City of Dew was the city towards the border of Ezekiel and Lozano. It even bordered a bit of Kamaj from the corner. Due to this very reason, everything had a huge value here. The resources like food and water were more costly than jewelry.
Most of land was of the King's. In which, a majority was given away to the military. There were a few private owned lands, who kept their own businesses like hotels and shops. The residencies were further in towards the Empire.
The whole city was calm and quiet. After the gate, There was another series of checking. And considering that they didn't actually have a designated place to do so, it meant that these began recently. The city of Dew, though was frequently caught in fights and wars, was actually quite pretty. The landscape wasn't totally covered by people, so it let room for nature's beauty to seep through.
The roads had beautiful flowers growing by the side. They were so attractive that Eleni wanted a few, but Sil stopped her. The flowers were poisonous. Breathing in from the far was tolerable enough, but once you pluck a flower, the poison stored in the stem mixes in the air. That level of concentration was dangerous.
It seemed so, the plantation of those was intentional. It would lure those who didn't know. Anyone who lived in south, knew of that plant. It was a famous weedicide and medicine in proper doses. Eleni was shocked to know, such a beautiful flower, but so dangerous.
She held Sil's hand as she walked through. Riya was walking faster covering her nose with a cloth.
"Mama.. why is she walking faster?", Eleni asked Sil.
"She has a child with her and this poison could be dangerous to her so... Don't worry, nothing will happen. Let's follow her and go.", Sil said as they soon crossed the poison flower road to another part of the city with restaurants and inns.
"Seems like we can stay the night here..", Sil said pointing out the huge number of inns
"Yes, we can. I don't think I can travel anymore anyway..", Riya said putting her hand on her back.
"Come, Let's go in..", Sil said going inside an inn. He was a bit skeptical. The words said by the soldier put him in an uneasy state. The soldier mentioned 'like the previous one', It meant someone came from Ezekiel Empire and most probably they were a mercenary too.
Was it the Dealer's men? The Dealer himself to spread out in this empire? a friend who came for a mission? Or an enemy who is hunting for them? These thoughts kept him busy. After having a hearty meal, they took a room and slept.
Just like before, Eleni and Riya slept while he guarded. This time, he went down and had a drink with the inn manager and gathered information on the mercenary tryouts, the famous mercenaries, people to look out for.
The manager laughed saying how a person had exactly asked the same questions just a few hours ago.. Sil asked him, where that man was. The manager shrugged saying that he had left two hours ago after having food.
Sil decided it would be best not to confront them, whoever he was. He drank another glass and decided to join the tryouts in the other side of town. He went and slept on the couch as Riya and Eleni took up the bed. He got up again, kissed both of them good night and slept.
The next day came, with sunlight hitting Sil's face. He groaned with a headache. He didn't drink much but had a splitting headache now. Riya and Eleni freshened up and were ready to go. They all walked to the arena, where the mercenary tryouts would occur.
It was more like fighting competition. As only the top 20 mercenaries would actually get in. Sil was already annoyed with all the other competitors boasting of their achievements in his ear. He went and signed up.
*******
Name: Silye Sparrow.
Age: 32
Nationality: Ezekiel
Rank in previous guilds: S Rank
Family: Yes
Gender: Male
Once signed, it means that you are willingly participating at the expense of your life which may be endangered and lost in the tryouts. Your family/guardians/friends may not be able to claim anything from the government regarding your death.
Do you agree: Yes
SilyeS
*******
Eleni was trying out some new hairbands with Riya as Sil walked over.
"You signed up?", Riya asked.
"Yes, Let's get this over with fast.", Sil said his hand pressing his head.
"You drank again? You know you will get headaches." Riya said angrily.
"I know, sorry.." Sil said, he had no patience to listen her nag him again.
"Papa, here drink some water, it will help.", Eleni said.
"Thanks kid." Sil drank. Just as she said, the water felt refreshing and cool. It calmed his nerves and he felt relief. The pain wasn't completely gone but it felt good.
"Did you mix anything in this?" He asked.
"No.. just water.", Eleni said.
"It tastes good and relieving", He said.
"You're just thirsty that's why." Eleni said.
"Ha, I guess... well I will go. They might call us soon." Sil said going to the group near the notice board.
He knew it that he was stronger than most of the people here, some might be able to put a fight with him for a time. He was confident he will get into the the top 20 without an issue. He looked at the board which announced the draws. He was paired with some kid named, Remy. He barely looked 20, He was too young to participate. But he decided to remain quiet.
He went casual and without too much power, but somehow, He easily defeated Remy in just a single move. The crowd cheered and praised him. The competition went on and on. He came to what he felt was finals. He was a big man, quite taller than Sil himself, muscular and quite exposing, He only had a tiny garment covering his nether regions. The rest was fully exposed and he was showing off.
Sil fought and yes, even though he didn't use his full power, He won. He topped the list and was taken to a tent along with his family. He was introduced to a captain who gave him a pass to travel to capital. While coming out he noticed a name on the register..
Kyle Sparrow?
Is it.. Kyle?
Sil immediately informed Riya and all of them together searched for Kyle and then they found him, Kyle who was busy sharpening his sword beside a group of people. Once he recognized Sil he ran and pounced on Sil.
"I thought you guys were dead!", He screamed.
"Nice to meet you too, Now get off of me.", Sil said.
"Yes, I will... Thank God! Riya I missed you!", He said as he hugged her softly.
"And this is... The 30 mil-", Kyle was hit before he could complete his sentence.
"Her name is Eleni, Eleni sparrow. My daughter from now.", Sil said.
"Oh.... I am uncle huh... Nice to meet you Eleni, Your uncle Kyle here. Sorry for the bad first impression though." Kyle said smiling.
"How did you escape?", Sil asked.
"I didn't, I almost died. Then the craziest thing happened.", Kyle said his voice full serious.
"What?", Sil asked.
"The Dealer he came, with his clothes and hair a mess, His sword drawn and covered in blood. He came and demanded the girl. A junior complained on how he almost had her head but was thwarted by you.. and.. Dealer killed him.", Kyle said.
"What?", Sil asked
"Yes, I was shocked, he then proceeded to kill each and everyone. I pretended to be dead. I had already been pierced with a sword of junior, it wasn't serious but I acted dead. The Dealer seemed in agony, he called his guards and demanded the girl to be brought to him, safe and sound. He even mentioned to not hurt the girl while bringing her...", Kyle said looking over to Eleni.
"What? Why the sudden change?", Sil asked.
"I escaped later.. I came here, to be safe from them. Something was up, he looked like a madman mumbling mine mine.", Kyle said.
"How is your wound now?", Sil asked.
"Its fine see.", Kyle said lifting his shirt up to reveal a long horizontal wound which was not even bandaged properly.
"My god, Here let me help you.", Sil said arranging them properly.
"We are safe for now, brother. But Dealer will find us. I heard rumors of him exhausting all of his savings to find her. He is in the wrong direction though, He is searching for her in the north.. He started searching in Rowan and is going to in Fiera.", Kyle said.
"I guess we can manage. Can't we Elle?", Sil asked.
"Yes, Papa.", Eleni said though her heart said otherwise. She was afraid now. She can't lose these good people. She can't lose her family. Again.