"How much is the value of life to you? Is it just a trivial matter you can afford to waste or an irrevocable opportunity to treasure?"
Pisces Code - 3:9
A wide and gigantic wall stood firm before their eyes. Clio was surprised at how humans slowly build things just as they imagine it to be if humans strive harder. 'Now that's what I called intelligence plus hard work multiplied by cooperation,' she felt satisfaction but her face showed no signs of expressing her emotions as if she forgot how to express it at all. Only her eyes fixated to the wall, coldly and hardly discernible, showed interest.
But Bien understood that gaze. He explained, "That wall was built during the reign of my great grandfather. Until now, it stood firm, a symbol of a stable and strong city. There are six gates and we will enter that one, obviously because it is near."
All over the land, their wall stood, surviving the influx of history.
Clio nodded and patted his back, "You humans did great things while we are gone." Her words earned confusion among them all and she didn't realize that.
'What does she mean?' but no one dared to ask. They continued walking down the hill on foot as Clio already freed those wolves. She knew that humans in the present era will totally freak out just by the sight of it.
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
The gate was huge enough for four carriages to pass through simultaneously. Guards were standing on both sides carefully inspecting the baggage of human wishes to enter the city. The sun has just begun to rise but the city was lively and apt to work already.
Gareth requested to personally overlook that very part of the gate before he got busy with the war at the west. He summoned the wall guard leaders to sort things out but one was missing causing him to explode in anger, "Summon him now!"
His voice has hints of irritation. These past few days weren't good after all. The death of the young master brought sadness all over the city. Each person close to him felt guilt for their incompetence of protecting him and one of them was him.
The five wall guard leaders stood in front of him looking obsequious.
A wall guard leader took one step forward and replied, "Yes, sir." He placed his fist at his chest, their form of salute.
Gareth dismissed him. He sat on a crude wooden chair and puffed turbid air. He massaged his temple feeling headache as he waited for the return of the wall guard leader expecting the missing in action leader with him.
A moment later, the wall guard leader came back with another leader who immediately saluted, "Kazou, third wall guard leader, reporting sir."
Gareth winced. It has been a very bad day to start a conversation, what more of a report? He scrutinized him a little. The man was new to him, sweating and panting at that, obviously from running. He composed himself and calmed down to listen. He lazily waved his hand, saying, "Continue."
"Sir, the case is, there is someone outside saying he is young master Bien."
Gareth abruptly stood up. Streams of air puffed out on his nose. "Who would dare use his young master's name? Bring me to him and I'll make sure he will taste my fists."
His was boiled violently ready to burst out. 'How pathetic that person is. He should have investigated the person he wanted to impersonate.' He was speechless to the sham with an obvious loophole.
The wall guard leader led him to the third gate. As they were approaching the gate, Gareth's hope lit a little. There was part of him hoping it was real. He was arguing with his own mind. No single body has been delivered. No sign of his young master possession was presented. It was as if he just vanished.
They arrived at the wall. Kazou led him inside the wall guard barrack where seven people were casually sitting on a circular table. He scanned them hoping for a familiar face and bang! He fell to his knees when his eyes landed on a man with a strong feature on a ragged garb. The man stood, approached him, and stretched his hand to help him out. He grinned, "Sorry for the late arrival."
Gareth held his hand. He stood, eyes blinked for sometimes, checking if it weren't deceiving him. "Young master Bien-" he cried and hugged him, "-thanks the Celestial Almighty, you're alive!"
Before the son of the highlord, Kazou was overwhelmed that he stood frozen but didn't fail to salute, fist on his chest. He had just witnessed the most spectacular return of the supposed death of an important person.
Behind them, Clio replied in her breath, 'You're welcome?'
These past few days she has received a lot of thanks. Though it couldn't compare to the glyphs they offered above, it was unconventional to her as one being living with them.
Gareth patted Kazou and complimented, "You did great here Kazou. Expect good rewards for me." His tone changed into delight. All negative feelings vanished into thin air. "Fetch two carriages and send a word to your highlord. Tell him someone came back to life."
Kazuo immediately carries his order.
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
Inside the carriage, Bien introduced Clio who sat next to Tjardis facing captain Gareth.
Bien went on his chronicles and Gareth caught a word of 'her' describing the petite being in green grab. Gareth thought she was a he. Fortunately, he had not spoken to her yet or else, he might cause disrespect by addressing her a he.
Hearing his story, Gareth shook hands with her. With respect, he said, "Thank you for saving our young master. My words have no weight but I sincerely want to repay you and his lord will greatly compensate you t-"
Bien nudged him causing Gareth to desist his words.
Before Gareth could ask him what was the problem, Clio spoke, brushing his thought by saying, "He already compensated me." Her voice was just of a normal highlander.
Gareth tilted his head to Bien. He wasn't sure how their young master could compensate for the worth of life with his current state, but Bien just shrugged, not giving him any hint of telling the truth.
Gareth faced Tjardis. His grin didn't cease to exist. "You and your men did excellent job protecting our young master."
Tjardis silently ducked a little from shame. He didn't do much. He was also just saved. Worst, he might have just caught up by chance because of their young master. Gareth didn't notice his action. He was preoccupied with his delight at the presence of Bien that they thought was dead. He kept praising them.
Bien noticed the indifference of Tjardis from Gareth's overwhelming praises. He commented, "Let's talk about this matter when we arrive."
Gareth nodded with his smile reaching from ear to ear.
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
Highlord Homobono strode down the hallway giving orders here and there with evident irritation when a messenger from the wall guard sent an important message from Gareth saying someone came back to life.
He ordered his aide not to receive any matter for today as he was not in the mood. He paced back and forth at the main hall as he waited for Gareth. He mulled over the message but couldn't find a hint of it. 'Someone came back to life? Damn Gareth! Why did you leave such a vague message!'
Knowing how important a personal message was, he thought that Gareth was into something big. 'Is he doing something behind my back and just thinking of disclosing it now?'
Whatever it was, he will know it when they arrive. Feeling tired from pacing back and forth, he sat down on a chair belonging to a highlord. After minutes of waiting, the gigantic door of the main hall finally opened revealing Gareth on his garb and… and seven more people?
He squinted to have a closer look especially the man beside Gareth that has a ragged green garb and messy hair and familiar build. In fact, each one of them has the same dirty attire. As the group forwarded, the groups' faces slowly revealed over his eyes and the man beside Gareth had a familiar strong feature, a man he wouldn't be able to forget, a man he cared so much, a man shaped exactly like him.
He gasped for air, unable to believe what he was seeing. He fixated his eyes to him wanting that time to last even if his eyes was just deceiving him, but his familiar voice woke him up saying, "Sorry, I arrive late, father."
Bien politely bowed, but only four others followed him.
Homobono shook his head and ran to him limply that he almost tripped from his own robe but it didn't deter him from moving forward. His eyes were seeing a little child demanding him a match with his small build, a child filled with energy, a child slowly growing, a child worth more than his wealth and life. With his hoarse and rag tone, he cried, "You're alive! Thanks the Almighty, you are alive!"
Meanwhile, Clio silently lampooned.
Bien patted his father's back, "I came back as I promised."
The two locked on their hug when another man appeared in front of the gigantic door. He was heavily panting as if he had just climbed down five mountains. Beads of sweat streaked from his forehead but he didn't care about it even though his heart was going to burst from weariness, he just kept running forward. His eyes scanned the people and finally landed on the father and son. He approached them and joined them in the hug, resting his frail body on their embrace. He kept his tears at bay. "Thank you for coming back brother."
Clio pinched her left ear as she contemplated the brother of Bien.
Bien patted his head, "I have a promise to keep, right Aaron?"
Aaron nodded. He has a weak constitution, and as days passed by, he was getting worse but he knew that his brother didn't need to know about it now. He noticed the scab beneath Bein's right eye. He was going to touch it but he retracted his hand immediately when his brother's eyes landed at him. He smiled at him shoving off all his negative feelings towards the abyss hoping that it would not come back.
Homobono ordered a messenger to spread the news of his son coming back to life.
Bien winced. He shook his head to shake off his indifferent feelings of sure party for his return. "This is Clio who tended and saved the life of your son. She has excellent healing skills.
"These are Sophia…" he paused to search for the proper term for them. When he decided, he continued, "…her attendant." He avoided eye contact with Sophia for he didn't know what she would think about their introduction.
He hadn't introduced Hoven for he was wearing a green garb that belonged to their warrior. His father surely thought he was one of them.
Unknown to him, the duo seemed not to care about such trivial matters. They have bigger goals more important than being prominent which will not be helpful inside the enemy's territory at all.
Homobono caught a word of 'she' addressing the young being on green grab who he thought was a he and their warrior.
He hurriedly took her hands, eyes beaming in pleasure. "Thank you young lady." His eyes scrutinized her with a hint of pity. "Such a brave young lady in a green garb as if a fantasy came to life with your presence but we need to tend your propriety if you don't mind so."
Clio shook her head.
Then, Homobono ordered his people to tend her for transforming her from a decent young lady as she should not be in a man's garb. Sophia was also given such privilege.
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
Homobono led their group to their dining room offering food and wine. When everyone settled on their chairs, he held a cup of wine in his hand, raised it and announced, "For the return of my son!"
Everyone repeated his words except for Clio who just raised her cup imitating their actions. Her mind drifted to the younger brother of Bien again sitting opposite to her. Now that she was wearing clean clothes for a lady, she looked splendidly pretty on her simple purple dress that she chose herself.
Bien told them the tale of how they were saved as per Clio's words.
Homobono brightly glanced at Clio, then at the duo extending his arm for a cheer that was graciously received by the three with the same manner. He smiled at Clio and stated, "The winds of the Almighties brought you to that place to save my son and you didn't let THEM down young lady. Whatever you ask, as long as it is within my power, I will gladly grant it for you."
Clio stated, "I am going west. May I know what is waiting for me there?"
Homobono simply answered, "The Próta Academy is waiting for you there young miss. Is it something to do with your request?"
Clio shook her head. She pointed Bien through her eyes. "He already repaid his debt."
Homobono was surprised and glanced at Gareth who just shrugged. He glared at his son with dismay but his bright smile betrayed that dismay. "We have too much to talk about, son."
Bien forced a smile, took his glass and pretended to sip for way too long to avoid his father's intent gaze.
Gareth noticed their highlord's high spirit, beaming smile, and lively energy. He felt at ease leaving the city.
Homobono went back to Clio and stated, "He paid you for saving him and I'm repaying you for bringing him safe to me, young miss. I hope you will not deny my request." He was too respectful for a highlord.
Clio locked her eyes on him, who Homobono received by unconsciously gulping. Little did she know that her cold eyes had such an effect.
She parted her lips saying, "Well then, your lord. I am reluctant to hire a guard but when I saw this great soldier during the battle, I changed my mind. I want him and I believe you have him, your lord. If I'm not mistaken, he goes by the name Commander Giles."
The room was visited by the sudden change of atmosphere. Everyone felt and reacted differently. Hoven and Sophia were shocked knowing their captain was alive, but the rest felt uneasy.
Gareth scrutinized her again, finding hints of her relation to the commander, but found nothing until his eyes landed at Sophia and Hoven. His eyes darkened.
Homobono forced a smile. "Did I hear you wrong young miss? You want that commander as your guard? I have qualified men to be your guards. If you say so, I can gather them right now and right here for you to see."
Clio shook her head, "I am liking him the moment I've heard his legend."
Sophia was eager to ask what legend their commander had spread across the land. Meanwhile, Hoven felt pride hearing the name of their commander reach this far.
Homobono already gave his words. He can't take it back, can he? She saved his son too - life for his son and freedom of the enemy. As a noble breed of human, he reluctantly agreed. "I delivered him to Austere a week ago. I will send word of his dismissal if he is still alive."
"Austere?" Sophia abruptly asked. Her thick accent and dark brown skin stand out among them.
Bien already introduced them as her attendants. He trusted his son that even though the two have conspicuous characters similar to their enemy, he welcomed them with open arms deprived from conspiracy and betrayal.
Aaron was the one to reply. He did his best to sound monotone. "It is our traditional brawl when we catch nefarious humans, criminals against a beast. If they survive, they will have another week to live."
Hoven nudged her secretly, hinting her to stop asking. It will bring them trouble in the investigation of their origin. But Sophia just shot angrily and glanced at him.
"What kind of beast?" Sophia fidgeted. Part of her wishing their commander will survive. She wanted to run to that place that very moment, but it will just expose their conspicuous origin. She ignored Hoven who nudged her again.
Bien couldn't reply. It was impossible for a man to survive the beast they breed, a beast that was ten times more horrific than a wolf.
Homobono acted the same way too. If it was a week ago, it was no doubt that Giles had met his end through the beast already.
Aaron gravely replied, "stonefiend."
Sophia and Hoven gasped. He immediately composed himself realizing what he just did whilst Sophia just looked down to hide her expression of sorrow.
It was hard to kill a stonefiend especially the limited amount of forces and restricted area in Austere, but thinking the fighting movements of Giles and knowing who he was, Clio knew he was alive. She could sense his human energy from near too.
Everyone felt silent and was curious about her actions. Just earlier, she was adamant about Giles but now, her actions tell them otherwise.
"I will personally go there, your lord. I am asking for your permission."
Another silence came.
Now, they have a doubt of trusting their judgement towards her. Whenever they believe they get her right, then Clio will shift her action to a different course.
Homobono gravely warned. "Even if he was alive and freed, he will surely bring you misunderstanding and dispute because of his origin. Your name might be well known for having such guard and it might bring you down, tarnish you."
"Thank you for your concern, your lord. I will keep it in mind."
Highlord Homobono felt satisfied with her answer, but knowing a lot of character, he surmised that Clio was one of those rare humans that was resolute when they finally decided on something. Basically, it was just a bother persuading her. "As the savior of my son and my visitor, I will arrange attendants for your needs and guards. Your security is my priority too."
He gestured his hand saying, "Let's eat first and continue this matter after this dinner."
They all simultaneously raised their spoons, knives and forks, and started parting their foods except for Clio who was just observing their every action.
Sophia was just going to put the food to her mouth when a food was thrown next to her plate coupled with the hard sound of a fork hitting a plate that it broke. It came from her left side which was seated by an indescribable human she had ever met.
Clio's clumsy action didn't only catch the attention of Sophia. Her eyes inside the dining hall landed at her. "I have never used such odd tools before," she always displayed an apathetic face, so basically no one could discern if she was sincere and telling truths but how could a human have never used such utensils before?
Sophia was curious, so she asked, "Then, how do you eat before?"
Clio shook her head, "I have never eaten such food before. The wild fruits were my first taste."
Sophia gaped expressing her incredulous emotion that she had unconsciously let out. Well, she was not the only human being who fell for the same expression.
It took a great time before Homobono offered one of his kitchen staff to assist her. The staff sliced and divided her food but let her finish the last step which was putting the food in her mouth. After chewing the slice of the chicken that she grew to like, she wiped her lips, satisfied for the time of her life living as a human.
The dinner ended up and Clio learnt a great deal about dinner etiquette humans were so fond of. Bien immediately asked for a personal meeting with his father.
⨳ ⨳ ⨳
Aldir was timidly sitting at the far end of a table inside their canteen when a group of students like him approached him knocking their fists as if thirsty for trouble. He wasn't in the mood to entertain them and he will never be in the mood but those guys were just eager to plant their fists on his face for a reason he couldn't figure out. Well, he surmised that it might be partly because of his origin and partly because of his timidity.
He was wearing the same simple white physician gown like the rest of students over his eyes except for the troublesome group in front of him who were wearing tightly tailored academy's garb for warriors except for a young man behind them who stood hesitantly and nervously that amidst the trouble he will face a little sooner, Aldir could distinguish him because he was not stranger to him.
"Ameril, is this your classmate from Homobono City?" The seemingly leader of the group pointed to Aldir who was shivering in fear but only looked down to avoid their intent gazes as if he did something horrible.
Aldir's body shook and he had a great deal controlling his calmness. As a trained physician though, he did a good job in shoving that unwanted reaction down the pit of an abyss. He knew Ameril for he was his classmate; on the other hand, Ameril might as well know him as he knew him. The moment he acquiesces will be the moment of his doom. He fixed his monocle and prepared for a beating.
Standing behind the group, Ameril tugged his own sleeve reminding himself to come up with a resolute decision. He looked at Aldir, young as he was too, and fear was masked by his timidity.
He seemed frail and vulnerable. Ameril has a soft spot for that kind of character. His blood wanted to protect him but he doesn't have that power. He too was defenseless. Having made up his mind, Ameril parted his lips and denied, "No, young master Kaaran."