After a long ride they finally arrived Nevia, a large village in the Northern region of Azma.
Coming from the forest, they ventured into a ferm meadow having short grasses and round maple trees, well spread around the meadow. It was dusk already, the atmosphere stood dry yet cold, few persons roamed the serene meadow together with sparrows and birds chirping and twittering into the sky. The clothing of the folks were different from that which Derek had seen, the men wore dresses of ragged fabrics while the women, plain flowing gown, still made of ragged fabrics.
They rode through the meadow into town, not much visible streets, there were no trees nor flower in sight either, even though the houses were widely spaced. Each were made of stones and thatched roofing backed with strong wooden pillars, the town was way busier, mostly farmers moving their harvest and products on carriages.
They continued through the straight street until they came to a dirt path gliding through a meadow of tall grass. Along the path there was a farm to the left and a stable to the right when they moved further. Taking a turn to the left they stopped in front of a compound with wattle fencing.
Gerald's family came down while he continued further with Derek, Alexander, Victoria and Paul.
"How did you get to know these routes so well?" Gerald asked curiously.
"I once stayed here with my aunt and cousins." Paul replied. "My aunt left her compound with me as a gift before her departure with her children to the southern regions."
"That was very kind." Victoria assured.
"Indeed she was, she was the kindest woman I know."
"More like leaving you behind because she couldn't stand you." Derek joked into laughter with Alexander.
"Chumps." Paul smiled.
It only took a glare from Victoria to put them back in order.
After a short while they arrived at a compound which ended the dirt path, fenced round with high wattles, Derek got off then walked in while Alexander followed behind.
Just past the entrance Derek covered his nose, glancing around, the dirt ground was dry and hard having dried leaves across it, yet the stench of death and rot clung to the air.
A horse barn stood by the right, dark and creepy looking, he could literally see red eyes gleaming from the dark followed by squeaking sounds; there were five plum trees by the left, which had dried leaves and rotten fruits littered around it.
Getting to the well at the middle of the compound, he didn't bother looking in it for fear of what might crawl out. He walked further to the two floor cottage at the end of the compound, it had five steps leading to the porch which had stones and feathers all over, the two windows on the left and right side were broken - same goes for that on the second floor.
"Dammit." He mumbled knowing the work that awaits them.
Derek opened his eyes to the prickly rays of the noon day sun, gleaming from the wide open window by his side, he groans with a stretch then sits up, looking more gloomy than usual. It was a tiring night after all.
The work started with gathering the leaves from the dirt ground with rakes, Derek and Alexander were in charge of that, three snakes were killed while at it. They rounded up by sweeping and gathering with a bundle of hay tied to a long stick.
After that they went for the horse barn, Alexander had to go in first after losing to 'flip the coin' - a game well known amongst children back in Amon. Were two people pick sides of the coin, the coin is flipped and the side which turns up is the leading one.
Alexander screamed his heart out on entering the horse barn, a swarm of screeching bats rowed past him. Victoria and Paul had to rush out thinking something was up, but Derek's absurd laughter made them think otherwise.
Finally, they finished cleaning the five stall barn then joined up with Victoria and Paul in the cottage. Most work had been done on the pouch and parlour. It was wide, having a hearth and a window at the end, a large round table with five chairs made of solid timber.
There were doors to the left and right, each leading to the rooms. Victoria chose the upper room by the right, so Alexander could stay on the lower room, but he chose to go with Derek to the rooms on the left, allowing Paul to stay in the lower room underneath Victoria.
The room was a small one, a bed by the side just after the door, a chest made of wood by the left end and a stairway by the other end leading to the upper room. They had to play 'flip the coin' to know who goes up, this time Alexander won. After they were done cleaning they gathered at the parlour to dine with Gerald, who brought cakes and wine.
On hearing short creaks Derek narrows his weighty eyes to the stairs, Alexander descended down the stairs, still dressed in his gray knee-length loose garment.
"Get up Derek, We've got stuffs to buy."
"Says the lad who just got up."
"Atleast I'm up." Alexander walks out from the room.
Derek and Alexander began their walk through the street of the town, all eyes staring and beholding. They stood out from everyone else, dressed in fine short sleeve tunic - mid thigh level, and leather pants with boots, to the folks, they were wealthy lads.
Almost every young lady they walked passed either waved, winked or gave pouts at them even some went as far as giving a sultry teasing look. But they kept moving ahead, smiling back in response.
Getting to the village square they stumbled upon the market. The square was a wide area of dirt ground, it had a great Elm tree at the middle, thick trunks with evergreen leaves. Surrounding the tree were different stall tents, three sections with spacing in-between each stalls. Fruit stalls occupied the first section, vegetables and spice took the second section while meat and fish took the last.
Yet most folks weren't buying anything, they were gathered around a Rare guard mounted on a horse.
Derek and Alexander glanced at each other then approached the crowd to hear what the Guard has to say.
"In two days time a wagon will be sent," the Guard spoke valiantly. "Those who still desire to join the Azma ranks step forward and claim your scroll, two bronze coins."
"Please tell me we are on same page here." Alexander smiled at Derek.
Derek returns a smile at Alexander, "I would never say no to an opportunity to be a Knight, advance training which will give us an edge in this shitty life."
"Let's do it then."
"What about mother?" Derek suddenly recalled her disdain towards swinging swords.
"I'll handle her." Alexander gave a reassuring look.
Derek nods in agreement then moves further through the crowd to the Guard.
"I'll take two."
The Guard stretched his hand at Derek.
"Oh! Right." Derek offers a silver coin.
The Guard took the coin then offered two scrolls to Derek.
"The rest is yours." Derek smiled.
The guard nodes with a smile while Derek hurries to Alexander.
"Absolutely not Alex." Victoria made sure she was clear.
"Please mother." Alexander draws near to Victoria.
"I am not going to watch you walk the very path your father did."
"But I'm not, mines different."
Victoria folds her arm, "Why is that?" She squints at him.
Alexander pulled Derek closer to him, "I have someone watching my back."
Victoria glares at Derek, who dropped his smile immediately, gazing to the side to avoid eye contact, she narrows her eyes back to Alexander.
"Let's not forget your father had Maxwell."
"Father met Maxwell later on, they weren't that close. But it's different for me and Derek, please mother, it's an opportunity to be capable enough to keep us safe."
"No Alexander, that's my job, not yours." She turns over to Paul who was busy with chopping wood by the stables. "Back me up here Paul."
Paul chops a log then gazes at them, "I really don't have a say in this."
"Yes you do." Alexander and Victoria spoke out.
Paul sighs deeply, "Alright boys, what's your resolve for joining the Azma ranks, Derek?"
"I want to be a Knight." Derek words were bold and unwavering, "being a Knight gives me the privilege of challenging the wrongs of this shitty life."
"That's a death wish Derek, you'll only have more leverage to meddle into every matter."
"That threatens innocent lives." He added.
"You'll be dead before you become a Knight, trust me."
"Fate has always given me the opportunity to cheat death Paul."
"I disagree with you joining the Azma ranks."
"Really?"
"No more arguments, Alexander." Paul narrows his eyes at him. "Anything different from what Derek has said?"
"Being a Knight gives us an advantage of living well and guaranteed protection."
"Your decisions are noble," he puts on a bleak look, "Don't forget your father was one of the bravest Knights and Captain, this path will get you killed."
"Good, so that settles it." Victoria cuts in. "You both are not going." she opens her arms wide. "Come on."
Derek and Alexander walked sullenly towards Victoria, she wrapped her hands on their waist - leading them towards the cottage.