The two youths entered the tavern. It was very crowded, with nearly all the tables occupied by people of all ages. Herega, curious, spoke with a man who worked there, asking him the reason for all this commotion.
«You're not from around here, do I guess right? Today, in about four hours, the Keeper of the island will give his first speech on the big stage in the square.» He replied.
Noticing the confused looks on the two youths' faces, he decided to clarify the situation further.
«So, the Keeper is the most important person you can meet on the island. He's like a king. The only difference is that he doesn't rule over others, but rules for others.»
The both of them understood. They settled at a table, waiting for someone to take their order, in fact, they didn't have anything to ask for, nor did they have a place to go. Staying there was the only thing they could do.
♦️
«The book suggested we to come here, but it didn't give us a path to follow. Maybe we should wait for the situation to unfold with the Keeper's speech?» Herega began to think.
Indeed, they had arrived here without the slightest idea of what they were supposed to do. Eavelin nodded. She, too, was unable to understand the reasons behind the book's intentions.
«However, when we arrived, besides the tavern and the stage, there were three other roads. What do you think about trying to see where they lead? We still have a few hours to spend...» Eavelin suggested. Herega agreed immediately. He hadn't considered this option, but it was the one that would satisfy him the most.
♦️
«A cemetery...»
Walking along the road to the west, that's what could be observed. The atmosphere didn't have a creepy aura, but it conveyed the importance that the island's inhabitants placed on the dead. It was a large garden divided in half by a narrow, walkable path. The tombstones were made of stone, all having the same shape: a stylized rhombus, on which the face of the deceased was painted (in a rather questionable manner). The two lay down near one of the graves.
«What should be the meaning of building a cemetery? The first king of Nustia, Goldora, used to say that people, if remembered, never die. His sister described the valor of her loved ones in "The Great Aostran War", so today we remember who they are, but... What should we understand from some faces? It's true, thanks to this memory, they will never die, but it won't be a worthy life. It's as if their lives are meant only to be passively remembered. However, it's not possible to remember the lives of billions of people. This world is truly unjust. It offers neither the same opportunities to everyone nor the chance to have them. Although he went mad in his own conception, the last king of Avaloria might have been right. The chosen do exist, and that's truly unfair. But would life still be fun if we were all the same? Obviously not. The only answer is that this world is imperfect, just as we, its children, are.» These words came from Herega's mouth.
Eavelin was a very rational person, and she followed the speech, understanding it. She could only agree with him.
«The two of us are fortunate people, aren't we? We were lucky to meet and to be able to stay together. It would be disrespectful to the less fortunate to waste our luck. The meaning of our existence is simply to live it.» Eavelin replied to him.
The sun was rising higher and higher in their view. Herega's eyes lit up with the light of the great star.
«Yes, exactly.» The young man said, «Come on, let's follow the other path, the one to the north. We have limited time.» He concluded.
Without responding, the girl decided to follow him.
♦️
«A commercial area...» Herega muttered again. Instead, Eavelin's enthusiasm was very high. The area of Nustia where they lived was not adorned with many public structures. Such a sight was not at all common for either of them. While one just walked, the other entertained herself by observing the goods, especially at the clothing markets.
«Unfortunately, we don't have money to spend on indulgences and random things. Let's just observe.» The young man remarked.
Eavelin pouted momentarily, annoyed by Herega's words. Soon, however, she realized he was right.
«Give me your hand, Eve.»
She raised it, and the young man took it and wrapped a white bracelet around her wrist, tying a small knot.
«Consider it a gift from me. Keep it as a memory.»
She smiled, hugging her friend.
«Where did you buy it?» She asked curiously.
After all, he was the one who had said not to spend money.
«While you were browsing here and there, a man offered me a small item in exchange for a lock of hair. I accepted, choosing that bracelet.» He replied.
The offer seemed rather strange to him, but it wasn't the first time someone had been impressed by his hair color.
«Actually, I've never seen anyone else with red hair besides you.» Eavelin replied with an ironic tone, though she was serious.
«You know, having pink hair isn't exactly normal either...» He replied, trying to provoke her.
«In Shiitia, it's quite common!» She responded, raising her voice a little.
The two looked at each other and began to laugh. Then they continued their walk.
They spent about two hours in that district. Talking to each other and looking at those lovely markets, time seemed to pass very quickly.
♦️
They decided to return to the main square of the island, where, shortly, the Keeper would give his speech. When they returned, however, the crowd gathered in the same place began to shout cries of terror. Herega approached a man, placing a hand on his shoulder.
«Hey, why are you all screaming like that?» He shouted, trying to make himself heard.
He had to repeat that phrase at least three times to get a response.
«What, you didn't see!? The Keeper, Gen Nishida, has just been killed!»
After the phrase was uttered, Herega felt a strong sense of restlessness, so much so that he fell to the ground, getting up a few seconds later, not understanding why. Keeper's death was described to him as rapid and painless. Just as he climbed onto the stage, an arrow fell from above, striking him directly in the head, killing him instantly. At that moment, it wasn't a very safe place, but they couldn't find a better spot than the tavern to go.