Chapter 6 - Teran (I)

The sky is grey and winds are blowing strong, rains have been a disturbance since early morning, revealing a dim side of the place.

Unfortunately this is not a best day to visit here. The rider feels sorry for his passengers, a lovely couple from Romos.

He wonders if they are here for a holiday.

But there are too few luggage being carried.

"Is this your first time to Teran, sir and ma'am?"

"This is my first time. And for my husband, a thousandth time." The female passenger replies him with a cheerful voice.

"Is this very different from Romos?" He asks, out of a curiosity.

Just like majority of people in Teran, he has never stepped out of the homeland. There is a rumour that it's a dangerous and messy world outside the border, but the moment he met these two beautiful visitors when picking them up at the airport, he starts wondering how dangerous and scary the world out there can be?

"I see more green colours here. And the weather is quite different." It's still the nice voice of the female passenger, her husband calls her Mam. "I love rain, but sometimes I dislike it."

"No worry, ma'am. The rain will normally end before the afternoon."

And he stops talking to give privacy to the passengers. Meanwhile, here comes a route where it's full of potholes and water stagnations. He needs utmost concentration to avoid dragging the carriage into them, so he can ensure the most possible comfortable ride for his passengers.

Just like others, the rider has an DNA of genuine hospitality, they value and welcome the goodwill of foreigners who are interested in Teran.

"We are entering the central of Teran's capital." He introduces. "Here you can see all buildings where the royal governments are working. This is a biggest commercial and entertainment zone, too. It will be a good idea to walk around this area in the late afternoon. I'm sure you can find some interesting teashops. Tea leaves are our best products."

"Sound great!"

As the rider's notice, the wife is certainly cheerful and excited while her husband is very less talkative. But he has been here for a thousand times, he should have known too much of everything to bother the recommendation.

"And here are..." The rider is hesitant to explain. He finds it somehow difficult to talk, because what they are seeing is one of his biggest griefs.

But Hyunkel and Marm don't require any introduction by the rider. They know what is happening in front of their eyes.

Through the carriage's shield, they see groups of local citizens gathering in the rain, there should be hundreds of them.

Voicelessly, the people are striking in front of Teran high court as well as other royal buildings with banners and posters on hands.

The crowd appear to be more determined, more insisted and their images appear more beautifully compared to police forces who are keeping close eyes on them.

Silent strikes are allowed in Teran. Any public groups can conduct strikes as long as the strikes are noiseless.

Marm understands the rider is not comfortable to talk about the strike and she doesn't mention a word about it. She takes a long look at the crowd in silence, letting the images of the strikes pass by her as the carriage heads to Krygg town, where Hyunkel and her will stay during this four-day trip in Teran.

"We are reaching their house, it is at the end of this street." Hyunkel tells Marm. "See that grey facade?"

Marm nods and she is absolutely excited. The facade is nothing close to a modern style. Emphasising on height and size, the house is a typical example of Teran's classic architecture.

"Yes, we are almost there. It's house of Pop and Menruru sama, a good friends of us."

"I see." Marm nods.

Obviously Pop and Menru are two big supporters of the strikes. Hyunkel, too. He is a financial supporter for Pop. Marm gives him a side look that gets a smile out of him.

The rain can't win Menruru's rose garden. Marm is instantly amazed by the harmony of rose combinations, the scent is pleasant, especially in the rain. Marm finds an immediate love to this place.

"Shall I wait for you, sir and ma'am?" The rider asks.

"It's ok for today. We are staying here." Marm smiles and waives at him.

"Please come back tomorrow at eight in the morning." Hyunkel gives him a generous amount of tips.

"Thank you, sir, I will be on time."

...

"Volka and water melon punch!" Menruru smiles gorgeously, offering Hyunkel and Marm the welcome drink she has prepared for them.

"Awwww..." Marm finishes all. "It's refreshing!"

"How is the ride ?"

"I find it not bad. Except, a bit long." Marm gives a massage for Hyunkel on his shoulder. She has been leaning on him during the past one-hour ride.

"I know. You drive sport cars in Romos, and we use horse carriages here. Welcome to our world!" Pop grins.

"It's ok for me, if Marm doesn't use my arm as her pillow."

"Free training." Marm smiles, keeps on giving him the massage.

"I don't see any gifts, are you guys planning to stay here for free?"

"Yes, we expect free accommodation and meals. In return, Marm will feed your children and I can do the cooking."

"Nobody is allowed to use Menru's kitchen. And our kids can eat by themselves."

"Too bad, then." Hyunkel and Marm laugh. "We will offer you same kindness when you are on holiday in Romos."

"It's really too bad." Pop shakes his head.

"Holiday! It's an interesting choice to take Teran." Menruru is surprised.

"I'm so looking forward to it." Everyone can see how cheerful Marm is. "Thank you!" She kisses her husband on his cheeks. Is it because of the Volka?

"Here is our itinerary." Marm passes her note to Menru and Pop.

"Frankly speaking this looks like Marm's volunteer worksheet and Hyunkel's business trip."

"That's the kind of marriage we have." The couple from Romos seems proud.

"With friends' supports for accommodations. meals, transports, etc... even clothes? Where are your luggage?"

"All are in this bag only. We are not Leona and Larhalt."

Pop and Menru giggle, they can't stop making fun of how posh the two from Papunika are.

"Hmmm? You guys are going to the dragon chamber, too?"

"It may be of no use, but... there is something not to be forgotten."

"We know. Same here."

...

The other night,

Hyunkel sat down on their bed, taking off his clothes while observing Marm's reaction with a smile. Her beautiful side face can easily make him stare at her happily like a foolish admirer.

"How can you...? Don't say teleportation. Sensei is gonna kill us."

"No, we go there by our jet."

"It's a four-day trip! Are you sure you have time, babe?" Marm climbed on the bed and hugged him from behind. Love it when he is topless.

"For Marm, I don't have to check my schedule."

"Hmm?" She pressed her fingers gently on his earlobes, "Tell me you do check your schedule, else I don't know when did my husband become an easy going person."

"I'm easy going."

"God damn easy going, Hyunkel." Marm giggled.

He smiled. He checked his schedule. But he did everything to make it possible to handle both, the trip with Marm and the business in MnKomice.

Marm has always wanted to visit Teran. When Hyunkel described the kingdom to Marm, he told her it's where peace is a goal of life. He told Marm majority of everything reported by media about Teran was false. Attack and violence happened among the country were caused by manipulations of certain foreign governments and a specific party inside Teran's royal family. It has nothing to do with the public who are yearning for peaces everyday.

His stories make Marm want to go there even more.

...

Soon after checking in one of the nicest rooms in Pop and Menru's house, Marm starts up the first volunteer work in an infirmary together with Menru.

"Are you sure you don't want to relax?"

"I feel so relaxed the moment I arrive Teran. Isn't it weird, considering a fact that there are a lot of conflicts and strikes happening here?"

"Everything is fine in the central and our township. But once we step in Mallacan district, the core conflict zone, and especially when you work in the infirmary, you won't be able to relax..."

"I will be ok, dear. This is what I want to do."

"Thanks for all helps you are willing to give."

"Can you tell me, Menru, are things very tense here?"

Marm can see the creases in between of Menru's eyebrows when she is answering.

"For me, it's not tense. When people live under struggles and griefs and there is nothing but a silence of tolerance, it is a real tenseness. I'm glad we are fighting, not a physical fight, but through a ... legal settlement." Menru's whispering to Marm.

"I heard it from Hyunkel, it's one of the two options. Is everything going to complete?"

Menru shakes her head. "Anyway, the wait will be worth. Teran has great potentials for development, but the royal family hold it back for generations, they never have any tendency to develop the country, to educate people. We don't want our children to grow up in a conservative society that is way behind time. Living in Benga is more comfortable for Melsa and Bob. But Pop and I can make a difference here. It's kind of contradicting sometimes, but we are still doing well."

"I see, Menru. You both are true soul mates." Marm smiles. "I want to ask you something."

"Sure. What..."

A sudden huge shock disrupts their conversation, seems like the carriage is falling onto a big porthole.

"Are you hurt?" Marm asks.

"Kind of. My back..."

Menruru is soft like a flower petal, so fragile, Marm smiles and moves closer to help.

That makes her remember the similar scenery when she helped Ella four years ago, and it gets her goosebumps.

The carriage's door is violently opened from outside, unexpected by both.

"IC, please." A civil police soldier requests. Behind him, there is a team of three, four men in the same uniform.

"You are a foreigner?" After checking Marm's IC for the second time, he drags her out of the carriage rudely.

"What are you doing?" Menruru shouts and gets off from the carriage, despite of her back pain. This is one very rare time Marm sees such an angry expression from Menru.

"We are doing our jobs."

"Your job is to capture a woman unreasonably?" Marm gets herself away from his control, feeling furious for what has just been heard.

"You are a foreigner, ma'am. You have violated a restricted area."

"This is not a restricted area." Menru says.

"I say it is, and hence it is. Escort the foreigner to central police headquarter." A man steps out from a carriage that is embroiled with Teran's royal coat of arm.

"What rule do I violate?" Marm asks grumpily.

"'Many rules are not disclosed to public, your responsibility is to obey all, lady."

Many rules are not disclosed to public? How ridiculous it is!

Marm feels blood rushing crazily inside her, but this is Teran, she knows she has to be careful.

"Where is the warrant of arrest?" Marm tries to calm down.

"As you have caused an alleged offence by entering a restricted zone without permission, we have the responsibility to start an investigation on your offence. No arrest warrant is required."

Marm looks for Menru and sees a silent message that tells her not to fight here.

"Let's go, pretty. It's not my intention to ask my men using violence on your face, or body."

A smile is played on the police captain when he notices how beautiful Marm is. And the fact that she is a foreigner, owning unique traits that he has never seen before, has triggered a deeper interest in capturing her.

The police captain wraps his arm around Marm's shoulder and walks her to his carriage.

"Touch me again and you are in big troubles." Marm angrily pushes him away.

"Great!" He laughs. "Now get on the carriage."

"You can't arrest me. I am..."

"Marm, become less of yourself." Menruru grabs Marm's hand. "Please follow them to the Police Headquarter."

Marm doesn't understand Menru. Why doesn't she do something more useful to stop this arrestion?

...

In another part of Teran's capital city, Hyunkel is visiting a construction site of his company. Commercial and residential projects are not potential (yet) in this kingdom, but there are many businesses from governmental organisations in term of public infrastructures.

He doesn't only visit Teran for a mere vacation with Marm, he also have a tight schedule of meetings and more site visits on upcoming days.

But he is not that bad, he will only work half day everyday. And he will take Marm to places for remaining time.

"Hyunkel-sama!"

That's one of Pop's assistant rushing to him.

...

The sun's rays begin to show up and gradually kiss the plants, its golden hues have returned and are ushering a hot afternoon to arrive.

Through great sunlights under the door and outside the windows, Menru can see how tense the weather of June is in Teran.

"I'm so sorry for not foreseeing this. I should have made more preparations." Pop looks up at the blue sky and sighs.

"Who are capturing Marm?" Hyunkel stands up with his arms crossed. He is certainly frustrated.

"Should be unit Three of Teran's civil police force. They are in charge of Mallacan district where the carriage was stopped."

"No, Pop. I remember the captain said they are taking Marm to Central Police Headquarter. So it's more likely to be the State Unit."

"What difference does this make? Whoever captures Marm will have to release her immediately." Hyunkel shows no patience.

"Hyunkel, I know you are worrying, but... is it possible to leave Marm there for a longer period of time, for example, three, four days... or even more..?"

"What, Menru?" Pop questions his wife immediately.

...

Marm looks at her watch. Thirty minutes have passed, her husband and friends must be here anytime soon.

"That's a fortune!" The policewoman raises her voice, eyeing on Marm's watch. "You are rich, aren't you?"

Marm is reluctant to answer any questions about money or wealth.

"I'm asking!" The woman bangs the desk, her voice becomes ruder and so are expressions on her face.

"Anyway, she has to submit all belongings for the investigation."

"You heard it, ma'am? Put your watch, bag and IC card on this tray."

Marm removes the emerald watch that Hyunkel bought for her as requested, being very patient and cooperative. It's lucky she is not weating the engagement ring for convenience when doing volunteer work.

Searching the crossbody bag, Marm can't find her leather wallet. She looks inside the bag carefully, full of confusion...

Except a pack of tissue paper, sunblocks and condoms, nothing is inside. Her wallet is missing. It's gone with the IC card.

End Chapter 6.