Part 4. Outside The Barrier
(Lower Quarter, mid-morning)
(Estellise's point of view)
It wasn't long before we made our way to the bottom of the Lower Quarter.
Right now me, my maid Julia, Yuri, Repede, and Ned were standing before the shimmering transparent barrier wall. Beyond that barrier lay the open plains on Mayoccia.
I'll have to admit, I'm feeling kind of nervous. Going outside the barrier for something other than the gods reapings(This summer will be my last reaping, as well as Ned's, Natalie and Hannah's).
"Well here we are." Yuri said as he looked up at the barrier. "Before we go through, anyone here have second thoughts?"
After a brief pause, I answered first. "I'll admit, I'm a bit nervous about going outside the barrier. But Flynn is in danger and I have to find him before it's too late."
"Not to mention we need to find your missing blastia core and find out who framing Rita this time." Julia added.
"Rita?" Ned asked.
"Rita Mordio." Julia replied. "I believe she's being framed by whoever took your fountain's blastia core."
"She?" Ned cocked his head. "I wonder if she's as cute as Estelle here." I think I just felt my cheeks turn red.
"I suppose you could say she is." Julia smiled at me. Cheeks feeling even redder. "Especially when she's blushing. Hee hee hee,"
Cheeks feeling REALLY red.
"Well this I gotta see." Ned grinned. "So yeah, I'm coming."
Julia then turned her attention to Yuri. "So, Yuri, I suppose we don't have any second thoughts to what we're going to do."
"Okay then, so let's get this show on the road." Yuri stepped through the barrier first. Then Repede and Julia. Then I felt the tingle of the barrier as I passed through to the outside. And, finally, Ned stepped through.
"I'll never get used to this." He said. I know how he feels. That tingling just feels so weird.
"Let's stick to the road." Yuri suggested. "We shouldn't encounter too many monsters that way."
"It'll probably take us a couple of days to reach Deidon Hold by foot." Julia said. "Fortunately there should be a campsite halfway there. We should be able to reach it before sundown."
Wish we brought some horses." Yuri said. Me too.
"Me too, Yuri." Julia replied. "But for now, we walk."
(A few miles later)
After walking for a few hours we came to a bridge. Yuri decided to stop and take a break. I looked back at the city. "Wow! The castle looks so small from here." I said as I looked at the castle beneath the main spire that generated the barrier.
"It has been a while since I last went outside the barrier." Yuri said.
"About three years if I'm not mistaken." Julia added.
I looked at Ned as he adjusted his backpack full of supplies while Yuri looked at the map. "A map, equipment and even money." I said to Yuri. "Your friends are so generous, Yuri!"
Yuri let out a sigh. "They can't afford this." He replied. "They can barely get by as it is."
"Well I'm sure they're worried about you.' I tried to reassure. "And want you to have a safe journey."
"Yeah don't worry about it Yuri." Ned added. "We'll be fine."
"It more like they're just glad to be rid of a trouble making kid." Yuri replied. "Or two." He looked at Ned.
"Hey!" Ned protested.
"That's not true!" I said. "I will personally see that they're compensated when we return." I declared.
"As expected of you, lady Estellise." Julia nodded.
"Well, in any case, I guess we can't come back empty handed, now that they've given us all that stuff." Yuri commented. "Now I gotta bring back the aque blastia, no matter what."
(Meanwhile, back at the Fountain Plaza)
(Standard point of view)
Hanks Sr. and ted examined the now blocked off fountain, checking the remaining water in the basin.
"I wonder how long we can last with the water we have." Hanks Sr. said. Then he looked at some passing Schwann Brigade knights.
"Yuri and Ned are going to be okay, right?" Ted asked.
"They'll be okay." Hanks Sr. patted Ted on the shoulder. "Yuri and Ned can handle themselves just fine. And don't forget, Repede and Julia's travelling with 'em." He looked back at the nearby knights, hoping that what happened just a few hours ago doesn't spread too quickly.
(Back on the Mayoccia Plains)
(Estellise's point of view)
We crossed the bridge and continued onwards. No sooner had we crossed, we were suddenly attacked by a group of, just what are they? Mushroom monsters?
"Minicoids!" Julia drew her daggers. "Not a big threat, but still, keep back, lady Estellise, Ned. We'll handle this."
"Aw man." Yuri readied his sword. "All right, all right." And rushed at the minicoids, slicing up two of them while Repede took out a third. Julia took down another one and I ended up fighting and defeating the last one when it went after Ned. Whew, that wasn't an easy fight.
"Everyone okay?" Yuri asked.
"I think we're all fine, Yuri." I replied.
"How are you holding up, lady Estellise?" Julia asked.
"I'm fine, Julia." I answered. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, in the course of this day, you've fended off Zagi, fought and killed ratwigles underneath the castle. And you've just killed that minicoid. Aren't you feeling a little queasy?"
"Maybe a little." I replied. "My stomach felt a bit tight after we fought those ratwigles. But I reminded myself that these are monsters trying to kill and eat us, not fellow humans. And I felt a bit sick earlier when I saw Zagi kill that messenger. I guess it was a good thing I didn't have breakfast at the time."
"I suppose." Julia replied. "Just a warning about killing; It gets easier. Anyway, let's see that these minicoids have for us today. Yuri, Ned, if you two would be so kind."
Yuri, Julia and Ned went over each of the dead monsters, Cutting off certain parts off off them. "Okay that oughta do it." Yuri stored the parts in Ned's backpack.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Yuri answered first while he cut off an aer argeric. "We're just getting some fungus powder and some aer argerics off these guys."
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, Fortune's Market pays good money for monster parts for making clothes, weapon parts and potions." Yuri explained. "There's actually a thriving trade for this. Me and Flynn used to collect parts from the monsters we beat to supplement our pay. It's been a while since I last did this. And I'm sure Flynn and Julia here still do this."
"Well we wouldn't want these to go to waste now would we." Julia added while she collected some more fungus powder. "And the extra cash is always welcome. Well, guess that's it for this one." It didn't take them too long to take anything of value off the dead monsters. And after we packed up the parts we were on our way again...
Some time later, we ran into, and defeated, a couple of wolves. Ugh, all that blood. Do we have to skin them? I know that wolf pelts are worth something but still, Ugh. I'd rather stick to fighting plant monsters like minicoids, filifolias and tulipers.
As we continued north, I was going over my new nickname...
"Estelle. Estelle." I mumbled to myself.
"She been mumbling to herself for a while now." I heard Yuri talk to Repede and Julia.
Repede whined.
"Yes about that." Julia said. "I should talk to you two about this as soon as we make camp."
Then Yuri called out to me. "Hey, you coming? We don't have all day here."
But I just kept on mumbling to myself. "Estelle. Estelle." I didn't realize I was falling behind.
"Looks like she's in her own little world." Yuri said.
"Certainly does look like it, Yuri." Julia replied.
"Hey! Estelle!" Yuri called out to me, this time getting my attention.
"Oh right! Sorry, I'm coming!" I replied and caught up with them.
"Do you two not have nicknames where you're from?" Yuri asked both me and Julia.
"Um, not really, Yuri" I answered. "As my governess would say, nicknames are improper."
"And, as nobles, we kind of consider ourselves above such things." Julia added.
"Like she said." I added.
"Uh huh." Yuri replied.
Before long the sun was setting and we saw a group of tents and wagons in the distance. "Well it looks like we're in luck." Julia said as she peered at the camp, her hand shading her eyes. "The travelling hotel's here. Oh goody, now we don't have to sleep on the ground."
As we reached the outskirts of the camp, Yuri turned around to talk to me. "We've come a long way from the capital." He said.
"Yes." I replied. "I wonder if we're safe now."
"Hard to say." Yuri answered. "Those knights are a sticky lot." Repede then barked. "Huh?"
We turn to see two people coming from the camp. A young man with light green hair and a young woman with brown hair done up in two braids. "Hmph." The man grunted.
"Greetings." The woman greeted us.
"Hello." I politely bowed.
"Welcome good travellers." The lady cheerfully replied.
"Is this a shop?" I asked.
"It's the King Of Adventure Travellers lodge." The man gruffly answered. King Of Adventure?
"Oh big brother, do try to be a bit more friendly!" The lady said.
"Sorry, Karen." He apologized.
"Please you two have to excuse him." Karen explained. "My name is Karen and this is Rich." She introduced herself and Rich.
"You're operating a travelling inn?" I asked.
"Of course they do." Julia replied as she and Ned walked up. "Hello there Karen, Rich, how's business?"
"You know these two?" I asked.
"I sometimes spend the night at their lodge on my library runs, lady Estellise." Julia replied.
"Well, business is a little slow at the moment." Karen answered Julia's earlier question.
"What's with the maid outfit?" Rich asked Julia.
"You didn't tell us you were a maid." Karen added. "I always thought you were a travelling noble."
"Well you never asked, Karen, Rich." Julia replied. "And, for the record, I am a noble. I happen to work for this young lady here." She gestured to me. "She's, how do I put this, from a much higher ranked noble family. It's a long story."
Then Yuri decided to add his two copper coins. "Doesn't the King Of Adventure refer to someone else. Someone more well known?"
It does. "The late emperor's brother, his highness Regin, was known by that name thanks to his insatiable thirst for adventure."I said. He was also my father. I really truely miss him.
"Indeed!" Karen replied. "We took our name from his highness Regin. It's true."
"We respect him." Rich added.
"Hmmm." Yuri scratched his chin. "That's a pretty nice name then."
"You could say that, Yuri." Julia added.
"So are the two of you married?' Karen asked us.
My cheeks just turned red. "M-Married?" I press my hands up to my blushing cheeks. "I, I *blush*"
"Do we look like we're married?" Yuri Replied.
"Oh honestly, Karen." Julia added, arms folded and shaking her head in disbelief. "Does he look like he's from the Noble Quarter?"
"And that too." Yuri added.
"Oh? It seems I was mistaken." Karen replied. "So very sorry!" And apologized. "If you're tired, perhaps you like to stay the night?"
"Wh-What should we do?" I asked Yuri and Julia.
"Isn't it obvious, lady Estellise, we're spending the night here." Julia answered first.
Then Yuri added. "Sure, we'll sleep here."
"Excellent!" Karen happily smiled. "Thank you very much!"
"Let's see, that's 50 gald each and 25 gald for the dog. 225 will be your total." Rich said.
"Okay then." I paid him the amount. "Here you go, Rich."
"Thanks. Enjoy your shut-eye." Rich smiled after counting up the gald I just gave him.
"Oh big brother, please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Karen apologized.
"N-No, it's quite all right." I replied.
(Later that evening)
The sun was just setting on the western horizon.
Julia asked to borrow the camp's kitchen tent to prepare our supper. She spent much of the early evening chopping up the potatoes into tiny pieces. Then she fried them up while adding green onions, salt and pepper.
In another frying pan, she was cooking up a fair number of seasoned rhinossus sausages.
"A few more minutes oughta do it." She said to herself as she continued to prepare our supper.
XXX
While Julia was preparing our supper, Yuri and Ned were setting up a table provided by the inn. It was one of those wooden tables with the benches attached to them. Before long, Julia came out of the kitchen tent carrying a platter with four plates each with sausages and hash browns.
After she put out our supper, she went back and brought out a bowl of ground meat and placed it on the ground next to Repede. Then she joined us at the table.
"Let's eat." We all said after we sat down. And we began to eat our first and only meal of the day.
"So, Julia, you wanted to talk to me about nicknaming Estelle." Yuri said as he finished his meal.
"Yes I did." Julia dainty wiped the sides of her mouth. "Do you remember that comic book we found at that Stu's clinic last fall?"
Yuri suddenly shuddered. "I'm still trying to forget that crap, Julia."
"My apologies. Anyway I came across four such comic books in Shizontonia a couple of months ago. One involved Rita called 'Tale of Tentacle', and three of them, 'Mangetsu Satan' involving lady Estellise here. Created by an author named Charu writing for a group called Valssu."
"Really." Yuri replied.
"Comic books?" I asked. "Involving me?"
"Allow me to explain" Julia began her explanation.
"The comic book we found last fall, created by Kara, involved Yuri here and Flynn being screwed by a gay rapist doctor and his equally vile gay rapist orderlies and turned into gay lovers themselves, against their will, might I add. I swear it's things like them that give my sexuality a bad name. Fortunately, me and Sodia prevented this from happening, killed the doctor and his orderlies and found out that the doctor was a Gary Stu."
"A Gary Stu?" I said. "You mean those people from another reality that come here to mess up our reality? The ones with the weird glittery blood?" I asked, remembering the discussion between Julia and Hatchette when they were curing my addiction.
"The very ones I'm afraid." Julia replied. "Also I don't need to explain what happened in the conics that involved you because."
"I, ugh, already did all those things. Ugh." I replied. "But with who and in which comic?" I asked, but I had a feeling I already know the answers.
"Eric and Stan in issue#1 and #2, Wesley in issue #2" Julia answered. "And Ragou, Nero and Bruno, Archduke Kyle, and Zaude knows who else in #3." Ugh, and I just ate too. "But let's not talk further on your, ahem, courtesan days."
Then She looked at Yuri. "In issue #1, Charu mentioned lady Estellise by that nickname you gave her earlier. Not to mention that he had done up a comic book that supposedly has you and lady Estellise having sex with each other."
"Me!? And him!?" I pointed at Yuri. "Having *shudder*. Oh why me?" I buried my face in my hands in utter dismay."Uuugh. I thought this sex nonsense was over."
"I can't help but wonder if Charu's influencing you, Yuri." Julia said. "First the nickname and sometime later. I just don't know what I'm going to do if that happens."
"Maybe call an exorcist?" Yuri suggested. "I just can't imagine myself boning her either."
"It might come to that, Yuri." Julia replied. "Also, I think I have a new theory about these other-dimensional invaders. Especially after Lady Estellise's fancy riding outfit poofed back on her that morning."
"Oh, and I forgot to mention this to Yuri." I interrupted. "When that happened, all those awful memories from my, ugh, courtesan days suddenly felt like, well, bad dreams. Like they never happened. That's just weird."
"Yes that's also part of my theory about those Gary Stues." Julia said. "My guess, in lady Estellise's case, that she was supposed to be an untouched pure virgin to this very moment. She was never meant to have sex. What Eric and Stan did was not intended to happen in our reality. And When I killed them..."
"What!?" I gasped, my hands up to my surprised face. "You killed Eric and Stan!? Was that why you weren't in the castle when my clothes suddenly poofed on me?"
"Yes, lady Estellise, I was hunting them down that very morning." Julia solemnly replied. "They had to answer for what they did to you, especially at the 'Empire Club'. Also they were so terrified of me that they decided to jump off the dock and take their chances with the man-eating crabs, that I attracted with some chum of course."
"Man-eating crabs? Chum? Oh my!" I gasped in utter surprise. "I don't want to imagine the horror of those crabs eating those two alive *shiver*."
"I was feeling a bit creative that morning, lady Estellise. Not to mention I didn't want to show up at the castle all covered in glitter and try to explain it to everybody. Not to mention that stuff is rather hard to get out. Even harder than blood." Julia explained.
"No kidding, Julia." Yuri added.
"And keep in mind that they deserved to die for what they did to you, lady Estellise." Julia sternly reminded. "Especially for what they did to you at that vile club."
"I see." You know I still remember watching both her and Yuri fight those rapists at the 'Empire Club' after they...found me. "But still, man-eating crabs?"
"It was a suitable punishment. Anyway, back to my theory." Julia continued her explanation.
"When I killed, well fed those two to the crabs, all the things they did in our reality and the following consequences of their actions were, How do I put this, erased from our reality as though they never happened in the first place. And all we have left of them are memories that now feel off all of a sudden. Less like real experiences and more like fictional dreams."
"If that's true, Julia, then Estelle poofed back to being an untouched virgin when you put those two down." Yuri said.
"That's what I'm thinking too, Yuri." Julia replied. "Well, lady Estellise, you did say that you suddenly felt purer that morning."
"Yes I did." I replied. I'll admit, that was a pretty strange theory that my maid had about the Gary Stus. "And I've been going over my new name for a while. I kind of like being called 'Estelle'. It's kind of cute."
"So do you think I should start calling you 'Estelle' then?" Julia said.
And I nodded. "Yes. And I find it's a lot easier to say. Also I think it's a good idea that you not address me as 'lady' as well."
"Why do you not want me to not use your proper honorific?" Julia asked.
"It's just that I want to keep a low profile while I'm trying to find Flynn." I answered.
Yuri, Julia and Ned all giggled at me. "Uh, was it something I..." Then I just realized. "Oh, let me guess; pink hair and fancy dress, right?"
"Yeah, you could say that, Estelle." Yuri snickered.
"Plus I am dressed as a royal maid as well." Julia added.
"You know, if anyone asks, we'll just say you work at the castle as a royal healer." Yuri suggested. "And Julia's your assistant and guardian."
"Oh that sounds like a good Idea." I nodded, pressing my hands together.
"Heh heh, You certainly do have your moments, Yuri. I like that too." Julia smiled, then she looked at me. "Well, if you wanted to be called just 'Estelle' for the near future, then."
She got up and bowed. "As you wish, Estelle. To be honest, I rather like that nickname too. Just don't tell Margaret."
Don't worry, I won't.
(The next morning)
The following morning, we had breakfast. Karen and Rich approached us as we were getting ready to leave. "Did you rest well?" Karen asked.
"Yeah, thanks a lot." Yuri thanked the two for us.
"I do hope our path cross again, somewhere out on the roads!" Karen smiled.
"Yes I hope so too!" I smiled back.
"Later." Rich said.
As we set out, I decided to chat with Yuri. "Yuri, Is this dog yours?" I asked pointing at Repede.
"Yeah, He my partner, Repede." Yuri answered. Repede barked as if he was greeting me.
"Oh, nice to meet you too." I greeted back.
Yuri looked at me with a somewhat puzzled look. "'Nice to meet you too'? Did you actually understand what Repede was saying?"
"No." I answered.
"Yeah, I guess that was a stupid question." Yuri said.
We continued on our way north. We fought a couple of monster packs, collected some parts to sell.
After one such encounter, Yuri commented on our journey. "I never guessed I'd leave home quite like this."
"Are you sorry to be leaving the capital behind, Yuri?" I asked.
"When I was in the Lower Quarter, I was too busy just living day-to-day." Yuri answered. "Mostly just running errands for Roy and Anna. Never really thought about it. I guess I did feel like setting out on an adventure sometimes."
"I'm so exited just to be outside." I cheerfully replied as I twirled around to face Yuri and Julia. "I've always dreamed of going out into the world."
"And now it's apparently coming true, Estelle." Julia smiled. "This is the happiest I've ever seen you."
"Being exited is all fine, but don't overdo it." Yuri cautioned. "We need to find Flynn, right?"
"And find the aque blastia core, and clear Rita's name, again." Julia added.
"I'm exited and worried at the same time." I said.
Yuri chuckled. "Heh, alright."
It was around early afternoon when we arrived at this fort whose walls stretched from one side of a mountain pass to another.
"This is Deidon Hold." Julia, posing as a tour guide, presented. "A strong rock fortress built into the pass to protect the Empire It also serves as a check point between Mayoccia and Peyoccia. We can get to Halure once we pass through."
As we passed through the south gate and entered the hold, we noticed there were quite a few guards about. "Guards." Yuri said as he looked at them. "Those guys from the capital might come searching for us." He warned.
"Do you think those knights followed you here?" I asked.
"I wonder." Yuri replied. "Well let's do our best not to stand out."
"Okay." I nodded. "And I want to catch up with Flynn as soon as I can."
"All right, let's see if we can just pass through the hold." Yuri looked over at the still open north gate.
Just as we were about to head to the north gate. "Hey!" Julia yelped as I saw an interesting looking book at a travelling store and dashed towards it, picked it up and started reading it.
"Where's she off to now?" Yuri added. They approached me as I continued to study this interesting book.
"Oh honestly, Estelle." Julia shook her head. "We're trying to keep a low profile here."
"Oh, I'm sorry Julia." I apologized. "But this book is so interesting. Can we buy it, please?"
Just then the owner of the store approached us.
"Welcome." He greeted. "I've got some nice gear in stock today." Then he showed us a long sword. "This blade was forged by none other than Assam the blade master's technique. It even comes equipped with weapon skills. No traveller should be without them. Feel free to give it a try."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Yuri asked. "I remember hearing about those three years ago."
"Likewise, Yuri." Julia added. "I never owned any Assam customs myself." Then she looked at the salesman. "Could you explain to my friend how these work?"
"I know about them." I said. "They're the special techniques contained in weapons. These techniques were originally passed down from master to pupil... But the blade master Assam used a special process to seal them within the weapons themselves. bodhi blastia can acquire techniques from weapons imbued with this power. With continued use, weapon artes can be learned by the person using this weapon." I never had a chance to use such weapons myself. I sure like to try one out though.
"My, this young lady knows her stuff." the salesman complimented. "That about sums it up."
"I read it in a book that the Krytya gave this knowledge to humans long ago." I replied.
"Huh. I thought bodhi blastia only let you use strike and magic artes." Yuri said, looking at his bodhi blastia. "Did you know about this, Julia?"
"I did, Yuri." Julia replied. "Father and Mother used such weapons. But they are rather expensive, costing into the thousands of gald. So I never quite got around to getting one myself, Didn't think I needed them."
The salesman continued his pitch. "In order to find the fighting style that meets your needs... It's best to think carefully when choosing your weapon. There are even weapons without weapon skills. It all depends on your preferences." He continued to further explain how they work and how they interact with our bodhi blastias. "I'm afraid the sun would set before I could explain them all to you. You should be able to read all that in that nook you're reading, miss."
Oh! It's all in this fascinating book I'm reading? Now I REALLY want to buy it!
"I can't imagine business is at all great in a place like this." Yuri commented.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not here because I want to be." The salesman replied. "There are monsters on the far side of the hold, so I'm stuck."
"Monsters huh?" Yuri said as he looked at the north gate.
"Shouldn't be a problem for us though." Julia added.
Then they looked at me, still reading that interesting book. "Did you hear that?" Yuri asked.
"Hmmm." I mumbled.
"And she's not listening." Yuri shook his head.
"Tell me about it." Julia added. "Once she finds an interesting book, it's rather hard to get her attention."
"Huh? Did you two say something?" I turned around and asked.
"We're going to get some information." Yuri said. "So you wait right there."
"Oh, I'll come too." I replied. I was about to put that book back but.
"That all right." The salesman said. "Go ahead and take it. It's pretty old, but it's yours if you like."
"T-Thank you very much." I politely bowed. I dashed back to the others, holding my new book to my chest.
"Is that book any good?" Yuri asked.
"It's fascinating." I smiled back. "You can read it as soon as I finish."
...Battle book...
...A collection of notes on all sort of battle related information. It's important to go back to the basics...
"Oh, a battle book." Julia said as she looked at the cover. "I remember reading this back in the academy. Lots of useful information in those."
"I think we should go up to the parapets, Yuri." Julia suggested. "I want to check out the field to make sure that there are no monsters about."
We went up a nearby stairway leading to the top of the north wall. As we reached the centre of the wall, we see this man with long white hair dressed in a stylish dark red outfit looking out over the plain. Who is this person? He looked like was in deep thought.
I started to approach this person. "Hey, hold on." Yuri cautioned.
"Like he said." Added Julia. "It's not a good idea to approach strangers."
"Hello." I greeted. "Um, I beg your pardon, but, what are you looking at?"
"Humanity at work." The stranger answered in a deep cold voice. "Their tenacious attachment to this life."
Huh?
"Why? Why must humans live the lives they do?" The stranger asked us. "They fight for a share of monopolized technology and hurt even those closet to them."
Huh?
"Are you talking about blastia?" Yuri asked
The stranger sighed.
"I can't speak for anyone else but." Yuri said. "It doesn't seem to me like there's any reason why we get dumped into the world. But once you're here, you just do what you can to give this life everything you got."
"And I couldn't agree more, Yuri." Julia added.
"Perhaps there is truth in what you say." the stranger replied to Yuri. Then he started to walk away from us.
"H-Hey." Yuri called out to him but the stranger just ignored him and walked out of sight.
"Oh honestly, Walking off without even saying 'good day'. How rude." Julia shook her head.
"He's gone." I said. "But what was that all about?"
"Got me." Yuri answered. "They say the heat can make people go a little crazy."
"Is it hot?" I turned around and asked.
"I don't think so, Estelle. It's only early summer." Julia answered. "Why do I simply get the feeling we haven't seen the last of that, ahem, rather charming individual?"
"Charming wouldn't be the word I'd use." Yuri replied. "Anyway, there doesn't look like they're any monsters out there. Let's head back down to Ned and Repede and trade in those monster parts."
We took the stairway back down to the ground level and were about to meet up with Ned and Repede when we suddenly heard this loud bell ringing! Wha!? What's going on!?
We looked out through the north gate and we saw this wall of dust on the horizon drawing closer. Also we heard what sounded like rumbling thunder and felt the ground beneath our feet tremble. We saw people fleeing back through the north gate. Which was now starting to close shut!
"Hurry get inside!" A woman shouted from one of the parapets. "The gate's closing!"
Then we heard one of the guards shout. "MUSKETS! BRING THE MUSKETS!"
"SHUT THE GATE NOW!"
"Dammit! What are they doing here at this time of the year!"
"The monsters will fall back if we stop the main charge!" An officer shouted as the guards ran here and there. "Remember your training!"
Then the guards up on the wall loaded their muskets and aimed them at the approaching wall of dust. The thunder growing louder and the ground shaking more intensely by the second.
"READY! AIM! FIRE!" The guards fired their guns at the wall of dust. I could smell the gun smoke from down here. "LOAD! READY! AIM! FIRE!"
Then we saw large shapes emerge from the wall of dust. I even saw some of them tumble and fall from being shot by the guards.
"OKAY! THEY'RE ALL IN!" An officer shouted from the wall. "CLOSE IT UP!"
"HOLD THE GATE! THERE'S STILL MORE!" That young woman shouted back. And sure enough, there were still people still running towards the gate!
Also I got a really good look at what was stampeding towards us! "Oh my word! Are all those, ulp, monsters!?" I gasped, hands up to my startled face.
"Rhinossuses!" Julia said. "Big ones too! And wouldn't you know it! They brought along the Lord of the Plains!"
The LORD OF THE PLAINS!? EEK! Is that what big blue scary looking monster is!?
"We just left the capital and things are already getting crazy." Yuri said. "That's it. I'm cursed. I know it."
"Yuri! Don't say stuff like that!" Me and Julia retorted.
Then Yuri suddenly went out through the gate "Yuri! What are you?" Julia shouted out.
"There's two kids not moving out there!" Yuri shouted back. "I gotta go get 'em in! Estelle, you wait over, HEY!"
I dashed past Yuri. "Estelle!" Julia yelped. "Get back inside!"
"Help the girl!" I shouted to Yuri. "Julia get up to the wall and see if you can borrow a couple of muskets. We might need you to cover us!"
"Whatever you say!" Yuri replied.
"As you wish, Estelle!" Julia raced up the stairs. "Margaret's not gonna let me hear the end of this!"
I ran up to the boy holding his shin. "P-Please! I can't get up! Owww!" He whimpered in pain as I activated my spell circle. "WAAH! The monsters! The monsters! THEY'RE GETTING CLOSER!"
"Everything's going to be okay. "I reassured the frightened boy. "Holy power come to me. First Aid!" I began to heal his injured leg.
At the same time, Yuri picked up the little girl and was now running back towards me.
"Hey, I can stand!" The boy stood up once I finished my healing arte.
"Go in the hold!" Hurry!" I told him to run back to the still closing gate. Yuri, carrying the little girl, joined us as we started to run to the gate.
The rhinossuses were right behind us! I looked back to see one of them suddenly pick up speed and charged straight at us! EEEEK!
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" *BANG* And suddenly tumble base over apex, blood spurting from its forehead. "GOTCHA!" Julia triumphantly yelled, holding a smoking musket. "YURI! ESTELLE! DON'T JUST STAND THERE! MOVE YOUR BUTTS! THE GATE'S ALMOST CLOSED! WHAAH! SOMEONE GIVE ME ANOTHER LOADED MUSKET!"
Me, the boy, and Yuri, holding that terrified little girl ran as hard as we could. A couple more rhinossuses lunged at us. Only to be quickly gunned down either by the guards on the wall or by Julia, shooting borrowed musket after borrowed musket.
We had to duck slightly to get under the rapidly closing gate. The gate slammed shut behind us just as the main herd of monsters slammed into it. I actually thought it was going to break from all those monsters and the lord of the plains slamming into it! But it managed to hold. Whew!
"Well, so much for keeping a low profile." Yuri said to me as he handed the child over to her overjoyed parents.
"How can I ever thank you?" The mother asked.
I suddenly felt myself blushing. "Oh shucks, it's nothing really. Aheh heh heh." I sheepishly replied, hands pressed to my grinning face.
"I'm not sure what I would have done if you hadn't cured me. Thanks!" The boy thanked me.
"Oh, heh heh, You're welcome." I happily replied, rubbing the back of my head.
"Oh, honestly, you two." Julia, her face now coated in gunpowder soot approached. "I'm glad you're both okay, the boy and girl too, I suppose. I swear, Estelle, you must have quite a bit too much of your father in you, running out to aid the boy like that." You think, Julia? I'm starting to wonder that myself.
Quite a few more people gathered around to congratulate us for rescuing that boy and little girl. "Aren't we attracting too much attention around here?" Yuri asked.
"I'm sorry." I cheerfully replied. "I'm just thankful everyone's safe. Woah!" My legs felt weak all of a sudden and I collapsed to my knees.
"All worn out, huh?" Yuri looked down at me.
"I know how that can feel." Julia added as she and Yuri sat down next to me.
"It really is dangerous beyond the barriers with so many ferocious monsters around." I said.
"Tell me about it." Julia said.
"This place certainly could use a barrier against a pack that big." Yuri replied as Repede and Ned approached.
"Couldn't they install a barrier blastia here?" I asked.
"No." Yuri shook his head. "Barriers are a precious resource."
"You're right." I sighed. "And with the current technology we can't make anymore."
"More's the pity." Julia sighed.
I continued. "If only we could recover the secrets of the ancient Geraios civilization. They created the blastia."
"Even if that were to happen, I can't see the empire using the knowledge for the common good." Yuri replied.
We stood up when an officer approached. "You three there." He addressed me, Yuri and Julia. "I'd like to have a word with you." Oh dear!
But before he could ask us anything, we were suddenly distracted by a nearby argument.
"So why don't you let us through?" Demanded a hooded man. "I'll beat those monsters to a pulp with those fists of mine!"
The officer turned to talk to both the hooded man and a big bearded man with a huge sword strapped to his back. "How many times do I have to say it? These monsters are tougher than you think!"
And it looks like Julia recognized the two. "Clint and Tison? What are they doing here?" And then we noticed someone I met last solstice. "Oh, Nan's here too?"
"Clint and Tison?" I asked.
"Clint's the big guy with the sword. Tison's the slender chap in the hood." Julia explained. Okay, Now that I know who those two scary looking men are.
"You dare to doubt the power of the monster hunters?" Tison threatened the officer. Then Clint took out his sword.
"STOP!" The officer demanded. But Clint just swung his great sword at a nearby boulder, cleaving it in two. Wow, such power!
"Stay out of this!" Tison demanded. "You knights cheated us out out of a job back there, and now we're gonna work off some steam."
"Hey hold it!" Several guards gathered around, weapons drawn. "It's always the same with those guild idiots!" One of them complained.
"Great, we'll never get through as long as this keeps up." Yuri shook his head at the scene unfolding in front of us.
"But Flynn is headed to Halure, and we're so close." I said.
"Well getting caught by the knights wouldn't be too fun." Yuri replied. "Let's find another way through."
"We made quite a scene, didn't we?" I commented as we walked away from the scene Clint and Tison was causing. "I was so worried once those knights noticed us."
"I told you we couldn't stand out." Yuri scolded.
"You were the one who just jumped." I replied.
"Just him, Estelle." Julia said. "I recall a certain royal healer that ran out through the gate as well."
"And her maid grabbing muskets from from those knights and shooting at those monsters." Yuri added.
"Well I couldn't let you four get trampled." Julia replied.
"And I did tell her to go up and cover us." I added.
"Right, anyway, I just can't look away when monsters are attacking someone right in front of me, right" Yuri stated.
"heh heh." Me and Julia giggled.
"What's so funny?" Yuri asked.
"I'm sorry." I apologized."That sounded just like the way Flynn described you, that's all. He often said that you could never turn a blind eye when someone near you is suffering."
"Indeed, If it weren't for him, I probably would've remained Gradana's, ahem, mistress." Julia added. "And I dread to think what would've happened to Natalie and Hannah. And, to be honest, I believe me and Estelle aren't all that much different." Oh? You really think so, Julia?
"Well, next time you two see him, you tell him he's the same way as us." Yuri suggested.
"Heh heh, I'll do that." I smiled back.
"Same here." Julia added, giggling as well.
We continued to look around the hold. Julia, after washing off the gunpowder soot, headed off to talk to Nan.
Before long, we met that young woman that was up on the wall earlier. She was dressed in some kind of business outfit, had red hair that came down to the middle of her back and her brown eyes were behind a pair of oval red rimmed glasses. Accompanying her was a young man with short black hair and wore sunglasses and armor. I guess he must be her personal bodyguard.
"You two there, how about coming to work for me?" The businesswoman offered. "You'll be paid, of course." Then she showed us a bag of gald coins. Me and Yuri looked at each other. We were trying to figure out how to reply to this offer.
"Watch your manners around the president." The guard warned us in a serious gruff tone. "Well whaddya say?"
"So it's not bad manners to try to buy someone without even introducing yourself?" Yuri replied.
"Watch your mouth!" The guard retorted. The businesswoman held out her hand to block him.
"Easy there." Then she looked at Yuri. "Well, you're just as charming as I expected." The businesswoman commented as she scratched her chin. She looked pretty amused. "I'm Mary Kaufman, president of the merchant's guild, Fortunes Market." Mary introduced herself. "We handle everything from trade to distribution."
"Guilds huh." Yuri replied. Then we heard and felt the rumbling of those big monsters outside the hold. Oh my.
Mary then explained her situation. "You see, I'm in a tight spot, and it's all because of those tremors we just felt."
"I'd rather not know, but was that the work of a monster?" Yuri asked.
"Yes, the Lord of the Plains." Mary answered.
"Lord of the Plains." I said. "My maid mentioned him earlier. He's that really big blue scary looking rhinossus isn't he?"
Mary nodded. "He's the leader of that particular rhinossus sounder."
"The leader?" Yuri replied. "Man, there's amazing things out there." That's a bit of an understatement, Yuri.
I approached Mary. "Do you know if there's another way we can cross the plains?" I asked. "We're in a hurry."
Mary shook her head and looked at the closed gate. "Hmmm. I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the Lord of the Plains to leave."
Yuri let out a sigh, letting his shoulders slump down. "Huh. I guess there's no point getting worked up over it."
I turned to face Yuri. "But I can't afford to just sit and wait." I said, pumping my fists up and down. "I'm going to get a second opinion!" And I dashed off to look for anyone who knows an alternate route.
(Yuri's point of view)
Well off she goes. I don't think our little naive noble gonna find any answers to our current problem anytime soon. Hmm, wonder if Mary here knows of any alternate routes. Guess it wouldn't hurt to ask. "You're with a guild that does product distribution, but you don't know any other routes?"
"I could hire you and just charge through once the leader moves on, but." Mary answered, looking over her shoulder. "You don't seem too interested."
Yeah, you could say that. Even without the Lord of the Plains, that sounder out there might be a bit much for me, Repede and Julia to handle, even with a princess with healing artes. "If it's bodyguards you want, why not just hire the knights?" I asked.
"Are you forgetting that we guild members have thrown away our rights as imperial citizens?" Mary answered. Oh right. "Once you leave the empire behind, you can't expect them to help you a whole lot. So naturally, the Imperial Knights would never deign to escort the likes of us." She shook her head.
I walked up next to her. "Wow. You really stick to your principles." I said.
Mary turned to face me. "Without that level of determination, one could never hope to run a guild." She stated.
I looked back towards the still closed gate and the knights still arguing with Clint and Tison, and Julia talking to Nan. "Well, maybe you could use your determination to do something about the Lord of the Plains." I suggested.
Then Mary gave me a suggestion. "Go to the Quoi woods that lie a couple days walk to the west of here." She said. "If you pass through the forest, you'll come out on the far side of the plains, and be within a few hours walk of Halure. The overall distance won't be that much different compared to the regular route."
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea...
"But the fact you guys aren't going that way." I said. "Must mean we have some surprise to look forward to."
"I like a boy with quick wits." Mary scratched her chin. "But I like one that doesn't waste a potential investment even better."
"Thank, I owe you one." I thanked her. "Maybe I'll talk to you about that job if I'll ever meet you again."
Mary nodded and walked back to her parked wagons just as Julia joined me, having just finished talking to Nan. "Yuri was that miss Kaufman you were just talking to?" She asked.
I nodded. "She told me about another route we could take to Halure. I take it you've met her before?"
"A few times, Yuri." Julia replied. "I remember first meeting her back when I was ten. She was a rather enthusiastic teenaged sales clerk back then. And now, president of the guild."
"Sure came a long way, huh?" I said.
Indeed, Yuri." Julia agreed. "Last time I met her was a couple months ago in Shizontonia when I was helping with the restoration of the library, Which I recall." She glared at me, hands on hips.
"I know, I know, me and Flynn messed it up when we tried to arrest Garista Loudur three years ago." I finished. "Must have a boring gig getting that place fixed up."
"I wish." Julia Julia slumped her shoulders and sighed. "Some jerk Stu thought it was funny to bring a tentacle monster, with licking tentacles no less, into town. And it *shudder* licked me in places I will not mention before I was able to hack it up before Simon and Rachael torched it. And do not get me started on how those tentacles felt after you chop them *shudder again*. Ew ew eww EWWWW!"
Um, right. "So what's your old ward up to?" I asked.
"Oh same old, same old." Julia replied. "Mashing monsters for fun and profit, and Clint and Tison took a break from arguing with tha garrison captain to rib her a bit over being mentored by a maid last summer, hee hee hee, poor girl. Where'd Estelle run off to?"
"She went looking for someone that knows an alternate route to Halure. I answered. "I think she's down near those tents. I was going down there when you walked up."
"I see. Well then let's go collect her and get those monster parts traded in." Julia said. We headed down to the tents. We soon found Estelle sitting down next to one of the tents. Next to her was Repede and Ned.
"Estelle." I said.
"I'm not waiting for the monsters to leave or anything." She said. "I'm just resting a little."
"Oh, I see." I replied. "Well I guess I'll just have to take the other way around by myself." I turned around and headed back up accompanied by Repede and Ned.
"What?" Estelle gasped as she stood up. "How did you? Hey wait for me!" She dashed up to us just as we reached the top.
As we headed over to the vendor, I thought I'd ask Estelle and Julia about guilds. "Mary Kaufman, she said she was in a guild, right?"
"Yes, Yuri, that was miss Kaufman, of Fortune's market." Estelle replied. "She already told us all that, remember?"
Oh, right, silly me. "Man, giving up their rights as imperial citizens and just living free." I replied.
"Yuri, are you interested in the guilds?" Estelle asked.
"Interested?" I replied. "Nah, I've never had much contact with them ever since I left the knights. Back in the capital, there weren't any gritty guild types who'd refuse the knights protection."
"They tend to prefer places like Shizontonia, or their main capital, Dahngrest." Julia added.
"Tell me about it." I said. "I used to see plenty of them when I was down in Shizontonia three years ago."
"See?" Julia grinned to Estelle, holding her open hand towards me.
"Right. We may meet people in lots of guilds before we're done with our trip." Estelle said.
"I wouldn't be too surprised, Estelle." Julia said. "The further we get from the capital, the more and more we'll likely encounter."
"I hope they're a little less aggressive than Mary was." I said.
"Well she is rather enthusiastic, Yuri." Julia reminded. "So you mentioned earlier that she told you of an alternate route that will take us to Halure."
"She did." I nodded. "We'll head out once we trade in those monster parts and get some supplies."
We sold off the monster parts we collected on our hike up here. Got a pretty good amount of gald for them. We bought up some supplies, and a decent pony, and were soon on our way out the south gate. Next stop, the Quoi woods...
Wonder what that surprise Mary was talking about? Oh well.
End Part 4
Author's notes:
Next chapter, Our heroes visit the Quoi Woods, and Yuri finds out what the, ahem, surprise that Mary was talking about. And then they meet a kid with an oversized sword.