- The Next Day -
Yup. It was supposed to be a good morning, but no. Fate always had a way to strike her, especially since she woke up with Henry looking down on her face.
"Rise and shine!" Henry smiled down at her and all she did was turn her head, cover herself with the blanket.
"Come on now! Wake up! Or I'll put a hex on you." He smiled and Sophia quickly sat up.
"I don't need to be hexed. That's Thajra's job." She thought and got off the bed.
"I'm going to the capital and I'm bringing you along. Can't exactly have you looking like..." he looked her up and down, "A walking corpse."
"You could have just said I look like shit." Sophia huffed, "And unfortunately, I have no money. So how the hell am I supposed to buy anything? And what's the money system here?" She said as she walked to her pink suitcase and unzipped it.
"There's a pawn shop in the capital. You could sell something for money. By the way, the money system is this." He took out a copper coin, a silver one, and gold.
"One copper coin can be used to buy daily necessities. 100 copper coins are equivalent to one silver coin." He showed her a silver coin.
"So copper coins are dollars if I put it in US money terms. Then that means one silver is 100 dollars." Sophia thought as she quickly had Henry go out of the room for her to change clothing.
He chuckled as he leaned on the other side of the door and continued to explain.
"100 silver coins is equivalent to 1 gold coin. Then we have other types of coins that are rare. Orona is a type of extremely rare metal with a shade of silver and blue. The metal is used to amplify magic. It used to be used for currency but not anymore. One coin of those is worth 10 gold coins." Henry chuckled as he heard shuffling in the other room.
"Lastly we have a type of gold called pieceling. When shaped it turns a light blue color while the other side remains silver. Four of those coins are equal to 1 gold coin. In terms of silver, it's around 25. 1/4. Do you understand?" Henry finished explaining the money system of the three countries.
"1 bronze coin is a dollar. 1 silver is 100 dollars. 1 gold is 10,000 dollars. I get the rest. Hmm, I know this money system." She thought as she finished packing up her bag with the medicines she had in her suitcases.
Henry moved from the door and saw her open it. She wore her white lab coat, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, round glasses. Her shirt was a plain black shirt with a long black skirt that was easy to move in. She wore black boots and around her shoulder, was a black-brown bag that her friends call a black hole.
"You stick out like a sore thumb," Henry commented and Sophia just gave him the stink eye.
"What you expect? I walk into the capital naked? I have no idea what type of clothing the people of Plegia wear. As well as the culture." Sophia said a bit coldly.
"Hahaha! You got a point. Here." He handed her a black coat that was similar to Robin's, "Plegia isn't in summer yet but it's still pretty hot. This cloak should keep you cool." He smiled.
"Oh! Henry when did you get here?!"
The two turned and saw Ahura had just woken up along with Dana. The little boy's hair was a bit of a mess.
"Good morning Ahura!" Henry smiled, "I got here last night. I'm taking Sophia here to the capital to speak with Mustafa as well as buy a few things." He explained.
"Oh! What did you wish to speak with my husband?" Ahura asked as she walked up to them.
"Umm..." Sophia let go of a sigh and spoke, "I wanted to ask if I could live here in the village." She said and the woman looked at her surprised.
"I just found out it's not possible to return to my homeland and I don't know anyone else outside of this village. Henry told me about an abandoned cottage in the woods. I am hoping I receive permission to repair it and live there. I already cause you and your family enough trouble and wish to repay you all in some way." Sophia finished explaining.
"Oh, dear! It's alright! You were injured, no trouble at all. You're so kind and thoughtful for thinking of us." Ahura smiled warmly and Sophia looked at her surprised.
"What's wrong?" Henry asked.
"N-Nothing." Sophia shook her head, "And thank you once again Ahura."
"It's alright. Besides, I do think my husband would let you live here." Ahura smiled.
"Since you're going to the capital, can you buy me some sweets?! Please!" Dana gave them the puppy dog eyes.
"Nyhahaha! I don't mind. We'll be back in a few days!" Henry smiled and he and Sophia waved goodbye as they left.
Walking down the village road, a few of the villagers began whispering when they saw Sophia for the first time. Meanwhile, the girl was still a bit lost in thoughts as they walked out the entrance of the village.
"Got something on your mind?" Henry smiled as they walked up to two horses that were tied to a tree.
"Ahura called me kind." Sophia muttered as Henry began to untie the ropes, "I never have been called kind before." She said.
Henry was silent yet his smile remained as he walked up to her.
"Void. Emotionless. A doll. Cruel. I have been called those words all my life." Her lips were pressed together as she tilted her head back, looking to the sky, "I have always never been one to express emotions. I learned at a very young age that I would only receive punishment if I showed them. So, a smile is extremely rare and difficult for me to do." Sophia looked back to Henry with a void face.
"It felt strange being called kind. I'm supposed to save lives. Yet because I rarely expressed emotions, I was seen as cold. But being called kind, felt good. Laughing even at your jokes felt nice and refreshing. Am I strange for thinking that?" She tilted her head to the right a bit.
"I don't know." Henry opened his eyes just a tad bit, "Guess it's up to you to figure it out." He handed her the reins to the second horse.
It was a black Friesian horse. It nuzzled her cheek and she chuckled a bit.
"You do know how to ride a horse, right?" Henry smiled and she nodded.
"I do. I took lessons from my grandmother." Sophia muttered as she gently petted the horse and got on.
Henry chuckled as he got one of his horses and the two snapped the reins. It has been a while since she rode a horse. She missed it. The feeling of the wind blowing in her hair as the horse ran through the field of grass.
"How long till we reach the capital?" Sophia yelled out a bit.
"About 6 days. I wish I could just warp us but unfortunately, that's a hassle. So we're riding over there. By the way," he pointed to her bag, "I heard something rattle. What do you get in there?" He asked.
Sophia had her horse slow down a bit as did he. She opened her bag and took out a small bottle of blue clear pills.
"Medicine. Made of high-quality ingredients that are beyond difficult to obtain here or possibly do not exist. I'm thinking of selling it. Not sure how much it would go for." She said as she put the bottle back into her bag.
"Well now! What does that medicine do?" Henry asked and she raised an eyebrow.
"This medicine is called an antibiotic. It's a lifesaver medicine in my home and can cure about almost any illness that exists." Sophia said and Henry looked at her surprised.
She had to admit, it was an exaggeration, but some poor chum could fall for it. But the ingredients used to make it would increase its value. Especially in this country.
"Whoooaa! If that's true, you're better off selling it in the black market!" Henry grinned at her.
"I'm new here and you're already trying to throw me into Lion's den?!" Sophia gawked, "Triador!"
"Tri-wha? Do you know more than one language?" He asked as they had their horses start running again.
"I called you a traitor!" Sophia snarled back, "And yes. I know about five different languages. I'm one of the few people called multilingual. Which means, speaking more than four languages." A bit of a smug look appeared in her eyes as she spoke of it.
"Can you teach me all of them?" Henry asked.
"Hell no. My first two languages are called Spanish and English. My native tongues. The other three are called French, Japanese, and Old Celtic Runes. And those three were a pain in the ass to learn. 8 bloody years suffering. I'm just teaching you Spanish and English." She huffed.
"Booo! You're no fun!" Henry stuck his tongue out to her.
"Yeah yeah. Whatever. Not the first time I've been called that." She sighs as she looks around, noticing the land becoming drier as they continue.
"How many villages will we be passing through or stop at?" She suddenly asked.
"About three of them. Why?" Henry said as he noticed her face becoming more void of emotions by the second.
"Who rules this land? All I have been told that it is ruled by The Mad King. I need more information so I can understand my situation." She answered.
"..." he stared at her for a good 30 seconds then spoke, "You didn't just bring medicine, did you?"
Sophia turned to him, giving him a thousand-year-old stare.
"No, I didn't. I brought my medical bag with me. I'm a doctor. I'm treating my patients. Regardless of who they are and status." She answered.
"That explains why I saw you staring around the village earlier." Henry smiled as he looked back to the field.
They were becoming more desert-like.
"You noticed huh? The conditions of it. Other villages have it worse." He muttered.
"I know. I've worked in similar fields before during my younger days." She answered as she looked up to the sky a bit.
"Younger? How old are you?" Henry smiled.
"22 years old. Yeah, I know. I look 18." Sophia grumbled and Henry burst out laughing.
"Aye, I'm two years younger than you!" He laughed and Sophia turned to him, a bit surprised.
"Really? I thought you were at least 18." She said.
"Ouch! I'm hurt!" He grins, "But for now, let focus on. We'll be reaching the first village in a few hours. So, want to spin your magic there?" He asked.
"As I said, I'm a doctor. I swore an oath to save lives. I may not be from this country but I'm still doing my job." Sophia looked over to him, "If you are injured or sick, I'll help you also."
- 4 hours later -
Riding through the land of Plegai felt like she was running through the desert. The land was dry and crumbled. Tumbleweeds roll because of the hot wind. Dust was picked up easily and she had to use her hood as a mask to protect herself. The sunlight was harsh, at most 103° degrees. Henry explained to her that the temperature drops at least to 38° C at night. She was grateful they weren't in the wintertime. It was still spring, but the temperatures could be pretty cold. Henry did warn her that they need to be wary of sand crawlers as well as bandits.
"Why the fuck do those monasteries exist in this world?" Sophia thought.
The sand crawler monster was originally introduced in Fire Emblem Three Houses so hearing those monsters do exist in this world was alarming. At least Crest didn't exist? Right...?
"Anything else we need to worry about?" Sophia asked as they saw a few buildings up ahead in the distance.
"Well, since you don't know magic yet, do you know how to defend yourself?" Henry asked.
"I know how to do martial arts. How to make poison and acids. As well as how to use daggers and needles." Sophia explained as they arrived at the village entrance.
"I also know how to use a gun but those don't exist here, and I hope they never do." She thought as they arrived.
They tied the horse reins to a nearby tree that was big enough to provide shade. Henry used some magic to make the ground turn a bit cold. Sophia couldn't help but look at the man with wide eyes. The hue of glowing blue with a small magic circle came from his hands as he placed it on the ground. Henry muttered a spell as frost began to form on the ground. The horses seemed less hot and appreciated the cooling sensations of it.
"I take it this is your first time seeing magic?" Henry smiled as he noticed the woman staring at his left hand that he used to cast the spell.
Sophia nodded and Henry chuckled.
"How about I give you a small test before I teach you magic?" He smiled.
"What sort of test?" She asked as he finished and began to walk into the village.
She covered her mouth in shock as they entered. Many of the people were in a terrible state as all the village. The place was barren, even more, many children were a bit too skinny as well she could tell many were sick.
"What the hell happened here?" Sophia could barely chock out as her fist shook.
Henry smiled as he began to explain.
"Heavy taxes, famine, poverty. The common folk can't afford medicine. Not even the cheapest one which is 1 silver coin." He said but froze when Sophia turned to him with an enraged look.
"1 silver coin is not cheap!" She nearly roared at him.
"Hahaha! Is that so?" He smiled, "Then prove you're skillful. Treat these people." Henry opened his eyes a bit, "To survive, one must adapt. Isn't that right?" He smiled.
"Fine. But first, is there at least an empty cottage here I can use?" Sophia growled.
"That's exactly why I wanted to bring you the capital. Prove you can survive." He smiled and led her through the village.
"Is that a noble?"
"What is a noble doing here?"
She could hear whispers going on in the village and could see many people suffering. She needs to work.
"This can work. I can get information." Sophia thought as they arrived at the partly run-down building.
Opening the door, inside was a table and at least two wooden beds. Not the best conditions but better than nothing.
"I'm going to get things set up. In the meantime." She turned to Henry who just smiled, "Give me 1 hour. In the meantime, go inform the villagers that a doctor is here to treat them. No charge whatsoever. How many people are in this village?" She turned to him seriously.
"100 people. Can you handle all of them?" Henry smirked as she walked to a table.
She placed her bag on there, Henry hearing the loud thump, indicating it was heavy. Well, to him it would feel like a bag of bricks. To her, it feels like something she carried every day, books. Her back was facing him as she began to open her bag. Taking out her materials, her face is void of emotions.
"I've been under far worse pressure," Sophia answered as she took out a few water bottles she had.
"I've seen death more times than you can count. I have seen life leave people's eyes. I've been spat at, yelled at, threatened, and been told a lot of horrible things through my career." Sophia kept unpacking everything in her bag, the coldness in her voice only becoming stronger.
Henry seemed to like this side of her. He only got to know her for a few hours, but it was clear to him this woman stood up to the words she was told.
Cold.
Void.
"But she isn't cruel." He thought as she kept unpacking things.
A loud whack was heard and held in a smirk as she finished putting on blue colored gloves.
"What are you waiting for? Go." Sophia said and noticed he walked up to her.
"Here, you're going to need these." He placed about 5 potions on the table and heard her chuckle a bit, "There should be two more tables and a few chairs in the back. Should help even things up a bit." He said.
"Thank you. I'll pay you back by the way. Any chance you like fresh homemade food?" She asked as she grabbed her face mask from her bag.
"Make me a pastry from peaches." Henry laughed a bit.
"Deal."
[-]
"Come one come all! For a brave foreigner from a land far away has come to treat you all! And for free I might say!"
Henry was a little shit. He was finding great entertainment in seeing Miss Water Nymph showing what others call humanity. Her face was like a blank slate, he honestly thought she was a walking corpse.
"Head to the building with the broken sign! Miss Water Nymph will treat you there!" Henry smiled as he pointed to the building.
While many of the villagers had looks of doubt, they still made their way to the building.
The first one to enter was a mother with an infant child. At most, the child was 5 months old. The woman cried as she showed the child to Sophia and the older woman immediately got to work. The child was suffering from malnutrition as well as a fever. It may not look like it but in Sophia's red suitcase with her medical supplies, she was going to deliver a new shipment of medicines. Now, since she doubts, she'll ever be able to return home, she will use the medicine to help these people. Back and forth she went as the hours passed. 1 hour turned to two. Two hours turned to four. Nonstop, she kept moving. Treating the villagers. Nonstop, the crowd did increase. At some point, there was a man with an open wound that had to be treated. It was badly infected, on the right thigh. Henry had a candle for her ready and he watched her operate. The man had to be put to sleep as well as use medicine to numb his senses. Henry watched in amazement at how skillfully she moved her hand to wield scalpels, removing the rotting flesh. The infected flesh oozed with puss and yellow like a rotting animal corpse. The blood spilled all over the dirt floor and also on her clothing, yet she did not flinch one bit as her hand moved onto the next equipment. A needle and thread she used sewed the fresh disinfected flesh back together to close the wound. Her face showed no emotions as she did it. Her mask hiding the frown she had as she double-checked to make sure no blood vessels were bleeding. It looked like she was sewing wool instead of flesh. Bloodstained the floor and the white apron she was wearing. She cleaned up the wound and applied for medicine, then bandaged it. The wife of the man cried tears of joy and thanked her.
"It was nothing. It's my job." Sophia's voice was a bit muffled because of her face mask.
She began to instruct the woman how to properly change the bandages every day and to avoid getting wet in the area that was treated. Many of the women listen to her as she instructed how much medicine to give. As well as how to properly take care of the children. Henry had to admit, he liked seeing the pride of the young mothers hurt because the older women had smug looks. The fact that it was late at night and she finished treating the last few people still amazed him.
"Thank you so much, dear. Please accept this." An old woman handed her a small pouch.
Sophia opened it. Inside was an old gold ring with rubies on it, in a shape of a rose.
"I'm sorry but I will not accept this," Sophia said and handed her back the pouch.
"How rude!" The teenage girl next to the old woman glared, "Nana is giving you something! Besides, we don't have money to give you if that is what you want." The girl crossed her arms.
"Haaaa?" Sophia gave the girl a dry look as she removed her gloves and mask, "I'm not being rude. It's called being thoughtful." Sophia sighs as she turns her back on them.
"First off, I can tell that ring means a lot to you madam," Sophia said as she threw the plastic gloves into the small fire Henry made.
The disgusting smell of chemicals and plastic came from it as the gloves burn.
"I will not accept something that holds so much meaning and value to a person. I'm assuming the ring was given to you by your husband, correct?" Sophia said as she tilted her head back a bit.
"Yes. How did you know?" The old woman asked as Sophia tilted her head forward.
"...My grandmother. You remind me of her. She gifted me something very valuable to her." She turned to them with a small smile, "You should give it to your granddaughter when the time is right if you desire. Do not give something of so much value, a stranger." Sophia turned back to the table and removed her apron.
The old woman smiled softly and nodded.
"You're a kind person, young girl. Thank you." The old man said, and Sophia's hand stopped just above her bag.
"Kind? Am I kind?" Sophia thought as she cocked her head but spoke, "Thank you." She muttered.
"We'll be going now. Also, what is your name?" The teen girl asked.
"Sophia." Was all Sophia said and the two women said their goodbyes and left.
Henry smiled as he walked in, and saw her sitting on the chair, staring at the small copper pot. He used it to start a small fire. She picked the other copper bowl, and Henry handed her a bottle of alcohol.
"Use it to clean your tools." Referring to her surgery tools.
Metal tongs, types of scalpel he had never seen. Tools he had never seen in his life. Sophia chuckled lowly as she popped the bottle and poured about half of it into the bowl.
"Thank you." She muttered and went into her bag, taking out another pair of plastic gloves.
She picks up the bloody metal tongs and puts them into the bowl, wiping it clean. Making sure not a speck of blood remains. She repeats this step with each tool. All night she takes to clean and put her things away. Henry just watches, observing her. She was so focused on cleaning and packing away she did not notice the time pass. The night turned to the day before she realized it.
"I'm tired. I need coffee." Sophia muttered and slumped onto the chair, finished putting away her last tool.
"Hmmm..." she looked out the window and began groaning loudly because she saw it was morning.
At that moment, she heard footsteps, and at the door was Henry with his usual smile but in his arms, he was carrying a bag of peaches and oranges.
"Good morning!" Henry smiled as he walked and noticed her staring at the bag, "If you're wondering where I got these, one of the villagers is a farmer and wanted to thank you with these. Since word has already got out that you refuse to accept the coin." He chuckled as he held a peach out to her.
She gladly took it, using her sleeve to clean it. She took a bite and her eyes lit up. It was sweet and tart. Just how she likes it. The flesh of it is a deep dark yellow.
"Are you going to have me do the same thing at the next two villages?" She asked if she devoured the piece like a rabbit eating a carrot.
He handed her an orange after she finished eating it. She peeled it quickly and ate it.
"Yup. You did quite well for this village. Even going as far as to educate the young women here. Not bad." He smiled, "The next two villages have a bit fewer people so it should be less stressful." He said.
"I can't help but feel relieved hearing that," Sophia said.
"Get some sleep. We'll head out in a few hours." He smiled as she stood up and went to one of the beds.
"Thank you." She muttered as she laid down and knocked out.
Henry chuckled as he saw her knocked out and stayed nearby. First, he isn't risking her getting robbed. She's been interesting so far and he's taking a liking to her. He had to admit, with the amount of talent and skill she showed yesterday, it would be enough to make her a court doctor. But then again, he can tell she isn't the type to get involved in the big stuff.
"Too much of a hassle." He thought as he picked up another peach.
She had the potential to be a mage. He saw the way her interests peaked when she witnessed magic for the first time. She had potential. And he wanted to awaken it.
"Hmm?" Henry turned to the window and saw one of his crows come up, his smile fell when he saw there was a message tied to its left leg.
He stretched out his arm, the crow landed on his arm. He untied the message and opened it, the frown on his face only deepened as he read its contents.
"Tch." He was rarely angry but there were a few that made him frustrated.
He looked back to Sophia then back to the message.
"I hope you don't get roped into this."
- 6 days later -
For the next 6 days, the process was repeated. Traveling and seeing the land become more desolate and drier. The villages were in poor condition as well as the people. Famine, poverty, heavy taxes as well as a dictatorship of a ruler, Gangrel.
"Punk ass son of bitch. Rot in the eternal flames of the Underworld for putting these people through hell." She muttered out loud as they were nearing the capital.
"That isn't directed at me, right?" Henry said.
"Nope. Towards the mad king." She answered and Henry burst out laughing.
"You're very honest, you know that?" He smiled.
"I think the word you are looking for is brutal." Sophia chuckled.
Brutal honesty she gives most of her time and that's why she was called cruel. The closer they got to the capital the more excitement built up in Sophia. The huge city was surrounded by a huge wall built most likely thousands of years ago. The closer they got, Sophia could see Plegai guard on the walls and entrance. The giant stone wall reminded her of The Great Wall of China, yet the place felt cold. The sun's rays came down harsh and Sophia could feel the heat.
"Halt!" A Plegai guard yelled as the two travelers stopped at the entrance.
"Don't worry. It's just a little old me!" Henry grins and the guard flinched.
"Pardons General! You may pass. And may I ask, who is this?" The guard looks over to Sophia.
"She's a mercenary. I hired her to do a job for me. She's getting her mercenary identification today." Henry lied smoothly.
"Very well. You may pass. Do you wish for us to take your horses to the stables?" The guard asked as they two got off.
"Yup! We'll be back for them in a few days! Anyhow, has there been a new shipment of lumber?" Henry says.
"Yes General." The guard said and Henry smiled as he opened the wooden gates to let them in.
The sight of the city took Sophia's breath away. The buildings were made of mud and bricks, similar to buildings of Mesopotamian ones. Some were small, others were big. There were stalls with vendors, yet the capital was not as lively. Not too far away, came into her sight a huge if not monstrous skull. She recognized it. The curled horns. The fangs. The multiple eye sockets.
"Grima..." she thought as they walked through the roads of the city.
It felt sad. She could imagine this place was once filled with life and lively if it wasn't for a bloody bitch of a king.
"I'm taking you first to a place where you could sell your merchandise for a very good price." Henry smiles as they keep walking.
The sights of the clothing the people wore were a bit similar to those of Persian culture. Clothing was made to help the people stay cool from the heat as well as protect them. Then there's those like her and Henry wearing black, which attracted the sun. Walking through the alleyway, Sophia saw more and more people. Some didn't move at all and prayed they were alive. Others whispered. It was similar to the slums. Henry suddenly stopped and turned to her.
"It's better you wear this." He handed her a mask.
It was similar to a crow's mask except this one didn't cover her mouth. The top part was a feather. Better to describe it, it was like a blue masquerade mask.
"I'm assuming this is to keep me safe." She said as she first undid her ponytail, allowing her hair to be free.
When her hair is let loose it is elbow length.
"Hmm, your hair is straight. Similar to someone I know." Henry comments as he takes a strand of it in his hand but blinks multiple times when he notices a bit of blue pigment on his fingers.
"Shit. Looks like it's that time again." Sophia cursed as he let go of the strand.
She took a bit of her finger and rubbed them together, a bit of blue pigment on them. Sophia began muttering curses. She does not need this to happen all over again.
"Your hair isn't naturally blue?" Henry gasped as they began to walk again.
"No. I dyed it. Looks like it's that time of year again that I need to touch it up. They do sell pigments for hair here in Plegia, right?" She asked as they arrived at a wooden door.
"They do. Say, what is your original hair color then?" He asked as he knocked.
Sophia went silent as unsavory memories resurfaced.
"Ew! It looks like rotten paint!"
"Have you ever thought of dying it?"
"How on earth is this hair color natural?!"
"Don't lie. You properly got some extensions huh?"
"It's a secret." Sophia placed her index finger on her lips and smiled coyly.
Henry only hummed as the door was opened and they entered. He also wore a mask, but Sophia had to keep herself from nearly bursting out laughing. He wore a plague doctor mask. The room they walked in had the heavy scent of alcohol, tobacco, and essences. Sophia tried not to gag as they made their way through the fancy-looking place despite how dark it was. There multiple people wearing black robes, specifically dark mages. Sophia always likes dark mage clothing.
"Oh...Gremorys exist. Shit!" Sophia thought as they passed Gremory.
Henry hummed a tune as they made their way to a specific section. Sadly, she couldn't read the sign.
"It says Medicine." Henry said and Sophia turned her head to him, "Just tell them you here to sell the medicine you have made. You'll see." She could tell he was smiling behind the mask.
Sophia nodded as they approached the desk and sitting at the other side was a man who looked in his mid-40's. He wore the clothing of a dark mage and spoke.
"Can I help you?" The man asked.
"I'm here to sell me medicine," Sophia said as she placed the bottle of antibiotics on the counter.
"Strange." The man muttered as he picked up the bottle and rattled it, "Usually the medicine is in powder form. This is the first I have ever seen it in such a compact form." The man walked over to a strange magic tool device.
He placed the bottle there and it activated. Magic circles glowed as they seem to be scanning the contents in the bottle. A number appeared above it on its left, a list of something. Mostly likely the ingredients. It took everything in Sophia not to start smirking as the old man's eyes went wide.
Value: 700 gold coins.
"What is the name of Grima?!" The old man screeched, "All of these ingredients and about a third of them nearly impossible to obtain here in Plegia or any of the other countries! These are some of the rarest and riches ingredients in the entire nation!" The man turned to her, excitement in his eyes.
"You! Where did you obtain such a rarity of medicine?!" He said and Henry frowned.
"I am a traveler." Sophia answered, "I came from a land farther than Valm. I require money so I do expect a good amount. I have...more rare medicines I have personally made." She smiled coyly.
"You will be paid exactly its value! What is the name of this one?!" The man asked.
"Antibiotic: medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or by keeping them from copying themselves or reproducing." She explained.
"Incredible..." the man whispered, "But why would you sell something of such high value here?" He asked.
"I need money," Sophia answered as she took out two more bottles.
The first one had red and blue pills. The other one had green pills.
"The red and blue is to treat a disease called malaria. You've seen people get deeply sick because of mosquito bites. Correct?" She said and the man nodded.
"There. I just identified the sickness and I have the medicine of high value. How much would this one sell?" She grinned wickedly.
Wicked.
Evil.
Cold.
Cruel.
Those are the masks she wore to survive. Henry watches with great amusement and pleasure as the man quickly puts the bottle on the magic tool. The value was 800 gold coins.
"The last one is called vitamins. They help maintain the body healthy and provide the missing nutrition the body needs. What is its value?" She said and the man quickly put on the machine.
She had a bit of a disappointed look to see that its value was 500 gold coins, but it was enough.
"We'll buy these three! They will be put up for bidding and the funds will go to you. What is your name?" The old man asked.
"Raven. I am a doctor who travels the world." Sophia smiled.
"Well, then Miss Raven! We'll send a messenger to fetch you once the sale is done. What is the location you will best stay at?" He asked.
"She's with me..." Henry spoke and immediately the man paled.
"L-Lord Henry...Yes...Umm..I'll make sure to have my messenger inform you." The old mage quivers as Henry waved.
The two turned back and began to walk away, the old man letting out a breath of relief. He knew better than to try and scam a general of the Plegai army. Still, the rarity of the medicine the woman Raven sold him is beyond anything he ever imagined. The medicine was past what royal court mages make. Worth the value of them add that with the list of extremely nearly impossible to ingredients, worth a lot.
[-]
"Just how much did you scare the poor man?" Sophia said as they walked now through the marketplace of the Underworld, aka, black market. The stalls were similar to marketplaces except they sold a lot of illegal things. There are animals in cages. Sophia thanked the lord there weren't any humans in the cages but...
"What on?!" She gasped and quickly covered her mouth as the creatures she saw in glass coffins, metal cages, in chains, she recognized.
"Oh?" Henry smiles through his mask as he saw her stop in front of a birdcage filled with little small bird-like creatures, "Is this your first time seeing a fae?"
Sophia recognized them as ariels. She began to take another look around and flinched a bit, seeing a few dark shadows that laughed. Henry frowned.
"Say." He pointed to one shadow that crawled towards them, he quickly stomped his feet on it, "You can see them, can you?" It squirmed and screeched as he pressed down harder, "The fae and thisfortryde."
Sophia just nodded her head and turned back to ariels. There were about three of them in the cage.
"I swear to pay you back once the medicine sells." She pointed to the cage, "I want them."
Truthfully, she planned to set them free.
"Hey, you." Henry turned to the mage selling them, "How much for the three ariels?"
"1 silver coin each." The man said, "And I'll throw in vodyanoi for half off." The mage said and Henry smiled as he handed the man 3 silver coins and 50 copper ones.
The man handed her the cage and the other one in a glass case. The poor little ones look so depressed and she quickly put a black cloth over them.
"I need to buy a few more things. Just a bit longer and we'll head to the inn we're staying at. So, stick next to me." Henry smiled as they continued.
The trip through the marketplace was, Sophia had admitted, interesting but also depressing. The number of illegal things she saw made her skin crawl.
- Inn -
"One room, please. It is for her by the way. It's for a week." Henry spoke to the lady at the front desk of the in.
"Of course." The lady nodded and handed Sophia the keys.
"Where will you be going?" Sophia asked as the two began to head to the stairs and walk-up.
"I got some work to do. Make sure to stay here. And one, for your safety." Henry smiled as they arrived in the room.
They opened the door and inside was a simple cottage. A nice bed with silk red blankets and covers. A bathroom that unfortunately had a hideous color of lemon yellow. A couch, a freaken bear rug, and there was a fruit bowl also.
"You'll stay here for the week. Once the messenger of the market contacts me, I'll go pick up your money." Henry said as he saw her walk to a table and place the cages there.
"Alright. And thank you again. I'll pay you back." Sophia said as she took off the black clothes on the cages.
"Just stay here for now! And by the way, if you want any food, touch the crystal ball on the table and they'll take your order. Be back soon!" Henry smiled and waved as he left.
Sophia let go a sigh as he left, looking around the room. It was alright, she had to admit it reminded her of a noble's room. She noticed that Henry left the bag of peaches and oranges they were gifted a few days ago and picked the fruits up. Peeling the orange, she walked to the cage and opened it. The aerials, despite being depressed, their eyes lit up like candles as she gave them a slice. She gave the other half to the vodyanoi after she opened the glass coffin. She let go of a sigh of relief as they were eating and began peeling a few peaches. She cut them to bite size and left them on a plate for them to eat. Sophia smiled softly as she stood up and left to the mirror near the hallway.
"Ha..." she muttered as she noticed some strange stones on it, "Well what do you know, runes. I didn't think I would see these ever again." She chuckled and turned back to head to the living room but...
"Oh! So, it wasn't our imagination!"
"She knows runes!"
"Smart little lass!"
"I smell a strange smell."
Sophia had to take three steps back quickly because she was met with multiple pairs of eyes. One Ariel had green color feather hair, one had pink and the other orange. Vodyanoi giggled as it circled her, happily.
"You left the cage open on purpose. Why?" The orange hair Ariel narrowed her eyes.
"Calm down Sidi! Let the little nymph relax a bit." The green hair one said, "It's obvious it's her first time speaking to our kind."
"Listen to Ariel!" The pink-haired one said.
"So, why did you leave the cage open and even feed us?" The orange-haired one named Sidi said again.
"Well..." Sophia quickly composed herself, "You're free." She answered and the four looked at her shocked.
"It is obvious you girls don't belong here. You have all been forcefully taken from your homes. I even left the window open so you can leave. Just because I bought you does not mean I own you." Sophia said as she walked back to the table.
"Besides," she picked up a peach and held it out to them, "I'm not from this country anyway." She smiled.
"True, true." The vodyanoi said as she circled her, "You have the scent of someone from a different land, like us. Yet you also have the scent of someone born in this land. Add that you can speak and see us properly, is a rarity. You speak to us normally." It said.
"What are your names by the way? I don't just want to call you all faeries." Sophia said as the green hair aerial landed on her head, the orange one on her right shoulder and the pink one on her left shoulder.
"I'm Sidi." The pink-haired one said as she used her wing like a fan to cover her mouth.
"I am Aerial. Their leader." Aerial giggled as she made herself comfortable.
"I am Windy! Nice to meet you, Miss Saint!" The orange hair one giggled.
"And I'm Aqua." The vodyanoi smiled as it floated around her.
"Us three hail from the lands of Ylisse. Got caught by some mages of black! Aye, stupid scum! If it was windy that day, we would have cursed them!" Aerial huffed angrily.
"I come from Ferox. Taken from my home while I was asleep. Sigh...but it will be nearly impossible for any of us to return. It's too far and in this place especially, I do not wish to be caught once more." Aqua chirped as Sophia sat down on the couch and settled down on her lap.
"We'll stick with you for a while. Only natural considering you're nothing but a hatchling in this world." Sidi huffed and Sophia just handed her another peach slice.
"Hoooo~ Trying to shut me up with the peach? Smart I must say because they are my favorite fruits. I gladly accept the offering." Sidi smiled coyly but her eyes lit up like a child's as she began eating it.
"Hmmm...I want to explore or read but sadly all the books here are in the language of this country. I can't read it at all." Sophia sighs.
"But you could read the runes." Windy smiled, "I saw a book written in the runic letters, that should work."
"Better than nothing."
- Palace -
Boring.
The councils were always boring and nothing but a battle of politics. Henry was one of the few who had to listen as Lord Validar gave his speech. Gangrel only chuckled from his throne as he listened to the reports of the bandits sent to the borders of Ylisse and Ferox. Henry turned his head a bit as he saw someone he knew.
"This is not only my request but those of the generals as well. We cannot fight if soldiers are sick, starving, not also lacking motivation and cut in funds. They are sleeping under cold nights and no roofs. We propose a 50% slash in the mercenary hire. Those funds could be used on our soldiers than on those whose loyalty can easily be bought with a coin." A young man in his late 30's, General Heriot, spoke.
He is one of the most respected generals in all Plegai and has commanded the army for many years. Yet those like King Gangrel rolled their eyes from their throne.
"The armory would be put to better use. The reports of our war with Ylisse have proven fruitful." Gangrel's voice was sickly and the amount of cruelty in it could not be hidden.
"My King." General Heriot spoke, "We have. We checked the numbers and the resources our soldiers need would benefit."
"Hahaha! Even so, right now our priorities are with the war in Ylisse. Valm will be making another move soon. We need to land." Gangrel spat back.
"I want to leave." Henry heard whispers from his companion.
A young woman with long black hair, dressed as a dark mage. She held a tome to her chest as she chewed the nail of her thumb, frustrated.
"Hang in there Tharja." Henry whispered and the woman just clicked her teeth silently.
The meeting continued for the next few hours and it was the usual boring thing. Henry walked through the hallways as he made his way. Next to him was Tharja, who was silent.
"I'm not looking forward to the next few days," Thraja comments as they walk through the hallways.
"The meetings are becoming more intense. While I am looking forward to fighting, I am NOT looking forward to working with Aversa." Henry frowned as they made a turn around the left corner, "You're heading to the library also?"
"New tome shipment. I want to get my hands on one called Dark Spikes. Hahahaha...I heard it is quite deadly." Tharja smiled darkly as they arrived.
Opening the door, the Palace Library was huge. Three floors worth of books as well as stairs. The place was lit with candles to keep the tomes from being read in the dark. Tharja raised an eyebrow as Henry made his way to the section of tomes for beginners. As well as grabbing a few that were in the intermediate level.
"What is this?" Tharja muttered as she saw the man pick a few of the times, "I did not think you were the type to suddenly re-study the basics of magic." She said.
"Hahaha! I get the impression you are getting but this isn't for me. It's for someone else." He smiled as he picked another one that clearly said, Thorn.
"Hmmm...and who is this for then?" She asked as she crossed her arms.
"Remember I told you about the little Miss Water Nymph I found?" He said and Tharja narrowed her eyes.
"Yes. I recall." She said and he turned to her with his smile.
"Want to meet her?"
Chapter 2: Through Painful Sands