Memory Of Light Waves
By Firestarr
Chapter Thirteen – News from Amatsu
It was a sunny sky, a clear day in Amatsu .. The boat dock at the southern pier of the city as the sailors put out the wooden bridge by the walkway, some fellow passengers have started to discard their packages and crates. Rui felt delightful he went outside his cabin and took a breath of fresh air "Home at last well, then this is amatsu the far city of the coasts of oriental midgard ..Well we better start to set things ready" he exclaimed and pulled Vale's hand while covered underneath a cloak
Vale looked at Rui but, he just ignored her as he went down and left his pack behind "Hey don't tell me I will carry this?"
"Who else do you expect? You think helping you is free?" he laughed which mades Valenarr so irritated, but the still she carried his things as they went in the city.
Valenarr was startled as the whole city was so busy yet so small. Fishermen and vendors. But the town seem so peaceful and beyond the rooftops she can see an overlooking palace of Amatsu it was beautiful the Palace was ona hilltop and its fortress were covered by pink flowers and plants with trees cascading down the foot hill gateway
"Cherry blossoms pretty aren't it?" Rui implied
"Yeah you live here?"she asked
"Yeah I grew up here my sensei brought me here during my childhood days this small cityis beautiful and like those cherry blossoms trees they would only bloom only if they are taken care of. Every body here is working hard. Some people mistook this city not part of his majesty's rule since it was very distant from the continent. I used to to love it here but…"
"but why did you left?" she asked he didn't answered
"You're asking to much.. it's non of your business… "he said as they walk pass the town's market
"Wait here" he told her whil she was clutching on the heavy pack she was carrying Rui went in a small alley inside a backdoor of a shop
He is so rude, why do I have to get stuck with him.. Well thisis a nice place but he treats me as his own maid for some reason. She thought. She notice a store of cooked rice . She walked towards it as she smells the sweet scent of cooked ham and fish by the shop.
Rui appered and poke her on the head "Aww you know your getting to much! you don't have to poke on me like that!" she yelled
"hey keep your voice down .. or you want me to leave you alone. If it wasn't for me you'd be thrown in the streets or worse! You have to thank me because I took you in because of your stupidity! We're in this mess!" he implied
and threw her a large basket with a garment inside " You don't have to yell at me as your slave !"she shot back
Rui smirked " put that thing on. Rather walking in your skimpy clothes, rogue! Go back home and give me back that basket"he ordered and she handed it to him
"See that trees over there you will see a large picket fence pass that trees, behind that trees is a small well and just before the bridge a small cottage " he said
"And?... "
"AND …clean it spic and span was the rugs to.. You will see a small cabinet behind the house.. Contains dried old sheets wash it , mop the floor too and pull out the weeds outside and dust the ceiling also…."
"WHAT! Are you insane you expect me to clean!"She complained
"YES! Miss little tarou rat that's MY house and YOU clean it.. EVERYBODY here has to work… I'll do the shopping for our supper. Meet me at the tavern once you are finish…..after that your hungry right…. I'll buy some rice cakes for us when you have finished…GO get going.. BYE!" he laughed and walked away.
He is getting on my nerves! That gggrrrrrrr! Awwww what a conceited guy! And went on.. she reached the old house.. it was all dusty and the outside was full of weeds and thick grass before she has to clean the house she changed into the clothes Rui handed her. It was a pair of old blouse and brown skirt "This makes me look like an old maid! Why that stupid monk! He is so mean to me!" she teared the bottom edge of her skirt and used the piece of cloth to tie her hair before she will do her chores
. she went behind the house and found an old rake and a small cutter and then she started to pull out the weed and cut the grass that noon , after an hour she was down took a lot of effort she was feeling so dizzy of hunger , she didn't waste time and took the old rags from the back of the house inside the old cabinet, Valenarr went by the well and fetch a pail of water , she went to the bridge and by the stream she washed the rags , she went back to the house.. And looked for an old thick rope to hung up the rags she washed .and after that she fetched another and started to clean the whole house
She finished her choresby sunset.. Tired and almost forgot to go back to the town tavern that day,she rushed off to meet Rui back in the Tavern.
It was almost evening when she got there. Rui wasn't outside the tavern at all
"Oh dear he probably must be waiting for me for hours" quickly Valenarr went to the fisgh market she searched everywhere and asked every vendor no body have seen him . she wnt back to the tavern and thought he might be inside.
She was right from the looks of it he was having a drink with a couple of gentlemen exchanging laughter and conversation. Vale was beginning to rage with anger the whole day she was so tired and thought he was done with his shoping in the market. Valenarr approached the table…
"I've been looking for you the whole day." She said coldly
"Rui you didn't told us.. you brought home a wife with you " One of his friends remarked
Rui smiled and laughed " I'm still not married " he said
…." Oh no sir you got us all wrong…" Vale interrupted
"Excuse us.." then Rui took her arm and brought her by the door outside and gave her the basket and a couple of zennies
"What!. You mean you haven't bought anything yet! For Goodness sake !"…
"…. You buy I've waited, are you done at home?" he asked coldly
"Yes spic and span! And what are you doing the whole day sitting around and drinking! And what can I buy with these?''
"Hey hey… first of all your not my wife.. And you heard me cleared that.. I Took you in.. you will work for food. Okay! And Budgetting is your problem okay miss Tarou rat!"
"You're so mean!" She growled at him pointing her finger at his forehead.
"…Valenarr.. Where on midgard will you find someone who will took you in and not deceive you okay.. If I am as cruel as you think I should have left you back in prontera .. and who knows you might get be working in the city tavern or a club as a courtesan. Now get moving! And come back here when you're done" he demanded.
So she went off and went to the market. A couple of fresh catch fish and vegetables. It was surprising it was cheap unlike in prontera. She was almost pale and shaky.. as she was buying vegetables in the market the vegetable vendor notice her appearance and heard her stomach growl.
"Are you hungry my child?" asked the old lady vendor
"It's okay ma'am I'm just tired for the whole day.."she said and notice she hasn't have anymore money with her. "I'm sorry ma'am I thought I still can by corn ".
"It's okay here…. I'll just give it to you for free" she hand her a bundle of corn and placed it in her basket
"That was so kind of you "
"Bless you child ... you still haven't eaten.. Are you new here.. it's the first time I saw a young pretty face such as yours" the vendor said
"Yes I am…. I'm with the man who lives by the bridge well before the woods."
"Oh! Goodness!" The vendor went to her and kissed her in the cheek Valenarr was startled.
"Are you Rui's wife… its been a year he hasn't returned" she said delightfully
"You know Rui?"
"Yes we all knew that kind Lad. Why he was one of the king's valiant heroes
he didn't returned but now he seemed to be recovered". The vendor said and hand her another bundle of corn and a bagful of mushrooms "Give this to him You're a lucky lady he is a loving young man "
"Recovered from what if I may ask?"
"Oh its okay if I tell you he was to be wed. Cassandra was killed.. during summoning of monsters here in Amatsu, we all pity him he was very quiet since he didn't go to our chief magistrate when that happened and because only of his heartache.
"Cassandra? " Vale asked the vendor
"His fiance… that poor girl she was pretty like you that young huntress tried to save him but she was the one got killed. It doesn't matter anyway.. Past is past.. You do take caree of young sonny.. You youngsters should be happily in love.. Believe me Rui must love you he said he wont go back here in Amatsu if he still hasn't recovered". The old lady smiled, Vale just nodded t was funny though she didn't have the chance to tell her that they weren't married
"Oh silly me… come with me child." The Old lady brought Valenarr to a small pastry store. And called an old man probably the Baker of the shop
"I'd like you to meet Rui's wife…" The vendor introduced her "Oh silly me ... what is your name child? "
Valenarr smiled sheepishly she can't think of anything to say with the misunderstanding " Valenarr"
"What a lovely Name… Valenarr..!" The Baker remarked and kissed her hand.. " Oh come inside…" he offered Just then Rui was walking by the street
"Oh Rui Goodness!" the Fish vendor said and approached him " Oh hello my favorite granny… I have to go im looking for a lady …"
"Valenarr… oh she's with me..come.." said the fish vendor..
"Rui you're back?" A couple of old folks in the lumber stall saw him
Rui seemed confused "Oh everyone Our town hero is back and brought home a wife." She exclaimed
"Waa………..wa….wife….!" Rui's eyes widened and looked at Valenarr questioningly; Vale just shrugged her shoulders and doesn't have any idea what to say.
"Rui you're back and she is really we were worried about you!" Said the baker and tapped him on the shoulder.
"You got a lot of explaining to do…" he whispered beside valenarr and she smiled. The baker handed them boxes of bread and cookies and the people at the market rushed to the bakery to see That Rui has returned. Bread loafs, Cookies , cakes, Fresh catch fishes, A bag of grain, and kilos of meat. News even reached the palace that night. As the townfolks helped them walked home and fixed them dinner. . the small house was crowded with people Rui seemed a little embarrassed as well as Valenarr it was really a real play along miss understanding. But Rui felt very welcomed at home. The two sat together and a few townsfolk's and old neighbors gather inside. As the time time pass by only the neighbors were left chit chatting about Rui's travel and they also heard the attack in Britonian.
Valenarr served tea and placed in the center table as she sat besides Rui
"And you my dear… where did you two met?" One of the neighbor's wife asked her she smiled.
"Oh my little angel I found her by the stream in kordst" Rui said.
"The stream… ?"
"Yes I saw her taking a bath!" then everybody laughed Valenarr's face was flushing red and looked straightly at Rui to shut up.
"You 're as stupid as you are Rui a peeping tom " Luaghter filled the room
"It's worth it… what I saw.. " He said and looked at Valenarr seriously This goof ball is playing along to much! "…. Is a rare beauty.. That's why I brought her home here".
Vale looked away and felt awkward. Rui was silent for a moment but he just laughed.
"That is so sweet ..." said his neighbor
"He's only Bluffing…." Vale Laughed " No I'm not " Rui said and pinched her on the cheek "Yeah give her a kiss… " theyv said
"A kiss to my beloved wife…?.." Rui doesn't know what to do oh dear now what ? she thought. But Rui pulled her hand and kissed her softly. Vale felt different as he moved away and they laughed she remained quit I was she kissed Napchore but it's not him.. he does look like him but its not.
"aww.. You two love birds are very blessed. Good thing Rui you went back here in Amatsu . Unlike what's' happening in Prontera.. and Aldebaran. Kingsmen shouldn't be trusted "
"Aldebaran? What news have you heard sir?" Vale asked
"A couple of months ago the assassin guild was sent out orders ther, The kIng kept the contreversey about a knight who killed an assassin during the turmoil in Aldebaran…"
Valenarr's eyes widened. Rui notice her reaction and squeezed her hand she seemed so worried." Well things like that is worse than what s happening from the real thing what a disgrace isn't it? Sometimes it's hard to trust people who has power." Said one of the neighbors
"And this assassin was murdered? " she asked
"Just rumors… an example of deceiving people.. I think he was missing. And another attack happened near Payon a couple of days ago…."
As the neighbors continued to tell stories, Vale felt her heart was almost breaking her hands were cold Rui notice it and asked her to prepare some more tea. Just to keep her away from the conversation. Valenarr went outside and brought the pot with her as she started to boil some water in the outdoor furnace her tears filled her eyes as she prepared tea . Rui could see her from the window somehow it was obvious she was weeping. Rubbing her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse.
"Every one I guess it's a bit late.. " Rui said
"Oh yes.. we will continue this conversation tomorrow. " said the neighbor
"I'll go to the palace tomorrow and see what I can help" He said as everyone left the house . Rui went behind the house . he saw the poor rogue who was crying behind the furnace.
He went towards her and pat her on the shoulder.
"Rui…… I'm so sorry… I …."
"You know that assassin?" He asked softly
"Yes… I was looking for him…. But …"
"get some sleep" Rui said. softly
But still she cried.. " I need sometime alone ….."
He just looked at her and he went inside the house and left her there weeping under the moonlight.
ot was early dawn Rui went outside he found Valenarr who was fast asleep at the side of the stove furnace.
"Hey! Wake up!" Rui shoved her "It's still dark?"
"Get up sleepyhead ixme something to eat!" He ordered
" Can you do that yourself im still sleepy!" she moaned
" Oh so you want to sleep her outside okay.. later tonight I will let you, and no more pretending you're here to work and fix me dinner get up!" He yelled at her
"Com'n why do you have to be so mean!" she growled
"Hey you were the one crying the whole night and now you lack sleep it's not my fault! Get inside fix something." He said and shoved her
"Okay okay…… " Valenarr went in and prepared his meal while Rui went outside " Have it ready I will just go to the bath house by the bridge" he said…and she started to cook her mind was so confused I wish what I heard last night are just rumors.. and I don't have to stay with him, I wish he vendor was right they say Rui is kind gentle and sweet how pathetic
Rui returned and got dressed in his room "you seemed dressed and armored where are you going?" she asked
"It's not your interest if you're thinking coming with me.. forget it" he said as he started to eat his breakfast.
"Do tell me? please" She said
"Hey you're not my wife okay! It's only a play last night I cant refuse it they are giving gifts for us , everything last night is not reall okay done!" Rui yelled at her
"You don't have to yell at me!' She exclaimed Rui just ignored her as he sip his tea
"Rui……. Cassandra must be very loving…" she exclaimed.. Rui put down his cup of tea
"Where did you heard that?" he asked coldly
"Yesterday…" she answered. Rui lost his appetite and didn't finished his meal
"vale.. Don't cry like that.. howmanytimes I've told you. You know you're lucky you stillhave hope for someone you might might find..look at me.. I never weeped even I'ved lost someone.. do learn to be strong…… I don't know if I will return this evening but clean the house and prepare something to eat just incase if I arrive " Rui said as he put on his knucklebraces and went outside the door.
Vale felt sorry for him, he was right though as she watch Rui walked away towardsthe bridge. After that she started to clean the whole house still her mind drifted to every memory she could remember.whatrui would told her is the same thing Napchore would do.. The ways to be strong. As she finished cleaning the house she went at the back of the house and remembered the old cabinet when she washed the old rags. She opened it and found a small pouch of seeds
"seeds of what?" Vale thought and went to the town that moon to look for a garden shop. And ask a local gardener
"That is used for Cherry blossoms platation dear" The gardener said
"Those pink trees?"
"Yes oh I remembered before Rui was planning to put some trees over his house his building.. I guess he didn't planned to do it anymore you should find some trees sprouting nearby it blooms in nearby water" The gardener said.
Vale got the slightest idea and returned home. after cleaning the house. After fixing the utdoor she took some shovel and look for some sprouts the gardener said.. he was right she foun some small branching leaves bythe bridge it seemed it was planted for almost a year .. there were sprouts leading to the picket fence e of the house. Vale started to get some water and replant the sprouts herself.
Valenarr looked around her as she finished replanting. she went to the town everyone seemed to know her as Rui's wife
This town is so peaceful and beautiful. Even in the midst of war, this is the first time I felt peace after I got separated from uncle To every face she saw would smile at her, the children would play in the nearby garden of amatsu.. gazing the beauty of the town somehow she felt inner peace that those people who lived there made her welcome.
"Rui I wish you are right where ever you are.. I hope you run into Napchore and find him" she hoped as she watched the petals being blown by the breeze across the sky. Hoping for Rui's return