The next morning, I woke up and found Eris bed empty. After so panicked searching, I found her atop the rock formation under which the cave rested. The sun was rising on the horizon, lighting up the vast savannah with its orange brilliance.
Dry, yellow grass low-hanging trees, and great herds of animals traveling from one spring to the next. It was a magnificent sight. The most beautiful I could rember, even.
I approached Eri but her mind seed to be elsewhere.
Good morning. I tried.
She jumped slightly and whirled around, her hand reaching for her spear, until she saw and cald down. Oh, its just you, Arthur. Dont scare like that! she chastised, her cheeks turning pink.
Sorry about that. I wasnt trying to scare you, but you were distracted. It is a beautiful view, isnt it?
Hmmm.
Whats on your mind?
Nothing.
If this is about yesterday I began, but stopped when I saw her shiver. Awkwardly, I tried another approach. Listen, what happened to those people was nobodys fault. They were misguided by Swahili, they misunderstood
Its not about that, Arthur! Its about the way we killed them The way I did
She sobbed quietly. I just just wanted to
Had you ever killed before? A person, I an.
She lightly shook her head, before resting it in her hands and breaking down. Had I been any wiser, I would have said sothing comforting or talked about the choice to take a life or sothing but no words ca to . Instead, I hesitantly put my hand on her shoulder. She leaned into my touch and cried.
As I stared at the rising sun over Eris shoulder, I couldnt help but feel betrayed. The sun promised happiness, as if nothing could go wrong. In reality, the savanna, no, life itself, was far crueler than the sunrise let on.
A few hours later, once we had both cald down a bit, we packed our things and set off. The city wasnt far now, and we didnt want to linger around our previous battlefield, even if the chances of us being discovered were astronomically low.
We spent the rest of the day traveling, not even stopping to eat, and by nightfall, we had reached our destination, the border city Agratos.
Its sandstone walls rose high above the horizon of the savannah, which had beco more luscious the further south we travelled. Agratos was known as the jewel of the country of Alterian. This was in part because of its beauty and visible wealth, but mostly because it was a known fact that the city had built itself on top of a large gemstone mine, which even dug up the occasional mana crystal.
As we approached the city itself and passed through its simple yet robust walls, we quickly found out that its reputation was well deserved.
Instead of the smaller townhouses we were used to finding near the walls of any city, we were greeted by giant palaces and expansive manses on either side of the road. The city was filled with greenery which, to look as healthy as these plants did, would require an ungodly amount of water and care to maintain.
I had thought it weird when the guards had only let us through the gate once they had seen Eris identification as a mber of the church, but when I saw how few people traversed the city on foot, their motivation beca clear. They didnt allow just anybody into the city. Especially not poor people
Since night had already fallen, it wasnt so strange to be greeted by nearly empty streets, but this was a bit extre. Apart from the occasional carriage that was pulled through the streets by any random combination of rare animals and monsters, the city was deserted.
It didnt take long for us to find an inn which, thankfully, didnt require registration beforehand. That being said, it cost us a few gold coins each just for a week-long stay! You could get tier 1 and 2 artifacts for that price!
Eri and I were too tired to argue or look for another inn, so we just accepted the fee and paid upfront. The room we were assigned had two beds and a bath that was attached to a magical heater, so at least we got out moneys worth. Helios knew that after a month of travel, we both needed it.
After I had washed myself, I collapsed onto my bed and bid Eri good night. It took less than a minute before I was out like a light.
The next morning, we both rose feeling a lot better than the day before. Eri, especially, had perked up a bit, though I could tell she was still bothered by what she had done. To try and distract her from her thoughts for a while, I struck up a conversation.
So the second place of pilgrimage is in this city, right? Strange that they were so hesitant to let us in. I figure they must get pilgrims knocking on their doors all the ti, right?
I find it strange as well Perhaps sothing happened that put them on guard? Eri speculated.
You dont think I wondered, my eyes going wide. If they had gotten scared by the statue changing in the last place of pilgrimage, we could be in trouble.
No, I dont think so. Eri denied. But it wouldnt hurt too snoop around and see whats going on. Lets stick together this ti, in case sothing happens.
I agreed with a nod. We packed our necessities for the day and set out into the city, in hopes of finding an area that was a little busier.
It turned out that our hotel was located in one of the richer parts of the city, go figure. We eventually managed to find a busier area, where more people lived. Their houses were still extravagant, but no longer as ridiculous as the neighborhood on the edge of the city. Here in the center, affluent people lived amongst each other, setting up shops and services. In just this street alone, we had co across an enchanting emporium, a private library that required a paid mbership, a high-end smithy and a rune-theorizing club for the elite, all packed up next to each other. Each shop had a series of windows along its storefront, displaying so of their better work to passersby. As a result, the street was packed with people, all wearing expensive garb.
More importantly, the crowd allowed Eri and I to listen in to passing conversations.
The minefound
Ancient
All kinds artifacts, they say
The fellow that dug into it
Couldnt find the lower half of his body
Eventually, I leaned down and whispered into Eris ear. So kind of accident in the mine that led to artifacts, it seems. Whatever it is, it sounds interesting.
Eri smiled but shook her head. Who cares what they found? Its not like theyll let any random stranger before she could continue her sentence, she was interrupted by a loud town crier. This lady was standing on top of a raised platform, while a large crowd was gathering below her.
Hear , fair folk of Agratos! The magister, appointed by his holiness himself, has declared that the ancient ruins found within the mines of the city last week will be opened to all interested parties! Adventurers, archaeologists and curious folk alike, all are welco to scour the ruins for treasure and excitent, with the sole condition that everything found within the ruins is sold to the city at 80% of market price. This is your chance to enrich yourself and gain a story to tell, people! Sign up at the town hall to participate!
I looked at Eri with a teasing smile. You spoke too soon, it seems Up for a treasure hunt? We arrived at just the right ti, it must be destined!
Eri sighed, but I noticed the corner of her lips twitch upward.
We cant, Arthur. Were here for the pilgrimage, rember? Besides, I sense sothing sinister going on. Why would the city let random strangers explore their ruins for them? Even with that price-gauging condition, theyre making a loss for no apparent reason. It sounds like sothing within those ruins scared them off
Helios, I hate it when youre the voice of reason I muttered under my breath.
If Im not, then who will be?
I gave her an expectant look, before pointing toward myself with both thumbs. She just shook her head in disappointnt.
Fiiinnee. Lets go visit this church of yours. So much more interesting, right? I finished, exasperated.
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