亚洲综合中美

‘I’m sure there must be more people around this place,’ her cautious and curious eye for detail leveled onto a mild clearing, ‘-out of place,’ she climbed a little slope giving onto a trail. ‘-if it hadn’t rained...’ she sighed, looked both ways, one headed in a vague direction of the volcano, the other, westward. The sound of moving parts caught her eyes plenty of times, ‘-please be a trail,’ she hoped and carried along with the clearing. The years spent in solitude, the unhygienic way of living, and the current state of self wasn’t great in the mental place.

Growls of stranger beasts blew at cold attire, she rose a lazy and tired frown, “-HOLY!” the eyes widened, ‘-a beast of majestic proportions,’ she gasped, stumbling for her weapon.

“At ease,” cried a silhouette over the beast, “-we mean no harm.”

“Life,” she breathed, “-sorry for the fright.” A young man rose over the beasts local to Marinda, six-legged masses of muscles readied to storm and charge their next target. An older man of demi-human nature vaulted off the wagon into the muddied path.

The eyes wandered up and down the very dirtied Yui and ended in a cross-armed examination, “-my lady, you’re a foreigner?”

“Yes,” she said, “-my plane crashed here a few years ago. I thought I was lost,” a chilly wind blew, freezing her teeth into a frantic shake.

.....

“Stop pestering her,” hailed another voice, “-come on,” rose another demi-human, “-lady of the crash, please get on,” said the lady, old and bearing features to a veteran housewife and scary mother. Before the husband mention another word, the wife held a helping hand which Yui accepted and climbed aboard a cargo-filled wagon. The sweet scent of fruits tickled her nose and revived the sleeping monster, *growl,* pained the stomach, therein, the lady gave a simple and modest smile. Her hand dove into a half-empty basket, rummaged about, and pulled onto apples and oranges, “-there,” she kindly offered, “-should keep you until we reach the village.”

“Thank you very much,” she nodded and ate. The rough road was hard on the posterior, especially on hardened wood. The wife seemed unshaken, and why wouldn’t she, her cushion was twice if not trice what young Yui bore.

“Tell me, stranger, who are you?”

Fatigue brought by a somewhat stuffed stomach snapped, “-my name’s Yui Haggard,” she looked at the back through the passing glimpse of the scenery.

“Yui Haggard?” the lady’s eyes widened, her demi-human features rose cautiously, hairs on her arms and legs spiked, “-introduce yourself fully,” demanded the lady.

“Right,” Yui blinked twice and popped her head to mention the unbecoming tone, “-I’m Yui Haggard of the Haggard family in Hidros. My official title is Spymaster of the Hidrosian crown. Does that suffice?” her eyes narrowed.

“Wait a minute,” the wagon halted and the husband pulled on the curtains, “-my lady Yui, are you related to a man named Igna Haggard?”

“Igna Haggard?” her eyes sparkled, “-yes, Igna Haggard is my master and friend. I came to Marinda in search of him. Anything you know,” she knelt, “-anything, I’m lost and I need closure. I want to find my master more than anything. Is he on the island, please tell me?”

“There, there,” the wife kindly patted her back, “-you’re related to the Devil,” she smiled. “-The southern region past the mountain is always left alone and untouched. It’s the magnet for careless sailors to set anchor and rest. Let me tell you something,” she smiled from ear to ear, “-the Devil truly changed our lives for the better.”

“Worry not, lady Haggard,” the wagon resumed, “-we’re headed to Orn Village, albeit a town now,” he laughed, “-if we’re lucky, we may make it in time to see our daughter.”

A na?vely clueless Yui sat with her knees tucked into her chest. The wife spoke of many tales, many instances of the Devil’s wrath, and borderline godly feats. Which in a way felt moronic, a devil performing the acts of God. Still, unfazed by the underlying facts, Yui listened attentively.

It would be another few hours; the sun passed the midway point and the wife ran out of stories. She had her head on a pillow facing her husband’s back, the mind drifted into the peaceful realm of rest and recovery. As for Yui, the lass was invited to sit beside the husband – the overall feel of the voyage changed. The town of Orn was a few days out, and from the weather, grew to be three to four days. He explained the general route and settlements scattered around Marinda.

“First stop,” the path rose to a clearing, “-the farming village of Ene,” they paused at the summit, her cheeks flushed at the sudden change in scenery. The trees were shorter and kind, large fields of plantations spread around a settlement surrounded by a stone wall. Men in armor and weaponry passed the wagon, “-how goes it, Yenth?” signaled the commonly dressed adventurer.

“Eik,” replied Yenth, the husband, “-so-so,” he smiled, “-been to the trading city; they’re swimming in the sudden economic boom.”

“We have to thank the council,” he touched the handle of his dagger, “-well, we discovered another dungeon deeper in the forest. Seems the Prowlers and Flyers are a common sight in the outside world too. Where there’s money to be made,” he rose a high-five, “-there’s fame to be found,” returned Yenth. A sharp clapped signaled the end of their conversation – the wagon slowly shuffled down the slope and entered a loud and rustic village. Many hands worked the field, traders went to and fro, children ran about – those old enough for battle were trained and guided by a man in silvery armor. The crest of Ene was engraved onto the stone wall, “-we’re here,’ said Yenth. Subtle movements at the back took Yui by surprise, warm hands wrapped around her chest and pulled, “-looks nice,” said the sleepy mother resting her sharp chin onto Yui’s shoulder.

“Don’t startle her, Hallow.”

“Whatever,” she returned, “-I’ll go check in with an inn for tonight.”

“And I’m headed to the trader’s building.” By way of their expression, she had to make a choice, “-I’ll come with you,” she nodded at the wife.

“Understood,” cheered Hallow vaulting off with the energy of a younger lass, the landing felt harsh, Yui cringed for the ankles in vain, “-let’s go,” returned a sassy side-glance.

“Hallow changes when she’s around the smell of booze, keep an eye on her,” murmured a whisper. Off on a mix of gravel and stones, the carriage muddled into the way distance. The buildings looked relatively the same, mostly modestly built houses. ‘-This looks like Arda,’ she stuck to Hallow, ‘-demi-humans, adventurers, young mages and villagers running about their day.’

“Surprising, isn’t it?” added the wife, “-it didn’t always look like this. A few years ago, the same people were starved for food, money, and basic commodities. Many families, including ours, were struck by tragedy and misfortune. To see everyone, smile and have a chance at survival – my heart’s warm just thinking about the journey.”

“Lady Hallow...”

“Hallow is fine,” she casually said wandering the alleys and roads.

“Hallow, the tales told in the carriage build my master to be a complete fanatic. A murderous monster without care for another’s life. Albeit, I don’t refute that statement – why accept him, more specifically, why accept me?”

“Oh darling,” she tightened her lips, “-don’t worry, no one’s angry. Marinda’s undoubtedly a safe place,”

“...”

“-at times.”

Yui simply kept a blank expression.

“Forget it, who cares about the politics or whatnot. Enjoy the town,” without fail, opposed to an inn – a building of alcohol, women, and men rose above Yui’s glistening forehead, “-the Morris Pub.” Hallow pushed her weight through the door, locked at the barkeeper, and jogged to the counter.

Therein, the worker, a muscular man of traits of a lizardman, threw a warm smile deeper at back and shouted, “-HALLOW’S BACK PEOPLE!”

“YAY!” cheered the scattered entourage, “-drinks on me!” they yelled and rushed the counter, one by one, her corner was stacked with beer mugs, and ale. Yui shuffled to her side and pulled onto the dress, “-what?”

The barkeeper horned onto the stranger and pushed a free drink, “-on the house lovely lady.”

“Thanks?” she downed the cup and squinted at the lizardman, “-why’s everyone cheering for Hallow?”

“Oh, she’s a celebrity,” he bellowed, “-Hallow the Sponge is a name renowned across the pubs and taverns around the isle. Look over there,” he pointed, “-awarded to Hallow, the best drinker and eater.”

“Once she starts drinking, there’s no stopping lest the world ends. No matter the number of drinks in her system, she never gets drunk.”

Yui but kept a worried expression, “-don’t worry,” said another larger figure behind the counter, “-we know not to serve her too much. Lady Hallow’s a lovely person and one of influence over the pubs and inns.” Over the following hours, she drank and drank, Yui joined the festivities and followed. More patrons flooded Morris, bards played without end. Soon, Yui realized why Hallow was so popular as told by a quieter more observant bystander, “-she lost her children and was persecuted by the Celestials. The responsibility of a mother and daughter’s death laid partly on her shoulder – since then, their family’s life was never the same. Their house went in flames, at times they had nothing to eat – and soon, another child was born dead. Regardless of the misfortune, without help, the family rose as one, especially Hallow, she smiled and kept a positive attitude – her smile was contagious. Before trading was viable, the husband and wife undertook dangerous routes throughout Marinda, they made trips were no other trader wanted to step. The courage and bravery helped save plenty of lives by them delivering medicines, and soon became the only couple who braved the journey to Nordway. It’s people like them, adventurers, a beacon of happiness and motivation who help make the isle a better place. The harsh times could have increased crime and murder, yet – stories similar to theirs flooded the taverns and inns. Even if there are outliers, the majority of the populous have a solid grasp on bad and good,” the tone lowered, “-if they tried to harm – the devil and his servants would be at their door knocking. Said fear alone helps keep the crowd confined.”

The night carried, Yui, flushed and drunk, found herself taking a stool and sitting outside the well-lit entrance. Sparkling starlight went in a circle, “-Yui,” a strong pull broke the intoxicated mien, “-let’s go,” said Hallow in the company of Yenth. Soon as they reached the inn, the couple shared a bed whilst Yui fell asleep on the second.

Day rose, the windows tapped loudly, “-wake up,” cried wandering figures cloaked in black in the gray filled morning mist, “-wake up,” the windows tapped again. Yui half pulled herself from the bed and meandered to the window, ‘what the?’ long sticks went from door to door waking the residents.

“Morning,” echoed a chipper voice, “-sleep well?”

“I guess so,” she yawned, “-what happened last night?”

Hallow gave a humble smile, “-we had fun,” she cheered, “-let’s go. Breakfast and we’re off.”

Yenth, gathered around a nice meal, further explained the trip from Ene to the village of Urg, would pass through a Celestial’s castle; Yin. “-We might have to camp out in the wild,” to which he looked at Yui, “-I saw the weapons and a tag on thy neck. Fighter?”

“Yes,” she returned.

“Good, you’ll be our adventurer then,” they ate, “-no use spending money when we have you to thank.”

“Quip pro quo...”

“You know it,” he winked.