Chapter 19 - Sunrise (1/2)

Chapter 19: Sunrise

Lydis was still a bit on guard against Valeri. Seeing as she was still a bit reluctant Valeri took off her long overcoat and flipped the back to Lydis.

”See this crest here?” Lydis's eyes drifted to the upside down half moon with two kopis swords crossed above it. ”This is the official crest of our nation, Lativa. Should I lie I will never wear this crest again. A soldier is only as good as their word!” Valeri held her right hand over her heart and brought her left hand next to her right one and clasped them together. This was the formal oath sealing gesture custom in Lativa. Seeing this Lydis softened her defenses a bit. If they were allied with her father then surely they wouldn't do her any harm.

”Mhm.” Seeing as Lydis was looking a bit more cooperative Valeri smiled again.

”Now, what were you doing here?” Lydis wasn't sure why but she felt compelled to tell Valeri everything although some things had to be hidden due the absurdness of it.

”But, before I formally start I need you to know my real name.” Valeri perked her eyebrows up when she heard this.

”Hmm? Was your name not Krim?” Lydis tightened her lips and after a few seconds she released the tension in her jaw.

”My true identity is… Lydis Huwen. Daughter of the Archduke Helmlock Huwen and his spouse Marie Huwen.” Valeri furrowed her eyebrows and looked to be in deep thought.

”And? How can I be sure this is true?”

”That is for you to decide. Whether you believe me or not is all up to you.” Valeri massaged her head with her palms.

*sigh* ”Ok, ok. I'm ready. Go on.” Valeri lifted her head and stared at Lydis, her eyes filled with a new sense of understanding. Lydis nodded and began telling Valeri all about her experiences. She started from when she got her arm bitten off by the wolf all to the point of when she fell asleep and hearing her mother's words for the last time. After Lydis finished Valeri didn't say anything. Valeri looked at Lydis's unwavering eyes and closed hers.

”Ahh. This is troublesome…” Lydis didn't say anything either, she just waited for Valeri to finish. ”Lydis, do you know how long it's been since that invasion?” Lydis shook her head.

”Four years?” Lydis judged from her body that four years should've passed. Valeri sighed deeply.

”It's been more than forty years since Umphia invaded. The royal family of Jorgororo, the continent Unphia is a part of, had declared that they would stop trade with all continents. For some unknown reason. With trade levels low and not much food going around Umphia got desperate I guess and decided to invade this port town. Casualties were innumerable.”

”What happened to those bastards!?” Lydis stood up, hate and anger filling her eyes. ”If you tell me that they got spared with a few penalties I swear on my life I will not stop until I seek my revenge.” Valeri motioned for Lydis to sit down.

”No, if that did happen then I wouldn't be here scouting but fighting for my kinsmen on a battlefield. No, what happened was that their Emperor, Craven Uilitin, was surprisingly merciless. When word reached him from the countries surrounding Umphia he sent out his personal army and wiped out all inhabitants of Umphia. He even tracked down the Duke's little girl who he had sent off to another country for protection and killed her as well as anyone helping her. When the people were all dead he burned the buildings and crushed them back into the soil. Umphia was no longer a country. It was taken off the history books as a country and labeled a land of heretics.” A small chime beeped on Valeri's wrist. She glanced over and covered the small device with her hand.

”What was that?”

”Oh, it's nothing. Just a reminder for some meaningless task.” Lydis wasn't fully convinced but she decided not to push further since she wanted Valeri to continue on about Umphia.

”Where was I… Right. After the Emperor declared Umphia heretics, they went out of touch.”

”Does no one know what happened inside Jorgororo after that and why they went silent?” Valeri shook her head.

”If I knew then I probably wouldn't be standing here right now.”