74 Chapter 20: The Great Seven Kingdoms 3 (1/2)

The silence went on for few more minutes before I decided to stand up and reach a hand over at Faram. ”Give me the eye-mask back. I have to return it to Emis...”

Faram picked the mask from his side and gave it back to me in silence.

I put it back inside my pocket and remembered the favor Emis is asking me. I almost forgot about that.

If I ask him bluntly why he doesn't sleep, he'll likely ignore my question. Base from what Faram all said awhile ago, it's best to appeal to people by using something they want or care about. Hmmm.

....

Hmm... I have a crazy idea. I'm not sure if this will work but... welp, it's worth a try, I thought.

I forced myself to yawn. ”So many things happened today, huh?” I said, ”It's finally evening. We can all rest now. Aren't you gonna sleep yet, Faram?” I studied him.

He didn't reply.

Yep! I thought so.

”I noticed you never sleep. As your apprentice, I'll follow your example and stay awake as long as I can.”

Faram darted me a look as though I said something really stupid but he didn't said anything.

”Well, I'm going back to the Bridge to return the mask to Emis.” I told him, this time a real yawn escapes from me.

”You're a human girl. You need sleep.” Faram says when I stood up and was about to walk out the door.

”Yeah? Well you talk, breath, and eat like the rest of us. You also need sleep.” I retorted. I caught Faram's brow twitch for a split second. ”I won't sleep until you do, master Faram.” I added, beamed at him, and then closed the door behind me.

I'll leave it as that and see what happens next.

I walk back to the Bridge and went to Emis.

”So how was it?” Emis asks, facing me.

I glared at Emis.

”What? Why you lookin' at me like that?” She murmured, tilting her head to the side.

”Your mask made me say something I wouldn't have guts to say.” I replied

”That's good, isn it?”

I shook my head. ”Scias? Come over here for a sec, please?” I called out, gesturing at him as he stood up from his seat and walked over to us.

”Hey, what's up?” he asks, with hands bent behind his head.

”Can you kneel down for a bit?” I asked him.

His brows furrowed. ”Why?”

”Just do, it will only take a sec. I just need to prove something to Emis.”

”Ah-huh?” Scias narrows his eyes at me, glances at Emis and then shrugs. ”Fine.”

He got to his one knee so went to take the mask out and wore it on him.

His eyes fly open, pupils dilates,

”I want you to see my ⋇⋇⋇⋇!”

I watch his face lose color as soon as the words left his lips. (≘. ≘) ...!?!

”See?” I turned to Emis, pointing at Scias with my palm open but Emis looked too mortified to reply.

Aide's chains suddenly wrapped around Scias face and reeled him away from me, hurling him towards the other end of the room, ”The hell you just said, you dirty sick bastard!?”

”Aide, wait! It's alright! He didn't mean it. It was the mask I made him wear!” I said in panic as Aide began to cover Scias' entire body with chains like a python, strangling its prey.

”Yeah, that's kinda my fault. I didn't really tested the mask's effect. I just assumed it will work.” Emis scratched a ghost itch on her head with a grin.

Aide sighed and released Scias. He gasps for air while clawing the mask off him. ”This is one useless mask!” Scias growled, throwing it on the floor and repeatedly stomping on it.

”Sorry 'bout that...” Emis says in an apologetic smile. ”I really did intend to make the wearer say stuff they normally couldn't say without confidence. I didn't thought I was still too vague in my request when I enchanted it! Hahaha! So did ya' made Faram wear that too?” Her smile turned playful.

”No... sadly, it's just me.” I sighed, remembering.

”What did ya say?”

”Let's not talk about it anymore...” I replied in a grimace.

”And 'bout the other thing, how did it went?” She says quietly.

”I'm still on it.” I answered, quirked my lips in one corner briefly.

”You should go to sleep, Aerra. The travel will take awhile. But if you're hungry there's foods at the pantry, near the cabin.” Aide joins us. Emis just flashed me a meaningful look before turning away.

As if on cue, my stomach growls.

”I guess that means you're off to feed that monster in your belly.” Aide chuckled, ”C'mon! I'm coming with you.”

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

I yawned.

It took another day before we finally reached the ports of the Krosz continent. It was already in the brink of dawn when we arrived. The sky is painted between the shade of white and gray with the morning sun scattering its golden beams like a string of light while it rises over the horizon. In the distance, mountains and vast prairie is seen pass the city.

I watched from the windows the scenic view and saw a sleepy looking city with tall buildings and lots of hovering airships leaving and arriving at the port bay. There's also a monolithic-looking castle at the far end.

Somehow the city has the ambiance of the world from my previous life. Not totally, just a little bit.

I yawned again.

I studied Nora's brooches. There isn't any engraved names on them but I still remember her name very well, Noriin Dyllan and her sister Paulin.

I turned it over and was about to put it back to my belt bag when I notice a very small carving —seen on the side, just by the frame design of the stones. Ialnis, it says.

Hm. Ialnis, huh?

I didn't notice that word before. A House name perhaps? Maybe a whitesmith? A kingdom? I wonder.

I turned around and was about to ask Aide when I notice the others are already getting ready to move out. The airship has landed and the doors are open.

”Are we just leaving this airship here?” I asked as we stepped out the deck and into the port bay.

”We can't keep using this ship, Aerra. We'll be traveling mainly on foot from here on out.” Aide replied who was walking behind me as we swam through the sea of people. ”Besides, we need to have better eyes on the ground in case we have to do the watch.” Scias added, turning to look at me from over his shoulder.

”Where's Faram?” I ask, trying to tip toe and search for him from the crowd while I kept walking forward. I can't see him anywhere...

I faced front and bumped into someone who didn't bother to look back. Even before I could fix my balance, the horde of people around me squeezed at me. Like a tide, I was pushed and pulled to different directions.

This is the first time I feel at a disadvantage from my age and height.

”Aide!!!” I called out, reaching my hand out. I can't see anyone anymore. ”Scias!!”

I would jump and hop away from this madness if I could but I'm stuck like sardines, helplessly being taken away by the current. I feel like I'm drowning, breathing is hard too. Why is there so many people here!?

At some point, I just stopped resisting and I just let the force take me to wherever.

Ah. My eyes feels heavy. This sleepless strike is starting to get me. I haven't slept for two night now. And with this hopeless situation, I think I'll just succumb and sleep.

Yes... sleep...

I closed my eyes and just...

A hand suddenly grab my wrist and began to pull me against the tide, I mean crowd.

I gasped for air when we finally got out that traumatic situation. My legs went limp and I slid down the ground as I try to stabilize my breathing and my wavering sense of focus.

”Wear this.” The boy says, as a cloak is handed over. I took it on without asking.

”Thanks!” I said, tilting my head up to look at my savior.

A boy that looks around my age just eyed me coolly. He has silver hair with a bundle of black strands behind his ears which drapes down few inches longer than the rest of his hair. He has a fair but pale complexion and a sharp pointy nose that matches his soft facial features. There's this sense of elven beauty about him. And his eyes, his vermilion eyes,  glowers at me like daggers.

Wait.

”FARAM?!?”

His brows crunches, ”You're over reacting. Now, stand up.”

He didn't held out any hand though. He just crossed his arms as he swivels around to look ahead. ”The others might be outside the port. They'll be waiting somewhere we can see them for sure.” He says in his usual monotonous tone but his voice sounds more airy and soft than before.

He really looks like a boy. He's around my height too.

”Why do you look like that?” I murmured.

He didn't answer and just stood there like a mannequin with a remarkable posture. He tilts his head to eye me and I immediately felt like I asked something stupid.

Yep. That's Faram alright.

”Unlike your homeland, this place is full of dangers. Stop looking like you're lost and stand up. Don't make eye contact with anyone for now.”

I pushed at my knees and stood up on my feet, dusting myself as I studied him.

”I'm more confused why you suddenly turned like that.” I grumbled

He began to walk forward.

”You really won't tell me, huh?” I sighed, just following after him.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

Aide waved at us from a distance as we approach them. They all stood nearby a fountain wearing their masks and hoods on.

”So where we heading out first?” Scias asked, perching on the fountain's frame.

”Let's eat!” Emis says, raising a hand.

”A tavern it is then?” Aide glances at Faram.

Faram nods.

”Alright, let's get our fill and then leave this city.” Aide throws both her hand to the side of her waist.

Scias opens a map, ”There's a nearby village if we exit the eastern gates of this city. There's the mountains on the south.”

We all began to walk off again.

”No ones gonna point out about Faram's appearance, huh?” I muttered, rubbing my eyes as I yawn.

”It's safer to have him on that form. Otherwise, we'd be having troubles.” Emis walks beside me to match my pace.

”Why?”

”This is a port city like Ak'hilheim. Different kind of mercenaries and adventurers gathers here. But unlike Ak'hilheim, there's no regulation and order. Y'can get in trouble by simply lookin' like y'er askin for a fight. 'Best not to stand-out, yes?”

Oh.

I inadvertently looked around and finally noticed how majority of people are on their hoods and some have their own masks on too. I tagged at my hood and hanged my head down, making sure I won't end up making eye contact with anyone.

Unlike Ak'hilheim, there wasn't any ambiance of liveliness in this city. Everyone has that placid expression on their faces and no music can be heard. No colorful canopies, no smiling vendors on the side walk, it suddenly feels like the place is drowning with restlessness and a hint of tension.

I secretly glance up and saw most people with no mask on or hoods have that sinister look on their face. Like their eyes are rather looking for a challenge for whoever has the audacity enough to stare back.

I suppose it makes sense now, Faram usually has an unmistakable intimidating aura. But right now, he looks less daunting than before.  I side-long glance at him and saw him wearing his blindfold now. He doesn't have any cloak on though.

Ah!

I'm wearing his...

I need to buy my own and return this to him.

I yawned again and kept walking.

The more we walk so silently like this, the more I'm starting to feel the drowsiness kick in.

Someone bumps pass my shoulder, I glanced at it but they didn't seem to even care. ”Hey, don't expect someone would apologize. Keep your eyes down, Aerra!” Emis nudged me on the rib.

It's not as though I was expecting for an apology, it's more like a habit to look. I blink my eyes at her, realizing I'm too tired to even reply at this point.

”You look like shit” she laughs. ”You really need to sleep if you can't—!”

Another bump to the side and my balance slips. Emis immediately held me up.

”Geez, like I was saying. If you can't keep this up, you better just sleep. Silly girl!” She chortles in quiet giggle.

”You know why I'm doing this...” I hauled a sigh but it ended up as a yawn instead.

”Fine... I'm cheering for you then!”

I stood back up and we hasten our walk to follow the others who already covered a distance.

We soon reach a tavern.

Emis had a separate table from us again. It really feels bad leaving her alone like that but it can't be helped, she likes it as well. She says she needs the space for all her order.

”Let's eat while we can!” Scias yelped, grabbing the mug and the fork laid down for us by the waitress.

We began to eat as soon as the food was served, as though we're running against time.

I look at Emis over at the next table and found her eating like the world depended on it.

”We have few more days to cover our traces before the Empire finds a way to leave their boundaries and search for us.” Aide began.

”I'll take care of the airship some other time” Scias added.

”It must be tonight.” Faram cuts in,

”Tonight? I thought we outta leave after eating?” Aide asks, taking a spoonful.

”We keep moving, Aide you stay until the airship has been taken care of.”

”Okay, I got it. Where will you guys be heading?”

”We'll take the mountain path. I need to meet someone there.” Faram replied

Scias took out the map, ”We can meet you up —here.” He points on to something. I just peeked at it nonchalantly.

”Alrighty then. Leave it to me!”

Few more silence passed, Scias suddenly spoke. ”Aaaand time's up!”

I swivelled my head to Emis's direction and saw a bunch of men flocking around her table, obviously looking for trouble.

I hurried to drink my own mug and stood up as Faram and the rest did. Aide left the payment to the waitress as she head on out as well.

When we all stepped out the inn, I waived my hand as Aide set off on her own, ”See ya soon!” Aide just waived at me as well as she soon vanished from the crowd of people on the streets.

”Is it really alright to leave Emis inside just like that?” I murmured.

Faram just perched near the doorway of the tavern.

Scias squats down next to Faram.

”Emis can take them all out. She can call an army if she wants. It's fine!” Scias chuckled, patting my head as I crouch down beside them. ”It's easier for her to get away too!” And then he points out at the door that opened as if on cue. Emis steps out with her stuffed toy on her arms.

”Done yet?” Scias asked, standing up.

”Yep! I left them to play with my minions. So where we headin' to next?” Emis says, swiftly straightening her hands down as the stuffed toy vanished in a blink of an eye.

”Away from here!” Scias says throwing his arms up, bent cross behind his head.

I stood up as well and yawned. I'm more or less satisfied with what I ate and now I'm more sleepy than ever.

I began to follow a little behind them as they all walk off.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

That night, we camped out on the woods. I can see the mountains just by looking up at a distance. We're getting closer.

The crisp sound of fire burning on wood calms me from this one noisy evening where insects and fiends choirs such deafening melodies. The trees around us loomed like shadows in the darkness. They had weird twisted branches and swirls on the trunks where faces can be recognized if you look closer. ”The woods here seem more alive, huh?” Scias says with legs crossed, sitting across from me. We both faced the camp fire. Emis is already sleeping by a tree root in one corner. Faram is sitting up on a tree branch nearby.

”I can't believe I missed these kinds of woods! The ones from your land are more unsettling.” He explains

”How so? It feels more peaceful there. The trees out here looks like they're made from nightmares. And geez, don't get me started with the noises...”