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On the central continent of Terhamn lies Kaffei; the nation of half-elves. Founded by a small band of the former race of outcasts, the once fledgling country flourished into a great land filled with culture and creativity. Its various settlements lived by the arts, which in turn drew in many races that sought its uncanny beauty: appealing garments, melodious music, and awe-inspiring architecture. Kaffei quickly became rich in so many ways, that the villages gradually became towns, the towns quickly became cities, and one of its most well-adorned cities became the capital of a thriving kingdom. As such, the kingdom’s influence allowed itself to expand at an impressive rate and even adapted part of the fallen former nation of Arc as its own. With more land to revitalize, the populace of old slums quickly took to the new territory to start new lives and spread the pride and culture of grand Kaffei; however, the darkness that once plagued Arc refused to rest…
-Prophet Destiny-
Magical Quicksilver:
Legacy of Honorable Souls
Deep in the bustling city of Rouge, a young lady was in an apparel store, observing herself curiously in a mirror.
She had neck-length red hair that curved outward, and sharp, deep blue eyes. She wore a collared, v-neck scarlet skirt with gold lining and puffy sleeves, along with a pair of white thigh-high stockings, a pair of red slippers, and golden brown gloves.
The young lady brought a hand to her chin and posed thoughtfully. At first, she looked back with some contempt, but then a small grin formed from her mouth and she appeared quite impressed with her appearance for a brief moment before it dropped again.
“Yeah, this is certainly nice-looking, but I could likely get over a dozen sturdy mails for the price of this.” She uttered in criticism.
“That outfit was made from our finest and most comfortable fabrics, Young Mademoiselle. We provide nothing but the best for our paying customers.” A nearby tailor shared with a clear accent.
“Well, you guys certainly know how to design an impressive look, I’ll admit. And I’m thankful that you’re willing to allow a stranger to try things on without a fuss.” The girl said with a smile.
“We’re willing to see if it is perfectly to your liking. It would be disrespectful to make an unsatisfying sale, after all.” He replied.
After making a few more gestures in the clothing, the red-haired girl finally stood relaxed and content.
“I should just be thankful then that my Mom was generous enough to give me a fine sum for this trip, then. I rather like the feel of this, and it would be a shame not to take away at least one piece of Kaffei artistry. It certainly allows more movement than those stuffy robes the Academy has me wearing all day.” She said aloud in gratitude.
The young lady picked up a sack from the floor and a folded up blue robe right beside her and headed towards the shopkeeper’s stall. She then opened the sack and took out a pouch that jingled as she dropped it off to the side. She quickly unraveled the pouch to reveal the contents to be dozens of golden coins.
“I assume this is enough?” she asked quite confidently.
The man standing behind the stall counted up to the precise amount, and left the pouch nearly 1/5th full. He then gave a quick, silent nodded and handed her back the pouch.
“Merci”, she replied with a pleased grin as she took back her pouch.
She then re-secured the opening with a thin line of ribbon and tossed it back in her sack along with the folded robe, and left the apparel shop immediately.
Right outside in the busy streets, she noticed many smug aristocrats and carefree children alike wandering the streets without trouble. Rouge appeared to be place of constant festivity to her, which both astounded and confused her.
“Is it really just the business here that keeps this place so lively?” she said to herself. “This place actually feels even livelier than Cirian, and that place is bigger and more secure! Maybe that’s just the way Kaffei life is: enjoying each day without a care like a carnival. Whatever it is, I doubt location had to do with it…”
The further she wandered into Rouge, the more foreboding everything around her felt, yet the energy and livelihood remained a strict constant. The children laughed as loud as ever in their playtime, and the adults mingled and showed off casually. Everything around her kept suggesting that there is nothing to fear beyond the horizon, yet she assured herself she had a purpose here. Despite her enjoyment and sightseeing of the extravagant city, she knew she had something of grave importance to accomplish. She continued wandering deeper and deeper with these thoughts in mind.
“It’s amazing, though. This city is right at the border. I would’ve thought it to be taboo to set up an establishment here. I would’ve assumed these people would be much more cautious, maybe even frightened to be outside in such a place. But they just move about their lives like there’s nothing to be concerned about. The guard around here isn’t even that watchful.” She noted.
Eventually, there was a break in the towering buildings all around her. Right before her were yards of entirely empty space. No crowds of people, no children playing around, and no guards standing by. It was all vacant space that led to a tall, open black gate into what appeared to be fields of dark devastation.
“This is it: the North Gate. And beyond here lies the remnants of Arc; the land that her new people could never completely fix up. I can’t believe the slum folk would actually be desperate enough to make a settlement out there! Then again, I don’t quite know poverty. Mom always said the peasants who possess little or nothing will do anything to make their lives better. But what’s the use when you could loose that life any minute? I guess it’s up to folks like me to better their chances, then. That IS why the guild sent me out here...” she noted with a shrug.
The young lady in red looked to the side of the open gate and noticed a figure carrying a spear.
“Well, I was told I’d be working with one of Kaffei’s foot soldiers. He’s supposed to be this promising lancer looking to earn his name as a knight. Kinda sounds like good old Marco…” she uttered.
A few paces forward, she finally got a clear view of the young soldier as he stared back most curiously.
“Ha! That’s the soldier I’m working with? Well, what do you know? He’s practically my age!” she said aloud in an amazed tone.
 Chicken Yuki · Fri Aug 08, 2008 @ 07:12am · 2 Comments |
