Carriages ran through the circular road around the Central Garden; exiting and entering from the roads that lead into the circle. Stalls were erected on the outer and inner rings of the road.
Raghav and Aurelia stood at the intersection of one of those roads. "Raghav." He turned his head towards her. "Yes?"
She looked around. "The crowd will not bother you, will it?" Raghav shook his head reaching over to Aurelia's left shoulder with his left hand as a man's shoulder collided with Raghav's hand. The man was shaken as he glared back at Raghav who slightly turned his head towards the man.
The moment the man saw Raghav's narrowed eyes he gulped turning around and walking away with haste.
Raghav then pulled her close moving her in front of himself. "Walk in front of me." Aurelia tilted her head up looking at Raghav behind her. "Thank you. Raghav." She smiled at him as he gently smiled back at her.
Aurelia tilted her head back down as she began walking with Raghav right behind her. "So you do know the currencies we use?"
Raghav hummed in response as he looked at the stalls and items they housed. "There are three types of coins. The copper; the silver; the gold. Fifty copper coins offer the same buying power as a silver coin and a hundred silver coin offer the same buying power as a gold coin. The coins themselves have small initials on them marking their Kingdom of origins."
Aurelia smiled as she shook her head. "Since you already know the basics here." She turned around handing him a pouch. "There are thirty copper coins and 10 silver coins in there. Buy something you like."
Raghav looked at the pouch before placing it the inner pocket of his jacket. "Thank you. But you and your family are giving me too much. You let me keep this sword and Gati as well." Aurelia shook her head. "It is our responsibility to take care of you. We brought you here."
Raghav nodded slightly. Aurelia reached behind grabbing Raghav's hand. "Now. There's an opening." She quickly ran across the road pulling Raghav behind her.
Just as they got to the other side a large number of carriages and horses ran through the road. "That felt like home." Aurelia turned around frowning as she poked Raghav. "What do you mean?" Raghav pointed behind himself. "I used to cross busy roads like that with my friends when I was young."
Aurelia looked at his stern expression with uninterested eyes. Raghav met her gaze. "What?"
"It is hard to imagine you as a child. Were you always so serious?" She pointed upwards; drawing a mental image of a baby sitting with his arms crossed and a stern look on his face. She laughed covering her mouth with her hand as she grabbed Raghav's arm for support.
Raghav closed his eyes slightly before smiling. "You can laugh later." Aurelia stood up straight as she sucked her lips in looking at Raghav. Seeing his smile made her stand straight. 'Not fair; you cannot smile that way.'
Raghav looked away from her and towards the garden in front of them. "Come on." He placed his hands on her shoulder turning her around and pushing her forward. Aurelia looked at Raghav giggling. "As you say."
The two climbed the stairs leading up in the garden. Raghav looked around being able to get a view of the entire market from this elevation. "What are you thinking?" Raghav looked back at Aurelia. "Just thinking about how enormous the city is for the time period."
He spread his hands. "Just this garden alone is a hundred meters in radius and the city itself is nearly nine kilometers in radius."
Aurelia shook her head before she grabbed Raghav's mouth making him look at her. "Let's sit on that bench."
She then dragged Raghav towards the bench at the center under a tree; making him sit to her right.
Raghav looked around noticing the lack of people and took off his hood. "The castle looks good during daylight." He then turned towards Aurelia who laid back on the bench looking at the cloud filled blue sky with a smile spread across her face.
He smiled before leaning back closing his eyes. "Raghav." He slowly opened his eyes looking at Aurelia; finding her looking down at the ground with a dejected look in her eyes as she played with her fingers.
Raghav placed a hand on her shoulder as he leaned down looking her in the eyes. "Are you okay?" Aurelia shook her head. "Raghav there is something wrong."
"What is it?" Aurelia turned to look at Raghav as her stomach growled. "I am hungry." Raghav's face lost all expressions as he stared at Aurelia who was holding her laughter. "You should look at your face!"
Raghav sighed. "Is this how you are normally?" Aurelia shook her head as she calmed down. "No. I am only like this with Kanah." She raised her hand looking at the sky through the gap in her fingers. "For the rest of the world I am the Golden Knight. The heir to Istreid itself."
"Kanah is not here. Then why?" Aurelia stood up walking forward as Raghav followed her with his eyes. She spun around pointing at him. "You are here. That means he is here."
Raghav's mouth opened and closed; as he just looked at her from the shade. The sunrays making her skin glow brighter and brighter. "Is that so?" She nodded as Raghav closed his eyes. "Raghav." "Yes?" "I said I was hungry." Raghav smiled pulling his hook over his face. "Let's go then."
The two walked out of the garden and onto the road. Raghav pulled Aurelia in front of himself. "What would you like to eat?" As the two walked through the crowd Aurelia placed a finger on her chin and puckered her lips; "Something spicy."
Raghav then raised his head taking a sniff of the air around himself as his head shot towards the left. "This way." He guided Aurelia walking right behind her. Aurelia chuckled. "You have an incredible sense of smell not to mention hearing. You heard me during the trial, yes?"
"I did. Thanks for having faith in me." "Of course I would have faith in you; my Hero!"
She leaned back looking at Raghav's face finding him smiling down at her. 'Just like him.' They walked around the inner ring of the road before crossing to the outer ring and entering one of the roads leading outward.
This road did not see as much pedestrian and traffic as the main market but it was crowded in its own way. The road had many stalls on both sides with the horses and carriages passing between.
Steam and aroma of different dishes rose from the stalls. Aurelia took deep breaths as she smiled pointing at one stall on the left "I like that stall; let's give it a try." "Alright." The two then walked over to the stall.
The stall owner handed a customer their order as they moved to the side; the owner looked forward seeing a blue eyed girl standing in front of the stall with a smile on her face and behind her was a man standing in a hooded cloak with his head down.
"What can I get you two?" Aurelia pointed to the buns and the potato patty on the stove. "Two burgers please; make them extra spicy." "Make that six burgers." Both ladies looked at Raghav as he raised his finger still keeping his face hidden.
Aurelia frowned. "I cannot eat more than one." Raghav nodded. "Oh I know, I will eat them." Aurelia turned around looking at the woman. "Six burgers please. Can they be packed?" The woman nodded. "That would be twelve copper coins." Raghav took out the twelve coins handing them over to the lady keeping his head covered.
The two moved to the side as their order was being prepared. Raghav crossed his hand as he looked at Aurelia. "So you sure you can handle five spicy burgers?" Raghav nodded. "Where I am from; it is also known as the land of spices."
A child in rugged clothes ran beside them pulling at their clothes. Raghav and Aurelia both looked down at the boy. "Food!" He pointed at the stalls tugging at Raghav's cloak. Aurelia looked at Raghav. "Why is this child here all alone?" Raghav bent down holding the boy's hand.
Aurelia looked at Raghav placing a hand on his shoulder. "What are you doing?" Raghav pointed at the boy. "He is all alone here, I am going to get him some food then ask about his family." He then turned to the boy. "Would you like burgers?"
As the kid nodded Raghav looked up at Aurelia. "I will be back." Raghav picked up the boy and walked over to the stall. Aurelia looked at the two walking away. "How many burgers would you like?" The kid counted with his fingers before showing them to Raghav. "Three it is then."
The owner looked up at Raghav and the boy. "Here is your order. Mystery man." She passed a packet made of paper over the stove as Raghav picked it. He avoided the woman's gaze before placing six more copper coins.
"Three more burgers please." The woman looked at the boy who was biting his hand looking around over Raghav's shoulder. She looked at Raghav with a worried expression before nodding as she picked up the coins and began making the burgers.
Raghav placed the boy down. As he knelt beside him. "Do you have a name?" The boy shook his head. Raghav frowned. "How old are you?" The boy raised his fingers stretching his hand towards Raghav. "Four year old. Where are your parents?" The boy shook his head. "I do not know."
Raghav's eyes narrowed as he felt a tap on his shoulder he looked behind him and saw the lady standing there with his order. Raghav stood up hiding his face while holding the boy's hand and took the order from the lady. "Thank you mother." The woman nodded before walking back to her stall.
Raghav felt the kid let go of his hand and reach for the packet. Raghav gave him the packet as he ran away crossing the busy road and sitting beside a closed wooden wagon that stood at the other side of the road.
"What just happened?" Raghav sighed turning towards Aurelia. "Nothing. You start eating. I will be back." He then handed her the packet as Aurelia took out a burger from it and began eating.
He then turned towards the boy walking through the traffic avoiding everything that came in his path; his narrow eyes fixed on the boy.
As he crossed the road; the back doors of the wagon opened up as a hand came out reaching for the packet in the boy's hands. Raghav reached forward with his left hand grabbing a hold of the wrist and pulled the man out of the wagon and throwing him onto the bricked road. He looked down at him. 'A lowlife criminal.'
Two more men rushed out of wagon turning to their right as they saw a cloaked figure. The people around them had stopped to watch to commotion causing the road to get blocked off.
Aurelia finished her burger and reached for another as the man who was thrown down got up wiping his nose as he stared at Raghav with rage filled eyes. "Who the fuck are you?" Raghav took his hood off as the men's anger faltered upon seeing him.
The men then shook their heads. "These mind tricks won't work on us, you good looking bastard." The three ran at Raghav; who took a step back dodging the man's punch before hitting him with an uppercut lifting him in the air. He then kicked the man's feet with his left foot; making him spin in the air before catching his ankles and swung him through the air hitting the other two as he slammed the man in the wagon knocking him out.
The thin blonde got up and ran at Raghav trying to tackle him down. But the moment he hit Raghav he failed to even budge him. 'How heavy is he?' Raghav placed his hands on the man's back before lifting him up in the air and throwing him at his ally. Knocking both of them down.
Raghav sighed walking over to them. "You should be ashamed using a kid like this." He then looked at the kid passing him a smile.
Just then sounds of metal clanking drew closer. As soldiers in silver armour emerged from the crowd approaching Raghav. "Do not move! What is going here?" Raghav turned to face the soldiers. "These three had abducted this boy here. They were making him ask people for food which they took from him."
The commanding soldier looked around then at the boy. 'Rugged clothes and dirty hair.' He then looked at Raghav. "You an adventurer?" Raghav shook his head. "No." The soldier scowled. "That complicates things."
"Ah! Officer Ren." Came the voice of a woman from behind Raghav. Raghav did not look away from Ren as a brown haired woman in white shirt and brown pants walked forward standing beside Raghav.
"Sarah. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Ren smiled while frowning. Sarah smiled pointing at the boy. "I am here for him. There is a commission for a missing boy that looks awful lot like him."
Ren frowned as he looked at the boy. "He's yours. As for this man." "He will walk free." Ren's head dropped as he bit his lips looking at Sarah. "He is with you?" Sarah nodded.
Ren scoffed looking at the three goons. "Fine. Take the boy and leave." Sarah patted Ren's shoulder. "Thank you Ren." As the soldiers took away the culprits.
She turned to look at Raghav who had gone over picking the boy in his arms. "I was just about to ask you to do this." Raghav turned his head to the side looking at the ground. "Where are we going?"
Sarah placed a hand on her hips. "The Adventures Guild. Come with me." Raghav sighed as he looked at the boy smiling. "Eat your burgers." He then pulled the hood back on before looking towards Aurelia.
Gesturing her to come over. Aurelia crossed the street. "Nice job Hero." She patted his shoulder as the two began to walk behind Sarah.
As the four of them left the place the people went on with their lives. Watching the kid eat his burgers reminded Raghav of his own food. Raghav turned to look at Aurelia finding her hands empty. "Aurelia." She turned towards him tilting her head. "Yes?"
"Where are my burgers?" Aurelia stuck her tongue out; closing her left eye as she rubbed the back of her head. "I ate them watching all of it unfold." Raghav looked at her with a stern expression before looking forward. "Good. I knew you were hungry. All those were for you."
"Thank you." She then patted him on the head. "I wish my husband was like yours." Aurelia stepped forward. "We are not married yet."
"Is that so?" Sarah chuckled as they stopped in front of a building. "This is it. The Adventures Guild." Raghav and Aurelia looked up at the five story building much larger than the other building around.
Raghav's eyes were drawn to the sign hung on top of the door. 'Let your adventures begin.' He looked back down at the floor following Sarah inside.
As they entered the building; they were greeted by a large hall with couches and boards on either side. Many warriors were talking among themselves.
"MY BOY!" A woman ran taking the boy from Raghav's hands and fell to her knees hugging him. "Thank you for bringing him back." Raghav lowered his hood as a man walked over while crying. "Thank you."
Sarah placed a hand on Raghav's shoulder; gesturing at the man and woman. "These are his parents they have been looking for their son for weeks." Raghav lowered his eyes as he nodded. "I see. Sir and mam, I am glad you got your son back."
The man reached inside his pocket taking out ten gold coins holding them in front of himself. "This is the reward for finding our son." He then extended his hand towards Raghav. Raghav looked down at the coins then pushed the man's hand back. "I did not do this for a reward. You do not have to give me anything."
The man took the coins back and placed them in his pocket. "Thank you again." He held his wife and child leaving the building. Sarah clasped her hands. "Wow, turning down ten gold coins. Then what are ten gold coins to someone with a heart of gold."
Raghav turned towards Sarah keeping his eyes lowered as he avoided looking at her. "Thank you for helping me out of that situation." Sarah waved her hands. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."
She then extended her hand towards Raghav. "I don't believe I introduced myself. I am Sarah Goodwill. The master of the Rine branch." Raghav joined his hands and held them in front of his chest; keeping his head down. "I am Raghav Suryanshi. A pleasure to meet you Sarah Goodwill."
Sarah tilted her head as she chuckled. "Do you want to be an adventurer? If you join us. You will get the clearance to travel from kingdom to kingdom without issues and for warriors like you this is the best way to earn a living."
Raghav placed a hand on his chin. "That would be helpful, but I have a lot on my plate as of now. I will give it a thought though. Have a good day Sarah." "I hope you come around. Raghav. I sense something in you."
Raghav nodded as he looked at the floor. He then held Aurelia's hand as they walked out. Sarah just stood there looking at the door. "Wish my husband was this loyal."
As the two of them descended the steps of the guild. Raghav noticed a crowd gathering on the other side of the road. "What is that?" Aurelia matched his gaze as she shook her head. "That is the news board. There are dozens of those in the city. You can find at least one in each settlement in all of Paneria. These are managed by the members of the Guild. Sharing news all throughout the world."
A man stood on a box in the middle of the crowd and held a few papers high in his hand. "Citizens of Rine. I bear news from the crown. Tomorrow at noon King Belreid will make a public appearance with the Hero by his side. You can witness this event outside the castle. Remember tomorrow at noon outside the castle."
Raghav exhaled as he looked at the announcement. Aurelia looked at him squeezing him hand. "Let's go back." Raghav nodded.
As the two began walking to the castle. "Do you know where this city got its name?" "King Istreid named it after his wife. Rine Reid."
Aurelia then looked at Raghav. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" Raghav looked at her as he nodded. "I am."
.
.
.
.
A large crowd amassing into thousands had gathered before the castle. The soldiers formed a wall around the platform erected at the castle gates.
As the gates opened King Belreid stepped out accompanied by the Queen and their children. The moment the crowd got a glimpse of the royal family. They erupted in loud chanting. "LONG LIVE THE KING! ALL HAIL KING BELREID!"
This chanting went on for a few moments before King Belreid raised his hand. As the chanting slowly died out.
"I am your King, Belreid. I still live to serve this kingdom and its people. For The One wills me. I have survived the betrayal of Prime Minister Vaughn. My family has survived."
He then placed his hand on Vonreid's shoulder making him stand in front of himself. "My son walks again." He then gestured towards Galreid. "My brother was proven innocent and freed from the false accusations."
The King then spread his hand to the right. "All of this made possible by a singular man. We all know the prophecy of Paneria. We all know of what it spoke. 'Evil shall return once the twin comet marks its 108th cycle and the world shall face calamity. But do not abandon hope as with the twin comet will come the hero to save our word.' This prophecy has been with us since the Great War ended."
The king took a deep breath as he closed his eyes before opening them as he raised his hand up forming a fist. "I KING BELREID, PRESENT TO PANERIA AND ITS INHABITANTS."
He then turned around pointing at Raghav. "OUR HERO!"
Raghav walked forward clad in his brown jacket and his sword by his side.
The moment the people saw him they erupted with cheers. Raghav maintained his stern expression throughout. After a while the cheering died down as King Belreid stood beside Raghav placing his hand on Raghav's left shoulder.
"On the night of the 24th; the twin comet completed its 108th cycle. Yet the hero did not show up. So I took it upon myself to bring us our hero. This is Raghav Suryanshi. He is from a planet called Earth. We have summoned him to be our champion. To defeat this Evil once and for all. He has already proven himself to be a worthy warrior defeating a Master level warrior in a trial by combat. It was him who discovered the scheme of Prime Minister Vaughn and it was him who delivered justice to him."
As the King finished he grabbed Raghav's hand lifting it up. "OUR HERO!" The crowd began chanting once more. This time it was something new. "RAGHAV! RAGHAV! RAGHAV! RAGHAV! RAGHAV! RAGHAV!"
Raghav looked at the crowd as the people's cheers filled his ears.
.
.
.
.
A young girl with black hair; around the age of eight walked through the muddy roads of a village market; holding onto a man's hand with a white marble ring on his ring finger.
The girl stood on her toes looking at the fruits in the stalls as the man lifted one apple from the bunch handing it to her. She looked up smiling before biting down on the apple.
The man began talking to the fruit seller as the girl began looking around until she saw a crowd gathered around the wall of a house. She looked up. "Brother why is everyone gathered there?"
Kanah turned to look at the crowd before turning to the fruit seller. "What seems to be the news?" The fruit seller leaned forward. "You don't know?"
Kanah shook his head. The fruit seller chuckled. "The Hero has arrived. The King summoned someone from another world." Kanah turned his head to the crowd. "Brother; I want to see the hero." Kanah smiled turning to the fruit seller. "Is there a Portrait."
The fruit seller scoffed. "The entire royal family was there and this is the hero we are talking about. Of course a portrait was made of the moment."
Kanah turned to his sister as he picked her up in his arms. "Let's go see the hero." He turned to the fruit seller. "Thank you." The seller nodded. "No problem kid. You traveling somewhere?" Kanah nodded. "We are heading towards Marne. Then move to Solara by ship."
"Safe travels." "Thank you."
Kanah then began walking towards the crowd. "Excuse me." He then pushed through protecting his sister. The moment they reached the center. He looked at the portrait nailed to the board. The royal family beside the hero.
The King missing his right arm. The Queen to his right. Vonreid awake and standing in front of them.
Towards the King's left was a copy of himself standing beside Aurelia. His sister looked at the portrait her jaw was left wide open. Kanah looked down at the words written. 'Hero of Paneria. Raghav Suryanshi.'
Kanah chuckled as he hid his face in his sister's black hair and walked away from the crowd. "Let's go Maya. Mother and Father will be waiting."