A tall figure, sitting high upon a white stallion, approached the city. He was wrapped in a white cloak, completely uncharacteristic for the Middle Kingdom. Unusual was also the turban he wore upon his head, and the curved scimitar he was carrying under his belt. Everyone who had heard of his tribe before realized instantly: This was one of the desert nomads, the Novadis.
When his horse approached the city gates, it was becoming nervous. It was scenting the masses of humans waiting behind those gates.
"I think I better dismount, Sand Dasher," the desert rider told his mount. "I know you're not used to having this many humans around, girl... but we need to do this."
He got off her saddle and took her by the reins. When they reached the gates, the city guards stopped him.
"You here for the princess' birthday as well, stranger?" the corporal asked him.
The Novadi nodded. "Yes... yes, I am."
"Okay then, we've got a couple of questions first. Don't worry, we ask those all guests coming from abroad, no matter if they are coming from the north or the south. First of all, what's your name?"
"Jadeite ibn Mustafa."
"Very well, and for how long do you plan on staying in Gareth?"
"Only for two days."
The corporal nodded. "Thanks for your cooperation, sir! Enjoy your stay!" And he signalled him to proceed.
Jadeite entered the huge city of Gareth. But the princess' birthday was the least thing on his mind. No, he had come to the capital of the Middle Kingdom for another reason.
He had come here... for revenge.
In the meantime, Happosai the dwarf had offered to lead Ami and Mikuru through town. Right now, they were standing in the middle of the crowded marketplace.
"You've got to try these mushrooms," the Anvil Dwarf said when they were coming past a certain stand. "All of them dwarven-grown in the tunnels of our ancient home, Xorlosh! If there's a meal us dwarves can prepare, it's mushrooms. I mean, what else are we supposed to grow in our murky caverns?" He laughed. "Of course, the only thing missing is a nice, dwarven ale..."
"Um... I don't really drink any alcohol," Ami apologized.
"I... I've heard that the Meadow Elves cultivate a really good grape juice," Mikuru spoke up.
Happosai was shocked. "What? You'd renounce a fine, dwarven brewery and instead resort to the swill of the elves? Besides, I'm not even sure if they trade those grapes anymore..."
Just then, they heard loud voices coming from another, nearby stand which was selling fruit. The vendor, a tall and bulky man, had grabbed the collar of a young woman and angrily shook her around.
Happosai sighed. "Oh boy... speak of the devil... it's one of those accursed long-ears..."
The elven woman was very slender, had cat-like eyes and elongated ears. She was dressed in fine leather clothes that were very tight fitting, and wooden pearls were braided in her long hair. A short bow and a quiver were strapped to her back.
"You dirty little thief!" the fruit vendor yelled. "I know you elves are all the same! Give me back those apples right now! I've seen you take them, so don't deny it!"
"B-but I d-don't understand..." the elf stammered. "I thought... I thought they were for everyone..."
"Oh, she's trying to be funny..." the bulky man growled and raised his fist. "Let me show you what we do to thieves in Gareth..."
Ami had seen enough. "Hey, I think that's quite enough!"
The vendor turned to face her. "Get a move on, girl, this doesn't concern you. Everything's fine here."
"Well, doesn't look like that to me. Don't you see you're scaring the poor girl to death? Even if she stole something, you can't just bash in her face like that."
"But I didn't steal them," the elf girl pleaded. "Honestly, I really thought they were for everyone."
"So, you thought I would give away my wares for free? I always knew it, you elves are crazy." The vendor shook his jingling pouch. "Listen to that? That's what we need to buy food, you got that? Hard, cold cash! What do you think why the goddess Nabiki invented money?"
"I... I've never heard of money before..." the elf said apologetically. "I've never been in a human town before, either... so, you trade these shiny things for food?" She blinked. "What a weird concept..."
The man's face turned red with fury. "Are you making fun of me? Just wait, I'm gonna call for the guard, and when they turn you over to the sentinels of Haruhi..."
"Wh-who?" the elven woman stuttered as she was shaken around by her tormentor.
"So, you're saying you're not just a thief, but a heathen, too?"
"Please, I don't really know much about those gods you pray to..."
"Are you insane? Everyone knows they created our world!"
"But how can you be sure of that?"
"Enough with the heresy! I'll hand you over to the sentinels myself!"
"Please, don't!" Mikuru shouted.
"Now what the heck is going on here?" a loud voice bellowed. A tall man, clad in the fine armor of the city guards, made his way through the crowd. He already had his hand on his sword. "Explain yourselves, right now!"
"Sorry, Captain!" the fruit vendor said. "But I've just caught this elven thief, she wanted to steal my apples... and then she started to say heretic things about the goddesses..."
The captain narrowed his eyes. "Citizen, do you know the general law of elven rights within human towns and settlements?"
That question took the salesman by surprise. "Of course I don't, sir!" he replied. "I'm just a simple vendor. But, you see, we can't just ignore these little..."
"Law of Elven Rights, paragraph thirteen: 'Whenever you catch an elf during a deed of theft, explain to him/her the wrongness of said deed and give him/her the chance of making it undone, so neither of both parties are aggrieved and he/she may be on his/her way...' This law was made public at least a couple of decades ago, dear sir! Elves don't have the same laws as we do, so it's just natural that they don't know that taking these apples would be theft. They don't even know money. They hunt what they need or collect it from the woods. And what they can't hunt or gather, they trade. So unhand this young woman at once!"
The vendor paled. "But s-sir, what she said about the goddess..."
An even sterner look appeared on the captain's face. "Paragraph forty-two: No elf has to be forced under the religion of the Twelve Goddesses. As the dwarves are allowed to follow their own teachings of the goddess Rei, and the Nivese the cult of their wolf gods, the elves are allowed to follow their own beliefs. Now let her go before I have to arrest you!"
The salesman paled even more and let go of the elven maiden as if she was a hot potato.
With a deep frown on his face, the captain threw a couple of coins to the vendor. "Here, that should be enough for your apples... are you all right, miss?"
"I... I'm fine, really," the elf girl stuttered. She blushed as she gazed upon the handsome soldier's face. "Those two girls already wanted to help me... but I still thank you for your help."
"You really should inform yourself more about our customs before coming to a big city like Gareth," the captain smiled. "I apologize for this man's behavior. If anything like that happens again, feel free to contact the city guard. And... remember that most things on these stands aren't free." He gave her a wink.
She blushed. "Th-thanks, I'll remember it..."
The captain turned to Ami and Mikuru. "I thank you as well, ladies! Good to see the mages of the grey order are as always willing to help others. I take it you have become because of the festivities, right?"
"Oh, it... it was my pleasure," Ami said. "And yes, we have. My name is... Mercury, and this is my friend Mikuru."
"Well met! I am Captain Kunzite of the city guard. And what is your name, Miss Elf?" He smirked.
"Oh, um, my name is... I'm Zoisite Sundew," she stuttered.
"Well then, enjoy your stay in Gareth! Now excuse me, I must return to my duties." He nodded and waded back through the crowd.
"Wow," Ami said. "Good to know that the city guard is providing law and order around here... Miss Sundew, are you feeling all right?"
The elven girl swooned. "He... he was so handsome..."
Happosai rolled his eyes. "Elves... go figure..." he grumbled.
"Oh, I didn't see YOU defending her," Ami grumbled. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I prefer to stay out of trouble..." the dwarf muttered and crossed his arms. "And those elves always cause more trouble than they're worth..."
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(Posted Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:05)
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