THER MELIAN: CHRONICLES

Episode 5's

Laruen scratched his stiff neck. He barely slept overnight, and it wasn't because he spent the night in a hard, stuffy stalactite cave. There was so much going on yesterday, Laruen didn't even know where to start thinking about it from.

He stared around, it seemed like everyone was still fast asleep. They must all still be very tired after the long journey and the fight yesterday. Eizen rested in a hidden niche behind a stalagmite, since last night he was alone there. While Ellanese slept against the walls of the cave, a dim flame lit his pale face so tired.

Peregrine shrieked softly, the eagle had already woken up from earlier. Laruen placed Peregrine on his shoulder while adding a dry twig into the fire to enlarge his flame. He kept looking around the place, but did not find Karth. Then, he turned his head towards the mouth of the cave and saw Valadin still standing guard there. Last night Valadin did ask them all to rest while he was on guard in case any Daemons attacked them.

Did Lourd Valadin keep watch there all night?

Thunder boils sounded from a distance, the rain that had fallen since last night had still not subsided either. Laruen stood up and approached Valadin. “You don't sleep, Lourd?” tanyakanya.

“I had a short nap.” Valadin smiled amiably. “Karth replaced me last night.”

“Oh,” said Laruen relieved. “Then, where is he now?”

“He's out for hunting,” Valadin said. “He will be back before the conditions on the slope deteriorate.”

Laruen turned to his eagle perched on his shoulder, then shook his head weakly. “Peregrine also wants to go hunting, but I'm worried.”

Valadin laughed lightly, “I think it's safe enough to take it off for a while. The rain is not too heavy, just make sure he knows to go home soon before the weather turns bad.”

“You're right.” Laruen moved Peregrine into his arm. “You understand right, Peregrine? Don't go too far,” he said gently. Peregrine shrieked softly as if to answer Laruen before the girl finally took him off to forage.

Valadin was still looking at Laruen, he smiled gently, as usual. Laruen smiled back, but something was troubling his mind. And Valadin noticed it, he looked at Laruen and said, “You seem to be thinking of something. Want to tell?”

Laruen. “Actually there's something I've been wanting to ask since yesterday, but I don't want to bother you.”

“Tell me,” said Valadin softly.

For a few seconds Laruen kept looking at Valadin's face, he gathered all his courage before finally asking. “You and the girl named Vrey clearly know each other. All this time you've been so kind to me and I've never asked you why. But when I saw you yesterday, Vrey said that you found a new ‘maintenance’. Is it true you consider me a kind of—”

Valadin stopped Laruen before he finished his sentence. “Please, don't say anything more.”

“Sorry,” said Laruen fully regretted. “I shouldn't ask.”

Valadin. “Do not apologize. I'm the one who should apologize for keeping all this from you, so you should hear such a painful thing from that girl. Of all the people who are here, you are the one who is most entitled to know about my past and Vrey.”

Laruen looked up at Valadin. “What?” tanyanya could not believe it.

“I'll tell you everything,” Valadin said. “Six years ago I caught Vrey in the Telssier Forest. When I saw him I was surprised to see his face and appearance that was very similar to Lourd Reuven.”

“Who is he?” ask Laruen

“Lourd Reuven is my best friend and partner,” Valadin explained. “But one day he meets a Human, a young girl named Lyra. They fall in love, and Reuven decides to leave Falthemnar in order to be with the woman he loves. I never saw him again after that.

“As soon as I saw Vrey, I knew she was Reuven's daughter. I'm looking for a group of gypsies traveling with Lyra and Reuven. From them, I learned that Lyra died in childbirth and that Reuven disappeared, I suspect she chose to end her eternal life because she could not endure the pain after being left dead by the woman she loved. But before leaving Reuven handed his daughter over to someone else to take care of.”

Laruen furrowed his brows. “Daughter?”

“True,” replied Valadin. “Reuven has a pair of twins. From what I know, he originally intended to leave both of them to Lyra's father, but Vrey's grandfather was only willing to accept a child who resembled Man— Vrey. Reuven was forced to leave his other child, whose appearance resembled a pure-blooded Elvar to an acquaintance in Dominia.”

They looked at each other, Valadin smiled weakly while Laruen was still confused.

“You didn't realize it?” ask Valadin. “The names of the two of you, Vrey and Laruen, are anagrams of Reuven and Lyra. You're the daughter he left in Dominia, Laruen.”

Laruen was wide-eyed, he did not trust his own hearing. His knees immediately felt limp, he had to throw his back against the cave wall and lean there so as not to fall drooping. It took him a few minutes until he could reorganize his mixed emotions and feelings. “Vrey ... is ... my brother?” tanyanya. “And mom ... is my foster mom? Why don't you ever tell me that?”

“It was my agreement with your foster mother,” Valadin replied. “Initially I wanted to take you to Falthemnar and introduce you to Vrey. But your mom wants to wait until you're a little bit older before she tells you herself. That's why I've never said anything to this day, either to Vrey or to you. I'm sorry, I never meant for you to find out this way. But I love you, Laruen,” Valadin said frankly. “Same as I love Vrey.”

Laruen no longer knew what to say, he let his body slump on the cave wall before burying his face between his knees. His emotions overflowed uncontrollably, he began to cry. Valadin just kept quiet and watched her, not knowing what to say to calm the girl down. Laruen himself also did not know why he suddenly felt so devastated.

Is it because she knows she is not her mother's biological daughter as she has always suspected? Or because you know about Vrey?

They both remained silent for a while. The sound of rain spatter from the direction of the cave mouth was heard on the sidelines of the sobs of Laruen.

Valadin knelt in front of him and gently touched his shoulders. “I know all this must be very heavy for you. So I want you to know something.”

“What?”

“Vrey may still be alive and carrying Sapphire Relic, we may have to deal with it again. If you want to retreat now, I understand.”

Laruen looked up at Valadin, his eyes sore and swollen from crying. “No,” said, “I don't want to back down and won't back down. I'll help you until the end, Lourd Valadin.”

“Even if you have to hurt your own sister?” ask Valadin.

Laruen. “I have no sisters, let alone a thief and a poacher like that!”

Valadin sighed, already expecting Laruen's reply. “If it is your decision. But I will try as much as I can so that it doesn't need to happen.”

“Tell me one more thing,” pinta Laruen. “Do you hate Vier ⁇ Elvs like me? Is the only reason you're nice to me because I'm Reuven's daughter?”

Valadin was silent for a moment. “Should I admit, I used to look down on the Vier ⁇ Elv,” he replied bitterly. “But I also admit that I was wrong. After I got to know you, I realized something. You are not to blame for the deeds of men. All this time you have been treated unfairly for the pettiness of the Elders, and I promise to change that! The Vier ⁇ Elvs will have a proper place in the new era that we will form. You deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully, as well as with Humans if they are willing to live by our ordinances.”

That's when Karth came back, he walked into the cave in a hurry. His body was soaked, in his right hand he carried two rabbits. His presence disbanded the conversation of Valadin and Laruen.

Laruen hurriedly greeted Karth, together they walked towards the middle of the room warm and comfortable. Out there the roar of rain and thunder boils sounded louder and louder, along with the drizzle that turned into heavy rain.

***

Leighton couldn't sleep that night. He went back and forth on top of the pan, trying to rest. Arriving in the city, he leaves Vrey at the inn shop with Rion, while he returns to his own room and sleep—or rather tries to sleep.

She's not sure Vrey has forgiven her, but at least Vrey wants to talk to her. That's a good sign, right?

Leighton didn't know, he couldn't think because he was too tired. The barrage of questions that had filled his head made him even more restless.

Can I still go back to Mildryd after my identity is revealed? Will Gill and the others accept me again?

But the one thing that bothered him the most, was that things could go back to how they were or that Vrey would continue to be awkward with me? He did not know the answer and did not want to think about it further. Leighton closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

It took him a few hours until he fell asleep. But soon, he woke up when he heard his bedroom door being pounded hard. Leighton wriggled up as he rubbed his eyes, then inched to the door. At a glance he glanced towards the window, the sky was already bright, a soft pink color adorning the horizon.

It was morning, he thought in disbelief. He felt like he had fallen asleep for a few minutes. The knock on the door grew louder, Leighton inevitably continued his steps and opened the door.

Rion stood in the doorway. “Can I log in?” tanyakanya. Leighton tilted his body slightly to let Rion in, right behind him was Vrey. Leighton smiled to greet him, but Vrey turned his gaze away with

awkwardly then sat in Leighton's room chair.

Leighton closed the door. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Vrey and I chatted long enough last night after you went to bed,” Rion started. “We tried to find a troubleshooting with Valadin and his friends.”

Leighton furrowed next to his brows. “What?”

Rion continued. “According to Vrey, Valadin is quite powerful among the Elvar Nation, trying to report to Rilyth Lamire is tantamount to suicide. Nor do we know who we can trust among the Elvars. You and Vrey are wanted for your crimes there. I think they also trust their countrymen more than a pair of thieves.”

“You are right,” said Leighton. “We can't go back to Rilyth Lamire. Then what do you suggest?”

This time Leighton did not answer.

“You realize, right, those Elvars will continue to hunt us?” said Rion again. “Our only hope is to explain everything to your father, King Granville.”

Leighton sighed. This is Rion's idea apparently, he should have been able to guess it. “I've thought about it long before you guys, but I can't go home. Not after what happened there.”

“Until when do you want to run?” cecar Rion's. “You don't intend to escape forever, do you?”

Leighton smiled bitterly. He really doesn't want to go home. After all, if he came home, he might not be able to go back to Mildryd and he would never see Vrey again

Did Vrey realize it? thought Leighton. Was her disappointment and anger at me this deep, until she didn't want to see me again forever?

Vrey suddenly asked. “So, what's your decision? Rion is willing to escort us to the Blue Lagoon Palace if you agree to this plan.”

Rion hurriedly added. “With reward of course. I am quite satisfied with the gift of returning you to the palace.”

Leighton. As expected, Rion did not want to miss the golden opportunity. In addition to saving himself, he was also aiming for a chance to obtain a reward.

Vrey asked again. “So?”

Leighton took a long breath. “Alright,” said. “Rion true. We'll go back to the Blue Lagoon Palace and tell my father everything.”

Rion got up from his chair. “Wise decision!”

Vrey followed soon. “Then, I will pack now.” He was about to leave the room, but Leighton held him back.

“Vrey, wait,” call him.

“Ya?”

“If I go back to the Blue Lagoon Palace, we may not be able to meet again, forever.”

“I know,” sahut Vrey fast.

“And you don't mind that?”

Vrey did not reply, choosing to pass from Leighton's room. Rion was also about to leave the room, but Leighton stopped him. “This was all your idea, right?” tanyakanya.

“Yeah, I admit it,” replied Rion.

“I thought yesterday you said you wouldn't drag me back to Granville!”

Rion furrowed his brows. “Mugging? Didn't you decide to go back to Granville willingly? I'm, right, just escorting you to your destination.”

“I may have lied to Vrey,” Leighton said. “But what you're doing right now makes no difference!”

“At least I have a strong reason why I did it!”

“Strong reasons? Oh, you mean money?” leighton Syndicate.

“True, money!” Rion answered without hesitation. “Because I don't want to see my family living in poverty forever! Is there something wrong with that?” Rion's voice sounded so bitter, that Leighton dared not argue.

“No,” that's all he said.

“Good! Now start packing or we'll be slow,” Rion said before leaving the room.

Shortly after, Leighton finished packing. He tightened his hood before leaving the inn. Without a disguise, he had to be very careful not to show his face.

By the time Leighton arrived outside, Vrey was already waiting for him. He felt like he had been stabbed by thousands of needles as his eyes collided with Vrey. They were both silent, not knowing what to say to the others. Rion who followed behind Leighton broke the ice between them.

“Come way,” said.

Vrey hurriedly followed Rion who was leading in front. He walked quickly and left Leighton behind. The girl did not want to get close to him.

Leighton followed them with a shaky pace. Actually, he didn't want to part with Vrey like this. But maybe this is for the best. This is the only way for Valadin and his group to stop chasing and hurting Vrey.

Yeah, as long as Vrey's okay, he's willing even if he can't see the girl again, forever.

Soon they left Shailaja City. Rion led their retinue towards the valley. They had to descend hundreds of steps made of solid clay. The stone invitation was slippery because of the drizzle that came down last night. The further they descended, Leighton could hear the sound of water despite not seeing any rivers around it.

They finally arrived at the bottom of the steps and walked among the rice fields. Along the way they cross paths with the villagers who set out for the rice fields with their pet cows.

After a few minutes, they finally arrived at a large bend. Behind it, there was a river. Around the river, Leighton saw many houses made of bamboo. The tiny house was open-walled and roofed with weeds. On her porch the women held the baby in wicker baskets over her back while washing clothes.

Rion explained as they walked down the village. “We have to cross this river. This is the fastest route to Yamuna City. From there we can find an airship that will take us back to Granville.”

Vrey looked at Rion. “How long is the trip?”

“Trip to Yamuna City may be about one and a half days.”

“So we'll get on board?” ask Vrey again.

Rion shook his head. “To get to Yamuna we will traverse the river and forest that is submerged in water. We need special animals to traverse such terrain.”

“What animal?” asked Vrey with an enthusiastic face like a child.

Rion pointed at the river bank. “We ride it,” he said.

Leighton saw a wider river flowing right in front of them. On the banks of the river, the villagers built a large pier with a stage high above it. Some people climbed the stage to climb into a large basket tethered to the back of a large gray animal. A giant elephant, or what they call a gadya.

Leighton had already seen gadya during his visit to the Kingdom of Lavanya a few years ago. But Vrey, who had only seen her for the first time, widened his eyes.

Gadya is very large, higher than four male Komodo dragons stacked into one. His wide ears flapped beside his face. His body was very sturdy, gleaming at the flush of river water that he sprayed from the end of his long and strong nose. A pair of huge tusks poked out from behind his nose.

Rion ran towards the dock. “Come, we have to be fast, it looks like they are leaving!” yells.

Leighton and Vrey quickly follow Rion. They headed for an open cabin in front of the pier. Rion reached into his pocket and paid the cost of riding gadya for three people. Fortunately he was willing to pay for everyone because Leighton no longer had any money. All the money goes for Vrey's medical expenses and their living expenses in Shailaja City.

Vrey passed Leighton up the stairs and towards the top of the stage, then jumped into the basket on his back. Vrey is really excited about this journey. Leighton smiled knotfully before catching up with him.

As soon as they sat down, a worker at the dock removed the gadya restraint rope and the coachman began to point the animal forward. The gadya walked quite quickly following the flow of the river. At first Leighton felt adrift, but eventually he got used to it.

They walked through fairly shallow waters for a few moments. On the banks of the river there are still many small villages that they can see. But after walking for a long time, the scenery began to be replaced by forests that were submerged in water and fog. The surface of the river water is also getting higher, the gadya to have to lift his nose above the water surface in order to breathe.

The Gadya continued walking towards the riverbank. They were now through a forest filled with black fir trees. The bottom of the forest surface is flooded until about as deep as the waist of an adult. The thick forest canopy prevents the entry of sunlight or fresh air, causing the soil they pass through to be submerged in water and smell strange.

Leighton realized Vrey was closing his nose, he looked annoyed by the smell. Without thinking he leaned his body towards Vrey. “It stinks of peat,” he said. “This waterlogged land blocks dead leaves and trees from rotting perfectly, thus becoming a layer of peat.”

Vrey glanced at Leighton upon hearing his explanation. “You learned that time to be Acolyte in the monastery?” insinuations.

Leighton laughed, he realized Vrey was biting his lips to hold back the laughter. Looks like Vrey's attitude is starting to soften, after all this journey is still long. He hopes that by the time they get to Granville, Vrey will have truly forgiven him.

When evening came, they finally came out of the forest area. They arrived at a rural area located on a shallow river bank. They came down from the elephant's back and would spend the night in the village.