Ersia: Raven Dawn

During their evening stroll in the capital, Randia realized that they might be in trouble. The reason is that he cannot find a place safe enough to spend the night. There are at least two suspicious individuals in every inn he came by.

Now that he knows there is going to be a mega event that invites a lot of prominent figures from powerhouses of the world, eyes and ears are lurking in every shadow of the vast capital. Since espionage war is not uncommon between the nations, especially in such a time of seemingly fragile peace, that much is a given. Luckily, Randia learned how to discern the crafty and the not, and to discern the shady and the not.

However, that doesn't bring any answer to his situation. Randia notices that Viena is getting sleepy. After all that walk around the place with her injured leg, she must be feeling exhausted and need to recover. They need a dwelling place. Should they risk it, and enter whichever inn that comes their way? That's the question that Randia must answer.

"Papa, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on. Do you think I didn't notice? It's the seventh inn already, and you haven't decided where to sleep. This much is very unusual, even for someone who thinks too much like you."

"Hm. It seems you've grown a bit after all. That's pretty commendable for someone with such a small head."

Viena laughs at Randia as she bites his ear. Then she rests her sleepy head again on his broad shoulder, 

"Hey, tell me the truth. Is something happening? Are we like, followed by someone maybe? Wait . . . Was it the spy from earlier?!"

"No, it's not necessarily like that. It's just that we have to be careful. There are too many suspicious individuals hanging out in the inn," Randia held Viena tighter as he remembered what happened a few days ago.

". . .  You mean bad people?"

"There’s a possibility for that."

Viena's voice is getting smaller and smaller. Although she's as curious as always, her eyes feel so heavy. It's certainly the evening milk conjoined along with the food coma taking effect.

"I will be next to you, so don't you worry about anything. Just sleep for now, okay?"

". . . Promise me you won't leave me alone again, okay? Never, forever."

Just like every day ever since she was kidnapped, Viena finally went to sleep after uttering those words. Now Randia is walking aimlessly, carrying Viena in front, and his big backpack on the back. He roamed the town for three hours, looking for a single place to stay where he wouldn't risk himself getting caught, all the while dodging the patrolling guards as much as he could.

---

 

At one crossroad where it is rather emptier than the others, an old lady walks approaching Randia from his left side. Her hands are rubbing against each other continuously, and her eyes are thrown all over the place. Clearly, she is in a great distraught. Sometimes, she holds her neck, as if it's hurting.

"Lisabelle . . . ! Lisabelle . . . !" she screamed weakly.

As the night gets darker, the old lady begins to shed a tear in silence, mournful and dejected. Feeling bad for her, Randia walks up to ask her what is wrong.

"Good evening, Madam."

"Y-Yes, Sir? What can I do for you?" the old lady wiped her tears.

"No, it's actually the opposite. You look terrible. What can I do for you? Is something wrong?"

The old lady looked at Viena and she covered her mouth with teary eyes. The little girl who is sleeping in Randia's arms reminds her of her own. The dam in her eyes shattered as she could no longer contain her anxiety.

"M-My granddaughter. She is missing, and I can't find her anywhere."

"That's a grave situation. Have you reported to the guards?"

"I've tried, Sir. They said they'll keep an eye on the streets. However, they can't promise me anything since everyone is busy with today's event. Oh, Aine! Please protect my dear Lisabelle!"

Randia goes deep in thought as the lady wails. He glances around before deciding whether the woman is truly someone in misfortune, or she is merely laying a trap to harm him and Viena. Had it been the first, then it would be wise to steer clear right now.

However, it seems that he sensed nothing suspicious going around. There are no bunch of thugs waiting to ambush them, nor malicious intent whatsoever. She's just a plain old lady who's looking for her dearest.

". . . Papa? We're still walking?"

"Yes, hold on for a while."

Viena took a big yawn and rubbed her eyes. It didn't take long for her to finally notice that there was an old lady sobbing right in front of her. Then, she turned her face again to Randia with questioning eyes.

"Papa, what's wrong?"

"This madam is in trouble. She couldn't find her granddaughter."

"T-That's terrible!"

"I know."

"Aren't you going to help her?"

Viena's question puts him in silence. Should he help her? If yes, then why should he and what will he risk? If not, then what will the little kid who looked up to him have to say to such a man who ignored a plea for aid? Thus, he makes his choice.

"What does she look like?" asked Randia.

"Her height is somewhat the same as me. She has long ashen hair - almost down to her waist, and her eyes are bright violet, just exactly as mine. I tied an embroidered green handkerchief around her neck just this afternoon because she had flu for a few days now."

"Waist-long ashen hair, violet eyes, and probably 165 cm tall. . . ."

"Please, do tell me if you see her. I will be here all day and all night until she comes back to me."

Randia then put Viena on the ground. He casts a velda chant, and his index is glowing with greenish light. He then slowly strokes through Viena's tibia. She feels a little ticklish at first, but then it grows numb.

"I hastened the reparative process. It should be in an early stage of hard calluses now. How is your leg?"

"It feels umm . . . I don't know. I don't feel anything."

"Good."

"W-Wait, does it mean that it healed completely!?"

"Don't even think about it. No running, no jumping, and most absolutely no sidestepping, do you hear me?"

Viena mocks Randia by mimicking him and then merrily swinging her left leg in the air. Randia responded by tweaking her ear.

"Do. You. Hear. Me."

"Ouch! Yes, yes! I understand! No sidestepping! Stop pulling!"

After Randia let go of her and let out a breather, he turned to the old lady who was slightly smiling looking at them.

"I can help you find your granddaughter. However, in the meantime, I need you to look after my daughter. Her name is Viena."

"Nice to meet you, Madam!"

"She can be really troublesome, I hope you have the patience with her," Randia looking chagrined, as if he was to blame for any misfortune that was going to happen.

"Hey! I'm not troublesome!"

The old lady is looking hesitant. She isn't sure whether to accept this too-kind of an offer.

"But are you sure? From the looks of it, you both are not from here. You both are travelers, right? Also, it's getting dark, can you even manage to look after yourself around this city?"

"Don't worry. This is not my first time coming here. Although it is, for my daughter."

Randia caressed Viena's head before leaving her to the old lady's care. He told them to stay at a park near the central plaza where there are a lot of guards on patrol and never roam around no matter what happened. They told her to stay put, even if they saw the old lady's granddaughter walking right across the street.

"I will be back right away."

"Wait! My granddaughter . . . Lisabelle! I don't know what happened, but she is smart and always a cautious child to strangers. Tell me that it's her grandmother, Eleanor, who sent you. Maybe it will be easier for her to open up."

"I understand."

Randia donned his cloak and walked hastily, leaving behind Viena and Eleanor. He went to search for a higher place, high enough to cover the entire sight of the district. He ended up choosing a tall building belonging to a merchant guild to climb upon. From up there, he awakens the power of his eyes, with a conviction that if those eyes couldn't even find a crying, lost little girl, then he might as well go blind.