Kismet’s Tale

      Mavin hadn’t seen the steppe since then. It was so many years ago that he had decided to go to the Imperial Capital, and study in the Arkadia. The cold yet earth smell of the wind. The pastures of grass that extends up to the peaks. As the train passes on the flatten railroad, he caught sight of the domesticated demifiends. The long-mouthed furry mammal was at least five meters tall.

The shepherd making them follow was riding a steppe mountain horse that was about two meters tall. The shepherd was using a special kind of whip and carried this piece of wood to make the demifiends follow. On the steppe there were pockets of water where the demifiends would drink on. There were about three hundred seventy four miles to cover. With the train conductors knowing who he was, they got a rather private seat to watch the scenery. Most of the steppe’s basin was not as barren one would think. Pines and grasses grown on the basins, the lower slopes were dominated with this kind of tall grasses that was used by the citizens to feed the demifiends. There was a coniferous forest on the base of westward facing slopes as well where the high-altitude places where the alpine tundra’s are found if you head north of the provinces. Most of the railroad path that the train followed were on the solidified soil placed on dry and rocky areas.  The farther we head to the center of Lazon, the colder it was. On the path towards Lazon’s Capital, you would notice that there large areas that have not been urbanized or occupied by the residents. Though improvements in technology, and the likes have largely improved the lives of the citizens. Most of the populated areas were built near areas that have pockets of water.

Not to mention that back then there were groups and hordes of demifiends that were constantly roaming the open areas of the steppe and the alpine tundra, making it unlivable for the citizens. When he left for the Academy years ago, the areas didn’t have a train that could cross the steppes so easily. Although he could see that the development of the asphalt roads were being worked day and night, there were areas that needed careful planning.

Mavin, before he left for the Capital, had heard that they would need to have a topographic survey on the areas of Lazon. Though Lazon was mostly an elevated area, there are hazards that made it dangerous for the team to do their research. There are obvious delays when it comes to planning roads and mapping out areas. This much progress could only be merited to the hard work of the parties involved. Before Lazon had continuously developed, Mavin had to scout potential employees that would bring the most benefit to Lazon. He alone could not work on the every detail needed. A jack of all trades was a master of none, and he wasn’t arrogant to think that he could somehow handle the improvements of Lazon within the specific year. He had to delegate the tasks to the people that are competent, and on his mind were the future of the Empire. He had the ‘memories’ help him, but even the people who were willing to work had to be persuaded, and there were some who needed to be hooked before they could work on solidifying the land development of the Lazon Region.

Not to mention that this wasn’t the only place that they needed to cultivate. The North of Greater Lazon covers about nine million acres of land, and that wasn’t counting the much larger south whose developments were largely placed into the hands of contractors from Holmia, and the subcontracts who worked day and night to build the south. Although Lazon had a population and the work force to continue this task, they still had to gather foreign workers from other continents. Mavin had received a report in the academy that just two years ago, they had to hire a bout four thousand foreign workers to work on the development of the roads from the mouth of Pustalo to Pertoi and finally to the South’s main city which is Jorvi. The amount of gold that this development needed had caused them to distribute the rights of mining to foreigners, and allow investments. The coffers of Lazon would have dried up if it wasn’t for the treasury that Mavin had first found to support the first years of development. His ancestors had hidden their gold and through the ‘memories’ that he had somewhat found them while also searching for the tunnels that the demifiends used.

Of course, just that gold alone wasn’t enough. He had to take a huge loan from the merchant unions and guild to support the development costs that were thankfully paid before the bastards could ‘repossess’ lands and take titles as collaterals. Infrastructure, and a massive source of income was what Mavin needed to improve the state of Lazon. Although if given enough time, his Cousin would make Lazon prosperous, he still had to make sure that by the time the Great War Seven-Year war ends, Lazon was already at an equal footing and armed with the best weapons that they could muster.

Lazon had, and always been independent because of Strongarm Clan, where the Tomas Family had come, were part of the founding families of Lazon. Only through their own industry, hard work, and continuous development of infrastructures could Lazon continue to develop.

Mavin only knew the bare details of the actual choices, paperwork, and the planning that had to be done. Some might credit him for being the person who started this massive development of Lazon. But Mavin wasn’t arrogant enough to claim that. If he had stayed in Lazon to watch over the whole process, he was sure that he would have caused harm more than progress. He knew that he wasn’t the Captain of the ship that Lazon needed, and if there was anything that he had done right. It was giving the seat of power to Derrick Tomas, his cousin.

***

They got off from a railroad terminal in Vaaksi where they immediately found themselves a carriage. Although cars were popular in the Imperial Capital of Arkadia, there were still areas around the mountains that made it rather troublesome for engine-powered automobiles to cross the area. The cars that he saw were private. They did not have cabs or taxis around so most of the public transports were either horse-pulled carriages or tram lines that were recently established to carry passengers. But Mavin could see that once the asphalt roads were finished, there would be an influx of automobiles. Mavin spotted motorcycles, and horse riders sharing the lane.

Alarava sat on a flat basin. A few meters away from the city was the village of Karbid and the lake of Vilpula.  Entering the city’s front gates you would find the half-timbered buildings with stucco finishing and low-pitched tile roofs. Most of the roofs were made of copper and most of them had this red tarnish look. You could actually figure out which roof were the oldest with how the color of their roof changed by the day.

Back then Alarava only had one main road. Most of the roads were unpaved, and there was this heavy earthly smell. The main lanes now were covered and paved with stone. The side streets were mostly made of cement instead of asphalt road. Though most of the infrastructures and buildings were constructed with stone, and wood. There were unfamiliar buildings that were five floor high and were made with concrete and steel. As they passed the streets of Alarava, Mavin found his spirit lifted up.

The citizens wore suits and dresses, though there were clearly still wearing their fur-lined coats and carried their own rifles with them. As this was the capital, he had expected the security to be tight. There were stationary turrets. Patrolling Vulcans and on the rooftop of the cityscape were steel and iron watchtowers that have an overwatch of the city.

The sidewalk was crowded with travelers and visitors. Once in a while he would spot a double-decked truck that carried the folks to their destination. There were trucks filled with cargo and lumber that were entering the widened roads. Although the main roads had become spacious after removing the old and ill-maintained buildings. The hustle and bustle of the city was somewhat overwhelming compared to the ‘peaceful’ and ‘quiet’ city that he had remembered.

The carriage that they rode got closer to the Alarava’s Grand Manor where the head family rules. He already told the carriage driver, and though there was a surprise in the manner that the driver took it. He cheerfully drove his carriage to the front of the Grand Manor where they immediately were spotted by security, asking them to stop before they could enter the grounds of the Grand Manor.

Before they could ask for their reasons for entering the Grand Manor. Mavin poked his head, and nodded at the guards. One of the guards recognized him, and without much delay, ordered them to make haste in opening the gates. The Ground Manor was walled with stone and arrowheads that prevents anyone from climbing it. Not far from where he was entering, he saw the Grand Manor that was made and shaped like an ‘M’.

The carriage rounded the center, then parked in front of the entrance leading to the five floored building. Mavin was about to pay when the driver adamantly refused his payment. Not wanting to make a fuss about it, Mavin took his coins back and took a step out of the carriage with Natalya following. He unloaded his luggage first, and then carried it with his hands. Before he continue, the double-doors of the entrance building was opened abruptly.

On the middle of the doorway stood a fiery young lady, which was only as tall as his waist, standing with her arms crossed, and legs on a wide stance. She lifted her chin, and placed her gaze on Mavin. Following the young lady was a maid whose head was in a bun, and she was about to reached out to the lady when her eyes caught sight of Mavin.

“Y-young master?”

The young lady glanced to the side. She then returned her gaze on Mavin with a rather complicated expression. Mavin took a step forward, and the stood in front of the young lady and the maid next to her.

“It seems that you are still working here Silica.”

“Boohoo, young master!” Silica cried. “You are back!”

“I am,” Mavin nodded, then took a knee to level his gaze on the young lady. “And this must be my niece, Elea?”

Elea gasped. “H-how did you know?”

“You have the hair of your mother, and the face of your father,” he landed his palm on her. “You are a big girl. What were you doing here entrance, if you would tell me?”

“I had to welcome people! Mama said that I should learn young!”

“Ohhh, as expected of sister-in-law. But for now, how about I introduce myself?”

Mavin stood up. He gestured for Natalya to come and stand next to him. “It is a pleasure meeting you, Lady Elea Tomas. This one is called Mavin Tomas, and next to me is my wife, Natalya Wilde Tomas. It is my pleasure meeting you finally.”

Elea Tomas picked the hem of her skirt, and then gracefully bowed. “This Lady is called Elea Tomas, i-it is nice meeting you, Big Brother!” Her speech was clumsy. Although she gave out a fierce expression, there was something that made her careful when it comes to Mavin.

Natalya greeted with a thin yet charming smile on her. “It is my pleasure as well, Milady.”

“Yes, it is my pleasure as well,” she looked at Silica, wondering if she had done well. Silica nodded her in affirmation, bring a smile to the young heiress of the Tomas Family.

It was then that in the corner of his eyes, Mavin spotted two figures walking towards the entrance. Seeing the two of them, Mavin couldn’t help but somewhat look away. Years had passed and although there are changes on their appearances. Marcher Lord Derrick Tomas, and his wife, Lady Elma Tomas still looked wonderful and healthy as ever.

Mavin took a step forward, like a foolish child afraid to be scolded after running away. “Brother,” then he turned to Elma. “And Sister-in-law, Elma.”

Derrick Tomas stood in front of him. His eyes on the same level as him. The two Tomas stared at one another before Derrick gave a charming smile, and went out to land a palm on his shoulder before pulling Mavin in for a bear hug.

“Welcome home, Brother,” he said, patting Mavin’s back. “It has been long since you’ve come back home,” he let go and took a step back. “I have many questions to ask you,” he eyed Natalya for a second, “but for now, I am just glad that you are home and alive.”

Mavin Tomas felt his chest throbbed at the word ‘home’.

It had been so many years since he had left home to fulfill the self-imposed duty that he had decided on himself. He was prepared for a punch, and an unfriendly gaze, but seeing the two people that he could call family welcome him back home made him unable to hold back the dam of tears that he had been keeping.

“I am home, Brother,” he said with the largest and the most heartfelt smile that he could ever muster in the recent years. The child who left years ago, had finally returned, and for the first time in many years, Mavin truly felt that he didn’t have to worry about anything for a while.

He was finally back to his home.