Riverside 4

~~*~~

It was the day after their near-death experience at the hands of a wandering Dungeon Master. The gargoyle, as Alisha called it, was an unnatural monster that took direct control of their underlings. It wasn't normal. Reinold still couldn't believe the appearance of two different extraordinary monsters at the same time. But he was inclined to believe Yuli's judgment about Alisha. His father also said he would look into it.

As a half-elf, her ability to interpret emotions through facial expressions and aura was far beyond any human capacity. She was someone who would know how you were feeling right away even without speaking to you. In fact, most elves were like this and their culture and their social interactions revolved around this more in-depth trust they could establish through their abilities.

Reinold was going to the Association building across the Sohao River to meet with the Captain of the town's militia. On the eastern side of the river, there were more urban housing and space. This New Association District was protected by the river on one side and a log wall on the other.

The Free Association built this expansion to house its workers and freelancers in Riverside. Technically, the territory across the river was Grethenian territory. The elves allowed the expansion because of the town's strong affiliation with the Association. Ironically, the base for the Vultian Imperial Military was also in this newly acquired space from the elves since they needed to defend the town from monsters of the Elven Forest.

The Imperials were interfering in Riverside because it was a border town and because of the increase in monster activity. That was the official cause. Everyone in town knew why they were really here. It was to keep the townspeople in line. Although small by Imperial standards, the Association heavily utilizes Riverside as a gateway to Grethenia. It was no secret the Empire and the Association were enemies despite the Association being an organization under the Emperor.

More Imperial soldiers patrolled the streets and more Imperial flags hung in place of the Association's. The Empire seemed paranoid about Association-established towns seceding to Seutaria, the independent and de-facto capital of the Free Association. A certain incident a decade ago sparked this concern for a civil war.

When relations began to sour between the Emperor and the Association Guild Master, the organization simply moved their headquarters out of the Imperial capital city of Ambergant and established Seutaria in neutral territory and out of the Empire's jurisdiction. The Free Association of Seutaria was born and a new powerful city-state sprung up under the Emperor's nose while taking tens of thousands of high-level casters with them.

This diminished any real outlet for the crisis. By the time Seutaria was discovered by the Empire, the Association had already become an integral part of monster subjugation missions internationally and their influence was unmatched even by the Emperor. The tension in Riverside between the Empire and Association was thick.

Reinold had to be more careful with Yuli and Elise until the Imperial presence here lifts a bit. More Imperials meant more trouble for elves.

Around town, people were concerned over Reinold's and Yuli's well-being. No doubt they heard about yesterday's attack and their encounter with a Dungeon Master. They were lucky to be alive. This incident was even more significant because they were the son and daughter of the prominent Merchant Lord in town.

Yuli's Aunt Elise was almost hysterical when she heard the news this morning. She ran up to Reinold and grabbed him while trembling. When she heard that Yuli was okay from Reinold, she recomposed herself as if nothing happened, realizing they had to cover their relationship.

Elise cleared her throat and took a step back. "Yuli is okay? I am very glad to hear that. Thank you," she said sincerely.

"I'm thankful that we made it. It got very bad out there. A lot of people died."

"Then I will do what I can to have my cute little niece stay in Riverside. I will kidnap her and keep her in my room…" Elise realized what she was saying and stopped to Reinold's bewildered expression.

"My sister is an Alton not a Sune, Aunt Elise," he said softly so only they could hear.

"I believe that was the decision of Yuli, not yours. All I want is for her to be safe. Okay?" Elise said kindly. There was no malice in her words and she wasn't wrong. Yuli would be safer with her Aunt but she was his sister! They may be only half-siblings but they were bonded with more than just blood.

The town square of the New District was near the Association Guild House which was built as the tallest and grandest building in Riverside. Its size represented the town's importance to the Association as a gateway to elven territory. The town square had a stage for festivals, public announcements, and forums. Today, they were discussing something that greatly concerned all of the townspeople gathered.

The Mayor of Riverside, the Captain of the Militia, and the Commander of the Imperial Military were on the stage addressing the crowd.

"My fellow citizens, there is no reason for any panic. I want everyone to know that the Dungeon Master has been taken care of and is no longer a threat," the Mayor said. However, this explanation wasn't satisfying the crowd.

"What about the other monsters?" Said, one man.

"How did those monsters get past Talleum and Ilyne?" Said another.

"Are the paths safe to travel?"

The Captain of the Militia—Louis—spoke, "The militia is patrolling and eliminating any monster along the roads. Once the remaining monsters spawned from the Dungeon Master are cleared up, it should be safe."

"Is this the Devil Slime?"

Louis was unable to answer that so Commander Dustin of the imperial military answered, "No, this is the work of another Dungeon Master. In any case, I believe that this threat has past and the roads are safe to travel."

"How can you say that with the Devil Slime still in the area?" The townsman shouted.

"The Devil Slime hasn't been seen for two weeks and has likely established a dungeon nearby. As long as everyone doesn't wander off to an isolated part of the woods, you will be fine. I expect everyone to be cautious and not do anything more than necessary."

The three town officials concluded their 'informative' public forum and stepped down the stage as the townspeople dispersed with no greater assurance than they had before. Reinold saw Louis go into the freelancer tavern.

The tavern was situated between houses and shops in the shadow of the Association Guild House. It was a three-story building that was old and rustic with a lot of questionable-looking people drinking beer. It looked as authentic as the customers it hosts.

Almost immediately, Reinold was met by people who were concerned for the heir of his father's trading guild and people greeting him as the retired hero freelancer of Riverside. Reinold was always pressured into taking over the family business but he wanted independence and to not be compared to the achievements of his father.

Those who met Reinold as the famous former freelancer met him as a friend while those who met him as his father's son felt he owed them something. This was the difference in treatment that he hated.

Captain Louis promised yesterday to escort him with a wagon and get his merchandise from the overturned stagecoach. "Are you ready to go?" Captain Louis asked.

Along with Louis' group of militiamen, Reinold saw someone he didn't want to see: Tasha. "What's she doing here?" He said with disgust.

"Tasha is coming along with us. We need a good mage," he said.

Tasha couldn't look Reinold in the eye because of her fear and the glare from his accusing eyes. Without warning, Reinold grabbed Tasha's collar and forced her to the wall. The militia wanted to intervene but Tasha's pleading eyes told them that they shouldn't.

Reinold yelled at her face close up with anger, "YOU RAN!"

Those around them immediately knew what Reinold meant and what Tasha did. The faces around them presented either shock or disbelief at the notion that one of their own could display such cowardice. Tasha didn't deny it and allowed Reinold to continue.

"You were on your horse when everyone was knocked down or fighting. Your clothes were too clean. Louis, what was the first thing she said after she met you at the checkpoint?"

"She…"

Louis was heartbroken as he looked at Tasha's guilt-ridden eyes.

"She told us that she was attacked by monsters. She didn't suggest that we go after you or the others until after we pressed her about what happened..."

"She abandoned her team and left us for dead," Reinold was suppressing his anger under his breath. He wanted her to admit it and do it in front of everyone. Tasha abandoned her friends, himself, and most importantly: Yuli. Tasha treated Yuli's injuries and Yuli gave her gratitude and friendship. Tasha betrayed those feelings and his.

"NO!"

Tasha yelled in her defiance with tears in her eyes and her voice trembling. The whole tavern was silent.

"Yes, I was scared and I ran. And I hate myself for it! When those blasts came and everyone was in a frenzy. I lost sight of everyone when you and everyone else ran into the forest. I was frozen by the sudden attack… I never thought I'd see so many of my friends die at once and I ran… I know there's nothing I can do to make up for what I did but I want to make things right."

Tasha showed Reinold her mana crystals on her wrist strung together as a bracelet. One of the crystals was still shining.

"Samuel is still alive! Please, allow me to go with you so I can save Samuel! Please, let me make this right…" Tasha was forlorn. She dropped to her knees and cried when Reinold released her. Now, when Reinold looked around, everyone was starting to pity her. Even Reinold pitied her as his distaste for her diminished a bit. He wasn't sure how to handle this.

"Do what you want," Reinold said apathetically.