Chapter 32 - Nymph (2)

It was a tiring morning for Alin, she had accepted a few quick jobs near the border gate, about thirty minutes away from Ivarny, Capital City of Qye. She received a quick task of moving over goods that just arrived up north from Lorx, the Capital City of Ertellib to one of the busiest taverns near the border.

There were about five other creatures excluding herself that were given the task. Thankfully, her androgynous appearance and flat chest play a pivotal role in successfully landing her this job or else the owner would one-sidedly reject her application.

Although discrimination and disparity of creatures isn't visible inside Qye, it was still hard for women like her to be trusted with doing certain work which requires considerable strength, this view of letting women work is still diverse especially considering the difference of cultural aspect and ethical belief with each creature. Although Qye is still quite lenient compared to Ertellib, where it is hard for women to receive male dominant related jobs. 

Alin still can't place the idea of Ertellib producing high quality liquor despite how it is banned and prohibited inside its own civilization. Presumably, this liquor Alin is tasked to move inside the warehouse is exponentially expensive. One bottle of it could cost between five hundred gold to one catheon or five years life expanse of a middle class creature inside Qye.

Placing the last batch of exquisite liquor inside the warehouse, Alin reached for a kerchief inside her pockets and wiped away sweats that had dribbled down from her forehead for a while.

Turning around she found others had finished their task and were already taking a seat at one corner, receiving their payment in the form of a few cheap bottles of liquor and some raspberry muffin.

"That was lots of booze!"

One of the four worker howl after shoving down a few muffin down his throat, his skinny elongated face had turn visibly red from chugging down one gulp of cheap liquor, his eyes has long turned hazy and his thin cracked lips lets out a few hiccups after complaining the amount of workload.

Although Alin could've sworn that lanky creature only carried at most two average medium size boxes filled with liquor before straying away from one of the carriages carrying goods.

"It's understandable. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival!"

One of the short bulky creatures with a long beard reaching his chest provides a reason for the huge amount of liquor's presence, he seems struggling with crumbles sticking on his beard, as he frequently been wiping away at his mouth whenever he finish one bite, hearing this the group of four nod along in understanding.

"How did this happen in the first place?" The lanky one scrunched up his face, confused and baffled, Alin is now convinced that the guy is thoroughly drunk. Meanwhile, the short robust one coughs a few times trying to clear his throat before staring at the rest of the table with expectant gaze.

"Haven't you heard, it was the Moon Curse."

They all gasp in unison, the rest of the tavern patrons seem to pause in movement, ears wide open for possible new gossip and rumours to spread around.

"We all know the Queen helps a human from an imminent death. But it has only recently spread around that the Queen has lifted the Moon Curse from a human's newborn baby."

Everyone inside the tavern fell into silence. Moon Curse is one of the deadliest curses ever existed. Once cast upon a creature, the recipient would likely either die from slow painful death or it could drive them insane from the sole pain alone.

Its distinctive appearance of turning parts or the entire body into one particular colour on a creature had once caused chaos and fear of infecting it. Although later on it became known a witch with a deep amount of hatred as fuel is required to cast the spell.

"Cruel. To think someone would cast such a curse on an innocent creature."

The lanky one chortled once he heard this, his head shaking in rapid motion, eyes blaring with unknown rage as he denounced.

"Who knows. There's huge news going around about the Queen is still alive and well. Turns out this was just one big fat lie the Kingdom spread to protect the Queen," liquid flow out of his mouth, his yellow teeth visible because of his wide disdainful laugh, "I heard this event is one of many ways Qye's raking in money from its citizen."

It is no secret that the event taking place inside Qye could last for at least a week  and had managed to increase its visitor each year, it had raised financial income for traders who once only relied on trading and cultivating herbs and vegetation for spell and consumption.

This past four years had change Qye's drastically from a small kingdom with high influence into one of places for creatures from different kind and place to visit. Business around and in the Capital City exploded like never before, like a touch of rain that spread wide and equal, seeping in through each aspect of likelihood. Almost everyone impacted and their life condition had turned for the better.

For the purpose of viewing the magical night and its native citizens praying solemnly for the current Queen of Suttern.

Although, no one knows if they wholeheartedly wish for the Queen to regain her consciousness in near time.

"This year ought to be the biggest, ah?"

One other creature decides to chime in, his thick accent breaking apart the solemn thoughts and silence that has permeated the air for quite a while, everything seems to go back to normal within that second.

The creature who cheerfully stated has the darkest skin tone out of the four with sparkly golden eyes and golden necklace around his neck, his thick eyebrow and soft skin indicated his young age.

"You've never visited before?"

The tallest out of the four asked, his eyebrow pulled up in question while examining the youngster before him. Meanwhile, the one who got inspected sheepishly laughed and nodded his head.

"I don't have enough money to sail across from Wasteland, although the meaning behind Lantern Festival is quite unfortunate, I'm still excited to visit here," smiling from ear to ear displaying his white polished teeth.

"Oh! A stranded soul!"

Creatures who arrive from Wasteland are called stranded. They are called as such by others because they couldn't disclose their initial origin. Most visitors originated from the land are criminals, runaways or related to some traitors that wanted to stray from public denouncement and punishment.

"Just our luck! The short nymph guy just now also comes from that land. Don't you know him?"

Hearing that statement, the youngster turned stiff, eyes furrowed in irritation before he retorted in annoyance, "The land is considerably big! Just because the population is small does not mean we know everyone."

The lanky one snorted, "Yeah whatever. Where did he go?"

The short one was still munching on a muffin before he turned his head around, trying to find the guy the other creature had mentioned before he shrugged, "He said he needed to go to town. Apparently looking for a healer named Ruby?"

Upon catching that name Alin stood up from her chair, eyes turning wide as she approached the table in wide and loud strides within a second and asked the guy immediately.

"What does that person look like?"

The rest of the creatures on that table were still surprised by Alin's presence when she slammed down her fist on the table and stared down the guy, the clattering sound of cups falling down from the wooden table caused the entire place to paused, her eyes still locked onto the short bulky bearded guy.

The guy trembled in surprise from how cold and demanding Alin's voice sounded out, eyes shaking with fear visible within his face. "Don't you remember? He's the short one with a brown thick robe and leather boots. He finishes his work quickly and catches a carriage to Qye's central town. He said he needed to find a healer named Ruby," the guy managed to stutter out a few details he knew, while eyeing Alin warily.

Alin couldn't remember, she was entirely focused on her task.

Noticing the way Alin seems dissatisfied with his answer, he tried to recall other things and list it out for her.

"He shouldn't have gone far. He has blue eyes and golden hair," He muttered with a low voice, still trembling. But felt relief wash over him once the creature before him averted her gazes and walked away in haste.