Chapter 4 - Year 1632, Day 2

Lena, the small cat girl, was making her way toward the centre market stalls. She, like many other nonhumans, felt secure in this city. There was essentially no institutional racism in this politically neutral Kingdom. The basis for such a conclusion was laid precisely here, in Saida, the first and most famous human city to embrace non-humans.

Because there are more non-humans than humans, this city was established as an experiment to determine if races can coexist peacefully. Following their accomplishment, the whole Kingdom embraced the new regulations, and in a short period of time, they had amassed a large workforce, commerce, and fortune. After her hamlet was attacked six years ago, Lena relocated to this city's outskirts.

Her old hamlet where her tribe lived, was in "untamed" territory, as humans from other large kingdoms defined the place where there is no legitimate authority. In reality, the region to the east of the map was held by the majority of the non-human tribes of various races; the races were dispersed and did not work, communicate, or trade with one another. They held their domains and governed over them, but they had few contacts with the outside world.

Thus, a non-human was considered lower than a human commoner. Why? Nobody understands. Lena, on the other hand, had a few thoughts. She lost her father when a caravan led by a lesser noble attempted to forcefully take her mother to that man's mansion. Eight years have passed, and she had not heard from her mother. With time, she found the strength to move forward, and yearned for a life where she didn't have to live in fear of ending up in her mother's circumstances... or worse.

She happened to be at a nearby river to wash some clothing as her tribe was being slaughtered or enslaved by bandits. She arrived here after hearing about it while wandering and living from day to day. She has since changed her life by working as a waitress in the adventure's guildhall. Today was her free day so she came to buy some food and items.

Walking, she pointed her fluffy brown ears round, as if listening for signals of danger, as the merchants were pitching their merchandise. She came to a halt in front of her preferred stall. Regardless of any hardships she might have, her appearance was always fresh. Her beautiful brown hair was braided with enormous curls behind her back, leaving bangs and two strands of hair at the front.

Her purple skirt fluttered gently with her short, but rapid and intuitive steps. She was carrying a little knife just several inches below the skirt, in a brown knife holder. She wasn't a fighter, but she had to be protected. Long white socks enhanced her attire and a pair of black leather shoes.

"Hey, uncle! What have thou got for me today nya?" She allows her ears to fall back and bends down to smell some flowers tastefully put in little pots in front of the stall. The flowers smelled lovely. She was delighted.

Bendo gives her his best merchant-like smile. He's around 43 years old, has large hands and fingers, and is a little obese. He normally wears a white shirt and black wavery slacks, leaving his hands bare but quite hairy. His complexion was a little darker than the other humans'. 'Probably from working most of the days in the sun nya.' she reasoned.

She gives him a quick glance. 'At the first glance, thou'd think he's a brute but deep down, he's a very soft and caring person nya.' she acknowledges

The man behind the booth, glad to see his 5.4-inch fluffy customer, began his greeting with caution. He had startled her a few years ago before she moved to this city, and he was broken-hearted after seeing her crying and almost leaping in front of a carriage if it hadn't been for a random person who caught the tiny cat girl by her cloak at the last second.

He was not going to repeat the same error.

"Oh, if it's not Lena! It's lovely to see you here. I have beautiful veggies, but there aren't many people coming to buy them. It's really a pity! If only some charming client with fluffy ears would come and buy these fresh tomatoes, which I assure you are the best on the market." He delivers it slowly with an excentric accent while leaning back, resting his left palm on his brow, and opening one little eye to check her reaction.

Lena smiled wholeheartedly and laughed. The old man was hilarious as he attempted to play a role he wasn't very good at. Other than awkwardness, his huge abdomen and heavy hands didn't convey any emotion in that pose.

"Thou would have more customers nya if the veggies were as unforgettable as thy acting nya!" she responds

"Blasphemy! Pick whichever tomato you wish and test the quality. I'll just do it once because I can't take such accusation from you!" He frowns and gestures to the skillfully placed row of tomatoes in several wooden opening containers.

Lena shielded her eyes with her left sleeve because she wanted to cry but was too embarrassed to show Bendo this side of her... again.

Bendo has become like a father to her since relocating to Saida. Despite the fact that they never discussed their personal lives in depth beyond simple queries like "How are you today?" or "Thou seem a little thinner this morning nya. Have thou worked out?"; however, she would come to him for guidance when she was having troubles, but every time they spoke coded by adding fruits, veggies, or instruments that merchants were used to working with.

It was for her own protection. That much she was aware of. Bendo's only concern at the moment was that he was losing customers to other merchants and would eventually have to close his shop.

'Every time I come by, thou say that nya. Even if I'm only passing through on my way someplace else, thou ought to have me try some of your veggies and give me some to take home nya. Thou old fool! Thou've been good to me for a long time nya.. I tell people I meet at the adventures guild to get the best vegetables from here nya, but I see nya. You're still struggling nya.' While staring at the veggies, she lowers her cat-like ears. Her eyes turn a bright crimson as she fights the need to cry.

The light from the sun gets suddenly obscured by several human and demi-human shadows. Beno was looking up, his mouth slightly wide, and glancing behind Lena. The street, which was only a few seconds earlier packed with people you could hardly get through, began to push each other to move closer to the edge, just around where Lena is now.

She leans on the stall and extends a hand toward Bendo, shocked by the vast number of individuals who began squeezing against her.

"Uncle, kindly assist this tiny one nya!" She attempts to say while being squished.

Bendo, as if released from a spell, lunges forward and grabs Lena by the back clothes. Some squished tomatoes fall from her purple skirt, leaving large stains behind.

"Are you okay, Lena?" he asks, looking at her for a time before returning his gaze to the mob, and forgetting to let her down.

"I think so nya!" she says as she swings in the air, following Bendo's gaze.

Over the sea of heads, in the midst of the street, there stands a huge demon wolf and a mysterious human. Everyone in the crowd had stopped moving and was gazing at them.

"Is that what I'm thinking nya?"

"I believe so too. If he can summon that creature, the human must be a Summoner, a very powerful one." speaking quietly so as not to be overheard by the Summoner

"But weren't humans very bad at summoning powerful demons nya?"

"By all means, clear the way! The guard is here. Please make way! "says some soldiers, drawing their swords and forcing people to the side as they approach the Summoner

Six guards are shocked as they exit the crowd by the scene. They quickly take an offensive stance. The demon wolf, which hasn't moved an inch since its appearance, displays its teeth and howls as it approaches the Summoner. Even though it is mid-summer and it's very hot in the market, the surrounding air becomes very chill. You could almost cut the tension in the air with a knife.

"It's going to be a blood-bath! We must hide or run!" Bendo says looking terrified at Lena

She could feel his arms trembling in fear because she is being shaken in the air like a sack of potatoes. Or is it her who is shaking him?

"No, wait nya! Look nya!" pointing at the Summoner

Looking back, he sees that the Summoner calmed down his demon creature. The guards also put back their swords. One of the guards moves one step forward and asks with a high authoritarian voice.

"Why are you here? What it's your purpose in coming in here with your demonic summon?"

The Summoner replies, but no one could understand. The head guard turns to his comrades and says:

"He doesn't seem to know our language. If there is a chance that he doesn't want bloodshed, we must ensure that he doesn't misunderstand us. I order you to stand down. Let me handle it!" he slowly steps forward, while the audience was looking at him

"But Sir, it's too dangerous! We should ask for reinforcements while we still can." one of the guards said while two others nodded in agreement

"I gave you my order!" the head guard replies

Lena was astonished. She had never seen a powerful Summoner. Most of the humans or demi-humans didn't know how to use magic, the knowledge of it is a highly guarded secret. That was a known fact.

Then, the guard and the Summoner shacked hands. People began to disperse acknowledging that the Summoner was not going to fight the guards, or attack them. Bendo let his small customer down and she ran as soon as her feet touched the ground.

"Where are you going? Lena?" Bendo asked while stretching his thick hand which he used to grab her until then

There were still a lot of people in the street, but she managed to squash herself through them.

"Don't worry, I shall see thou later nya!" Bendo heard while he lost the sight of her

She made her way through the small streets, very close to the main road. People were stopping from their job to make their way and stare at the Summoner and his demonic wolf.

"Make way! Don't be afraid.

Just make way!" the head guard announced and people seemed to understand his point

Even the carriages were pulled to the side. No one complained at the guard's orders. Maybe because they were curious.

After almost bumping in some old crates left by the walls of the buildings, Lena arrived between 2 small buildings a couple of meters to the left of the five guards who flanked the back side of the summoned demon.

She rested by placing her hands on the right wall. She hadn't felt this thrilled in a long time.

'It may be a strong demon capable of faking appearances, yet even as a fake appearance, it just seems so... cute nya!' she reasoned by smiling

The monster made direct eye contact with her, sensing her presence. His large black eyes appeared unfathomable, and she had the impression that the summon was seeing through her, directly into her soul. For a split second, she felt pressed and uneasy, as if she were nude in the midst of the street, stepping on millions of needles. The sensation then faded, departing her body as quickly as it had arrived.

'What is thy name nya?' In her thoughts, Lena inquired.