"Your father would be proud of you, Elara," Sondel murmured, his words laced with sincerity. "And I promise you, we will honor his legacy together."
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves.
"The city of Elrouge is not far from here, we should travel their tomorrow but for tonight we'll camp here" said Elara
As they sat and talked Sondel asked her "Is something troubling you, from the time I met you there was anger in your eyes"
Elara looked into the flames, the glow illuminating her face, she sighed and said "when my father was killed during the war my mother blamed me, she said that if my father hadn't died we'd be living together "
"What did you do" asked Sondel
"I fled" remarked Elara "I couldn't bear the guilt, but now I realize that my mother was wrong, my father died doing the right thing"
Sondel nodded in understanding and said "Sometimes our loved ones hurt us, but we must always remember that their actions are not ours"
"Thank you" replied Elara "you are wise beyond your years"
They continued their journey through the forest the next day until they arrived at the gates of the city. As they entered, they were greeted by the bustle and hustle of everyday life. Children played in the streets, vendors sold their wares, and citizens went about their daily business.
But amid the normalcy of everyday life, there was an underlying sense of tension and fear. For the city of Elrouge was on the verge of civil war, a conflict that threatened to tear the city apart.
At the heart of the conflict was a single issue – the election of a new mayor. Two candidates were vying for the position, and the contest was fierce, with each side accusing the other of corruption and nepotism.
As Sondel and Elara navigated the crowded streets, they were bombarded by propaganda and slogans, each side trying to sway public opinion in their favor.
The tension in the air was palpable, and Sondel knew that a single spark could ignite a raging fire, one that would consume the city in chaos and destruction.
Sondel and Elara had been traveling for days, seeking refuge in the city of Elrouge. They were met by a man named Lefa who said "Why don't you come over to my brothel, it's cheap and it's the only reliable place which you'll get any rest in"
"A brothel would be no place for a child" Sondel said but Elara shrugged her head as she said "It's getting late and there would be no where else to sleep tonight "
"The child is right, and my women will be sure to behave when she gets there"
Sondel agreed and they followed Lefa to the brothel, it was a small and simple building, but inside it was clean and well-maintained. The women greeted them and showed Elara to a room where she would sleep.
"I've got business to attend to, please enjoy yourselves" said Lefa as he left them.
"Why don't you get some rest" Sondel said "I'll see what I can find out about the situation in the city"
Elara was reluctant, but agreed and soon fell asleep.
Sondel left the brothel and began his investigation. The streets were filled with people hurrying about their business, and Sondel noticed that most of them had a sullen expression on their faces.
He walked along the cobblestone streets, the street lights flickering, such a beautiful city filled with such wretched people. As he continued his exploration of the urban landscape he saw flashes, memories coming back into his mind as he fell unconscious on the street
"Sondel, Sondel, SONDEL GET UP!!!"
"Don't scare me like that mate" said Lefa as he poked the lads body, "let's get you back to the brothel yeah? You were almost robbed by some kids while you were unconscious "
Sondel got up as he asked "How long was I out bruv", "Not sure to be honest, but it's almost midnight " responded Lefa. As they walked back to the brothel Sondel rubbed his turquoise eyes and caressed his hands through his hair as he thought about what had happened, he remembered seeing himself on a battlefield but heavily injured he ran, ran until he fainted in some forest.
"Hey Lefa, what country are we in?" asked Sondel and Lefa remarked "Hahaha what kind of question is that, we are in Slovenia "
Sondel gasped as he had now realized that he was currently on enemy soil and non the less a city filled to the brim with guards, soldiers and if they found out he's an enemy, he could be killed
They soon made it back to the brothel.As Sondel walked through the door Elara asked "Did you find out anything", Sondel smiled and said "I found out we are in Slovenia and this place is a city filled to the brim with enemies"
Sondel looked out the window at the street and said "We have to get out of here, it's not safe ". Elara agreed and they decided to leave at dawn.
As they prepared to leave the brothel the next morning, a voice called out from the shadows, "Leaving so soon, and without saying goodbye?"
Sondel turned to see a man dressed in black emerge from the shadows. His face was obscured by a hood, but Sondel could feel his eyes boring into him.
"Who are you?" Sondel demanded.
The man ignored the question and instead asked one of his own, "Do you really think you can escape this city, that you can outrun your past?"
Sondel hesitated, taken aback by the stranger's words. Before he could respond, the man continued, "You're not the only one with secrets, Sondel. The truth is, you're not who you think you are."
"What are you talking about?" Sondel snapped, his patience wearing thin.
The man shook his head and sighed, "It's not my place to tell you. But know this: there are forces at work in this world, powers greater than you can imagine. And sooner or later, they will find you."
Sondel stared at the man, his heart racing. He wanted to dismiss the stranger's words as the ramblings of a madman, but something in his gut told him otherwise.
"What should I do?" Sondel asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
"There is a monastery to the south of the city," the man replied. "Go there, and perhaps you will find the answers you seek and remember, the system will choose it's successor".
With that, the man turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Sondel alone with his thoughts.
Elara came down the stairs and asked "What did he say?".
Sondel turned to her and replied "He said we should go to a monastery, apparently there we can find the answers we seek and we should beware the system "
Elara nodded and they quickly left the brothel. As they made their way through the streets, Sondel couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them, but every time he turned around, there was no one there.
As they approached the city gates, the guard stopped them and said "You'll have to pay a tax if you wish to leave the city". Sondel and Elara quickly paid the tax and headed towards the south.
And now began their journey to the monastery in search of what they could find, hopefully, answers
Their journey would be long and arduous, and they would have to travel through rough terrain.