Chapter 08: Reaching Elsivier

The morning of the third of my journey was the first time in my life that I saw Elsivier, the capital city of Kingdom of Elsigardia.

I was sitting next to Jann, who has been the one driving the caravan since morning when we first set out from camp. His wife, Mili and daughter, Nelia were back in the caravan, together with Sehanie.

“We will be reaching Elsivier soon, Claude. Maybe another an hour or two or so.”

Ahh, alright.

“See that those twin towers from here? Those twin towers are the famous landmark that makes Elsivier standout from other cities. Here, in Elsivier, we called it the Twin Princes. The red one is called Alviss and the blue one is called Alveen.”

Why are they called that way?

I asked. Somehow the history had piqued my interest a bit.

“The twin towers were built during the time of King Titus Elsivier the 14th, the current king of Elsivier’s great-grandfather. Legends had it that the twin towers were named that way to commemorate his love for his two twin princes, who died from childbirth complexities. The queen, however, survived but went into a depression from being heartbroken and she died not too long after the death of her twin child princes. 5 years later, the king remarried and the new queen was our King’s great-grandmother.”

That’s a pretty deep story. It was not something that I could understand, but nevertheless, those twin towers looked pretty impressive. The left tower, named Alviss was the one with red roof while the right tower, with the blue roof, was given the name Alveen.

“That somehow seems a sad story to hear Jann. Especially about the heartbroken queen.”

I heard a voice behind my back. It’s Sehanie and she was sitting on the roof of the caravan.

“Hey, Sehanie. Good morning” Jann greeted Sehanie as he finished his story.

What are you doing up there? You will fall down. Get down here.

“Me falling down? Teehee Claude. You sure know how to crack a joke or two nowadays. I’m a Wood Elf. We don’t fall down.”

She said that as she seated herself on my left. I’m now seated between Sehanie and Jann. The already cramped seat just become a little more cramp than I would like, though Sehanie’s big breast made for a good cushion for my arm.

We were passing by farms that grew of some sort grass-like plants, both to our left and right.

“To both your left and right, is the wheat farms. Other than Elsiberry, Elsigardia is also famous for its wheat flour, that we use to make our bread” Jann explained to me, though I have no interest in wheat.

Women yes, wheat no.

“And could you see some sort of settlement, a town if you can call it, to the side of Elsivier? That’s one of Elsivier’s satellite town, and it’s called Xynnaria.”

Ah. I see. Xynnaria, is it?

“What are you doing Claude? I have seen that you have been busy with your hand even before we depart from the campsite.” Sehanie enquired of me.

She was one nosy elf. I wanted to tell her off, minding her own business until Jann asked me the same question.

“Yeah, Claude. What makes you this busy since morning?”

Two versus one.

It’s not fair. Well, since I’ve been asked about what I have been doing, I have no other choice but to spill the beans out. I’m not party-pooper anyway. It’s all in day’s job for a hero, like me. Hehehe.

I’m working on a little something. You can say it’s a secret.

I smiled at Sehanie.

“Come on Claude. Please tell us, pretty please?” Sehanie begged of me. Jann looked at me as if he also wanted to join in the secret.

Alright, alright already. Sheshh.

“Teehee… That’s a good boy” Sehanie teased me.

You seem pretty cheerful this morning Sehanie, compared to the last two days. Any reason for the change?

“Ohh, no reason really, Claude. Just say that now I’m a new elf girl, starting from today.”

Hmmm… I don’t really understand, but whatever makes you happy, makes me happy too.

“So, tell me already. What have you been doing? I’m dying to know”

I nearly forgot about that.

I’m making a gift for Nelia. You know. Last night, she…. She gave me the ring. So, I thought of doing something in return for.”

“For my daughter?” Jann seemed pleasantly surprised.

I nodded.

I have nothing as valuable as the ring she gave me, but I do hope this work just as well.

I showed the gift I was making to both Jann and Sehanie.

“A wood carving?” Sehanie asked before she continued on.

“A figurine? And dare I say, it looks exactly just like her. Wow Claude, since when did you have this nifty little skills of wood carving? No wonder you were asking for me to find you some oak wood at the campsite. I was wondering what was it for anyway.”

Ohh, I have been doing it a little since I was at the Brotherhood. You know, just a hobby to past some time. Lessons are pretty boring.

“You are very thoughtful ehh, Claude” Sehanie teased me, like usual.

“You are carving a statue for Nelia? With that dagger?” Jann seemed to be surprised by the tool I used to carve out the little wood carving of Nelia.

Uh-huh. With this dagger.

I showed Jann the dagger I used to carve the gift for Nelia.

But it’s not something grand as a statue. It’s a figurine. You know, something small and light so she can carry it with her. By the way, Jann, do you have some sort of silver necklace with you? I’m thinking of making this a necklace, so Nelia can wear all the time if she wants.

“Teehee Claude, you are such a sweetie. When will you make one for me?”

I looked at Sehanie. I’m surprised that she even wanted one from me.

Give me something first, then I’ll think about it.

“Humpphhh…” Sehanie pouted and hit my arm.

Aww, come on. I’m just joking. You will have yours once I’m done with Nelia’s. As thanks for coming on this journey with me.

Sehanie returned to her bright smile. Seems that it was easy to make her happy today. I wondered what wonderful dream she had last night for her to wake up in this mood.

“I have one at the back. I’ll get to you later. Really, Claude. I’m really thankful for all you did yesterday and even now. Even for Nelia.”

Ahhh, Jann. Enough already. Your wife’s wonderful broth has even it out.

“Nelia would be very happy to receive this gift from you, Claude. Will you give this to Nelia personally?”

I nodded.

“Thanks again, Claude. Thank you for making Nelia happy. She is a shy girl especially around boys, but somehow she is really fond of you. Though I doubt she knows what is love or not when she confessed to you, but I’m happy, as a father. You know, personally, I really don’t mind you as my son-in-law. Hahahaha”

I blushed.

Sehanie nudged my arm and I saw her giggling. She even gave me a thumbs up.

What’s up with these people anyway. One playing as a matchmaker, the other was cheering me on. This was not a reality show. I still have ways to go before I get married, you know. I need more experience before I can settle down.

We continued on our journey, for another 90 minutes, before we reached the capital’s main gate. Elsivier has three main gates, the Southern gate, the Eastern gate and the Western gate, all having a name of their own.

We were now in front of the Southern gate. Even early in the morning, I had seen throngs of people lining up in front of the main gate to enter.

“What’s up with all these crowds, Jann?” Sehanie asked. I too wanted to know why.

However, Mili answered instead.

“Ohh, darling. Did you tell them about the festival?”

“I’m sorry dear. I have forgotten about it” came back the reply from Jann.

“Oh, dearie. How forgetful are you? Well, Claude and Sehanie. The capital is having its annual Festival of the Spring. It started since last a fortnight ago and will be held for another week. And that’s the reason why we travelled from our farm to the market’s every other day”

A festival?

“You will see it when you enter the main gate, Claude.” Mili replied enthusiastically.

“You see those people trying to enter the capital? Either they are merchants like us or travellers from all over the land. Like both of you.”

Adventurers, hunters, mages, fortune seekers, bounty hunter, merchants, students and many more. Elsivier was really the hub of this kingdom’s activity.

Wow. I never thought about that. There was like more than a thousand or so people in front the main gate already. However, the guards sure take their time to allow us in.

“And best of all, at the end of the festival, we will have our special annual event!” Jann continued to add on to my curiosity.

What’s the event?

“It’s the Elsivier’s public knighthood ceremony. It is when all the squires and knights will take the parade down the middle of the town and to receive their yearly blessing and ascension in ranks of knighthood. New knights would be inducted to in during this time too.” Jann continued explained to me.

“And will you be there, Ser Claude?” suddenly a voiced asked of me. It was Nelia and she seemed to have taken interest in what’s going around here.

I don’t know. Perhaps.

“Dad, Mum. I want to see Ser Claude during the parade. Can I, please?”

Jann and Mili looked at me hoping for an answer. Sehanie was standing on top of the caravan, trying to look for what was happening near the main gate. One of these days, she would surely fall down and I’m going to be there and laugh at her while telling her, “I told you so.”

Sure. Do come and see me. I insist, Nelia.

I smiled at Nelia. She beamed with happiness and joy. And then off she went immediately, back into the caravan before I could enjoy looking at her face.

She seemed to be a very shy girl. Shy but persistent.

We stopped by the roadside since the line basically did not move at all.

“It will take a while before our turn, Claude. There are many more people today than the last time we came.” Mili sighed at the long lines, all consist of people, some human looking and some not, though I cannot make much difference from where I stood now.

“Looks like it won’t be for long. The line is moving now!” Sehanie jumped down from the roof of the caravan and told us the news.

We began to ride on the caravan again passing down a long drawbridge that runs across a river. Just before we reached the main gate, we heard a voice from distance.

“Halt!” A guard was standing in front and ordered us to stop.

“Hey, Sergeant Mark. It’s Jann here.”

“Ohh, it’s you, Jann. We expected you yesterday. What’s with the delay?”

“Ohh, something went up. But here we are now, thanks to both of these kids right here!”

Jann said as he pointed his finger at me and Sehanie.

“Hmmm…”

The guard that goes by the name of Sergeant Mark was scrutinizing both of us.

“What’s with the extra guards and protocols today, Sergeant Mark? It’s usually not like this.”

“Nothing much Jann. No need to concern yourself too much. We just have some reports from our scout that some group of robbers and bandits might try to make their way into the capital. We caught one of those group yesterday. Though it’s not exactly as we were to say that we caught them, but we do have to be more vigilant now since there might be more of them.”

Upon hearing those words, Sehanie, Jann, Mili and myself look at each other and all of us then let out a big laugh.

“What’s the matter, Jann? Something funny with what I said?”

“Oh, nothing really. But, I’ll tell you the story once your shift it’s over, Sergeant. Now, can we enter?”

“Yeah. You may proceed.” Sergeant Mark nodded at one of his colleagues and as he opened the way, we proceed into Elsivier with the caravan.

“Next!”

With that, the new chapter of my new journey begins. As I took the first step, or to be precise, my first ride, my heart was pumping with both excitement and nervousness, the first time I felt this way since my journey began.

I looked at Sehanie and she smiled at me, acknowledging my feelings. I smiled back at her and turned my face forward as we rode past the main gate. And so began my new adventure.

The heroic adventure of Claude.

The Epic Odyssey of Claude, the Hero of Elsivier.

Claude’s Heroic Chronicles of Heroic Proportions.

Muahahaha.

I let out a laugh, and a rather loud one too.

“Ehemmm…” Sehanie brought me back to earth. She was a real mood-killer. Let me enjoy the moment in peace, will you?

Well, whatever. Let’s begin already. As I stood up on the roof of the caravan, I let out another big laugh.

Muahahahaha. I have arrived, finally.

To Elsivier, the Capital City of the Kingdom of Elsigardia.