Chapter 10: Mileth City

Morr, Priscilla, and Pontiff sat in a wagon driven by Dr. Mav. The horses clopped along the pave road, away from East Woodland. Dr. Mav gave Morr a spare green tunic that was in his cargo and brown pants. They weren’t exactly the right size, but Morr found it better than travelling naked.

“I appreciate it, Dr. Mav.” Morr thanked.

“You’re welcome.” Dr. Mav accepted his gratitude.

“Where are we going?” Priscilla asked.

“Mileth City.” Dr. Mav replied. “I know you want to visit your family after being away for so long, but wait a little longer. Once we’re in Mileth City, even the Church cannot touch you.”

“Mileth City?” Pontiff asked.

“You might be more familiar with it referred to as Mileth Village.” Dr. Mav answered. “That reminds me, how long have you three been held captive?”

Morr, Priscilla, and Pontiff all looked at each other. None of them knew, and they all had wondered the same thing.

“What year is it?” Morr asked.

“Today is August 18th, 4024, Deoch 7.” Dr. Mav answered.

“Deoch 7?!” Morr exclaimed. “It felt like an eternity in there… So three years passed since then. That means I’m 17.”

“16.” Priscilla said.

“17. Two years.” Pontiff said.

“You’ll have to take care of yourselves from now on.” Dr. Mav said.

“Three years… By the way, why were you there, Dr. Mav?” Morr asked.

“Plan.” Pontiff tugged Morr’s shirt.

“Plan?” Morr inquired.

“Vogh and Logan entrusted you guys to me, so that once you leave you won’t have to fear for your lives.” Dr. Mav informed. “That reminds me. Pontiff search through the cargo for a purple vial.”

Pontiff searched through the wooden barrels and cube crates until he found what he was looking for.

“This?” Pontiff showed Dr. Mav a hexagonal, purple vial.

“That’s it.” Dr. Mav took it from Pontiff and presented it to Priscilla. “Here.”

Priscilla looked down at the vial in his palm and then up at the man’s blurry face.

“What’s this?” Priscilla asked.

“Special medicine for your illness. It’s the best I can do, although the effects are only temporarily. I hope it can help you.” Dr. Mav placed the bottle into her palm.

Priscilla looked down at the vial with sparkling eyes, though a hint of doubt lingered.

“What is it for?” Morr glanced at the vial.

“To help her illness. I just said that.” Dr. Mav replied.

“Doctor, thank you. But why is it that I can see his face, though?” Priscilla pointed to Morr.

“Huh?” Morr was confused.

“What?! Is this true?” Dr. Mav couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes.” Priscilla answered.

“Amazing,” Dr. Mav’s eyes widened, “but I don’t have an answer for you now. I’ll have to cross-reference materials to be sure. Anyway, make sure to only drink it before bed. There’s a drowsy side-effect in it to dilute the medicine into safety ranges.”

“Wait! Do you remember when we first met?” Morr asked.

“Do you mean today?” Priscilla asked.

“…How can you forget the person you tried to kill?” Morr asked.

“When did I try to kill you?” Priscilla innocently responded with a question.

“Nevermind.” Morr sighed.

Pontiff tugged on Dr. Mav’s white coat and pointed to his face.

“Sorry,” Dr. Mav apologized, “I don’t have anything that can help your illness. Priscilla has a rare illness that had been identified, but with yours, I can’t even pinpoint it. I do have some ideas though, but it’s still too early to say.”

Pontiff sighed and slouched his shoulders.

“Pontiff, don’t be so down. You’re my assistant, remember? I want you to find a cure for your own illness.” Dr. Mav patted his shoulder.

Pontiff nodded.

“And you,” Dr. Mav looked at Morr, “now that you’re out of trouble, quit doing dumb stuff that will injure your body. Fixing your hands and those charred feet of yours were hard enough. If you want to be stupid enough to majorly injure your body again, then make sure you have the money for it.”

Morr accepted his lecture and nodded.

“I almost forgot.” Dr. Mav reached into his pockets and took out three stylish royal-blue cards. “Take it.”

The three of them gratefully took the card, but none of them had any idea what to do with it. On the front of it were the words “Rucession Bank.” The back of the card had the words “Membership: Blue.”

“These are basically money holders. These won’t cancel unless I personally request for it, so deposit and withdraw from it until you find a better alternative. I don’t know how you three plan on living your lives, so use this to help yourself. There’s not much money in them, so use it wisely.” Dr. Mav instructed.

“Thank you, really, but why are you giving it to us?” Morr asked.

“You’re still years too young to be cynical about receiving free stuff. Just accept it and use it.” Dr. Mav said.

“Thank you,” Morr respectfully said once again, “for the clothes and this card.”

More and more wagons passed by. Different people in armors and clothing passed them on the road. Wands, daggers, swords, axe -- different weapons were seen as if they were prepared for battle. Groups of people leisurely camped in the grass with different food laid out on a blanket. Another group chilled under the shade of the trees, casually talking to one another. The road soon became active, noisy, and crowded -- a scene that the three of them pleasantly missed.

The time spent talking between the four of them quickly killed the long road trip. And before they even knew it, they have already arrived at their destination. Stone walls that rose to 20 meters encompassed a city with a river running through it. A metal gate impeded their path, and two plated-soldiers with spears stood by. Behind them was a two-part wooden bridge that connected to the city.

“Stop. Where are you coming from?” A soldier asked.

“Please call for Mileth Guard Crol.” Dr. Mav said.

The soldiers looked at each other, then back at Dr. Mav.

“Your name, sir.” The soldier requested.

“Tell him Mav is ready to pay his due. He’ll understand those words.” Dr. Mav instructed.

“Give me a moment.” The soldier said.

One of the soldier ran passed the gate and across the bridge. The other walked by and inspected the wagon’s inventory.

“Listen,” Dr. Mav looked back at the three of them, “if you three can’t find work for any reason, then look into becoming adventurers. You three survived that hellhole, I’m sure this job will be easy at the beginning.”

“Yes.” Pontiff answered.

“Hellhole? What kind of training did you three go to?” The inspecting soldier scoffed at their scrawny bodies, which were clearly malnourished.

A man in a fine garb dyed in green came running across the bridge with the previous soldier by his side. Underneath the garb was a chainmail that clattered with every step. He was out of breath, but that didn’t stop him from getting a good look at Dr. Mav.

“It really is you.” The guard rapidly inhaled and exhaled.

“It’s been five years, Crol, and I’m prepared now.” Dr. Mav said.

“I want to hear everything.” Guard Crol faced the two soldiers. “Let them through.”

The soldiers resumed their stations and saluted their superior.

Guard Crol led them across the bridge and into the city.

On the left, the first thing that was apparent was a temple carved from stone. It had a 100-step stair leading to a massive stone door with pillars on the side as decoration. They took a left at the temple and passed through another metal gate.

There were many buildings that reached half-way to the walls that surrounded the city. Lecture buildings of art, history, and lore took the majority of space to the east. The building of philosophy occupied the space to the north. And lastly, the lecture building of literature occupied the space to the east.

“This is where we depart.” Dr. Mav told Morr, Priscilla, and Pontiff. “I have business with this man, so go live your own life. You’re free now.”

“Thank you.” Morr and Priscilla respectfully bowed and walked towards the metal gate that they came from.

“Bye, Dr. Mav.” Pontiff waved his hand and chased after the other two.

“Who are those kids?” Guard Crol asked.

“They’re the only ones I’ve managed to save these past five years.” Dr. Mav parked the wagon and got off the horse. “Please send the cargos in here to my family.”

“Understood. Although I find it hard that only three people were saved… Nevertheless, let’s go to the history building before we finish this.” Guard Crol instructed.

Morr, Priscilla, and Pontiff walked north of the temple and encountered a large fountain to their west, a wooden bridge to the north, and another temple to the east.

“So, what do you guys plan on doing?” Morr asked.

“Temple of Choosing.” Pontiff pointed towards the temple to the east.

“You’re familiar with this place, Pontiff?” Morr asked.

Pontiff nodded.

“There may be a courier office in this city. I’ll look around for it.” Priscilla said.

“Then we will all be going our separate ways. Good luck, everyone.” Morr said.

They waved goodbye to each other and left on their own paths.

Morr circled the fountain, looking up and down at its structure.

“Just how did they invent this?” Morr’s eyes were filled with amazement.

It was a simple fountain with water sprouting from the top. The people walking to-and-fro didn’t pay it much attention. What stood out even more was the boy with the black cape, examining the fountain with much admiration. But that didn’t sway the crowd surrounding an enormous rock with make-shift entrances to the west of the fountain. Many of them wore simple protective clothing and held a wooden sword, stick, wand, or shield in hand.

From the corner of his eyes, Morr saw a symbol of two beers clashing. After regaining his composure, he crossed an arched bridge and turned to the left. “Angeal’s tavern” was written onto the sign hanging at the top.

Morr entered through the front door, and a chime resounded. The place was barren; a woman stood behind a bar counter and a few passed-out drunkards occupied a few of the tables. Morr sat down on a stool in front of the bar counter.

“Greetings, Mundane.” Morr said.

“Greetings, Aisling. I haven’t seen your face around here before. My name’s Angeal.” She placed an empty cup in front of him.

“Morr.” Morr placed the card that Dr. Mav gave him next to the empty glass. “Are there any activities of the Church of Salvation around here?”

“What an odd thing to ask,” Angeal mentioned, “only the worshippers of Glioca are allowed to do anything here. Anyways, what will you have?”

“Thanks… I’ll have something light, filled with energy preferably.” Morr rested his head onto the counter. The mental fatigue from the past years of fighting for his life had finally kicked in. He was beyond exhausted, with the feeling of a ton of weight brushed off his shoulders.

Angeal filled the glass with a sumptuous red liquid. Its viscosity would make anyone gulp with drools dripping from the corner of their mouths.

“Non-alcoholic energy drink. So, what level are you?” Angeal took the blue card momentarily.

“Level? What are you talking about?” Morr took a sip of the drink, and it just drooped down his throat.

“Oh, my apologies. I thought you were an adventurer. Then that’ll be a 0% discount, totaling 500 copper coins.” Angeal informed.

“That’ll be fine.” Morr finished his glass with one last gulp.

“Thank you, and here’s your card.” Angeal placed the royal-blue card in front of him.

“No, thank you, Angeal. That was delicious.” Morr took the card and placed it in his pocket. “By the way, any interesting things going on lately?”

“Interesting things? Have you been sleeping under a rock for the past years?” Angeal looked at the boy with an unbelievable expression.

“Something like that.” Morr replied.

“Amazing…” Angeal said with disbelief. “The talk nowadays is about the war going on. It’s probably the hottest topic anyone talks about right now.”

“A war?” Morr asked.

“Yes, a war,” Angeal reaffirmed, “you must’ve been on media blackout if you haven’t even heard of it.”

“Who’s participating in the war?” Morr asked.

“Us Aislings and the forces of the Wonders of the World. At least that’s what we conveniently call them.” Angeal informed. “In fact, one is nearby. You may have seen it if you’ve walked passed the fountain across the bridge from here.”

“I do remember seeing a crowd surrounding a big rock.” Morr commented.

“Ah, so you’ve seen it. That place is called Mileth Crypt, and it’s the biggest reason this place transformed from a village into a city.” Angeal said.

“What’s in there?” Morr’s voice slightly trailed off.

“People believe that it is the home of one of the enemy’s leader. I highly doubt it, but then again, I don’t know the details since I’ve never been in there.” Angeal said.

The door opened and a chime resounded. An adventurer with his wand stowed away entered the tavern and sat next to Morr.

“Angeal, three orders of Lemon Rock, please!” The adventurer requested.

“Sure thing. How did things go for you today?” Angeal asked.

“We’ve gotten to the 3rd floor! We’re celebrating big tonight!” The adventurer happily shouted.

“Amazing!” Angeal congratulated.

She turned to Morr who had his head faced down.

“Oh, that’s right. Don’t venture into it by yourself--” Angeal stopped upon hearing the boy with a black cape snoozing in front of her.

“Even Strawberry Kicker wasn’t enough to keep you awake?” Angeal rhetorically asked. “You must’ve done something grand to be this drain.”

Angeal returned to her other customers and finished their orders. More customers came in, filling the tavern to its brim. Glasses clanged together, people cheered, and the atmosphere was livelier than before. But the shouts, the cheers, and the drunkards weren’t enough to disturb Morr’s slumber.