Chương 1657: [1559] – Y07.059 – Shadows Over Arisa IV

Almost three dozen made their way through the market, a maelstrom of Chaos, as most of the the children of the Iyr stepped out, though Amalrot and the other who was equally as pretty, in a pair's estimations, remained behind, allowing Lion King his peace, as well as the Raining Bow. It was not just the children, but those assigned to watch over them, and their nanos, their father, the Sword of the Lady, her squire, her brother, and the pair of Black Lions, and a few others who wished to follow along.

Jurot glanced down towards his sister, her fingers clasped around his lowest two fingers, the girl's hair bouncing as she half sauntered, half jumped, all the while he led her forward. He recalled when his father would take him through the markets of the various towns he visited as a boy. His heart throbbed. Lanarot squealed, now able to see across the world that was Arisa, the soft scents of salt, spice, and the sun, all the while atop her brother's shoulders.

"Should we take them to buy soap, or would you like to buy their attire first?" Korin, a Kal of Jabal Adh Aswad, asked.

"Let's dress them up first!" the half elf half exclaimed, causing those ahead of him to step aside, partly because of his voice, mostly due to the shining steel sheathed besides the warriors.

"Do we have anyone who-," The half elf blinked, holding the young woman's gaze, who returned a blink. Ah. Right. Yasha, the granddaughter of a Mulazim of Arisa, marched forward, leading the large group through the various districts of Arisa, until they finally came across the District of Crimson and Cloth. Within the centre, a large complex stood tall, the smaller shops all cascading outward, like petals of a flower, however Yasha stepped confidently towards the pistil that was the House of Crimson Cloth.

A pair of guards eyed up the large group, though dared not to step forward, for not one, but two Black Lions escorted the large group, as well as those with tattoos upon their foreheads.

'Akh, I think we're dying today.'

'Akh, I hear no lies.' They stood tall, their spears reaching towards the sun, adorned in light chain, and thin cloth which folded on itself like crashing waves, their eyes full of a glare that said they were not paid just one or two beht each day, the shortblades at their side forged of a silversteel, their hearts forged of valour, for their thick beards denoted they were not cowards, their turbans protecting them from the sun, and the fools of their lives.

Thankfully, their Young Lady, Sarah strode out, a personal guard following after her, the kind who wore little armour, but carried steel well at her hips. The Young Lady, who would one day inherit this auspicious house, had piercing blue eyes, strands of sun kissed hair peeking through her scarf, and skin tanned by middle class work, pale as paper.

She was a whole head shorter than most, adorned in long, loose, pale robes, though her outer robes, a longer coat, was the deepest of reds, with patterns in at least ten different yellows, though the twins could see easily twenty.

'Bavwa?' Sarah thought, her eyes vaguely noting the green shapes within the fool's arms, however she strode forward confidently, coming to a halt as the group approached, awaiting for a particular figure to step forward. One of the Black Lions stepped forward, though the other cleared his throat, causing Kal Ayra to chuckle playfully, allowing Kal Uli to take the lead. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Mulazim, how may we be of service?" Sarah asked, bowing her head gently.

"The esteemed guests wish to procure the attire of our land of sun and gold," Kal Uli said.

"Daddy, do you know what he said?" the girl whispered.

"I, as your father, of course know Aswadic," Adam whispered in return, causing the girl to blink.

'Oh yeah.'

"We are always eager to assist," the woman assured, though Kal Uli held up a finger, and beckoned her closer. Her guard remained at the ready, though she wasn't courageous enough to draw her blade against one of the Shen's hounds.

"The children we bring are those of the Iyr," Kal Uli warned in a tone that suggested if anything were to go wrong, they would need to sacrifice the entirety of the House of Crimson Cloth. Sarah, as the heir to the house, bowed her head, her heart beginning to pound wildly. A gentle smile painted across her lips, the kind practised from a child.

"I welcome you all to the House of Crimson Cloth, in which the district is named after, and it is a pleasure to show such esteemed guests how that has come to be."

"Do you hear that, my dear? The House of Crimson Cloth is so amazing, the entire district is named after it!" the fool said.

"Oooh!" the child of the Iyr said, the girl's amber eyes beaming. Sarah felt the noose around her throat tighten, swallowing lightly, the woman then beginning to lead them within, leaning in to whisper something to the guard's ears, which sounded rather polite, about preparing tea, but even the fool known as Adam guessed it was more than just about preparing tea. However, they first stopped at a small reception, in which many workers prepared tea and desserts, for it was that kind of establishment.

"I see those of the grand Black Lions, those of the grand Black Mountain, and I spot those of the grand Iyr, but may I ask of your esteemed selves?" Adam looked towards the young woman, who furrowed her brows, but she stood a little taller.

"I am Kal Lani, of Black Mountain, Sword of the Lady." Sarah smiled a stress smiled, though thankfully she had practised her smiles since a little girl, but wasn't this a little too much?

"I apologise for not recognising you, Sword of the Lady. If I had known of your arrival, I should have welcomed you appropriately."

"I have come to…" Lani paused a moment, holding the woman's gaze, understanding they were two women with the same heart, and though the woman of Crimson Cloth did not know of it, but the stressed smiles they shared were both because of one monstrous fool.

"I wished to spoil my nieces and nephews." Sarah smiled towards the green skinned children, and after a long beat of silence, she blinked once more.

"Of course! Isn't it right to spoil your nieces and nephews within the House of Crimson Cloth?" Lani was fairly certain the rumours would soon spread like wildfire, and many would criticise her, even those within her own Order, but could she deny the children? No. Too much blood had been spilled, too many Fariqi beaten, too many nobles oppressed under the shadow of the Iyr.

'Did I not bully her enough?' Adam thought.

'To speak of spoiling my children in front of me?' Sarah's eyes noted the look one of those from Black Mountain was giving the half elf, wondering if the Sword of the Lady was a friend of the young man, while the red haired fellow was a lover who hated the fool? It took every fibre of his being for Korin not to laughing, certain he knew what the half elf was thinking.

"Is Lady Duru…" a red skinned Iyrman began, only to pause, realising how old that woman was when they had last met.

"Is Lady Masal around?"

"Grandmother is currently preoccupied," Sarah began, only to swiftly continue, "I shall inform her of your arrival, for I am certain she will wish to host the Sword of the Lady personally. Do you know of my grandmother?"

"We met once or twice while I travelled this land in my youth," Gangak confirmed.

"I am uncertain if she remembers me."

"May I ask your name?" Sarah asked, feeling a certain tone from the old woman, the kind that held an arrogance over her.

"I will inform her that you have arrived, great warrior."

"Is my name so famous?"

"Yes!" gasped a tiny girl, pointing towards her greatmother.

"My great grandmother is the strongest!"

'Her great grandmother?' The tiny girl began to splutter, before turning to look towards her father, holding onto his collar, blinking as she tried to formulate the words.

"What my daughter is trying to say is that my grandmother is the strongest, the one who even crippled Black Mountain, and caused several Orders to gather together to force her away!" Sarah turned towards the Sword of the Lady, only then remembering what the title meant, but she was distracted by Lani recalling how Gangak had certainly crippled their greatest warrior for generations, the young woman blinking.

'What?'

"The esteemed guests are currently guests of the Faro," Kal Uli said, causing the Young Lady of Crimson Cloth to catch his eyes. Sarah understood. Yes. This group was not for the heir of Crimson Cloth.