Nozna remained in the study. When elder Lobertman had told Nozna to make himself comfortable in his study, he probably meant for Nozna to sit and wait. However, Nozna had other plans. Curious, he began to explore the elder's study. It was not often that he was left alone in the elder's study, so he was quite curious what the old man's work looked like.
His blue eyes darted around the small compartment before lingering on a piece of paper that sat on the desk. This caught his eye as the ink and writing on the paper was bold and inhumanly neat, as if it was imprinted on by solid objects.
So neat! What is this?
Grabbing the strange paper, he began to read.
Santoria Notice! Revolutionary invention! Revolutionary invention! Intelligence leakage! New firearm developed by the Santoria Kingdom's Church of Wisdom!...The revolver, a previous technological upgrade from the Purion Kingdom's muskets and the Wingedor Empire's handheld cannon... Legion City's serial killer has been captured by the church's arbiters…Wingedor Empire increases trade tariffs, tensions at an all time high!...Missing case in Ganalis Port city still unsolved… More information to be revealed next week!
Nozna continued reading the strange sheet, riddled with many unfamiliar and complex words that Nozna struggled to understand.
Feeling a slow stirring in his head, Nozna frowned in discomfort. Firearms? Revolver? Musket? Handheld cannon? I've never heard them before…but for some reason, at the same time I feel like I'm familiar with them…
His eyes lingered on the phrase 'hand held cannon'.
Suddenly, his head erupted in a stabbing pain. Letting go of the paper, Nozna covered his head with his hands.
Handheld cannon… load black powder down the barrel, pack it with wadding, then a lead ball. Light the fuse and it fires…
The musket, longer in length, heavier, more precise , load powder from a horn, ram the shot, pull back the flint, prime the pan, squeeze, it fires…
Revolver…i ron wheel, fill chamber with bullets, cock the hammer, pull the trigger, it fires, it fires fast…
Nozna swallowed, his breathing turned shallow.
Why do I know this?
Upon hearing the footsteps of the elder and his father, Nozna quickly picked up the paper he dropped and put it back onto its original spot, his hands trembling. Still in shock, he gave his father who had just entered, a forced smile. Though, a grim expression was planted on Jack's face.
Before he knew it, he and his father were back in the village square after exchanging farewells with the elder. Pushing the cart, Nozna strolled towards one of the stalls in the market.
His father glanced sideways at him and noticed that something was off.
"What's wrong, worried about the travellers?"
Turning towards his father, Nozna asked, "Da, what's a revolver?"
"A what?" Jack stopped abruptly, furrowing his thick eyebrows.
Not stopping for him, Nozna continued pushing the cart. "Never mind, what about muskets?"
"Oh aren't those the damn long weapons that shoot something out or something?" His father paused trying to recall more information before narrowing his eyes. "Hey, you're a tad weird today Nozna, where are these coming from? What's a revo- what was it?"
"Alright alright let's buy some meat and head home," Nozna dodged his father's interrogation as he swiftly walked forward towards the bustling market stalls in the village square. Jack followed behind, his gaze fixed on his son, still trying to figure out what was wrong. What's a revoar?
Nozna approached a crooked stall consisting of a wooden board laying on top of two barrels. On top of the makeshift table laid four woven baskets which bore a few vegetables such as carrots, turnips and cabbage.
"Auntie Moriam!" Nozna called out, releasing the cart and grabbing his pouch of coins.
A lady in her 30s turned around, her long brown hair was straight but messy. Her sun-kissed face revealed a jawline that was round and soft whilst her hazel eyes showed evidence of tiredness. She wore a dark weathered woolen kirtle that was ragged at the end.
"Hi Nozna! Hi Jack!" Moriam greeted cheerfully. "How's the day? Fancy some carrots or turnips today? Sorry, the roynons are sold out."
"Of course!" Nozna grinned, he had seemingly forgotten what happened a few minutes ago.
"We'll take two carrots and four turnips," his father added.
"Alright," Moriam handed over the vegetables to Nozna who put it on the cart. "1 silvet a carrot and 8 coppet a turnip. So that's 52 coppet, just give me 5 silvet and 2 coppet,"
In Santoria Kingdom, 10 coppet made up 1 silvet, whilst 10 silvet made up 1 goldet. Usually, in small rural villages, many preferred to exchange goods instead of using the kingdom's currency. However, Moriam did not know what she would do with wood so taking the currency option was the only sensible choice. At least she could still use it to buy other goods.
Jack quickly exchanged pleasantries with Moriam before leaving for another stall. Nozna was handing over the silver and copper coins to Moriam when his gaze landed on the almost empty baskets. "Auntie, you're almost finished, good business today?"
"I am just packing up," Moriam replied, throwing the coins into a small pouch she was holding. "Truth be told, I am going to close after you leave."
Seeing Nozna's perplexed expression, she clarified. "I am going home before the bell hits 7 today."
"So early?" Nozna frowned. The market stalls usually closes at 8.
"Haven't you heard?," She paused with a frightened expression "Someone in our village went missing!"
"A missing person? Who?"
"Arlacter Uddin!"
Nozna tried his best to recall who it was… Arlacter Uddin…Arlacter Uddin…Arlacter…ah he was one of the village helpers working at the village hall.
"Auntie, are you sure?"
"I am not too sure either, but according to Benil… Madam Joanna said he didn't come into the village hall this morning. She thought he was sick, but when she sent the arbiters to check around the village…they couldn't find him!"
"..."
"Yes, I heard it from Benil, you can ask him too," she added in a hushed tone "Anyways, I've got to get home, my daughter is waiting, Nozna…remember to stay safe okay? Goodbye!"
"Alright, bye auntie Moriam," Nozna watched as she began packing up.
All of a sudden, he began to notice some of the stalls were already packed up.
News sure does travel fast…missing person…the two travellers? No, Arlacter was already missing this morning. The two… travellers arrived a lot later.
Nozna pushed the cart towards the stall where his father was at. The pungent smell of raw meat began to fill his nose accompanied by the swarms of dirty flies that now pestered him.
A broad and tall figure behind a stall was conversing with his father. His natural brown hair covered his ears and his round face contained no hair. As Nozna strolled closer, he began to hear a deep voice.
"But knowing you I think you'll be fine- oh hi little Noz, I've already told your father. Both of you live on the far side of the river, so get home safe," the man noticed Nozna.
"Arlacter Uddin?" Nozna inquired.
"Ah so you've heard," He nodded whilst swatting away the swarming flies from his stall. "The rumours sent a lot into panic. After all, this is the first time something like this has happened."
"Uncle Ben, do you know where Grant and the others are… I don't see them around?" Nozna inquired.
"Ah, they should be in the tavern, hmph, that little runt! Always lazing around in the tavern in his free time! You are all good friends, why doesn't he learn a thing or two from you Nozna? Such a good kid helping your dad."
Nozna gave a sheepish smile. Grant has always been his closest friend, alongside Raven and Embar. Most boys in the village resented Nozna for his good looks, whilst most girls were endlessly drawn to him. Out of everyone, these three were not jealous of Nozna, treated him like an actual friend instead of trying to compete with or impress him.
Actually, I would die for some fun in the tavern right now too. Ugh they're probably having so much fun. Oh well, I'll see them tomorrow in school and hang out in the tavern afterwards.
"Heh, you just haven't seen his lazy side. My little Nozna can be a bad influence too," Jack retorted, also busy with fly swatting. "Anyways, we're gonna head home now, you stay safe too. See ya tomorrow Benil."
Benil gave a slight chuckle, "Take care, both of you."
…
Inside Mawisa Inn, Savoda Village.
Khamat sat at the desk, surveying his current room. The walls, made up of rough timber, were weathered with age. A low bed sat against the far wall, its mattress was a layer of coarse wool that spread over bundles of straws on top of a crude wooden frame. The pillow was a little more than a stuffed cloth sack tainted with a tinge of yellow. The air smelled faintly of old smoke and wood.
It's not the best of rooms, but this will make do.
After checking in at the Inn, Khamat and Tomir remained in separate rooms to rest for the night. Khamat had already taken off his robe to reveal a sage green garment that covered from shoulders to ankle. The sleeves were embroiled with linear golden patterns. He reached into the inside of his garment and grabbed out a tiny object no larger than an apple. With a delicate twist of a tiny knob, the golden brass shell split open like a clam, revealing a delicate clockwork face nestled within.
12:56… minus five hours of the time difference then it is only 7:56. No, it should be 6:56 now that we are more west. Khamat's gaze drifted to the sheet of parchment he had laid on the desk earlier. An intricate map of 2 continents over one land mass was etched with dotted lines whilst corresponding numbers were gracefully imprinted on the top of the map. Each number had a minus or an additional symbol before it. There were several other imprints, all in the Santorian language.
At the centre of the map was a large span of tree symbols: The Delvar Forest. To its East stood the Haddamat Empire, to its West stood the Prodsign mountain range, and just above those mountains, stood Santoria Kingdom. To its south was the Heman Desert and to its north was the Hazen Sea. The Hazen sea also separated the Santoria Kingdom and the Haddamat Empire. Bordering west of the Santoria Kingdom was the Wingedor Empire. A few other kingdoms were sandwiched between the Wingedor Empire and the Prodsign mountain range.
Savoda village isn't on the map, none of the villages we've passed by has been on the map. But taking into account the proximity of this village to the Prodsign mountain range…
He closed his eyes as the image of the mountain range from Nozna's cabin from earlier surfaced in his mind. He relaxed his mind as a subtle stirring spread through his body.
This village should be only about two kilometres away from the mountain range… with the map scale being… so the village is here. His eyes locked on to a specific spot on the parchment which was just slightly next to a mountain range.
As he slowly traced a path upwards with his eyes, he reached a spot between two numbers: -5 and -6, being closer to the latter. So the time is 6:56, this map should be quite reliable. At the same time, the minute hand turned, making it 6:57.
His gaze shifted to different parts of the room, before landing outside, through his opened windows.
This village seems to be the poorest out of the 6 so far, regardless, finding a Roamer is quite unexpected here. No… perhaps it would be more common. In places where sufficient law and order are scarce, such possibilities are not impossible… is he part of any secret organisations?
He remained motionless on his chair.
Nozna… a lumberjack…
Khamat sat back in his chair, exhaling slowly. With practiced ease, he guided the essence from his heart upwards into his brain. His eyes slowly closed as a new vision appeared in his mind. It was another piece of parchment but instead of a neat map it was a list crowded with jagged handwriting.
Dorman Village, Celda Village, Tusgen Village, Sonea Village, Harp Village, Villan Village… Savoda Village…Token Town, Bolman City…
Seems like we may be staying at Savoda Village for a while…
…
Nozna and his father strolled home.
Nozna's hands gripped the rolling cart filled with fruits and meat as he looked ahead. "What did elder Lobertman talk to you about earlier?"
Jack responded quietly. "He told us to move our cutting… to the south."
"The south?" Nozna shouted, alarmed.
The south was always avoided.
Surprisingly, this forest did not have a name despite being a crucial source of material and food for the village. Nozna just called it the Nameless forest. Over the past decades, Nozna and his father had only cut trees and created clearings to the north and east stretches of the forest. Further north was hunting territory for the village's hunter group whilst the western stretches eventually led back to the edges of the village.
The south was never touched, not since the incident two years ago.
The southern expanse of the Nameless forest led to the Prodsign mountain range, and the closer one got to the mountains the more dangerous it was.
It was far too dangerous.
The ecosystem would slowly change, the plants seemed to suddenly become sentient, the forest more bloodthirsty and the innocent wildlife turned into monstrous creatures.
That was the worst of it. Monstrous creatures.
These creatures were known over the continent as Strange Beasts, they came in many different forms and thrived in many different habitats. These vile existences were taught in school and everyone was fearful of them. Rightfully so.
They were abnormally powerful and hard to kill, only a small number of humans have managed to slay them without risking their lives, and as if to mock the humans even further, their meat was not suitable for consumption, so all the hard effort in hunting one would be for naught.
It was two years ago that the village's annual hunting competition 'Huntary' took place in the south of the forest. The village seemingly wanted a change of pace from the usual north and east 'expeditions'. They knew about the horrors that lurked in the southern expanse but the real dangerous regions were far south, away from the competition's supposed zone.
Being only 14, Nozna stayed at home so he didn't know much of what took place. It was only in the evening of that festive day that the grim news spread through the village:
Embar's father was killed by one of those monstrous creatures roaming in the south.
According to the hunters, it was an anomaly. A simple yet horrifying truth: the Strange beast decided to stray out of its usual territory, and just like that, a precious human life was easily snuffed out.
Luckily, the arbiters were there to slow down the beasts and everyone to escape, it is said that the beast was not even killed. Since that tragedy, future 'Huntaries' and other activities in the forest have all been restricted to the far north.
"Yes, of course, I asked questions," His father replied, his tone firm. "There's a reason why we haven't touched the south in the last two years."
Nozna remained stunned, trying to process what he had just heard, his father continued.
"He said as long as we don't cut deep into the south, we will remain safe."
"But that's ridiculous!"
His father gave a heavy sigh, "The elder is planning to have this year's Huntary in the southern region of the forest."
"What? That's just-"
"Ridiculous." His father cut in sharply. "Yes I know, I tried to change his mind but he seems set on that plan. Somehow, the majority of the hunters have even agreed to go ahead with it."
He lowered his voice. "This is not supposed to be revealed to the village yet so keep it quiet. Our role whilst cutting is to create some new clearings and scout the southern forest. I'll be reporting to the Elder every two days."
Nozna was left speechless. His grip on the cart's handle unknowingly became tighter as his frowns burrowed even steeper.
"We were taught in school about the dangers of these beasts. Da, I know we won't reach the dangerous region of the forest but what if another beasts decides to just 'roam' away from its territory. Was the death of Embar's father not a warning?"
"Heh, don't ask me those questions boy, I've already brought them all up with the elder. Well, I believe the elder has his reasons. Let's trust him."
Arriving at their hut, Nozna's gaze drifted towards the dense forest in the distance. His eyes slowly moved towards the south where the towering titans of the mountains gazed over the forest. From where he stood, the forest seemed harmless, quiet and tranquil.
His stomach tightened as thoughts churned in his head. Thankfully I have school tomorrow so I don't have to worry about the dangers right away. But what about Da?...How is he so calm? Maybe, it's really nothing, maybe I am just overthinking.
But deep down, Nozna did not believe in his thoughts.