Eclisia - Book I (Abode of Eclipses)

Chapter 5 - Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

The streets were bustling with activity and the loud shouts of vendors advertising their products, attracting a herd of buyers to their shops. The stalls were clamoring with the squeals of children asking their parents to buy them either a toy or a snack and the adults' incessant bargaining to lower the prices of the goods. The cart vendors asking to let through the crowded streets created a chaotic and lively panorama. The bigger shops, restaurants and inns were decorated with shiny jewels and seemed a little more sophisticated than their humble counterparts.

Inside one such restaurant entered two men, one in complete white and another in complete black attire. Both of them covered in black hooded cloaks. If not for the fine, jade inlaid sword sheaths dangling from their waists, they would surely make up a shady pair of hoodlums. They sat on a table by the windowsill as the waiter followed them with a  jug of water and two glasses. 

"Esteemed sirs are welcomed to our humble dwelling. May I take your order?", the young lad said while placing the menu tablet on the table for the gentlemen to see. The gentleman in black said in an indifferent  tone "Just bring out a pot of lemon tea and...a blackberry cake". The man in white interrupted in a cold voice "Strile off that cake". The man in black sighed "Ok,just bring out the tea" The boy hurried off with their order.

"How long are you willing to go on like this? You haven't had anything to eat and we have been continuously traveling for an entire week. What are you going to achieve by doing so? Will we find her if you don't eat or will we able to stop all the monsters and trace  the culprit by going like this?"He heaved a monotonous sigh at the end of his words but his partner remained indifferent, staring out the window the entire time. 

Soon the waiter came along with their order and set out the teapot and teacups on the table. The man in black poured himself and his partner each a cup of tea and asked the waiter to take his leave.

Suddenly there was great hustle and bustle on the table opposite to theirs. The table had been encircled by a group of 10-15 people and in the middle of the table sat a middle aged man with a big moustache calling out to the crowd " Big news, big news!! Ladies and gentlemen big news. Have you all heard of the tragedy at the capital."

 A man shouted out  "Wasn't there an attack by the monsters?!The whole city was nearly wiped out along with the heads of several major families. Those nobles flaunt their wealth and military power every chance they get, yet they didn't stand a chance against those measly beasts and monsters. If it were me I would fight them with just my axe, hmph" " Then why don't you go and fight them out. Become a hero, save the masses" a man spoke out to which the whole crowd starting laughing out. The man felt embarrassed and quickly withdrew towards the shadows.

 " Ah , that's old news, old news. What's important to know is who is the one behind these beasts and monsters." the speaker paused to draw in his audience. "Who is it? "" Who could it be?" "Are we all doomed?" " Is there no way to save ourselves" sounded various voices as they all became curious. " Is it Arsin?" the man who had earlier claimed to defeat monsters with an axe spoke out to regain his reputation among the crowd. This also drew the attention of the two gentlemen on the opposite table. 

The man at the center of the crowd exclaimed "Haha, dear sir you have got it right this time". This sent the whole crowd in an even greater uproar. If it entailed a massacre inflicted on Etharlia, especially on its capital, by Arsin, then a war between the empires was inevident.

Nobody wished to witness another disaster like the 'Battle of Lorian'. The crowd panicked as the man continued " But this is not all. The true culprit behind the unleashing of  the monsters is none other than the empress of Arsin. The leader of the monsters was a big red beast, its wings spreading across the entire sky and feet covering the entirety of land. It could smash a hundred people like ants with just a single step and could burn down an entire street with its fiery breath" the man said with a recounting tone as if having witnessed the beast himself.