The Chronicles of Guertanna: The Sword of Light and Shadow

Chapter IX

Rinna woke up early in the morning to decide what she was going to wear. She took some advice of her maid, Carmelia, and wore something simple and unsurprising, something that wouldn't call attention. Although she dressed up every day as a rich noble and wasn't at all surprising in the city, but she didn't know about Downtown. She didn't think about poverty very often, and it wasn't the pity that kept her isolated from the Downtown, but the people in it and how they were raised. She knew it was very dangerous at night and that people had no rules about behavior. She knew by her brother that the Empress used everything she had to maintain order, but the Gulders of the City seem to not care at all. Now that the Empress was sick, how will that community have a chance to live in peace and safety?

The clock struck four, and Carmelia entered the room to see if Rinna needed anything else. Classes were suspended, for there was still construction in the cities and while Gulders were trying to figure out what was really happening, the city wasn't safe anymore. People locked up their loved ones, found refuge, the streets were isolated and silent. There were no markets open, and no traffic at all. The Center, which is usually crowded, was now alone and peaceful. The only ones working at the city were Gulders and teachers of the Academy to help with the re-construction of the fallen buildings. There were still people in the hospital waiting to be cured, and there was no possible way that the City will get back to its normal routine any time soon.

Unaware of how the City was doing, Rinna, Leyla and Trey met outside of Rinna's house, ready to take the bus in the next stop to Downtown. While Rinna was a little nervous but excited, Trey was more worried and disgusted by the idea. The first thing that Rinna noticed once she was out of the house was the simply way her friends clothes were. Even uniforms were elegant, and it was a little surprising to see her best friend Trey with simple jeans and a white shirt. His hair was fairly messy, in the same unique style as always, with his hands on his pockets and that phantom smile that was suddenly contagious to Rinna.

Leyla wore a flowery dress with leggings and some simple shoes. Her hair was arranged in the same way as always, and carried a small bag with her. She waved and smile when Rinna got out. She looked down to what she was wearing, wondering if it was really appropriate. She had a simple black skirt with long straps and a white shirt with a little black bow. Her long tights were the same color of the skirt, and her long combat boots were white. It was cold, so she wore a black coat and a black beret. She grimaced thinking that it was too much.

"Rin! You look adorable!" Leyla answered in the second Rinna was thinking of going back and change.

Rinna looked down to her clothes again, "Really? Isn't it...to much to go Downtown?"

Leyla chuckled, "Don't be mean, Rinna, Downtown isn't anything of the other world, people will just look at you and admire you!"

"That's... kind of what I'm avoiding..." Rinna whispered, but apparently Trey listened.

"Yes, I'm avoiding that too." He said firmly, and that's when she looked at him, how his eyes were not only staring at her, he was looking through her. What did he mean? Was he saying that she was pretty? Too pretty? She looked as his face and saw somehow worry. Why? She wondered.

"Don't be a party proper, Trey!" Leyla patted his shoulder, "She looks fine, and so do we, now let's go!"

With the huge enthusiasm of Leyla, it was impossible for the other two friends to not follow orders. Besides, after the accident with Leyla getting hurt in the Simulator, it was kind of the least Rinna could do to see her best friend happy. Taking the bus wasn't new for Rinna, because she was urgently looking for independence and the bus was a huge step to find it. However, it was something new with Trey. He didn't have silver coins to pay the bus and had to use a gold one, which is so much valuable than a silver or copper one. Rinna slapped her forehead when she saw the gold coin going out of his pocket. Rinna and Leyla were prepared to deliver silver coins, but in the end it seemed that Trey didn't see the difference.