Esveldza: 'The Lonely Child of Fire'

Chapter XIII- Comedic

Chapter XIII

Comedic

I walked happily around Rannen as Sarben and Daarken showed me the different buildings, stores and people they knew. We had lunch in the town square; it was greatly populated but we managed to find a spot to eat; at the fountain. It stood in the middle and provided cool splashes of water along with shade from the statue of the three gods. Ziyra posed beautifully, her hands clasped out above her where a stream of water fell below. Zora's chest was puffed out heroically, his sword raised where the water streamed across. Zaldex was in the middle; his hands clasped tightly together were leaks of water dripped down his sleeves.

I ate my sandwich, enjoying the coolness of the fountain and the whole atmosphere of the town square. Once I finished, I closed my eyes serenely, basking in the sun, only to be splashed with water by Daarken. I snapped open my eyes, playful rage building up inside me and I threw off my shoes, joining him in the fountain.  Sarben told us we were being childish and refused to join until we pulled him in. There was two other children having a similar fight as us but they were much younger. 

"Get out of there, you should know better!" A man's voice yelled and we all turned to see the bald, short merchant who had been selling houses. His seemed to notice who we were, or more like who Daarken and Sarben were because his eyes bulged in fury. "Not you two again! Get out of my sight before I call the guards and have them take you away!"

We picked up our shoes and ran, dodging and jumping between people. "I swear, ever sense I accidently knocked over his stall he has had it out for me." Daarken muttered.

"You did it on purpose but for once I agree with your move, he refused to advertise our house because he thought it was too unprofessional." Sarben snorted, shaking his head.

"I annoyed him when I came into Rannen two days ago because I was not being polite, so he hates all of us." I added once we stopped running.

"What does it matter, who would want to be friends with that guy anyway." Daarken said angrily, folding his arms.

We had reached the pier of Rannen, the sea stretched out before us in a beautiful, glimmering blue mass. You could just see Ryo Islands on the horizon, to the north. Arimur volcano loomed near us to the right.

I threw my shoes on the sand and ran into the water, splashing myself with it. Daarken and Sarben were quick to join me and we continued our water fight in the sea water.

We stayed until the sun began to set and we had to return back home. The weather had finally cooled down and it was just the perfect heat to relax in, but our clothes were still quite wet and I could feel a chill on my neck where my wet hair rested. Daarken and I walked lazily home as Sarben walked hurriedly in front of us.

"Sarben, do not worry yourself so much. Lianra knows we are capable of getting home." Daarken called out to Sarben who only seemed to quicken his pace.

Daarken sighed, shaking his head. I looked at his profile from the corner of my eye, "Have you always lived in Rannen?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

His mouth twitched into a smile but it didn't reach his eyes. "No, I have lived many different places, all over Arveltri." He looked at me, "But not in Forban or Geigan if that is what you are wondering."

I looked away, I didn't want to sound as if I was interrogating him but I was eager to know why he looked so familiar. "Do you have any siblings?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"No, I am an only child. My mother died a few months after giving birth to me." He said casually.

I felt guilt cut through me; maybe I could have asked a different question? "I am sorry to hear that." I whispered.