9: Visits From the Weak and Strong

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Zuthalili- Located around the Archive Islands West of Aishy, this island is where people who have done unspeakable crimes against the Aishin Empire are sent for exile or simply go there out of free-will to escape the law. No one is recorded going there and were heard from again which is why this is the place for exilement. 

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Chapter nine: Visits from the weak and strong

Once we felt that Vensen really did disappear, the four of us made our way to Erekinxon. Ruus let Reina and I ride on his ousada, Mueimma, as he ran beside us since we took on more toll than he did. As the sun begins to set I can see the walls of the nearby village just barely over a hill.

Some men from the gate jog their way up to Ruus bewildered. They begin to ask him questions about the battle this morning.

The dim lighting from their lamps makes it difficult to see even with the moon gleaming well enough, and they're too far off for me to hear them, but it's pretty obvious that they're talking about the event.

Ruus runs up to us half panting and asks me, "What did you do to piss that guy off anyway?"

What should I tell him? I'm not even sure I know what I did. "I'll go through the process with you in the morning, but for now, we should rest."

Ruus pauses for a moment before he responds, "I understand, I'll go find you a place then."

Reina makes a quick notion, "I can walk with you, besides, it should do my legs some good."

Ruus nods and motions Mueimma to kneel down.

The ousada does so and lets her slide off safely.

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Ruus guides us to someone's doorstep. He says that the man doesn't live too far from the gates. "I would group you two with your families like everyone else, but it's getting late."

"That won't be necessary," I say while wobbling back and forth on Mueimma's saddle.

Before deciding to reply, Ruus holds his lamp up to the wooden door. He reads the note that's nailed to it and then grumbles to himself, "Damn it, they still haven't come back."

"Ruus?" A voice comes from the night. A young man and two young women come up with their own lamp. "Is there something I can help you with?" His thick brown hair flows down his back to some extent in a tie as it tries to point outward. The lamp he wields reveals some of his bulky structure that's underneath his red shirt and green vest. His semi-dark skin blends in with the luminosity. I'd say that he has a good amount of muscle on him, but not too much, so it actually makes him look fit instead of overpowering.

Ruus smiles and walks closer up to this person. "Ah, Zaru, you came back just in time!"

"Nice to see you again as well," the man named Zaru replies casually with a blank stare from his thin green eyes. He looks over to me on top of Mueimma and then back to Ruus. "Is she the reason why we're standing here?"

Ruus nods and stands by for him to open the door to the inside of the dwelling. "I'll explain briefly for now since it's late in the night."

"Go on."

Once Ruus and I went through what happened back in Kai in a fast-paced manner, Zaru remains calm and quiet. Not even the surprise of how Vensen took out the troops makes him quake.

Zaru just slightly nods and replies, "You're sure there was no one else who survived?"

Ruus is astonished at his collectivity. "Zaru, this guy turned everyone to bones and ash! We were the only four who managed to walk away with our lives!"

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