Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Nineteen ⚜ Halvana

The skies had already darkened by the time they arrived at the city which happened to be called Halvana. The place was still lively as it was not yet that late. A few meters before the doors to the city, Arsene had to leave as she was too eye-catching. They ended up having to walk up to the gates, fixing their appearances while Eres took off the Kaiven Terra Firma—the family ring—and kept it chained around his neck and under his shirt. Next, he flipped over the hood of his shirt as he walked forward, just to ensure he wouldn't be recognized.

Valeriana had a feeling they wouldn't be too upfront about who they really were, but she kept quiet and decided to see how things played out.

"Halt! Show your identifications please!" exclaimed the guard the front.

Eres flashed a medallion from one his pockets and said, "We are envoys sent by His Highness, Lord Dillian. My name is Eresig Kai and these are my companions—Kylander Kai, Brindon Jintaci, and Valeriana Kerrigan."

The guard took the medallion and examined the seal on the surface. "Status?"

"Continental knight," said Eres. "Kylander, Brindon, and Valeriana are all common knights."

Valeriana kept her mouth firmly shut.

"Welcome sirs," said the guard on the right before looking at Valeriana. "And ma'am."

"What are your names?" Eres inquired.

"Malvar," said the guard on the left.

"Kim," cued the other.

"So what's the situation?" he asked. "How about you tell me, Kim?"

"Sir . . . it's not my place to say."

"It's imperative you give me insights," Eres told them. "And my arrival should not be known by the baron. Otherwise, there will be dire consequences. The orders came from Lord Dillian himself."

The two guards exchanged nervous glances.

Kim spoke, "Ever since the attack, there have been quite a few of damaged properties. Since the city's soldiers and knights were able to aid in the stopping of the attack, no one was hurt gravely."

"I saw the reports, this is common knowledge," Eres said. "And that is not what I'm asking."

"We have not heard from the baron," Malvar stated, shaking his head. Compared to Kim, he had a much more confident stance. "I'm not sure what happened. He usually acts immediately in case of any emergency, but instead of managing the problems, he hasn't come out of the manor. The baroness has been trying to reach out in his place, but even she does not look very well . . ."

"What could be the reason?" Keelan—Kylander—asked.

"They recently lost their first child during childbirth," Kim replied. "They've been trying very hard for a very long time, and I'm afraid that this was the tipping point."

"I see. Thank you," Eres told them. He walked to the gates, throwing a smack on the guard's shoulder—Malvar—before beckoning for the others to follow him into the city.

"The outer parts of the city have the business districts while the inner parts have the residences. It is designed so that in case of any attack, the people would move inwards where they will be easily protected. Children are often left at home, as well," Eres explained as he waved his hand side to side to prove his point.

True enough, there were several buildings whose walls were broken down. There were people trying to salvage some of their merchandise, some looking worn and beyond depressed. Keelan stepped off from the main path to help a woman carry a wooden box of scattered pomegranates. Some of the fruits had burst open, causing the velvety violet-red color to mess up the entire place. Valeriana watched him curiously, gazing at the vendor whose face was covered with deep lines.