Scarlet Fate

07: Town of Dalen

Author's Note: I wanna do try doing some world building, please give me feedback and thank you for reading my story.

Akane's POV

While holding two pieces of skewered meat, with a smile on her face Yuni told me.

"Here's your share Akane."

Accepting the skewered meat I replied.

"Thank you Yuni."

Her face turned beet red, she turned around, took a bite of the meat.

"Y-You're welcome Akane."

We sat down on a bench near the town square, I took another bite on the meat, Yuni stared at me and asked.

"Is it good?"

I lightly nodded and took another bite.

"Yuni."

Hearing her named being called, Yuni turned to my direction and asked.

"W-what?"

While staring at the azure sky, I had many thoughts, but one came to my mind the most.

"Do you still believe that we'll find your mother?"

With a surprised look on her face Yuni turned to me, she pondered for a minute and smiled, with confidence in her words, Yuni answered.

"Of course, I'm sure she's alive. We'll find her, you promised right Akane?"

Yuni took another bite of meat, whilst happily eating, the two of us casually chatted.

"Want to look around the city?"

Yuni nodded, we finished our meal, threw away the stick and began our exploration of the town.

The town of Dalen is located between the borders of the empire, Hakuroku and Ashwell's remnants to the north.

Dalen is the center of trade between the three countries, many merchants gather in the town to trade goods and merchandises.

The streets is always crowded by both carriages and people, vending stands are also scattered throughout the city.

The city is surrounded by a heavily fortified wall, which protects it from invaders, a large garrison, and a population of fifty thousand.

As we continued our exploration, we stumbled upon a small inn named "The Autumn's wind."

"Somehow we got back to the inn unintentionally without getting lost." I jokingly told Yuni, In response Yuni giggled.

We entered the inn and went to the reception desk, a young man around the age of nineteen greeted us with a smile.

"Welcome back Miss Akane and Miss Yuni."

Placing a few silver coins on the desk, I told the young man.

"We would like to extend our stay for another week."

The receptionist took the coins, bowed at us.

"Would you like to have your meals delivered to your room?"

I shook my head and secretly handed him a few extra coins.

"No thank you, we just ate. However I would like to received extra portions on our dinner."

Our room is located at the far right corridor of the second floor. After opening the door, Yuni quickly jumps on the bed.

I giggled lightly and asked Yuni.

"Are you that tired? Or hungry perhaps?"

With a wry smile on her face she replied.

"Not hungry. Yet very tired."

Noticing her staring my neck, I leaned closer and whispered into her ears.

"Thirsty perhaps?"

There was a sudden silence, Yuni viciously shook her head in denial and replied.

"I'm not, but I am concerned about the bite mark on your neck."

After covering the wound with some bandages, I noticed Yuni's depressed face as she told me.

"I'm sorry Akane, please forgive me."

Stroking her back lightly, entangled her in a tight embrace, I told Yuni a calm and reassuring voice.

"I've already forgotten about it, you too."

I patted Yuni's head, whilst caressing her bang and hymning. She yawned and looked at me with sleepy eyes.

Darn it, she looks so cute! I could hardly control myself.

"Get some sleep, we have a busy day tomorrow."

Yuni nodded and crawled into her bed, I covered her with a blanket, kissed her forehead and told her.

"Good night Yuni."

"You too Akane."

I got on the bed and taking a short nap.

Once Yuni is asleep, I got up from bed and left the inn. While walking down the streets of Dalen, I noticed that I'm being followed.

One man and a woman cloaked to cover their faces are tailing me. Should I try confronting them? No it's too risky.

I quickly ran to the crowded streets of Dalen, making a quick turn to an alley, I'm hopes of losing my pursuers.

I unsheathed my dagger and checked if I'm still being followed, after confirmed that I've lost them, I quickly went to a weapons shop.

"Is my order finished?"

The receptionist who is a dark skinned man around the age of thirty nodded, he placed a single edged sword on the desk, I handed the man fifty silver coins and he replied.

"Pleasure doing business with you miss Akane."

The name of the receptionist is Rolance, a blacksmith from the empire, he came here to learn about eastern sword making techniques. I picked up the sword, it's really heavy.

"Is it too heavy? If you want I could have it delivered to your inn."

I shook my head and told him.

"No need I can do it myself."

Rolance opened the door and told me.

"Be careful out there miss Akane."

After retracing my steps and making sure I'm not being followed I got back to the inn and went to sleep.