BRING SWORDS AND FLOWERS

A New Friendship

After three days of travel, Tyde arrived at the Hy District. She had sent a letter beforehand to the Orbelos  which announced her arrival.After arriving at their  mansion she found out that the late Lady Orbelo's niece was also visiting him.

During dinner Lord Orbelo introduced them to each other.

"Lady Voda, we are very pleased to have you here. Like you informed in your letter, the southern county is indeed the ideal place for a vacation. Let me introduce you to my late wife's niece, Lady Victoria Gaya."

Tyde looked at Victoria and saw that she was a beautiful lady.

" And this my dear, is Lady Voda, the daughter of my late cousin Kathleen. "said Orbelo introducing Tyde to Victoria.

Victoria knew that Lord Orbelo was initially against her mother marrying a no name noble from the earth clan. But over the years they had grown rich and gotten closer with his family.

As for the Voda family with whom lord Orbelo was initially very close given their status and power, had fallen terribly over the years and their distance had widened.

Money and power decides everything, Victoria confirmed her beliefs.

But Victoria was happy to see the  sharp looking noble lady who seemed to be only a little younger than her. This meant that she would not get bored in this large mansion which had very few visitors. Lord Orbelo was old and all his daughters were married and settled elsewhere.

They talked over dinner and Tyde found out that Lady Gaya had come especially to attend Estelle Torden's wedding. The more the ladies  talked to each other, the more they felt how they agreed with each other on most matters.

After dinner, they took a walk together in Lord Orbelo's huge garden. Both agreed that they should tour the Hy district together in the coming days as the wedding was still two days away.

The next day morning, both ladies got busy touring the Hy District. They walked along bridges and  narrow lanes and appreciated the beauty of old buildings.

"It has been a long time since I wandered around like this without anything to worry about." remarked Victoria. She was dressed in a light blue dress and carried a matching  parasol. Walking like that, she seemed like a carefee noble lady and not anything like the shrewd business woman she  was.

" I totally agree. " said Tyde who had forgotten for a moment  her feud with the Adaras and Clementine's matter.

Tyde was dressed in a white blouse and skirt and her usual blue beret.

She looked at Victoria and wondered  how much she should reveal about herself. In the end she kept away from the troublesome subjects and took care not to mention about the Adaras or what she had come there for.

"I heard that you were single- handedly managing your father's business. I should be learning from you." said Tyde.

"As long as you are able to predict whether a deal will bring profits, you will do well." said Victoria in a matter of fact way.

"I tried for sometime to revive my father's business. But most profitable projects require huge investments. After failing many times, I gave up." said Tyde thinking about how some years ago she thought she might be able to handle her father's business. But no matter how many days and nights she spent working, the figures were always in red. It became an endless cycle and it was not long before she realised it was definitely not her cup of tea. Fighting monsters were easier. She had realised that  her actively participating in the businesses was doing more harm than good. Maybe it was because of her inexperience or maybe it was because they were disadvantaged from the start. Like Ares said, Tyde wondered whether they were really cheated by the Adaras.

"I really admire you Lady Gaya." Tyde told Victoria.

This was something that everyone told her. Everyone except her father. Victoria wondered whether someday her father would recognise her efforts. She reminded herself about the tasks she should do,about the people she had to meet during Estelle Torden's wedding.

Victoria looked at Tyde who seemed to be looking at the lake. There was something about Tyde Voda that was eye catching. It was not just her face which Victoria noted was  good looking up close. But there was something else. Was it her keen eyes? Or was it the  peculiar innocence about her? Like a gem waiting to be picked up.. Vitoria came into the conclusion that friendship with this lady would only bring profit in the long run.

" You have the figure of a warrior. You must be good with your sword." remarked Victoria.

"But if I were given a choice, I would rather have your brains for business." said Tyde and Victoria smiled.

They got on a small boat and paddled through the small lake enjoying the scenery around.

"Look Tyde, These lakes and buildings around are static and only the people who  pass by them are different."

"Different people, different fates." said Tyde and they both smiled.

A chilly wind passed by them. But the two young ladies were not bothered as they felt the warmth of their new friendship.