(Old) Side Chapter 9. Sunvale

“Welcome to Sunvale, Jacey!” Milord’s booming voice declared as he woke up from my nap. I gazed out, surprised, at the town sprawling before

“Welcome to Sunvale, Jacey!”

Milord’s booming voice declared as he woke up from my nap. I gazed out, surprised, at the town sprawling before us.

It was… Quaint, but not in a derogatory way. It was simply not a place I would have expected the grey market to be involved in… But perhaps that was the point.

“You can leave me at the coach station, I’ll find my way from there.”

I said to Milord.

That’s where Evelyne had said to find the man who could help me.

“Nonsense! What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t even introduce you to a good place to stay!”

I was about to protest, but caught myself.

The grey market contact wasn’t going anywhere, and I could do with a night of sleep on a real bed…

“Show the way then.”

I said with an exaggerated sigh.

We soon reached a small auberge not far from the city's edge, it had a beautiful view on one of the many deltas of the Gods River that reached all the way to Heillhs and serves as the demarcation point between Norland, Lowland and Summerland.

I stepped off the carriage as I admired the waters and the great oaks the valley was so famous for. It was strange after weeks of barren coasts to suddenly find myself amongst such impressive trees.

Milord casually picked up my luggage from the back of his carriage and carried them inside the inn. It took me a moment to detach myself from the view and follow him inside. Unsurprisingly, Milord was already arranging a room for me as he chatted up the innkeeper. 

“Here you are, Jace!”

He said as he walked back to me and handed me a single key.

“I don’t know how to thank you enough Milord.”

I said with gave a grateful bow.

His voice may have grinded my patience down to almost nothing on several occasions, but he had been nothing short of a wonderful guide across the coast of Lake Alenia. I would also be lying if I didn’t admit that I had learned much from our short time together.

“NONSENSE! You have been a wonderful passenger! I hope you find what you’ve come to Sunvale for.”

He said as he delicately shook my hands between two of his fat fingers.

“Still, thank you.”

I insisted with a genuine smile.

“You’re welcome.”

He said with the same expression I’d seen him wear since we started journeying together.

“Oh! Before I forget!”

He said as he dug into his pocket for something and placed it in my hand.

“Here, this is for you.”

As he removed his hand, a strange six sided object was revealed in my hand.

“W– What is that?”

“An uneven dice! Perfect for gambling tricks, well not really, but it’s pretty neat!”

“Is that some sort of… Diidkin talisman?”

I asked, confused.

“I guess you could say that!”

“But I’m not a Diidkin, Milord. I– I shouldn’t take this…”

I tried to hand it back to him, but he pulled his hand away.

“Oh it’s not like that! It’s just a trinket. Keep it, please! As a souvenir!”

I looked at him with confusion, but composed myself and nodded as I pocketed the dice.

“Well, if it means that much to you, I guess I can hold on to it.”

“Yes, please do.”

He looked back as if someone just called out to him, despite no sound coming from behind him. He turned back to me as he pointed back to the door. 

“I better get going.”

I smiled, now used to his eccentricities.

“Of course. Take care, Milord.”

He nodded and left me alone with the innkeeper.

The room remained quiet. I relished in this moment of peace. It had been several weeks since I was last left alone with my thoughts, but it also kept the thoughts regarding ‘why’ I was here in the first place at bay.

“Shall I show you to your room, ma’am?”

The innkeeper asked which as I was taken out of my reverie.

I smiled and nodded at the man.

Once my luggage were finally put down  and the innkeeper excused themselves, I walked toward the bed and promptly let myself fall face down on the bed.

What a trip it had been so far! And yet… I’m no closer to Evergreen than I was when I left Oblon if we spoke of distances only. 

I closed my eyes as a cool breeze swept through the window and washed over me. The air here felt more rich and carried the scent of grass and flowers. I exhaled slowly, as I felt my muscle relax through my body. My pupils fluttered weakly as I felt myself becoming overcome with drowsiness.

Should I let it take me? An early afternoon nap never killed anyone…

It’s only then that my stomach let out a loud grumbling sound, making me instinctively grimace.

How undignified… 

I considered, just rolling over and going to sleep, but the calm feeling had already left my body and the sense of responsibility take its place. It wouldn’t be very reasonable of me NOT to get some food… And while I’m at it, check out the coach station.

Now, now Jacey-Jace no need to be in such a hurry! I could almost hear Milord whisper in my ear, but I felt too anxious to let the matter hang on for any longer.

I put my hand on my breast pocket where I could feel the shape of the stamp underneath the fabric. I am here for a reason, every minute I lose in this place is one more Silika has to spend alone and confused at that orphanage…

 I hopped off the bed and walked back out of my room. The innkeeper appeared surprised to see me come out of my room, but straightened up as they saw me approach as they whipped the early afternoon daze from their dark eyes.

“May I help you with anything ma’am?”

They said with an indiscernible expression.

The innkeeper was obviously of Somonkin descent and as such was completely hairless. The natural absence of eyebrow, made it more difficult to read their expression and as they were all of similar figure due to the blessing of solomon regulating their food ingestion they tended toward a more androgynous appearance… Well atleast this one did.

“I was wondering if there was anywhere around I could get something to eat?”

I asked the innkeeper

I was a bit jealous of their shared stomach. Never having to worry about getting fat was a blessing of itself, but it also meant they had to observe frequent fasting to make sure that the entire Solomonkin lineage suffered from bloating.

Although I hear the “connection” to this collective stomach varied wildly in mann’s as opposed to kins…

They rubbed their chin for a moment, thinking about my question.

“I’ll be making dinner for guests at sundown, but the kitchen is currently closed. I could give you some leftover breakfast, but if you’re looking  for something a bit more consistent, you might want to head over to the market by the church. You should be able to see its roof from here.”

I nodded.

“Thank you… And do you happen to know where the coach station is? I need to make travel arrangements for once my business here is done.”

I explained, trying my best to make up some excuse, although the innkeeper seemed completely uninterested in that and simply answered my question.

“Of course, if you’re heading down to the market anyways, you can just head south and you’ll reach it eventually.”

I thanked the innkeeper and went on my way out.

The market was surprisingly busy as seemingly people from all the surrounding towns and villages came to sell their products. Despite its humble looks, Sunvale was still considered the largest city of Summerland and was once its capital when it was still an independent duchy. The paved streets and large beautiful townhouse surrounding the heart of the city were surrounded with trees, large patches of grass and flowers. 

There was no denying the beauty of Sunvale, but for some reason, something felt off. The merchants were wary and the people glanced around as they spoke to each other. All around armed guards patrolled the streets and stopped people at random, questioning them.

It wasn’t long before they stopped and questioned me.

“Ma’am, paper and identification please.”

I almost panicked when he said those words. I’d never been asked for my papers before and didn’t rightfully know what that referred to. My baptism certificate? My residency permit? Those I had left at the inn, but then I remembered the letter my sister Merilia had given me before I left.

I pulled out the sturdy parchment paper and handed it to the man who looked surprised as he read it.

“My apologies, my lady. I did not know who you were. I’m sorry to ask, but protocol requires that I see your stamp.”

I hesitated to show him the one in my breast pocket, but then thought better of it and simply went for the truth.

“I’ve only inherited the title recently, I need to return north to get it made.”

He glanced down at the document and seemed satisfied with my answer.

“What brings you to these parts, my lady?”

“I’m just visiting.”

He arched a brow.

“You’re visiting all the way from Norland…?”

I shook my head.

“Not quite, I was living in Salland up until recently. I’m simply vacationing on my way home.”

He nodded, satisfied as he handed me my paper.

I couldn’t hold my curiosity anymore.

“Is something going on?”

I asked wondering what this was all about.

He shrugged i a way that showed that he didn’t really see the point of what they were doing.

“We’re looking for two fugitives. A blond-haired blue-eyed woman and a man of Seeir descent.”

I looked at him, surprised.

“Quite a few of those around, isn’t there?”

He sighed noisily as he nodded.

“Like a needle in a haystack.”

I quietly sympathised with the man for a moment. Menial jobs are the worse… But then something occurred to me.

“Wait… Why did you interrogate ME then?”

He looked at me with a surprised expression and begun trying to make an excuse, but then I realised.

“Oh… Oh no… You didn’t REALLY ask me because I’m a Sc…”

“Nnonono! I swear my lady, I meant no offence! I would never judge someone because of their hair or eye colour, that's just not something we do around here…”

I could almost hear him finish his sentence with the ominous ‘anymore’. 

Sunvale and Summerland had, after all, an unfortunate history of discrimination, deportation and genocide… Clotop was also quite xenophobic region, so I was used to it, but I thought that was an isolated case.

As I resigned myself to a life of discrimination the man continued.

“We have in order to question anyone who is from out of town. We’re looking for accomplices, you see.”

I failed to see how his line of questioning had eliminated me as a suspect, but held my tongue. Whatever it was, I wanted nothing to do with it…

… Although, this didn’t occur well to meet with someone from the grey market under these conditions…

“Well good hunt then.”

I said as I tried to hold myself back from running toward the coach station.

“A good day to you as well....”

Before he even finished his sentence I was already briskly walking away. What if the grey market contact was taken for questioning? Their representatives were often considered a necessary evil to any town its weight, but that didn’t mean they were immune to questioning and prosecution.

I still recalled Evelyne’s description of the man I was supposed to meet: Green-Haired and only 4 fingers on each hand.

In a flash I was at the coach station, but as I’d feared, the place was crawling with soldiers.

What in the name of Seeir did those fugitives do?

I had half a mind to head back to the Inn and try my luck another day, but I worried I wouldn’t get another opportunity. I innocently headed innocently into the building, doing my best to appear non-conspicuous. It wasn’t very difficult. The place was absolutely packed.

“I’m sorry, all carriages to Crookedport are currently booked. I can put you on a waiting list if you’d like?”

A clerk tried to explain to a group of disgruntled vacationers. It seems being interrogated had put a damper on visitors, and people were fleeing the town. I was starting to worry about whether I’d be able to find my own passage out of here, but that was a problem for later.

My eyes were tracing across the crowd, looking down at the hands of all the green-hairs I caught sight off.

I eventually locked on a pair of pinkyless hands gesticulating wildly. 

I started to make a beeline for him, but just them he raised his voice.

“What do you mean your ‘bringing me for questioning’?! I don’t know nothing about these people! NOTHING!”

“Don’t make a scene Harrold. You know why we’re doing this. You’ll be released as soon as this situation is sorted.”

A guard retorted as he begun pushing the Grey Market affiliate forward as they made their way through the crowd and out of the Coach station.

I felt my stomach sink.

What am I supposed to do now…?