Bare Elegance of Iragin City

'Where the hell am I?' I looked around only to see a foggy place. I couldn't make out where I am, I could only see silhouettes of trees.

'Am I in a forest? Where the hell is Penny?' I roamed my eyes and suddenly shadows ran past me as if something was coming after them.

Then all I could hear were cries.

I continued to listen on and realized it was cries of despair.

I felt my body shiver as more shadows ran past me.

Desperate to leave the foggy place I ran with the shadows, but I was stuck to my feet when a woman suddenly came out of nowhere. I could only see a shadow but I know deep within it was a woman, as if there was a connection between she and I.

I can feel her anger, it was enough to burn the world. She took each stop heavily as she faced the she faced the shadows that were coming for her kind.

She bravely fought with them with no hesitation and regret.

With every tear that drop from her eyes a shadow's life is taken.

Suddenly something was keeping her from moving, and I felt as if I was suffocating. I look around to see another shadow imposing its power on her, enough to make her kneel on her knees as she tried to get away from the force.

I was about to run to her and help but suddenly everything went black and I felt as if I finally get to breathe again.

"—ke up, My Lady." I felt someone shake my shoulder and I opened my eyes only to see Penny.

"Are you okay? You're shaking." I looked at my hand and just like what Penny has said my hands were shaking and my back was wet from my sweat.

I rub my face as I tried to understand what just happened.

Was that a dream?

It had to right?

But it feels real.

"Where are we?" I asked and my throat even felt parched as if I wasn't able to drink any water for a week.

Noticing my discomfort, Penny handed me a bottle of water which I took.

"We're almost to the next city, after that is another village then Iragin City My Lady."

"Let's eat first."

We ate some potatoes and continued on with our journey. Just another 15 hours and we'll reach our destination, I'd be able to rest finally.

My goddamn body hurts.

I don't think there's even a part that isn't stiff at all.

But my discomfort can't be compared to what I went through in my dream.

It feels as if I was drowned then resuscitated.

It was not long before we reached the next City which was Orioth.

"How about we just settle here My Lady. You look like you're tired."

"No, I'm fine." She looked at the driver then came closer to me.

"There's a whorehouse here also My Lady."

I perked up at what she said, "They also have two districts? The one with just performing?"

She was stumped with my question and I raised my eyebrow at her. "What? You want me to apply as a prostitute?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head immediately, "No, My Lady! I'm sorry about my suggestion, I didn't think it through."

"It's fine. I don't think being a prostitute is bad at all."

"My Lady!"

"What?"

"Please don't say such things." I simply rolled my eyes at her and closed them once again. It's best to sleep for now because I'm sure I'd be bustling all around once we've reached Iragin.

"We've reached Iragin now." Without even the reminder of the driver, I would still know about that because of how lively the street we just entered.

Is this life in this city?

I think it wouldn't be bad living in here for a while.

"They seem to wear more layers of dresses... and more colorful." I grimaced when I saw some ladies with thick layers of skirt compared to ladies worn in the towns. Not to mention they were dazzling colors also.

"Some cities do that My Lady. It just really depends on the culture." I nodded, as I understand that it really depends on the culture.

Culture varies from place to place after all.

"Oh, how come there are a lot of knights walking around?" I asked as I pointed to some guys who were holding swords on their waist.

Penny pushed down my hand, "Please do not do that My Lady, that is considered as disrespectful, and those are not knights, they are just soldiers."

"Soldiers and knights are different?" She stared at me and waited as if I was going to say I was just joking with my question.

I thought they were just the same thing and in this setting, soldiers are called knights.

"I forgot about it okay? Don't look at me like that."

"Yes, they are different My Lady. What differs knights from soldiers is they receive training since they were children, and given the title of the knight once they showed they are worthy of the title."

I simply clapped my hands at what she said, "Wow, isn't that amazing then?"

"You don't sound amazed My Lady."

"It's good that you're getting a hang with my tone Penny. Anyway, when we saved enough money, let's wonder the streets, I wanna see what they sell here." And maybe I could sell some things from the modern era that can be easily made.

"We'll do that Lady Eli."

We travelled for a while more until I saw an arc with written words on it saying 'Bare House'. I sat up straight and fixed myself once again. I've seen myself already in the mirror and I believe just my face is enough to get me accepted here, right? Oh wait, that's on the Left District, I had to have a talent to be accepted in the Right District.

What unraveled was a large path with trees on the side. It looked like I was on a park instead of a whorehouse, then the one path became two and the carriage went the Right path, which I think leads to the Right District.

"How come Bare House is this big?" I asked Penny, and it seemed she didn't know about it that much so I turned to the driver to ask.

"Oh, that's because Orioth is a border City. It's where most trades happen Madam, that's why the streets are always bustling here. Soldiers are always present in the borders and there are a lot of visitors from neighboring Kingdom."

Oh so that's why.

"We're here Madam." I looked at the establishment in front of me and it is no different from an apartment, it looks like a normal establishment. I thought something would be special or very grand about the Right District they are talking about.

It looks maintained and clean though. And aside from that it oozes a vibe of femininity. Maybe because most workers here are women.

"Thank you." I thanked and let Penny pay the driver since I'm still not good with the worth of coins used here.

"Should we just go in?" I asked Penny, I'm starting to get nervous now.

I don't know how their audition happens here.

What if they are not accepting as of the moment?

"May I ask what is your purpose for visiting Miss?" A lady came up to us.

Thank Goodness.

"You see I'm planning to apply as a performer here. May I ask if you're accepting and what's the process for it?"

Did I even ask the right question?

Or was I too straightforward?

"Right District is always open to add another flower to its collection, Miss, please follow me."