Calico

"How long will it take to get to the church?" Althur asked as he and young Brahms rocked in the back of the dogcart.

"It won't be long, sir. We can be there before the sun sets." The driver leaned forward and replied.

"I wonder if you two are from the capital. Whatever. You two should be careful going out at night. We don't have as many night patrols here as we do in Phlegoneos. There are people who don't have any money in their pockets when they come here. So, they decide to rob passengers like him. The desperate and the foolish."

"Thank you for warning me. You are such a good man." Althur praised.

The driver shrugged his shoulders. "I try to do the right thing, sir. But not every man in these lands can be trusted. There are many who would take advantage of your kindness or your wealth. Especially that man in this place."

He looked toward a hill not far from the city, where a large mansion stood tall and visible from afar. "Not everyone can be trusted, sir." He repeated.

"Why is that?"

"You know the legend of the city, don't you, sir?"

"About the gold mines or the dragons?" Althur asked.

"None of it is true. It's a fraud, made up by some bastard."

"Steam and wheel; train and line - they are all evil. They are the tools and spells that drain human life. But the Bible and the Holy Scriptures say nothing about it. You can't imagine this day, and neither can I."

"Who do you believe in?" Althur asked gently.

"I had lost my faith, sir. Riding that horse on the road for half my life, I saw too much and prayed too much. But it was not just a miracle, so I decided to give up my faith and live like a stray."

"Bricky!" Brahms exclaimed as he listened to the man's words. He remembered another word in the newspaper.

"Thank you, boy. Yes, I don't know, but I'm very content with the life I have now. At least I have my precious companion." The man stroked his horse lovingly.

Perhaps the subject had changed too much. The ride was about to fall silent when the man deftly changed the subject.

"Besides humans, we must also be careful of ghosts." The driver laughed at the warning.

"Ghosts?" Althur asked in an amused tone.

"That's right, sir. Ghosts."

The man said, "I had a friend who was a drunk. He told of one night when he was looking for a place to sleep because he was so drunk, he couldn't find his way home. Then he saw black shadows and long robes floating in the air. He thought he was dizzy and that his drunkenness had robbed him of his wits. The sudden bone-chilling cold awoke him, and the ghost just stared at him without disappearing. Scared to death, he ran back to the tavern and screamed. This tired joke is just fooling people."

Althur was interested, while Brahms wondered why the story jumped from humans to ghosts.

"Oh, my ancestors, the way he tells it is interesting, like a man who saw death and was still alive. So, from that day until now he has not dared to go to the pub. It is believed that he was possessed by a ghost. But I think it was because he was too shy to show himself."

"Did he say where he saw the ghost?"

"I don't remember very well. But for what, sir?"

"If I had the chance, I would like to meet those spirits."

The driver was stunned. He had not expected to meet a person with such a bizarre hobby. Although I've never met a ghost before. But this horrible thing - what normal person would actively seek it out? Is this something the urban young and the free rich like to get involved in? he thought.

Althur didn't care as he looked around the city. Although it is called a town, it is no more than a typical city. All the activities here revolve around the coal mines. Classy bakeries, cheap taverns. The hundreds of plots of cultivated land are now becoming more valuable as the number of people flocking to this place increases.

Thanks to the railroad, tourism became a new source of income for the town. The more affluent residents wanted to enjoy the natural scenery and the cool climate provided by the northerly winds blowing off the Imenso Mountains. This makes the town more than just a coal mining town.

Men are reserved in society. They look for more remote places to enjoy themselves. Alcohol, sex, and entertainment become another aspect of this place. Lust feeds the town.

Althur and Brahms got out of the car; he turned to the driver and said thank you.

The driver took off his hat in response to Althur's greeting. "I wish you a safe and pleasant journey." With that, he spurred his precious horse and left.

The two gazed at the dogcart driver as he skillfully steered the horses around the bend, then turned their attention to the magnificent structure behind them. The sun was setting behind the building, casting a warm glow on its intricate details and causing the colored doorways to reflect the golden light all around like lush fields. The building was like a beautiful tree in the midst of harvest.

...

" Althur, will you see the ghosts?"

"Of course, ghosts always speak the truth." He looked back at Braham and answered with a smile.

"Since we are new here, wouldn't it be better to make a new friend?" He touched his chin lightly as he said, "That's right, little Brahms. The friends I have made have helped me a great deal."

"But how?"

"A few friendly greetings and it will work. Don't worry, I'll show you how."

The present time is the fourth month of the year, Auxanos, the month of germination or joy. A good time to visit any place that belongs to the Church of Haya.

On the street, the green trees were full of yellow leaves, and the orange sunlight colored the whole street. Everything seemed so peaceful. On this street, there are gentlemen in suits carrying briefcases with small documents to go home, ladies in fringed dresses riding in carriages in the afternoon, as well as nannies holding children's hands to bring them home from a walk in the nearby park. A peaceful scene that relaxes the observer.

The carriage driver seems to be a dusty man who likes to talk, and during the short 15-minute ride he seems to vent all his grievances about the city and tear apart his illusory dreams as a newcomer.

"Don't believe those rumors. It's all lies; they trick people into coming here to dig coal."

"Poor children, they must go to hell."

It is not a unique story, not only in this town, rumors and hoaxes push landless peasants to the brink of despair.

They had no choice but to become workers for the wealthy factory and mine owners who promised them a better life. But the promises were empty, and the reality was far from what they had hoped for.

At least the man let a little hope shine in his soul.

This is a new age. We can either ride the wave of the times to greatness or let our souls drown in despair.