Two Sides

After releasing Eridor, the magical beast, Laija returned to the castle to look for Domi and Aniya.

She had not seen them at the square, so she assumed that Sara must have brought them back here. She opened the door to their room, and was relieved to find both of them sleeping soundly in their bed.

She let out a sigh. This Sara person was really a responsible one.

'Milady, you have returned.' A neutral voice behind her, uttered.

Laija slowly turned around and saw the middle aged maid she had just approved in her mind, standing at the door with a blanket on her hands.

'I was going to sleep with them. They had quite a scare when the madman lit the stage on fire.' The woman said and entered the dimly lit room, taking quiet steps.

Laija's brows creased at her words. Lowering her voice, she spoke, 'Someone set the fire? I thought it might have been an accident.'

The maid heave a tired sigh and replied, 'Yes, anyone who didn't see it happened might think that. Who would dare to do such a thing on the day of the festival? I will tell you, it was a man from the slums.'

Of course, it was likely that a city this big had places like that. But her last sentence explained nothing.

Noticing the confused expression on Laija's face, Sara said further, 'For the past few months, the community there, has been causing a lot of problems. To think that, they would resort to commit such a heinous act. Master Vermond must be terribly troubled at this very moment...'

Sara was distressed on her Master's behalf. Then, seeming to realised something, she quickly cried, 'My apologies! You are an important guest. I shouldn't be telling you these gloomy things!'

'It is alright.' Laija assured her. Even though, she was curious to know about it, it was late to ask. Glancing towards the children, she said, 'I'll be taking my leave, have a good night.'

'Good night to you as well, milady.' The maid bowed courteously.

-

The next morning, Laija woke up earlier than usual. She came out of her room and walked down the stairs. At the end of the steps, Francis stood leaning on the wall. He greeted her, 'You are up early today.'

'So are you.' She told him simply.

'Since we are both up, let's have breakfast.' Francis offered.

In the garden, the two of them sat in the chairs across from each other. On the table before them, were plates of pancakes with honey syrup, alongside peeled apples and bananas, all cut haphazardly.

'How is it?' Francis asked.

Laija took a bite of the pancake.

'Too sweet.' She said. Then, reached out her fork for the apple pieces.

'As long as it is edible.' Francis commented and ate his own share. He was the one who prepared their breakfast.

It was a bit early, so everyone was still asleep.

'Was everything settled last night?' Laija asked him suddenly.

'Well, the culprit has been caught. He will be tried this morning, I heard. Uncle is still at the City Council Hall.' Francis answered.

'I see.' Laija said with a slight nod of her head and continued to eat her food.

'I know you're thinking of leaving soon.' Francis uttered suddenly.

Laija paused, staring at her almost empty plate. Then, slowly she lifted her face to meet his violet gaze. Their distance was closed enough and so for the first time, Laija noticed that there was a small mole underneath his left eye. It was dark and distinct against his pale skin, made his attractiveness more prominent.

Laija closed her eyes and ignored it altogether. And said instead, 'Yesterday, I was far from discreet in using my magic. It is better I leave as soon as I can.'

She opened her eyes and saw him turning in his seat. 'That is true. The whole of Aurvina witnessed your magnificent power. They believed you are a savior sent by the deity.' He said, with a slight curl of his lips.

Laija put down her fork and knife, then spoke, 'All the more reason then.'

Francis got up. He was also done. 'Let us go visit the Council Hall. And hear what the people are saying.' He said, picking up the finished plates.

Laija did not know what possessed her but she agreed to his request.

Ten minutes later, the two were out in the city, dressed in cloaks to cover their identities. It would be a hassle if the witnesses from the previous night were to see them at this timing.

As they anticipated, a large number of people were already present in front of the square, where the Council Hall stood. The building was grand but it appeared to be affected from the fires from the night before, as there were traces of dirt and smoke trails staining the white walls. Other than these, everything was intact.

Laija and Francis walked passed the crowd and climbed up the steps. The guard stopped them but Francis revealed his name and face. The guard was taken by surprise.

'Young master!'

Francis put a finger over his lips and uttered, 'Shh. Not so loud.'

'Of course, Young master.' Saying so, the guard allowed them entry into the hall.

As the pair stepped into the large spacious room, they saw a man kneeling in the centre. Two guards stood behind him.

Lord Hanim Vermond was seated across from the man. On the right side, men dressed in regal robes were standing before long wooden railings. They appeared to be the council members.

On the opposite side, in similar design were the citizens. They were glaring at the man, faces twisted in anger.

'What do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Jonabu?' Old Hanim spoke at last.

'I'm guilty of all charges.' The man called Jonabu declared. He seems to be in his late thirties, brown hair and tanned, rugged in appearance but his voice was calm and collected, very unlike the criminal he was accused of.

'In accordance to your crime, you will be imprisoned for ten years.' Lord Hanim gave the verdict.

The council members visibly approved of this sentence while the citizens cheered in satisfaction.

'NO! NO! NO!' Loud cries echoed inside the courtroom. Laija turned around to see a young woman being held back by the officials at the entrance.

The man in chains, who had been composed all these while now looked as if he was on the verge of tears. Ashamed, he turned his head away as the woman was forcefully led away.

'The meeting is adjourned.' Lord Hanim stated.

The people in the room began to disperse. The criminal was also taken outside, where the crowd shouted angrily and hatefully at him.

'Die, you arsonist!'

'Go back to wear you came from!'

'Damn you all, outsiders!'

Laija and Francis had gone out too.

'I thought he was from the slums. Why did they addressed him as an outsider?' Laija asked Francis who was standing besides her.

'I'll tell you on the way back. For now, we should get away before the crowd recognises us.' Francis answered.

They headed back for the castle. And as promised, Francis began to explain to her in detail.

'Aurvina became an important centre of trade and commerce. So, many people from outside the district came to find jobs. Initially, this did not caused any problems, in fact, it made the city even more flourished.'

'But soon with the growing populace, the workforce became limited. In time, it posed a serious issue as the people who could not be employed began living in slums, doing odd tasks for small amount of payments.'

'The real citizens also began to see this community as inferior and discriminated them. Some of them had even requested the City Council members to drive them out. But Lord Hanim Vermond, rejected the proposal. Instead, he expanded salt farming and fishing industry.'

'The last time I was here, it was going well. But it appears that new problems have already began to surface again.'

Francis finished his narration but they have yet to arrive at the castle.

Laija pondered over the issue in her head. This was a difficult situation, if not handled with care, there was bound to be a riot from either sides. And the city will face serious crisis even worse than yesterday in the near future.

'Have none of the council members proposed a solution to the matter?' Laija asked him again.

'My uncle gave them the authority, years ago. But it seems that they are more interested in filling their pockets.' Francis replied, his arms folded against each other on his chest.

With a roll of his eyes, he continued saying,

'Well, those old council members are citizens. They are not too fond of the outsiders and probably wants them driven out. I think they purposely let the situation escalate, so that they would have a valid reason to get rid of them once and for all. My poor uncle must be wounded.'

So, this was not a simple issue of punishing an arsonist. But much deeper than that.

'Lord Hanim is kind but he cannot simply keep welcoming others into the city without any conditions. Especially, when the original dwellers are dissatisfied.' Laija commented.

'He only does it with good intentions, believing that exposure will help the city to develop more. But these people refused to see it. They only take advantage of his leniency.' Francis said. 'What do you mean by conditions?' He asked her, puzzled.

'I mean, does he let any outsiders into the city without setting any criteria?' Laija queried him instead.

'Ah, yes. There is an interesting reason though. During his great, great grandfather's time, skilled artisans came and introduced many new things. So, the man swore an oath to help the people who came to seeking for the city. My uncle has honored that age old promise till today.' Francis explained.

They could see the castle on sight. It stood high and beautiful against the background of the blue sky.

Laija would have admired it fully, if weren't for conversation they were having.

'That is a problem.' She said.

Francis put on a weary smile. He spoke again,

'I said the same thing. But as mentioned before, my uncle is a dreamer. He is searching for ways to benefit both parties. But you know, it is impossible to please everyone.'

-

Lord Hanim returned in the evening and they had dinner together.

After the meal, he said to Laija,

'I wanted to thank you for saving the city. I'm sorry it took so long to say them.'

'I only did what was necessary. And I understand, you were busy, Lord Hanim.' Laija replied.

Hanim shook his head. 'No, you risked yourself to help our people. I cannot thank you enough. Because of you, I don't have to fear any riot happening at the moment.' The man said, his tone firm.

'They all believed it is an act of the divine. So, there is not much ill will.' Francis joined in.

Laija could not help but asked the older man. 'I don't mean to intrude. But what measures are going to be taken to prevent something like this from happening again?'

She could not forget the woman who was crying for her husband.

At her questions, Lord Hanim frowned. Almost sighing, he said, 'If the council members would pay the workers fairly, nothing would have happened. The man and his friends were not being compensated properly, so they decided to take drastic steps just to garner our attention.'

Laija's brows creased, she uttered. 'There is something I wanted to ask.'

'Go on.'

'Do you not draw contracts for your employment?'

The older man seems astonished at her question. 'Eh, no. For all kinds of labour, the workers are registered and paid when the job is finished. We have no need for such contracts.' Hanim explained.

'In our country, contracts are only meant for higher purposes, like matters of engagement or dowry or any other valid properties.' Francis clarified.

Laija pursed her lips. This arrangement might have work all these while but now it was failing. It was not surprising, in her own world too, not each and every work was tied to contracts. But contracts were really helpful, given suitable clauses.

'Change must be brought now. It is safer for both parties to form a contract.' Laija stated.

'The council members would not agree. They would say it is a hassle.' The old man said waving his hand.

Laija said nothing in reply but she felt irked somewhat.

-

When dawn broke, Laija went to visit the slums. It was rather easy to find. The place was located at the outskirts of the city, on the western side, almost isolated.

Laija walked the narrow lane. On either sides, buildings made of wood were cramped against one another. Except for a few vermin roaming the dirty streets, nobody was up. It was still early.

Laija stopped in her track. She found the person she was hoping to find.

A woman was laying against a door, seating on the cold hard ground. On her lap, a child no older than five years old was sleeping.

The scene reminded Laija of her own mother. When she was very young, her mother would go out early with the youngest child, to sell fresh apples to make ends meet. Her mother had suffered the consequences of her father's foolishness.

Laija moved towards the woman.

'Get inside. You will both get sick.' She told the person below.

The woman raised her head, to reveal a tear stricken cheeks and ghastly pale complexion. Her eyes were dull but the minute she recognised who the person standing before her was, they widened.

'You are deity's messenger, aren't you? I begged you to help my poor husband! He was coerced into doing such a horrible deed by his friends! He only did it because I told him our child needed treatment! Please, please forgive him!' The woman cried and begged, clutching the hems of her dress.

Laija stooped down to her level. In soothing voice, she spoke, 'I will heal your child. Let's get inside first.'

The sobbing woman appeared to gathered herself. Holding her child, she slowly got up, her feet staggering. Laija held her by her arms, they were very thin.

They finally entered the small room and Laija took a look at the child. The boy was suffering from a fever and chills, with some healing magic he will be alright.

As Laija healed the child, the woman watched in rapt attention.

'This is enough. But of you want your child to grow healthy, he needs proper food.' Laija said and handed the woman a small bag.

The young woman looked inside and saw silver coins. 'How can I ever thank you for this generosity?' She gasped as teared up with emotions.

'Just take care of yourself and your child.' Laija turned around and made a move for the door. It was almost breakfast hour.

'Your Grace, I'm thankful for everything. But I have one last request, please help my husband.'

Laija did not return to the castle. Instead, she marched to the city square and simply stood. With the hood of her cloak removed, all the passerby knew who she was at once. Soon enough, a large crowd surrounded her, whispering to each other.

Feeling that an ample amount of the citizens were present, Laija cleared her throat and started to speak.

'Citizens of Aurvina, I have favor to ask of you all.'

Francis had mentioned it was impossible to please everyone. It was true.

But if was one was willing, if one were to be brazen enough, there was always some way to achieve it.