Vanessa Reacher

The path leading from the second gate goes in the opposite direction from that of the first, to prevent important people from mixing with the rabble as it heads straight to the Rose District.

I leave the path and head to the first path, walking quickly to mix in with those already there, so as to prevent those people at the gate from coming in and recognizing me. With the clothes I am wearing, it isn't too hard to do.

Soon I am lost in the crowd of people in the city. Around me is a lively scene: people hanging out clothes to dry, small shops with customers going in and out, and peddlers shouting their wares, with more than a few trying to grab my hand and therefore my attention. I ignore all the rabble as I move with purpose towards East Cherub, and while those who look at me might see nothing but utmost confidence on my face, only I could feel the magnitude of uncertainty in my heart.

A few days ago I had been troubled by the thought of where I would stay once I got to Tinael. I had a couple of options but none of them really appealed to me. For example, staying in an inn. To the best of my knowledge, all inns were the same. A few large beds were placed in a room, each large enough to fit at least two people, though most of the time three people could fit in a bed, and then the inn sells the right to a space on a bed. This does not particularly appeal to me as I do not feel particularly comfortable sharing a bed with a couple of strangers I do not know. Another option was to stay in the palace since it was the king that invited us over, but I did not even entertain that thought for long before crossing it off. No doubt, the king would treat me well, but I have never felt comfortable in the palace. Plus, the moment the news spread that I was in the palace, I would be besieged by the newer and weaker Sadabis, each trying to make a name for themselves by defeating me in a spar or at least not losing too badly.

There are still a few more places in the Rose District I could stay in but for the previous reason, I avoided them all. At this point, there were not many choices left. The Hospital? Only a madman would want to stay in a place with so many sick people. Though many would prefer to stay there than sleep out on the cold streets at night.

It was then I thought of her. I came here to make things right. I might as well start with her. I can still remember the last time I saw her. It was nighttime and there was a small drizzle, a result of the heavy rain that fell not too long before. There had been a blank look on her face as she stared at me in disbelief, tears silently streaming down her face. And her words, which still haunt my dreams: "What have you done?"

Still, I do my best not to let my thoughts affect my actions. I will go to her, and if she doesn't throw me out the moment I see her, I will do my best to make up for my past actions. I would do the same, even if I am rejected.

Soon I leave the Poor District and enter the relatively cleaner East Cherub. Though not as opulent as the Rose District, East Cherub forms a striking contrast to the Poor District. Where houses are scattered about in all places except the main roads in the Poor District, East Cherub is far more ordered. With its better-looking buildings and better security, coupled with the fact that it is less crowded compared to the Poor District, East Cherub gives off a serene captivating charm.

I thread my way through the mostly familiar streets as I head into the more extravagant section of East Cherub before finally stopping in front of a mansion that could be considered a bit small compared to others around it.

I look up at the large building with mixed feelings as a memory flashed through my head. Four young people, who had had nothing in the world, looked up at the large building in front of them as similar thoughts run through their minds: 'Finally! A place to call home.'

Once again I find myself having to take deep breaths to steady my emotions. With a beating heart, I reach out to the elegantly designed knocker on the door and without giving myself much time to think of my actions, raise it up and bring it down a few times.

The lingering sound of the last knock fades away as I stare at the building and finally consider a question I hadn't thought of before. What if she isn't home at this moment? What would I do? Would I go and find a tavern to waste time in before coming back here or find another place to stay while in Tinael? I dismiss the questions from my mind, making up my mind to take things as they go.

Some time passes and just as I begin to seriously consider whether I should knock again before leaving, the door creaks open.

"Who is it?" A distinctively feminine voice just as she comes into view,

She is not what I would call stunning, but it wouldn't be right to label her looks ugly or average either as in reality they fall somewhere in between average and beautiful. She has long curly black hair which goes down to her back and is dressed in a casual-looking green dress.

Her face brings back memories long-forgotten memories and for a few moments, I am unable to speak as I stare blankly at her face. She seems to be in the same predicament as me as she stares at me silently, her mouth slightly open.

"Arell?" she says with a tone that suggests that she doesn't completely believe what she is seeing.

I muster up a small smile which ends up looking a bit sad. "Vanessa. How are you?"

Vanessa Reacher. We had been very close friends once, during that time when it was only the four of us against the world.

After cycling through a myriad of expressions she finally settles on surprise and confusion. "What are doing in… oh, never mind…"

For a moment I imagine that she is about to send me away. But my expectations are not met when she says, "Come in."

Feeling a bit unsure, I walk into the house and wait for her as she closes the door once more. Then she turns back to me.

"Do you have a place to stay?" she asks.

I shake my head. "Not yet."

"Well, I guess you can stay here then. To be honest, I'm surprised you didn't just try to buy an entire room for yourself at an inn. With your status and enough money, it isn't impossible for you to do so now. Why didn't you anyway?" She shoots me a curious look as she asks, before walking ahead of me.

"It's a bit selfish," I reply hesitantly, albeit honestly. Doing so would mean some travelers who had been on the road for a long period of time would suddenly not have any place to sleep this night. After all, free rooms in Tinael's inns rarely stay free for long. Thinking like that, buying an entire room for myself just because I didn't want to mix with strangers is selfish.

Vanessa lets out an unladylike snort. "Like that matters to someone like you." A second later she seems to realize that what she said was a bit rude and she apologizes. "I'm sorry, that was rude. And you're right, it would have been selfish but it is a bit strange that you of all people suddenly care about things like that."

I ignore what others would have called an insult. Vanessa had always been like this, once she had an opinion on something, whether you liked it or not you would hear it.

As she speaks, she stops in front of an empty room and turns to look at me. "You can stay here for the time being. I'll get someone to clean up your old room tom-"

"It's not necessary." I interrupt her. "Here will be fine. Thank you."

"You're welcome?" she says after a second pause. Before she leaves she shoots me a slightly unsure look and reminds me. "Dinner is by seven."

Slowly, my heartbeat returns to normal and I enter the room she had left for me. Seeing her had far more impact than I had anticipated. Still, it doesn't seem like she has changed too much. At least on the surface.

The room is a bit on the large side, but I don't mind too much. A painting hangs on the left wall as if to provide some decoration to this otherwise plain room. There are a few bits of furniture in the room: a large bed, a small table, and a chair off to one side, with a candlestick placed in the center of the table, and a drawer to the right of it, with a vanity mirror sitting on top. Opposite the drawer is a door which I assume leads to the bathroom.

I unpack the little I had in my satchel before heading to the bathroom to have a refreshing bath. After days spent on the road, this almost makes me feel as though I was in heaven.

After a particularly long bath, I return to my room and change into more casual clothing, making sure to remind myself to do my laundry else I would have nothing to wear very soon. With all this done, I lay on the bed and relax. Just before I fall asleep, memories flash through my head. Memories of happy times, and peace. Memories before it happened. Finally, I fall asleep, just as a small glistening tear slides down my cheek.