Aida: With Blood

I

"Forward, march!" shouted the soldier's battalion lieutenant. He pointed his sword forward and the whole company followed him.

One company contained two hundred soldiers. In the march of a thousand, they had five to eight companies. Each company has a captain who will face a higher-ranking lieutenant. And the lieutenants will face their superiors, this time the inquisitors and Tabot. The two insquisitor and scientist stood outside the camp and watched the soldiers walk out of the camp. The earth shook as the soldiers stomped intently, making loud noises that could be heard from a distance.

"What are we going to do with the girl?" Jurko asked.

"I don't know," the old scientist shook his head. "Let Nazeir choose. He's the one who brought her here"

Jurko looked Nazeir right in the eye. "Whatever you do, Nazeir. She must not know who we are. If he thinks that we are just savage mercenaries, I have no problem." Jurko approached the inquisitor. "We may give a smile before her, but when behind the woman, we are anxious."

"I can handle this, Jurko. She could be of some use to us."

"Sure," Jurko glared. "That woman's life is in your hands, not ours. Don't let that woman cause trouble for your army group. We need agility and speed."

"Let me do this," begged Nazeir to the old inquisitor who averted his eyes from Nazeir. "If she can do this. We have new potential."

"I don't know about that, Nazeir," the inquisitor looked down. "How about you?" he glanced at Tabot.

"I'm not sure of that girl's abilities yet," Tabot scratched his bald head. "Just because she managed to live a few months side by side with the nuns around her doesn't mean she can do it again, especially against an army."

"Tabot is right, Nazeir. Sending that girl to pretend to be a slave could be dangerous for us . . . and herself."

"I think she can do it," Nazeir glanced at a small group of five in his company who were leaving in horse-drawn carts. Aida was in the group of soldiers, her face could be seen scared and confused.

The three of them looked at each other, their time to part again had come. Nazeir and Jurko shook hands on the arm tightly. With just a glance, the two of them had already spoken without a word. Tabot and Jurko walked together, riding their horses that were waiting to be ridden. Nazeir on the other hand, chased after the horse cart that Aida was riding.

Nazeir trotted on a brisk walk behind the cart. A soldier's hand reached for Nazeir, the inquisitor grabbed him and jumped on the wagon. The soldiers patted Nazeir, welcoming him happily. They retorted and offered the inquisitor what they had, chocolates, sweets, and other small treats.

"How about you give it to that girl," Nazeir pointed at Ada with his head.

All the soldiers who heard it turned their gifts to the woman. There was only silence and her body backed away. The woman looked at Nazeir and all the food the soldiers offered, her eyes were widened. The inquisitor raised his eyebrows at Aida. The woman looked at a candy stored in a box. She slowly took it, and the crunch of the paper that closed it was heard when Ada opened it. The woman's dry lips opened. She puts her candy in hermouth, everyone looks at her.

A soldier raised his thumb to Ada. The woman looked at the soldier and answered him with a thumbs up.

In an instant, everyone cheered loudly. Ada jumped in surprise, seeing that the people were overjoyed. Aida looked at Nazeir questioningly.

"Welcome to the cutting edge, Aida. You're part of the family."

A soldier stood on the wagon and shouted at the top of his voice. "We have a new sister!"

"Hoya!" shouted all the soldiers walking and in the wagon three times raising their weapons. The sound of a spear striking the shield was loud, celebrating the woman's arrival.

All the walking soldiers started singing together, and a soldier in the wagon picked up a guitar and played it. Someone is eating their candy smiling.

"Thank you, everyone," the sentence came out slowly.

The journey away from Tabot's house to the Keln area takes a long time. Soldiers spent the day talking to their comrades. Aida, who was the only northerner, didn't talk to a single person on the wagon. Don't understand their language and what they want to talk about. She only saw the scenery of the journey up the small hills. From the height, she could see a vast field of grass in the distance. Aida gaped, seeing something beautiful.

"It's beautiful," she murmured.

"Grasslands are easy to find in the south," said the inquisitor. "What is beautiful here are the mountains," Nazeir answered Ada's murmur. "And I haven't seen the taiga in the north."

"You are ridiculous, Nazeir. If you cross the mountains in my village, you can see the pine trees. And further from there, you find the spring for our village," he paused. "Yeah, except for our sulfur where we used to soak."

"Do you know why I like taiga and you like grass fields?"

"Because we live in different places? Where something exotic in my world becomes commonplace in yours."

"Exactly. That's why things like this exist in the world. We were born to know each other."

"Then, I'm lucky to meet you."

"I can tell you the same," they both laughed. "Hopefully you will see something almost beautiful with it. The fields to the south are much wider and beautiful. Behind my 'house' we have a vast field of flowers. Everything is decorated with colors that are striking in their beauty. And when I sit outside, I used to set my eyes on the flowers. From day to night I will look at it, make this heart calm."

"I want to see it."

"Maybe after we get back. Now, we need to go somewhere first."

There smiled at the sight. The cart running on the uneven road, made their journey a little rocky. Everyone in the wagon jumps from their seats every time there is a rock to be run over. The smile on Aida's lips slowly disappeared. He looked down at the uneven road, then looked at the inquisitor who was sitting with his eyes closed.

"Nazeir?" Aida grabbed the inquisitor's shoulder.

The man opened his eyes, and saw the woman's frowning face.

"Where are you taking us?"

"You want to know?" Nazeir sat at the end of his bench, approaching Ada. "Think of it as a picnic, Aida. Just enjoy the view first, I'll tell you where we are."

"Can't you tell me now?"

"I could, but I want you to find out when we're close."

"If you could, could you tell me now?"

"How about a quiz?" Nazeir dodge her question. "I'll let you through with a game. We've got plenty of time to spend."

"Then why are you sleeping?"

Nazeir looked around, trying not to look at the woman.

"I was just thinking, Aida. It's nothing."

"And why are you leading these soldiers? Soldiers filled with southerners. And they are in the north!?"

Aida was getting tensed.

"Okay, Aida. You should-"

"What are you planning, Nazeir?" she cuts. "First you ask about the northern soldiers that I saw. Then take me to a group of soldiers that I don't know at all!"

All the soldiers in the wagon glanced at the two people who were speaking. Especially Aida who started asking questions to the inquisitor.

"Nazeir, what are you doing? What are you going to do?" Aida's body began to look shivering, and not from cold. "You know I'm worried now?"

Nazeir sat up straight, facing the woman who was frightened and trapped in the group of Nazeir's soldiers. Aida was stared at by the inquisitor. He could hear her heartbeat and her breathing began to quicken. The woman's closed body made the inquisitor feel shunned.

"I- we are family, Aida. I want you to know."

Ada continued to look at the inquisitor uncomfortably.

"We are not bound by blood, race, language. Rather, we share the same goal."

"W-what do you mean by all that?"

"Before I continue with this explanation. I want you to believe me, okay? Don't do anything rash. Got it?"

"Believe what?"

"Come on, Aida."

"I want an explanation," she said breathlessly.

"Promise to believe in me."

Aida didn't know what to say, she nodded with her eyebrows frowning.

"I-I trust you."

"Thank you. I know you're confused about all this. And of course because of your long journey too." Nazeir stretched and made room for the woman. "Are you familiar with some of the legends of the southerners?"

"I don't understand what you want to make clear from this."

"Try to answer yes or no, Aida."

The woman was silent for a moment, then leaned back as well.

"I know a few," she said, looking away.

"Do you know anything about demons?"

"I know. Some of the villagers spoke when they saw it."

"Good. Does that mean you believe they really exist?"

Aida nodded.

"What about demens?"

"I do not know."

"Demens, are a person or a living being who is insane, or we can call them crazy. Insanity comes from the work of mutation. Unlike demons who come from magic, mutations come from the work of humans. Just take the work of a healer or wrong scientist doing an experiment."

"You said scientist?"

"Right."

"I heard about them from the folk tales of the north."

"And what did you hear?"

"Some versions I have heard. Some say they are kidnappers. Some explain it further, they say that scientists use their people as rats. Those who are kidnapped will end up with a terrible death."

"And maybe that's what they want you to think."

"What do you think, Nazeir?"

"Yeah... if you ask me, that's a person who comes from and lives in the south. If you don't know, north and south are two different worlds. Where northerners seek help with sorcerers, southerners seek help with scientists."

"But aren't they-"

"They are more human than the sorcerers who seek knowledge that... that can't be used by just anyone. Scientists seek knowledge for the common good, and if they abducted someone, it could be for your and my benefits. That's only one side about them, and I'm sure the origin of the story is from the sorcerers in the north," hot breath in the cold air escaped Nazeir's nose. "We. You and I. There is a very wide difference. While your kingdom is guarding sorcerers, my southern kingdom is guarding scientists."

"Do you think scientists are still around?"

Nazeir was silent for a moment.

"I don't know. They could be dead. What's important is, in the end, what you heard was something that sorcerers made to shape your hate towards us southerners."

"What about the story of a scientist's pet who is a mutant. Is it a mere story to vilify scientists?"

"Yes, that's true, but they also have freedom and live like humans. However, they have different things from us. Two eyes can't tell if they're an ordinary human or a mutant."

"Are these mutants the same as demens?"

"As the name suggests. Demens means crazy, insane. Unlike those mutants you call; they live like us, think like us, eat and drink, and talk too. Probably have feelings of love and affection too."

"But what they're doing is definitely unethical. Am I right?"

"What do you mean by 'unethical'?"

"I mean," Aida stuttered. "They kidnap people, turn humans into mutants without the person's own permission. Ruin their lives, and that's also if they're not mistaken when conducting experiments like what you said."

"You know, I could say the same to a sorcerer's face. It's almost the same as what you said."

"What's wrong with sorcerers? All my life they've done is helping us. Those who are sick; healed. Those in need; showered with riches."

"Really? What have they done to you. Let's see your village in the middle of nowhere, what did they do to you?" Nazeir move closer. "What do sorcerers do when your life is ruined by debt?"

Aida's face became uncomfortable with Nazeir's words.

"I used to believe in the mindset that sorcerers weren't all bad, Ada. I once talked to myself, don't judge people by their appearance. Maybe I'm the only person in the south who sees sorcerers as good people. But along the way time, things change. Don't let them make you like that, Aida."

The horse carriage they were riding stopped at the side of the road. Along the way, they don't realize when time is running fast. They were in the middle of a tall, lined pine forest. The sun that has fallen is replaced by the moon. However, the light could not enter the dense forest.

The soldiers rushed to make camp. Each of the ten soldiers helped each other to build their tents. Nazeir on the other hand had nothing with him, except for the things attached to his body. He only brought armor, boots, and pocketed belt.

"Oh, we seem to need some rest. Night is falling fast it seems here. We'd better make a camp," Nazeir's voice lowered.

Nazeir whistled to the soldiers who were in his wagon, they immediately got down with the tent equipment they had brought. Nazeir reached out his hand to Aida. The woman was initially motionless and only looked at the inquisitor in fear, then she took hold of the man's arm. The inquisitor carried Aida down, and helped her walk with a slight limp. Hundreds of soldiers made camp in the middle of the forest where they were. Some have traveled to the forest in search of wood from dead trees or ordinary branches.

Nazeir dropped Aida right in front of the tent, waiting for the soldier to wake the tent. The sound of a hammer driving a nail into the ground was heard in the tall tree forest. Hundreds of tents were quickly set up by each team of ten soldiers. Ten soldiers from the three hundred soldiers that Nazeir led, made thirty tents that were put up by the Nazeir soldiers.

Aida looked towards the edge of the forest where the herd of horses and carts were. The animals were guarded by soldiers who were armed and armored from head to toe. While looking around, a group of soldiers came carrying branches to make a small bonfire in front of their tent and three other soldiers' tents were sharing the fire with Nazeir and Aida.

When the soldiers finished building the tent, they immediately helped to set the bonfire on fire. The fire swallowed the wood burning, the soldiers clapped their hands.

"Time to rest Aida. Tomorrow is our big day. Save your energy, you need it tomorrow." Nazeir waved to a soldier who carried a mattress tie on his shoulder. "Andre!" called him, "bring the mat over here."

The soldier dropped his mat and untied the rope. Ten mats unrolled. Nazeir took a mat and carried it into the tent. He spread it out and called Aida outside. The woman came with her sore leg and was bandaged.

"It's not as comfortable as in the tavern or back camp at An-Ru's house," Nazeir showed Ada the tent which wasn't that wide. "But this is what we have."

Aida entered the tent which was empty. Nazeir saw her already on her mat, gave a smile before closing the tent cloth. There was silence alone in the darkness of the tent, she just sat and rested her chin on her knees. Waiting for the night to end quickly.

II

Aida opened her eyes. Seeing the contents of the tent remains empty. She fell asleep in her seat, and woke in a lying position to the sound of the crowd outside. Her bedtime was fast, she just sat up and instantly woke up to a new day. The woman stood up and opened the tent door. The sun was already in the morning sky, she seemed to be fast asleep. The soldiers had already lowered their tents and taken them to their carts.

A soldier came and started talking to Aida. The woman just saw the soldier talking to her, and she still didn't understand what the man was saying to her. The man gave a gesture that tried to make the woman understand. Aida shook her head not understanding what the soldier was saying.

"Horse," said the soldier, jumping up.

"Horse? Jump?" Aida scratched her head.

The soldier nodded and pointed at the wagon she was using earlier. Aida gave a long "o", telling the soldier she understood. The man helped Aida walk to the cart.

Nazeir was there, standing and talking to the three soldiers who wore feather crests on top of their helmets that extended from right to left of the helmet. When Aida arrived, she was standing behind the soldiers facing Nazeir. They spoke a language Aida didn't know, and assumed it was a southerner's language. After speaking, all the soldiers walked away and shouted loudly at their troops.

"Nazeir," Ada called. "We going now?"

"Sure. Have you ever wielded a dagger before?"

"Why?"

"Just in case. We're in the wild," Nazeir pulled a dagger from his waist and handed the sharp object to Aida. "Come on, I'll help you up."

"What is it-"

Nazeir picked up the woman before speaking, placing her on the wagon they were about to sit on. Five other soldiers came and boarded the wagon, Nazeir just encouraged them to move fast. When everything was ready, Nazeir got on his wagon and knocked on the wagon wood. The coachman started walking, and followed the line of soldiers in front of him.

It was quieter than usual. The soldiers in the wagons remained silent and held their spears tightly. Nazeir looked at each of the soldiers and gave them advice, Aida could only be silent and watch them talk. She began to grow uncomfortable. The woman rested her head on the edge of the wagon, watching the soldiers behind her walk in a line following the one in front.

"Hey," Nazeir called. "Why are you quiet?"

Aida didn't move her body at all.

"Anything that bothers you? Maybe a headache from thinking? Just get it out, your burden is our burden."

"I just..." he sighed. He growled and turned to the man. "You, Nazeir. You!"

"Me?"

All the soldiers looked at the two of them, until the soldier who was following the wagon immediately raised his head.

"You!" Aida shouted before her voice sank sadly. "You scare me."

When Nazeir glanced at the soldiers around him, the men immediately turned their heads away from them.

"I didn't mean to, Aida. I-" Nazeir reassured. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pressure you with all this or our conversation yesterday. I knew I was wrong at the time, but I chose to press. What an idiot I was."

Aida pouted, glanced at Nazeir who had a smile on his face. The corners of the lips lifted slightly, as did the woman's gaze on the inquisitor.

"Well... at least now you understand what I'm feeling."

As the two exchanged smiles, the line of soldiers stopped walking. Nazeir stood up, directing his gaze to the front of the line. A soldier with a helmet crested with red fur came to the wagon where Nazeir was. He stopped right beside the wagon, facing Nazeir on his mount.

"What's the situation?" Nazeir asked.

"The scouts information is correct, though some."

"You mean some?"

"There's a group of sorcerers coming in, and it looks like someone has come to take a look too."

"Come and loo- who is it?"

"Master Tabot and third group are coming."

"And what happened to Jurko?"

"Perhaps Master Tabot knows what happened to the general."

"Take me to them."

Nazeir jumped down and walked to the front of the wagon. He untied the horse's rope that connected the cart, and immediately rode quickly to the front row.

Nazeir and one of his company commanders got off their horses, walking up the hill where Tabot and his guards were. When they were on top of the hill, they could all see a vast mine in the open tundra plain.

The forests have been cut and burned in the surrounding area. Soldier barracks replaced the forest surrounding the deep mines. Carts could be seen going up and down from and to the green crystal mine. However, from all the wagons going in and out, Nazeir couldn't see a single green crystal being carried.

"Tabot, what is this?"

"Exploitation, Nazeir. Slaves especially," Tabot handed Nazeir a pair of binoculars he was holding.

Nazeir looked at all the slaves, the guard soldiers, and up to the sorcerer's guarding the mines and slaves.

"About two kilometers in diameter. One kilometer deep? I can't see from here," Tabot explained. "How deep it is, that place must be dangerous."

"How do we destroy all of this?"

"Different, with other mines. Looks like we found a green crystal mining center. We will dance with death this time, Nazeir."

"We'll dance on, Tabot. Till we die of exhaustion."

"I'm glad to hear that, Nazeir," he said proudly. "Now, I want to tell you something."

Nazeir looked at the scientist.

"Change of plans."

"What?"

"Closing the mine is impossible. It's too big, we need another idea. And it seems your idea is the best idea," he objected. "We might have a big breakthrough if we know the interior of this mine, however."

"However? I thought you-"

"Listen, Nazeir. Sending women into a mine filled with people like this. Don't you think it's too much for her. She's still young and untrained for this."

"And do you have any other ideas, Tabot?"

"We can send our female or male soldier down there."

"Could they speak northern language?

The scientist was silent confused, did not have an answer.

"All right. Your idea, your call."

Nazeir summoned the company commander.

"Bring the girl here!"

"Okay, boss!"

The soldier immediately rode back to the ranks of the Nazeir Company soldiers.

III

"Welcome to Keln. The great mine of sorcerers."

Aida stood before the sight of Cologne destroyed by mining. She walked forward, seeing the enormous Keln mines. Nazeir offered the woman a pair of binoculars, which she immediately took. Aida looked around the place, and what she thought of the sorcerers began to wear away.

"This isn't true. Maybe- maybe it's not the sorcerers guild. Maybe they are-"

"Aida," Nazeir cut her off. "You know what really happened. Don't fight that feeling."

"But they're really good people. I'm honest with you two."

Aida saw the faces of Tabot and Nazeir, both of them were silent and lowered their heads.

"Sorry, my child," said Tabot. "But that's not true."

When Aida denied that, Nazeir was approached by a commander who gave him a cloth secretly.

"No, I know they are light-hearted and soft-hearted," Aida said firmly.

"Then," Nazeir walked, giving the woman a dirty cloth. "If you don't believe me, then try going there."

Aida looked at the dirty clothes, she looked at it as if she was looking at something she knew very well.

"You are certainly no stranger to this life aren't you. Full of despair, there is no way out," Nazeir spoke softly beside her ear. "Put this on, and try change everything. See what really happens."