Emma and Frederick packs the boxes neatly and count all the items they will take. There are thirty loaves of bread for 15 soldiers, a large pot of broth, and a bottle of liquor. The soldier had reminded Emma that she didn't need to bring any other kitchen utensils, as there were plenty in the fort's pantry.
With everything packed and ready, Frederick heads outside, carrying two large wooden boxes, and Emma follows shortly after, carrying the bottle of liquor. Fortunately, the garrison is not too far away, and the walk won't be long and exhausting.
The small border town looks melancholic at night. During the day, despite the constant reminder of war with the presence of soldiers, there are also many merchants and caravans. Even with stricter border control, many foreigners seek refuge in the nation of Valnor.
It's funny to think that the safest place on the continent would be a country engaged in conflicts with smaller nations. The old King Hellyon III led decades of military campaigns in search of territory and wealth.
The two friends walk alone down a narrow street with red brick buildings, in a neighborhood surrounded by similar structures, like markets and bars. Most of them are closed, except for those that only operate at night. Few people are walking on the street, hurrying to enter their homes.
The local weather is pleasant, and Emma manages to forget the kitchen's heat. The neighborhood is well lit, with the full moon at its zenith and orange-flamed lanterns illuminating the streets.
"Forgive me for all this trouble, Emma. Our supplier left us without notice."
Says Frederick, breaking the silence that lasted only a few seconds after they left the inn. He walks ahead of Emma and turns his head back to look at her. With his face completely covered by the helmet, his muffled voice is low, and Emma hurries to get closer to hear him better.
"No need to apologize, Fred. The extra money will help me a lot, and there are no guests at the inn today. It's okay!"
Now closer to the soldier, Emma cross arms with him, getting even closer, like a couple. Once again, she notices that beneath the armor, Frederick is trembling because she is so close to him.
"You've told me a lot about your family, Fred, but you've never told me what your village was like. I feel like I almost know your sisters, your mother, and even the farm animals. Hahaha!"
Emma laughs as she recalls the funny stories Frederick had shared.
"There's not much to say. The farm is a few kilometers from the village where we used to go to the central market to sell cheese and bread. We would buy what we couldn't produce there."
For a few seconds, the young soldier slows down and tilts his head up, trying to remember more details about his homeland.
"Oh yes... the village is near a mountain. The mountain served as a trade outpost, so it was sometimes busy. Since the village was very small, and the market was right in the middle, the smell of spices, drinks, and other goods was always in the air."
Frederick laughs nostalgically as he recalls home. A mix of joy and longing fills his voice as he remembers more details.
"But, in reality, I spent more time at home. The farm had a small field of yellow wheat, a river that passed behind the house, and a reddish dirt road. Not far away, there was a forest with many fruits, and when the wind shifted, the sweet scent came toward our house. Ah, how I miss it..."
Even without seeing Frederick's face, Emma knows he's no longer smiling. Like so many other young people, he was conscripted and forced to go to the border and eventually participate in raids on a rival nation. The aggressive military campaign even affected families in the countryside, which were relatively far from the war zone.
"And you, Emma? You've told me that you were raised in a sort of orphanage, but you haven't told me much about your country. The other soldiers say it's quite different from here."
Trying not to let Emma notice the homesickness weighing on his heart, the soldier tries to distract her by asking about her homeland, about which she has spoken very little.
"I'm sorry for making you feel homesick, Fred. I also feel that way sometimes, but there are so many tasks that I end up not thinking about it much."
Emma squeezes Frederick's arm, trying to give him some warmth and comfort, knowing that he truly misses his home and family.
"And the desert is indeed very different from here. It's very hot, but there's also a lot of wind. Here, it took me some time to get used to sleeping without hearing it. There are also difficulties, like when there's no water in the well, and we have to walk quite a distance to the nearest source..."
Emma releases Frederick's arm and walks ahead, facing him, walking backward with a big smile on her face.
"Once a year, all the smaller families gather at the home of the Al-Nazari family matriarch to celebrate the Great Moon Harvest. A seven-day and seven-night festival, with tables full of fresh fruits, succulent meats, exotic drinks, energetic music, and dancing. The elders tell stories they heard from the sands, like the one about the giant serpent that dug the earth and brought the red sands to the surface. They say its tears gave rise to water springs, and its teeth shone like gold in the sun..."
In a joyful impulse, Emma twirls in front of Frederick, with a radiant smile, hugging the bottle she carries in her hands. She dances to an imaginary melody, humming a sibilant, almost inaudible sound through her lips, but still enchanting. Emma's melodious sibilance and graceful dance movements seem to hypnotize Frederick, making him slow down until he eventually stops walking. His eyes are fixed on Emma, completely captivated by this unique spectacle, illuminated by the moon's bluish glow.
"Emma... this is so beautiful. The stories you tell, everything is so magical and mysterious. You are... so lovely."
The soldier, completely enchanted, speaks slowly and through his teeth, standing in the middle of the path. Emma stops singing and looks at him with a smile, holding her hands behind her back, still holding the bottle.
"What am I, Fred? I didn't hear you; I'm sorry."
Sarcastically, Emma heard perfectly well what he said, but she never tires of teasing the poor guy, who is clearly falling more and more in love with her.
"I-I-I... n-n-no, no! I said that this festival is magical; it must be so beautiful!"
The young man almost drops the boxes, provoking more laughter from Emma. She approaches him, signaling for them to continue walking.
"Thank you! Yes, it's very beautiful. There are many stories and mysteries hidden in the red sands. The people are very welcoming to travelers too. Many other cultures have influenced the way we see the world. But unfortunately, the war has made people see everything in a somewhat different, more suspicious... worse way."
For a moment, the young woman looks down, feeling a bit disheartened, but she quickly regains her smile and her bright almond eyes.
"But I have faith that all of this will end as soon as possible!"
The soldier quickens his pace and nods his head positively, agreeing with Emma's words.
"Yes! I want that too... I want to see your country one day and participate in those festivals. In better circumstances, of course."
Frederick chooses his words carefully when speaking to Emma, knowing that a war divides the two countries. At the moment, going there would be a death sentence for him or anyone who found him.
"Thank you. You don't know how grateful I am to see someone in your position having this mindset. I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart."
The young woman gazes at Frederick with such radiance that it could melt his heart even if he were covered by one armor inside another. The young man also looks at her with a sincere, loving gaze, knowing that she is a foreigner from a rival nation and has surely suffered because of it.
The walk lasts a few more minutes, and it doesn't take long for them to finally see the front of the military fort. As they approach, the imposing military structure rises before them. Its massive walls, constructed with gray stone blocks, reach heights that almost seem to touch the night sky. Tall watchtowers stand above the wall, revealing solid defense. Each tower proudly displays high flames that cast a menacing glow on the ground.
The torches along the approach path illuminated the main entrance, but they also cast sinister dancing shadows on the stone floor.
The massive gate rises, flanked by statues of alert warriors. A sense of domination and power fills the air, a constant reminder of this country's military strength. Emma watches the scene with a determined and focused look, for she is in the place she has longed for so much, the center of enemy operations.
Shortly before they continue, Frederick calls Emma, who is right in front of him. In a slightly more serious tone, which is unusual for him, he says, "Emma, please don't stray from me. A civilian can't enter the fort, especially at night. Besides, not all soldiers share... the same view I have of your people. But I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."
Emma nods in agreement, but in her mind, she knows she can protect herself even if she were completely alone. Still, she maintains the appearance of vulnerability to avoid arousing suspicion.
As they approach the gates, two soldiers stand guard side by side. As soon as they notice Frederick's presence, they start teasing each other:
"Hello, Frederick! Is dinner finally here?" says the shorter soldier on the right, whose voice sounds deeper.
"We were almost starving here!" the slightly taller, thinner soldier on the left laughed, adding to the first.
"Here it is! Yes, we'll eat well tonight, gentlemen."
Frederick responds with a short laugh as he continues to walk towards them.
"Good evening, miss. Thank you for saving our lives tonight."
Says the soldier on the left, bowing his head and body, showing respect. His behavior is reprimanded by the soldier beside him, who nudges him with his shoulder, making a metallic sound in his armor. Emma smiles gently and makes a soft hand gesture, following the man's movement.
The two soldiers wear closed helmets, making it impossible to distinguish their faces. However, the difference between them is noticeable: the soldier on the right has a shorter stature but is still robust and has a deeper voice, while the soldier on the left is a bit more agile in his words and gestures. Both don't seem much older than Emma or Frederick.
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