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They used to tell us Miracles were bestowed upon those whose blood is favored by the Gods-that they were the chosen ones, destined to represent their divine might, those of noble birth raised as pillars for the betterment of the common folk.
But why are the people starving?
Why did the streets still run with tears and blood?
Maybe it's not nobles the people need, but an anchor-an artifact. A thing the people can use for themselves.
An artifact-like the Water Goblet.
The passing summer wind added even more weight to my discomfort, as it dried the inside of my nose when I inhaled, somehow feeling as though the air was more suffocating now than the last Sun Phase.
I stopped by a water merchant, but my focus lingered on the beads of sweat forming on my brow. It felt as though my body had begun crying on its own, despite me wearing the lightest armor I owned.
"One large copper coin, young miss."
The sharp tone snapped me back to my senses.
The burly vendor took a filled waterskin from his cart, handing it to me with his right hand while demanding payment with his left.
That much... just for water?
Thoughts passed through me.
I instinctively swallowed, hoping it would ease the ache of my thirst.
My shoulders straightened on its own and my chin lowered-a posture that had been drilled into me since childhood.
"Quit stalling the line, lass," the man said sternly, shaking his left hand impatiently. "If you don't have the coin, then scram!"
"Wait-I have it. I'll pay." I pulled a large copper coin from my hefty drawstring pouch and handed it to him.
"I'm just shocked it costs this much for one waterskin." I rubbed the back of my head with a forced smile, laughing my embarrassment off.
"Take your chances at a water well then," he snapped. "Move along!"
The man threw the waterskin at my face. I barely caught it with both hands before another customer shoved me aside, eager for his turn.
"Rude."
"Huh?" The customer whipped his head at me with a glare.
I cleared my throat before adjusting myself, remembering how a well adjusted young lady was expected to behave.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, waving a dismissive hand.
I stepped aside and opened the waterskin.
The water was warm and the skin was barely full-but my cracked lips welcomed it all the same.
The same could not be said for the people collapsed along the searing road, the refugees from the fallen Kingdom of Rudenheilm. My eyes traced the misery before me-men scorched by the sun's relentless embrace. Some clung to the shade of stone walls, while others lay beside dried wells, hands stretched out in silent pleas for alms.
"Why?" I asked myself as I clutched the hilt of the sword at my hip.
Was surviving a plague not enough suffering?
Must they trade one torment for another?
Why?
These thoughts rambled endlessly as I watched them waste away, while the citizens of this kingdom just walked to and fro-living their lives like there's nothing wrong in front of them.
My ears perked at the heavy footsteps echoing down the High Road, beating against the stone like war drums as they advanced toward the city center, the heart of Raveroan City.
They raise their banners, the sigil of Areboor Kingdom. A roaring lion, eyes like torches, its mane dancing like flames-like rays of the sun.
Patrolling guards-well equipped in red gambesons layered with minimal armor, just enough to endure the heat without collapsing. Even so, I doubted any amount of training could prepare them for the sun's fury.
My attention shifts before noticing that among them walked the town prefect, Razen Saulus Asera.
He carried himself with dignified poise befitting his title, the same composure he displayed before the King and the nobles.
Black fur coat hugged his shoulders, contrasting the pure snow garb he had on, a golden cross of the Sunlit Scriptures swaying on his neck.
His sun-like eyes dim, lifelessly staring straight ahead as he flipped open the lid of a gold pocket watch.
"Please, my lord!"
Desperation clung to the air, the plea carried by the warm wind.
"Spare us some coins! My children are thirsty!"
A woman threw herself at the prefect's feet, shaking a chipped wooden bowl against the stone.
The prefect didn't falter, unnerved by the scene, staring down at the woman without a word. As if on cue, one of the guards stepped forward the moment the prefect snapped his pocket watch shut.
"Scum, watch yourself!" the guard barked, brandishing his spear as it glinted beneath the sun.
The woman clung to him instead, grasping the hem of his gambeson despite the weapon poised to end her life. The prefect continued watching, unfazed to the brutality present.
"Please, have mercy, good sir! Save our souls!"
"We sheltered you within our walls, shared our water reserves, and you still dare beg for alms?" the guard snarled. "Pray to your God!"
He kicked her away-again, and again, and again-until she collapsed into herself, bruises blooming across her pale skin. The other refugees watched in silence, none daring to intervene.
"If you want to fill your stomach, sell yourself to a brothel, you stupid wh-"
The words split the air, my ears ringing before he could finish.
I had heard tales of injustice within the kingdom's walls but I never knew how bad it truly was. My hand trembled over the hilt of my sword, desperate to draw it-yet something stopped me.
The prefect.
He stood rigid, visibly unsettled.
I took a step forward, then froze as hesitation clawed at my nerves.
I can't risk exposing myself, not in front of the prefect, at least.
The thought echoed relentlessly. What if I got caught?
If I drew my blade, I could help.
If I didn't-
"Mother!"
A young boy-barely younger than myself-ran to the battered woman.
"You monsters!" he shielded the woman behind him.
Hate burned in his eyes.
Anger.
Grief.
The woman pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly, refusing to meet anyone's gaze. She said nothing.
The guard clenched his fist, ready to strike again-but stopped as the prefect resumed walking, flipping his pocket watch open once more.
The guard spat onto the stone. "There's your water."
The woman began to sing softly, a lullaby meant to soothe her son as he stared at the retreating guards, fury and sorrow warring within him.
"Sleep now, my sweet summer child, and dream.
I have the Water Goblet-don't you frown.
A sip you shall have from the overflowing stream.
Just promise me this, in this day of lown:
That you'll wake next to me when the sun starts to dim."
She hugged him tighter, patting his head gently.
Something stirred within me-a familiar ache, perhaps a memory I could barely remember. Before I realized it, I stood before them.
My hand moved on its own, reaching into my pouch. I pulled out every large copper coin my fingers could grasp.
Seven coins.
Enough for a week's worth of water. Perhaps even a decent meal.
The boy glared at me, anger still present, though dulled now by sorrow, as I dropped the coins into the bowl.
"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" the woman clasped my hands, her blistered fingers trembling against mine. "Praise be upon you, kind miss." She lowered her head so low it reached the searing stone road.
A smile found its way to my lips as I turned to leave. Behind me, I heard her voice brighten.
"Myro, find your sister! Look-we have enough to buy water!"
I felt eyes around me, looking at me. I know I made a choice, and I accept the consequences. For them.
I continued on, my thoughts racing.
I "could" make a difference. I could help-here. Just as what my late mother would.
I know it's not a myth. I will find the Water Goblet.
Not for kings.
Not for nobles.
But for the people-these refugees.
A few more steps brought me to my destination, the infamous Roaring Tavern, home of the Adventurer's Guild.
Refugees slept silently against the wall beside its entrance. Above them hung a guild poster marked, "High Priority."
A missing noble.
A lost prince.
A reward enough to buy two lifetimes of luxury.
"4th Prince Von Ehlio Aremetria Fonse."
My heart skips a beat.
So soon? I've only been away for a day!
Dark scribbles stained the parchment, reeking of an unknown liquid that churned my stomach.
But the words scrawled across it struck deeper.
"Death to all Royalty!"
My skin crawled, exhaling sharply as I forced the fear to leave my body. I pushed open the tavern door with trembling hands, the poster still etched on my mind.
With a creak, all eyes turned toward me.
Some men chuckled at my presence. Others barely noticed.
Was it the slenderness of my sword?
My small stature?
The way my hair fell loose along my shoulders?
My eyes starts to dart around the guild hall, crowded despite the heat. Adventurers slumped over long tables, armor discarded like shed skins. The laughter inside hit me like a wave, contrasting the cries outside that is still echoing in my ears. I gritted my teeth, casting aside my own discomfort, and entered the guild.
I sighed, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers before stepping forward toward the guild receptionist.
"I'd like to commission a request, please."
Hope crept into my voice as despair faded.
"Finding the Water Goblet."
