by Ervin Agayan
“I meant to give it to the mercenaries as a front payment for teaching,” snarled Arsy. “I knew they didn’t teach outsiders, so I thought they’d immediately agree if I offered a good deal of money.” Arsy took a deep breath and looked at his knees, paralyzed with pain. “But if I overcome these stupid trials, they’ll teach me for free, so I’d rather not spoil my relationship with Nihena. Let her keep it as pocket money.”
Arsy’s voice sounded calm, but deep in his heart, he was as furious as a hungry wolf. What incredible impudence, robbing a thief!
Zens was a bit surprised by his friend’s calmness, but on the other hand, he was grateful to him since he was still feeling guilty for his half-heartedness.
“I can’t believe it! It’s the first time I’ve been robbed,” smirked Arsy. “Now, I see why Nihena insisted on me getting undressed for the trial. It was her suggestion, not the sensei’s.”
“Yeah, you are absolutely right.” Zens nodded. “I also found it weird that she started insisting you go through the trial half-naked, since it wasn’t essential for the sensei.”
“Let her choke on that money,” Arsy said through his teeth in a hushed voice.
“Do you think the mercenaries are very rich?” asked Zens. He was so angry with Nihena that he was thinking of vengeance.
“Incredibly,” reassured Arsy, “for catching Erathos alone, they are paid huge deals of money.”
Arsy was well-aware of it, for he was personally paying a part of those sums.
“I wonder where they keep their wealth,” Zens asked matter-of-factly, rubbing his hands. He hadn’t been into his robbing job in a long time and had been missing it.
“You are the most artful thief in Agastan, so you’d better ask yourself,” laughed Arsy. “But if you want to know my opinion, I stake on the basement of one of the local castles, and I would say that castle is probably under round-the-clock surveillance.”
“You are likely to be right.” Zens nodded. “I suggest we be more attentive and find out in which castle they keep their wealth. We might need this information.”
“By the way, guess what striking news I learned today,” Zens exclaimed out of the blue and blurted out without waiting for his friend’s response. “There are no shops in Mozakon!”
This essential inconvenience put all the guests of the city into a state shock. Of course, there were small stalls and a market, where the locals sold the goods they grew with their own hands, but the bulk of goods, including food, construction materials, fabrics, beverages, and other things, was delivered from neighboring Morestan, which was the mercenaries’ cultural and education center. The trade routes were put on track millennia ago and had remained unchanged since then; however, all the generations of city authorities were smart enough not to rely on one single supply route. After all, the city could be left without food supplies in case an evil-wisher blocked the route. Therefore, for many years, provisions were accumulated in the city barns and warehouses in case of a lasting siege, and the local production of certain products, though in small volumes, still helped maintain the economy in the city. Mozakon had its tailor shops, an armory, and a cheese-making factory.
Besides, the city was regularly visited by time-tested merchants, who brought all kinds of curies and outlandish delicacies from other regions. Thus, even though Mozakon was deprived of most trading priorities, it was still able to maintain an average level of life.
Despite its inaccessibility, severe climate, and inconveniences in terms of commerce, as well as deserted and neglected districts, Mozakon remained a dream-city, a legendary place that enticed with its mysteriousness and covertness. Everyone dreamed to find a way to the city, but very few were lucky to be there.
The news about the absence of shops had no effect on Arsy; first of all, he already knew it, and second, he simply didn’t need any shops.
Sensei Farin came back in a while. The master’s coming heralded the end of Arsy’s painful trial, but when the old man told him he passed it, Arsy and Zens were as happy as ever, despite the fact the first couldn’t feel his legs.
However, their happiness wasn’t lasting; with a sinister smile on his face, Sensei Farin informed them that Arsy had to go through another trial. The master didn’t tell them what exactly it would be, but he promised to lay all the cards on the table during supper.
Seeing Sensei Farin, Nihena finally got down, or rather deftly jumped off the branch, doing an elegant somersault in the air, and went up to them.
“My congratulations, Arsy.” She tapped him on the shoulder so Arsy almost lost his balance and fell. “To be honest, I didn’t expect you to pass the trial. You really left me wondering.”
“It’s too soon for congratulations,” Arsy said, disgruntled. “Sensei Farin said there’s another trial ahead of me.”
“Don’t worry.” The girl winked. “If you passed this one, you’ll pass others too. This trial is over. You may stand up.”
It was only then that Arsy realized he was still kneeling on the gravel stones. The logic goes, he was supposed to jump on his feet cheerfully barely hearing that the trial was over, but his legs were so numb that he was unable to rise. With great efforts, he shifted his weight on one side and flopped down, like a sack of potatoes.
“I don’t feel my legs,” he whined and waved to Nihena. “You go; we’ll join you later.”
After warning them not to be late for supper, Nihena threw a compassionate glance at him and left, following the sensei. It was only in half an hour that Arsy somewhat started feeling his legs. In another ten minutes, he was finally able to stand up with Zens’s help, and leaning against his friend’s loyal shoulder, he made his way to the sitting room, cursing Erathos, the stupid trials, Sensei Farin, and damned Nihena. They decided to keep the syringe with the remaining painkiller for the time being; it could still come in handy after all.
The same evening, Arsy went to the veranda, which offered a gorgeous view of the city. Here, he could enjoy the amazing sunset in utmost privacy. He associated sunsets with Parelia, remembering her every time he watched the sunset. She adored sunsets, and he adored her. Now, watching the reddish sun gradually hiding behind the horizon, dyeing the sky in all shades of purple, Arsy remembered the princess’s wonderful eyes, her silky hair, and her pleasant, sonorous laughter. He burned with the desire to be by her side, admiring such a beautiful sunset while holding her hand.
The Princess and Sunsets
Realizing Arsy’s true personality, Parelia feared such a criminal, but on the other hand, like a naughty child, she was eager to keep their communication going, for there was a time when she was burning with desire to get to know him.
The evening turned out to be quiet and windless. The river stretched to the horizon on all sides, framed by low-growing trees and bushes, with the lower branches practically lying on the water’s surface. Their verdure gradually acquired various shades of yellow and orange, with occasional green leaves, creating a true kaleidoscope of colors around the river.
There was a cozy site on the left bank, where a thick branch had bent to the ground, serving as a solid bench immediately at the water’s edge. That day, in the evening, Arsy met Parelia again, sitting on the same log. This time, he took a seat on its far end at a distance from her.
“What are you thinking about?” Parelia asked after a long silence. She felt Arsy’s unwavering gaze on her the entire time, and when she turned her head and made sure she was right, she smiled.
“I am thinking, I was lucky to go for a walk with Erik; otherwise, I’d never know the world has such a beauty like you.”
Parelia noticed a sparkle in Arsy’s eyes. “Everything is relative in the world. You may find me beautiful; others may not,” the princess remarked philosophically.
“If even one person in Agastan says you are not beautiful, I will throw myself down from the edge. I know many high society girls, but none of them can compare to you.” The criminal shook his head.
“Even the prince
ss?” Parelia smiled, artfully narrowing her lids. Why don’t you remember me? The question flashed in her mind again.
“No, except for her. I told you I’ve seen her from a distance.” At that moment, Arsy had déjà vu, as though he had known Arpy previously.
“I wondered if you were interested in getting to know her.”
Arsy was still scrutinizing Arpy thoughtfully, trying to recall when and where he could have met her.
“Of course I was, but my business was more important than that. Had I come in view, she’d take interest in me, and everything would be revealed. And besides, the princess might have fallen in love with me after barely setting her eyes on me,” smirked Arsy.
“And what’s so bad about that?” Parelia asked apprehensively.
“Erik would kill me. That’s it!” joked Arsy.
“Hey, were you kidding me on the ship, when you said Erik was supposed to marry Parelia?”
“No.”
“What about Erik and Erania? Are they going to break up?”
“How do I know?” Arsy shrugged his shoulders. “I’m telling you what the prophecy suggests.”
“So, the prophet said he is supposed to marry Parelia, didn’t he?” The girl frowned.
“No, we saw an episode from the future, where the people were exclaiming, ‘All hail the new king!’ Thus, we assumed he’d marry Parelia, for we know there’s no other way to become the king.”
“Parelia will never marry him!” the princess stated will confidence.
“How do you know?” smirked Arsy. “You have no idea about Erik’s merits.”
“Parelia won’t marry him, even if he has millions of merits!” She wouldn’t let up. “Erania loves your friend. It’s clear as day, whereas Parelia is her friend and will never betray Erania.”
“So, there’s nothing good,” mumbled Arsy. “And I hoped my friend would be the king. I’d also gain from it.”
“Then I suggest you become the king.” Parelia smiled. “You’ll gain way more.”
“I’m not Erik. I don’t care for fame or power.”
“And what do you care for?” asked Parelia with a crafty gleam in her eyes.
“Just a few weeks ago, I’d say I cared for a million lesos, but now all I care for,” he turned to her fully and added, “is you.”
“Only please, don’t fall in love with me! I don’t want yet another person to suffer because of me, even a thief and criminal like you.”
Nevertheless, Arsy sensed quite the opposite in her words and cunning expression; she seemed to be telling, or rather ordering, him to love her.
“And are there many men in love with you?” he asked with a somewhat offended smirk.
“You can’t even get your head around the number!” the girl exclaimed smugly. “They could make an army! Keep looking at me with such admiration, and you’ll join their lines.”
“The army of your admirers does not bother me,” sneered Arsy and immediately added in a serious voice, “The only person who really bothers me is Erania and her obvious reluctance to see us together.”
Parelia cast a brief glance at the log that lay between them and smiled. “Now I see why you sat so far from me. Are you really so scared of Erania?”
“No.” Arsy shook his head. “You looked very upset when I walked up to you. At least that was my impression. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“I have no reason to be upset,” the princess answered and added thoughtfully, “I just recalled something from the past.”
“Will you tell me what it was?”
“No.”
For a while, they sat in silence, enjoying the evening coolness and the singing of balm crickets. Finally, Arsy stood up and walked up behind Parelia.
“If you weren’t feeling down, I would safely get on your nerves,” said Arsy. He started to stroke her soft, silky hair.
The princess sensed the tender touch of his hands on her hair. She didn’t seem to mind; she liked his touch. “I have iron nerves,” she smiled.
“Where do you live?” asked Arsy.
“Will you believe me if I tell you I live in a castle? And why are you asking?”
“I’ll visit you.”
“Please do. I will be looking forward to it.”
“Then you need to tell me your address.”
“I already did.”
“There are thousands of castles in Agastan.”
“But there’s just one in the capital.”
“Do they know you there?”
“Very few do. When you arrive, tell them you want to see Parelia, and you will be shown my place.” Parelia pictured that scene and giggled.
“Are you kidding me?” Arsy frowned. He kept playing with her hair, throwing a lock at her face, and when Parelia tidied her hair, he did it again, trying to make her lose her temper.
“There’s no other way to find me,” the princess continued with a calm voice. “You will need to meet Parelia first, and she will tell you my place.”
“I hardly believe Parelia will spend any time on me,” Arsy showed doubt. “My request won’t even reach her.”
“Parelia is a very kind girl, and she’s always willing to offer help, even to such people like you. She’ll take you by the hand and lead you to my place.”
“Stop making gags,” snapped Arsy and added resolutely, “I will find out where you live!”
“You will remember my gags when all your efforts prove to be a complete failure.”
“I promise, if I’m left with no other way to find you, I’ll go to the princess and ask her for help,” he declared resolutely.
“As I mentioned, I will be looking forward to seeing you. Please, don’t fail to come.”
“I’ll find you anywhere; you can’t hide from me.”
The princess made a few unobtrusive attempts to move her head aside, when Arsy threw another lock on her face and sensed her growing irritation.
“What do you want from my poor hair?” She gave way at last, though keeping her voice composed, without a shade of anger and grumpiness. “Oops, I completely forgot it no longer belongs to me; it is now yours.”
“You are a fast learner.” Arsy sneered and added respectfully, “As for your nerves, I should say they are iron, indeed.”
“I gave myself a command to put up with you for a few days. I can’t escape from this island anyways.” Parelia shrugged her shoulders and added with a smug grin, “But if I ever lay my eyes on you, you'll forever regret getting on my nerves.”
“It will be you who will regret begging off when we get married.”
“Ha-ha, when we get married!” Parelia burst out laughing.
“Why are you surprised?”
“Because, people like you unfailingly end up behind bolt and bar.”
“You’ll see. I will start earning in an honest way as soon as we get married,” promised Arsy.
“I wonder what that way will be.”
“I’ll start producing boha.”
“Boha?” Parelia was obviously disappointed. “You consider that to be an honest way? How about the law forbidding both the production and drinking of boha?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t pay attention to the laws of that silly Parelia.” Arsy dismissed the question.
“She’s not silly!” the princess exclaimed with anger in her voice. “First of all, she thinks about her people, not about criminals like you.”
“Well, then look at what we have,” Arsy started with an explanatory intonation. “Taxes are no more paid to the government and thousands of honest people lost their jobs, but people still drink boha, and in the same amounts. People now have to pay ten times the normal cost due to lack of competition. The entire market belongs to one or two persons, who ultimately gain excess profit, not forgetting to thank Parelia for it. Isn’t she silly, indeed?”
“When I introduce you to her, you’ll have a chance to tell her in person that she’s silly.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Arsy exclaimed br
avely, “and not only that! I’d love to tell her much more!”
“I’ve marked your words! You’re not a man if you don’t!” Parelia snapped angrily, crossing her hands across her chest.
“Why you are protecting her so ardently?” Arsy asked with surprise.
“Because I share her ideas.”
Suddenly, Arsy leaned very close to her ear and whispered the question that had been replaying in his head since the moment he saw her with Erania. “Are you also an Agayan, Arpy?”
Who are Agayans? You won’t find any information about them, even if you dig across all the libraries in Agastan. You might even come to the conclusion that such people do not exist. Nevertheless, the do, but they also make the biggest problem for the government. Being caught, any Agayan is inevitably sentenced to death through the cruelest execution, namely beheading. Even the most dangerous criminals are not punished so severely.
Now I will tell you who Agayans are, but you must realize how dangerous this information is and what risks you take in reading this…
This is just a joke, of course. I hope, you are not scared. You are not in danger, for you are in a different world. However, for the residents of Agastan, this is no joke!
This is what any resident of Agastan fears: Someone knocking at their door, and upon opening it, they find policemen, who tell them: “We’ve been informed through reliable sources, that you are an Agayan.” The so-called reliable source can be your enemy or ill-wisher, who might be doing it to settle accounts with you.
You are probably eager to know who these Agayans are and what they need.
All they need is to get Agastan down on earth. You probably aren’t aware yet that Agastan is hanging in the air. It’s incredible, isn’t it? Many residents of Agastan don’t believe it, just like you. Some people go to the outskirts of Agastan to look down and make sure it’s true.
No one knows what made Agastan move up. There’s no mention of it in any chronicle. Moreover, there’s no mention of the fact that Agastan is actually hanging in the air. Some people say that, a few thousand years ago, the earth was under threat of a major disaster. In order to find safety, the residents of the country decided to move it into the air. Once they escaped the catastrophe, it was decided to get the country back in place, but the government of that time changed its decision and resolved to keep the country in the air after the catastrophe. It was then and there that the Agayan movement was launched, aimed at convincing the government to get the country back in place. Their attempts got nowhere. The government didn’t consider their arguments, and since that time, the Agayans have been actively struggling with the government. Soon, the Agayan movement was declared beyond the law, while all its members were demonstratively beheaded when caught, serving as a warning for others.
