The silence of the walls

The dirt path stretched on for what seemed like miles, cutting a line through the bright grass that adorned the area. The steps they took were heavy with guilt, memories of the pups and the corpse littering their mind. No one spoke, but the sound of boots hitting the sun-dried dirt filled in the silence that was there before that. In the distance at the end of the road, drawing closer, was a large castle with a city on multiple levels surrounding it, enclosed in a wall. The walls were tall and made from innumerable dark grey bricks. Miyako stopped in her tracks. “Where are we? This can’t be Japan anymore.” The others noticed and stopped behind her, eyes fixated on the walls in the distance, Alice letting out a small gasp. Almost as if Miyako speaking first was a trigger, Hibiki started excitedly shifting to get a better look and shouting, “Look! Guys, look! It’s an actual castle — how cool is that?” Alice answered Hibiki as if the castle had piqued her interest too. “It looks mediaeval. Do you think this is a different country?” Ren spoke for the first time since the incident. “I dont even think this is Earth anymore…” That wolf… And why would the hospital be there if it were somewhere else?” Alice turned to look at Ren, worried and showing fear. “Oh, I guess that makes sense.” “Anyway, let’s not get ahead of ourselves; even though there are probably people there, we don’t know what’s waiting for us.” Miyako started walking again. “Let’s just be careful. I’m sure we can find someone that will know something.”

As the four neared the walls, the dirt path started to shift into cobbles: countless small cut brown bricks, neatly cut but caked in dirt, showing how frequently used it was. A long queue of people, from farmers with carts of vegetables to large carriages seemingly full of wares, stretches from the gate a good distance along the cobbles. Hibiki, scanning the queue, turns to the others. “I guess we just… wait with all these guys?” They stopped short of the line, examining the many people more closely. Ren winced as he noticed, “Look at what they’re holding; it looks like papers or seals or something. It’ll be obvious that we aren’t meant to be here.” Miyako's eyes followed where Ren was pointing. Each carriage and group was stopped by several guards with multiple types of weapons at their disposal, not to mention the many guards patrolling around the walls and on the side of the road. As each group went forwards, the sheets were checked against a book held by a large, well-armoured guard; he looked like the leader of the guards.

Alice fidgeted, her eyes drawn to the weapons they held. “W-we’d stand out even if we did have those paper thingies. Our clothes” She glanced down at her own dirt-ridden pants and ripped jacket before then looking at the rest of the group's clothes, clearly damaged by the events of the day. “They’re… too modern, and they’re so damaged.

As if her worries were manifesting themselves, one of the guards that was patrolling the side of the road noticed the group. He looked up and down at each one of them, noticing the peculiarities. His approach was slow but determined, with heavy and quick steps, the scent of alcohol lingering on his breath. “Oi, you there.” His voice was low and gravelly, and even the light-hearted Hibiki couldn't keep a smile against the authority shown. “Where are you lot from?” He scanned all of them, making note of Alice's shaking figure and their strange clothes. “State your business.”

Ren stepped forward, almost instinctively protecting the others by putting himself between them and the guard. He opened his mouth but was unsure of what to say or even what answer would keep them out of trouble – he had nothing that would work. The guard's hand shifted on the hilt of his blade, clearly growing impatient. “If you’ve no papers, you’ve no entry. That’s law.” His eyes were sharp and suspicious. Miyako stepped in quickly, with a stuttering voice, “We—we’re travellers, but we need help; we’re lost.” The guard stared at her for what felt like an eternity, until he finally clicked his tongue and spoke. “Not my problem; move along or be moved.” The guard's grip tightened on the hilt as he took a step closer, his face twisting in irritation. “Get back,” Ren muttered, putting his arm out to shield the others. “W–we’re not doing anything wrong.” Alice stammered, her voice riddled with anxiety. The guard smirked. “You’re in the way, and I don’t like brats telling me how to do my job. Last chance.” “LEAVE US ALONE!” Hibiki’s voice cracked with panic, but the sound shivered through the air like a struck bell. The guard flinched, shaking his head as if it had been knocked around. Clutching his weapon and pulling, he spat out at the group. “What the bloody hell do you think you’re do-” Before he could finish, however, a voice sounded behind him, “Oi! Is this how you treat travellers now? Picking fights on the edge of the road?”

A tall man stepped over a low stone wall from the village beyond. His hair was unkempt, his eyes shadowed with heavy bags, and his face rough with neglect. Taking a swig from a small flask, he sighed and then attached it back to his belt, confident in his stride. The guard’s face went white, and he straightened up. “C-Captain Darius, I–These ones had no papers, it…” Darius waved his large, aged hand at the guard's face. “Do you really think this is in your job description, hm? Threatening unarmed teens?” The guard stuttered, taking a step back. “N-No, Captain.” “Then stop wasting everyone’s time and get back over there and keep an eye out for actual criminals,” growled Darius. The guard turned quickly and, without saying a word, made for his post. Darius finally put his gaze on the four, his eyes lingering on Hibiki – who was still confused about what happened. “You four should really have more common sense; strolling up to city gates without papers is just stupidity. Now, come with me.”

Darius turned on his heels without waiting for their response, his heavy steps crunching the dirt below him. They had no choice but to follow the man that had helped them, though caution was still in the air surrounding the group. Keeping quiet and watching the back of him, they followed, being led through dirt and grass behind wooden homes and stands filled with different produce. After a while, they found themselves in a marketplace; it was a bustling village, with hung fish and baskets of melons next door to colourful sheets. Lanterns filled with tiny spheres of fire hung up outside each home and store, keeping to a whisper. Hibiki prodded Ren. “Hey… Hey look, how are they lit up? “That’s so cool!” “Shush, keep an eye out; we don’t know what anyone here is like.” On hearing this, Alice pushed closer to Hibiki, her eyes darting around at the village.

Suddenly, Darius came to a stop outside a drab-looking pub with a coat of arms above the door featuring a raven gripped by a fist. He then shoved the door open and sternly commanded the four to go, “C’mon.” Looking at each-other nervously, they all stepped in.

Inside the tavern, the air was thick, stale beer and cured meat wafting through the room, patrons were loudly drinking and shuffling about, and a few of them quietened down on their entrance. After acknowledging the atmosphere and looking around, the four of them look into the corner, spotting Darius, who was waving them over while giving the server a small rattling pouch. “Sit, I’m not here to hurt you.” Sitting down on a bench and a seat opposite him, all of them sigh in relief, having been exhausted from all of the movement and effort of the day. Soon after, without giving them a chance to speak, four bowls of stew and four mugs of water alongside a tankard of ale arrive on a tray and are placed by the smiling waitress, who bows slightly and leaves to continue working. “Eat, you clearly need it.” He pushed the bowls in front of them and started drinking his ale. Hibiki is the first to dive in. cramming the wooden spoon full of dried meat and vegetable soup into his mouth with relief. Miyako sighed, “Hibiki, don’t just rush in… I am starving, though.” Staring at her bowl, she slowly takes a bite, closing her eyes and enjoying the food, followed by Ren, who does the same. Ren nudges a bowl closer to Alice. “You really need to eat; you’ll need the strength.” She looks around nervously but eventually concedes and starts to eat.

“Right, now that’s dealt with, who are you lot? You’re not around, that’s for sure, in clothes like that? Anyone without their head stuck up their ass would instantly notice you.” Ren gripped his utensil and swallowed anxiously. “Then where are we?” Darius raised his eyebrows, taking the question in, and finally spoke. “This is Noctenvalt. The village here’s Leren, and the city beyond those walls is Lerenic—the capital. A cesspit, if you ask me.” He paused, taking a swig of ale again. He pulled out a copper and silver coin with claws of birds etched on and started twisting them around each other. “This here, they’re talons, copper, silver and gold.

You’ve clearly not seen them before, which isn’t good; you aren’t getting far without them.” Hibiki bit down on a piece of potato and frowned. “So how are we supposed to get any if we can’t even get in the city?” Darius laughed, nearly spitting all over the table. “You work for it, and you work damn hard; if you’re lucky, you’ll find a better way to live. I’ve a friend, a farmer on the edge of this village. Tough bastard, but he’ll do ya right. Work hard and help him out, and he’ll let you stay in his barn, I’m sure; better than freezing in a field, I bet.”

Silence lingered as they considered what he had to say. The food was warm, and having a roof was comforting, but his words added so much weight for them. Darius leant forward, beckoning them close. “Listen close. First—ditch those outfits; they scream 'outsider'. Second—you’ll need papers, or you’re nothing. Third—don’t mess with guards. That idiot at the gate was soft; most aren’t. Understand?” Ren nodded slowly. Miyako’s eyes narrowed. Hibiki swallowed hard, forcing a grin, and Alice clutched her spoon tight. Darius sat back, satisfied. “Good, once you’ve finished, I’ll come along to introduce you to my pal, but be warned, surviving ain’t going to be easy.”

“Why…why are you helping us?” Miyako coldly asked, not fully trusting him. His eyes glanced over at Hibiki. “I don’t need a reason to help four idiots that are just walking blindly up to a guard’s gate.” He chuckled. “Seriously though, I guess some people just need a break, and luckily for you, I’ve been feeling generous.” Miyako looked down at her food and nodded, acknowledging the answer. “Just eat up for now, and the rest comes later.”