Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [175]
Maybe I’m thinking too much about it. But then again…
Wataru was restless, so he got up and quietly slipped outside. Maybe a look at the stars will calm me down.
Wataru wasn’t the only one out and about. He found Captain Ronmel standing alone a short distance from the campground. His profile toward Wataru, he stood gazing up at the northern sky.
The captain noticed Wataru right away. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“No. I’m not sure why…”
“You saw a big accident today. Let the starlight wash it from your eyes.”
What was the captain doing out here all alone? Why did he look so forlorn? What was he thinking?
Wataru couldn’t think of the right words to say to him. And he felt like asking questions might be a mistake. This man was one of the most important people in the southern continent. Who was to say he couldn’t look moody now and again when he was alone? Still…
The two stood there silently side by side. After a short time, they both returned to their tents. Wataru had a bad taste in his mouth, but even if he were asked, he wouldn’t have been able to say why.
Chapter 16
Lyris
When they first looked down upon Lyris from a nearby hill, Wataru had the distinct impression that this was not his first time seeing it-that he had been here before, somehow. Everything looked familiar: the brightly colored peaked roofs on each of the houses, the cathedral with the bell tower, the brick-lined streets, the green trees, the loose, comfortable clothing people wore, the bright smiles on the faces.
That’s right! It looks just like Wizdom, the town where the Academy of Magic is in the second Eldritch Stone Saga!
“What a lovely place,” Meena said breathlessly, standing next to him. “No wonder they make such beautiful things here. They need only take a quick look around for inspiration!”
Their first destination was the Lyris branch of the Highlanders. If they ended up staying awhile, they would need to find some employment.
“You’re Highlanders? That’s a surprise. I suppose you live long enough, you see all sorts of things,” said the branch chief, an older ankha man with a polished bald spot on his head. He introduced himself as Pam.
“To tell the truth, my first name’s Tat, but my last name’s Pamskarovmaeltostralasky… Everyone just calls me Pam.”
There were four Highlanders working for the local branch, all of them ankha. According to Pam, more than eighty percent of Lyris was ankha, with only a smattering of the other races living in town.
“It’s the ankha who work at crafts. Our fingers and hands are built for that work, you see. And little kitkin ladies and big old waterkin can’t stand the heat by the furnaces for long.”
Chief Pam was easygoing and a big talker, and he asked them for any news they might’ve heard on the road. It was his first time hearing of the wildfire in Maquiba and the overturned darbaba cart accident, and he listened with eyes wide in surprise. Wataru was amazed by how laid-back he seemed. Like night and day from Kutz.
“Lyris is a peaceful place, as you can see. The only incidents we have are little things: a child who got lost while picking berries, an explosion at a workshop near the town offices.”
An explosion seemed like a big thing to Wataru.
“Just a mishap while making fireworks. There were no injuries, and since it happened at night, it was rather a nice show.”
There were a number of empty rooms at the branch offices, so they were told to stay there in lieu of lodgings. While they stayed, they could help with town patrols, and there was a regular watch. While they listened to Pam’s explanation, a pretty girl with long black hair brought tea to them.
“Ah, my daughter, Elza. She helps with the busy work around the branch.”
“Hello,” the girl said with a smile that made dimples in her cheeks. “You’ve had quite the journey!” Wataru guessed she must be about fifteen or sixteen years old. In real-world terms, she would be a high school student. The color of her skin