Broken Tower Saga: The First Swordsman

Wrik returned to the ways, keeping the great wall in the vision. This morning, he had done nothing but walk around, but it could not be considered a wasted morning. 

He sighed and entered the gate. It took him far more time returning than on the way. Fortunately, the few that were after him did not assault him or try anything, or he might have to spend more time in the slum. 

Beside the gate, Wrik found a familiar silhouette, standing leaning against the wall. It was the girl he had gone after and followed someone else and not to say the trouble he got into. 

"Where did you go?" Byul asked, coming before him. Her lips had the smirk that showed she knew he had followed her.

"I was after some mischievous children, but the child was more mischievous than I had assumed and lost way," Wrik answered, clicking his tongue. "Let's go back then."

"So what did you find in the slums?" Byul started walking with him side by side. 

"I found that." Wrik paused and looked at the eyes of the girl. "That, I lived in a far better place than them." 

Byul avoided his gaze and both of them strode their way towards the Sunset resort. The people at the market now were far more than before. Byul had no problem moving in the small gaps, but Wrik had some. He again was separated from the girl, but fortunately, this time Byul did not leave on her own. 

"I have a crowd," Wrik commented, sighing. They were now closer to the bridge and only about five minutes away from their destination.  "So where did you go?"

"Do I have to answer?" Byul said with a conflicted expression. 

"No, you don't have to."

Byul hesitated for a second and said. "I went to find the place, I used to live." 

Wrik gave her a look that indicated he was listening.

"The place. .. The place I used to live is now nowhere." She sighed. "And many things changed while I was away." 

"Did you leave any of your belongings here?" 

"No, it was just an abandoned place where a few beggars and thieves used to stay," she whispered. "And as for belongings, I had nothing that is worth a thing."

Wrik did not know what to say, so he stayed quiet. Fortunately, they reached their resort before the awkwardness go further. 

"Byul," Wrik said and saw the guards opening the door for him. 

"Yes." 

"If you have to leave any other time, please ask someone to go with you. I'm sure anyone would not mind. I found this to be not a place for someone to wander alone." 

Byul raised an eyebrow at him and nodded thoughtfully. 

On the first floor of the resort, they met with most of their companion there, sitting in the couch next to the reception. They raised their arm the moment they located the two of them. 

Other than the people that came together, there was also Evan, Lillian, and Lan. They have not seen each other for months and in that time it appeared Lan grew quite far. Lillian was still the same, tight-lipped and dealing with problems on her own. 

"Good to see you all again," Wrik greeted. "So what's happening now."

"We got a letter and a couple of invitations," Anton answered. His lips were curved with excitement as he continued, "The letter is from Lily and the two others were invited to parties." 

"Give me the letter first," Wrik said and sat on the couch next to Anton, where Byul went to Tanya and Michelle. 

Wrik took the letter, which was still sealed. He did not know why Lily did not use the Omega cube and used this old way instead. Perhaps she had not brought one yet. He drank half a glass of water and opened the letter.

'To Wrik and all the others, 

Congratulations on the success of the trial even though we lost in the end, I heard everything from Dairyl. I hope you will keep your same mindset and belief throughout your journey and I'll try to lead my sister with the best of my abilities on the path of good.

Unfortunately, we would not be able to meet for some time. We have decided to climb the tower and grow together. If you find yourself in some trouble, do not be afraid to call us. We, the folks of the Mah'shai, do not forget our kindness. Until we meet again. 

—Lily.'

"What did it say?" Tanya asked, curious.

"Well, they were climbing the tower even now and would be doing that for a while," Wrik said and gave her the letter. 

Well, not only the people of the Mah'shai clan chose this path, Evan and his two companions were the same. They probably have climbed another floor on the way here. At least, that's what they did the day before departing. 

"So what's the invitation?" Wrik asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"We got two invitations to the ball from House Sanyal, and another from House Kavan," Anton answered laughingly. "And you would be surprised to know who came from the house of Kavan to invite us. It's Theiron. The dimwit apparently is an heir of the house of Kavan and even apologised to us, though it did not look that heartily." 

Wrik took the two luxurious golden and silver ornaments embroidered invitation letters. The text inside was as luxurious as the outside. It was written in hand, but the cursive had no fault in it. After reading both of them, Wrik found out the balls were only a week apart. The one from Sanyal was only the day after tomorrow. 

"How do they find us so quickly?" Wrik asked. Clearly, he could guess inviting budding Mahasayer was another way for the house to gain more men and fawn their superiority. 

"It is not that difficult, apparently," Evan answered. "Even though this city has a few millions citizen, the number of important people draws even less than ten thousand and finding some Mahasayer who did not hide their tracks was even easier."

"Fair enough," Wrik said. "I just wished they had given us enough time to blend in."

"Maybe they think the balls are the ways to blend in," said the young receptionist. He came in from the other side of the resort, holding a cup of tea. "Mind if I sit?" 

"Why would we mind? It is your place after all," Wrik said and featured to take a seat across from them.

The receptionist nodded and sat. The cup of tea was still in his arm and found none of them had any beverage other than tea. "Do the Sirs and Madams need any drinks?" 

Few of them shook their heads, but Wrik asked for a hard tea.

"Silly me, I have not introduced myself yet," the receptionist said. "I'm named Sorulas Watebi. Everyone addresses me as Sorus—and it should be same for Sires and madames."

"Alright then Sorus," Wrik said. "I have a few questions. Will you kindly answer a few of them?"

"Why not? As you are the guest of the house, I'm bound to answer any of your questions at the best of my abilities." Sorus blabbered with his utmost respect. "And if you need anything, just call any of the servants or me."

"Well, our stay here so far had no disruption," Wrik said and showed the two letters. "Other than these two letters."

Sorus raised his eyebrow. "It is the way of the nobles, and in their way, it means showing respect to the mahasayers." 

"So if we do not attend, would that mean showing disrespect?"

"Precisely," Sorus said, tapping once on his glass. He looked particularly at Wrik and said, "Sirs and Madams are first time here. If it is a bad impression on the first impression it would be quite atrocious." 

Sorus was a little hesitant in his tone and Wrik could guess why. 

Wrik looked at Anton to find his excitement and he was not alone; the ones that held excited faces were Jacob, Michelle, while the others were more complacent. 

"Looks like we have to attend then," Wrik said, sighing. 

"I assume sires and madames have appropriate clothing for attending these balls?" Sorus cut curiously.

"I have nothing but cloak and battle armour," Anton said, squinting his nose.

"Same with me," Davin and Jacob joined.

"We need new clothes as well," Michelle said for the girls and her choice of words indicated they have clothes for this kind of occasion. At least she and Tanya had. 

"Then Sires and madames need to go shopping today or tomorrow as well," Sorus thought for a moment and said. "I recommend the Revelians for this, assuming sires and dams are new here."

Wrik thanked the man, and the receptionist left for his job after finishing the tea and giving them a few pieces of advice.

"Alright then we will go shopping in the afternoon," Wrik said and a few of them cheered in glee. "But before that, I need to know a few things. Raise your arm if you have any experience in this type of occasion."

Anton was the foremost to raise his arm, but Wrik ignored him and looked at the others. He was assuming Tanya or Michelle had experience in this kind of party, but both of them shook their heads. In contrast, Byul raised her arm a little.

Wrik looked at her particularly and said, "So only one among us had experienced balls." 

"You are ignoring Anton?" Michelle asked.

"Ton, do not count," Wrik laughed. "Even if he had gone to parties, it was without invitations and to do some job."

"But I have experience," Anton complained.

"I went to parties without invitations too," Byul joined. "And I could not be said to have experience." 

"So, we have none that knows the ways."

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