Path of Ruin: The Dawn of a New Era

23. Ena 1317 of the solar calendar, the capital of Rout Nitis-Rout-en

Luke Pov

Just like yesterday, Emila goes for a walk, but this time to Hvardské náměstí, behind which are the docks. Beyond them is the palace across the river.

Hvardské náměstí is special in that only here you can buy beastly animals. There are all kinds of species, from ordinary horses to lions to Iseart tigers and mythical beasts from faraway lands in the Northeast to the distant Ice Plains.

I also deviate a little from my task and look around, it's a wonder I don't lose her. He stops suddenly. He is standing in front of a smaller cage containing a beautiful bird as big as a falcon. His burgundy and red feathers glisten in the sun. It has three small arched horns on its head and a dark beak.

“I would like this bird. How much does it cost sir." Emili turns to the old wrinkled man who answers her in an old voice: "You set the price miss, this bird has never brought me joy, only sadness and unhappiness. So if you like him, marry him.”

"Thank you very much, elder. But I cannot determine its price, so at least accept this.” He removes the pouch from her waist and tosses it to the man before taking the cage and returning home with a happy expression.

He won't leave the house until noon, so I climb onto the roof of the neighboring mansion and observe what's going on in their garden as far as I can see. Emili trains with her father in swordsmanship, and for her age, she's probably really good at it. Then she returns home and I see in her windows that she is studying dances with the teacher who arrived a while ago. Nothing important happens anymore, so when it gets dark I go back to our little house and claim a few apples on the way.

In the morning I will go out again, but before I leave I will tell Eon that I will stay overnight this time. I grab some food on the way before I watch Emily to see if her routine changes, but like the previous days she leaves the house, takes a walk before studying and again like on the first day she goes to visit her friend.

It's slowly getting dark and I'm still watching her house from the neighboring roof. Night falls and I'm still on the roof. Slowly and quietly I get up and run and jump.

The distance between the roofs of the city houses is small, so I can easily jump to the target house. The impact rumbles a bit, but nobody notices it.

I climb down to the windowsill. This window is covered with curtains, but light still comes through.

When I looked in the windows before, I found out that this was from the study. My goal today is not to break into the house, but to eavesdrop on conversations from the Count.

I've been sitting on the window sill for half an hour when I hear a sound from inside other than the tapping of a pen. The sound of doors opening and new pairs of shoes. Soon I will hear voices.

“Lavrenc, do you really want to send Emily to the academy? You know I don't agree with that. Do you know the course of the test, even if he passes the first two, what about the third, do you think he has enough pain tolerance?"

"Margaret, it's our daughter's decision and not even I can change it, accept it."

“Oh yes, I know how stubborn our little daughter can be. Otherwise, what do you think of the dress I picked out for her for the ball the day after tomorrow?'

"She will surely be lovely and beautiful, just like you, my dear."

"Tss, are you trying to soften me up with flattery Lavrenci?"

“No…or maybe a little. Hey Margaret, I'm so exhausted from all this paperwork, how about we replenish our energy with some other activities in my bedroom?'

“I guess it's not a bad idea, but I find it more interesting in this room.” This is not something I want to hear, then there are the sounds of a chair being pushed back, followed by the rustling of clothes. Soon the room is filled with a woman's voice and I observe it through a crack in the curtains. After all, I am still a twelve-year-old child with an interest in many things, such as the difference between nobles and commoners when they spend time together.

I walk home through the dark streets, where everyone is already asleep, and I quietly lie down and fall asleep.

I'm the last to wake up this time. I won't go today and stay here instead, so I'll ask Eon to watch Emili for me and in the evening, after he returns, let me know what's going on, I want to rest so I can go explore in the evening.

And so, after a day of boring rest in our dwelling, the trio returns, Eon informs me of the news, but nothing significant has happened, and then, after dark, I leave.

In front of me is a large mansion. Much richer than from the count. It is the residence of Duke Viktor A. Maharet.

I don't plan to enter the mansion, it's too dangerous for me, but instead I'll look around it and look at all the exits.

There are two larger entrances through which guests could enter or leave, the other three are for servants. I don't have to care about you. The Naret family are nobles and they will only go through the main entrance and by my guess it is not the east entrance but the west entrance.

From my information, I learned that the ball will only be held in the late hours and the arrival of the guests should not be until sunset, so I go to get some food and return home to the others at noon. We'll split our profits and I'll lie down for a while.

The first solstice after winter is approaching, so the sun shines longer. That's why I was able to rest for a long time, but now I'm running again imperceptibly through the glowing alleys to the Maharet residence.

Soon the first nobles arrive, in their disgustingly gaudy, over-decorated carriages, and enter the house. A little later, my goal also arrives.

In her sky-blue dress, she steps out of the carriage and enters through the entrance I guessed.