I

Tara was standing pouring drinks for her customers. Omar, who was entertaining customers by playing his musical instrument, peeked out the window. He saw a fast-paced horseman.

The old man glanced at Tara across the room. The two looked at each other, knowing that someone was coming.

A few minutes later, Nazeir entered the tavern and dashed into the back room. In an instant, the entire room fell silent as the customers saw the towering man pass by.

Tara looked at the old man to play his music again. The woman raised an eyebrow at Omar, and he answered with a shrug.

Tara stopped serving her customers for a moment and ran while picking up her long clothing. She rushed to meet the inquisitor who was in the room. The man took his various equipment. Tara leaned against the door and crossed her arms.

"What are you doing?"

"I will go now."

"So, you don't want to stay here?" the woman couldn't believe it.

"No," he answered as he passed Tara into the storage room.

The woman followed Nazeir behind her. The man took provisions for a long journey.

"I made those bread in case you don't know."

"I know, Tara."

"You know," Tara smiled. "You are insolent, Nazeir."

The man stopped his hand and then looked at the woman whose brows were furrowed.

"What did I do?"

"Just look at you! You come to my tavern. I treat your wounds, feed you, up to giving you two barrels of wine!"

"And I thank you for-"

"I don't want your thanks," Tara held her anger.

"Then, I'll find another way-" Nazeir started walking out.

"Wait a minute," Tara blocked the door with her arm.

Nazeir looked at the girl. He looked doubtful. The inquisitor could hear Tara's heart beating fast.

"Tara?"

The woman looked down, and sweat dripped from her nose.

"Yeah..." she said with a deep breath. "I need rest."

"Calm down," Nazeir lowered his things back to the floor. "I can take care of the tavern for a few hours. But I'll be leaving soon."

Nazeir carried the girl to her bed and left her alone, covering her face in the pillow.

The investigator walked over to the counter and started serving customers. Nazeir took a bottle from the drawer under the counter when a customer arrived.

"Three beers, please."

Nazeir rose from his duck with three glasses in his hand. In front of him, Nazeir found four people he had met back in East Batunn.

"Old man?" Nazeir asked.

"Hey, you're the one we met back at the border, aren't you?" said the old Aldi, surprised to see the tall man.

"And you hit me," said Abim.

"How are you? You left without telling us."

"Sorry, you were still sleeping by the time I left," said Nazeir as they filled their glasses with beer.

"So, this is your job?" asked Aldi.

Nazeir looked at the four people who were waiting for an answer.

"You can say that."

"It's rare for me to see a tavern worker wearing armour. And of course, I never thought he'd come from a place like... this."

"Aldi is right," said Abim. "You have talent, friend. Why are you letting yourself be like this?"

"I do what I love. And as it turns out, serving you is exactly what I want."

Nazeir gave the four of them their glasses, but Abim snatched a glass from his brother.

"Wait, what about me?" asked the youngest brother.

"You eat our bread, so you have nothing today."

"That's not fair. I was starving at the time."

"Calm down, you will finally get your share," said Abim as he took a sip of his drink. The man wiped his mouth and looked at Nazeir. "So, what do you do after this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... you know. People won't always be tavern servants until the end of life. So, I thought you have a plan after this?"

"I don't know about that." Nazeir gave a glass of milk to the youngest brother. The man looked at Nazeir with smiling eyes. "Relax, I'll give you everything for free."

"Thanks, friend. Nice to have someone to help before our long journey," said Abim.

"Long journey to where?" the inquisitor in question.

"The north."

Nazeir, who was chatting while clearing the table, paused for a moment.

"And what do you want there?"

"Work, easy or hard. Just need a great pay."

"What kind of job?"

"Yeah, we thought it might be a load-bearing job. Something we could do."

Nazeir gave a smile. "Then I hope you guys can get the job done. But be careful in other people's countries."

"Always, friend. We agree."

As they were talking at the counter, Tara came out with her face straight to the counter. Nazeir looked at the woman who was trying to take her eyes off the investigator.

"Tara, you're back."

"Miss," said Abim, raising his glass.

"Listen, Tara. I'm leaving now. I hope you and Omar will be fine."

The woman just nodded and returned to busy herself with serving people.

"And one more thing," said Nazeir as he approached the woman. The inquisitor slid a heavy bag of gold into Tara's. The woman could feel her one-sided body slightly heavier when the gold was in the bag. "Let these people rest. Maybe they'll buy five or ten loaves of bread before they leave. The rest, save for you and the shop," whispered Nazeir.

Tara glanced at the inquisitor who gave her a wink before he left carrying his things.

Nazeir visits the stables. The investigator mounted his horse and rode down the street, leaving the tavern on the side of the road far away.

II

Nazeir stopped riding when the moon came. He sat with the fire, brightening his surroundings. The inquisitor's horse was so relaxed that he was delirious in his sleep. The man sat in silence, waiting for the sun to come out.

The investigator heard the silence of the night. All sounds he could hear, from the crunch of grass to the air, speaking to him. And all was lost when the inquisitor heard the sound of sandals hitting the ground. He opened his eyes and saw the figure of an old man with a stick walking towards his fireplace.

"You," said Nazeir. "You are the one I met back in the forest."

The man walked over and sat by the inquisitor's fireplace.

"Who are you?" Nazeir asked.

"Oh, master. I've been called many names. It’s just that people forget about me. So do my friends," he laughed and coughed. "What about you? Do people still remember you?"

"I have friends if that’s what you meant. They will meet me later."

"No... not that friend. I mean, that 'one' friend."

"I don't understand what you mean, old man."

"You know exactly what I mean. However, maybe this isn't the time for you to think about them. Now what you're thinking about is going to see that Lady of the Forest, correct?"

"How do you know-"

"I know a lot of things. But not as much as you think now," he replied, placing his hand close to the fire. "So, how's your life as an investigator?"

"I don't know what you're saying."

"Yes, you know."

Nazeir was silent for a while. The two of them could only hear the popping sound of the wood burning. Nazeir acknowledged and gave in.

"It's all the same. I look for work, I get work, I get work done. Sometimes it doesn't always go smoothly, and sometimes it goes smoothly. But yeah, this is something that everyone must encounter in their life."

"Yes... I can't speak badly of what you just said. Life is full of challenges. It's something we have to do. Therefore, one shouldn't lose hope in life. It's the thing that keeps us alive. Whether we are crazy or normal, hard or easy, young or old. Without challenges, life doesn't feel like living."

"I'm not quite sure that's true."

"Or maybe I'm wrong. Some people say that those who believe in heaven. Claiming that we will get what we want there without difficulty," the old man pushed the wood into the bonfire with his stick, setting the wood on fire. "That's my friend, not life. It's a gift for our lives here," he paused. "And we are not alive because we're dead," he said with a chuckle.

The two of them saw the burning flames fly the charcoal into the air. Neither of them spoke.

"You know a lot. Then tell me this. When will I die?"

The man raised his hand. "I'm neither a god nor a sorcerer. I don't play with it. It's just not my place to decide fates. But I know. That your fate will end with smiles from everyone. Including your friends."

Nazeir couldn't help but smile, both of them waiting for the fire to go out.

"I have to go, master. See you later."

The old man walked in the darkness of the night and disappeared when the investigator blinked his eyes.

Nazeir, who was sitting alone, opened his eyes. The sunlight that appeared on the horizon blinded his eyes. The morning quickly passed for him as he closed his eyes, meditating. His horse was awake. He sniffed at the inquisitor, knowing he was awake.

Nazeir petted him, and the two of them immediately started travelling again towards a forest near the Kwalai River.

III

It was the morning. The investigator rode to a small village. The village was big, with many people. Not the villagers, but the merchants from every corner of the Kingdom of Uthgaard.

Bolghar was a city that was a merchant colony of the kingdom of Uthgaard. Similar to other villages, what distinguishes Bolghar was the merchants and their wealth that can be seen from the buildings.

When Nazeir entered, he could see the arch with the name on it. The road was wide and made of stone. He can see people walking around with their families in nice clothes. Carts pass by with merchandise. The buildings in Bolghar are being renovated to become stronger, replacing wooden houses with the same stone houses as in the big cities. They fill the roadside with trees every eight metres to cool the air when summer comes, and it fills the city with its leaves when autumn comes.

When he looked at the buildings along the street, the large shop windows were already open, revealing the goods they were selling to the public. There were people who stopped walking to look at the contents of the shop from the windows. On the other hand, Nazeir saw a pair of men and women coming out of the shop. He could see the woman walking romantically with the man while holding an item in her handbag pocket. And as Nazeir rode, he saw a stable by the roadside where the people put their horses. City guards heavily guarded the stables, all armed.

The city was made with a block system, making it easy for residents to travel, and the city was neatly organised. In the end, Nazeir stopped in front of a large shop. He got off his horse and tied his horse to a tree with the other horses. Nazeir moved quickly, climbed the steps of the shop, and gripped the doorknob. When he turned the handle, he heard sounds of clapping shoes. He looked in the direction the sound came from, and far away on the big road, there was a group of soldiers of perhaps a hundred men marching through the streets of the vast city. The townspeople and Nazeir saw the people marching past them. The shopkeepers pressed their noses against the shop windows, watching the soldiers marching while singing.

When they passed, everyone returned to their original activities. Nazeir entered the shop alone. The doorbell rang, and he saw a young man standing by the window with his hands propped up against the window.

This place was filled with clothes. The walls are made of strong and white smooth stone, fused with building reinforcement, which was warm brown wood that was polished smoothly. Large windows help to give a spacious feel and help bring the bright light in.

The room was not too big, and not too narrow, enough to put clothes hangers. The ceiling of this room was very high, giving the feeling of a bit of a relief area. And of course, this place was organised, only that there was no one in it except the man who was alone. They place clothes hangers and clothes that are sold in a row and distinguish the male and female outfits. And at the end of the room there was a counter, and behind it was a door to the backroom of the shop.

When finished looking around, Nazeir walked over to the young man who saw the soldiers marching away.

"What are you staring at, Jay?"

The man was a little surprised when Nazeir rebuked him. He grabbed his shirt, jumping up when called.

"Oh, Nazeir! You're here," he said, tilting his head and trying to see the soldiers who were out of sight. "You see them?"

"Yeah, only Uthgaardian soldiers were marching. No problem, right?"

The young man stood up from his back and faced the inquisitor with his brows knitted together.

"It's a mess, Nazeir! It's soldiers, officers, trained killers."

"So? I don't think they're as 'bad' as you think. If we look back about my occupation..."

"This means war, Nazeir. War! Bolghar is in danger!" the young man pointed to the skids between Bolghar's buildings and pointed to the silhouette of a small town in the distance. "See there?"

Nazeir raised his head, looking at the silhouette as best he could.

"Yes, I see. What is that? Is that another part of Bolghar?"

"No," Sanjaya looked at Nazeir in shock. "It's not Bolghar. It's something bad, just across the Kwalai River."

"If it's not Bolghar. Then what?"

"It's a city built by East Batunn, and of course, an order from Brindorum. When I say 'city' I say it loosely. Because it's not an actual city."

"Wait. Brindorum is across from Kwalai? Doesn't West Batunn own it?"

The two of them sat on the edge of the window, blocking the view of newcomers wanting to see the store. And greeting them with their backs.

"You could say so. However, we never established a permanent guard across. And finally, East Batunn came one day and took the land for themselves."

Nazeir just nodded at the young man's explanation.

"Aren't you freaking out about all this!?" Sanjaya shouted into the inquisitor's face. "People will die here. They can throw... rocks and rain it on us!" it entangled Sanjaya when he spoke.

"Yes, I know. But what can we do? As long as humans live, there will be things like this."

"That's a pessimistic way of view. Do you want this to continue?"

"Oh God, of course not. I don't want this to keep happening. If I can stop it, then I will. And if I stop it, then it will grow into an even bigger conflict for the years to come." The investigator stood up. "I don't want to get into this in depth, and I don't want to be involved. Let's talk about something else. Like why I'm here."

The young man acknowledged and stood with his weak body.

"Okay, say what's in your head."

"Do you have a dress? Feminine, of course. Decent for a woman."

"Who is it for?"

"For a friend," Nazeir scratched his hair. "It seems like."

"I don't know what kind of friend you are, inquisitor. Follow me behind."

They walked behind the counter and opened the door to the backroom. The place was wider than the shop front, and the place was filled with a kitchen and a storage room. With the kitchen at the farthest back, the two of them faced a large cupboard in the storage. Sanjaya opened the door, revealing hundreds of beautiful clothes that he kept.

"That's a lot, Jay. Why don't you sell it?"

"I'd better pass this female thing on to my sister. She's the one who understands this better."

Jay picks up a shirt on the wardrobe hanger and shows it to the investigator."

"How about this? Appropriate for all women," Jaya showed a yellow beaded dress.

"Honestly, anything is possible, in my opinion."

Jaya lowered his clothes, seeing the inquisitor confused.

"Come on, Nazeir. You're going to give someone a dress. You can certainly feel what is best for her."

"Listen, Jay. She doesn't want things like this."

"Then why are you going to give her a dress?"

"It's complicated."

"Okay, Nazeir. You don't have to be like this. Let's think of something that's right for her. If I buy my goat a shirt, then I'll buy the best one," the young man paused.

"What kind of explanation is that?"

"I don't mean that the girl you want to give this dress to is the equivalent of a goat. Of course, you understand what I mean. The point is, think about what you think she will like."

"W-" Nazeir wanted to speak, but he immediately covered his mouth. He thought for a moment, paused, and started talking to himself. "How about something that looks ordinary but isn't at the same time, yet it's still beautiful. When that dress is worn, she will differ from the others."

"Huh? Only queens and kings have such a thing," he replied. "But," he held up his index finger, "wait a minute."

Sanjaya opened a small dusty drawer and took out a long white dress with small diamonds on the chest. With a V-shaped collar to the shoulders, the glossy white dress looks beautiful.

"It may not be as or quite as you'd like it to be. But it's something different, beautiful, and not too ... overwhelming." Sanjaya twirled his shirt back and forth, showing it to the inquisitor. "Let me tell you, Nazeir. It's an old shirt. It's probably the only place you get stuff like this, my old wardrobe."

"This is great, Jay." Nazeir holds the dress.

"So, what do you say?"

Nazeir thought for a moment.

The investigator came out of the shop, the dress in his hand. He tucked the dress in the horse bag and immediately dashed down the street. Sanjaya only saw the investigator riding from inside his shop window.

IV

The sun was above the investigator's head. He dismounted from his horse, stepping on the wet earth. Nazeir stopped at the forest where he had met The Lady of The Forest before. It goes step by step. As he got closer to the forest, puddles of water came out of the ground. Getting closer to the middle of the forest where the pool of water was, the puddle touched his calf.

The steps were getting heavier; the water was getting deeper. And finally, the investigator found the pool of water. He stood before a different pool of puddles where the water of the pool was clearer than the water that flooded his feet. The investigator took a deep breath and plunged into the pool of water.

The darkness pulls him deeper. The inquisitor was being pulled at high speed, bubbles seeming to come out of Nazeir's path so fast. Darkness came, and the investigator could see nothing. Not long, he could see a bright light. Surface.

It launched the inquisitor, flying high when it surfaced. When Nazeir was in the air, the puddle of water's surface disappeared. The inquisitor landed on the ground with his clothes dry.

He stood up straight. Seeing in front of him was the palace he had visited with The Lady of The Forest. Nazeir walked to the door of the great and magnificent palace. Before he knocked, the door opened. The Lady of The Forest was behind the door, welcoming the inquisitor.

"Inquisitor," she said. The woman invited the inquisitor in. The two of them walked back into the majestic room of the palace. Through a long hall, they finally entered a room. A small garden inside the palace. The birds chirped, and a moose stood watching the two of them coming. The moose's nose let out a warm smoky breath when he saw Nazeir.

They walked to an open hut in the middle of the garden. The two of them sat on the cushions of the hut, and the guardian of the forest magically brought forth a mirror with her hand.

The large mirror came with a shimmer of magic powder. Nazeir and The Lady of The Forest were facing the mirror-like spectators in a stage play. The glass initially reflected the faces of the two, then changed to show pictures of mining in the northern world.

"This is it," said the woman.

Nazeir saw they had mined the crystals on a large scale. Making a big hole in the northern world. The miners were slaves taken by the powerful sorcerers to dig deep into the earth. The current activity shows that there are still many crystals that have not been mined.

"How many crystals are there?"

"The deeper, the more they get."

"Damn. How am I supposed to stop all this?"

The woman's hand glowed, and miraculously a piece of paper appeared. Nazeir took it and saw an inscription written in the ancient language of the southern world.

"What? Splitting? Chain reaction? Wait, what is this?"

"This is a result of one of your scientist's research projects. You could say he is one of the smartest people on this earth."

"How did you get this thing?"

"Too bad, Nazeir. If these trees could talk, it would help you. I am part of nature, I talk to it, and they talk to me."

"So, you know everything that people do?"

"If these trees could talk, then yes."

"So, what should I do with this?"

"This thing doesn't help, but its contents can. However, the choice to use it is up to you."

"I-I don't think I can do it. I don't understand what this paper is describing." Nazeir was silent for a moment and snapped his fingers. "But I know who can."

"I know you can work it out, inquisitor. Now it's your time to sort this out. Remember, you need to stop these people."

"Then I'll be riding north as soon as possible."

"No need. I can take you to the border of the northern world."

"You can?"

"Come on, master inquisitor. After all this, you think I can't."

"I don't know. But why can't you take me all the way to the mining site?"

"I am the work of magic, inquisitor. If I take you north, they will know where you are. They will chase you. Of course, you don't want that, do you?"

"Seems like you're right," he muttered. "And can you take me with my horse?" Nazeir immediately asked.

"Sure," she cast his magic, teleporting the two to the front of the palace entrance. The Lady of the Forest used her magic, and from the ground there appeared a hole. There rose a flat rock with the inquisitor's horse on top.

"Nice horse, inquisitor. What's his name?"

Nazeir smiled and petted the horse.

"I haven't thought about giving him a name yet."

"Sure, you need a name for this horse."

"What name do you think would be good for him?"

"Me?" the woman laughed shyly. "I can't give him a name. I don't know him. Unlike me, you have a deeper affection for him. Me? I'm just a magic being in a human body."

"Then..." Nazeir scratched his beard. He mulled over the name of the horse. The horse wiggled its tail as Nazeir stroked it. "What about... no, that's not it."

"Do you have a name? How about giving you a meaningful name?"

"Meaningful?" Nazeir mumbled for a moment; his eyes raised. "What about Toro? The magnificent steed of the old Emperor Tasman."

"Okay, his name is Toro. Easy to remember and good to hear," the woman gave the horse a smile.

Nazeir petted his horse, which was sniffling happily.

"Good, now Toro has a name. You two, I can see will have a close bond."

Nazeir walked to his horse bag and took out a dress. He showed the white dress to the woman.

"Remind me. Did you ever say you had no clothes?"

"I guess so," she answered uncomfortably.

Nazeir walked a few steps in front of the woman and handed her a dress.

"I bought it on the way here. I hope you like it," said Nazeir. "Sorry it's a little crumpled."

"Don't worry," she said as she made the dress as if it was new with just a snap. "Nazeir, you know you don't need to give this to me?" The Lady of The Forest bit her lip while holding her dress.

"But I can see your face differs from what you say."

She laughed softly and raised his gaze to the investigator.

"This is the first time I have genuinely laughed. Thank you, Nazeir."

The inquisitor mounted his horse and gave her a thumbs up. The woman, who was a little confused, followed Nazeir's thumb movement. Nazeir smiled, and the ground he stepped on opened, making a line in the shape of a circle. The soil line descended to the earth, making a hole. Before Nazeir's head was below the ground line, he could see the woman smiling while smooching her face with the dress.

Finally, the ground floor was above the head. The ground covered them, making darkness underground. Nazeir and Toro could feel the ground shaking violently. The investigator held onto the shaking earthen wall, trying not to fall. Everything shook violently, with a sound that was almost the same as an earthquake but more muted. And without counting a minute, everything stopped. There was no vibration or earthquake sound. The ground above them opened, revealing light. The earth lifted the two out, and the investigator was finally at the border of the northern and southern worlds.

He was in the Eastern Mountain.