Memories: My Kingdom

Chapter 37: Fedrich

“Hah!” Leui gasped and abruptly opened his eyes as he catches his breath. Then, he remembered his dream. That… that was – he thought as he closed his eyes tight. His chest is heaving up and down as he gasps.

“Hey. You’re awake.” A voice spoke from the darkness.

Leui sharply turned. His eyes narrowed, becoming vigilant. Is he still inside the Dream Weaver’s domain? But, the one that spoke is a male, while Nem is a female. Or, is he dreaming again? He thought as he clutched his head when he felt it ached.

“I’m not a beast nor an enemy.” The person emerged from the darkness. “No need to be so wary.” He said.

There was a small fire, and the person’s figure was illuminated by the warm, orange light.

“I’m Fedrich. A knight.” Fedrich spoke when he saw Leui is just staring at him. “Are you already okay? Or do you still need to rest?” he asked as he placed down the fruits that he has picked from the trees around.

“What happened?” Leui asked a she sat up. “If I remember, I was in…” he muttered.

“His Majesty the King Khander sent the knights to investigate the recent missing cases in the Rainbow Village.” Fedrich answered. “My cousin, Fedrey, sent me and my team here. We were prepared to subdue the Dream Weaver, and kill it if things became worse, but then we found that all that went missing returned, yet you walked towards the danger yourself.” He looked at Leui. “You rescued them.” He said.

“I know Nem.” Leui spoke.

“I’ve heard from that female dwarf.” Fedrich said.

Leui sharply turned. “Where’s Mhir?” he asked and looked around.

“The Dream Weaver’s domain suddenly collapsed, and there an earthquake occurred as a result. I had my subordinates send your friend to safety along with the other people.” Fedrich answered. “I went to save you, but I was also caught in her trap and fell in my dreams after I accidentally stepped in a cobweb. Fortunately, her domain disappeared and we were saved. But – “ he raised his head and looked around. “ – large rocks rolled down from the mountain, and it seems we’re on the other side of the mountain, separated from the Rainbow Village.” He told him.

“So, she was safe…” Leui muttered and sighed in relief. Then, he smiled and turned to Fedrich. “Thank you.” He told him.

“No. It is our duty as a knight to protect each and every life, no matter how old or young they are, whether they are male or female, or which race they came from.” Fedrich said and grinned. “That is our creed.” He told him.

Leui didn’t insist on thanking him.

“She’s very worried about you.” Fedrich told him as he added fire woods to the fire to keep them warm and their surroundings illuminated.

“She is my benefactor.” Leui said.

“She seems to be very attached to you.” Fedrich added.

“Well, she followed me all the way here when I decided to go to the human kingdom.” Leui smiled.

Fedrich stared at him. “I heard you lived there. On the Other Shore.” He said.

Leui has already read about this old nickname on the land of the six other races. “Yeah. For five years.” He answered.

Fedrich’s eyes widened in shock. “’five years’?!” he exclaimed. Although he already heard from Mhir that Leui came from the Other Shore even though he is a human, it was still shocking to know that he lived there for a very long time. “You…” he muttered.

Leui understood what he wanted to say. “Yeah. It was very hard at first to blend in with them. Not only because you are alone, the only one different among them. But, you were also hated.” He sighed. “If not for Mhir and her father, as well as the Rogues’ Inn’s cat beast manager, I would’ve already been butchered and eaten, without a flesh or any bones left.” He wryly smiled.

“You’re very tough.” Fedrich praised.

“That’s what we need in order to continue living.” Leui shrugged and picked up a fruit. “Thanks for this.” he said before he ate it.

Fedrich nodded and he also started eating.

Leui leaned his back on a tree, only to feed something hard and cold beside him. He turned and saw it was the sickle. “You brought this, too?” he asked Fedrich.

Fedrich raised his head and glanced at it before he looked away. “I didn’t.” he answered.

Leui opened his mouth and was about to speak when he continued.

“It followed you.” He told him.

Leui froze.

“It seems cursed.” Fedrich spoke and stared at Leui. “You were cursed.” He added.

Leui didn’t speak. He just looked at the scythe.

“Where did you pick it up? Or, was it given to you?” Fedrich asked.

“I picked it up.” Leui answered.

Fedrich saw that he didn't want to talk about it so he dropped the topic. “My name’s Fedrich.” He said. “A knight.” He apologetically smiled for introducing himself this late.

“Leui. A shop worker.” Leui said and shook hands with Fedrich. Then, they resumed eating the fruits.

The fire crackled as the night wind blew. Only the sound of the insects can be heard in the silent and dark surroundings.

“Humans were hated by the other six races.” Fedrich spoke. “Why did you go to the Other Shore? Aren’t you afraid that they will kill you once they see you?” he asked. Though, he had managed to live for five years in the Other Shore. He thought as he looked at Leui’s warm, brown eyes and curly brown hair.

Under the warm, orange light that is casting them, Leui’s hair and eyes looked like a red color. Fedrich blinked and felt that he was under a spell just now. He shook his head so that he would snap out of it and stop imagining things.

“I don’t know.” Leui answered.

Fedrich looked at him.

“It just happened, I guess.” Leui said.

“’it just happened’?” Fedrich asked.

“I don’t remember.” Leui said and raised his head. “I can’t remember.” He told him as he looked at him.

Fedrich’s eyes widened. “You have amnesia?!” he exclaimed.

Leui nodded. “I only remember my name.” he told him.

Fedrich stared at him, looking speechless. “And you still can save other people at the cost of your life… you’re good!” he smiled.

“Thank you.” Leui said.

“You go to sleep. I’ll watch over you.” Fedrich said.

“Is it alright?” Leui feels worried.

Fedrich nodded and patted his shoulder. “This is the job of a knight. To serve the citizens. Ensure their safety and keep the kingdom’s peace and order.” He told him.

“… then, thank you in advance.” Leui said before he shifted to a more comfortable position and went to sleep.

Fedrich looked at Leui’s hunched back as he curled in his sleep. “Such a strange man.” He muttered before he hugged his sword, prepared for any sudden attacks from the beasts prowling at night.

But, until the sun broke through the horizon and rose in the sky, nothing attacked them two. Fedrich even thought of killing the fire to prevent the beasts from finding them and then attacking them. However, Fedrich didn’t sense any movements around last night.

“Hey. Wake up.” He shook Leui’s shoulder.

Leui stirred and raised his hand to rub his eyes. “Who…?” he muttered, feeling sleepy. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Fedrich’s face. It took him a while to remember him. “Ah. The knight.” He muttered when he glanced at the sword hanging by Fedrich’s waist on his side.

“I have a name. It’s ‘Fedrich’. Didn’t I tell you that last night?” Fedrich asked, feeling amused as he watched Leui got up and stretched his limbs. “Don’t tell me you got another amnesia after you slept?” he joked.

“Not possible.” Leui said as he picked up his scythe. “I will definitely remember everything this time.” He said.

Fedrich was taken aback. He didn’t expect for Leui to be so serious. But, he shrugged. He has no hobby of prying into other people’s lives. “Let’s go.” He spoke. “Because the road was blocked by the large rocks, we have to make a detour and return to the Rainbow Village.” He said as they entered deeper in the forest.

Leui didn’t speak and just followed behind him. He silently looked around. “What happened to Nem?” he asked after a while.

“I don’t know.” Fedrich answered. “When I woke up, we were already there. I saw no one but you.” He said. What he meant, he didn’t see Nem or any sign of her.

Leui sighed. Her disappearance must be her retribution from breaking the vow she made with the sorcerer. “She was kind.” He said.

“I realized.” Fedrich spoke. If the Dream Weaver wasn’t kind, then she wouldn’t value her friendship with Leui and listen to him to release the people she captured.

It was just that she was an unfortunate one.