The Ohseun Unrest: Part 3

Ghvami moved quickly past the captain, his face burning hot like a stone pulled from a fire. Klaedee motioned at him from the side. His voice was low as he spoke.   "What did he tell you? I know he was pissed, I woke him at his desk but what did he say?"   "He wants me to find Sidane. He seems to think it may turn bad. Nonaik bad."   Klaedee pulled his head back, the surprise clear. "I know we're shit soldiers, but surely we aren't so bad to have the town turn on us like that."   "I don't know. He wants me to go now, though."   "Hard assignment," Klaedee laughed. "Go bed your girl in the name of peace."   "I'm not-" Ghvami shook his head, closing his mouth. Klaedee was already walking back to his post with a smirk and low chuckle.   Ghvami moved quickly, jogging around the difkohae toward the small camp the soldiers had set up. He picked up the pace, closing the distance to his tent, nearly rolling as he crouched down and turned to his small bedroll and pack as he entered.   He tore off his leathers and placed them appropriately as he changed. Grabbing a small pouch of herbs, he jumped up and rushed to the wash basin in the tent, running the cool water over his arms and face. He paused to look at the only reflective surface, a polished bowl set behind an unlit candle. His hair was a mess from his helmet. He dipped his hands in the leftover water and dashed out, combing his fingers through his hair the best he could.   Sidane would be with her mother at the unlimihae, helping the town with any administrative task they may have. Fearing the townsmen, he kept his head down, concealing his face as much as possible by wiping imaginary bugs from it and looking toward the stalls and craftsmen through their windows. No one recognized him, but his body still felt charged from his fear.   As he approached a small building, he looked up and saw Sidane sitting at a desk by the window, writing into a large tome. She was likely transcribing a book on loan to the town, one of her common tasks. He made his way to the front door, letting himself in. The main hall was empty except for Sidane's mother, cleaning up the floor. The filthy wood, covered in dirt and greens, which seemed to indicate there was an impromptu meeting earlier in the day, though he was unaware of any announcements.   "Ghvami?" Sidane's mother stopped her brushing, looking puzzled. "Are you looking for Sidane? She is in the library."   "Thank you," he moved quickly, feeling the woman's eyes as he opened the door to the library, stepping through.   "I thought I heard your name," Sidane already stood by her desk, running up to him as he entered. She pulled his head down for a kiss. "Are you okay? I heard about the rocks being thrown."   "I'm fine, I'm fine."   "No, you have a welt," she gently stroked her fingers over his forehead, a light pain rising where the stone hit his helmet. "Go take a seat, I'll grab some ointment, it'll help the swelling."   She hurried out of the room, returning before he had fully positioned himself on a bench at the back of the room.   "So what happened exactly? Mom said that some of the towns people got angry at the soldiers and started throwing rocks."   She pulled out a small piece of cloth and a jar sealed with wax. He admired her hands and fingers, long and narrow, with an ethereal grace as she picked through the box and moved things about. "They are getting upset at the construction. Especially since the Vigrent men have come to town."   "They say Lord Sokar is relinquishing the town to them. That they are preparing to take over."   "Nothing that severe that I know of."   "What do you know?" she dabbed at his welt, the pain sparking out before fading to the cool tingle of the ointment.   "What do you? That's actually why I am here so early."   She pulled herself back a bit, a look of disgust on her face. "Are you accusing?"   "No, no!" He quickly responded. "On my life, I swear not."   Sidane relaxed a bit, though she still seemed upset. She continued to dab the ointment as he explained. "The crowds have been growing each day. They grumble, which is understandable, but today was the first violence. If it continues, more troops will come from the fort. They may occupy the town until the building is done."   "When will that be?" She started wrapping up the medicine, stopping only to brush his messy hair over the bump on his head.   "The oracles know as well as I. At this point, though, it's all the foreign workers. They bring in weird contraptions and tell us nothing. We are told by the commander at the fort that we don't need to know. Just keep the town quite."   "How about we pause this talk for now. We can take a small hike up Berry Hill. We can talk all about our problems up there."   Ghvami grabber her hand, pulling it up for a kiss. "That would be great."   They packed up and headed out of the room. Sidane headed toward the back to put up the medication, walking behind an older gentleman just turning away from her mother. Ghvami went towards the doorway, pausing to wait as the man approached.   They made awkward eye contact. The well-dressed man's stare was intense, putting a tingle down Ghvami's spine, but he was through the door, headed down the street a moment later.   "Ready?" Sidane asked, hopping close to him, her dress flowing forward and brushing his knees.   "Yes, let's get out of town for a bit."