Tarif Conundrum

Tarif

Tarif, the homeland of sorceresses. It is a village, founded on the shores of Junaid River that bisects Mediah. Ahon Kirus, one of the main Freedom Fighters of Mediah, was born here. Residents of this village have begun taming Black Spirit. Recently, they were even able to force one of these spirits to possess a Magic Pot and made it visible. [src]

The Docks

By the docks of Tarif, Florentino has his back on the half wall behind him while his arms are crossed. The people by the docks are busy with the incoming and outgoing shipments by boat.

“Honestly, where is this guy?” Florentino said, “Cousin Crisostomo said he’ll be on time, it’s almost-“

“Hello there,” a mysterious guy with a hood said from behind Florentino.

“Gah!” Florentino dashes forward then point his crossbow at the stranger.

“Now calm down,” the stranger also points his crossbow at Florentino, “I’m not here to hurt you.”

“You’re the one pointing that weapon of yours on me.”

“I’m pointing my weapon at you because you’re pointing your weapon at me, how about we both lower our weapons simultaneously?’

Florentino just looks at him with his crossbow ready to fire at the stranger, then nods. They both lower their crossbows slowly and at the same time.

“Good, now that we’ve calmed down, it’s good to meet you, Florentino.”

“You know my name but I don’t know yours, stranger.”

“Oh, right,” the stranger then removes his hood, revealing a Luthraghon Elf, “my name is Antoninus Imperialis. Call me ‘Anthony,’ if you like.”

Well… that explains the crossbow… Florentino thought.

“Nice to meet you…” Florentino shakes hands with Anthony.

Order of the Black Sun

“Well, let’s get down to business,” Anthony said as he makes his way to the crate behind Florentino, just near the docks.

“Wait, who are you and what do you do exactly?”

“Oh, right, right, right,” Anthony faces Florentino, “I’m the Grand Marshal of the Order of the Black Sun. Your cousin, Crisostomo Ibarra, is the current Grand Master.”

“Wait, what’s the Order of the Black Sun?” Florentino said, “It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Of course you haven’t, we aren’t actually… an open-to-the-public kind of entity.”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“As of now? Nothing, but by Constitutional Rights, the Ibarra Family retains the rank of Grand Master. Your family founded the Order, and for generations, an Ibarra is always the Grand Master.”

“And what does your rank means?”

“A Grand Marshal is the de jure Guild Master,” Anthony smiles, “while the Grand Master is the de facto Guild Master.”

“And why are you telling me? Where do I fit in all of these?

“Because your cousin ordered me to, and you, my friend, are now the liaison of the Black Sun on public affairs.”

“I am what now?”

All of a sudden, a couple of people screamed from the nearby houses. Florentino and Anthony brought out their weapons, Florentino is using his greatbow while Anthony is using his crossbow.

“Um… how about just use your crossbow,” Anthony said as he looks at Florentino, “a greatbow is overkill, we’re in a small town and not much danger here.”

“Right…”

Tarif Conundrum

“Well, this is all yours, Florentino, good luck out there.”

“Wait, what? Then what are you here for?”

“Oh, I came from Valencia and just got back,” Anthony then starts walking to one of the boats, “your cousin told you to come here and pick me up but I want to explore more. Don’t worry, I’ll tell the Grand Master that you did well.”

“Wait, what am-“

“And I’m off,” the boat Anthony boarded is now setting sail, “good luck and good hunting!”

“Wait! Imperialis! oh for crying out loud. Fine! I’ll figure it out myself.”

Florentino approaches the crowd.

“What’s going on here?”

“Objects… flying everywhere…” one of the residents said, “someone used forbidden magics.”

“Great… I only have little knowledge of magic.”

“Well, don’t just stand there, do something-“

“As I said,” Florentino interrupts, “I don’t have adequate knowledge when it comes to magic.”

“What in the world has happened?” the hooded sorceress said, “I don’t think this will just disappear.”

“What won’t disappear?” Florentino scratches his head.

“There… there’s something.” Another sorceress said, “Does it have something to do with the recent rumours?”

“What rumour?”

“It may be true that Illezra was after the Forbidden Book.” Another resident said, he looks like an instructor.

Ah, someone with authority, Florentino thought.

Magic, Magic Everywhere

“Excuse me,” Florentino said to the instructor, “can you tell me what happened here?”

“Things got this way in Tarif after that witch ran away,” the instructor said.

“Witch? I’m sorry, I don’t follow.”

“Illezra is trying to unleash darkness to the world, if you’ve got guts, try investigating inside.”

“Me? But I’m not even proficient in magic, you people are the ones practising magics here, why won’t you people go inside instead?”

“There’s dark energy that prevents us from entering,” the hooded sorceress said.

You’re all just scared! Florentino thought, Scared of your own magic!

“Fine,” Florentino rolls his eyes, “I’ll investigate.”

He went inside, true to what the people are saying, objects are floating mid-air.

“Oh, bloody hell,” Florentino said under breath.