Chapter 68 - Portrait
Among the nine states in their country, their state, Burlong was the smallest, and only had 3 cities. So, there wasn\'t any dramatic difference between Burkurel City and Burfuna City. As the capital of their state, Burmat City was larger than both and was a hub of trading throughout the country, for it was a place where many rivers intersected.
Re\'Kha looked at the buildings on both sides of the road, noting that they were the same as her city. The buildings consisted of establishments where a lot of traffic gathered: restaurants, beauty parlours, painting galleries, cloth shops, accessory shops, inns, etc.
The buildings were tall, at least 5-6 storeys high. Re\'Kha extended her perception now that the rain had stopped, expanding it until it covered a large range, noticing some rare few buildings that had more than 10 storeys in them. They were principal localities of the city.
"Where\'s the closest district square?" Re\'Kha looked around, seeing that all the buildings had at least four steps to climb into their ground floor. It was to avoid the water from flooding in during the rainy season.
The rain season consisted of three months: The Early Water Month, the Peak Water Month, and the Late Water Month. Rains were frequent during the Early and Late Water Months. But, it rained nonstop during the Peak Water Months, and the Water Qi in the rains were also the highest during this time.
It was the month every water element Harmoniser looked forward to every year, for comprehending their element was the fastest this time. It was also the month with the least amount of activity, both within and beyond the city.
Attacks from the other elements were reduced in power drastically. And if unleashed in the open, the Elemental Qi in them just vanished instantly, rendering them useless. The element least affected in such an atmosphere was Metal Qi.
After all, any attacks using Metal Qi were object-based and manifested a solid object filled with Metal Qi. Even if the Metal Qi in it disappeared, the object still remained. It was better than the other elements that were emission-based and were completely annihilated.
All cities and settlements were constructed keeping in mind the heavy rains, so their drainage system was perfect and was cleaned once before and after the rainy season. It was to prevent any clogging during the rainy season that would lead to the water levels rising within the city and a possible flood.
That was why all the buildings were raised high, needing at least four steps to climb into their ground floors. At present, the water only formed a thin later over the road and was steadily reducing in height.
Geographically, Burfuna City and the other two cities were built on a raised plane, maintained higher than the surroundings. Even the paths connecting to the other cities and the settlements were constructed high with respect to the ground to allow travel during the rainy season.
Tunnels were dug underneath them at regular intervals, their internals fully reinforced using the sturdiest of rocks. This was to allow the flow of water from one side to the other, preventing it from accumulating on one side and pressuring the road, causing it damage.
"The southern district square is closer, ma\'am." The cycle rickshaw driver replied, continuing to pedal, "Do you want me to lead you there, ma\'am?"
"No, just go to the inn." Re\'Kha continued to stare at the buildings, observing them to see what type of establishment they were. Thankfully, the banners of all buildings were craved, so she didn\'t have any difficulties in reading them. In her Wind Qi perception, they were visible as darker grey areas.
After moving a fair distance, the driver turned left, entering the western district. Seeing his turn, Re\'Kha heaved a sigh of relief. If he had turned right, she planned to make him change using an excuse.
Re\'Kha was famous in her clan, for she had a talent in the water element, able to naturally comprehend 3 units worth of Water Qi every year. It was not to mention she was beautiful to boot, so she had a lot of admirers from the common populace.
Paintings of her were even sold in the black market for large sums. Thankfully, they were from when she had been 15 years old. Her portrait was shown to the masses after she displayed her talent.
Her family had already known her talent after birth—when every child in the clan gets tested for their affinity to the elements.
News of her talent wasn\'t disclosed to prevent anyone from devising plans on her. After all, it was easy to kidnap a child and make it recognise the kidnappers as her parents. A talented child would grow up and develop his/her household and give it honour and prestige.
Therefore, people went to any lengths to kidnap a talented child to rear as their own. To prevent such a situation from happening, no family leaked the talent of their children until they were adults. Once they become Harmonisers, their Tikka Jewellery would make their talents apparent anyway, so they publicised it during then.
When Re\'Kha became a Harmoniser, her family advertised it throughout Burkurel City to satisfy their agendas. Though, they didn\'t go overboard and only posted 10 posters throughout the city. It was to avoid offending the others. They just planned to rely on the gossiping mouth of the commoners to work the rest.
Thanks to her beauty, the portraits were stolen in public. During one of her missions, Re\'Kha came across her portrait in the black market. And, seeing the sum it was paid for, even she was almost inclined to sell a couple of her portraits. All in all, she was pretty popular in her city.
So, there was a good chance even people from the Burfuna Re Clan might have seen her. After all, the water-based Clans were closer as compared to the other Clans. In order to avoid coming across a person who recognised her, she didn\'t wish to step foot in the southern district, for it was under the control of the Burfuna Re Clan.
\'I just hope people cannot recognise the current me. I\'m blind and have shaven my hair too.\' Re\'Kha thought, pulling her hood closer to her eyes. Showing her bald head would also attract attention, a considerable amount at that, so she had it covered from the start.