Ren sat on the creaking wooden bench of the small train as it rattled along. It had left Minstrel's southern port that morning. He held his mother's scarf in his lap, the image of the purple bird still as vivid as ever. Captain Ravel, Liric, and Olda had waved him off from the pier earlier. They told him the train would reach Flerouge in two days. Ren had simply nodded then. Now, he was alone, but he felt no anxiety. He only wanted to know more about that bird.
The train followed a track through lush green plains. Outside the window, Ren saw vast fields where bright flowers and rice grew. Farmers worked in rhythmic movements, some singing softly while handling their tools. Ren observed them in silence. The air drifting through the open window was fresh, carrying a slight dampness from the nearby sea.
Beside him sat an old man carrying a large bag of fabrics. The man looked at Ren and smiled. "Traveling alone, lad? Off to Flerouge, I assume?"
Ren nodded. "Yes, Sir. I'm looking for information about this." He showed the man his scarf. "A purple bird with its wings spread. People at the port said it looks like a tattoo from a guild in Fiore."
The old man tilted his head to get a closer look. "A purple bird? I've seen similar designs at the Flerouge art market. Many foreign merchants come there—selling goods from Fiore, Bosco, and even further. But I'm no expert. Once you're in the capital, it's best to ask in the city center near the Great Dance Lake. People gather there to share stories and art from all over the world."
Ren tucked the cloth away. "Thank you, Sir. I'll ask there."
The First Stop and New Acquaintances
Two hours later, the train pulled into its first small station. Passengers swapped places. A young woman named Mia, carrying a bag of fruit and accompanied by two small children, sat across from Ren. The youngest girl looked at Ren curiously. "Where are you going, big brother?"
"To Flerouge," Ren replied quietly. "Do you live there?"
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! We're coming back from the beach. In Flerouge, there are open stages everywhere. People dance every night. Mama says it's how we show gratitude."
Mia smiled, pulling her child back to her seat. "Pardon her, she's quite the chatterbox. I'm Mia. We live by the lake. If you need a cheap place to stay, look for a small inn on Rhythm Street. The owner is kind and the rates are fair."
Ren committed the name to memory. "Thank you, Mia-san. I'll look for it."
The journey continued through thick green forests. Midday sun peeked through the gaps in the train's roof, warming the cabin. Ren ate the bread Olda had given him. The spicy kick still lingered on his tongue, reminding him of her advice on mixing spices. He let out a small, rare smile while he chewed.
By evening, they reached a central station for a brief rest. Ren bought water from a merchant in loose red clothing. "Fresh river water here!" the man called out. "You look new. From Sin? Many folks from there take the ship to the southern port."
Ren paid with the coins Captain Ravel had provided. "Yes, I arrived yesterday. I'm heading to Flerouge to ask about this bird symbol."
The merchant glanced at the cloth. "A purple bird? Check the main market tomorrow morning. A lot of Fiore traders sell their wares there. They love talking about their guilds. Fairy Tail, I think one was called. But that's just hearsay from customers."
Arrival in the Capital
The second day began with light rain, slowing the train on the slick tracks. The landscape shifted from green plains to rolling hills topped with high-roofed houses, each sporting a small stage. People practiced their movements to the beat of small handheld instruments.
"Do you like to dance?" Mia's son asked Ren.
Ren shook his head. "I've never tried. But I saw people at the port doing it while they worked."
The boy laughed. "In Flerouge, everyone learns to dance from a young age. It's not just for fun—it's how we talk, how we pray, and how we settle things. Mama says dancing is like breathing. If you don't do it, something feels missing."
As they neared the capital, the scent of the air changed to a blend of spices and fresh textiles. The towers of Flerouge rose in the distance—striking structures of red and gold. The train hissed to a halt at the grand station.
Ren was the last to disembark. The city was a cacophony of music and movement. Following a guard's directions, he walked down a wide stone road toward the center. He eventually found the inn Mia had mentioned: The House of Rhythm.
"Welcome," said Lina, the middle-aged owner. "How many nights?"
"Two for now," Ren said, placing his coins on the counter.
Lina handed him a wooden key for Room 5. "Second floor, street view. Dinner is at six. You look exhausted; get some rest."
The room was small but clean. From his window, Ren watched the colorful crowds below. Later that evening, he followed the flow of people to the Great Dance Lake. The water was still, surrounded by wooden stages where people sat on stone benches.
A young man named Taro, who worked at the art market, sat beside him. After Ren showed him the scarf, Taro's eyes lit up. "That bird... it's identical to the emblems carried by merchants from Fiore. Tomorrow morning, look for the stall with the blue flag at the market. That's the Fiore delegation."
The Mark of the Guild
The next morning, Ren navigated the bustling central market. He found the blue flag at the far end of the square. A woman stood behind a table laden with goods from the west.
"Excuse me," Ren said politely. "I have this cloth. I was told it looks like a symbol from a guild in Fiore."
The woman examined the scarf carefully. "Indeed. This is the mark of the Fairy Tail guild. They have this bird emblem on many of their belongings. The guild is located in Magnolia, Fiore. If you want the full story, you'll have to go there. But Flerouge sees Fairy Tail members occasionally; they stop by for festivals or trade."
"Have you seen them here recently?" Ren asked, a spark of hope igniting.
"Twice last year," she nodded. "Friendly lot, always telling stories of their adventures. If you stay for the upcoming festival at the lake, you might just run into one."
Ren felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He bought a small loaf of bread as a thank you and spent the rest of the day wandering. He watched the townspeople move in unison to a flute player's melody. Flerouge was a busy city, yet for the first time, he didn't feel lonely.
That night, Ren sat in his room clutching the scarf. He was one step closer. The journey was far from over, but he finally had a name and a destination: Magnolia.