“Do these things look worse,” Theos examined the shade cuts. There were some venous threads spreading out of the wound. “Or is this how they looked before?”
“They look the same,” Heras looked up, he was sharpening his dagger. His face scrunched in disgust. “Same nasty.”
Moswen patted him on the back, “you should head directly to Shinar.”
Theos nodded, pulling the tunic back.
It has been a few days after the way too exciting events in the mines. They were waiting in line, waiting for their turn to get paid by the treasurer. “I’m so glad you got my lantern back,” Theos grumbled. “Entire pay’s worth, can you believe it?”
“I’m glad that I found that fucking stone,” he shook his head. “Because my lantern was shattered.”
“Did you guys sneak anything worthwhile out?” Na’heb whispered. “Come on, you can tell me. We are friends, you wouldn't leave me hanging if you did, right?”
“How much did they deduct?” Moswen watched him, unimpressed.
“Five pieces,” he joined his hands in pleading. “Even if it is just a tiny agate, please.”
“I only left with this,” Theos patted the dagger.
“Yes, the suddenly well-smoothed horn, broken dagger,” Moswen said.
He was interrogated about that a few times already, Heras helped him deflect the questions a few times after he figured out it was Akh-Ba’s doing.
“Why do you keep asking about that shitty thing?” Heras lowered his brows. “It would cost three times its price just to refit a blade inside.”
“Just saying, it looks pretty good.”
“I wish I found and brought out something,” Theos grumbled, remembering the large crystal. “They were so dumbstruck that they didn’t even think about searching me when I returned. I could’ve grabbed a mountain of gems and gotten away with them.”
“No kidding,” Moswen grumbled too.
“Moswen,” someone called him from inside the building. “You’re up,” the guy said as he left.
“Well, here goes,” he huffed as he entered.
Payday was usually a day Theos and the others eagerly anticipated. It was good until the new administration made them pay for everything they used.
“They will make us pay for rations next quarter,” Na’heb grumbled.
“I think things will be fine until the recaptured outpost gets re-recaptured,” Heras grinned. He twirled the dagger and checked the edge before he nodded in satisfaction and sheathed it. “Where will you go after not getting paid, Na’heb?”
“Har har,” he responded. “I’ll go visit my parents, get lots of free, good food, rest, and lay back until the next quadrant begins,” he said in a dreamy voice, then slumped. “And then we will be back here, again, suffering.”
“What makes you think I’m returning for the next quadrant?” Theos blinked. He didn’t have any plans, but he wouldn’t want to be here in the next quadrant if he didn’t need to. Just remembering Akh-Ba made him want to flee the place for good, even if it wasn’t fear that he felt from the creature.
“What? But we are buddies, we are a squad, we are four pellets in a citars dropping!”
“Yeah, you ruined it,” Heras watched in disgust. “I’m not sure if I will be returning, I saved enough to go pursue the things I want to pursue.”
Theos talked to him about it in length as the celebration night progressed. Heras wasn’t going for some sort of revenge, thankfully, but he said he still wasn’t letting go of the past. Which was fair, Theos thought.
“I… I’ll have to come here alone?” Na’heb blinked. “I don’t know how to feel about this information, I did not imagine this happening.”
“Stop being so dramatic,” Heras saw Moswen leave the building, and he gestured for him to go in. “I’m sure Moswen will still be here to bully your shooting skills.”
“Are you going to leave too, Moswen?” Na’heb moved quickly for a big size and held Moswen by the shoulders in the middle of the sentence.
“We are all going to leave,” Moswen said through the shaking.
“Are you going to return for the next quadrant?” he shook him some more.
“Stop!” Moswen snapped, “Yes, I’m returning, why are you acting like a child?”
“Theos and Heras won’t return,” he replied.
“Wasn’t that obvious?” Moswen blinked. “One of them got lost in the mines and was attacked by a shade, barely surviving, and the other is a hedonistic heretic. What did you think they were going to do?”
“Can I buy a cheap citar for the Star Temple?” Theos asked. “Otherwise, I’ll need another form of employment sooner than the next quadrant.”
“You can get one here, you will need it to travel anyway.”
Theos nodded.
“Three silver pieces, get a decent one so you can reach the place,” Moswen warned, “don’t cheap out on an old one and get trapped in the desert.”
“Yeah,” Theos agreed. He didn’t take many trips alone, and especially to Shinar, but he knew better than to get himself killed in the great desert.
“Theos,” Heras said as he left, bouncing a bunch of coins in his hand. “Your turn.”
He walked ahead into the treasury, to the guy that sat on the desk.
“Quivers accounted for,” the treasurer said. “Lantern, no shard.”
Theos watched nervously. The man counted the coins before placing them on the counter. Theos swept his hand over the counter and jingled the rectangular coins in his hand. Twelve pieces. They deducted the shard from the pay, he grumbled.
“Will you return next quarter?” he asked. Theos shrugged, in response. "Very well," he waved me away. “Call Na’heb of Trika when you leave.”
“Sure,” he replied as he turned to leave. He called Na’heb as he left.
“I think I’m gonna head off,” Theos told the others. “Don’t want to chance these wounds getting worse, who knows what happens when these things fester.”
“Yeah,” Moswen shook his hand, “we will be meeting later.”
“Certainly,” Theos rolled his eyes, “can’t pass up on this good work.”
“Nearly believed you there,” Heras laughed. “I’ll wait to give Na’heb an earful before I leave.”
Theos waved as he walked away. Making his way towards the citar pens.
“What do you need?” The keeper rubbed his hands together before he even got close enough to see the animals. paydays were more his than anyone else’s.
“A citar,” Theos grinned, making the man's face twist for a moment before turning back to its regular merchant smile. He leaned on the fence and watched the bipedal horned animals groom. There were few of them in the pen, and none of them suitable for riding.
“You’ve come to the right place, mister,” the man said, “we’ve got citars with shiny coats, citars that are fat and delicious, citars-”
“Yeah, you only got citars, do we have to go through this every time I’m here?” Theos pointed at one that looked decent for riding, the legs were well-defined and the torso muscular. It wasn’t throwing random tempers at the other animals either. “That one.”
“Fine choice, that one is a -”
“Cut the citarshit,” Theos pulled a couple of coins, “that’s what it's worth.”
“This isn’t even enough for one of its legs,” the man said in pretend offense. “This is not even close to the right price.”
“You are right,” Theos grabbed one of the coins. “I overpaid for it. Look at that matted patch of hair at the sides, the head is showing horn fight scars, and the-”
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“Fine, fine,” the man grumbled, taking the second coin back. “Should I prepare it for riding?”
“Three water skins,” Theos nodded. “Before you try to pull out another piece, I overpaid.”
“Fine,” the man grumbled, “I should stop selling to you, returning mercs, and keep my services to the fresh blood.” He called out one of the keeper boys to fetch the animal and saddle it. “Anything else?”
“Any news about the Astral?” Theos asked.
“Nothing yet,” he replied, “trying to get to Shinar?”
“That’s the idea,” he nodded.
“Things at the gate will be more tight, no smuggled goods and stuff, but it is still the same until the new Astral is chosen.”
That was some nasty poison if it kept killing you for days without a chance of survival.
“Anything else?” the man repeated, handing him the reins of the animal once the boy got it ready.
“Not unless you offer me steel for the He’wa price,” Theos watched the man squint. “Yeah didn’t think so.”
He shared another quick wave goodbye with the others, Na’heb with them, looking miserable after he left. The citar resisted his pull – those hard headed creatures seemed to not like him pulling them at all – but he eventually managed to guide it outside of the gate, and after some more wrestling, Theos managed to ride the reluctant creature.
The noon’s dry heat wasn’t as harsh as it could be, and the winds were going to cool down as the night arrived. He could make some good time under the full moon before he would have to hunker when the air becomes biting.
He gently tabbed the animal’s flanks to make it walk, and it obeyed. Theos wrapped the cloak closer to his body and covered his head with the hood, the scarf sitting closely near his mouth. This wouldn’t be a long trip, a couple of days if he took the dry valley. Probably faster if his citar had some decent stamina, he thought, but he would have to see.
Theos looked back to the fading outpost walls, before tapping the creature again, getting it to build up speed and ride into the sand-riddled horizon.
-
It took Theos and his hairy companion a couple of days to arrive safely to the capital, Shinar. The trip was uneventful, despite a few runs into hazards. The antlion pits were the worst of that, as he did not imagine one to settle next to the dry valley. He managed to arrive
The city was not showing from where he stood, but it was one of the few stationary residential locations in the Great Desert. Nestled in the flatlands between sheer cliffed mountains with only a single entry or exit point.
From where he stood, however, there was no city, just a bunch of mountains. People who did not know a city existed here would not find out the whereabouts of Shinar just by looking. He moved around, finding the path that led to the city’s only gate. The people were arriving and leaving, and a large crowd was forming around the mountain’s side.
He dismounted as soon as he was close to the crowds.
The entrance was carved into the mountain, large and decorated with scenes and symbols all over. The carved section was as tall as him, going around in a sandstone frame around the opening. He did not know what they meant, or what the scenes told, but he could discern the large moon in the upper center part of the gate. He could see the tiny slits in the carved rocks, shooting windows for the archers.
The citar resisted him every step of the way towards the gate. He dearly hated those animals.
The merchants were pulled to the side, while their wares were being searched, travelers were asked questions, and pilgrims were let in after they paid the toll.
“Merchant?” the guard asked monotonically.
“A pilgrim, I suppose,” he said, exposing one of the wounds near his neck. He felt it throbbing as it felt the contact. “Poor, poor pilgrim,” he added with a smile.
“An outpost guard,” the man grunted, he told the other guards to check the bags and the citar for hidden goods before he continued, “doesn’t count as a pilgrim.”
“What do you think I count as, then?” Theos said as he slipped a few copper coins into the guard’s hands.
“Someone who knows how the world operates,” the guard moved away, “may you find the health that you seek inside.”
“May you get filthy rich and stop being a guard here so I don’t have to see you again,” Theos waved the laughing guard and went through the small opening since the larger one had the stone doors closed.
The tunnel was long, and as large as the gate was, with carved doors into the sides that made for barracks and stairways to the archer’s holes. At least he assumed they did from seeing the guards that went and came into them.
Theos felt the pleasantly cool air that flowed from the city into the tunnel before he even got to step out. He had to dodge a few people, some entering, others leaving, but it wasn’t as crowded as it should be for this time of the day. Not for the capital.
The walls of the tunnel were also engraved, if not well-lit enough for him to discern every detail of them. Some were of animals and beasts he recognized. The desert chimera, the sphinx, the shades. Others were of people fighting other people. Some looked like maps, but he wouldn’t know.
He did not stop to gawk at them, however, and offered them a glance or a turned head as he moved. Theos moved out of the tunnel, gates open wide, unhindered, unlike the outside ones, and breathed out as he saw the capital.
It was always a sight to behold, no matter how many times he came here. A large city, in the middle of the mountains, homes and facilities were built and carved into the mountains, leaving the central flatlands free for farming.
That was something he didn't usually see in the desert, farming as it was done here was nothing like the date palm farming he was used to. The fertile soil and the abundant water, as well as the cooler weather in the area, made the area suitable to grow so many strange plants, some of them wouldn’t even sprout in the harsh climate outside, but were flourishing here.
Stone waterways were placed into the ground to let the water flow through the place, unhindered.
He followed the path, descending towards the main road that cut straight through the center of the city, leading towards the most important part, the Star Temple. The ‘jewel’ of the city was a ziggurat made out of smoothed stones and stood tall and proud above everything but the mountains.
The main road had a lot of stalls, but it wasn’t the main market, but they offered a lot of goods he’d never seen, and they didn’t remain the same for long before they were replaced with new goods.
Then he was at the market square, more circular than square, he mused. With a square fountain that was an average man’s height. He watched the stalls here, too, and his money. Heras did admonish him many times for not being careful about that.
He merchants peddled jewelry, both precious and traditional – another word for cheap crafts, used for the foreigners – food, fabric bolts, spices, decorations, and he even saw a weapons and armor one – he made a mental note of that one for later.
Most of the goods were for the common folks, though. Despite there being a few that aren’t, most of the really pricey stuff would be near the temple, where the wealthier portion of the city resided. Guards made a round every now and then, to check on things.
The road became even more crowded, nearly impassable, with everyone seeking the temple.
“Why is it so crowded?” he grumbled.
“You haven't heard?” a short, stocky fella next to him said, “the Astral passed away.”
“What? When?” Theos blinked.
“Just last night, most of these people are here to pay their respects.”
“What about the ones seeking the blessings of Dion?” he asked.
“With the Astral gone…” the man shrugged.
“No blessings,” Theos sighed, “just my luck.”
“They will choose a successor soon,” the man continued, “perhaps tonight, even. You should find a place to stay, though.”
That was wise, he thought. There wouldn’t be many places where he could stay if it was this crowded, and less as the day went on. It was morning, so there could be a chance he could find a room at a tavern.
“Any idea who the new Astral will be?” he heard another man ask as he turned to leave.
“Dion will be choosing-”
Theos sighed and left to find a room.
-
Theos wandered through the market, having put the citar in the Blue Crescent’s pen. The room there was sufficient for a decent night of sleep and cheap enough for the circumstances. He stopped at one of the stalls that were selling flowering plants in clay pots. He had never seen those colors in flowers before.
“Do these grow fruit?” he asked the woman. “Can you eat them?”
“What? No,” she frowned. Theos never seen someone be so offended by words that weren’t offending. “These are just flower plants.”
“Are they medicinal or something?” he frowned.
“They are just flowers,” the woman shook her head.
“Why are you selling them then?” he was the one who looked offended now, he suspected.
“They are just flowers,” she repeated with irritation.
“They are beautiful,” a girl beside him said. “You have done well, raising these.”
“Thank you,” the woman bowed.
“So I can’t eat them, and I can’t use them as medicine,” he frowned, “they are just bought to be… looked at?”
“To be appreciated,” the girl said, smiling. “Their vibrant colors, their aromas, and even their shapes invite happiness into one’s soul. Don’t you think?”
Theos crossed his arms and stared at them for a while. He did not feel this happiness that they were supposed to invite. He tilted his head and stared for a while longer. The woman and the girl stared at him for the entirety of his contemplation.
“Yeah,” he said after a while, “not feeling it.”
“Men,” the stall owner shook her head.
“I really-” he turned to look at the girl in the bright blue robes and didn’t continue.
“‘You really’?” she smiled, her bright blue eyes a harsh contrast to her olive skin.
“I- I think I understand,” he said, heart fluttering.
“I’m glad you do,” she looked at the woman and pointed at a flower, a deep red, bell spared one. “I’ll be taking that one, miss.”
“As you wish, my lady,” the woman replied, bringing the flower pot over.
“I’ll pay for this one,” Theos blurted, feeling his ears burning. “I insist.”
The girl’s smile didn’t leave her face as she nodded. “Very well, he will pay for it.”
The woman’s grin should’ve been a warning to him, but it was too late. “One silver piece,” she said.
“What!?” he exclaimed. “They are more expensive than a dagger!” and he would know, because he managed to get a blade for twenty copper pieces, a third of a silver.
“And here I thought you understood flowers,” the girl said, suppressing a laugh.
“Understanding them and paying a ridiculous price for them are two different issues,” he grumbled.
“Fine, I’ll pay for it,” her laughter broke out as she fished for the coin.
“I said I’m paying,” Theos took the rectangular coin and put it on the wooden counter of the stall.
“Chivalrous,” the stall owner rolled her eyes.
“Alright then,” the girl carried the pot with a grunt.
Theos stepped in and took the pot out of her hands. “Uhh, sorry,” he said as he pulled it away. “I’ll carry it for you.”
The girl looked back at the woman and wagged her eyebrows. “Truly chivalrous,” she told her.
“Truly, my lady,” the woman replied, giving him a flat look.
“Very well then, I accept your offer,” the girl said. “Follow me, sir honorable knight, as we continue this shopping spree.”
He nodded and followed the blue-robed girl around.