"Why would anyone pass up an opportunity to travel with the city! It's much faster than sea routes. And yet I almost had to drag you here." "You keep forgetting that the cost of staying here is quite high." "By your standards," the man with a prominent belly sipped his drink, eyeing the rich color of the wine. Blood of the Fathers. He had to know how they made this wine. It was the same fruit his company sold, yet the product was so different. Translucent, yet rich in both color and taste. "By our standards. You're the one paying for my trip as well. Though I'd agree that traveling within the city is much safer than by the sea." The rough man tightened his grip around the hilt of his dagger. Old habits die hard. "But the city is buzzing with tension. You should agree with that at least, Imar." "Bah, of course! The entire region fell. Be glad we got the traveling bracelets before it happened." Suni rolled his sleeve and looked at the bracelet. Compared to his onyx skin, its silver rim looked almost as if it emitted a soft light.

Someone touched his shoulder. He stood up quickly, his hand on his dagger, unsheathing it just a little. "You, both. Show me your traveling permit."

A man in expensive clothes approached, looking every bit like a noble ready for court. Imar didn’t flinch as the man asked for their traveling permits, while Suni’s hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his dagger. Imar calmly rolled up his sleeve and revealed the silver bracelet around his arm. Suni glanced at Imar, then back at the man, and did the same.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The well-dressed man raised his sword in its sheath, and Suni’s muscles tensed. But the man gently tapped Suni's bracelet with the tip of the hilt. A strange chime rang out. He did the same with Imar's bracelet. The sound was identical. "Have a pleasant stay, oh guests of Immortalis." The man touched his forehead with his fist and left.

"Was that a local noble?" Suni was still watching the man leave, gripping the dagger under his wide belt. "No, Suni, that is just a local guard. Lowest rank, I think. Patrol duty is pretty boring, so they like to pick on foreigners." "Lowest? He’s dressed better than you!" Suni exclaimed, his eyes following the man as he sat back down, shaking his head in disbelief.

The day was nice—warm, with a pleasant breeze—but there weren’t many people in this small… what did they call it? Tavern? No, they called it something else. Wineyard?

"Even local beggars are dressed better than me, Suni." Imar looked at his escort with mild disdain. He definitely needed better manners, but Suni was the best guard he could afford. "Please go talk with the owner of this establishment and ask if he will sell me several bottles of this wine. Be nice to him." Suni nodded and left.

I need to know how they make such clear wine, Imar thought. Their cheapest is better than our best. But then again, the city of Immortalis is rarely generous with its secrets. He sipped the cheapest wine once again, marvelling at the taste. I haven’t drunk anything better before.

image [https://64.media.tumblr.com/75dbfafe140795e57f90a26597ba45ae/de46a9010773aab7-8c/s500x750/9426550e82c28b517b6ae6820150d78e47c1a989.pnj]

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Story by: me (worldbuilding for a game in development)

Art by: https://www.artstation.com/sylvain_aublin that helped with early art for the game