He had finally done it. After several months of travel, many nights of hunger and a few kidnapping attempts, Dellowile had finally arrived at Mephis, the famous jewel of the coast. Here he could finally put his skills to use and start earning a living wage. All he had to do now was find work.
Dellowile stopped for a moment to take in the spectacle that was the Mephis city gate. Giant sea birds hovered and squawked above the city, making themselves heard over the clamour of the city and the yells of merchants straddling the city’s only entrance. Looking behind, he took a final glance at the small pass that he had just come through, with giant mountains dominating the view on either side of it. In front, a huge wall towered above the young warrior, blocking his view of the renowned port. The unmistakable smell of sea salt was thick in the air, undercut by a pong that could only be described as humanity. A smell that Dewille had never noticed until visiting his first city a few months back. Peaking over the walls were the tops of the famed Academy Magi, one of the institutions that made Mephis such a powerful entity.
Resuming his walk towards the city entrance, he reflected on his journey. He had left his heart and home Maria confident in his strength, promising to return only once he had fulfilled his potential. He knew he was the strongest and fastest fighter in his region, overcoming all challenge since coming of age. He had learned that real combat was different, having been poisoned, ambushed and outnumbered numerous times on his journey. He had faced hunger and poverty, and once even had to steal water from some travellers to survive. He had prevailed at every hurdle, and had developed the cunning to match his strength. I will own this city.
Walking through the front gates proved to be a simple task. The guard took his name, steep entry tax, and recommended a nearby inn. With the heat rising and already thirsty from the trip across the pass Dewille hurried to the inn, noting all the alchemy, potion and magic shops along the route. He’d have to check those out after he secured a job and started earning his due.
As he arrived at the inn, the purple haired girl on the sign winked at him, fluttering her lashes as she did so. Shocked at seeing the sign move, Dewille opened the door and walked inside, excitement growing despite his weariness.
-
Leandi winked and delighted at the reaction she got from the boy outside her inn. He had blushed! He was going to be an easy mark. Hopefully he was wealthy but she doubted it judging by his ragged appearance and shock at her sign. He looked strong though, maybe she could make use of that. If so she owed gatesman Gerrick a tip and maybe a kiss on the cheek depending on how it went.
Checking to make sure her appearance was in order (as cute as a button thank you very much!) she glided down the stairs, lifting her dress a touch higher than was needed to show off her knees. As she was half way down, the front door opened and a lean young man walked through, looking around and inspecting the inn. His eyes lingered on her legs for a moment on her before quickly looking elsewhere. Perfect!
Making her way behind the main bar, she beckoned him over. “Welcome to the Cystal Bell. I’m the owner of this wonderful inn, Leandi. How can I serve you?”
The young boy took a moment before replying “I’m new in the city and I’m looking for a place to stay until I can find some fighters work. How much would a room and food for two weeks cost?”
Leandi bought out paper and pen and started writing down meaningless numbers as she casually flicked one of the small bells on her hem. It chimed back in pure sweet tone to which Leandi listened intently. Happy with its response she smiled widely. “10 gold, that will include a room, laundry and bath services, and breakfast and supper”.
The boy grimaced and thought about it for a few minutes before finally agreeing. Handing over the coins, he looked at his wallet which now only contained a single coin. Deciding to show some mercy, she silently gave him back a gold piece and poured him a mug of mineral water. Giving her a thankful smile he downed the cup before asking about where to find work as a guard. Leandi gave him directions to a merchant who was hiring as well as some bread for the road before seeing him off. Gerrick had earned that kiss.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
-
Dewille got back to the inn after his first shift tired and grumpy. Merchant Tist was a miserable skinflint who didn’t seem to care for the welfare of his workers and saved money wherever possible, even at the expense of his loyal staff. How someone like him could come to own a majority of the port trade baffled the young warrior. He was hired as a guard but had been forced to spend the day moving boxes under the harsh sun like a common labourer. Walking past the sign he saw it was grinning this time. Upon entering the inn he was met with the sight of Leandi walking down the stairs again and looked away before he was caught staring. He thought he could hear her chuckling but wasn’t brave enough to confirm it. Waiting until he could no longer hear the creaking of the stairs he approached the bar and asked “What’s supper?”
Leandi took in the sight of him before replying “Nothing until you’ve had a bath. You smell worse than the outhouse and look like you want to strangle someone. Rough first day at work?” She was smiling again, but not in an amused way. Dewille got an uneasy feeling in his stomach. The smile reminded him of the way Tist looked at his customers. “Am I missing something?” he thought to himself, while out loud he relayed the woes of his day of thankless labour. Leandi lost her smile and made some sympathetic noises, offering him a drink as she listened. When he was done talking she sat down at the bar next to him and offered “I can talk to Tist if you’d like. There might have been some confusion about the type of work you wanted”.
“Thanks. How do you know the old tiger?”
She flapped a hand airily before replying “Never you mind that. That’s between us and I’d rather it stay that way. Are you scheduled to work again tomorrow?”
“No, they don’t need me tomorrow. I’m exploring the town to find other job opportunities and check out some of the sites. The academy, the library and maybe the docks if I have time. I won’t work as a labourer and let my skills fade.”
“What skills are you referring to? Are you a true Swordsman?” She smirked at the idea.
“Not yet, I don’t think I’d survive the test as I am right now. But that’s my eventual goal, and to achieve it I need to be fighting stronger opponents than a crate of apples”.
Leandie laughed at the reply, clapping her hands before leaning across him to look at pommel on his hip. She fingered the hilt then leaned back and played with her hair, lost in thought. The nested bells in her pigtails made harmonious sounds. She seemed to come to a decision and got to her feet.
“What an ambitious person you are. Do you realise how many people try to become Swordsman? How many die before they even take the first steps? And here of all places?”
“I know”.
“And you’re determined to walk this path anyway?”
“I am”.
“And you know that you’ll most likely die and make enough enemies that your family will never be safe again?”
“I know the risks. I am strong. I will not fail.”
She looked deeply at him before nodding to herself. “In that case I’ve got someone to introduce you to. Give me a few days, if he’s willing to meet you I’ll let you know.”
-
Leandie kept her face neutral as the boy boldly proclaimed his plans. To think he’d be so bold! Or foolish! She’s have to check her wards to make sure that word wouldn’t get out. All it would take would be well paid whisper in the right ear and people more powerful than either of them would destroy both him and anyone who might have associated with him. It wouldn’t do to have her inn and plans destroyed because of some foolish bumpkin didn’t have the sense to keep his mouth shut.
She inspected his sword, and found to her surprise the beginnings of… something. Something that she hadn’t seen in a long time. It was faint but she could sense the will coming from the weapon. She consulted her bells and received a second surprise when they rang true. The boy was serious, and had the foundations needed to start the path of the Swordsman. “If I introduce him to Tang, am I dooming him? Am I dooming all of us? Or is this the chance we’ve been waiting for? Can I afford to do it?...
Can I afford not to?”
She decided to test him. She tried to scare him. She didn’t see any hesitation in those eyes, just endless self-belief. And the bells were rarely wrong.
She’d do it. She would reach out to the old bastard and give him what he needed. She would take the gamble and hope that she had bet on the right horse. Nothing had gone right in this city so far, all of her plans had been thwarted. She was too well known. But now she had a wildcard, one that no one could predict. Not even her.