Slowly, I drew a single silver coin from my purse which only caused the man to raise an eyebrow. With a small sigh, I produced another coin.
“Most generous. Most generous, indeed. You truly must be new to Al-Lazar to donate such an amount in hard coin,” he guffawed, causing his men to chuckle with him nervously. “The name is Ahmed Rafiq… would you give me your name? For the record, of course.”
Had I misjudged him? Had the raised eyebrow been nothing more than signaling his surprise at being paid in real solid silver? Either way, it was too late now.
I drew a breath to calm myself. “Gilgamesh of Uruk,” I responded flatly, but politely. Even as I gave my name, I gathered the threads of Mana within and sent them questing to gauge the man before me and confirm the truth of his words. Identify was working hard, this day.
Ahmed Alim - Council Guard (Human lvl.17)
Health: 195/195
Stamina: 27/33
Mana: 9/9
"An unfamiliar name, but one I shall endeavor to remember. Making a friend of the City Guard is a wise move indeed. Should you find yourself in any trouble in Al-Lazar, I might be inclined to assist, provided your generosity continues," he said, his eyes gleaming with avarice.
With a sharp barked-out command, Ahmed directed his men, "You lot, round up these creatures and lock them in the cages where they belong!" The guards saluted briskly before descending on the Beastkin. They subdued any remaining resistance in them with the truncheons and clubs at their hips, secured them in irons, and then frog-marched them away, parting the crowd as they went.
Ahmed, following his men briefly, stopped a moment later to offer me parting words. "Adventurer Gilgamesh of Uruk, savoring a job well done is a rare pleasure indeed. I wish you and your companion a good day." He then added, with a cautionary tone but a sly smile, "A word to the wise, fraternizing with a crimson whore invites trouble. Not that I can blame you," he said, his smile turning rakish.
I turned over his words and unfamiliar nomenclature, thinking that he had insulted me in some way. Understanding came a few heartbeats later when I realized that I was not out on my own.
“Indeed, Ahmed Alim,” I blurted, my words coming out faster than I intended. “I have heard such advice before in regards to your sister, but that has not stopped the long line of men who vie for her attentions. You would also do your best to mind your manners around my friends. Especially those of the fairer sex,” I said in my most friendly and false voice. It was a poor rejoinder, but it was the best I could do at the time in a language that was not my mother tongue.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
He paused for a moment, giving me an odd look and I smirked in response. Ahmed looked as if he wanted to say something, but stopped himself. Simply turning around, he gave a dismissive yet casual wave and rejoined his men. Soon he was lost in the crowd. The tall polearms of the City Guard, bobbing above the heads of the general public, gradually disappeared from view.
You have gained 1 Charisma
As I read the notification, I could not help the thin smile that crept its way across my face. I would consider two silver coins a good bargain for a permanent increase to one of my attributes. That and a sprinkling of experience points from throwing down hands with the Beastkin.
My fists were clenched tightly at my sides, and I noticed I was shaking. Was I shaking because of frustration, fear, or anger? Perhaps relief, a quieter voice inside of me suggested. Maybe it was a blend of all four.
Taking a deep breath, I stilled myself to take stock of the situation, now that the danger had passed. Part of me wanted to scream out in protest at the waste of money. A different, darker part of me felt frustration that I had not slaughtered the lot of them, consequences be damned.
Still, they had certainly got what they deserved. The irons suited them.
Could have done with a few more points of experience though.
Zariyah and I drifted off to the side of the street to let the growing traffic pass.
“Are you alright,” I asked softly.
She simply nodded, looking spooked. We were both likely still processing the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. In my life, excitement had a peculiar way of arriving. All at once, overwhelming and without warning.
“Do you want to go back?”
To this, she surprisingly responded by shaking her head weakly. She gave me a weak smile.
This is life in the city of Dust. I did not expect you to be the center of so much trouble on your first day here. Your friends were right to say that you attract trouble as honey does flies.
But, you possess a rare strength, I think. I can see how the others are drawn to you. You treat those of the Silver like they were children and the savage Beastkin as if they were unruly pets. You choose violence when silence would serve you better.
What is it that drives you, Gilgamesh? She asked with her hands.
“What I want is freedom… a freedom from something you could never understand. Free from the shadow of an eventual death. I don’t want to die, I guess I want to live forever,” I confessed with a weak smile.
Her brow furrowed prettily in confusion. Freedom for a free man? From anyone else I would think this nonsense… but you mean it don’t you? You are young and have no cause to fear death.
“I do not mean to be overly dramatic, but I have met with death too many times. I know the dark oblivion that it is,” I replied a touch defensively.
Fearing something so far in the future will only color your present with sadness. I think I understand now… And when you laugh, I hear the echo of the Winds’ madness in your voice. It troubles me.
This was her reply, her finger’s movements straight, crisp, and sure.
I crossed my arms and replied archly, “Should I be taking this as an observation or a complaint against my character?”
Take it however you wish, her hands messaged, as her usual thorny mask reasserted itself.
With a small huff, she started off back down the road, giving me no choice but to follow her. Women, as always, were as inscrutable as the faraway stars.