Even though he's standing a step higher on the stairs, our eyes align at the same level. His shoulders aren’t particularly broad either, yet he exudes confidence. I must admit, his face is quite appealing — the type girls must fall in love with, though I’m no expert on the preferences of modern city girls. His short, almond-green hair is neatly trimmed, framing his face in a way that casts a slight shadow over his contours while emphasizing his open forehead. His sleeveless, midnight-blue tunic with white piping reveals his skinny arms, but his legs, surprisingly long in proportion to the rest, remind me of a silver gazelle. Not that I’ve ever seen one of those fabled creatures from the tales of old Tak, but I’ve often imagined them racing the wind across the vast steppes of the Eastern Empire, far beyond the Serenitas Desert.
– Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something stuck between my teeth, he asks, panicking seriously, his nail already digging into his gums.
I smile; an action that, now that I think about it, hasn’t happened in a while. Fearing that my smile might seem strange, I quickly wipe it away.
– My name is Ishizora.
– I know.
∼ He knows? How? I can’t have made a name for myself in such a short time… Maybe my outfit has drawn too much attention to myself.
– Nice to meet you, Ishizora, he says, extending his hand with a smile while I continue to stare at him, puzzled. Never shaken hands before? I’m not going to bite, nor drag you into a dark alley to chop off your limbs and sell them on the black market. So, take my hand before I start looking ridiculous!
∼ If that was supposed to reassure me, it failed. I wonder who’d even buy a severed arm. Besides, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy — too clean-cut to be a bandit.
I coolly place my hand in his.
– Nice to meet you… Natsuki, right?
– Nakki for my friends.
There’s something about him that I can’t quite pinpoint — a mischievous spark in his emerald eyes, perhaps, suggesting he always has a bad idea in mind, about to get him into trouble.
– So… Natsuki, what’s with the warm greeting?
– You’re new in town and looking for information about the Geikas, aren’t you?
∼ It seems I’m already famous, after all. I guess I’ve been noticed more than once: at Karim’s tavern on my first night, and again on the street the next morning.
– Don’t look so surprised. I know it’s not right, but I overheard your... brief conversation with the nurse. And judging by your outfit, it’s pretty obvious you’ve just arrived.
His explanation reassure me a bit, though I’m still not entirely convinced. Either he’s very perceptive, or he’s hiding something.
– So, what can I do for you?
– Don’t be so suspicious. It’s crazy what the capital can do to someone. Anyway, you must’ve had a rough time until now, but cheer up — Natsuki arrived to put an end to your suffering!
∼ I’m not sure what there is to be cheerful about. His theatrical gesture, fist raised towards the sky, inspires more fear than anything else.
– And… more specifically?
– I’ve got a deal for you.
– A deal? What kind of deal?
– The kind of deal you discuss by a fountain, not on a staircase. Come on, follow me, he says as he brushes past me, heading toward the fountain with the winged wolf.
I hesitate for a moment, torn between the intrigue and the mistrust this deal story arouses. As I reach the fountain, I watch him from behind as he seems to focus on the basin.
– So… this deal, what’s it about?
– Shhh! I’m trying to concentrate. I’m not as skilled at this as the others.
– The others?
Suddenly, as he holds his hands over the surface of the water, ripples start forming on the surface. The water ripples more and more until a bulb slowly rises beneath the hands of the young man, whose tense face betray his efforts of concentration. After a few moments, a drop of water, as wide as a hand and as long as an arm, begins to emerge laboriously from the fountain. I watch, astonished, as the liquid floats in the air, moving in sync with the young magician’s gestures.
∼ Ever since I arrived in town, I’ve encountered people with abilities as diverse as they are extraordinary. First, there was Kana, the red-haired girl, who scared off ferocious wolves with a single glance. Then the mysterious man hiding his face who opened huge metal doors without touching them. Right after, there was this strange illusion that sent me back out into the street when I could gave sworn I was in the heart of a building. And now, I see water defying gravity, dancing around a fountain.
Completely hypnotized, I don’t notice the liquid is heading towards me until it splashes over my head like a bucket of cold water. Stunned, I stand there, mouth open, while Natsuki bursts into laughter.
– You should see your face right now! It made my day, he says, laughing hysterically.
I regain my composure and think that, after all, I might have been better off not following him. Seeing my face, as dark as can be the one of someone who has never known anger, Natsuki sobers up, wiping away a tear of laughter, though a few chuckles still escape his mouth.
– Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Your smell was scaring off all the girls around here. I’ve got a reputation to uphold, you know, he informs me proudly.
Confused, I discreetly sniff my armpit.
∼ Now that I think about it, it’s been over a week since I had a proper wash, and spending my last two nights in the stables surely hasn’t helped.
– No wonder you’ve had trouble getting information. Who’d want to let someone who smells like a beast come into their place? This isn’t a proper bath, but it’ll have to do for now.
I want to argue, but I can’t deny his truthful words.
– With this sunshine, you’ll be as dry as an ibex butt in no time, and while you’re drying, we can chat.
I’m not sure what the butt of an ibex has to do with it, but the wetness isn’t my main concern. Although I hate being the center of attention, I can feel the stares of passers-by landing on me with a mix of disgust and amusement.
– I don’t mind a quick rinse, but next time, give me a heads up before you douse me.
– If I had, I wouldn’t have laughed as much, he answers very seriously.
Normally, I’d protest such absurd logic, but his hilarity makes it clear that arguing with him would be pointless. He seems to be the type who lives only for fun, blissfully unaware of the dangers of the outside world, which he’s probably never experienced.
– Let’s get back to our discussion.
– Well said! So, here is the thing, I got up late this morning and I’m behind on my chores.
∼ That doesn’t surprise me from him, but why is he suddenly telling me about his day?
– So here’s the deal: you help me run a few errands around town, and in return, I’ll answer all your questions. I can even sign you my new essay : How to have charm in ten steps.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
– Oh, that’s very kind of you, but as you mentioned earlier, I’m more interested in—
– … Geikas, yes, yes, I know, he says with a disappointed look, though my response seems legitimate to me. It happens that I’m part of a Geika myself. My little trick should’ve been enough to convince you. But don’t be so serious! Whatever your goals in life, nothing justify to rush through your youth!
∼ There he goes again with his dramatic gestures.
– I’m not sure to get the point…
He suddenly gets very familiar, draping an arm around my shoulders to whisper in my ear.
– There must be a girl or two who’s caught your eye since you’ve been here, right?
I want to deny it, but his confident smirk stops me from doing so. I briefly think of Kana. After meeting her twice under… peculiar circumstances, it’s clear I’m not indifferent to her, though anyone would feel that way in such situations. Not knowing anything about her yet, I can’t say I feel anything beyond curiosity.
– So, I was right, he whispers in my ear with a grin that annoys me as much as the fact I can’t refute it. Good for you — you’ve come to the right person, he finally says before strutting away with a smug expression, laughing loudly.
He laughs heartily, hands on his hips, strutting away with a smug expression.
∼ Despite his suspicious behavior, especially when I think he somehow knew my name and eavesdropped on my conversation with the nurse, his offer seems fairly straightforward.
– So, are you coming? These errands won’t run themselves, he yells at me from the other end of the square.
I’m surprised at how quickly he covered such a distance. I have thus no choice but to do something I hate to answer him: I shout.
– I haven’t agreed to anything yet!
– What did you say? C’mon, hurry up!
I give up. I might be able to outrun a pack of wolves on steroids, but when it comes to people like him, they’ll always outmaneuver me.
Exploring the shopping district with Natsuki turns out to be far more enjoyable than I anticipated. My usual aversion to crowds seems to have eased, though I’m still not entirely comfortable in packed spaces. True to his nature, Natsuki takes every opportunity to wink at the city girls we pass, eliciting a range of reactions — from a few who seem flattered to many who meet his gaze with disdain. When a woman runs a stall, he immediately start negotiating with compliments, which surprisingly works quarter of the time.
With the handful of silver coins he gave me, I purchase whatever he requests, never venturing too far from his side. It's the first time I’m holding coins in my hand. After all, in the wilderness of Historia, a piece of metal is nothing more than a piece of metal. Each one is stamped with the image of the winged wolf from the fountain — a sign that it must be a prevalent local legend.
∼ I don’t know anything about the city’s customs and traditions yet. Old Tak could’ve filled me in...
Still, there's a peculiar satisfaction in trading these small coins for various items I’ve never encountered before. The merchants eye me warily when they see my clothes, but their expressions brighten the moment they spot the coins in my hand.
∼ Who would've thought such little metal discs could wield such a power?
After each purchase, Natsuki asks about the price to ensure I haven't been cheated. After all, I still don’t know the value of goods here.
∼ So much I have to learn... This world really is full of surprises, and delicious treats.
The aromas from the food stalls are making my stomach rumble loudly enough to be heard beyond the walls. Natsuki seems just as affected and suggests we take a break. He hands me two bronze coins and tells me to choose whatever I want to eat. Though it pains me to make a choice, I finally decide on caramelized meat skewers — their enticing scent has been tempting me for a while now. The stall seems to be quite popular, since five people are already in line.
As I wait, I fill my lungs with the delicious aroma escaping from the grill. My impatience must be readable on my face because when my turn finally comes, the middle age woman running the stall greets me with a warm smile. I exchange the two bronze coins for two skewers, and to my surprise, she also hands me a jam-filled sugar bun. A gift from the house, she told me.
∼ Perhaps my tattered clothes sparked this sudden generosity...
I accept without question and join Natsuki, who leads me to a small park a few streets away. "Park" might be an overstatement. This modest patch of greenery, barely larger than the square with the winged wolf fountain, is bordered by six light wooden benches spaced evenly apart. A few scrawny trees dot the lawn, offering small patches of shade where some couples relax.
With all the benches occupied, we end up sitting on the grass under a tree, not without a hint of embarrassment on Natsuki's face. Wrapped in a soothing calm, only the sounds of our chewing can be heard. I must say, I haven’t eaten anything this good for… as long as I can remember. It’s finally Natsuki who breaks the silence.
– So, do you have any questions for me?
Engrossed in my meal, I’d almost forgotten the reason of my presence with this strange character.
– Holy swimming panther, you’re right! There are so many things I want to know, actually.
– I promised to answer all your questions, didn’t I? Just pick one to start.
– Alright, here’s my first question. Yesterday, someone asked if I was a spy from Techna—
As Natsuki is about to take a drink, with the neck of his waterskin between his lips, he suddenly spits out the liquid he just sipped.
– Wow! As discreet as can be a traveler with fool breath and tattered clothes, you sure got noticed quickly.
His teasing remarks do not reach me anymore, but I discreetly exhale into my hand before continuing.
– I think you also mentioned Techna earlier, so I was wondering... where exactly is Techna?
This time, his eyes almost pop out of their sockets.
– Are we starting from there? What cave have you been living in?
∼ It’s true that old Tak only told me about the places he’d visited during his adventures, and as much of a traveler as he was in his youth, he can’t have seen the whole world.
– I come from too far away for the people here, it seems.
– Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude, he says with an unusual seriousness.
∼ I’m not sure why he’s apologizing — I don’t care what the people here think of me. Maybe the memory of old Tak has cast a shadow over my face.
– I’m just surprised that’s what’s concerning you. If you really were a Techna spy, you’d have been hanged in the public square by now. Listen..., his skewer of meat now finished, he uses the stick to draw a map of the continent on the grass. This large area surrounded by water is the kingdom of Historia, with the Republic of Techna to its north.
∼ After traveling through Historia for over six years, I knew it was a vast kingdom, but seeing it represented like this is astonishing.
– Techna is barely a tenth the size of Historia, and that’s not even counting the rocky mountains that separate us, eating away at their habitable space. Together, these two countries form the continent of Aktos, separated from the rest of the world by the Serenitas Desert to the northeast. If you like sand, that place is for you, he exclaims, spreading his arms wide as if presenting a location that only he boasts of knowing.
He spreads his arms wide, as if showing me a place that only he claims to know.
∼ Has Natsuki been that far already? He doesn’t exactly look cut out for that kind of adventure...
– Do you like sand, he asks suddenly, making me stammer a vague response. Me, it irritates my skin.
This touching confession is followed by a long silence during which I wait impatiently for a follow-up that never comes. Natsuki is now playing with his skewer, passing it between his fingers with a dexterity that commands respect.
– And so?
– Sorry, what was I saying again?
– You were talking about the Sérénitas Desert.
– Ah, you’re right!
He clears his throat before continuing.
– Beyond this desert lies what we call the Eastern Empire, but that name is more of a label given to unknown lands than the one of a real empire. In fact, we know almost nothing about these regions since no one has ever been there. Or at least, no one has ever returned.
∼ Old Tak did! At least, that’s what he told me, and his stories were always so rich in detail that it’s hard to doubt their truth. But I’d rather not interrupt Natsuki with that.
– Beyond the Mycean Sea lies the territory of the Northerners. Again, apart from a few traders who left their mark long time ago, we know next to nothing about them.
∼ It seems we don’t know much about many things in this country. Probably because the dense vegetation of Historia makes long journeys as tedious as dangerous.
– As for Techna, their relations with Historia are... delicate. We’ve fought many wars in the past, but after years of conflict and mutual depletion of resources, a truce was signed about fifty years ago.
– In that case, what about the men I saw at the Kusur Geika? They didn’t exactly give the impression of being in a time of peace.
– In reality, a deep animosity still lingers between our two nations, and the situation at our borders is far less stable than the government would have us believe. Being so far from these tension zones, it’s easy to deceive the people into the illusion of a false peace.
I glance around me. The city seems so peaceful, behind its immense protective walls. Enclosed in this haven of peace, the inhabitants are probably unaware of the dangers that threaten them beyond these fortifications.
– What were they fighting over?
– According to history books, Techna, having exhausted its resources through rapid industrialization, invaded Historia in search of new ones. But if you ask me, Historia’s leaders likely aren’t blameless either.
– If the difference in our territories is so vast, why didn’t we share some of our resources? A few less hectares wouldn’t have made much difference, especially since much of the wilderness is uninhabited.
– The thing is, people of Historia have a very negative view of Techna's industrial development. Here, tradition and respect for nature are paramount. Our society may seem outdated compared to Techna’s, but our leaders would never risk losing popular support by building factories that would eventually deplete the land and the Mystra. You could say Techna chosed progress, while we remained rooted in our traditions. Over time, this choice drove a wedge between our communities, and as they stopped understanding each other, conflicts erupted.
– You mentioned Mystra earlier, didn’t you? I think I heard that word today already.
Natsuki sighs deeply, striking his forehead with his hand.
– Pfff... We’ll never see the end of it, he says as he places his hand on his forehead and lets out a long sigh.
– Sorry about that...
– Anyway, let’s save that topic for later, or we’ll never finish these errands in time.
Standing up, he brushes off his tunic.
– Hang on a second! I still have that bun.
– So? Eat it! You’ve earned it.
– Without your coins, I wouldn’t have been able to eat.
I break the warm bun in half and offer him one piece. After a brief sigh, and seeing that I won’t back down, he accepts the modest present.
– If you’re this generous, you’ll go broke. I don’t know what forest you came from, but it is a real jungle here.