The waves were calm.
The freshwater lake was crystal clear. The angle of driftwood poking out of the water observed to be close to the surface. Only when a school of fishes swam near it, moving as one giant organism, Kihet saw their smalls shadows. Judging the distance of the fishes to their shadows, he determined the actual depth of the water to be deceptively deep.
Halfway through the trip, Kihet noticed several workers climbing off the side of the world tree harvesting one of its many ginormous needles. It was explained because vegetation was scarce in Pamalyra, the cutting of trees was highly frowned upon. Ships were mainly constructed of needles shaved into planks as substitute for wood and parts of monsters swimming below the sand.
[We arrived] Aten tapped his slate to grab Kihet’s attention.
“Be careful of the step.” Lily stretched her hand towards him.
“Thanks.”
They took in the sight of the Golden Temple’s entrance before following Tama and Salith into the building. Their footsteps, although light, echoed throughout the lobby. The tall marbled pillars holding up the arched ceiling reminded everyone how small they were. Below the center where all arches met was a fountain directly pumping out water from the freshwater lake it was built atop of.
A sliver ray of sunlight glowed off its marbled floor and the lights reflected off its gold plated ceiling, illuminating the interior without needing a torchlight.
“Miss Leotharp, welcome back. Your group may proceed to meet with Lord Kamrah in his studies. He is eagerly waiting for your arrival.”
“Sounds good.” Tama flicked several silver coins onto the desk as soon as she passed by. “Nyie appreciate your help.”
The sound of gears suddenly caught everyone’s attention as everyone frantically attempt to pinpoint the source. Cool air flooded the ground as a stone wall behind the receptionist revealed the floors below the Golden Temple.
Lily felt a chill ran down her spine as soon as she took the first step down the staircase. It was a day and night difference as soon as she challenged the staircase.
“Wow! Kihet, look over there! And there! And that!”
Fishes swam above, below and beside them. The ceiling and walls were built of transparent, yellow tinted glass panes allowing to see the underwater scenery.
“Is it safe to walk?” Salith uncomfortably studied the tunnel.
“Of course! As long as no one hits any of the glass.”
“Who are we meeting?” Kihet asked.
“Vike Kamrah. One of the big three Merchants of the capital. He’s in charge of overseeing foreign affairs.”
“What about the Samark family?”
“They’ll contact you in their own way.”
“So, this Vike. Are you on friendly terms with him?”
“We are very much business partners. Nyanyhow, there are a few things you must know, Grumpy one.” Tama raised her finger. “First, he takes his contracts very seriously. If you owe him, Lord Kamrah will get his debts no matter the method. And two, get a written copy of ledgers and read everything.”
“Is he the type to add conditions without letting you know?” Kihet asked.
“He isn’t, but he may twist the meaning of statements of the contract on you if you aren’t careful.”
“That’s straightforward.”
“Lastly, if he does say something offensive refrain from making nyany witty comebacks or act out of emotion. He may be unreserved and brash, but you do not want your name to be in his book of grudges.”
“I can’t promise that. If he goes too far-.”
“You must not. Your stay in Navargzan will be hell. The result of the fallout will harm the Scalemen more than you’ll imagine. It’d be your best interest to have a positive connection with him.”
“…I’ll try.”
Their footsteps echoed all the way down to next level. Upon landing on the bottom floor, Kihet and the others couldn’t believe their eyes. The view below the lake was exposed behind a yellowish tinted glass hallway.
Aten propped up to the window, lightly tapping his finger as he studied the sturdiness of the structure. Lily’s curious eyes wandered around, taking in the view of the underwater scenery. Salith avoided walking too close knowing the glass tunnel was the only thing keeping the water away from them.
On the other end was a vast study chamber filled with trophies of slain monsters, books, maps and paper. Kihet first noticed a massive skull of an unknown sand creature hanged from the ceiling with a chandelier in its jaws. There were many models of ship in bottles throughout the chamber, collecting dust from being untouched for who knows how long.
Currently, the master of the chamber was seen wearing a monocle. The Lycanthrope stuck a set of tweezers into the bottle, pulling a string to raise the ship model’s mast.
“Perfect… Oh, how perfect this is. And you’re just in time, Leotharp.”
A long fox like grin stretched from his snout all the way back to his ears. The Lycanthrope dressed in golden etched silk robes hoist his latest work in the air then setting it at the edge of his desk for all to see.
“Excellent craftsmanship, Lord Kamrah.” Tama rubbed her paws with a merchant’s smile. “Your designs even surpass the finest craftsman in the world~.”
“You’re giving me too much credit. It’s embarrassing. Sides, I can’t compare myself to workers who’s mastered the craft to build life size functioning vessels. They’re practically wizards.”
Vike’s cackling stopped as soon as he laid eyes upon Kihet’s group. One Devil Folk, one Giant, one Insectoid and one handicapped unknown. He adjusted his monocle, helping himself to a seat as his thin arms, almost like tree branches, rested on the surface of his desk.
“I have no need for some amputee. How much for the other three?” Vike pointed at Lily, Aten and Salith. “They look like they could be great contestants for gladiatorial shows. Seventy thousand silvers? No, we have some awfully high class specimens. How about two hundred thousand silvers?”
Kihet nearly burst a vein to keep his emotions as soon as Vike began making offers. He hid a fist behind his back, pinching himself to keep himself quiet.
“Unfortunately, these are people who requested an audience with you today.” Tama answered. “Specifically, the Grumpy one.”
“Grumpy one? The one wearing the eyepatch and a peg fer a leg? What is he? A pirate?”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Vike and Kihet exchanged stares. Vike dismissed his own redundant questions and continued on.
“So, you’re the one who Leotharp mentioned. You brought the Scalemen to Pamalyra’s paradise. What did you say you wanted again?”
“I requested the Scalemen to be given refugee status.”
“Right. The mass exodus. Quite the parade you brought to me.”
“Will you help them?”
“I see no reason to allocate resources to aid those who aren’t Beastmen to begin with. Rather, I can think of a hundred reasons to deny their refugee status.”
“Lord Kamrah, s-sir?”
“Don’t mistake me, Leotharp. You may acquainted, friends maybe, but not even your reputation can influence my decision. Currently, I can only see the Scalemen values as slaves, fated to do labor away for the rest of their lives.”
“Unless you can benefit from them, you won’t accept them?” Kihet asked.
“I don’t know what sort of beaten up race you are, but Pamalyra only speaks one language. Money. Unless you got wealth to back you up, betting on people’s goodwill will get you a knife stuck on yer back. Otherwise, sell em.”
“How much?”
“Hmm? I don’t think I can hear you.”
“How much silver do you want in order to give the Scalemen refugee status?”
“You must be insane to let others strike up a value, but I admire your guts.” Vike smiled. “If Leotharp wasn’t here, I would have asked for a hundred million silvers. I’ll show my generosity and ask half of that.”
“Nya?! Fifty million silvers? Sir Kamrah, acquiring that amount is nigh impossible even for those who acquired nobility status.”
“If you are willing to save those who I find are not worthy, that amount is a small price to pay no? You, the one eyed freak, are not even one of the Scalemen. If whatever good you desire is no lip service, then you will accept my price without hesitation, will you not?”
Fifty million silvers. If Kihet were to guess, he would have to collect about a few percent of total wealth in all of Pamalyra in order to pay a debt to Vike. Where would he have the time or resources to collect such an amount in a short span of time?
Perhaps Tama has a plan.
“Yeesh, don’t glare at me Grumpy one. I’ll try to persuade him.” Tama sighed. “Sir Kamrah~. Oh, most benevolent Scholar of all of Pamalyra~. Rather than silver, the Grumpy one and his band of hardened adventurers are those who have faced the Dragonkins. Perhaps, they may be able to take on some of your requests?”
“Hmm… you have faced the Dragonkins you say? Have they encountered the one known as Crimson’s Wrath?”
“Indeed! Not only survived. They have bested him through many hardships and sacrifices. I present the Crimson Wrath’s horn as evidence.”
Tama rummaged her bag for Alc’Bruk’s broken horn and humbly set it on Vike’s desk. In an instant, Vike’s eyes and claws were found drawn to it.
“Oooh! Magnificent! The energy I feel radiating from it is much more impressive than I imagined. This is certainly the Crimson Wrath’s broken horn!” Vike exclaimed. “I’ve only met the barbaric thing once and it’s as I remembered. The gleam, the redness, its crimson color is perfect, no, extraordinary to have it sitting before me in person!”
“Will you reconsider the offer after receiving such a grandiose gift?”
“I will, no! I must! Never have I thought a deep crimson horn would fall in my hands.” Vike sang praise of the horn’s appearance. “For this one of a kind marvelous gift, I shall deduct the fee to one million silvers! A hefty discount for the lives of all Scalemen you brought!”
While Vike continued to be distracted by Alc’Bruk’s horn, Kihet’s group quickly huddled together.
“Can we lower the value anymore?”
“This is the closest I can bargain for. Lord Kamrah’s a crafty merchant at heart. He’ll devalue the horn of we push more. This is the best offer we can get.”
“One million silvers is still too much. We don’t even have twenty thousand.” Salith said.
[Any way make fast money?] Aten wrote.
“Do we need to pay now? How long do we have?” Lily asked. “Some of us can do some quest to earn something in the meantime.”
“We don’t have much time. The Captains can’t keep the Scalemen on their boats for long, but I just remembered something from what Tama told me a while back.” Kihet faced Vike. “I saw flyers stating the colosseum has a grand prize pool of fifty thousand silvers for the winner. If we can have some time, I could enter and win some quick change.”
“Then what about the other nine hundred and fifty thousand? Interest ain’t a pretty thing to have building over time.” Vike questioned.
“If I recall, there’s a prize pool that has been building up since a decade ago. Exactly one million silvers. That’s if I beat the reigning champion, right?”
Vike burst out laughing. “You, to win against the reigning champion? Oh man, I can’t stop laughing! I can understand if your compatriots attend as they seem to have a chance. How is someone like you going to beat the reigning Champion? You wouldn’t be able to land a single hit in your sorry state!”
“I wouldn’t be sure about that. Vol may be fast, but he’s also a simpleton.”
“You mentioned the holy one’s name without using honorifics. Who are you to show such disrespect to the Holy races?”
“Who else? He must’ve mentioned my name at least a dozen times if he’s considered me a friend after all the years I’ve known him for.”
“Is that so?” Vike scratched his beard. “To whom of the holy race do I have the pleasure speaking to?”
“Kihet.”
The Lycanthrope leaned far back in his chair, lifting his snout towards the center of the ceiling. He stroked his long beard as he searched through his memories. A moment of silence later, Vike made a slight reaction as if he recalled hearing the name before.
“No wonder your scent is familiar. Indeed, Holy Vol has certainly spoke of your name many times, Holy Kihet. So much so with intense jealousy.”
“Is he still going on about me sent to Xu and another going to Easul?”
“You certainly are a friend of his Holiness with that answer.”
“And what about our deal?”
Vike walked around his desk and approached Kihet. The Lycanthrope stretched out a hand. “Consider me invested in your proposal. I will grant you time until the gladiatorial shows have ended.”
“Could I have a written contract?” Kihet shook the Lycanthrope’s wrist.
“Certainly. Besides, it will be easier to track you down if you fail to bring me the silver you owe. Know that I will be merciless if it comes to it.”
Gesturing towards the table, Kihet saw two scrolls containing the contract as if Vike anticipated the result of the negotiations. After he and Tama carefully examined the contents to ensure no tricks were added, Kihet confidently signed his name. He bit his thumb and stamped his thumbprint with his blood to ensure its authenticity.
“Excellent. I’ll also produce a letter of recommendation for ya. It’d give you clearance to join the gladiatorial shows.” Vike neatly tied the contract and handed it to Kihet. “Holy Kihet, may the fortune of winds blow in your favor.”
----------------------------------------
Rogus’ jaws stretched wide open, stretching his whole body and yawned.
He was always on the move whenever he visited Navargzan, unable to appreciate the view of serene lake sparkling in front of him. It was certainly a nice change of pace as he enjoyed the quietness he never thought to ever experience.
Until someone unpleasant hissed at him.
“Look what we have here? The rabid wolf has resurfaced after all those years missin.”
Rogus’ ear perked up, hearing a gang of well dressed individuals sauntered towards him. He quickly scraped a line on the docks with [Rolling Crown] before any got closer.
“Oh my, that’s [Rolling Crown] isn’t it? Silver’s favorite weapon from the pirate subjugation war, isn’t it?”
“Whaddya want? I ain’t got time for ya.”
“You look like you have all the time in the world sitting so relaxed right there.” A Mixrel in a suit grinned. “I have a favor to ask you, no, a request you cannot afford to turn down.”
“Sorry man, I ain’t lookin fer work. Try the Mercenary guild.”
“Would you like to know what has happened to the little harbor your home was at?”
“ya dammed assholes… Ya want me to tear you all a new one don’t ya?”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” At the snap of the Mixrel’s fingers, one henchmen opened a suitcase. “Do be a good boy and tell Silver to stop looking for him.”
“Who’s him?”
He was ultimately ignored.
Instead, a finger was revealed to be resting in the middle of the suitcase. Once Rogus recognized its scent, every hair on his body stood up. His ears shot straight up and bore his fangs. His bloodshot eyes immediately locked onto the Mixrel smirking back at him.
“I would be very worried if I were you-.”
A scream suddenly echoed across the district. The Beastmen witnessing Rogus’ brutal rampage immediately went to hide.
Before the Mixrel could finish his sentence, Rogus pounced at him. The Lycanthrope’s fangs aimed for the Mixrel’s neck and tore his throat off. The members of the gang, unfazed, drew their weapons and rushed to stop Rogus.
One quickly popped open a vial. Its contents could not be splashed at Rogus as the broad blade of [Rolling Crown] flew towards him.
The bottle rolled around, spilling golden dust.
“Ima kill every single of ya shits!”
Rogus feral swing bisected four of his inciters. Despite lacking one arm, he was able to shred through their numbers. Upon his instincts warning him of a sweeping slash aimed at his legs, he leaped into a somersault.
“[Rolling Crown]!”
His named weapon glowed as a response to its wielder’s beckon. As Rogus slammed his greatsword into the ground, a bladed wave shot forth and cleanly cut apart three foes.
Blood spurted from their halves as the bodies collapsed, all with unsettling smiles on their faces.
Rogus then saw the last one attempted to move through the frightened crowd. Before he could lose his target, Rogus latched onto the building and kicked off the wall. He threw into his prey onto the floor, his claws wrapped around his opponent’s neck.
“Now, you will tell me where ya kept Ma before you die.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Then die, painfully and slowly. Enjoy yer sweet last breath, ya shits.”