Chapter 5 – The Four Slaves of the City of Storms (5)

The dust that covered the city of storms vanished. Driving, the carriage that the four stole was quite easily recognizable. The ‘emblem’ on it was easy to spot. They just massacred the entire mansion so the four didn’t have time to waste. They went to the nearest dwarven smith. Shig knew the way so he pointed the directions.

The dwarven smith’s workshop was situated near the wall of the city. The dwarven saw the carriage coming so he opens the workshop doors and put on his best smile. This smile vanished though when he saw Shig riding the carriage. The dwarven’s face frowned as he touches his forehead.

“Shig...do you know what the hell are you doing?”

“I know.”

“Then why the hell did you bring yourself here? Look, I know that you got collared by some noble. But once they find out that you came here. Do you really think that I wouldn’t be in trouble!?”

“Barbados, aren’t you leaving this shithole anyway?” Shig assisted Leiko and Kioko out of the carriage. Barbados the Dwarf looked at the two Cattus sisters, saying. “And you bring with yourself two of the Cattus Race to boot.”

“This is Leiko and Kioko. Leiko, Kioko, this is Barbados the Dwarf, a Smith and a blood brother of mine.”

Barbados nodded, then looking at Joshua who was looking at them. “Who’s that? A guard of the mansion you were enslaved off? Or a fellow slave?”

“His name is Joshua. He doesn’t speak the common tongue so forget about communicating with him.”

“How can someone not know the common tongue? Even a beggar knows how to speak it!” says the Dwarf, as he circles around the carriage. His eyes were examining the automobile as if obsessed.

“He’s probably a foreigner who got lost when the space around the desert distorted.”

“Is that so?” Barbados eyed Joshua before giving a helpless sigh, “So do you want me to modify this carriage for you? You should know that riding this flimsy thing in that vast desert is the same thing as committing suicide.”

“That’s why we wanted you to have it instead.” Shig crossed his arms, “The dust storm has cleared. We massacred an entire mansion and the Dolce of Alva should find out what happened by now.”

“Bloody hell, you blood crazed bull. Why didn’t you just escaped? That owner of yours was a kin of the Dolce of Alva. And this blood carriage must be hers! No one in the right mind other than that Dolce would bring a carriage like this here!” The dwarf said loudly, “Thank the Gods you haven’t murdered the Dolce! A whole army would be after you!”

“I know. Hence, we made sure she was out when we did the deed. I am not that foolish.”

“Yet you bring her property in my workshop! Shig, we are blood brothers, we’ve slain dragons and laugh at the middle of battles but this is just!”

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“So will you do this for me? How much can you pay for the carriage?”

Barbados could only lower his shoulders, “Enough to buy you a sand gator mount. That should fit this whole team of yours. Are you going to Avila then? Really, once you got there you’d met with folks trying to recruit you on their army.”

“I know. Do you think I have a choice?” Shig smiled weary, “These guys need my help. I just can’t leave them alone.”

“Ah, the strange empathy of the Cornus right there.” Barbados took hold of a wrench, “You horn people are strange beings. That strange sentimental empathy is as good as a curse.”

“It is our nature. But are you going to help us?” asked Shig.

“Do you think that I would abandon my blood brother? Come get the girls to the living room. There should be food in my cooling box. And you human get out of the carriage and follow them.” Barbados gestured Joshua to follow Shig and others. Joshua could tell what he meant so he followed Shig into the living room. Behind him, the sounds of the metal meeting each sounded. The dwarf started his dismantling.

Inside the living room, there was a couch, a table, and a square wooden box. Shig went to the wooden box and pulled out some food. The Cattus sisters put the leather bags down. Shig placed the food on the table. Fruits, celery, sugar cane, beef jerky, was ready for them to eat. Kioko took the sugar cane, Leiko, however, told her to eat some of the beef.

Joshua meekly took a fruit and sat on the opposite side of the couch. Shig took some of the fried celery and nibbled on them. His thoughts went to the City of Avila and the Warlord there who was on warpath. Shig has been trying to avoid that warlord. She was a young warlord, and someone familiar with him. She was the daughter of a blood brother and Avila was his city. That warlord was now struggling to keep that city of mercenaries afloat. Shig has tried to avoid going to the city. But it seems like fate wanted him to there.

As Shig was in deep thought, Kioko pulled Joshua’s sleeve. Joshua looked at Kioko in confusion. She wanted to make Joshua follow him so she gestured at him. Joshua has no clue what she was saying. But her gesture made it clear for Joshua that she wants to be followed. Joshua followed Kioko to wherever she wanted to go. Leiko saw them and followed behind.

Kioko led Joshua up to the stairs. They went past Barbados’s room and went up through this narrow staircase. Joshua didn’t know what Kioko wanted. But the moment he stepped his foot out. He saw something amazing. Behind Kioko was a myriad of stars. A pinkish and a green aurora were painted in the sky. The galaxies were seen and several dots could be gazed upon. He saw the nebulas. He saw the two moons and the planets aligned. In this enormous sky, Joshua felt like he was a speck.

The wind was gentle. Joshua then felt something happening. Although the scene in front of him was already awesome. The sprinkle of diamond-like dust that was falling like rain made Joshua even more stun. That spectacular scene made him thought.

Ah, I'm really in a foreign world.