Despite the city’s and the earthen mages best efforts, it’s difficult to build a traditional city on a swamp. The land and the weather is always fighting you, solidified ground becomes unstable, and water always runs everywhere. Permanent enchantments were costly and were only used on the priority structures, the walls, the gates, the church, some of the major industrial structures, and of course, the city keep and palace. The shifty ground made it difficult to build upwards or downwards, which led to a sprawling look to the city where few structures could reach the second story.
Looking around, Raksha could see one story shacks and structures with few taller buildings dotting the landscape. Despite the apparent wealth of the city, it gave it the look of a depressing shanty town at first glance, especially when compared to the capital. Raksha had trouble imagining wanting to live here. And yet, here he was, contemplating doing the same.
The adventurers guild hall was one of the few buildings that made it to the second level, that and the brothel, to Raksha’s chagrin. But it made it easy to navigate to, so Raksha made his way there, passing the orderly streets and people just waking up for the day. It was still early and the streets were relatively clear.
Although Raksha was wearing a full set of light armor, gabisan, greaves, helmet, the works, it did not clink and clatter as he walked, nor did it look heavy on him. It looked well worn too, the outer parts covered in dust and grime, with some scars and repair work plain to see. It did not gleam in the morning rays.
Neither did Raksha, weeks of constant travel left him smelly, worn, tired, and hungry.
Enjoying the early morning, he stopped by a food stand that was just setting up. Fires had been lit beneath some iron pots, promising a hot and tasty affair.
Looking up from her work, the vendor gave Raksha a raised eyebrow before saying, “I'll have some food ready in a bit, if you are willing to wait.”
“Please,” Raksha said pleasantly, “I have been eating travel rations for weeks now, I could use something hot.”
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
“I can tell,” the vendor said with a slight chuckle, keeping a distance from Raksha. “You are lucky I will serve you at all. No girl wants a smelly man, be sure to get yourself cleaned next thing, if you want to be presentable. Whoever let a man like you travel like that deserves to be knifed. It's not good for a man’s skin, you know?” She turned behind her and yelled back at somebody.
Raksham scowled.
A young boy came running up with a tray of fresh food, some eggs, meats and vegetables. With veteran practice the vendor scooped the ingredients and plopped them onto the grill with a delectable sizzle. The boy took the empty tray and ran back inside the tent.
“Two coppers for the meal.” the woman said, looking up at Raksha. “You got coin, yes?” He deposited the money into her outstretched hand and waited for the food to finish.
“What brings an imperial slave to Delnin City?” She asked conversationally. “Is the imperial slave corps looking to set up a branch at our dungeon? Didn’t think it was high enough ranked for that.”
Raksha shook his head with a sigh and pointed at his left cheek. “I have been a freed slave for five years. I’ve come here on my own business.”
The woman looked up at him curiously. “Well, I’ll be. Never seen a freed one. Around here the slave corps will never let you go.”
Raksha nodded. “There aren’t many from the imperial corps either.”
“How did you do it?”
Raksha gave her a flat look. “I didn’t sleep my way out, if that was what you were wondering.”
The woman laughed and flushed, busying herself with the food. “I wasn’t thinking that, honest. Just curious, is all.”
Raksha debated saying anything at all but eventually said, “You can pay your way out. You just need to work hard and be lucky. Most people who enter into the corps in the first place though are neither.”
“If you say so,” the vendor replied kindly, wrapping up the grilled food in a flour flat bread and handing it over. “Please enjoy, and good luck in your new life.”
Raksha nodded his thanks and walked away.
“Indeed.”
The breakfast wrap tasted good, even better after the travel food. He tried his best to keep the grease contained, but he knew it was a lost cause to keep himself presentable. He walked and ate, making his way to the guildhall.