Chapter 2- Bread and Windows

The door closed shut softly and the vibrant sun fell upon me with a warm glow. It was bright enough that I had to put my hand over my eyes to shade my sight, but even with that I could see the old botchy tangled roads of the city streets.

They didn't bother me, but the carriage and horse pairs that pounded and rolled down the road seemed to take great offense. Horses neighing loudly and riders cursing as they jolted over small bumps.

It drew a chuckle from innkeepers and store owners that littered the district. Many of them peacefully opening up shop and conducting the business of the day.

As was I.

I gave a small mental pat on my body to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything and began on my way.

It was a good walk full of the smells of crackling bread and salted meat being sizzled on the city streets. Smells so delectable that I halted my business and reached into my pocket for some jingling coin.

It wouldn't do to go without breakfast.

My choice of the morning was a small bread shop I knew well, with large white tapestry that blocked out the sun and a nice seating area in the shade.

It took me five minutes to arrive there, but when I did the smell within pulled me to the register and practically off my feet.

Just to run into a face full of disappointment.

"Oh, it's you again. "

I stopped, feigning offense at the registar who had greeted me, a woman in her late thirties with hair of pale black and skin tanned by the sun.

"I don't think that's how you talk to a customer,....old lady. " I responded back cynically.

Her eye twitched. " You call me a old lady and youre breakfast might have some old bread. "

"You put old bread in my breakfast and your packages might arrive a little waterlogged."

A cynical gaze fell upon me. "Hah! You don't even.....- huh well I'll be damned. You've got your pouch. "

I patted it proudly. "That's right. I'm on official messenger business now. What do you think of that? " I said proudly.

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I was given a few looks from up to down. Then a satisfied nod. " Not bad, One. Not bad at all. " Then she turned on her heel and left the counter going for the open kitchen behind her.

With a graceful precision she sliced and diced. Bread being split open and butter layered atop it in smooth slabs.

With a shake of a pan there was a sizzling batch of meat slapped upon it and with a dash here and a dash there there a meal appeared on the counter.

"On the house. " She said when she was finished.

"....You sure Liyah. "

She frowned.

"Never ask a lady twice. It's uncouth. Now c'mon take that as congratulations and get outa here, I got customers. "

"Thanks,.... Old Lady. "

I laughed at the yells she threw out as I left. Munching on the deliciousness all the while.

I licked my fingers as I finished, feet stopping as I arrived at the first crossroads.

The bridge of Tang.

A small looping bridge that curved up before falling down in a gentle slope, and the connector between the market district I had left to the rural district I would need to enter.

The slope was an enjoyable one for me, because it gave a new view to the city, its edge overlooking a river many feet below. Against the sun it was a beautiful sight.

I stopped for a while to appreciate it before moving on. Waving at the two guards who managed said bridge.

They passed me through with a grunt as they took in my pouch, the bag of the Messenger needing no introduction.

The other side of the road was much different from the market district. The roads were paved, the buildings larger and the aura of it all screamed rich. 'Alright I thought, this way.

I recalled the map and it's twisting lines and began bringing them out in front of me, the route layed over the road in thin green lines, I could follow.

My mind throbbed a little from the effort.

It made me, it made me,

"Blourghhh". I burped.

'Alright.' I thought. Good.

It would be a half hour of walking through twisting roads before I would arrive. Every once in a while I would change out the lines for different colors for entertainment, following through the windy roads until I eventually made it to my destination.

The home wasn't as large as the many other I had passed on my way to get here, in fact it was much smaller, but unlike the grandiose mansions that littered the road, this one had a unique quality.

For one, it was loud.

Booming noise echoed from it's insides. Sound of a horn that peeled through the air and landed on my ears with an uncomfortable weight.

I scratched my head and walked forward, slightly curious about the noise. There weren't many steps about ten give or take and I had made it to the fifth when I began to hear the noise within.

"Almost! Yes, Almost! Just a little more and we'll have it! Keep it going , yes! Yes!!!!!!!

Then the window burst.