Lohmen travelled north along the coast, first through the realm of Eyakemep (3820) and then through Tuiuzhizh (1895). Since changing to the habit of sketching, and in some cases simply jotting down a Banners particulars, he had picked up the pace. As such, he arrived in Ujakh in the waning daylight only the day after having lunch with Yerik in Ponshmum.

The town gates of Ujakh were facing west and the town’s Banner was lit gloriously by the setting sun. Knowing he wouldn’t travel any further on the day, Lohmen pulled out his supplies and set to painting the house of Bare Hands, Coins, Mountains. He’d entered Ujakh through the eastern gates, but a polite old women had mentioned he should head for the western gates when Lohmen had asked about the town. The woman, much to Lohmen’s relief was blind and not frightened of his scar, which had only begun to heal but remained rather ghastly.

As he painted Barehands, Coins, Mountains she told him the story of the house of Barehands, Coins, Mountains.

There were four great beings, two brothers and two sisters who travelled the realms spreading the message of the great and holy Uja. They susisted off the goodwill of other followers of Uja and would travel as far as the coins would flow spreading the good word.

One night, on the even of Uja’s Miracle they camped on the banks of a river delta after celebrating the Feast of Sweet Bread. After meal and song had concluded each retired to their tents. When they woke, each one recounted having had the same dream. In it, an arm burst through the ground on either side of the river and intertwined above it. Without speaking, they knew they should settle in this place, and founded the commune known as Ujakh.

Over generations, Ujakh became important in the excavation and transport of deep crystal. The rare resource was found in the mountains beyond Ujakh, and brought with it all manner of prospectors, merchants, hucksters and thieves. All deep crystal moved through Ujakh on the river and out to sea.

In the earliest days of the crystal rush, Ujakh was no more than an abbey a few huts, all living in service of Uja. The crystal trade, however laid all sorts of vagabonds, orphans, widows and widowers at their steps. Parents would leave their children and head for the mountains, hoping to strike it rich. Many would not return, but the Ujakhi welcomed all to stay and to live so long as they shouldered waht burden they could and praised their lord, Uja.

You can still find Ujakhi living here, but they are few and far between. The town, for the most part had become a modern resource town, not lacking for any luxury that would-be miners might enjoy.

When he had finished, he packed up and put five lords into the hand of the woman then made his way to the Moving Mountains Tavern and the adjacent inn for the night. After a meal of prawn curry and stabling his horse for the evening, he retired to his room. He set a candle stick on the bedside table and plopped into the surprisingly soft feather mattress. From his tome-sack he pulled out the letters he and Yerik had discussed the day before. They slid in his fingers almost like silk might.

He’d read them a hundred times and found no answers in the text other than the pluralization of Commissioners. Was it a team, or group of people? Why a hurried tome of census, and why the emphasis on secrecy?

And if it’s so secret, why can these letters not be burned?

He stuck one of the letters into the candle and watched as the flame wrapped and lapped and it’s surface. No matter how long he held it there, it wouldn’t light.

Yerik said the paper came from a mill Ancestral Trees. That the millers could take parts of those trees and turn them into immutable paper.

Sadly, Yerik didn’t have much more on that front, but he did get a chance to talk to Tomeera and she did allude to the mage disappearing into thin air.

One thing at a time, Lohmen.

He snuffed the candle and drifted to sleep.

***

The next morning he felt the best he had since the fight. He didn’t notice any pain in his face, until he looked in the mirror and he had improved flexibility in his burned fingers. When he changed his bandages, the flesh underneath was white and twisted, but clenching his fingers in front him felt almost normal. It was still first light when he mounted up. He flew through the realm of lu Kipa and made note of the Banners in the towns of Kikimu & Musuku and KamuKuma. Shortly after midday he’d crossed over in the realm of Newhul and made for the town of Talul.

He passed under the very fitting Banner of Horse, Horse, Stars on the way into town and quickly got directions to the Mount Registry. He still hadn’t figured out how he was going to get the particulars for Mr. 7042, but he’d made it here. Close to finding out just one thing.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Like in Muzozas, the person behind the desk paid him no mind when he entered despite the noise Lohmen made on his way into the quiet office. It was a woman behind the desk as Lohmen approached and he did his best to angle his scar away from the registrar. He started softly and politely.

“Good morning, maam.” She looked up, and much to Lohmen’s surprise, smiled. He continued.

“It’s a terribly long story, but I have a bill of sale which has a seller ID, but I need to find out their name and where they live.”

The brief smile from the registrar quickly faded.

“I’m sorry, but we cannot divulge that information. There’s a hundred reasons why we wouldn’t, most of which boil down to Horse Sales are Final Sale and we need to adhere to the safety of our market participants. Every time someone came to regret a deal they’d be after the sellers and we’d have chaos and more unsanctioned horse dealing across the realms. No, that wouldn’t be good. For your safety, ser, we don’t divulge your information either.” She explained. Lohmen couldn’t help but agree with the logic of what she was saying, especially since he himself couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t resort to violence when he found Mr. 7042. How the standard adventure gear fit, Lohmen didn’t know, but he had to know more about it.

“Do you have children, maam?” Lohmen asked. The woman’s expression went from serious but empathetic to suspicious.

“Why do you ask?”

“My son was abducted. Some years ago now. But it’s tied to the purchase of this horse. The seller hadn’t made a sale in years and comes out of the woodwork to sell just one horse, to my wife, but in my name. He included some…” he paused. “...things with the sale, and I need to ask him about them. They might hold a clue to where my son is. Please.”

She cleared her throat and somewhat relaxed but held the line on her earlier explanation.

“If we make an exception, it’s a slippery slope and soon we lose the trust of the market. Then there will be inbred horses, lame horses, diseased horses and all manner of shady deals going on. Travel is the lifeblood of the economy, ser. We keep the currents of commerce swift and fair. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.”

Lohmen stared hard at the woman, but didn’t move. Despite his attempts at stoic intimidation, there was a hint of despair in his eyes.

“Look, does the seller owe you money or has the horse died prematurely?”

Lohmen signed. “No.”

“You said the sale included some things, you called them. Was there anything criminal about that?”

Only a murder and a death of self defence on my part.

“No, I don’t…” He looked around the room and at that shelves and volumes behind her. “It’s right there. Are you sure there isn’t anything we can do? I just need to ask him some questions.” He plopped his, lighter than had been, but still impressive Lords purse on the counter. Her reaction was contempt.

“Ser, I really need you to leave. Or I’ll have to call in some guards.”

Lohmen glanced at the two guards, stationed just outside the door with glistening rapiers hung at their side. He gave the woman a solemn nod and left the building without incident. As passed by the guards, he remarked on their youth and knew stood no chance against them. It really was luck he escaped the robbery attempt over a week ago.

Lohmen crossed the street and ducked into the (BANNER TAVERN) and found a spot in the corner with a window view to the registry across the street. He ordered a drink and a meal from the keep. He drank the ale, but mostly pushed the food around his plate staring daggers into the registry building.

He pondered breaking in after dark, but the sheer volume of records was too much. He’d never be able to find the single record and get out quickly. No, he needed her to get the record. Going back to the iron bank was a possibility, but in his quick assessment of her she seemed to be a true believer in the Mount Registry. If he was going to get her to pull the record for him, he’d need a more visceral reason to compel her.

As he was sipping his drink and engaging in his no-longer-harmless spycraft, he noticed her leaving for the day. She locked up the front door, and relieved the guards from their duty. The guards walked away in one direction, and she headed back towards the part of town where most of the houses were. Lohmen plopped a few lords on the table for his fare, and stepped out into the street. He pulled up his hood and began to follow the woman at a distance.

For nearly a mile, he pursued the woman careful to keep out of site.