The guard introduced the port city as Tula. The most populated and trade-heavy city in all of Syris. Aliza couldn’t help but be taken aback by the size and structure. It was vastly different from Argos, her home city in Icurus. It was almost everything she had imagined. Finely paved cobblestone streets, the comforting cool air, the rich colors and smells. The buildings were of various sizes from one story to four stories. The tallest was the guard building dead in the center with armed guards patrolling every corner of every street they passed by. She felt both safe and a little uneasy by their presence.
Further down they walked, Aliza was taken aback by the beautiful colors on display. Back in Icurus, it was shades of grey and drab and was constantly plagued by rain. Here in Icurus, now that it was Dreamfall, the greens were melding into shades of yellows and oranges. The leaves are starting to fall off the trees and one falls directly on her head. She took the leaf and smelled it.
“Maple?” Aliza asked.
“That’s right. Gives the city character doesn’t it? Wait until you try the maple syrup for breakfast.” The guard explained. She smiled gazing down at the leaf, then released it into the wind to join the others on the ground.
The people also were very colorful and diverse. Humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, and even a few cat folk. People talking, laughing, and playing, it was shocking to see two people hug and one person wasn’t stealing or driving a dagger through their backs. It was refreshing to see smiles on people's faces, she could feel the warmth their energy radiated.
The clothing in Syris was passed Icurus’s time. What the rest of the world would consider “medieval”, these garments are elevated. Long simple skirts, buttoned-up blouses, and mostly leather corsets or vest corsets. The women looked to be in suits like the men but were refined and elegant to suit them. Striped patterns, turtle necks, buckles, and form-fitting jackets. The men looked dashing as well. The majority of them wore long leather coats and tall hats. What stood out was the emphasis on buckles and belts. One for every style and every occasion.
They passed by a few shops, one clothing shop had designs that were decades ahead of Icurus. One outfit in the window caught her eye. One of the manikins wore a dark blue lined vest corset with straps wearing a flowy off-the-shoulder tunic with lace cuffs. It also wore slightly loose-fitting pants with some type of fabric that lay on the garment like a skirt but shorter in the front. The best part was the boots. Black leather high-heeled boots with buckles on the side and laced up to the knees.
Another had her pondering how truly far behind Icurus was in fashion. It was a tan fluffy dress but it cut off above the knee. Courtesans in Icurus were more known to wear short dresses but this one… this one was elegant and functional from all the belts and pouches that accessorized the bodice. And the boots were to die for! They were brown with flowers embroidered on the sides in different colors. The boots also came up to the knee and had a low heel. She yearned to walk in there and have them.
“Almost there, Miss. Come on.” He redirected snapping her out of observation.
“Oh, sorry,” Aliza spoke softly and followed.
Finally arriving at The Twin Barrels Inn, the erratic sounds and music made Aliza step back a bit. She had hoped to be isolated from the crowd, but then again she did arrive on a Festa evening. It was no different than a busy night in Argos. The guard gestures for her to come closer and he offers his arm to her.
“Stay close,” he said. Aliza nods and takes his arm that she had to fight from shaking. She was losing the fight.
Walking in, there were so many lively people drinking, dancing, and fraternizing. The tavern had seating in every corner and almost all the space available. There was a huge dance floor where half the patrons were accompanied by a band of Bards playing and singing. The music was louder than what she was used to but there was a pulse that called to her, wanting to reach the dance floor.
Looking around, she saw races of people she had only seen in mythology books. Of course, there are Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Catfolk. But she had never seen Orcs, Centaurs, Birdfolk, Fairies, Geni, and… Goblins?
They do exist?! This is incredible!
Aliza was becoming overstimulated with the exposure to her soon-to-be new residence and the guard had to redirect her attention to get to the bar. Regaining her composure, they managed to reach the bar without further delay. The guard asked one of the bartenders to get the innkeeper as Aliza took in the smells of sweet rolls and steak coming directly from the kitchen. It was dinner time.
Soon after, an older woman about six feet in height, with tanned skin and blond hair and very muscular, came around holding two large barrels of ale in each arm. She also had fawn-like eyes and freckles across her nose. She looked threateningly cute. When she saw the guard, her smile grew large and bright.
“Olif my friend! Haven't seen you in a few weeks. Where have you been?”
“Was just officially transferred here from Dahli. Had to get the proper paperwork first. Sergeant Kalan has been backed up for weeks thanks to Captain Boes.”
“Still on his shit I’m guessing?”
“How the King doesn’t see it I don’t know.” Olif shrugs. “But neither here nor there. As long as I get a paycheck, the Captain can do what he wants.”
The woman laughed, “I see you there.” She then looked at Aliza as she was still cowering under her hood. “Who's your friend?” She asked in a lowered voice.
“Not a friend but an arrival. From…” He leaned in for a whisper, “Icurus.” Aliza’s brow raised not knowing if she should be insulted or grateful for whispering this fact about her. The woman's eyes flicked to her and Aliza’s heart began to race, trying to anticipate her next move. And if something were to happen in here she would be screwed out of an escape. The Innkeeper leans on the bar and gestures for Aliza to come closer. Aliza obeyed but hesitated with each step.
“Looking for a place to stay I’m guessing?” She asked.
Aliza nodded nervously, not making eye contact with the owner. The innkeeper leaned in to get a better look at her but she flinched back still keeping her head down. She can sense her suspicion and mustered the courage to speak.
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“Holstric sent me,” Aliza spoke softly.
“The little… I have a room you can use for the month. But it would be 50 gold to stay.” The innkeeper relayed.
Alright… more expensive here I see.
She reached into her bag and grabbed her coin purse on top. Counting the gold in seconds she handed the bag to the innkeeper. She and Olif were surprised, but she didn’t question much about it. When she looked over to Olif, the suspicion was written all over his face.
“Inheritance from my father. What little there was at least.” She said, He seemed satisfied with that explanation, for now.
“Well… I’ll leave you to it. Have a good night. And I’ll see you tomorrow!” Olif says and strode off.
“Yes, have a good night! And I can show you to your room Miss…”
“Menona.”
“Miss Menona, follow me.”
The innkeeper stepped from the bar and that’s when she saw her beefy fawn legs. Aliza couldn’t couldn’t help but stare but that was when her voice lowered to her.
“Eyes up here Miss Menona.” She redirected.
“Yes ma’am. I’m sorry.”
They headed to the second floor, where the downstairs noise was muffled and almost silent. A few people saw me and stood frozen or whispered to each other. Aliza kept her eyes to the floor to distract herself. When they got to her room, the innkeeper reached to her left, flipped on a switch, and lit up the room. Aliza flinched looking frantically around the room.
“How did you-”
“I forgot, Icurus. The lights turn on by themselves. Something we call electricity.”
From candlelight to electricity, Aliza was drawn to the light like a moth to a flame. She looked similar to a curious cat observing the lights, and the innkeeper was amused and pitiful for this woman who had lived in the dark ages until now. Quickly snapping out of her light observation, she looked at the rest of the room and it seemed cozy. A bed by the window with a nice view of the night sky with a small nightstand adorned with a lamp. A table for food and study. A small shelf with a few books on it and next to it, a standard-size wardrobe.
The innkeeper walks over to her right and opens a door.
“This is your bathroom. There are soaps for hair and skin, toilet paper, and towels. Anything else is on you to bring.”
The bathroom was small but it wasn’t just a bowl on a stand and a large wooden tube. They were made out of porcelain with steel spouts. Similar to those she had seen the nobility bathed in back in Icurus. She was surprised that such luxuries can be accessible to everyday people. Going back to the spouts, she was confused as to why there were two of them, and there weren’t levers or pulleys for them. She gave that confused look again and the Innkeeper picked up on it right away.
“Here, let me show you. The right faucet is for cold water. The left is for hot. More convenient than having to lug barrels of water to your room, right?” She asks. Aliza nods in amazement. She then picks up the third handle and waves her over. “Now this is if you need a shower or just need an extra rinse after your bath.” She taps the hot spout making a soft hum and shows her to turn a nob behind the tub. Water then shoots out from the handle and she wets the entire inside of the tub with it. Aliza let out a small yelp seeing this happen but looked in amazement from this creation. The innkeeper looked entertained by her amazement and chuckles. She taps everything off and places the handle back on the tub. “The sink works the same, just no handles.”
“What kind of magic is this?” she asked breathly.
“Well… only partially magic. Plumbing for the pipes and water pressure. Magic to make the water hot and cold. Don’t ask me for specifics. I just indulge in the convenience.” At least she was honest.
“I understand. Thank you very much, Miss-”
“Just call me Tohea.”
“Thank you very much Tohea.”
“You’re welcome. Now, if you need food, just come down and order. The kitchen closes at 10 and reopens at 7. Need anything else, let me know.”
“Will do. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night.” She says exiting her room.
Once the door closed, Aliza immediately locked it, grabbed her toiletry bag, stripped, and took an overdue bath. The first hot bath she had in about a year. All her muscles started to loosen relaxed and her mind at ease. She tried to manage her hair as best as she could, the water was less harsh and she could feel the difference from root to ends. Even shaving felt better, the blade glided smoothly on her skin. Clean and hairless, she braided her hair into a low ponytail and she took the last of her lotions to moisturize.
Settling down for the night, she changes into the only sleepwear she has, a piling white oversized tunic. The fabric was rough but it’ll do for now. She unpacked and put away the rest of her things, which wasn’t a lot. A total of 3 outfits including her green and white clothing from her time on the ship, a black dress with a brown worn leather corset, and… her black pants and hooded tunic with a black and red scarf. She clutched the scarf in her hands, glaring at it.
“Never again,” she growls.
She closed the curtains and turned off every light but the one on the bedside. She moved the shelf to barricade the door, paced back to her bed, and reached in her bag for something. Reaching more to the left, she felt a rogue string and snapped it. Peeling back a thick layer of fabric, she takes out several large bags of coins, a notebook, and a pencil. One by one, she counts her coins and documents her last expenses.
Start: 3100 GP, 30th of Moontide
Stacy- 100 GP, 5th of Serenesea, 1204
Cart to Port City - 100 GP, 5th of Serenesea, 1204
Twin Barrels - 50 GP, 13 of Dreamfall
End Total: 2950 GP
Let’s see, 2950 gold left in a land I don’t know. I don’t know if this is enough. Just need to do this smartly. As long as… as I don’t end up back there, I should be fine for now. Just hope they don’t find me.
The very thought of having to be on the run again made her anxious.
What if I can never find rest? Can I start a new life?
Aliza looked out of the window pulling the curtain back, the distant Mountains seemed to overflow with a mystic blue fog, she could faintly see the northern lights in the distance. The town itself seemed to either be sleeping or late-night goers out and about.
For now, she felt assurance that she could at least settle down for a bit and get her bearings, it didn't seem like she'd be thrown back onto a boat anytime soon.
The sudden sensation of her stomach turning over flips her out of bed and vaults to the toilet! After a few heaves of bile and clear fluid, dinner was now the last thing on her mind. In her weakened state, she entertained spending the night on the floor. Her pride however refuses when she has a perfectly good bed 10 feet out the door. She willed herself up and slumped out of the bathroom.
Crawling back to the bed, it was a relief to finally have something other than a Hammock on the ship to slump into. The exhaustion lulled her to sleep.