North of the kingdom
City of Mbara’ba
Year 887 of the ascension of Cuarac’Yba, eighth month.
… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ …
Lucios walked along the main street of the outer circle of the city of Mbara’ba, a thoroughfare filled with shops, inns, and taverns. The environment was a spectacle of vibrant colors, with fabrics hanging on colorful lines, intense smells of spices and food prepared on improvised stoves, and sounds ranging from the laughter of children playing to the clamor of vendors announcing their products. Some of the odors were pungent, a mix of fresh fish and smoked meats, while the sounds could be deafening, creating a constant cacophony.
This scene was something Lucios rarely experienced. His hometown, Kaapurina, and the city of Mbara’ba were founded around the same time, but they followed different trajectories. Kaapurina was meticulously planned, with wide, well-organized streets lined with trees and lampposts, while Mbara’ba initially emerged as a strategically positioned military fort.
Over the centuries, Mbara’ba expanded in importance and population, but this growth was not accompanied by adequate urban planning. The city grew chaotically, resulting in a network of narrower, more confusing streets, where the constant crowding of people made passage difficult. It was easy to get lost amid the winding alleys and narrow streets, where each corner revealed a new confusion of stalls and tents. The buildings, hastily and improvisedly constructed, were piled on top of each other, creating dense shadows and narrow passages where barely one person could pass at a time.
As Lucios made his way, a large man carrying several fish tied with ropes over his left shoulder bumped into him. Despite being surprised by the impact, Lucios did not lose his balance or stumble, even though he was shorter. "Watch where you’re going, boy," the man said in a reproachful tone, continuing to walk without looking back. Lucios, surprised, watched the large man walk away, reflecting on how this was the first time something like this had happened to him. Usually, his escort would scare away anyone who dared to get too close. The man, dressed in worn fisherman's clothes and smelling strongly of the sea, seemed not to notice Lucios's presence, as if he were just another person in the crowd.
Lucios had never noticed this difficulty of movement because, every time he had been walking the streets of Mbara’ba, he had always been accompanied by soldiers as his escort. They would clear the way for him, ensuring his unobstructed passage. Now, alone, he felt the chaotic and pulsating reality of the city, and this experience made him reflect on the differences between his protected life in Kaapurina and the raw freedom he found in the busy streets of Mbara’ba. Every step he took, he felt the uneven texture of the stones under his feet and the constant push of the crowd around him, a feeling of vulnerability and independence he had never experienced before.
At that moment, Lucios snapped out of his stupor, remembering the reason he was there alone: he needed to meet one of the knights of the Apurina house who lived there in the city of Mbara’ba by order of his father, Count Tiberios. Lucios then turned his head, quickly looking around, trying to remember the way to the tavern where he had eaten on the first day he arrived in Mbara’ba, when he was still being escorted by Sir Damian, a month ago. The memory of the tavern was vivid in his mind: the large wooden windows, the rustic tables filled with mugs and clay plates, and the characteristic smell of beer and roasted meat.
Finally entering the tavern, he was greeted by the welcoming warmth and the murmur of voices. The most varied people were scattered around the hall, all without their thick cloaks because of the fireplace's heat. The atmosphere was cozy, with the golden light of the candles dancing on the wooden walls, and the sound of conversations and laughter filling the environment.
Lucios decided to go up to the top floor of the tavern to find the knight of his house, as Sir Damian had told him he should do if he wanted to contact the house. However, as he was about to climb the stairs, a fat man working in the tavern blocked his way and said, "Hey, boy, you can’t go up. The top floor is only for those with money. If you want, you can eat here at the counter."
Lucios showed his second look of surprise of the day but soon understood the reason. Despite Baron Oliver giving him permission to enter and leave the inner circle of the city at will, without any guard as an escort, he still drew much attention wherever he went. In the last two times he tried to go to the outer circle of the city, he could almost feel the sharp looks of the guards at every corner, leaving him with the feeling of being watched all the time. Therefore, in those last two attempts, he didn't even leave the inner circle of the city. This time, he left the castle dressed in a servant's clothes, aiming to go unnoticed by the baron's soldiers. The tavern worker must have thought he was just any boy, unable to afford the costs of the upper floor, merely trying his luck.
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Lucios then quickly showed the fat man an emblem with the shape of the Apurina house crest before hiding it again in his clothes. Despite the quick movement, Lucios could see the tavern worker's face change from disinterest to confusion and then to seriousness. The fat man, with flushed cheeks and a thick beard, frowned as he recognized the symbol.
The fat man then stammered as he spoke hastily, “I understand... please, follow me. I will take you to your table.” The fat man quickly ascended the tavern stairs, clearing the way for Lucios, who followed the employee. Each step creaked under their feet, and the smell of old wood mixed with the aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air.
Following the fat man, Lucios climbed two flights of stairs to the top floor of the tavern. Upon reaching the top, the fat man guided him through a narrow corridor with dark wooden doors aligned on both sides, leading to a discreet room at the end. The atmosphere was quieter there, muffling the festive sounds from the main hall below.
The room had a small solid wood table with four sturdy chairs around it. The furniture, although simple, was well-crafted, with delicate carvings on the legs of the chairs and the table. The room was illuminated by a large window that occupied almost the entire wall opposite the door, allowing in a soft, golden light. The window provided a privileged view of the commercial part of the outer circle of Mbara’ba, where Lucios could see the constant movement of people and merchants in their daily activities. The irregular rooftops of the shops and taverns, the vibrant colors of the displayed goods, and the distant sounds of urban life created an interesting contrast with the tranquility of the room.
The fat man then spoke, now in a more respectful voice: “You may wait here, I will inform old Antoine that you are here.” He made a slight bow, perhaps to correct his earlier lack of courtesy, and quickly left the room, carefully closing the door behind him. Lucios merely nodded in confirmation, sitting in one of the chairs and letting his mind wander while he waited. His eyes were exploring the details of the room as his thoughts returned to the events that had brought him there.
…
A month ago, when he arrived in Mbara’ba, Sir Damian took him to several places in the outer circle of the city. One of the first destinations was the northern part of the outer wall, which had been demolished by barbarians a century ago when they still attacked in large numbers. Lucios was impressed with the history of that wall. Now rebuilt and reinforced, it was one of the most fortified parts of the wall, with additional watchtowers and sturdy gates. The stones used in the reconstruction were larger and more resilient, and he noticed the protective arches and strategically positioned arrow slits. The place conveyed a sense of security and lessons learned from the past, showing the city's resilience.
At Lucios's request, Sir Damian also took him to see the city's slums. The slums were situated in the most peripheral areas, where inequality was more evident. The houses were mostly made of wood and mud, with thatched or partially rotten wooden roofs. Few were made entirely of wood, and even fewer were in perfect condition. Lucios noticed the precariousness of the constructions, with crooked walls and holes patched with fabrics. The narrow, muddy streets were full of barefoot children playing and adults busy with their daily tasks, casting suspicious glances at Lucios and his escort.
During this tour of the city's outer circle, Lucios said he wanted to try some of the city's typical dishes. Sir Damian, who seemed to be expecting this, had the perfect place in mind; he took him to the commercial sector to one of the best taverns in the city. Upon entering, Lucios was greeted by the irresistible aroma of roasted fish and spices. The tavern was a welcoming place, with sturdy wooden tables and a crackling fireplace. During his meal, in the same room where he was now, he was introduced to the tavern owner, another knight of his house. The old man introduced himself to Lucios as Sir Antoine Jay, but said that to maintain appearances, it was better to refer to him simply as old Antoine, as everyone called him. The food was delicious, with exotic spices he had never tasted before, and Antoine's hospitality left a lasting impression.
Old Antoine lived up to his nickname. His head was covered with sparse white hair and beard, his face somewhat skeletal, and his body slightly hunched. However, despite his fragile appearance, he showed plenty of energy in his voice and movements. In his introduction, old Antoine told Lucios that he had served as a knight of the Apurina house for nearly 70 years and had been personally trained by Lucios's grandfather, the former count. He spoke with pride about his past achievements and the honor of serving the Apurina family. Antoine also mentioned that since he was injured in combat in the south thirty years ago, he had been moved to the house's intelligence sector and relocated to Mbara’ba to serve in his old age as the eyes and ears of the Apurina house in the North. His eyes, though aged, still sparkled with the cunning of a man who had seen and lived much.
Sir Damian then explained to Lucios that he should report from time to time to old Antoine, and that he would pass on the information to the house. Damian emphasized the importance of these meetings and that if the count had any command, it would be conveyed through old Antoine.
…
The door to the room opened, rousing Lucios from his thoughts. He looked up to see old Antoine entering with a warm smile. Antoine closed the door behind him with a firm and confident movement, contrasting with his aged appearance. The soft light from the window illuminated his face, highlighting his wrinkles and the white strands of his beard. Antoine approached the table, pulling a chair to sit down. "Young noble Lucios," began Antoine, his voice resonating with a measured tone, "I have been expecting you for this past week.”