Chapter 17: Sour Souls (Part 1!)

Periatus was a vulgar ocean where the faintest drop of poison could inhabit all the water. Not to say that it didn’t have any charm, a farmer that had a few years of successful harvests could vacation here. Think of it as the poor and untidy man’s resort. Food was cheap and plentiful, tea was a delicacy that grew well in its climate. And you could get a prostitute for just a few silvers. Or so I’ve heard…

But in this land, the natural islands of family and community that protected the people of the Oligarchy from drowning were becoming less and less reliable.

For soldiers, the clubs that allowed the vocabulary to understand their feelings were few and far between. The Oligarch of Periatus, a loathsome and foolish brat, didn’t provide the money required to fund those necessary islands. Instead he favored spending time with his wife and his various fleets of excess. Why bother aiding the very people who make sure you have lands to rule when you have a new toy to break?

The road was clearly unmaintained, as the bounce and snaps proclaimed loud to Amir. The snow finally died down at least, showing a simple forest with orange colored vines. But the foul stone road resembled warped spikes of a porcupine. He took comfort in the fact everyone was sleeping and that the scarecrow was the only one enjoying the experience.

Vega scribbled something on a sheet of paper, a means to remember the temple she went to. Amir heard about it from Skaldi which Valiato translated in less than stellar quality. That didn’t matter, as Valiato was growing more than ever before. He would have to protect from any Iozian tricks to make her into an evil being. Especially now being in Periatus.

Amir and the couple had been in Periatus a few times, every trip unpleasant. The fierce criminal competition was constant and the debauched nature of the Iozians revealed itself most here. Gambling was rife, sodomites mingled on the street, and carnivore diets existed everywhere.

The Tripol knew that the scarecrow taught his daughter a form of gambling, that being dice. But he at least understood her forwardness with it. Afterall, evil usually comes in underhanded and unnoticed forms. So Amir could tell that she was only doing it for the sport, not to change Valiato into a monster.

“Are we-we there yet big guy?” Vega took a seat beside Amir, who shook his hand, which Vega took as a no.

“Shame. So, when do ya think we’ll get there?” Amir again shook his hand in an attempt to stop Vega from talking to him.

“Yes.” Kaliba flew onto the shoulder of Vega, saving Amir from any further plans of speaking.

“Silly Kaliba. Yes isn’t a time-time.” Vega spoke out as the sun began to fall out the leaves. An hour snailed by, with Amir continuing to drive and continuing failing to ignore the scarecrow. Luckily a distraction appeared, that being the beginning of farms and fields.

“Wow! I never saw so many stalks of… what is that stuff? Kaliba, ya-ya know what this is?”

“Siliphuos?” Kaliba blurted out half intelligently.

“Man, it pays to have the company of a royal bird.” Vega brushed the crow and she took in the environment.

Periatus had a monopoly on the Oligarchy’s Silphium and its additional spirit created plants. In fact the many family of tea trees originate from Recor himself, a literal gift from god. But aside from Silphium and Tea, there was a king here. Tobacco. If I could name three of the world’s most influential plants it would be Tobacco, Sugar, and then Silphium.

The very existence of tobacco allowed the Oligarchy to extend much further than it reasonably would. The reason why entire regions were conquered despite harsh climate and harsh resistance was entirely based on tobacco’s ability to grow there. Additionally, the Marian family who ended slavery used the profit of selling tobacco to recover from the loss of the system.

Ironically Recor, the god of creation and happiness, didn’t make it. Nemesis did, but the Iozians didn’t care for that. Afterall, the smoke tastes good and makes your head feel funny.

As the morning strolled by, the pair looked at the vast plantations ahead of them. It took them an hour to see a single rice paddy, only a few acres in length. It only stood out because there were a hoard of people scrambling to purchase the remaining supply. Famine and seclusion seemed to be driving the people mad.

As I have said previously, this isn’t new. It’s only that it became visible.

With the wagon in clear view, some people took to walking towards them. Amir didn’t fear as they were too scrawny to fight or steal. A few kids asked for food, which Amir ignored. But Vega immediately unpacked some of their supplies.

“Hey kids, who wants chocolate!” Vega said as she tossed random food to them. The children weren’t disturbed by the sight of Vega, only happy that they would get to eat breakfast today. Amir, not wanting to draw anymore attention, lifted Vega off the ground. Within seconds, he used her limbs to tie herself into the form of a pretzel.

“Huh, I haven’t done-done yoga before. Thanks big guy!” Soon following this, everyone woke up, as the slightly warmer temperature shook them out of their sleep. Florato awoke to the sight of Vega looking more like an art piece than a scarecrow.

“Hey Vega, what are you doing?” Florato got up, still holding the sleeping Valiato.

“Yoga! I heard about it from the Priest a while back and Amir helped me do a pose. Now-now I can’t move. Isn’t that great?” Vega smiled as Florato went to fix her body, slowly untangling her. As time went on, the place almost became serene. No howling winds, just the soft clicking of branches and song birds.

“Hey Vega, I’ve been meaning to ask ya something?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you ever wonder what’s in that box you’re carrying?” The actress tapped the chest of Vega.

“What box?” Vega forget again.

“You’re kidding? The one Luiocles gave you?” Florato reminded Vega, who was still not agreeing.

“The whole reason why we’re going to the basin aside than robbing it?” Florato pressed on. After a moment Vega nodded her head.

“Okay, so have you thought to see what's inside?” Vega put her hand on her chin and looked up at the sky.

“Nope!”

“I supposed that was what you were going to say. But, why not?” Florato laid back, nudging the scarecrow.

“Well… look to-to the farmers. My answer is in them.”

The farmers worked in the blistering cold sun, planting the luxury plants that the Oligarchy so loved. Late winter was the season to start planting tobacco and silphium and would be harvested in a hundred days. But for food crops, there were few and far between. Besides lone rice paddies, there were communal gardens of bok choy, mustards, and chickpeas.

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

At least this part of the region showed a considerable effort dedicated to uplifting the people on top of you, as Amir saw a family giving taxes a couple dozen yards away. Wearing the oligarchic rose, a badge for a tax collector, a few men on horses carried the family’s crop away. In return, the family received a hundred brass.

As a family of four who would make nearly a thousand brass a year in terms of crop yield. Amir could tell that they were being conned. He didn’t feel the need to enlighten their plight. After all, they would only see him as snake skin scum.

With everyone awake, a groan from their bellies spoke out.

“Hey sweetie?”

“Yeah Bolato? You hungry?” Skaldi hopped next to his husband, brushing his hand using his thumb.

“Definitely. Do you see anything, like a bar or something? There's not gonna be a city for a couple more hours.” Bolato spoke as he raised the map to his eyes. Skaldi focused on the environment around them and found a wide series of buildings that resembled an inn.

“Found one, it’s a couple minutes to our right.” Skaldi tapped the shoulder of Amir and they went off to the building. Stationing just outside, it was two ceramic buildings supported by a foundation of jungle wood. Resembling a hunched over grannie, the structure looked like it was going to annoy the party.

“Vega, you stay here with Valiato. You too sweetie, don’t want these folks to try anything. Make sure no one touches the wagon.” Everyone hopped off as the trio remained. The kid looked over at the scarecrow in a faint boredom.

“Want to-to gamble?” Vega offered.

Entering into the building, the stretch of bitter tree sap confirmed that this was a bar. The main crowd were bitter soldiers, most of them in their twilight years. Of the scant women in the bar were mothers, with strong and menacing muscles on their arms. And the owners were total opposites. A young boy still in his teen years, and what looked like his granny with a few gray streaks in her hair. Both shared a pious tattoo on their cheeks.

“What would you like sirs? We serve wine and food. And with the price of four brass, you can get water from our fountain. Comes straight from the Yutai Basin.” Bolato chuckled at the boy’s upbeat voice.

He wanted to maintain a low profile, knowing that bounty hunters made quite the business out of hunting criminals like his group. Putting a smile that was half genuine and half forced, Bolato grabbed the shoulder of the boy, giving a bit of fun authority.

“Alright. Can you serve us up some porridge and bread, and about five cups of wine? And we’ll take you up on that fountain offer.” Bolato counted the coins in front of the barkeepers and handed them off. The granny yelled out some orders and within the minute the group could hear the food cooking.

“Gold fish!” Vega shouted.

“I thought we were playing black jack. And you lost Vega.” Valiato pointed at the cards on the wagon floor and Vega realized her mistake.

“Oh yeah, ya right.”

“Right.” Kaliba tweeted. Skaldi took to taking gulps from his flask as he walked in circles around the cart. On his fifth rotation he was stopped by a child, roughly his size yet appearing out of nowhere.

“Hello mista.” An wobbly accent came out. The girl looked to be a vague combination of races. With long ears like elves, fangs like vampires, and the hardened skin of a kapre, the girl was a shockingly adorable mixture.

The previous Oligarchs of Periatus ordered mixed race policies and were the most extreme in them. While most provinces and regions had roughly a mixed race population in the zero point seven percent, Periatus had twenty four percent in their numbers. If there is one thing that I can commend the Oligarch of Periatus, it is that he, in his infinite foolishness, held a simple truth.

That mixed race couples were not cringe.

The girl was soon followed by a gang of kids, of similar blend of beings. Everytime Skaldi finds himself in this province he is always shocked despite remembering its population.

“Hello kids. What do you guys want?” Skaldi questioned, examining them for any defect. Their glowing brown eyes were as innocent as a babies, and their smiles were strong and healthy. Vastly different from a normal human, but still humanoid, and as unsuspecting as any other groups of children.

“Tell us, are you an elfy?” The girl was their leader and with enough time Skaldi knew she was just a curious teen. Scruffy and with a bounce in her step, she looked to be of great fitness. Skaldi envied that immensely, now shifting his back to look taller than he really was.

“Yes. I am indeed an elfy. And who might you be?” Skaldi knew, with a flourish of his hands, he could present as a noble or aristocrat. He enjoyed inspiring amazement in those that wondered about his origin. He got to play them a fool and assumed great fun and power.

“You are? That’s so cool! Sorry sir, I’m Mariato! I’m a Kapavamp, my friendos all are. And we’ve never seen one of you elfys before. Where do you come from?” She said with excitement. No hatred or argonance, just ignorance. Skaldi loathed that in most people, but he understood in poorer folk.

“I come from lands far north. Across vast holes in the world and in the densest forests, my people come from.” Skaldi made his sprawling hair into a cape, enhancing his manufactured persona. Many of the kids opened their mouths in awe. The redhead got a glimmer of sugar rotten teeth.

“Crafted out of the bark of the ironwood, we elfys are creatures of the forest. Far more noble than any Oligarch could be.” The kids listened closely and all of them were amazed.

“We elfys are descendants of the supernatural. And I? Am I-”

“Really short!” Vega blurted out as she hopped out of the cart. The kapavamps jumped back at the sight of her, taking all attention from Skaldi. Mariato, the bravest, held out a hand to Vega, which she promptly shook.

“Hello! How is everybody doing?” Vega spoke like a child speaking to a litter of puppies. The kids surrounded Vega quickly, as Skaldi gasped in anger. This was going to be his chance to inspire the kids and make them awed by his existence. Now that chance was forlorn.

“What are you missy?” A kid prodded.

“Are you a spirit? Can you bless us, spirit lady?” Another pleaded.

“Where do you come from?” One last kid finished as Mariato shushed the group. She spun around on her heels and bowed to Vega.

“Sorry missy spirit lady! We just haven’t seen anything like you before, so my friendos are excited.” The teen said in a voice that begged forgiveness.

“No-no worries. I get it a lot. Plus, I never seen people like ya before and ya are being nice. That’s new.” Vega pulled an object and held it out to the mob.

“Here, I want ya to have this.” Everyone leaned in to see it was a rock. This same rock was given to Vega as a form of payment, as she was told it was a silver coin. While shaped like a coin, it would be obvious it wasn’t to anyone looking. If anyone weren’t these kids.

“Thanks so much spirit miss! We’ll make it our treasured treasure!” The crowd of kids dispersed with Vega waving kids off.

“Kind-kind of makes ya want kids of your own, don’t it?” Vega said to Skaldi, not noticing his annoyed eyes. She climbed up on the wagon and went back to gambling, just the redhead kicked it in frustration.

“Hello mista.” Mariato was right behind him.

“What the! Hell girl, you have to stop creeping up on people like that. What do you want?” He said with his face not pointed to her.

“Can you… keep going with your story?” Skaldi suddenly shifted his head to the girl. That was new.

“Uh… sure. No, yes I will!” Skaldi proclaimed. As the minutes passed by, along with swigs of wine, Skaldi created the most excellent fabrication of his life. Hordes of legionaries, the romance of spirits, and a red haired elf in it all.

Mariato had this shine in her eyes that recorded the performance. I have observed such things in my own life, the type of eyes you knew were keeping the event they saw forever. Just how a mountain is forever shaped by the rain and earth, so was her perception. The orbs projected her imagination of the events told, similar to Vega’s eyes.

Skaldi knew the power his story would have on the teen. It is often among poorer folk that stories that foster hope in hopeless situations are valued. If they aren’t wealthy in coin, they are wealthy in lore.

When the story came to a close, Skaldi analyzed Mariato’s face. Her skin looked cleaner and younger after meeting him. But he also saw her rugged clothes, made of coarse cloth. He couldn’t lift her or her friends out of poverty. Yet, Skaldi started to count out some gold coins.

“Here.” Skaldi tossed a pouch to the girl. She lifted it up and with a few seconds of fumbling, saw its innards.

“What is this, elfy?” Mariato dropped the contents of the pouch in her palms, showing about fifteen gold pieces. Most people of the Oligarchy were farmers, so they had little need for coins outside of the rare visit to a town or city. It was a remarkable event to even see silver, and gold was legendary to rural places. The teen was holding legendary material in her hand. Skaldi was definitely not conning her

“And here, take this!” He tossed his old helmet to the lap of the girl.

“I don’t have a need for it right now, but I want you to have it. Take good care of it and it’ll take good care of you. And that gold? Don’t spend it on cheap wine, use it to help your community or something. Okay?” Skaldi lectured to the teen. Mariato had a few tears around her eyes. All in just a instant, her life was changed for the better. She nodded with firm conviction, and Skaldi knew she would use the resources for good. Even better, she’d know him as a good role model.

“Thank you elfy! Thank you!”

“The name is Skaldi. Stay in school kid!” Mariato nodded once more and raced off into a distant plantation. Skaldi tried to gulp some more wine until he realized his flask was empty. Along with a pot. And another pot. And some more. Skaldi had drunk a couple gallons of wine.

“Oh god damn it.” Skaldi muttered while he had to lean onto the wagon for support. Just as he realized his poor decision, the party exitted with a tray of their food.

“Hey sweetie! Food is-” Bolato realized Skaldi’s drunkenness.

“Oh god damn it.”