Sekali, "The Sister City"

 

                                Chapter 60

 

     The sun was shining pleasantly as Sekali, Uther and Finyat got directions to the nearest inn where they would stay and make further preparations. As they left the ship, a crew from a neighboring ship, with the title of Wave Crasher began to taunt and jeer at the three. Ignoring them, they moved on.
     Fully donned in their armors, they headed toward the outer city, teeming with trade and commerce. People everywhere were bargaining and haggling over the prices of wares. One could walk for hours into the city and not reach the heavily guarded inner city, beyond which towered a massive walled castle, looming up ominously and dark in the distance. The sight of it made the three seem insignificant and small. As Sekali gazed at its massive ramparts and towers, he half-expected to see stone gargoyles, or something evil, taking flight from them. This gave him the feeling of being watched. The top of the castle had the distinct shape of great dragon-like horns jutting up into the heavens, giving the mighty structure a presence of power and dominance over all.
     The inner-city wall enhanced the feeling that outsiders were not welcome. The captain had given Sekali a whispered warning as she had embraced him, telling him to go straight to the inn with his companions and not to talk to anyone; that the Veleighen were not a friendly people. That was all she said as she parted from him, a worried expression in her eyes. Sekali noticed that same look in her eyes as she had said her goodbyes to Uther and Finyat as well.
     The shops and other structures lining the massive avenue, leading them parallel along the shoreline was filled with docks and fish markets on one side, and provisional shops and inns on the other. Each structure seemed to be built as if for an expected attack. Walls and strong, high gates with guards filled Sekali’s sight as far as he could see. He was instantly impressed with the defense of this great city.
     One lone man on a massive reptilian steed caught his eye as he approached from up ahead, short serrated lance held high. Sekali had never seen such a weapon before. The man was extremely large in stature, riding upon a giant black lizard through the center of the street as the crowd stepped aside to let him pass. The people about this man looked half his size and even much smaller than his steed, which hissed viciously at everyone as it stalked toward them.
     Finyat motioned to the rider, still quite some way down the street, moving upon them quickly, nudging Uther in the ribs with his elbow. Uther nodded, his demeanor transforming to grim as he too watched the rider’s approach. The steed shifted direction toward the three as they were noticed, stopping a few paces before them. The large and burly man pulled on reins made of steel links, turning his reptilian steed sideways to block their way as the great lizard hissed out a challenge. Sekali held perfectly still.
     In a stone-like voice, deep and threatening, the man pointed his razor-sharp, serrated, lance at Sekali. “What is your business here, outsiders?”
     Instantly the area around them cleared as everyone heard his booming voice. Sekali bowed shortly, as did Uther and Finyat, who followed his move.
     “We are travelers from the Zurkel Mainland. We booked passage on the Wave Crasher to come here. We are explorers.” Sekali fell silent, not knowing what else to do.
     The presence this guard radiated was overbearing. His eyes did not veil the cruelty he possessed within as he glared at each of them intently, scrutinizing them intensely until he laid eyes upon Finyat. Then he laughed loudly, at first he sounded as if he was yelling. His baritone laughter echoed though the area as he pointed at Finyat.
     “You look like a pathetic human child, though you carry a sword and wear leathers!” The guard leaned forward eyeing the chests each of them carried. “Open the chests now!”
     Sekali lowered his to the ground and flipped the latch, opening the top. In surprise the guard whistled long and loud. “Dredgeworm fangs; where did you purchase them?”
     Finyat cut in as Sekali opened his mouth to answer. “We slew it.” He said evenly. “The captain of one of the trade vessels, called the Wave Crasher, informed us that the Veleighen possess special skills known to few in crafting these fangs into weapons of no little value.”
     The guard raised a thick, black eyebrow, skeptical of this story. Then he pointed back the way he had come. “If you follow this road one league, on the north side you will see a carved knight, its steed being similar to mine, go into that shop and Gorum will buy these fangs from you. Tell him Arkanian sent you and he will deal with you. I will take your words as truth, as I have no reason to disbelieve them.”
     He then leaned forward slightly, his eyes dark and threatening, and in a low rumbling voice whispered. “If you are not who you pretend to be, I will hunt you down and gut you all.”
Finyat began to shake and tremble in fear as the reptile hissed down at him.
     He stammered, “Sir, we are not here to fight your people and die. Thank you for your time.”
With that he handed the Veleighen guard one tooth. “Here, a token of truce. Please take it.”
Arkanian smiled suddenly and laughed. “Little man, you should be an ambassador. I take it gratefully. You may go about your business. Good luck with your journey.”
     His large hand secured the tooth greedily as his steed hissed frightfully at Finyat. Jerking the thick chains serving as the reins to his mount, Arkanian forced his steed into submission, then packed the tooth into a side bag, seeming very pleased. He then turned to Finyat and nodded once, darkly.
     “Let no one say these outsiders are without diplomacy. Be on your way.” With that he glared at them one last time, then urged his angered steed on and down the street.
     They each secured the fastenings on their chests and began heading for the weapon crafter as instructed. Finyat’s shaking stopped abruptly as he grinned evilly up at Sekali. Sekali caught the look and smiled shortly.
     “What did you do, Finyat?”
     Finyat shrugged, replying very quietly, “Let’s put it this way. That rider and reptilian freak show have about seventy-two hours of mortality remaining. They should use them wisely. Don’t worry, it will be quick.” Finyat grew silent, heaving the chest he carried to a more comfortable position and moved along.
     Sekali felt hot in the face suddenly, and realized that they had to leave the city straightway, and without delay. He could not believe what Finyat had just done.
     Finyat was dangerous.
     Gorum was equally as sociable as Arkanian, belittling the three, asking questions that lead to answers, making it seem that they were talking down upon their backgrounds and race.
Uther remained calm the entire time, but Sekali saw his jaw fixed, and it meant he was just about to explode. But he did not, and for that Sekali was grateful.
     They were paid ten black-gold pieces for each tooth, a tithe of what the captain of the Harbringer had told them. Finyat did all the communicating, and pretended to be excited about the price he got for each tooth. Sekali wondered how many would handle the dredgeworm teeth before the poison would take effect.
     With a bit of “pocket change,” as Finyat put it, they left the weaponsmith and headed north through the main avenue of the city. It took them until the sun had almost set to find the south gate of the city, where they had to pay five black-gold pieces each just to exit. Sekali had noticed Finyat’s cheerful mood, pretending it to be of no consequence. In fact, Finyat gave each guard a black-gold coin as a tip, putting on the guise of one who flaunts his money. He was instantly liked, even if belittled and treated as though he were of a lesser race. The attitude of all the Veleighen was that of a black-hearted dragon; demeaning and mean. Sekali finally breathed a sigh of relief as they exited the city, and found themselves on a wide lane of cobblestones, heading out toward a distant forest. It seemed as ominous as the hearts of the people they had just poisoned.
     After they traveled two days on an ill-kept road, it began changing into a seldom-traversed lane. Sekali stopped Finyat with a hand on his arm. Without hesitation, Finyat turned and reported.
     “I think eighty will be the death toll by tomorrow night – we had better move on.” With that he shrugged and smiled innocently. “Sekali, we obviously landed in the city of the enemy. You did not think we could leave without performing some service to King Nishane Asmond of our homeland did you?”
     At the mention of King Asmond, Sekali grew silent and respectful. “No, Finyat, you have done well. If news of what you have done were to reach the king, you would be highly praised for the terrible danger you are putting us all through. But I salute you in the name of King Asmond for your deed.”
     Sekali drew his sword and struck his chest-plate with the hilt, the Sardakk custom of military saluting. “I am honored to travel with you both. You are great in my eyes, and mighty are your deeds.”
     Uther snorted. “Well elf, shall we move on and thump some more critters? We haven’t all our lives to praise and cuddle each other, nor to strike our own selves fondly!”
     Sekali was struck silent by Uther’s sudden words. But then Uther slapped him on the back and growled like a bear, which meant he approved.
     They traveled until they reached the border of a dark and gnarled forest, into which they plunged, leaving behind one of the last civilized areas on the Northern Continent. Little did they know they were being watched. Little did they know that from that moment on, they were being stalked and hunted by a creature more vicious than Arkanian and his terrible reptilian steed.

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