Chapter 4: Wonder
One of the feelings I most enjoyed during my first years as a mercenary was the feeling of discovery. That rush that goes through my whole body makes me feel energized whenever I get to a new place, discover a new weapon or encounter something I've never seen before... Well maybe except for that god-forsaken hall. But after going around the world twice and fighting in most countries, some that no longer existed by the time I died, I had lost that feeling.
The same feeling that's now emerging through me. Everywhere I look, there are new sights. Colorful buildings, with silver decorations, and delicate balconies. Pale tall people, that resemble elves if not for the lack of pointed ears and ethereal beauty. Although some women made my current young-adult body bothered. It was only exacerbated by their silk and linen light gowns, which hugged their lithe bodies tightly, emphasized their curves, and left one breast exposed.
To distract myself from this feeling, and keep my mind sharp, I turned my attention to the barechested men, who wore silk skirts, often ornamented with golden chains and belts. The younger ones went around entirely naked, with only golden sandals and body paint.
I was mesmerized by this new culture, and none of them paid attention to my weird getup, it seemed this city is used to strangers, which confirmed what I had read in the books, it must be a big trading city for its citizen to have such disregard for outsiders.
While making my way through the busy streets, I sometimes observed men and women in chains.
'Slaves... tch...'
I disliked slavery, not because of some moral grandstanding like the paladins liked to do. But simply because it meant trouble. As a hired sword, I had fought more than once by their side, as nobles that partook in the practice liked to fill their ranks with them for no army was cheaper than a slave army. However, they all shared one glaring problem, their lack of drive. Some tried to run away, while most jumped onto swords and spears to die fast and painlessly. For death was better than captivity in their eyes. But the worst of all was if they joined the enemy mid-battle. Every time it happened we would get many recruits in the free company as we would need to replenish our ranks.
Something caught my attention while I was ruminating over my old memories. The slaves here were treated better than in my old world. Some of them were still nude, malnourished, or scarred with whip marks. However, some were clothed, even if mostly in rags, and some looked even well-fed. I also observed some that looked like pleasure slaves, and they were harder to distinguish from normal folks if not for the downcast look in their eyes.
Those eyes that lacked hope, ambition, desire, or any emotion besides despair and fear were a telltale sign of slaves. Slaves and conscripts. However, none had the hollow look I often saw in the slaves I came across in my world... my old world...
'I have to come to terms with that.'
I had tried to pray to every and all gods I knew of from my old world. And none of them responded, I also couldn't feel their presence like before. I knew that seldom do they respond, but I could always feel them there, just beyond reach, listening closely to every prayer and observing every believer. Now, however, they didn't feel distant, they felt inexistant. Which meant that none of them could spread their influence over this land. And if even gods cannot reach here, what chance do I have to reach my old world?
'Do I even desire to go back?'
A young body, on a land where nobody knows of me. Free of crimes, bounties, and most of all, free of the constant fear of the occult. New things to see, new places to explore, new people to encounter, and new battles to fight.
'No, I most definitely do not desire to go back! But what do I desire?'
I noticed that since my rebirth, only two feelings dominated my mind: wanderlust, and battlelust. During my fight with the warlock, then with his lackeys, I was filled with joy and excitement the kinds of which I've never felt before. If I had to compare it to something, it would be the same excitement as when I fucked that noblewoman. A kind of taboo pleasure, that was hard to forget and that you always longed for once it was no longer there.
"Would you like to buy something, or are you here to ask for a custom order? You'll find no better weapons in all of Quarth!"
A voice pulled me out of my musings, and I found myself standing in front of a stall. Weapons and projectiles were neatly put on display, some with small wooden tablets with prices written in ash, some without. A muscular man wearing only a silk skirt held by a golden chain belt, and golden sandals was standing there, scrutinizing me with curious eyes.
"You a merchant or a blacksmith?"
I asked, not lifting my eyes from the displayed weapons. Those without a wooden price tag were of higher quality than the others. I bent down and picked a gagger without a price displayed, and as soon as I held it, I felt some kind of aura dissipate from it.
'Enchanted. Interesting.'
"Far from me to make such exquisite weapons, I only excel in selling them."
"You know of someone who could make weapons more than they are? The spiritual kind?"
His curious look was replaced by one of suspicion, putting his hand on his belt, I saw from the corner of my eye a man approach discreetly from a nearby alley and stand in front of the stall right behind me, as if perusing its merchandise.
'Some kind of signal to call his guards.'
"And who is asking?"
"A man with a debt to repay. I was only told to come to Quarth, and that if I don't repay I'd regret it."
'Warlocks and mages have one thing in common, they are always owed debts. I hope it stands in this world also, but from what I read in that cunt's diary it seems reasonable for it to be the case.'
"And who would be the beneficiary of such a debt?"
"I may not know where to find him. But I know not to earn his ire, and so should you. Me speaking his name to you, is it safe?"
'I don't need your help, I need the help of whoever enchanted your weapons.'
I noticed him letting go of his belt, and I discreetly placed mine on the Khandjar under my desert cloth. The man behind me walked away from the stall and back to the alley. While observing him from the corner of my eye and loosening my grip on my weapon, I heard the merchant speak again.
"Head to the east entrance of the market and follow the blue balconies, once you reach a street with windowless houses, look for the tortoise and place a message with the name of whoever you are looking for. Follow the tortoise and you'll find them. I hope you have the full price of your debt, for your own sake."
Nodding to the man, I walked east. I had no intention of directly going there.
'I must get rid of whoever will follow me now. He thinks I carry something precious to repay the debt, and he will most likely try to get his hands on it, especially if he has a warlock backing him and does not fear another's retaliation.'
Wondering about where in this vast city I could get rid of someone I had an idea. There was a description of some shop Irros bought alchemy ingredients from before running into me in an alley. So the alley must be in the market next to an alchemy shop.
'A perfect place to rid myself of this novice.'
Whoever was following me was an amateur. As much as I couldn't directly see him. Any mercenary worth their salt would feel his gaze on them.
'Never fixate on your target. Keep direct eye contact to a minimum and always focus your eyes around or behind them, you don't need to look directly at them to see them.'
I walked around the merchant district for some more, I could smell the salt in the air, which meant it is quite near the docks. I should give them a look later, could be a good escape point in an emergency.
I had seen the walls of the city during my walk, and there was no scaling them without getting noticed. The gates were heavily guarded. So the only issue, if I wanted to discreetly come and go without paying smugglers each time, should be the docks.
A sudden scent of herbs and plants assaulted my nose, and I knew my destination was near.
Following my nose, I found myself looking at a house with small round windows, and a big chimney constantly spewing white fumes. Right next to what must be the alchemy shop, was a narrow alley, stretching far into the darkness.
'Where it all started. I was here for days before Irros found me, it should be good enough to buy me some time.'
I stood directly in front of the dark alley while still out in the open in clear view of the passerby and closed my eyes while counting in my head.
...
'... and in the bloodshed, he thrives. He who fears not peasants, nor knights. A hired sword for the coin, he fights.'
Finishing a song I had come up with during my past to measure the time it took my eyes to slightly adapt to darkness, I knew I was ready.
With my eyes still closed, while making sure I could still feel my pursuer's gaze on my back. I suddenly dashed into the alley, once I thought I was in the dark I opened my eyes and brought out my Khandjar. I ran further into the alley until I found a small outstretched edge of a doorframe. I stood in it, my back pressed against the door, holding my Khandjar to my chest.
Soon I heard faint steps running after me, I held my breath, and gently bent my knees until I was waist level. Making sure I was still hidden from sight by the edge of the doorframe.
As soon as my pursuer ran past me, his eyes creased, still not used to the darkness, I jumped behind him and pushed the Khandjar into his ear while holding his mouth with my other hand. And just for good measure, I left the dagger embedded in his head and grabbed his hand with the other, making sure he couldn't flail his weapon around before he was completely dead.
After feeling him become heavy, I slowly dragged him further into the alley, away from the door, making sure to avoid getting too much blood on me. Once I was satisfied, I removed my dagger from his head and cleaned it on my desert robe. I then inspected him carefully.
'Middle-aged, somewhat muscular, and callouses around the hands. Has experience but was not trained as an assassin given his skill at tracking and stealth. Looks like a ruffian at the merchant's service. Hmm, his skirt doesn't have blood on it. Good.'
I removed my desert robe, clothes, and the chest piece of my leather armor and put them aside. I then removed his skirt and belt, made sure there was no blood on them and wore both. Once done I put my clothes on the man, then put the chest armor on him, and lastly dropped the desert robe next to him. Walking back to where I killed him, I retrieved the dagger he dropped and came back to his corpse.
'If somebody other than the merchant or his underlings find the body, he would just hear of him by general description. Let's make sure he thinks I'm dead and my killer is at large with whatever valuables I had. Should distract him enough for me to finish my business and get out of this city. I should head westwards, where the warlock's influence lessens. I don't want their attention... for now.'
Even though I am immune to their magic, their coffers still pose a threat to me. Having my identity ousted, and assassins always on my trail is extremely unpleasant. I speak from experience when I say both warlocks and hired killers are obstinate and relentless, the first due to their madness, the second to keep their reputations.
While I was musing over my next course of action, I slashed the bandit's face with his dagger, making sure to not make it look fatal, but disfiguring it enough to hide his features.
Then I swung the dagger around, splattering his blood onto nearby walls and the floor, creating the aftermath of a fierce fight that never took place. Mulling over it some more, I took his sandals and left him barefoot.
'The only visible thing from under my robe was my boots, if the merchant thinks he took them, he'll be more likely to look outside the city. I should also head in the port's direction before changing clothes and getting rid of the knapsack. The port... this could work.'
Once I made sure the farce I created looked believable enough, I made my way towards the entrance of the narrow alley, and while walking I noticed the sewer odor I am so familiar with. Looking around, I could see a 'muddy' patch of soil, a wooden half-pipe jotting out of the nearby wall.
'So this is where I was born... Quite ironic, in both lives I was born near shit and piss. Seems fate is stronger than whatever brought me to this world. Born into a shit-stained family, only to run away and carry a sword until the day I day. However this time I know it is my fate. I will explore the wonders of this world, and fight on its battlefields. Not for coin in service of some snobbish noble. No, this time I will act in service to my own interests and satisfaction. This is my destiny.'
I left this place again, paying a silent prayer for the woman who gave me birth, and whose genuine feelings I felt for a brief moment.
Soon the sewer smell left its place to one of herbs and concoctions. I walked past the alchemy shop, making sure people saw me, now dressed in my assailant's attire. Bare chest and white skirt. But kept my head down, hiding my face. I briskly walked out of the covered streets that formed the huge market, at the center of which was a cavernous building home to the city's big bazaar.
I followed the salty breeze and soon saw it. One of the biggest ports I've ever seen. It was truly majestic.
One of the few books that I took with me from the library, Wonders Made by Man, described the triple walls of Quarth as one of the wonders. But having seen both the walls and the port, I think the latter is more deserving of that title.
It covered a whole side of the humongous city. Horseshoe-shaped, I could see both its ends stretching far into the distance, blurred by the mist rising from the waves crashing onto the stony shore, then closing back in like pincers clutching the countless riches that flowed through them.
From the bustling harbor, a multitude of timbered piers stretched forth, reaching out like gnarled fingers into the briny depths. Vessels of diverse forms and hues nestled against their wooden embrace, while others bobbed patiently upon the undulating waters, seeking respite to offload their precious cargoes. The port teemed with activity, an incessant flux of maritime motion. An unending procession of boats arrived and departed, an unyielding current of maritime life.
Some ships, sleek and elongated, cut through the waves with graceful swiftness, their sinewy frames reminiscent of majestic swans crafted from glistening timber. Their sails, meticulously sewn and adorned, whispered ancient tales of distant lands. Other vessels, towering in grandeur, behemoths of the sea even surpassing the smallest of castles, their colossal forms dominating the port's heart. These imposing vessels, their presence commanding reverence and awe, were firmly helmed by the proud sailors of Qarth.
Yet, as one ventured further from the port's epicenter, a gradual metamorphosis unfolded. The throngs of people and the vessels that bore them underwent a profound transformation. The subtle gradations between sailors and ships became more pronounced, like the dissipation of an ethereal mist. Each step taken on this path of divergence revealed a profound departure from the familiar, unraveling a tapestry of distinctive cultures and seafaring traditions.
'Seems like the Qartheen are docked in the middle of the horseshoe, and the further you are from the center, the further the origin of the ships. I should avoid the center and edges, a ship coming from a nearby place, but not manned by Qartheen.'
Confident in my choice, I moved towards two smaller ships docked on the same wooden platform not far from the center. What attracted my attention was their guards. They all wore iron light armor, with a shield and spear in their hands, two more spears strapped diagonally to their backs and a sword in its sheathe on their belts. They reminded me of Guillaume and piqued my interest.
Once on the wooden dock, and halfway through, one of the four soldiers posted on the platform extended his spear towards me and asked.
"State your purpose."
I looked at the shining tip of the spear and noted the differences between it and the two on his back. The one he was holding was in the middle length-wise and had a single long cross-shaped iron tip, the shaft was made of dark wood and looked the same thickness as a sword handle. One of the two on his back was longer and had two small pointed tips at both ends, it looked more like a pike than a spear. And the last one was shorter than both but instead of a tip it had an iron blade at its end, designed for both slashing and piercing. The sword at his hip looked short, wide, and thick.
'A long-tipped spear for fighting in shield walls, a pike to counter cavalry charges, a shorter spear for slashing, and lastly a one-handed short sword as a secondary weapon for narrow spaces, it also looks thick and sturdy for blocking heavy strikes. Quite the deadly combination, I could see this working outside of formation combat, I'll need to adapt the weapons but I need to find a way to learn from them.'
After scrutinizing their armor which was made of iron but only covered vital places and allowed wider and easier movements for fighting with a spear and shield. I noticed the other three also slightly tilting their spears towards me, their stances eerily similar and uniform. To ease the tension I answered.
"I'm looking for your captain, I have a trade offer to make."
They looked me up and down and understanding their doubts I claimed.
"My master is of higher standing, he wouldn't come himself for such small trades."
Nodding to the other three one of them wearing a half helm with some carvings in it instead of the other's plain ones, walked away towards one of the ships.
Soon he came back accompanied by a short rotund man of amber complexion, and wiry hair with red highlights that looked teased, oiled, and was twisted into the shape of two horns on his head. He was wearing an impractical Tokar, requiring him to hold it in place with one hand and walk in small steps at all times, lest it falls or he does. Once the man stood in front of me, his belly far closer than the rest of his body, he spoke in a loud voice, with an air of superiority to him.
"What does your master want with the noble blood of Old Ghis?"
'Noble blood of Old Ghis? So a Ghiscari from Mereen, Yunkai, Astapor, or New Ghis. Then these soldiers are legionaries? They have masculine traits, so probably not the unsullied said to all be eunuchs. There is much to gain here, I must be careful.'
"My master, a practitioner of the higher mysteries, wishes to trade with the Masters of the cities."
Upon hearing that my supposed master is a practitioner of the higher mysteries, the back of the overly sweet-smelling merchant straightened, and his features softened, he spoke in a humbler tone.
"I am Ezniz zo Ashaq, I represent the Good Masters of Astapor in New Ghis. If your employer wishes to trade with all three cities and their masters, I'd recommend you deal with New Ghis as it is governed by three representatives each speaking for the Good Masters, Great Masters, and Wise Masters respectively."
'This is better than expected, but I don't know what I can trade yet. There are the books in the laboratory, but I need to remove anything related to the warlocks and magic to avoid drawing suspicion, and I haven't checked the warlock's house yet. I need to buy time.'
"That is most appropriate. I shall tell the good news to my master, he will be most pleased. How long do you plan to stay docked?"
He scrunched his nose at my lack of honorifics towards him, but quickly hid it and spoke in an even tone.
"Five more days, inform your master that I would be more than happy to discuss further business matters directly with him."
'Shrewd bastard.'
"That would be difficult, he is engaged in an important ritual that will require his full attention for many moons. I am his representative in trade matters, and my word is as good as my master's. He is willing to offer much in trade goods that need transport to the masters, it would be most appropriate to take the goods as soon as possible to New Ghis and I will discuss the prices further with all the representatives present, as to not offend any of the Masters by giving priority to the others. I shall return to my master now and prepare the goods. There are quite a lot, I would advise you to prepare proper transport."
Not giving him time to respond, I nod towards him then turn around and walk with firm steps back towards the port in the direction of the merchant district. Before I could go beyond earshot I hear his greasy voice.
"All the preparations will be ready in two days at most. You may find me at this dock here, or my men would guide you to me if I am not on the ships."
Not turning around, I lift one hand as a sign of acquiescence and keep moving forward.
'Now then, let us go acquire those trade goods.'
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Word Count: 3880. (I always count without the A/N of course. With A/N it is 4045)
A/N:
Hello again, sorry for the lack of chapters during the week-end, it seems I had more social life than I anticipated. So the release schedule will from now on be: 1 chapter per day, Monday through Friday. And weekends are off. I also decided against stockpiling chapters at first and posting everything I manage to write to reach an acceptable number of published chapters. Then I would start stockpiling. So expect a bonus chapter randomly whenever I manage to write one :).
It's 23:26 here in France, so I'll post the reference comments and go hit the bed.
Thank you SUBSCRIBE_MY_LIST for the suggestion, I took it into account and changed what I had planned since it gave me a better idea. More realistic behavior for a crafty and experienced mercenary too.
Next Chapter Title: Spoliation
I hope you liked the chapter folks.
Have a good night, love you all (づ ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ )づ
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Odil
Odil I wrote everything I had to say above. So I'll ramble a bit here.
I don't know if you noticed, but when I was writing the description of the port I had hit a sweet spot with my writing and found it to be a higher quality than the rest of the chapter. The problem is, I seem to only be able to do that while doing pure descriptions with no advancements to the plot, I need to expand that and make it more consistent. That's my axis for improvement :)
As Always
Love You All
(づ ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ )づ
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