The men stop moving. Aryn's giving off killing intent that makes the hardened vagabonds shake in fear. Though it's not directed towards me, it still makes my hand shake with nervousness.
"I really don't understand; do you all just want to die this day?" Aryn asks.
The men are visibly unsettled by Aryn. One of them charges like a fool, trying to stab him. Aryn thrusts his hand forward to block the dagger. The blade crumples like paper as it hits Aryn's palm.
Aryn strikes the man's hand in the process, causing bones to splinter out throughout the man's arm.
"Gyaaahh!" the man screams as he falls in pain.
Aryn walks beside the guy and places his foot on the man's head.
"P-please…mercy," the man begs through tears.
Looking at the group of men, Aryn proceeds to squash the man's head. Thinking it's time to intervene, I grab Aryn's arm. "I think that's enough from you," I calmly say.
Aryn exhales slowly. "You're right," he responds.
I motion for the remaining men to leave. They start to slowly back away. If I were them, I'd leave quicker.
"Barin," Aryn states.
Barin lifts his hand. "Aqua Bolts," he chants.
Spheres of water form in the air before flying at immense speed towards the men as they flee. Barin brutally bombards the fleeing men, piercing through them relentlessly.
"Damn it, I said enough!" I scream.
Barin ceases his attack…all the men are dead.
"There was no need to kill all of them," I say sternly.
Barin walks over to the corpses and starts to search their bodies.
"Have you no dignity?" The Princess asks him.
He pays her no mind as he goes body to body, keeping anything of value. "Don't know if you realize our situation, Princess. We're in shit up to our knees at the moment," Barin answers The Princess. "We have to use any means to survive. You may not know that, having grown up in a castle protected from the world. It's not like a storybook where the hero overcomes all trials. You have to suffer and persevere to survive," he states.
The Princess doesn't respond to his statement. I don't disagree with Barin's assessment of the world, but I think the way you handle situations determines if the outcome is favorable.
I look at the bodies as we pass by… guess they just had an unlucky day.
We walk some way down the path when we're able to see the outer walls of Cochagine.
"Let me handle the talking," I order as we walk up to the check post line.
The Princess and Asteria ask Aryn to put them down. "I could've carried you two the whole way," he insists.
The Princess straightens her clothes. "Do you believe they would let a man haul two beautiful women into their city?" The Princess inquires.
Aryn smiles and shrugs his shoulders.
We wait a bit before it's our turn to enter.
"Stop," the gatekeeper orders. "What is your purpose for coming to Cochagine?" he questions.
"To make some money, buy some supplies, maybe get some food," I respond.
The gatekeeper has the guards check us for anything suspicious. "Why does your company have torn clothes on under his cloak?" a guard asks.
Aryn smiles at him. "Well, a group of succubi wanted my body and tore my clothes off while trying to mate with me. I hate to admit it… but I lost the battle," he adds.
Nobody makes a sound; the idiot just raised the guards' suspicion.
The gatekeeper and guards burst out in a bellowing laugh. "I know what you mean, women want to suck us good looking guys dry!" the gatekeeper harks.
Aryn joins the laughing. The rest of us are silent and baffled.
The gatekeeper lets us pass after Aryn agrees to join them for drinks tonight.
The gates open and we enter Cochagine; we're greeted by beautiful women, drinks, and cheers. This is the city-state of Cochagine, where everyone prospers, and there are no unmet desires.
He takes a mug of alcohol in each hand and proceeds to cheer with the crowd. "I can get used to this," Aryn gleefully expresses.
We have to fight our way through the paraded streets to get to an inn. Once inside, we can escape from the overwhelming celebration.
"What was that?" Asteria asks with a shocked expression.
I make my way to a stool to collect my thoughts.
"This is just how Cochagine is, everyone has wealth; they don't want any more or less than what they have. It's unnerving how the city is in a suspended state of euphoria," I answer.
I ring the bell for the innkeeper, but no one answers. I ring again…and again…and again. I go to ring the bell a fourth time.
"Ring that bell again, and I cut your damn hand off," a crackly voice snaps.
From the door behind the counter, an old man hobbles out. He looks like a frail, hunched old man, but I notice the vague definition of muscle on his arms.
"What, do you think I'm fucking cute?" the old man jeers.
Flustered, I don't know what to say; I was looking too much at him. "I just thought you must have been a good fighter to still have muscle definition at your age," I remark.
"Shut up, you damn fool. Are you here for a fucking room or not?" he sneers.
I turn towards the group for help; I've never been good at talking to people such as this old man.
Asteria and The Princess make their way to the counter. "Could we please have your best room, good sir?" The Princess asks.
The old man looks them up and down, then gives a friendly smile. "Of course, my dears," the old man responds. "You young ladies should get something to eat. Look like you haven't had a good meal in days."
He hands them a key to their room. They thank him, then head upstairs.
"Can I have one of your best rooms, sir?" I ask.
The old man glares at me in silence.
I nervously smile back before making my way to Barin and Aryn. "Doesn't look like he will give us rooms," I state.
Barin walks towards the old man, though he will not fare any better than me. Barin and the old man stare at each other, not speaking… a single word.
"Here you go," the old man says, handing Barin a key.
Barin nods at the old man, who nods back. Turning, Barin shoots a glance at Aryn and me, he then proceeds to go upstairs.
Aryn looks at me with a smile before going to the counter.
"What do you want, you nuisance?" the old man quips.
Aryn chuckles. "Wouldn't it be hilarious to give all of us, but him a room?" Aryn smiles as he points at me.
The old man glances past Aryn towards me. I rub my fingers to show that I'll pay good money for a room.
The old man turns to Aryn, then chuckles; the chuckle turns to a deep laugh from his stomach. Aryn joins him… the more they laugh, the more sinister they become.
"I like you, brat," the old man says gleefully. He hands Aryn a key for a room. "I only give this room to the most esteemed of guests," the old man states with a wink.
Aryn and the old man shake hands. I feel a sense of comradery from the two of them.
Aryn walks back to me. "Sorry, just don't think he likes you," he says with a shrug.
"Well…where am I supposed to sleep?" I ask the old man.
He crosses his arms. "The bar across the street rents out upper rooms." he responds.
Aryn gives a reaffirming pat on my back. "See you tomorrow," he says sympathetically.
He heads upstairs. I glance at the old man, who shoos me away with his hands. I make my way to the door, but I stop and turn to the old man.
"What?" he sneers.
I raise my hand at him. Using my magic, I force him to the ground.
I smile as I step outside onto the street. The people are still as lively as the last time I was in Cochagine. I push my way through the crowd of drunken celebrators to the bar.
"Welcome friend," the barkeep greets.
At least my money will be good at a bar.
I walk over to the counter. "The best a
lcohol you have along with you best room, please." I put some coin on the counter.
The barkeep pushes the coins back. "You need no money here friend, I already have more than enough," he replies.
I put the coin back in my pouch; I knew he wouldn't take it.
"Here is the best bottle we have and the key to our best room!" the barkeep exclaims as he hands me the alcohol.
I thank him, then proceed to head to the stairs. I stop. I can feel him looking at me. I glance back… he's smiling at me. Everyone has disturbing smiles in this city.
I head upstairs; my room is at the end of the hall. I open the door and enter. The place takes up almost a third of the top floor. Seems like luck was actually on my side this time.
I take a seat at the table by the window; the alcohol will keep me from hearing all the noise out there. Something about this place has always unnerved me… can never figure out what it is though. I take a sip from the bottle, damn… some pretty good stuff.
15
ASTERIA
Princess Isla and I enter the room the kind old man gave us. It's quite spacious, the furnishing is a bit dated compared to what we saw as we entered the city.
"This city is full of so many lively people," Princess Isla comments after looking out the window.
I walk over to the other window and glance out. The city is full of life and cheers from the gleeful crowd. "It would be nice to get some different clothes to wear," I comment.
Mister Utrix gave us the spare clothes he had in his knapsack. It's nice not to be in just our nightwear, or even worse, to be wearing shredded clothes like Aryn.
"I agree," Princess Isla voices. "Something like this is unbefitting of ones such as ourselves." Princess Isla untucks the shirt, which swallows most of her body.
"Pffft!" I cover my mouth to keep from laughing at her.
Princess Isla pouts at me, then joins me in a laughing fit.
"I really am glad to have someone I can enjoy myself with," Princess Isla remarks.
I’m glad that Princess Isla is slowly opening up to me. I wish she would be this way all the time. Her pretentious attitude seems to be a defensive mechanism, at least, that's what I can make from it. I want to believe that the Princess Isla who can laugh at a long shirt is who she truly is.
I make my way over to one of the beds to sit down. The soft mattress is a welcoming relief from the wagon. It's sad. It has only been three days since we departed, and I already miss the comforts of my everyday life.
Princess Isla sits on the bed opposite me. "How I missed an actual bed to sleep upon," she says with relief.
She falls onto her back with a delighted smile. We sit in silence for a moment, just enjoying the relaxing feeling of safety and comfort. We're interrupted by a knock from the door.
Princess Isla tucks the shirt back into her pants, as to look more proper. I walk over and open the door.
"Hello," Aryn greets me.
He seems to be in as good of a mood as always. Barin is leaning against the wall behind Aryn.
"Why are you pestering us so late," Princess Isla questions. "We have not had any rest since those mysterious figures attacked."
"We haven't. You two took a nap on Aryn," Barin chimes in.
Princess Isla’s face turns red. "Hmph!" she audibly pouts and turns her head.
I keep my head turned, so that Aryn will not see I'm blushing.
"The Master brought me food, came to get you two," Aryn states.
"Who are you calling Master?" Princess Isla asks.
That is a good point; who would Aryn be calling Master? Usually, only serfs and slaves use such a title.
"The old man," Barin answers. "Do you not know it's a respectable way to address a reputable barkeep or innkeeper?"
Did the old man already make an impression on Aryn? He seemed friendly, but not to the point I would address him with such regards.
Aryn smiles, motioning to follow him. I grab Princess Isla's hand to drag her along; she really should loosen up around the others.
We follow Aryn to the other side of the inn; his door is decorated metal. Unusual for an inn. Aryn opens the door, and the room is very average.
"What a lackluster room for such a door to conceal," Princess Isla jeers.
"You just can't see the value of the room," a voice comments from behind.
The old man has appeared behind Princess Isla, scaring her by doing so.
"I brought some more food, lad," the old man says to Aryn.
Aryn smiles and takes the tray from the old man. "Why don't you join us master?" he asks.
The old man chuckles. "You sure know how to treat your elders lad," he responds.
The old man enters the room. "You lot seem like an interesting company anyways," he remarks.
The old man sits on the floor; Barin and Aryn join him with the food.
"Why not eat in a properly furnished room?" Princess Isla questions.
The room doesn’t have a single table, nor any chairs. Just a lone bed. It would make more sense for us to eat in the room Princess Isla and I are staying in.
"What about Mister Utrix?" I inquire. "Should we not invite him as well?"
Aryn and the old man look at each other and start chuckling; did we miss something earlier?
"This room is a bit gloomy, not even a window to see the lights outside," I remark as I join them on the floor.
The old man looks annoyed, "Are you two lasses the only ones who can't see how amazing this room is?" he asks.
I look at Aryn and Barin, is there something special in here? I glance at Princess Isla, who decided to sit on the bed.
"Obviously, they are trying to make fun of us," she replies.
The old man shakes his head. "Should we go to the ocean shore, or a nice field?" he asks.
He places his hand on the floor, and suddenly a flash of light surrounds us. Then, we're by an ocean.
"How did you do that!?" I ask in amazement.
The old man and Aryn both smile with self-satisfaction.
"Why do you look so full of yourself, fool?" Princess Asteria asks.
"Well, obviously, it's because he knew about the wonder of this place," the old man answers.
"What is this room?" I question.
The old man glances at me with a smirk. "It's a transportation stone," the old man says, tapping the ground.
The floor is still beneath us. Is the whole thing really a magic device?
"Of course, I knew what this thing was," Princess Isla states.
The fool looks at her. "We didn't ask?" Aryn replies.
He and the old man begin laughing again; they seem to get along well already.
We begin eating the food the old man gave Aryn; it's nothing elaborate, but it tastes rather good. There is nothing of importance discussed, mainly why we are in town, a bit about ourselves… simple banter.
"So, young lad," the old man interjects sternly. "How many people have you killed in your life so far?"
The air around the old man changes, becoming similar to Mister Utrix's presence. The old man's statement stops the eating and pleasant atmosphere.
"So…you could tell?" Aryn responds.
The old man takes a sip of the alcohol he brought. He hands the bottle to Aryn, who proceeds to drink the whole bottle. The old man begins to laugh silently. Aryn joins him with a chuckle.
They both start to laugh louder and more maniacal.
Without hesitation, the old man strikes at Aryn's throat with surprising speed. "I see, I am no match for you," the old man states.
The old man's hand is caught between Aryn's shoulder and chin, where Aryn managed to catch it.
"Don't want to hurt you master," Aryn says remorsefully.
Aryn lets go of the old man's hand, "It is as you say. You don't stand a chance against me." Aryn states.
The old man sighs, then stands and proceeds to stretch. His posture straightens as he cracks his back. "I still would like to try though," the old man repl
ies.
Aryn grins. "Ok," he answers.
Is Aryn going to kill the old man too?
"Why do you want to have a match with Aryn?" I ask the old man.
"Once this one is dead, the rest of you tell your masters that this is my town, and I will never leave!" the old man barks with rage.
The old man slashes his hand at Aryn, who immediately bends back, falling to the ground in the process. Nothing happens following the old man's movement. The old man then slices his hand downwards. Once again, Aryn dodges. Yet again, nothing happens.
Is Aryn seeing something we can't?
"Why do you insist on dodging, you fool?" Princess Isla questions.
The old man points his finger at Princess Isla; Aryn jumps in front of her path.
Aryn staggers. "Wasn't expecting you to be this skilled… thanks for not hitting Isla," he states.
The old man chuckles. He raises his hand, this time forming a mass of water above him. "You better not bore me," the old man declares.
The mass of water changes shape, to take the form of a serpent.
Aryn raises his guard, they stare at each other… Even a novice like me can feel the tension coming from the two of them.
Water shoots up from the ground behind Aryn; he jumps to escape. As soon as he enters the air, the serpent of water ensnares Aryn, wrapping around him to become a sphere of water.
The old man clenches his fist, turning the water into ice. The ice sphere erupts with flames, and Aryn falls to the ground with a thud.
Aryn stands and stretches. Then he drives his foot into the ground. Stepping forward, he performs a kick, hurling a massive chunk of earth towards the old man. The old man raises a wall of water to halt the rock; Aryn appears beside the old man, prepared to strike him.
Aryn is incased instantly in ice. The ice then turns into water. The old man flicks his wrist, sending the ball of water and Aryn over the ocean. The old man moves his fingers down, dropping Aryn into the waves.
"Why are we not helping him?" I ask Barin.
I stand to rush to Aryn's aid.
Barin grabs me. "He'll be even more pissed if we get involved in his fight," he says as he pulls me behind him.
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