Age of Souls

by Garrett Stevens

  “Greetings travelers. What brings you to Sky Pedestal?” A warmly kept soldier greeted them as they approached. His small guard post near a small passage into the stone held a small sign with an unknown language and a torch that brightened everything around it.

  “We need to talk with Xen.” Dominic said bluntly.

  After hearing the name, the guard’s eyes opened wide and became obviously nervous. Flipping a small coin over to the soldier who barely caught it, the guard’s eyes widened again after looking at the coin.

  “He’s been holed up in Underbelly, something to do with a cult or fanatical group he has been looking for. Word has it that he made a deal with The Sigil to secure some sort of relic nearby.” The soldier kept his nervous shuffled as he tried to stand still.

  “What’s the word friends?” A second soldier appeared out from behind some brush, wiping his hands on portions of cloth that stuck out from under his armour around his waist.

  “These kind folks are needing to get into the Underbelly and speak with Xen.” The first guard dropped the small silver coin into the others hand who immediately shot his gaze up at Dominic.

  “Sorry for the holdup Sir, protocols require to ask everyone. There has been a lot of commotion lately in the city with some gangs causing problems with some kobolds, so we can’t be too careful.”

  “Do you really think a hooligan would come through a guarded passage to get into the city.” Chyla scoffed at the older soldier.

  “Fair enough, still need to let nice folks like yourself know about the danger and to be careful. The pathway up into the crater can get dangerous sometimes.”

  “Is Randall still captain of the guard?” Dominic butted in.

  “Yes, sir.” The younger soldier nodded quickly.

  “Thanks for the information.” Dominic nodded to the two men and started towards the path leading into the mountains.

  “Sir.” A quick salute by the two men in acknowledgment.

  “What in Necrolin’s name was that all about?” Chyla spoke under her breath after they were a few paces beyond the guards.

  “What do you mean?” Dominic sneered.

  “You said you were out of money.” Her glare seared through him.

  “For pleasurable company, yes. For information gathering, no.”

  Chyla punched his hip making him laugh and pat her on the head.

  “Why were they so shocked to see the coin?”

  “It was a special coin.” Dominic reached into his pocket and pulled out another one to hand to her.

  “The crest is from Kalstin, how did you get them?” Chyla fumbled around with Dominic’s pack trying to find more.

  “Hey.” Nudging her off Dominic bounced his pack back into place. “More to life than what you have seen girl. Pays no know the right people, be friends with others, have favours owed by the rest.” Another scoff came from Chyla making him laugh and he pushed her forward to get her moving.

  “Then what is so special about the coin?” Chyla gave him a bit of a sideway glance.

  “They are not meant for a currency of the market but a currency of an old organization. Not much out there you don’t end up knowing about if you are around as long as I have been. Lots of things to see, lots of people through my journey.”

  “Just how old are you anyway?”

  “Old enough.” Dominic laughed again and the trail fell silent as Chyla crossed her arms with a sulking face against his failure to give in to what she wanted.

  The passage was wide enough to get a small cart through most of the trail which made it easy to walk. Rain had cut itself through the dusty roadway creating veins in the dirt, giving a sort of living look to the trail as is bled down the slope. They continued along the switchbacks and rises and ran into the odd traveler resting against the stone or sitting off to the side with their horses or packs beside them. A simple nod is all they gave as they quickly passed them by.

  Shadows cast by the odd outcropping shifted in the sunshine with every step, seeming like they were thieves trying to stalk anyone they could. Taking most of the afternoon to get up to the crest of the path, the view opened to what lay beyond the range, the main path leading up to the city was the fastest way to get up. The city of Sky Pedestal is always a breath-taking sight, making anyone stop before continuing along to take in the majestic panorama, no matter how many times they came to the city there would be a rest at the top before continuing in.

  “Sky Pedestal, also known as the ‘Floating City’, is home to all people and beasts from across Vulthrodin.” Dominic explained to Chyla. “A neutral place that is used to come together and live their dreams to the fullest.”

  Chyla looked at a few of the taller buildings that stood out from the rest but came to rest on the central tower that could be seen pushing its way through everything and up into the sky like another mountain peak.

  Expanding from mountain edge to mountain edge but not actually connecting, the entire city was suspended on a massive chunk of earth in the middle of the crater, well above the lake of burbling molten stone. With the outer edge of the city never touching anything around it, the dependency it had from the surrounding mountain range was magical. It looked like the Freyolin had reach down into the depths and pulled the city into the air, breaking it from the confines of its mountainous binds.

  Massive carvings of varying species of races made out from the sides of the mountains, looking like they were trying to pull themselves out of the stone had outstretched arms coiled up like they were flexing, but also holding enormous chains that wrapped around and back into them mountain stone. These chains extended out from six points around the crater, each with their own figure, and connected to the floating land mass that the city rest upon. Pathways leading out from the main mountain valleys lead to a sturdy rope bridge that had many travelers and villagers performing their comings and goings.

  The hustle of the people within the metropolis were cut through by homes and shops built from stone to metals to woods and a mixture of designs mashed together in an eclectic array of structures. A very sturdy looking railing kept life from the drop into the crater below. Cobbled streets broke up could be seen as the veins weaving throughout the city, helping all the people move around their day.

  “This is amazing.” Chyla couldn’t keep her mouth closed and her eyes from blinking as she took in the picturesque scene.

  “Welcome to Sky Pedestal, the city floating on the dreams of more than a million.” Dominic smiled as he looked down at her.

  “There are over a million people down there?” Chyla couldn’t keep her eyes from the city.

  “Sure is. The best place to find anything you are looking for, for any reason. Be careful though, tends to lure in a lot of unsavory types looking for a quick coin or to cause mischief.”

  “Crowds are a bit much, but it sounds like my kind of place.”

  Dominic gave her a sideways look.

  “Can we get some real clothes here, and maybe a pair of tits to play with?” Chyla gave him a beaming smile.

  “Clothes can definitely be a thing, but the company may have to wait. We won’t be here long enough for much.” Dominic’s response was received with sour look.

  “You’re no fun.”

  “Just keep your hands out of your pants until we can get our place to stay.” Chyla responded with a half-smirk, like she was biting her cheek and a nod and her struggled agreement.

  Waiting for an opening between travelers to get past the supports on the bridge, a few hooded people walked past without paying them any mind. Chyla watched as they small groups disappeared around the first switch back to the path.

  “Come on Chyla.” Dominic called back from a few paces on the bridge.

  Her head snapped around and she bounce to life in hopes to catch up. Quickly closing the gap between them after dodging a few random people, they soldiered across the swinging bridge. Chyla couldn’t keep her head still, rotating back and forth in amazement from the city ahead
to the gigantic statues holding everything up from certain death.

  “I’m hungry.” Chyla tugged on Dominic’s shirt as she spoke.

  “There should be an inn ahead on the left.” He pointed long enough for her to follow his finger down the cobbles and through the crowd.

  The further into the city they got, the busier the streets became. Everyone mulling about, getting ready to close out the day or starting their evening. The noise from the crowd made her anxious and would snap her head around at any clang or bang. There was something about the crowd that kept her on her guard.

  Keeping a close distance between her and Dominic, Chyla watched everyone with a sense of danger, there were too many people for her liking. The inn came up fast with all the distractions around her and she almost ran into Dominic when he stopped in front of the large wooden door with a sign above saying, ‘The Winking Neight’.

  “Once we get our room, we will head to the Underbelly to talk to Xen.” Dominic pushed on Chyla’s back, forcing her toward the doorway first.

  With a push on the thick wooden doors they were inside the busy inn. Noise flooded against them like a tidal wave of white noise. Conversation mixed with laughter and inaudible yelling collided with the sounds of mugs crashing into each other or on tables that made the outside world seem like a barren wasteland of boringness. Prostitutes walked around from patron to patron trying to get their attention, the odd one succeeding and speedily disappeared down a corridor behind the bar with their client groping at their breasts.

  A clunky sounding instrument filled in above the torrent of the crows like a blanket of joy. It sounded almost like a piano but carried a violin string pluck noise to it. Chyla could see it tucked in the far back corner with a musician that was trying to keep drinks away from him to stay dry as he played. His looked very annoyed with how busy his corner was and would try not to stop as he pushed someone away from time to time with his feet. Chyla smiled at the couple of skirmishes that popped up and quickly faded back into the noise of the room.

  Low lying bone chandeliers hung from randomly placed hooks on the exposed beam ceiling, each holding low burning candles that needed to be replaced. Wood paneled walls and flooring made it look like there was no start to the wall or floorboards and only the stairs of blood, booze and bodily fluid stains gave it more texture. The limited standing room throughout was going to be difficult for them to get to the innkeeper in the back but she bit her lip, ready for the crowd.

  With a sigh, Dominic leaned into his first step and slowly started his way through the crowd. Giving a glance and a nod back to Chyla, she nodded in return and grabbed a loop on his pack to not fall behind. Eyes would glance over to them as they pushed their way past, always stopping on Chyla who would glare at them and they would quickly look away.

  “Evening sir, what can I get for ya?” The innkeeper was a portly man with a very large black beard, barely taller than the counter. His accent was hard to understand making Chyla stand on her toes to lean over the counter to try and listen.

  “We need a room.” Dominic stooped lower to talk to the man.

  “Two rooms left, ten Tulcran per night per person.”

  “Seems a bit steep, pretty greedy for a Dwarf.” Dominic gave the shorter man a questioning eye.

  “Nights busy and there be a demand, take it or leave it. The Purring Imp may have space if you dun mind a Leeman.” The innkeeper grumbled.

  Shaking his head, Dominic reached into his pocket and pulled out another small silver coin with the Kalstinian crest and placed it on the counter. The Dwarf’s eyes widened, and he slowly reached up to grab it like it would hurt him.

  Dominic slammed his palm over the coin making the keeper jump “We want discretion, food, and extra bedding as well.”

  “Not a problem sir, will have the missus bring up some provisions for you and yer little one. How long do ya need?” The look in his face was a mix of surprise and intimidation.

  “Two nights and.” Dominic looked down at Chyla. “Her pick of a woman when we return.”

  Dominic lifted his hand from the coin which was quickly snatched up by the Dwarf who nodded without looking at him and dragged his nail across the top of the coin. Flipping it into the air and catching it, the Dwarven innkeeper pulled out a small purse slung around his neck and dropped it inside. Chyla gave Dominic’s waist a hug.

  “Anyone I want? You’re the best.” Chyla smiled up at him.

  “When we get back. Business first.”

  The sound of a heavy key dropped onto the counter.

  “First room on the third floor, top of the stairs. You will have the floor to yourselves. Will keep the other empty while ya here and will send up yer plates.” The innkeeper had a hard time looking Dominic in the eye as he spoke.

  Dominic knocked on the bar top with his knuckle and turned in place. A rugged looking man dressed in a worn cloak with his hood up pushed his way through from across the room, his eyes fixed on Dominic. Easily noticed with all the commotion he was making on his approach; Dominic was ready for him. A simple thrust from the cloaked man sprang towards Dominic’s stomach which was easily caught at the wrist and elbow.

  “Still quick as ever.” An unexpected higher pitched voice came from the large cloaked man.

  “You call that a punch?” Dominic smiled and pulled the man in for a friendly embrace and a laugh.

  “When did you get into the city?” The cloaked man flipped back his hood and exposed a grizzled mess of facial hair and mop of blonde hair.

  The man looked to be around the same age and Dominic but with spending a lot more time in the sun. Aside from his hair being messy, the rest of his features looked cleaned and proper, like he could have been a noble that forgot to trim his hair.

  “Today.” Dominic shifted his stance and leaned against the bar counter.

  “And you have a little friend this time.” The bearded man looked down at Chyla who gave him a glare. “Feisty one too.”

  “This is why I stayed in Estar, Chyla Redlash from Tarna.” Dominic looked down at her with a slight nod directed toward the man.

  “Nice to meet you little miss, little fair for a place like this. The names Rundin, Rundin Nettlepot.” Rundin made a short bow type curtsy that made Chyla smile. “How do you know Dominic?”

  “He was a neighbour for a while, I kept an eye on him. Keep him out of trouble.”

  “Ha! He is always in trouble isn’t he, causes all sorts of trouble too. What a troublesome fellow.” His jovial tone and higher pitched voice made it difficult to hold back her laughter.

  “How do you two know each other?” Chyla asked.

  “Mr. Wick here helped us get back an item from Mudiifjall a while back and we have been friends ever since.” Rundin gave Dominic a pat on the shoulder.

  “Your last name is Wick; how did I not know that?” Chyla nudged him with her elbow and turned back to Rundin. “Who is we?”

  “I am assuming you are here to see Mr. Xen?” Rundin ignored Chyla’s question making her cross her arms in frustration.

  Dominic nodded.

  “Then you came at the right time. Seems the old windbag is caught in the middle of something with the Neightur and may need a little assistance. He called out for the usual’s a few days ago and only Kallis and I came so far.” Rundin scanned the room behind him quickly in a nervous twitchy way. “Seems no one wants to deal with the Neightur with their connections to The Sigil.”

  “Where are you two staying?” Dominic asked.

  “Usual spot, we can meet you at the secondary entrance and head in together. Kallis will be excited to know you’re here.” Rundin smiled through his scruffy beard and smacked Dominic ‘s upper arm again before spinning around and charging through the crowd once again.

  “Who the hell was that weirdo?” Chyla looked up at Dominic.

  “Rundin Nettlepot, he did state it.” Dominic looked down at her.

  “That isn’t what I meant.” Chyla glared at him.

&n
bsp; “He and his sister are mercenaries with a solid set of skills, mostly assassination contracts but I helped them out with a few jobs and like he said, we have been friends ever since.”

  “He looks and sounds like a side show at the fair.” Dominic laughed at her words.

  “Don’t let the voice and beard fool you, he knows what he’s doing.”

  Dominic pointed over to the set of stairs at the side of the room, Chyla tried to catch a glimpse of them through the crowd but was too short to see where he was pointing. Their journey to the stair was not long at all and only had to push a couple drunks to the side. The staircase was close to the different sounding instrument which Chyla was able to get a brief glance of as they ascended.

  A tall backed wooden box with a flat array of open strings coming out of small holes in the box towards the player; looking much like a piano without keys. The player had small gloves on that had little blocks of some material on them that he knocked against the strings to give them their sound. Sliding them back and forth gave him other sounds and notes to play with. If he flicked the string it would resonate longer allowing him to fill in his melody.

  Each flight of stairs was long and creaky with the odd sticky spot, making her scrape her foot against the edge of the tread and look down in disgust. The second floor had a long corridor with the same wood as the main bar but little lanterns with a mirrored sconce that cast their light into the hallway to illuminate the entries to each room. Patrons could be heard moving around in the rooms with the company for the evening as others pushed passed them and down the hall to find a space of their own.

  “Maybe I don’t want a woman from this place, it’s a little nasty.” Chyla cringed her face as she watched a pair walk down the corridor.

  Dominic laughed.

  “It’s a serious problem, I don’t want to walk away from a juicy night with a bad itch.”

  “Have you even had a prostitute before?”

  “Well. No. But I’m going to need some good loving soon, before I explode.”

  Dominic laughed again and finished cresting the stairs. That hallway was cold and silent, a bad feeling sent shivers down Chyla’s neck as her hairs stood on end. The layout to the stairwell made the sound from the bar below almost silent. A wooden crypt of their own.