by Gwynn White
Soron thanked the girl and headed out of the inn. He was curious as to what this city of Venecia was like. He had been out of it when they arrived and had been so exhausted the last week that he hadn’t had an opportunity to notice the land or its people.
Stepping out of the cool inn, Soron noticed the heat, it was warm here. The breeze off the ocean was refreshing though, the salty air had a certain flavor to it. Not unpleasant, but unique from the high mountain air he was used to. The city was large and busy. Soron watched as people mingled and wandered throughout the streets, wagons and carriages came and went along the road while people on foot weaved around them and along the sides of the street.
Soron started to wander, heading down the street. Venecia was a strange place to Soron, so many people and some were very exotic looking, some with pale blonde hair, a rarity in the north, others with different hues of skin, ranging from light to dark with all shades in between. The port city was obviously a melting ground, bringing in people from all over the world.
As Soron came to the end of the street he was assaulted with a magnificent view of the ocean. The city streets dropped down a gentle hill to the large docks at the water’s edge, giving Soron a great view of the expansive body of water. Soron could see no end to the ocean; he knew from conversations with travelers to the north that another great continent lay a short sail across the strait. But from where he stood, Soron could only see endless blues of the ocean and the sky. It was a pretty place, Soron decided. Not as majestic as some of the northern wilds, but beautiful and chaotic all at once. Venecia was definitely interesting.
After spending the better part of the morning wandering around the streets of the large city, Soron made his way back towards the inn where he stayed. Once there, he continued up the other direction looking for the pub where he was to meet Marin. Three doors up, he found the pub.
Walking inside, Soron found Marin sitting at a table with another man.
Marin, seeing Soron, waved him over to the table. “Soron, this is Ramon Ventego. He is on the Council of Venecia, the ruling organization in the city. He is also the trader who’s purchased the goods from our caravan.”
Ramon looked at the mighty northern youth. Ramon had met many large men over the years, but Soron stood apart. Before meeting Soron, Ramon had doubted the growing rumors of one man stopping a squadron of elite foot soldiers from taking the caravan. He no longer doubted the rumors. Soron looked like he could take on a whole army. “Nice to meet you, Soron. I thank you for looking after my investment. If I can ever do anything for you, please let me know.”
Soron smiled, he had wondered how to make the right acquaintances in Venecia for his own wares, now he had a captive audience that would be honest with him. “Actually, Ramon, you might be able to help me now. I brought some trinkets south to sell. They’re nothing special, but I was hoping you could tell me what kind of price I might get for them.”
Soron pulled out his small pouch. Over the years, despite his father’s disapproval, Soron had been making jewelry out of the unique black steel his people were known for. He had also been experimenting with adding different minerals to iron to achieve different metals. One of his favorite to work with was adding Hexin to iron. The Hexin made a softer, white-colored metal that was easier to work with and had an interesting look. He combined these exotic metals with small gems and jewels. Soron did not often show people his work, but he had brought all of his projects south and hoped there might be a market for the pieces.
Soron took a couple of his small artworks out and showed them to Ramon and Marin. The men carefully examined both pieces. One was a small brooch made out of both black and white steel with a small ruby in its center. The other, a necklace made of the black steel with three small emeralds set in an intricate design that resembled flower petals.
Ramon looked at the unique jewelry, then back at Soron. This northern youth was an interesting character. He was obviously being honest when he said he wasn’t sure of his goods’ value, which seemed ridiculous considering how exceptional the quality of the jewelry was. Ramon turned to Marin and laughed “I suppose you won’t back me up if I tell your friend that his work is only worth a coin or two?”
Marin joined Ramon in laughter, “No, I ‘m afraid I cannot do that.”
Soron looked at the two men laughing; he wasn’t sure what was so funny. Was his work so poor that he couldn’t even get a couple coins for the pieces? “If you like I can take the gems out, and just sell them. Surely, they have value.”
Ramon shook his head; this giant had no idea how valuable his own work was. “Soron, you have done me and my friend Marin here a great deal of good over the last week. Saving his life, potentially countless others’ lives and you have also insured the safe arrival of the caravan. I had a hefty sum of money invested in that caravan so you have done me a great service. Now, I shall return the favor. Leave these two trinkets with me, and I will find buyers for them before the end of the day, and let me assure you, the sum will be greater than a coin or two.”
Marin echoed the words of Ramon, “Soron, those are exquisite works of art. Black steel is a rarity in this part of the world, and I have never seen it in jewelry before, nor have I ever seen white steel. Your jewelry is unique and will go for a high price. I would consider buying that brooch myself, but you will get a far greater price for it from Ramon’s buyers. If you have any more of the jewelry, I recommend letting Ramon sell it for you. Any other traders will take a profit off of your work. Ramon and I are in your debt and will make sure you are treated fairly in Venecia.”
Soron smiled, the relief he left was immense. These men were not judging him poorly for making jewelry; instead they were being extremely complimentary and helpful. It was a world of difference from how he was used to being treated on the subject. “Thank you, Ramon, Marin. I had hoped the pieces held some value, but a blacksmith making jewelry is frowned upon by my father. I didn’t know how it would be received here in the south.”
Ramon smiled, “Trust me; you will be looked upon as an artist of note here. Any jewelry you have to sell will go quickly and if you ever want to make more, I will make sure you have all the supplies you need and a blacksmith shop at your disposal. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I know a couple of noble ladies that meet for tea every afternoon that will throw a fit if I don’t show them these pieces before offering them to anyone else.” Ramon stood, shook Soron’s hand and left with the two pieces of jewelry.
Marin turned to Soron once Raul was gone, “Friend, you are a man of many talents. Now that we are alone and no one is trying to kill us, let us have a drink or two and get to know each other.”
Soron smiled at his new friend, “I would like that, Marin. What would you like to know?”
Marin laughed, “Well, without being too nosy or rude, how does everything sound? I’m afraid to admit it but I know more about you than I let on; you were exhausted when you went to sleep in the wagon, but sleep was not kind to you. You had many nightmares and talked in your sleep. You have lived a hard life, friend, but an interesting one. I wouldn’t mind hearing about it from you when you are awake.”
Soron laughed, “Well, if you heard me talking in my sleep, who knows what you heard. Alright if you spill your life’s story, I shall do the same.”
Marin agreed, “Deal, but I’m afraid my story is not nearly as colorful as yours, but it does have its moments.”
So for the rest of the day Marin and Soron sat in the small pub, drinking ale and telling stories. Soron shared all of his adventures with Marin, from the wars of his youth, learning how to fight while protecting the valuable mines that brought prosperity to his father’s people, and then on to his encounters in the wild. Soron spoke of his fighting strange beasts of the north such as a snow Yeti and the dangerous vraber - a vicious beast that looked like a cross between a wolf and a lizard. He then told of his decisive battle with the mighty Magnus Kollrson. Soron detailed his attack on the foot soldiers and how h
e kept them away from the caravan.
Marin was in awe; his mysterious, northern friend was the son of a king, a maker of exquisite jewelry, and an unparalleled warrior. Yet the way Soron told his story, he consistently made himself out to be less than a hero. He was always pointing out the flaws of his own actions. Soron was modest and much too hard on himself. Marin was grateful to have met the man. Despite Soron being a few years younger than him, Marin decided to never call him a boy again. Soron had been living a man’s life since the tender age of twelve. To have lived the life Soron had and not become jaded was a testament to the man’s character.
The men were still at it when Ramon returned. Now they were discussing Marin and his situation, his father’s push for Marin to marry one of the noble ladies of Salma, and Marin’s refusal. “My father sees position and money. I see chubby, spoilt girls and years of heartache. I leave the city every chance I get. Taking a caravan south to Venecia is safer than staying in Salma for too long. My father will have me married in no time if I don’t keep moving.”
Ramon laughed “Even I have received letters from Marin’s father enquiring to the available ladies of Venecia. He is determined to marry Marin off soon.”
“Traitor!” yelled Marin in mock protest.
“Oh hush, you know for a fact any woman I set you up with will be far more interesting than those plump diva’s waiting for you in Salma.”
Marin laughed and leaned over to Soron, “It’s true. I should make an effort to find one interesting enough to court while I am here. That way, at least I will have a say in the matter instead of arriving home to find my life arranged for me.”
Soron laughed, women were beyond his understanding. The girls of the north were always flirting with him, but he never found one interesting enough to make an effort to know, nor did he think himself worthy of anyone special. He was content to be alone, to be here exploring a new world and making new friends. Life now was as good as he had ever known it. Soron was happy.
“Before we get too carried away discussing a suitable bride for Marin here, I have business to discuss with our northern friend. You have caused me great distress, brother. I am lucky to be alive right now.”
Soron looked at Ramon with concern, “What happened?”
“Those damned women almost tore me to shreds when I only had two pieces of jewelry to show them. I had to swear on my mother’s soul I would bring more soon just to leave with my skin intact. You better have more pieces hidden somewhere, or I am going to be in trouble.” Ramon threw a heavy sack of coins on the table, “There is your payment for the first two pieces.”
Soron took the sack of coins and inspected it. Handfuls of golden coins filled the sack. He looked up at Ramon “How much is there?”
Ramon laughed, “Two hundred gold coins, I probably could have gotten you more with other buyers, but I have a particular fondness for those two, and they will be repeat buyers, so you get a little less now but in the long run will be better off. You will live well in Venecia, friend; you will have no shortage of income as long as you can make more of your jewelry.”
Soron was surprised, he had no idea his artwork had such value. He would be able to live comfortably in Venecia without worrying about an income. He could do whatever projects he wanted without having to worry about eating. The idea was very appealing. “Thank you, Ramon.”
“Just make sure you bring me more of your jewelry,” said Ramon with a smile. “Now back to Marin’s situation. Let me tell you about Lady Lucille…”
Chapter Six
For a week Soron roamed the city, exploring its streets, going through its large open market. He spent time checking out the vendors selling their wares on the streets, inspecting the different shops. The city had a strange and diverse culture. The range of different tribes and sailors from distant lands that came through Venecia made for a colorful melting pot of people. Every day, Soron heard a new accent or saw something new to him. The sailors that roamed the docks and the nearby bawdy houses, were a breed unto themselves. They were hardworking, hard-playing with a colorful language that would make the coarsest man blush at times.
The famed Thieves’ Guild of Mithbea had not made its way across the strait yet, but that didn’t mean there weren’t plenty of pickpockets and con artists roaming the streets. They were just not as talented as those on the southern continent. Soron learned early to keep only a couple coins on his person and the rest safely stored with his new friend, Ramon Ventego.
After a day of wandering, Soron returned to the Dew Drop Inn, the friendly inn having been his home for the last week. When he got there, he could see something was amiss. Mariah the innkeeper’s daughter was nowhere to be seen and her father Howard was serving in her place. The man had a troubled look on his face.
“What’s troubling you, Howard? Mariah late for work?” asked Soron.
Howard shook his head, “No, Mariah is not well today. Nothing serious,” replied Howard as he cleaned a table.
Howard was a terrible liar; his troubled face told a different story than the one coming out of his mouth.
“Come on, Howard, I know you well enough now to know when you’re lying. Is everything okay?” Soron was concerned. Howard was normally a jovial sort, laughing and smiling. The innkeeper was always happy to be interacting with his customers.
Howard sighed and sat down. All day he had stewed over the situation. Perhaps the friendly northerner would have an idea on how to deal with this. “It’s Mariah, she worked as a server at another pub last night to help out a friend. The pub was a little seedy, but she had helped out there before. Last night she was grabbed and taken like a working girl, a common whore. The bastards used her, beat her, and left her in a heap in the back alley. She is lucky to be alive.
Soron felt a burning in his chest. Mariah was a sweet girl, flirty yet innocent. That anyone would do her harm was incomprehensible. “Where is she now?” asked Soron.
“She’s in her room. Her friend noticed she was missing last night and went looking for her. When she found her, she took her to a doctor then came and got me. The doctor says she will eventually be fine, but she is badly bruised and hasn’t said a word all day.” Howard had tears in his eyes as he spoke. He shared his daughter’s pain.
“And the ones who did this, have the city constables found them?”
“The constables know who did it, but can’t touch them,” said Howard bitterly. “The city constables are easily purchased in this city, and the ones who did this come from powerful families. No one that was in the pub will even admit the group was in the pub last evening. My daughter’s friend says they were there, but she is terrified to say anything else. No one will stand in the way of the noble shits. Their fathers buy the constables off and anyone who complains about the lads ends up hurt or out of business. There is nothing to be done.”
Soron frowned. His anger was turning into a burning rage; this was the kind of injustice that brought Soron’s blood to a boil. A calm man, Soron held a deep anger within him. Some said it was from the giant’s blood that coursed through his veins. But regardless of the reason, once Soron got to a certain degree of anger, he would act without hesitation. His dislike for violence would be thrown aside as the need arose. It was what allowed him to destroy an elite squadron of foot soldiers; it was the same force that gave him the strength to defeat some of the mightiest of foes. Now, Soron’s anger was directed at an unknown group of men who used an innocent girl and escaped justice due to the influence of their families.
“What pub did she work at last night?”
Howard looked up at Soron. There was something in the northerner’s tone that suggested that to not answer his question was to invite danger. Howard could see a flicker in Soron’s eyes that scared him, Howard didn’t want the northerner getting hurt on their behalf, but he was not about to lie to the man again. He simply answered Soron’s question “The Hell Cat.”
Marin found Soron sitting at a corner table of the Hell Cat. He w
as nursing a drink while watching the crowd. Marin could see the storm brewing within the great northerner. “May I join you?” he asked.
Soron looked at his friend and gave him a nod, he was in no mood to smile or be friendly. “Of course.”
“I was at the Inn looking for you; Howard said I might find you here. I heard what happened to Mariah.” Marin paused, “I don’t suppose I can stop you from doing something stupid?”
Soron look at Marin, “Define stupid.”
Marin treaded carefully, Soron was a friend, but the man looked ready to explode. “Well, by stupid, I mean anything that gets your head chopped off by the city guard. The constables are a joke, but if you’re caught killing those men without having just-cause, the families will insist on the city guard being called in. The city guard is much more formidable than the constables, and not as corrupt. I would have a hard time bribing them to release you.”
Soron looked away, “So what would you suggest? Let them go free, don’t avenge Mariah?”
“No, just for a moment pay more attention to my words. If the men were caught in the act, or attacked you, then anything you did would be justifiable. You can avenge Mariah, and do all of Venecia a favor while doing it. But you have to do it in the correct way. Those men are vile creatures and treat the city like their own private playground. Do what is needed, but do it in a way that can be explained. I beg it of you. I don’t want to lose a friend because of these animals.”
Soron’s facial expressions softened for a moment, then he sighed. “Alright, but I am dedicating my immediate future to this task. Nothing will prevent me from getting my hands on them, one way or another.”
Marin nodded, “Good. Now unless you have a better idea, let’s go somewhere a little nicer. I am hungry and we need to discuss your new friends.”
