Ashborn Primordial

Chapter 65: A Bumpkin After All

As much as Vir wanted to head straight to the Mercenaries Brotherhood building, traffic had other plans. He thought Saran was crowded. Saran wasnt crowdedit was quaint.

Daha was downright packed, making it nearly impossible to move anywhere atop Bumpy.

Whoa there, boy, Vir said as Bumpy shivered. I know its scary, but I need you to be brave for me, alright?

The situation deteriorated the farther he penetrated into the city. Whats worsethe buildings grew larger as he left the slums behind, looming taller. While still nothing to write home about in terms of their construction qualitybuilt mostly of wood and claysome even reached up to five stories in height. It made Vir feel boxed in, corralled by the thronging masses with nowhere to escape to.

And he wasnt the only one struggling; nearly everyone on mounts crawled forward amid the throng of people, cursing at the government for failing to improve the roads.

Giving up, Vir dismounted Bumpy and lead the animal through the swarm on foot. A task easier said than done, with the dozens of merchants hailing him from under their street-side awnings, the opportunistic urchins that hovered nearby, and with people shoving him every which way.

Vir learned a lot from the angry voices around him. The thoroughfare had been overloaded for decades, but King Rayid hadnt even lifted a finger to fix it.

There was no way Bumpy could manage. Vir needed to stable the Ashva at the earliest opportunity, and while hed spotted a couple of inns along the main road, they were all full.

The alleys were less crowded, but Vir didnt want to deviate from the main roadof which there was exactly one. No doubt the alleys would allow him to slip by, but which areas of the city were safe? Which side streets led where? Saran had given him similar anxiety, but that city was small enough that he always knew where he was. Alongside Maiya, the two of them hadnt gotten lost even once.

Now, he was alone, and Daha was many times the size of Saran. Each street looked the same as the next, crisscrossing every which way like a prana rats nest. He realized hed need a map.

Adding the item to his shopping list, Vir finally arrived at Market Square a full hour after leaving Params caravan.

The merchant had mentioned hed find the Brotherhoods building, and sure enough, in a corner was a five story stone building with carvings of monsters, busts, and weapons of all kinds. But the rest of the cobblestone square was no less impressive, a hive of activity in its own right. The area served as a junction for several roads, with people continuously entering and exiting.

It was a far cry from the slums near the city gate. Many buildings boasted carved arches, and gold-painted domes capped the rooftopsthe kind hed only ever seen at Apramors temple. There was even a fountain at the plazas centerthough it was as dry as a desertaround which several dozen people sat and chatted.

While there were more people here, the space was also far larger, so Vir felt like he could finally breathe again.

He patted Bumpys snout for the hundredth time. Good boy. You mustve been terrified of all those people, huh?

The Ashva grunted reluctantly, nuzzling him. You were great, Bumpy. Just a little longer, and well have you in a nice comfy stable, Vir said, eyeing a nearby inn. He hoped to Janak they had vacancies.

Tying Bumpy up outside, he entered the three story structure through its double doors, leading to a wide open space that was even louder than the square hed just left. Similar to the inn at Saran, this place doubled as a tavern, and was packed to the brim.

Feeling bad about his chances, Vir spotted the receptionists booth in a corner, finding a woman arguing in hushed tones with a small man.

Vir considered waiting, but a nervous glance out the windows at Bumpy changed his mind. He wouldnt put it past people here to try and steal his friend. Neel was outside guarding the Ashva, but even so, he hoped to settle this matter as soon as possible.

Hello? He shouted above the din. Hello? Can I get some help?

The woman frowned, looking angry that she'd been interrupted.

Yes? She said curtly.

Do you

Brotherhood? Mejai Sorcar?

Sorry, what?

Not Brotherhood then. No discounts. Full fare.

So being a mejai or being associated with the brotherhood gets you a discount? Thats handy.

Uh, right. So, do you have any openings? How much for a night? Vir asked.

Only one room left. Fifty coppers a night. Meals are ten coppers each. Stabling fee is fifteen coppers, she said. Pay upfront.

Vir blanched at those prices. Hed finally found an inn that wasnt full, and the fee was exorbitant. Hed been expecting higher prices than Saran, but this was ridiculous! Even if he forewent meals, hed need sixty-five coppers. Ignoring Rudviks coin, which he never intended to spend, he had a single silver. Not even enough for two nights.

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Is it always this busy? Vir complained, silently cursing Riyan for sending him here without money.

Maybe I shouldve gone with the risto disguise, Vir idly thought, but realized that wouldnt fly here in the capital. Sawai aristocrats were a common sight. No doubt theyd have ways to call his bluff.

Hed thought of spending the night in an alley somewhere, but while he might be safe, Bumpy surely wouldnt be. Bumpy couldnt jump onto rooftops, after all. Vir knew the Ashva would be stolen by the time he woke up.

And leaving the city to camp out on the desert wasnt an option either, seeing as how he had no way of getting back into the capital without paperwork. Yet another reason to join up with the Brotherhood. Not only would he have easier access to information and potential leads on the princess, but he could earn some coin, and hed gain easy access to the city.

For the first time, the woman looked at him with an expression other than boredom. Youre quite the hermit, arent you?

Why do you say that?

The woman sighed exaggeratedly. I dont get paid for small talk. You staying the night, or what? she asked with her hand held out.

W-wait, a moment, Vir said. Lets work something out here. How about fifty, and you include the stabling fee? My mount is as docile as they come. You wont even notice him

Non negotiable. If you cant pay, leave, she said, turning her back to him.

Vir gritted his teeth. W-wait! I can put down a deposit, cant I? Ill return with the funds in an hour.

The woman turned around, looking at him like she was mulling over how to tell him to go away.

Im afraid

The scrawny man she'd been arguing with came rushing up to the counter. Irma, this can't wait. There's blood all over that room. We need to get it cleaned!

Vir turned to the receptionist. Uh, Irma? What's he talking about?

Irma waved dismissively. There's been a fight in one of the rooms. Some blood was shed. Nothing you need to worry about.

What about their room? Can I have that?

The lady paused, then glanced at the man, then back at Vir, her mouth agape. F-fifty coppers?

Lady, the room literally has blood in it. Forty, and you throw in the stabling fee. You know youre not gonna rent that out without a deep cleaning.

D-deal.

Vir went up the stairs and entered his room only after hed ensured the stablehand had secured Bumpy, and that the beast was well fed and pacified. His poor four-legged friend had had a long few days of travelsome of it traumaticand Vir wanted to make it up to him.

Luckily, the maids had already removed the sheets, though the room still stank of copper, and not all the bloodstains had been erased. Vir threw open the only window in the room, leaving the door ajar to create a draft.

Setting down his rucksack, he draped his blanket on the bed and slumped down next to Neel, whod already curled up on the bed. He thought hed been prepared for it, but cities were exhausting.

Even more exhausting when youre broke Vir thought, idly tossing and catching his nearly empty coin sack. Hed paid another ten coppers for dinner tonight, leaving him with a measly fifty coppers. Barely enough for another night. Emergency rations were always an option, but he wanted to avoid dipping into that unless there was an emergency. No telling when hed need it.

Which meant he needed money immediately. Tomorrow morning, hed apply to the Brotherhood.

With his thoughts on money, Vir found his eyes drooping.

He drifted off to sleep, only to suddenly awaken upon hearing a jarring thud.

Oh, grak!The room door!I never locked it!

Vir bolted out, hoping to glimpse the perpetrator, but there was no one.

Reentering his room, the door slammed shut behind him all on its own. That was when he noticed it was merely the wind that had pulled it closed.

That was stupid, he thought, heaving a sigh. What was I thinking, falling asleep with the door open like that?

That too, in a room where there had been a fight only an hour prior.

Just in case, he inventoried everything and found nothing amiss.

Better rustle up some coin, he said to Neel, retrieving the bandits rusty daggers.

Vir donned his rucksack, leaving only the blanket behind, before inserting his room key into the lock. He gave the door a tug to ensure it was sealed, then headed down to the entrance with his canine companion. The sun's rays had only just grown long in the sky, which meant he still had some daylight left to sell the daggers.

Wheres the nearest pawnshop? Vir asked the same lazy receptionist whod helped him earlier.

Whatchya selling?

Some daggers, Vir replied.

She gestured outside. Try the one across the market. Good prices here, unlike some of the other spots.

Vir stepped out to find the square even busier than when hed left. He pulled Neel close, lest they get separated.

What is going on here? he wondered. This cant be normal, right?

Everywhere, people just stood around, idling away. He wouldnt have cared, except it impeded his progress. Slowly, he pushed and shoved his way past people to the other side of the square. Vir was tempted to use Dance of the Shadow Demon, but it would attract attention if he suddenly popped up in someones shadow. With this many eyes, he didnt want to take any risks.

At least she didnt tell me to go halfway across the city, Vir grumbled. He doubted hed have been able to make it there and back today.

Thankfully, the musky, low-roofed store seemed mostly devoid of customers at this hour. The place was packed full of random knick knacks and odds and ends from what was likely several countries around the known world. Nothing there looked magical, or even remotely useful.

Neel made sure he sniffed everything.

How can I help ya today? a pudgy middle-aged man asked from behind the counter. Most of his hair had already balded, and like most Dahans, he wore a great black bushy beard. Surprised ya made it through that throng!

Tell me about it. Is something going on?

The shopkeeper gave him the same look the receptionist had earlier in the day. What, ya from the country or something? Princess Mina Hiranya is returning to town this evening! Her entourage is due to pass right here through Market Square!

Virs eyes went wide. A sly grin crept up on his face. Tell me more.