Chapter 2: Exploring (2)

Chapter 2: Exploring (2)

Xerxes loved the rain. Isins capital city was located on the coast in the south, and had a temperate climate in which rain was rare and snow was even rarer. He loved the smell of water from the sky, and out here so far from civilization, that smell was even better, mixed with the odor of trees and grass. Everything about this mission so far had been like a dream come true.

Thanks to last nights downpour, the streets were pure mud. But this was Isin, and even though it was a small town, they still had wooden walkways to keep the mud at bay.

It was a typical small border town, although Xerxes had no experience traveling in such places, so it was all new to him. The tavern was located on one of the main thoroughfares. To the right, perhaps two hundred cubits away, was the main square, which was the center of town. The same distance in the opposite direction was one of the towns four entrance gates, beyond which was nothing but open road.

Although there were wars fought on Mannemid, things had been peaceful for years. What was more, this area was far from any location where armies would take the field, so it was no surprise the town didnt have walls. As for the gates, they werent functional, and did little more than provide a visible demarcation between the town proper and the outside. Inside the boundaries formed by the gates, the buildings were primarily one or two stories tall, with only two of them having a third floor, those being the town hall that also housed the constabulary, and the local church. Most buildings were wooden structures, although there were some sturdier edifices constructed from brick. There were even a few whose walls were covered with plaster.

The look and feel of the town was definitely different from the capital, where the weather was dry and dusty almost year round.

Whats this place called again? Gandash asked as they walked toward the main square.

Forgot, Xerxes said.

Bel came to the rescue. Kisiga.

Xerxes nodded. Right. Town of Kisiga. I dont think Ive ever been to a place this small.

Bel laughed softly. My hometown is smaller.

Were snooty city folk, Gandash said, so what do you expect?

They soon entered the town square, which would be filled with tents and stalls on market day, but was currently empty.

Xerxes looked left and right. In addition to the road theyd just walked down from the tavern, there were three other roads leading in the other cardinal directions. Well, here we are. Center of town. Which way to the interesting stuff?

I noticed a weapon shop when we arrived, Bel said. Its down that way. And Captain Ishki told me theres a bookshop around here somewhere that stocks ancient texts.

Well, if we have to pick between books and weapons, Xerxes said, Im going to vote for weapons.

Gandash cleared his throat. Id vote for books, but I know Bels going to pick weapons too.

Xerxes had always treated Bel like a friend. But it would have been a lie if he claimed not to have discussed her physical appearance with Gandash. Xerxes happened to feel that Bel wasnt particularly attractive. She looked too different as far as he was concerned. Too tall, compared to Isinian girls, and her skin tone was all wrong. Her shoulders were too broad, and her hips were too narrow.

Gandash, on the other hand, had been smitten with her from day one, though hed hidden it well throughout the years.

Sir, Xerxes said, what are these special weapons you mentioned? Have any swords, by chance?

Yeah I ave a fancy sword. Plus an ax from a local blacksmith two generations back that was considered a master. And a spear from Fal.

Fal was the third kingdom in the triumvirate of governments that held sway over Mannemids sole, sprawling continent. It was neither the strongest, nor the most feared, but it was the richest, and as a result, it had a reputation for high craftsmanship.

However, Xerxes didnt care much for spears and axes. His weapon was the sword, and though the one leaning against his bed back in the tavern was by no means junk, neither was it something he felt particularly proud to wield. It had seen many years of use before it became Xerxes, and it looked its age. But on Mannemid, swords of the type he preferred were slim pickings. He practiced a style that wasnt common in Isin, Fal, or Od. It was an off-world way of fighting, and it required off-world swords that were much longer and slimmer than the short bronze type common among soldiers and commoners alike.

After encountering classes taught by a foreigner in the capital, hed fallen in love with the unusual sword and the unique way of fighting that went with it.

Id like to see the special sword, Xerxes said. Axes and spears arent really my thing.

The old man nodded knowingly. Youre that type, eh? Well, sorry to say, unless you like gigantic silly-looking swords, I doubt this ones for you.

Xerxes ears perked up, but before he could say anything, Gandash said, Gigantic swords. My friend loves gigantic swords!

Is that so? In that case, you wait right ere, Ill be back in a minute. He hopped off of the stool hed been sitting on, then hobbled away into the rear of the shop.

Getting excited? Bel asked.

Xerxes pshawed. Yeah right. What are the chances a shop at the edge of the world has a longsword for sale?

You never know. My favorite bow doesnt come from Od. I found it in a second-hand shop in a back alley in Fal.

The three mages continued to browse the weapons for about three minutes until the shopkeeper returned.

When Xerxes saw the sword he carried, his heart skipped a beat.