The second gatehouse stands on the far end of the island, with a bridge leading to a next island that is even larger. Two broken stone statues rest atop a six-foot square stone base. Pavvo tells Mashaun that every bridge has a pair of mirror statues. The figures are the patron Gods for the island. Each sculpture used to hold a moon ball to light the gate, but few have survived the civil war or the ravages of time. Unlike the walls, the statues were hand carved by Thesilan artisans.
Pavvo tells him, the city stands on a group of islands, separated by bridges. Each bridge is wide enough for two wagons, with a gatehouse on each island. Every island has a stick by the gates that extend down into the river with hash marks to mark the delta level. He shows one to Mashaun and it down three marks. Mashaun guesses it to be about three feet below the bridge with the current running toward the river. During times of high water, they close the gates to keep most of the water off the islands. Some of the bridges have two long ropes they can use to roll up the wooden bridge while others use an oil trough down the middle that are lit during times of attack.
There are fifteen islands. Only a couple islands are natural, the rest grown during the Thesilan era under the command of Khusari. All the islands have grown-rock walls around the perimeter to control the river and protection. The wall facing out are over fifty-feet above the island, with the island edges facing another island is fifteen feet. There is a single bridge connecting each island with a gatehouse and a metal gate.
Mashaun gives him a puzzled look. Pavvo tells him that a few years back, maybe ten years or so, the water covered the bridge by over two shtem… I mean feet, during a triple new moon.
Pavvo continues, each island has several wells with a water desalination building and the more exclusive places have their own well. Under each island lies a network of stone tunnels used as a sewer system that leads from the main river under the islands then out into the channel. The main island, Synhom, contains open bazaars and shops carrying everything except for livestock or smiths, bowyers, and fletchers.
They arrive at the main gate to Synhom. It is not what Mashaun expected. The main roads are made of cobblestone, complete with curbs. Roads crisscross each island from bridge to bridge with an open area at the major intersections. At the crossroads are open markets and a non-working fountain. Some still have a glass ball resting in a cradle on top. Pavvo tells him that the ball used to spin and light-up. But the magic is gone, so it sits there as a reminder of what was.
Grates placed in the curb, allow water to flow into the sewer below. Each opening has an internal flap that rises and closes off the hole when the water gets too high. Every island is its own district with its own specialty—to the right are livestock and weapon, to the left are the bakers, and down the middle, you’ll find craftsmen and more exotic goods. Every island has its taverns, and rooms for residents and guests while maintaining their own militia for order and protection.
Beyond the first set of islands are the wealthy and nobility, which requires an invitation to enter. The bridges leading to those islands are narrow, allowing only a single carriage on the bridge, and the roads are not much wider; most just walk or ride a horse. The lots are not big, and many have large estates outside the city wall, but the city offers better protection, and they are willing to pay extra for that safety. Most of the buildings are only two stories tall, with rooms in the back for horses and carriages. Each house displays the owner’s crest, representing who they are and their station and most have a private well and connection to the sewer system.
A major road goes from the island Synhom to the city administration offices on island of Tiswaj. The bridge from Tiswaj to the Castle Island Strasev is narrow with a major gatehouse on each end. Every island maintains their own government and the chancellors for each island have an office on Tiswaj. They keep careful count on the numbers that go through each gatehouse on a daily basis. The interior islands are a little higher above the water line until Strasev is nearly tenfeet above the water, and the castle is nearly twenty-five-feet above the river.
CHAPTER 8
Red WAGON Inn
Pavvo tells Mashaun that thievery runs rampant on the outer islands, and they look for anybody new. Throughout the city are regularly spaced columns, some are broken or missing. The ones that are still standing have spheres the size of a basketball on top, with metal brackets with a bowl for burning oil attached on the side. Mashaun senses a tinge of sadness from Dalistra.
The city streets are busy with people hurrying to wherever they are going. A few times, someone would approach, only to have a couple of Pavvo's guards turn them away. Shortly they cross the bridge leading to Oralub Island. No one gives them a second glance as they make their way down the street to the Red Wagon Inn. Pavvo makes sure the wagons are around back before going inside to make arrangements for Mashaun and his group. Wilmer and Axtel stay in a semi-private room while the rest of the guards sleep in the common room. Everybody will take turns staying with the wagons, watching the merchandise until all the wagons are empty.
Pavvo returns a short time later with three metal cards with the same pattern of holes in them. He tells them that the room is on the second floor and that the water closet is at the end of the hall. There is a room for a hot bath on the bottom floor, and the food is not bad. He tells them that he has paid for a week, but after that, the group will have to pay for any extra days, and all that he asks is that they help protect his goods for that week. They look at one another and figure that sounds fair, so they agree. One of the serving girls shows them to their room. It has six beds each with a chest at the foot. They drop off their gear and lay down on a straw filled mattress, but it is still better than the ground.
That evening, they decide to divide the money but realize that none of them knows the value of the different colors except for the twins, and there is still a problem with communication. But the twins show them that it’s ten green to one yellow, ten yellow to one blue and ten blue to one red. Kazimir suggests that Mashaun and he should get a larger cut because they did most of the work, which starts a multi-way argument over dividing the money. Mai and Abigail believe they should get a larger share, for keeping the group healthy. Berg thinks that everyone should get a share, and the twins slowly back away, not wanting to get involved.
After a few minutes, they agree to make eight equal piles of money, one for each of them and a party fund with any extra going into the general fund pile. They would like Mashaun to handle the general fund, but he declines and asks Berg to manage the funds. Abigail looks at her share for a while before asking what it is worth. They all turn in unison and look at the twins. Using items in the room and their clothes, they get a quick lesson on how much things like shirts, shoes, daggers, blankets, and such generally cost.
The twins are excited having some money they can call their own. Slaves’ owners usually keep track of their money, reporting it to the city so that they know when the debt is paid. That evening, they all go downstairs to the inn’s common room to have dinner and check out the evening crowd. The place is already full when they arrive, and it takes several minutes to find a table large enough for all of them. The twins’ mannerism changes from being friendly to subservient. They remain silent unless asked a direct question, and they always look down at the floor, standing next to the table, never sitting down. Kazimir tries to get them to look up or to sit down, but they shake their heads. Berg suggests that he should allow them to assume the role for now so that the group might not attract undue attention. Kazimir quietly tells him that’s not right but knows that Berg is right.
After a short time, Mashaun tells them that it is too noisy for him and excuses himself from the group and goes to the caravan, where he relieves a couple of grateful guards. Axtel soon joins him, telling Mashaun that there should be at least two people visible on guard duty, and two more hidden. Mashaun apologizes, and then they talk about stuff until a strange sound catches Mashaun’s attention.
The swooshing of
high-pressure water hitting stone is moving down the road. Mashaun stands where he can watch the wagons and the street. He sees a horse with a ten-foot pole across its front with several tubes shooting water. It is spraying water down on the street, and a couple more the front of the buildings. Then the water takes all the filth down the drains into the sewer. Axtel tells him that every island had a couple of them, but many have stopped working and now they have about one for every two islands. Just like the sphere post, and many other magical amenities, the magic is running out and nobody seems to know how to recharge them. Many say Magdalenia could charge the globes being she’s a yellow mage, but her underlings prefer the dark if you get what I mean. Mashaun nods head.
The rest of the group stays in the inn for a time, enjoying the drinks and the atmosphere. Mai and Abigail join some of the dances and have drinks bought for them. Berg studies the social interactions of the patrons and samples some of the different meals while Kazimir relishes in the different drinks, which one of the twins always gets for them. It is the first time they have a chance to relax since arriving in the cave over a month ago.
The next morning, they go different directions in the usual pairs and agree to meet back for lunch. All over the city, remnants of sculptures, still fountains, paintings on building walls, and more remind the citizens of a time when art and magic abound. Shen Sherin is a magnificent city, but is only a shadow of what it used to be eons ago.
Mashaun goes to have a bath and a shave before purchasing a few items so he can shave on the trail. Mai also has a bath in a different room. When Mai purchases some shaving supplies, the clerk gives her a strange look but sells it to her anyway. As the two spend the morning wandering the streets and looking at shops, Mashaun notices some of the townspeople staring at him, whispering while pointing, and even crossing the street as they approach, only to cross back after they pass. They find a clothing store. They get some better travel clothes, but Mai makes Mashaun wait outside while she also gets a dress for the inn.
After their baths, the twins wear their hoods up to hide their faces, while taking Kazimir on a tour of the main island. The twins know the islands well after living here for ten years. They do not want to have any money on them, while they are wearing their slave bands and give their money to Kazimir to look after in case Magdalenia finds them. After the tour, they take him to a nice clothing store where they all purchase some new clothes. At first, the clerk is not going to wait on them. However, when Kazimir puts a blue on the counter, the owner smiles and changes his attitude. The twins don’t buy anything nice. When returned to Magdalenia, she will be furious with them. She will take it away, and their punishment will be harsh.
Berg and Abigail set off to explore the city and find a different bathhouse. They find one that has running water, although it is a little more expensive. Both get some new clothes, with Abigail looking around for a short leather skirt, but in vain. She settles on tight black leather pants and a blouse to match, against Berg’s better judgment. Berg gets a simple shirt and pants before looking for a bookshop.
Berg picks up a dictionary along with another map for comparison. Abigail finds a cloth bound book with blank pages and a pen set. There next stop is a music shop. She roams the store looking for a guitar to no avail. She settles on an ornate string instrument made of wood and bone resembling a small harp.
They enjoy a small lunch together, talking about what they have seen before Kazimir and Berg go to the wagons, relieving some of the guards. They are surprised to see one of the wagons is gone. One of the guards tells them that Pavvo took it early in the morning. They give several guards the afternoon off, and the twins stay in the room for fear of being recognized. While rubbing Dalistra down, Mashaun asks the twins about maps, and after thinking for a moment, they tell him of a place a short distance away. They would not go with him, fearing that they had already spent too much time in public, and know it was only a matter of time before the guards show up for them. Dalistra translates what the twins have said, but her tone is more subdued as she is half-asleep.
That afternoon, the twins decide that Kazimir has treated them better than anyone has. Everybody has treated them like people and not property. They are both glad that they have a chance to be free but are depressed that soon Magdalenia would find them. Then they would return to their old life and she will probably use the whip on them. Thinking that this would be their last night of freedom, they decide to repay Kazimir tonight, the only way they know how.
Mai and Abigail go window-shopping, looking at everything and nothing at the same time as Mashaun goes to the Gold Compass Cartography shop. In a dim room, an elderly couple sits behind a desk, watching him. The woman has long white hair that hangs freely down to her waist, while he has medium-length white hair with a matching beard. They study Mashaun for a short time before the man offers to assist Mashaun.
Thinking for a moment, he asks for a map of the local area. After a while, the old man nods, grins, and show him a wall of maps. Carefully Mashaun sifts through the maps, looking intently at the different cities and geographical features if any. The maps are crude drawings at best, nothing like he is used to reading back home. After some diligent searching, he decides on one of the older maps. Their characters are similar to those on the map on the cave wall, and it has more details than just cities. However, it only covers the area around Shen Sherin, from the mountains to the ocean and several hundred kilometers north and south. When he exits, the girls are waiting for him, and they return to the Inn as a group of townsfolk follows from a safe distance.
Kazimir and Berg are still watching the wagons when Pavvo, Wilmer, Axtel, and some guards return with an empty wagon and huge smiles on their faces. They greet the two before Wilmer and Axtel release the guards and join them watching the remaining wagons. Wilmer hands Pavvo a book, and he disappears into the Inn. The conversation stays light until Kazimir asks about the wagon. Wilmer looks at Axtel, and they decide to tell them about the sale and the split that they each get. Seeing the blank look on their faces confuses Wilmer and Axtel until they realize that the group is from another region.
At first, Kazimir has a problem when they use big words, so Wilmer and Axtel try to keep the words and concepts simple. Kazimir and Berg have been spending their evenings with the twins, learning the local language, and can understand simple sentences. After explaining how everyone that helps with the caravan is paid, Wilmer and Axtel give Berg and Kazimir a quick lesson in politics, money, and social standings, including telling them about Magdalenia, one of the ruling people in the city, followed by Pavvo, and last is the king. They hesitate before telling them that no one has seen the king for years, and the rumor is that he may be dead.
CHAPTER 9
http://www.thesilaprophecy.com/legends
Brave or foolish
Wilmer and Mashaun have guard duty a fog rolls in, starting with the mist rising up through the sewers. In less than an hour, the fog pours over the lower walls filling the streets until a watery haze shrouds the entrance to the stables. Wilmer tells Mashaun to keep an eye out for the gangs that roam the city during the fog. About then voices pierce the fog.
“Look, a wagon with only two guards, we can take them.” Says one of the voices.
“Don’t be a fool, that wagon belongs to Pavvo. If you want to continue breathing, you will forget it and move one.” An older voice replies.
As the voices move away, Mashaun asks what just happened. Wilmer tells him that he has never heard of Magdalenia’s people ever attacking Pavvo’s merchandise.
Several uneventful days later, Pavvo sells all his goods and makes a nice profit after giving everybody their percentage. He even gives some to Mashaun, Mai, Kazimir, Berg, and Abigail. When Kazimir asks about the twins, his response is straight and unemotional. Pavvo tells him that everybody receives payment according to a contract at the beginning of the trip. “However, because of your contribution to the success of the sale, I am giving each you a guard’s shar
e for part of the trip.” Mai receives a larger share for being the healer, and Mashaun gets a bonus for taking out the bandit leader. That evening, Magdalenia, with several guards, storm the inn, and everybody backs away as she accuses Kazimir of stealing her property, the twins, and murdering her clone.
He stares at her not understanding much of what she is saying but her tone is Undeniable. He manages to recognize a few words. The accusation catches him by surprise as he stammers for an answer before the guards roughly escort him and the twins out of the bar. Pavvo watches the whole thing but remains quiet until after they leave, and then he sends one of his guards to get Mashaun.
Mai and Mashaun return shortly, and Pavvo explains what has happened, telling Mashaun that he would have to go to the magistrates in the morning with the certificate of ownership to keep Kazimir from becoming a slave. He also tells him that when he does, they would ask him all kinds of questions about how he came to have it, and Magdalenia would figure that he killed her clone and will try to get him to admit it. Mashaun nods and goes up to his room with Mai, where they discuss the plan for tomorrow. They decide that he would go by himself to see the magistrates and argue his case. He would prefer if Pavvo does it for him since he hates speaking to groups, especially when it is not in his native language.
***===***
The guards take Kazimir and the twins to an island at the base of the castle and enter a large stone building. The first room is a small cubicle barely large enough to hold them. One by one, the guards transfer them to a second room, where they turn over their clothes, and given a small sheet with a hole on the top for the head. It hangs down in the front and back with each side open, similar to the outfits that the twins were first wearing. Each is put into a different cell with stonewalls between them. Magdalenia ignores the twins, thinking it will be better to let them spend the night wondering about their punishment.
Thesila Prophecy - The Journey Home Page 9