His first chance to check out the city Nillian spends most of the journey looking outside. The houses are all made of stone, which impresses him quite a bit. On the other hand he is a bit appalled at the overall dullness of the city. He cannot see any coloured curtain, exuberant garden, any painting or statue. Even the people look dull, all clothed in the same faded colours, and nowhere a smile in sight. During their journey Nillian also counts seven groups of guards patrolling past, something unheard of in Kataria.
The city archives are housed in a large building, which is also encircled with a large fence and patrolled by a group of guards. Thanks to Errin Nillian is immediately granted access to the building. There Nillian was taken into the care of a young clerk, while Errin patiently takes a seat at the entrance, waiting for Nillian's return. The young clerk leads Nillian inside the archives, to help him search for any clues on Dr Biene and his journey to Apaga.
***
Copper is also escorted to a coach, and taken to the docks. His coach is open, so he has a clear view of the surroundings. But it also means that people have a clear sight of him. And it seems that he attracts quite some stares. The people keep staring at him, and sometimes it is only the sight of the accompanying guards that stops them from shouting insults or throwing rocks. Copper is not sure why a human-hybrid would incite such reactions, but he is sure that he will have to be careful in the city.
At the docks the coach is immediately allowed through the gates, the guards stepping aside respectfully. For the coach that is, Copper doubts that he himself would not warrant that respect. Getting out of the coach Copper makes his way towards the ship. He is quickly joined by two supervisors of the docks, who accompany him to the mooring place. Underway he asks some question about the possibility of a dry dock, so he can also work on the ship from the outside. But the only thing he receives is blank stares and some mumbles, so he assumes not. That means that he will have to do everything from the inside, which will slow down the work.
Inside the ship is undisturbed, it holds a feeling of quiet which overpowers any sound from outside. Copper has never heard the ship so quiet, in the dry dock in Capes there were always people working, and on the sea, well, then you always heard the sea. But now ... he cannot even hear the engine, as he turned it off when they left last evening. Breathing in the silence Copper moves to the engine room, to get his notes and begin working on fixing the ship.
***
Ned and Lyxia leave together for the city, not bothering with a coach as the city centre is not far from Lord Veloni's house. They are also escorted by a guide and a small group of guards, like the others. Ned doesn't like the idea of being followed by guards, and keeps looking backwards at them, until Lyxia makes him stop. Their guide is an older woman, clothed in a baggy grey dress. Her mouth is always a little twisted downwards, giving the impression that she is either sad or angry. But when Lyxia or Ned asks her something she responds without sounding sad or angry.
Both Lyxia and Ned look around as they walk through the city, trying to get an impression of the place. The guide, called Maria, tells them something about the buildings that they pass, or about the history of the streets. But when she is asked about the current situation, like how the daily government looks like, or how satisfied the people are with all the laws, she closes her eyes for a moment, and tells them that they should ask Lord Veloni.
The city centre is busier than the other roads, and soon Lyxia and Ned find themselves in a busy street with stores at either side. The middle of the road is reserved for carriages and coaches, which receive some respect due to the fact that no one wants to be run over. But apart from that the streets are crowded, with people walking in both directions, or just standing in the middle of the street talking. At first Lyxia and Ned have to slide their way through the crowd, but soon the guards following them are noticed, and the crowds quickly make room for them, often accompanied with curious or frightened stares. Once of twice people come to close to one of the guards, and those are rewarded with a swift poke with a pike.
Curious as to what the shops here have to offer, Lyxia and Ned go into a few stores, Maria and the guards staying outside each time. The shops all look the same, with sober wooden racks displaying their wares, and a sullen shopkeeper trying to sell his wares to them. The goods for sale look normal, though in Kataria they would be considered low-quality goods. What interest Lyxia though is the fact that the prices are much higher then in Kataria, almost as if you were paying for high quality items. Of course, being a frontier town, this is something that is expected. But Lyxia is shocked all the same.
Having satisfied their curiosity for now Lyxia and Ned make their way to the first blacksmith on the list. The blacksmith lives in a dirty street, with remainders of coal and ashes lining the sides of the street. The smithy itself looks a little better, the doors are standing open and the floor is clear. On the street there is a small table with some wares, house numbers, kitchen knives and such. When Ned tries to pick one up, to get a better look at the quality he finds that it is nailed to the table, probably to prevent it to be stolen. So he decides to go inside, and talk to the blacksmith. Just as he enters the shop something makes him stop. Then a building, about a hundred meters away, explodes before his eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment