Chapter 44 – Tigris City, The Beginning
The massive dark wood carriage with bronze details slowed its pace as the heavy wheels began to conquer the final stretch of the dirt road. As they approached the imposing demarcation of Tigris City, Kaelen raised his gaze through the velvet window to evaluate the grand defensive wall rising before the entourage. Looking critically, he mentally registered that the barrier was barely half the height of the Vance Citadel.
The structure had very few watchtowers and displayed a brownish, weathered tone, denoting clear decay and a lack of maintenance by local authorities. The material used in the foundation and core of the wall was likely rammed earth or some rustic mixture, far from ideal for withstanding military sieges.
The main gates, carved from rustic wood and exposed to the elements, bore no mechanical protection against battering rams, nor did they have defensive iron bars or bronze reinforcements that could prevent them from being summarily breached by heavy infantry. Is there not even a decent blacksmith operating the smithies in this city? — he questioned himself in silence.
— Master, why do you look at these walls so much? — Miri asked.
— Spotting potential flaws, Miri. Who knows, maybe in the future I can profit by fixing other people's mistakes... Opportunity arises precisely when you look at what others ignore or pretend not to see.
— Young master, what are our immediate plans? — Thys wanted to know.
— First, we need to settle down properly. I need to confirm with the guards and the coachman whether they are truly leaving us, so we know what kind of lodging we will need to rent for this period, and I must organize our accounts with precision, accounting for every expense. After that, we will have to go to the headquarters of the House of Tigris, at which point I will need your help quite a bit, Thys.
— Do not worry, young master. Whatever is within my reach, I will already leave prepared for you.
— Now, all that remains is our stop to eat and definitively clear up the situation regarding the escort...
After disembarking from the carriage, they stopped at a rustic tavern near the central streets for a quick meal. Kaelen did something that visibly disconcerted them: he invited the four escort soldiers and the coachman to sit at the table with them. Facing their hesitation, he cut off any attempt at refusal by announcing that he would cover the bill, but that he needed to clarify their orders once and for all. After all, career military personnel do not usually share a table with the target of their protection, much less with a young nobleman acting with such casual ease.
As soon as everyone was seated and the bowls of stew were served, Kaelen faced the escort sergeant and went straight to the point, demanding explanations regarding the real terms of their agreement and probing whether they intended to extend their stay to provide cover during this new phase.
The answer came direct and without room for illusions. The sergeant did not even touch his food properly before shaking his head:
— Direct orders from the Marquess, young senhor. Our duty ended as soon as we crossed the gates of Tigris. The immediate return of the carriage is part of the security protocol to throw off any espionage regarding your exact route.
Kaelen chewed on that in silence, boiling inside. How could his father have calculated every minor detail so far in advance and not even have the decency to warn him personally? Definitively, when he returned to the lands of Vance, he would spend weeks planning the greatest contraption of his life to torment his routine as compensation for all that stress.
Still trying to stretch the limits of negotiation, he turned to the coachman:
— At least until we find and rent a permanent place to live? You could wait for us for a few days.
Another categorical refusal. The man averted his gaze, inflexible:
— We cannot, senhor. The carriage must return empty still today to avoid arousing suspicion on the roads.
Kaelen let out a frustrated sigh, feeling the weight of reality crashing down.
— Understood... Then, at least you can escort us and point out a decent inn nearby for us to settle in?
To that they agreed, grumbling a brief that we can do, and accompanied them to the next block.
As they walked, Kaelen grumbled internally, irritated by his parents' lack of tact. They really thought it was a brilliant idea to leave their beloved and innocent twelve-year-old son abandoned to his fate in a foreign territory — well, he knew he wasn't exactly a naive boy, but he was still only twelve years old, and being treated like disposable luggage got on his nerves.
Glancing sideways, he saw Akra trying to imitate him, wrinkling her nose and making the exact same grumpy face he had worn seconds before.
— No, Akra, you don't need to imitate that... — he muttered, massaging his temples.
Thys and Miri let out muffled laughs at the sight, while the four escort soldiers exchanged glances, slightly relaxing their rigid posture in the face of the entourage's eccentricity.
— Let's finish our meal and quickly sort out this lodging for the next few days — said Kaelen, taking a deep breath.
Once the journey ended, they asked the woman managing the tavern counter if she knew of an inn with vacancies to shelter them for a few days and if she knew of any place that rented or sold homes.
The innkeeper, a tigress of the Lessa race, looked at them with suspicion and inquired:
— You are not from around here, hm? — Following that, her gaze fixed on Kaelen. — Judging by your clothes and posture, you look like a nobleman from another kingdom, am I correct?
— Yes and no — he replied, maintaining a cautious tone. — Let's just say my current situation is quite complicated and I will have to spend a good deal of time here. I would appreciate it if you could keep our conversation confidential and give us good guidance.
Lessa made a quick gesture with her fingers, rubbing her thumb against her other fingers: the universal gesture for money.
— Would a gold coin suffice? — Kaelen asked, tossing the gleaming piece onto the table.
Lessa, biting the coin with eyes gleaming with greed, replied: — Quite generous of you, young master! Mind you, the first thing I suggest is that you exchange these coins from the Kingdom of Eldoria for local currency with a money changer. Now, regarding houses, I recommend you go first to the Tropical Inn; it is inexpensive and they have spacious rooms. As for renting or buying a permanent property, the best place to negotiate without falling for scams is the local Trade Guild.
Thanking her for the information, he settled the bill for the meals and led the group toward the Tropical Inn.
The road dust and accumulated fatigue seemed to dissipate slightly when they finally caught sight of the rustic wooden sign swaying gently in the wind, bearing the carved name: Tropical Inn. It was precisely the refuge Lessa had indicated.
Leaving the rest of the group settled by the carriage, Kaelen pushed the heavy wooden door open alone. The sound of a small bell echoed through the room, which proved surprisingly welcoming, illuminated by warm lanterns and decorated with wooden tones and foliage that lived up to its name.
Behind the counter, the couple of owners — both small-type heteromorphs with striking fox traits, reddish coats, and fluffy tails swaying calmly — greeted them with a polished smile. While the husband organized some cups, the wife stepped forward to attend to him, closely accompanied by a girl of about seven who shyly peeked from behind her mother's skirt, curious about the newcomer.
— Good afternoon, traveler. A very warm welcome to the Tropical Inn — said the woman in a soft, hospitable tone, adjusting her pointed ears. — Are you looking for a room to rest or did you just come to enjoy our kitchen? I am alone with my husband and our little Kiko today, but we will do our best to accommodate you.
Turning slightly back to look at Thys, who accompanied him closely, Kaelen crossed his arms in contemplation before answering the innkeeper:
— You know, Thys... To be practical, I think we'd better secure five days right away. It's enough time to sort everything out calmly here without the rush of having to renew our stay or vacate in a hurry if something gets delayed.
Glancing over at the counter where little Kiko and her mother watched them politely, he turned his attention back to the intendant, lowering his tone slightly:
— Now, about the rooms... Considering who is in the carriage, we need to organize this properly. What do you suggest, Thys? I was thinking we could take a room with two beds for me and Eradan, and another larger one, maybe with three beds, for you, Miri, and Akra. Do you think this division works or do you have a better suggestion?
Thys crossed her arms over her dark apron, wearing the impassive expression of someone who had once managed entire wings of a military fortress, and evaluated the proposal with a clinical look that shifted rapidly between the inn counter and the front door.
— Five days, without a doubt — replied Thys in her firm, deep voice, cutting off any hesitation. — Five days give us room to care for the mounts, check the supplies that Miri insists on rummaging through, and ensure that young master Kaelen and young Eradan get real resting time instead of sleeping on a tightrope between towns.
She stepped forward, taking control of the logistics with the natural air of a master intendant:
— As for the quarters, the division you suggested is sensible, but needs a practical adjustment. A room with two beds for you and Eradan serves well, but the second room must be reserved exclusively for young master Kaelen to have the silence required to recover his mind from those episodes of his. Miri can manage to negotiate a safe corner for herself and Akra near the main hall, or pay for her own alcove with the profits of her trading — she finished with a severe half-smile, glancing briefly at the fox lady and little Kiko before refocusing on Kaelen. — For me, a chair with a firm backrest in the corner of young master Kaelen's room or a simple cot in the antechamber is enough. I didn't come to this foreign land in search of noble luxury; I came to ensure the group doesn't fall apart at the first unexpected event. Lock in those five days right now, boy.
Kaelen let out an awkward laugh, shaking his head slightly while thinking: yeah, I should have expected that. Thys never yielded when it came to his rest or the discipline of the entourage.
Turning back to the inn proprietor, he adjusted the plan according to the intendant's demands:
— Right, let's change the plans then. Four rooms for five days, please. One for me, one for our elven companion (Eradan), one for Thys — who prefers to stay close —, and another for the other two companions.
Looking around the cozy hall before asking practical questions:
— Do you include hot baths and meal service? I ask because, depending on the price, I want to close a complete package covering everything for all five days. Oh, and one more thing: in the room where I will be staying, is there any kind of desk or table where I can sit to write and organize my notes?
The innkeeper broke into a wide, welcoming smile as her pointed fox ears twitched forward.
— Four rooms for five days? Wonderful! That is an excellent choice, young senhor — she said, picking up a ledger and a piece of chalk to make notes on the counter. — Yes, we have hot water from our own boiler every day, and the full meal package includes a hearty breakfast here in the hall and warm stews served at night for all your companions.
She paused briefly, tapping the chalk against her chin:
— And about the oak desk, young senhor had great luck upon arriving. The master bedroom on the second floor, which is the airiest, quietest, and most isolated from the hall noise, happens to have a fine rustic oak table positioned near the high window, perfect for your writings and valuable documents. Let me calculate the total...
Spending a few seconds scribbling quick math on the counter while her fluffy tail swayed gently:
— It will come to a total of two hundred and fifty silver coins for the entire stay, everything included. Do we have a deal?
— Do you accept coins from the Kingdom of Eldoria?
The woman blinked her almond-shaped eyes in brief surprise, then let out a short, light laugh:
— Eldorian coins? Ah, senhor, merchants from the Central Route pass through here all the time, so we know the gold and silver from there quite well! — She nodded affirmatively. — We accept them, yes; the weight and purity are equivalent to ours in commercial exchange terms. We just need to check the minting upon payment, but you can rest easy.
Opening his coin pouch, Kaelen sorted through the shining discs. Considering the total came to two hundred and fifty silver coins — and that a standard gold coin generally equated to ten silver coins, or even more depending on purity —, two gold coins would cover the entire amount with change to spare, whereas a single coin would fall short.
He decided to place two gold coins on the dark wood of the counter:
— Here are two gold coins to cover the five days and the complete package. You may keep the rest as a courtesy for your service.
The innkeeper's eyes shone brightly upon seeing the two gleaming coins. She quickly gathered them with care, weighing them in the palm of her hand to check the metal's purity. A hint of admiration and respect surfaced in her expression upon realizing the young traveler handled gold with such natural ease.
— Two pure gold coins... Oh, my young senhor, thank you so much! They certainly cover it with plenty to spare — she said, storing the gold in a small wooden box under the counter and breaking into an even warmer smile.
Immediately retrieving four heavy iron keys attached to numbered leather rings, she lined them up on the counter:
— Key number one, featuring the oak desk by the second-floor window, is entirely yours. Keys two, three, and four are for your elf and the other companions. I will have my husband help carry up the belongings if needed, and I'll inform the kitchen to prepare a piping hot broth and heat the boiler for your baths. A very warm welcome to the Tropical Inn!
Thanking the innkeeper with a courteous nod, Kaelen gathered the four keys. Returning to the main hall where Thys awaited him, he extended the numbered key to her:
— I know you'll want to organize the luggage right away, so here is your key. Your room will be right next to mine — he said, handing her the heavy metal.
Stepping outside to the inn's exterior where the carriage was parked, he walked first to the young elf, handing him his respective key:
— This key here will be your room for now, Eradan. Since you are a young man, you cannot stay with the girls, so this one is all yours.
Next, turning to the bunny kin, he handed over the double key:
— Miri, this key is for your room and Akra's, with a bed for each of you. We now need to unload all our baggage from the carriage to settle in here for the next five days.
After settling the belongings with the group, he approached the coachman and the four escort soldiers:
— As we discussed, I know your orders were merely to bring me here and return. I am deeply grateful for bringing me safely. Once you finish unloading everything, I won't hold you back; if you wish, you may return right away and report to my father that I am well. Thank you very much for the journey.
Bidding them farewell with a firm handshake, he watched the carriage and the guards turn back toward the city gate. Taking a deep breath and feeling the air of the Tigris Kingdom, he looked at all his companions gathered at the entrance:
— Shall we go in?
Thys adjusted her dark apron with a firm tug, glanced at the key in her hand, and let out a tone of restrained approval:
— Then do me the favor of heading straight upstairs with your belongings to the master bedroom, young master Kaelen. I will personally check if the inn bothered to change the sheets and if the brazier in that room is actually lit, because you are not catching a cold on the very first day of the mission due to someone else's carelessness — she grumbled, already turning back toward the wooden staircase.
Eradan held the iron key against his chest as if it were a sacred treasure, his large, curious eyes shining as he observed the rustic facade. A small wild flower sprouted spontaneously among the strands of his hair out of relief from the rest.
— A room all to myself? R-really? — he stammered, offering a shy smile and adjusting the oak branch that served as his staff. — Thank you very much, Kaelen! I promise I won't let a single leaf fall on the floor... I mean, I'll try to take good care of everything!
Beside him, Miri already had her rabbit ears raised and rotating like radars. Stowing the double key in a belt pocket, she gave a friendly and enthusiastic tap on Akra's shoulder:
— Wonderful! Five whole days in a clean place with guaranteed food and real beds! Did you hear that, Akra? No sleeping outdoors under the carriage — the bunny kin celebrated with vibrant charisma. — And boy, you can bet I'll personally check if the price we paid included the best snacks in the region!
Meanwhile, Akra remained a bit further back, her fingers snapping small invisible sparks out of pure anxiety. Avoiding touching the wooden railing directly for fear of discharging static energy, she sent a quick burst of silent telepathy straight into Kaelen's mind:
— It... it smells like vegetable soup in there... can I go ahead with Miri to secure a spot near the fire?
Kaelen chuckled lightly at her enthusiasm, stepped closer, and with the necessary care not to generate discharges or startle her, lightly patted her head, answering directly in her mind:
— First go see the place where you will sleep and store your clothes, Akra. You need to take a bath, along with all of us, before eating. I will wait for you so we can eat together, okay?
Turning immediately to the bunny kin, he delivered instructions firmly:
— Miri, please help Akra in her room, take her to bathe, and assist her with that. If you need any practical help, you can call Thys. I will wait for everyone to be clean and rested before we head down for dinner. After all, it hasn't been that long since we ate something at that tavern where we got the information to come here, has it? Are you all hungry again?
Miri's ears gave an involuntary twitch, and her snout moved rapidly as she processed his tone. For an instant, she froze, looking at Kaelen with a mix of surprise and restrained suspicion. In her mind — accustomed to the brutality of those who usually buy or command enslaved people —, his kindness, politeness, and genuine concern for Akra's well-being and hygiene sounded almost unreal. She wondered in silence: Why would someone with the power to command treat subordinates with such care? Is it some kind of strategy or is he just... strangely good?
But the trance lasted only a moment. Recovering her commercial rhythm and vibrant smile, Miri shook her head and gave a playful salute:
— Understood perfectly, boss! Leave it to me to look after little Akra, give her a thorough bath, and make sure she smells nice before we go down — she said, casting a knowing glance at the draconian. — And as for hunger... well, a true bunny kin always has room for another snack! Shall we go, Akra?
Beside her, Akra blinked her lightning-bright eyes, gladly accepting the mental touch:
— Okay... I'll put my clothes away quickly and wait for Miri. I won't waste energy with lightning today, I promise...
Eradan, in turn, hugged the iron key against his chest as if it were a sacred relic:
— I'm going upstairs right now to organize my things and leave the window open to air out the room. Thank you truly, Kaelen! See you at dinner! — said the elf, hurrying toward the staircase.
Kaelen felt at ease seeing everyone accommodated in the best way possible. He went up to his own room to rest and enjoy a moment of introspection. Unfortunately, he realized he hadn't been able to bring many clean papyri with him in his luggage... it was a pity that previously he hadn't needed to worry about the quantity of parchment, and now all that remained were those rolls left behind by Thys — totaling about forty in all. He would have to be extremely rational with the use of every single sheet until he managed to establish an independent income in this city.
Time passed as he organized his ideas and sketches. When night fell, he went down for dinner. Beforehand, he knocked lightly on Miri and Eradan's doors to call them, but when he approached Thys's quarters, she opened the door herself with her habitual precision and announced:
— Ready, young master, let's dine.
Giving a weak laugh, he agreed:
— Yes, let's go.
Arriving in the hall, he saw Akra eating happily in a corner, Miri chewing with a still somewhat wary and analytical expression, and Eradan quiet and serene as usual. He took advantage of the mealtime to align the next steps with them:
— Tomorrow morning I will go to the Trade Guild to register, and afterward, I will stop by the Adventurers' Guild. For that, I will need Thys, Miri, and Eradan to go out and check on provisions and supplies. Although we still have some rations left, we have practically nothing for the house: we need beds, kitchen utensils, and fresh provisions. I don't know exactly how much you'll spend, but I'll leave one hundred silver coins with you, Thys — and I'm counting on Miri's bargaining skills to negotiate every penny. Eradan, I need you to go with them, mainly to help carry the heavy loads and ensure they stay safe... Right? Leave everything pre-organized for when we move from here, because I intend to secure a permanent property soon, and if we buy too much heavy junk now, we won't have a way to pile it all in this inn for long. And do not worry: Akra will come with me. She still needs to get used to many aspects of civilization, and if she stayed loose out there with you now, some unexpected mishap with her powers might happen.
After aligning all the guidelines and finishing their bowls of vegetable soup accompanied by a good piece of rustic bread, they returned to their respective rooms to rest and prepare for the first real day of work in the heart of Tigris
