Chapter 44: The Wall
Despite how dangerous this situation is, I didn't feel uneasy staring at the large stone walls. Although with how dense and fortified it was, it really seemed like they where trying to keep the people of Stratheom in rather than out. On top of the walls there was large metal rods. Each rod had a ring of spikes protruding from each rod, making a large wall of pointed metal. Thick green and slick vines grew up the wall. Cracks made their way up the wall in scattered rivlets, making it look old and unkept.
The large wrought iron gate creaked loudly as the wind slightly pushed it back and forth. Almost like a loud mournful screech that bounced off the walls and ripped through the air. You could even say it sounded like a helpless abandoned and wounded animal every time it slightly shifted. The door it self was so rusted, it was more orange in color, than it was black. The stone where the hinges where installed, where cracked and it made the door sit at an awkward angle. This was exactly how I imagined a place like Stratheom to look. Like a disregarded prison.
"How charming." I muttered under my breath. Nicklos dismounted from behind me, offering a hand as his feet touched the ground. Knowing fully well, I was no longer able to stand on my own two feet, I gracefully accepted his hand. He lifted me in the air effortlessly. Gently setting my feet on the ground, he wrapped a single hand around my waist. Steadying my flimsy form, we quitely waited for the others to dismount as well.
"I love how they don't even bother having guards at the entrance. It really adds to the criminal glow." Marquise mused.
"A silent warning indeed." Michael stated as he slipped off his saddle. Nicklos quietly passed Seria his reigns. She accepted without a word while she watched Nicklos lift me into his arms. I grimaced as the stiff and itch cloth we wore, grazed the end of the shaft sticking out from my leg. The wound just below my groin, was now starting to seep through the bandages and clothes I wore. Even with Seria's tightly bound bandage, it still did little to stop the bleeding.
If it wasn't properly taken cared of soon, it would become infected. I was already starting to feel to fatigued to stand. The throbbing pain had started to go numb as I had started to get use to its presence. The world was just starting to spin as he carried me bridal style towards the door. His face was scuntched in concentration as he gently kicked the door aside. It let out a loud and warning creek as he nudged it out of the way. I winced, knowing that if anyone wasn't aware of our presence before, they would now.
Inside the gate, was a small warn out barn. The stalls where empty, the doors where broken off, and there was a single rope attached to a metal hook in each of the stalls. A single bucket hung off to the side, I could only assume it was a place for them to eat and drink. A man, dressed in a black cloak, sat quietly on a small brown stool next to it. He had long white, thin, whispy hair that cascaded over his shoulders. Yellow and brown stained teeth gleamed down at us in the early morning sun's rays. A long crooked nose, sat protuding off his face. Liver spots covered the areas where cloth didn't hide his skin.
"Greeting fair travelers. Welcome to Stratheom. What buisness do you have with the "City of Criminals?" His voice was deep and raspy. I cold shiver ran down my spine as his one good eyeball rested on my face. His green gaze slowly passed over my limp form, and then came back to rest on my face. I could feel bile rising in the back of my throat as he looked me over, a predatory gleaming shining brightly in his eyes.
"Just passing through. I found this little girl wandering through the forest, injured and scared. I've come too....get her looked at." Nicklos replied, an eager grin on his face as he tightened his grip around my legs and back. Despite the grin on his face, you could see the rage boiling deep in side him. He was trying to act like this creepy man didn't bother him.
But what bothered me even more, he was painting me as this small and helpless woman. Granted I understand why he was making me out to be weak, so it didn't look like we where up to anything suspicious, but he was injuring my pride and ruining my reputation I spent so hard to build. I'll play along with him for now in hopes that we can get through undetected. It wasn't like I could really do anything right now anyway.
I gripped my hand tightly around the cloth covering his chest. I buried my face pitifully against him, hoping that my acting was at least going to convince him to let us through. I fought hard not to flinch away from the smell of rotting food that came off his tunic. It seems that the Chief really wanted us to look the part as bums and criminals. His tunic was so worn and full of stains that it looked like he had been on the streets his whole life. I would have to thank the Chief if we made it out alive.
"Ah yes, Tuck's Inn is just down the road. I do hope that your stay is rather...eventful. Make sure you visit the market place as well. I am sure that you will have no problems...shopping." Rage flared up within me. His hidden remarks where enough to set my skin boiling. He just hinted that it would be easy to sell me off. What a dirty bastard. If my mission was successful, this bastard was going to die.
Just keep acting, let Nicklos handle this. After all he has more experience with this place than I do. If I blew our cover, we could never rest peacefully long enough to formulate a proper plan. Not to mention we would tip off every Crime lord in Stratheom and then we would really be in trouble.
"Thank you Stuwart. I'll make sure she is in good condition before hand. Wouldn't want to go shopping with low grade quality." Nicklos sniggered as he started to walk down the cracked stone walkway. I could hear the old man cackle loudly behind us as we left. I was riddled with anger and disgust. Nicklos seemed too comfortable talking this way. So when I couldn't hear him laughing any more, I glared at him.
"Don't give me that look. I don't like it either, but it was either that or risk being found out." His voice was heavy with bitterness. Like he had swallowed something sour and distasteful. But it didn't help settle my high strung nerves as I was helplessly carried through the city. Trying to ignore the rage that seemed to continue building up within me, I watched the buildings that passed by.
They all seemed to be in better shape than the walls that surrounded the city. White polished stone, large glass windows to show off the display inside, chattering people filling the streets. It seemed more peaceful and lively than I would have imagined. Of course, the people didn't really match the context of these nicely polished buildings. Gruff looking men and women filled with scars wandered about. Cackling, talking, and shouting. Their clothes looked more rough than ours. Leather tunics, pants, and gloves. All worn and riddled with tears and holes.
I think the most well taken part about each and every one of them, where their weapons. Maces, long swords, short swords, daggers, and axes. They all seemed well polished with their newly bounded leather handles. The sun glinted off each and every one of them as their wielders shown off their weapons like prized possesions. There was even some people who seemed to be duking it out, swinging their weapons around like wild possessed animals.
Metal clashed against metal, roaring laughter filled the air, and the sound of money filled the air. Like a soft tinkling noise. Despite everyone here being mostly vile and notorious villans, they seemed at ease with each other. It was different than I could have ever imagined. I thought that they would always be at each other's throats, fighting for money or new weapons. It appeared that they where more civil than I expected.
"I never would have thought that this establishment would be so friendly." Seria whispered under her breath as we quickly and quietly tucked around the people gathered in the streets. A roar burst from the crowd next to us as we weaved our way through, startling us. It was starting to get rowdier as we made our way deeper into the city. The crowds where starting to become more compact, and it was difficult not to rub shoulders with these brutes.
I noticed that Seria and I where getting more and more glances. Men with greedy eyes licked their lips, ready to put their grubby hands all over us. It was uncomfortable to watch, and even more so because I couldn't stop them. I could feel myself tensing with every passing second, until Nicklos stopped in front of a tall white building. It was large in size, completed with simple long windows, a set of white polished stairs, and multiple balconies for each set of sliding doors.
A wooden sign dangled from a metal rod protruding from the building. It swayed slightly, creeking as the rust rubbed against the metal hooks. In golden cursive writing, was the word Tuck's. This must be the inn that the old man was talking about.
"We are here. Marquise, stay with Alliah while I find the doctor." Nicklos said stiffly as he passed me to Marquise. Marquise grabbed me awkwardly into his arms. Discomfort was written all over his face as he followed Nicklos into the Inn.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone