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Year 163 – Fall – Sextus Mensis – 10th day
Year 724 – Yarahma – 12th day – Celestial Trader’s calendar
Madinat Almudun, Coniuntasien Sea
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Dazzled by the sunlight and dehydrated, Ethen’s skin was like a dried fish in the middle of summer. A smell of ailment was hovering in the air. Hadn’t it been for the salted breeze, he would have been throwing his guts out. Ethen was pushing the oars and pulling them back, focusing on his breath.
The overseer – “Another one’s dead captain!”
Velit looked at Alphael, who was sitting in a hammock nearby.
Velit – “You lost eight of them already. You’re sure you want to keep them working?”
Alphael – “Those who survived the track are those I’ll send to the arena. If they can’t survive, they’ll die in their first appearance. It would be a waste of my coins.”
Velit – “You want to take them into the arena yourself? I thought you came to sell them.”
Alphael – “The women, I’ll sell the women. Unless I find a golden offer, but I doubt it. Now grab his clothing and shackles and throw him overboard like the others!”
The lookout – “LAND AHEAD!”
Alphael walked all the way to the nose of the ship, followed by Velit.
Velit – “It truly is something.”
Alphael – “This, my friend, is Madinat Almudun, the city of cities. Among the whole Coniuntasien Sea, you won’t find another place like this one. No Union! No Itialka Empire! No Nar Empire! No Southern Kings or Celestial lands! No. This, my friend, is a place where both burglars and honest men live by the same rule, a rule of gold.”
Velit – “How long do you intend to stay on this island?”
Alphael – “A few days. Don’t worry about your payment; I’ll give you a bonus once we arrive in the South.”
Velit – “I don’t want to pass the night there. I’d much rather leave you there and wait at large.”
Alphael – “Don’t tell me you’re scared?”
Velit – “I’ve heard rumors.”
Alphael – “Really? Which kind, if I may ask?”
Velit – “Bad ones, about Al-Sha, the mind reader.”
Alphael – “Al-Sha died hundreds of years ago. Only his followers remain. I’ve heard the rumours, but the truth is they rarely ever step on the southern islands. Just stay south, and you’ll be fine.”
Through the oar’s hole, Ethen could see a mirage far away. As he got closer, a large silhouette emerged on the horizon. It was a gigantic archipelago made from tens of small isles. Hundreds of ships were surrounding the many tiles of land as if the whole thing was but a large harbour connected across and between the isles. Yet, from within the isles themselves, large buildings made of wood and stone were reaching unimaginable heights.
Madinat Almudun . . . So, it was true after all. This place really does exist . . .
Ethen was following the rhythm of the overseer, lost in his thought.
If I were to come out alive, would you want to meet me again? I wonder . . . I know you can’t hear me, but thinking you’re listening somewhere, somehow . . . It makes me feel less lonely. I’m starting to feel afraid of death. I’ve never had any doubt but . . . I’m so far away from home that I wonder if I could even find my way back in the afterlife.
As they reached one of the many docks, a man in a robe stared at them. Alphael walked off the boat and approached him. The man pulled his hood away, revealing the head of a young man with a linen strip covering his eyes as if he was either blind or injured.
The man in a robe – “A payment is required.”
Alphael gave him a large purse, filled with golden and silver shells.
The man passed his hand near the purse and smiled as he grabbed it.
The man in a robe – “Welcome to our humble land, Alphael.”
The man left the dock and, following one of the roads, disappeared between the trees.
Velit – “How did he know your name?”
Alphael – “There is a reason why they lead this island. It has undertaken many attacks, and all of them failed miserably. The lore cultists of Al-Sha are a curious bunch. Come on, Velit, take the women out first. I want to bring them to the market today.”
Velit – “What about the men?”
Alphael – “I’ll ask the arena about their upcoming events.”
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