Blessings Of The Void

Chapter 4: The Market of Wonders

I was woken with a small slap on my face, and things were hard to make up. My back was paining from the stiff surface I slept on. However, I can't complain for it's fortunate enough that I got to sleep.

I could make out the face of Zuma and behind him it seems that the sun was shining bright.

"What's the time?" I asked him.

"We are almost approaching mid-day. You slept more than 15 hours, that's impressive. Actually, we are facing a problem, mind if you come."

"Yea sure, do you have some water?" I sat up while he went out to got out of the wagon and returned with a pot of water and handed me. "This should be enough."

In my small life that I've lived I could never imagine the view I was seeing. The air smelled of various spices and floral scents. One item that caught my eye was the blue crystal that hanged from the bean of the stall top column and a strange tune meddled through the air.

"Hirek's that side." Zuma said pointing at the gate."Better to leave your waistcoat here so people might not suspect you're a Zakir." Zuma advised. I wanted to ask where were we, but he was already off towards the gate.

After tossing my waistcoat in the wagon, I noticed the stange thing here. Our wagons were connected to gigantic cats. The couple of cats had shiny accesories on thir neck and a piercing in their ears, but I had already seen enough for me to accept this fact. Maybe I'll ask Zuma about this later. Zuma was waiting for me at the entrance of the gate and once I caught up to him we were walking together.

Once we entered the gate, the whole place changed completely. The streets bustled with people with various peculiar outfits and some weren't even humans. The place was huge with several stalls of shops that sold various items. I would've awed the whole if not Zuma made me come back to my senses.

We approached Hirek but he seems to trying his best to persuade the shopkeeper, but the man just raised his head indicating that he couldn't give what he demanded. The stall was filled with linen and leather clothes hanging. The male who was talking with Hirek appeared frail and nervous.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Taiber here have an above average price on the piece of cloth that was affordable just a week earlier." Hirek replied. He seem exhausted."Seriously all I am asking is for a set of affordable clothes. How have these things rose so high?"

"Kingdom of Grunger, have cut their supply of cotton for three months to make up clothes for new residents. So there will be less clothes manufacturing. We can't do anything about this you know. Supply and demand, man." The frail man explained.

"You know what?" Hirek turned to me,"I know a better place, where we might get something for cheap. Come with me."

We passed through a narrow way,and I saw wonders that was hard for me to believe. The whole market was in lively air. Many people were busy observing the items or otherwise bargaining with the stall keepers. Other stalls which were not filled called out for their customers and the others were engrossed in their talks.

"Come good man, we possess many fine weaponry as well as armoury."

"Potions to live longer! Potions to woo your heart stealer! Potions to claim unnatural height of wealth!"

"You cannot park your dragon cart here. We have already faced many casualties with fire."

"Words are out that the Phantom was caught." I overheard a couple chat.

We walked for more than 10 minutes but Hirek seemed to not stop. On my way I passed many people carrying musical instruments that were very similar to the ones I knew but also contrasted the orginal look.

"Is there some kind of celebration going on? So many people have those instruments." I asked to Hirek.

"Not exactly a celebration. There's a competition today, the winner would get 3000 ereon and a chance to perform next month infront of whole audience of Munravi, the king would be there, I think. You may get a chance to perform with the royal band too, who knows"

We were almost at the end of the market when Hirek finally stopped. He looked apologetic. "I am sorry Joy, but it seems the other clothes shop are also closed due to the low trade of cotton."

I understood their situation. A strange person suddenly became thier guest and now they have to take care of that guest while also scrap money for the meals. I wanted to say it was fine but Zuma spoke up.

"You can take out of my money pot."

"But Zuma those are your savings, we will need those if things turn out bad in the winter." Hirek explained.

"Hirek, he needs it more right now." Zuma pointed at me. Hirek looked at me and, I could guess that he thought of considering the idea until I interrupted.

"You know what it's totally fine, there are just few cuts I could sew that up."

"That's not the thing." Hirek said ."The body you're spawned in was that of a framed traitor, and while your face have changed with the summoning, the identification is still of that traitor. So we have to give you a new clothes."

"How do you know it was traitor?"

"Yesterday when Zuma asked for your identification papers there, we saw it. We're shocked to find out as on our way we found many posters demanding of your arrest. Even if your face doesn't match, people will just think you changed your face with blood manipulation technique of yours. And a Zakir knows another Zakir when he sees one with outfit. It's a market here so people just think of you as a regular customer but when you're off people will just capture you, that's why have to change your outfit. "

I understood the gravity of the situation and was without a word for sometime. Hirek continued, "Zuma go get the pot, I'll wait here."

Zuma nodded and started to walk away when the sound of lute and a man's voice landed my ear. I just got and idea.

"Wait." I exclaimed. Zuma and Hirek bith turned at me. "You said there's a competition, Hirek. I could try participating there. If I win I could get the 3000 ori-ora- whatever, and I am assuming that's not a small amount."

"No, absolutely not, what if you got recognised at stage?" Hirek rejected that idea.

"No one will recognise me, you know why? We'll exchange clothes and I'll perform in your clothes."

Hirek gave a thought on this for sometime. He then had a agreeing nod but asked another question again- "What if you don't win?"