Fragments of a Broken World: The Lost City [Complete]

Episode 7 - A Made-Out Routine

From that day on, things remained the same. I kept watch over the warehouse, then woke up Taleh and let him take care of the inventory for me. Sometimes, he checked my belongings to make sure I wasn't taking anything without his permission, although I didn't care much about what was in there.

Having the data written down meant that I didn't need to rely on my memory, and the review process was very brief. To pass the time, I decided to make a new hand-drawn map since the one I had was only for getting to the city and didn't provide much information about what was inside its walls. Although it wasn't very accurate, it might come in handy when I wanted to explore new places and move more comfortably through its emptier areas.

As for my supplies, I only had some bottles of water left. I had eaten everything that was left before it went bad, but since I started working in this place, I never lacked for food. Also, since I wasn't a farmer, I didn't have to pay tributes.

As for me, I had a sword from a dead man and the questioning of a guard asking if I was "drugged" who knows about both things. Since The Merciful had pointed me out, I had become a source of whispers and unwanted glances when I went out in public. People surely wondered, "Who is this guy?" They didn't talk to me directly, but I still had ears, and I heard their unintelligible voices over the frequent noise of the central plaza.

It was difficult to ask questions when people also had doubts about me.

Under the pretext of needing to secure the underground warehouse in case someone was suspected of stealing, I investigated the whereabouts of the city's forges, but really, I wanted to know the origin of the sword I was carrying with me.

The city had four forges: two subsidiaries that produced furniture and metal grilles, one for laboratory equipment, and finally, the one that made weapons and armor for The Merciful's personnel. Although it seemed like I was sticking my nose where it didn't belong, it was still a good place to ask. The only thing that made me doubtful was the fact that the sword seemed to be handmade. I hadn't seen the guards' swords, but the sword I had was patched up so many times that if it weren't for the cords and ribbons holding the hilt together, a single blow against a wall would cause the blade to come loose.

As I mentioned before, most of the buildings were made of wood, but this was an exception. The forges were made of stone, and considering they used fire and other hot things, it seemed like a valid reason to take that precaution.

Curiously, there were some very clean glass displays with the products they offered: various types of blades that weren't sharp and armor that, upon close examination, needed parts to be usable. I entered the store, and my clothes brushed against the sides of the doorway. The place was well lit, but they used lantern-shaped lights like the blue guards of The Merciful carried at night, except these were white, clearly not fueled by fossil fuels.

I looked around, and at the counter was a bald, mustached man looking at me a bit strangely. I tried to be cordial with an obvious question:

"Hello, do you sell weapons and armor?"

"Why do you think they're in the display case?" He replied in a deep, unfriendly voice.

I assumed the display case referred to the products I had described before entering.

"What kind of exchange rate do you require to obtain one of your products?"

"Well..." he looks to his right and sighs before settling in his place, "By order of the Merciful, only authorized personnel can access these things, so... Do you have authorization? Or not?"

"Is there no other way to buy something without authorization?"

"So, you already know?" he questions, suspecting that I might be lying.

To deceive him, I decide to tell him that I do know, as it seemed to be a secret.

"Perfect, then let's do business, but don't tell anyone unless they're interested in buying." he agrees.

That went well...

"What was the last sword you made?" I ask, trying to make conversation.

"Is this some kind of joke? What kind of question is that?" He responds.

"Let me rephrase it; do you recognize the swords you've made?"

"I don't know where this is going... But yes, I usually make them different, although similar." He says.

"Okay, do you recognize this sword?" I hand him the sword with its scabbard, and he examines it closely, rotating it in his hand.

He looks surprised for a moment, stops breathing for a few seconds, then unfreezes, closes his mouth, swallows, and looks at me a little hunched over with the sword and scabbard in his hands.

"Where did you get this sword?!"

"I found it lost."

"A sword doesn't get lost just like that for no reason."

"I found it, from a body, and apparently, the sword's owner was next to him." I explain.

The shop owner leans on the counter, sighing.

"Oh, shit..."

"I know. So what should I do now?"

"If he's really dead, the best thing to do is to give the news to his family. They probably think he's missing, and someone has to tell them. I knew that man would end up badly when he walked through that door."

"Weren't you close to him?"

"When you sell swords illegally, the last thing you want is to get involved with them. But yeah, yeah... I know him, well, "knew". I can tell you where to find his family, and then you can take care of it on your own, but I'm not going to get involved.

I know him because he was talked about a lot for being a dangerous thief who roamed the streets at night to steal small boxes of crops that were on the street."

"Do you know where they can be found?"

"You can find them in communal house number three. Ha! I'm sure if you hear where his family comes from, you'll know why he became a criminal!"

I didn't really know what a communal house is or was, so hearing that didn't bother or think so much.

I turn around, knowing where it might be, as it's a building with its name on a sign on one of the walls. But before I leave, I have to make sure of something.

"I imagine, or rather, I sense by your expression, that you're going to ask me not to tell anyone about this conversation. Don't worry, I'll keep it in mind, but if you hadn't considered, had in mind the same for me, zero words, okay?"

"Eh, yeah, same."

"I glad we agree."