Blood of the Merciless

Chapter Fifteen

ACT 4: Isern

15.

Isern had been situated at the base of a mountain range. The mountain range had not been as impressive as Versus, however. The Gwyn River ran through the centre of the town, presumably originating from the mountains. Isern was large, larger than anything Ashe had ever seen in her life. Even now during the night, there had been many people outside seemingly just because they wanted to. The trio stood at one entrance of Isern. Isern was made up of many stone buildings mixed with a few wooden houses. Ashe stared at the stone buildings, she had never seen this many before. Isern was also made of many streets and alleyways. A large stone building could be seen towering over the rest of the town. She followed Thorin's lead as they walked through the city. People eyed them as they walked. The people of Isern felt different to Ashe. They seemed...happy. "I get a different feel to this town. It feels different compared to Nezzagwyn." Ashe said.

"The majority of people are casters. That is why it is different." Thorin answered.

As they passed an alleyway, a person bumped into Ashe. She quickly apologised but the person just continued forward. "What was that about?" Florian asked.

"Probably a slave that is trying to escape," Thorin said.

"A slave?"

Thorin nodded. "It is more common in the more affluent areas. Casters buy mysur-slaves from different slave traders."

"What do these slaves do?" Ashe asked.

"Anything their owner bids them to do."

"And if they refuse?"

Thorin hesitated before she answered. "A painful death."

"Why don't they just fight back?" Florian asked.

Thorin glared at him. "Such a misguided question." She didn't speak further, she just walked forward. Ashe watched as Thorin walked a bit faster than before. She whispered to Florian. "I think you are being a little insensitive. Casters are much more powerful than mysurs. And I don't think it is so simple as to fight when mysurs have been oppressed for a thousand years." Florian did not say anything, he just frowned.

Thorin paused ahead of them, she then dragged them into an alleyway.

"What is wrong?" Ashe asked.

Thorin pointed to the street. "Watch."

They watched the street. At first, a blue-robed soldier entered their view. He held a whip in one hand. Hitting it occasionally against the ground. The soldier walked confidently. Following the soldier were men. They had metal cuffs around their hands. Their feet had also been cuffed with a loose chain. Ashe thought that it might be to refrain them from running. The men also had a large metal cuff around their neck which was attached to one another. The men had been shirtless, their bodies had been bruised. Ashe could make out slash marks. The men looked to the ground as they walked. They had sad expressions on their faces. A soldier walked behind them as well, equipped with a whip. As the men passed, Ashe noticed the street being filled once again with people. "What was that about?" She asked. She watched as Thorin rubbed her eyes.

"Metalworkers." "They are the ones we are going to save," Thorin said.

Ashe noticed that her voice had been softer than usual.

Thorin walked out into the road. "Come on, let's find an inn."

Thorin led them to a stone building that had a small drawing of a house on it. As they entered the inn, they were met with a young man that stood behind a counter.

"Welcome to the Lockler Inn!" The young man said with a smile. The young man eyed the trio. "We offer rooms at 2 sentz per person. You shall not have to pay for your slave." He said while gesturing at Thorin. Florian was about to interject but he was stopped by Thorin. Ashe reached for the pouch that hung from her belt. She soon realised that something had been wrong. The pouch that had to be there was missing. When did it go missing? Ashe turned to the group and whispered what had happened. Thorin sighed. She then took off one of her shoes revealing a few hidden pieces of sentz. She then handed it to the young man. He reluctantly accepted the jade pieces. They then followed him upstairs where he showed them to their rooms. Ashe could hear that there had been other people staying here. Some had been talking loudly within their rooms while others made weird...sounds. They had two rooms, which were right next to each other. The rooms were different from what she was accustomed to. It was made of a bed that was lifted by some sort of wooden foundation. There had been a writing desk with parchment and ink prepared. There had also been buckets filled with water as well as a variety of mugs. They decided that before sleeping they would discuss the plans for the next day.