💎A Collision of Fates💎 (Straight to Gay) (MxM) (18+)

133 - Uwo

The garrison approached the city of Izal. Finally.

The town was glorious in the midday sun, a beacon amongst the desert dunes and expansive ocean. The red-stone walls, sand-whipped, stood proud, a bulwark against the ever-encroaching natural world. Near the top of the walls, imperials patrolled, watching the sands below for signs of attack, for signs of assault.

But that city, that glory, was distant. Closer to Uwo, mulkeyes brayed and men grunted, sweating in the sun. They trudged along, moving over the sandy dunes. The city was so close, and yet hours away.

Eventually, they joined the paved roadway that entered into the city from the South. It was clogged with people, all of them journeying to Izal. Even from afar, Uwo could see the long line of travellers waiting to be admitted into the city, standing in front of the large gate. The walls grew larger with every step, red, blistering, an angry wave towering over the landscape around it.

Because they were a Paxtan garrison, they got precedence over the other travellers, and they were allowed to skip the queue. Gwalzi greeted the imperials at the gate, and their garrison stood by while a group of soldiers inspected them and their mulkeye carts. Then, they were ushered into the city. Gwalzi thanked them with a smile and led the troops under the wide, arched gate.

The Paxtan desert was always monotonous. When Uwo looked at it, or walked through it, or lived in it, he quickly grew tired of the endless sand, of seeing the same light-beige colour. It almost hurt his eyes to stare at it for too long. The city of Izal, however, was completely different.

"Freshly chopped jreqwan!" A man screamed at passerbys from his covered stand. "Freshly chopped. Freshly cooked!"

"Two ordas a piece. Two! You won't find a better price anywhere in Izal." Another man thrust a skewer of something into Uwo's face. He shook his head and moved on.

The city was a maze of marketplaces and alleys, dark corners and wide squares. Colourful tarps  flapped over all of it, green and blue and red and pink. Gwalzi continued to guide them, leading them down the largest thoroughfares, where dozens of men had setup stands, selling a variety of things, food and pets and clothing. The air was dense with shouts, voices raised, voices coming together to form a general hum.

"What are you going to do when you get relieved of duty? First thing?" Qerzo kicked his boot into a pile of dust, sent plumes into the air.

Uwo shrugged. "Gotta see my dad."

"Other than that, though."

"I don't know." Uwo considered the question. "I guess i'll get something to eat, get some sleep."

"Goddess, Uwo. Goddess." Qerzo shook his head. "When did you get so boring?"

"Work is about to get very busy. High Lord Valliz is returning, and the election is in a matter of days."

"I know that. Don't you think I know that? Which is why we should be taking advantage of every free second we have." Qerzo pointed in the direction of the harbour. "The second High Lord Valliz comes back from Sesstria, the second his boat docks, our lives are going to change. We are going to be on patrol constantly, keeping the peace. So, you don't have to tell me that we're about to get busy. And you also don't have to tell me that we should be enjoying the time that we have."

"What should I–"

"Come to The Warsharz with me tonight."

"Qerzo, I don't know–"

"I'm not giving you a choice."

"I'm already feeling tired."

"Then take a fucking nap."