The Zero Hour | #Wattys2016

Chapter 12 - Da Bez Town (Part 3)

One guard crossed his arms and blocked Amadeus from going any further.

"Stop! Who goes dere?" grunted the guard.

"I'm Amadeus, commoner of White Harrow. I come in peace. I wish to enter your town to buy supplies for my journey."

The guard examined the three of them and snorted. "You has two tree huggas wit cha. Tree huggas not welcome in Da Bez Town."

"Who, them?" Amadeus gestured to Rei & Izumi innocently. "They're harmless"

"No," insisted the guard. "Tree huggas no go. You show us shiny or you leave too."

"Shiny?" Amadeus paused, trying to understand what the guard wanted from him.

"Shinies," the guard nodded grimly; rubbing his index finger and thumb together. "Shinies for biznas. No shinies, no entry."

"Oh... shinies." Amadeus loosened the drawstring for the leather pouch and showed the white gems to the guard. "Is this enough?"

The guard grinned widely, suddenly appearing to be friendlier. "Yes, shinies!" he exclaimed delightedly. "Da Bez town do big biznas. Many come to buy and sell. All with shinies welcome, except tree huggas and nobs."

Amadeus could understand 'tree huggas' meant Izenth, but what in the world was 'nobs'?

"Nobs?" Amadeus repeated.

"Yes, nobs not welcome. They use dem magicks to kill many Rokuth."

"Oh... nobs." That description was clear enough.

The guards heaved the large double doors open and the main path into the city came into view. The path beckoned enticingly with the hope of water. "Welcome to Da Bez Town. Please, enter!"

"What about my friends?"

"No," the guard insisted. "I has said many times! Tree huggas not welcome in Da Bez Town."

Amadeus looked at Rei and frowned, as if to ask him permission to proceed.

"It's alright Amadeus, we'll wait for you here."

"Just don't forget to get water for us... and some food if possible," Izumi reminded him.

Amadeus nodded. "I'll be back soon," he said as he slipped between the two huge doors as the guards pulled the towering doors shut behind him with a bang.

The inside of the town was full of people. Not just people who looked like the guards outside, but they seemed to be from all corners of the world. I wonder why there are so many people in this strange town. What is going on here? Amadeus was surrounded by crowds of people, yet he felt all alone inside this strange town.

Amadeus made his way towards the town center, looking for a shop to get water and food supplies for the rest of their journey. He kept one hand rested on his leather pouch, not wanting to be pickpocketed.

Amadeus was no stranger to pickpockets. The commoners in White Harrow had quick hands and nimble fingers, especially the desperate ones. They often stole from each other and this infuriated Amadeus. He couldn't understand why commoners would steal from their own kin.

He pushed his way past the crowds and found rows of shops close to the town center. He noticed that all the guards, administrators and shopkeepers all wore the same thing. They all had a single loin cloth around their waist, and a rough string which secured boulders and rocks of all sizes to their backs. The ropes formed an X as they crossed along their chests. They must be Rokuth.