Talwar and Khanda--Assassins in Love by Barbara G.Tarn

Author:Barbara G.Tarn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fighting monks, assassins, persian swords, noose operators, fantasy world
Publisher: Unicorn Productions
Published: 2017-06-01T16:00:00+00:00

9.

For the next couple of days they explored Zarapur. They found out that it was somewhat large, that the inner wall was more or less a square while the outer wall was a demi-circle. In the old city there was the former royal governor's walled fortress. It had been built on the shore at the mouth of the Zara, controlling both the river and the ocean.

The Zara had been the border between Rajendra and Akkora, and although the two kingdoms were never openly at war, Zarapur kept an eye on its neighbor from a privileged position. Now that the kingdoms had fallen, it thrived on its own, not following Agharek's directions anymore. Considering how far it was from the former capital, it wasn't surprising it had acquired the autonomy of a city-state.

The main attractions of the city were sculptures and it was famous for its acrobats and thieves. There were few guards and the locals overcharged outsiders – as if Talwar hadn't noticed already. They couldn't find a cheaper room than the one at the Painted Snake and were considering their next move. Zarapur was too expensive for their means, unless they found some kind of job.

There was some crime and a lot of trading, especially herd animals, but with all the ships coming and going there were also exotic fabrics or weapons or artifacts from beyond the sea. The government was open election for all, although you had to be a resident citizen to be elected.

The streets were poorly labeled and the buildings were often two stories high but it had a very simple layout, so Talwar never got lost. A few houses had spread to the other shore of the river and were served by a ferry system. That part of the town was smaller and had only one wall – the continuation of the inner wall – with two gates, one going west, the other north.

Talwar found a map in a shop that specialized in poisons but also provided maps and adventuring supplies. The room was large, well lit, gaudily decorated and smelled of herbs. Inside there was a female apprentice, a nobleman, an elderly man. The expensive items were locked up, but the maps were all spread on a table and he could look at them for free.

The shopkeeper was arguing with a guard and sounded pessimistic. He had very attractive features, narrow soft brown eyes, sallow skin and medium brown hair. He was overdressed and kept an eye on everything as he argued.

Talwar stared at the map of the city, then Khanda showed him one of the former southern kingdoms. That might be more useful, unless they went north by ship. Either they bought another means of transportation – an elephant or a horse – or they bought passage on ships going north.

"It was easy following the Pila, but then we joined those caravans," he mused. "Should we keep following merchants' caravans, offering ourselves as bodyguards against bandits?"

"That would be an idea, but we need more weapons," she said.

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