Spirit Sword by Sam Ford

Author:Sam Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, mythic fantasy, sci fi fantasy, swordfights, fantasy epic, sword sorcery, fantasy action, sword magic, blood sword, sword and soul
Publisher: Sam Ford

Chapter XIX

Brave New World

"This place is enormous." Cale couldn't believe all the tents.

We're not even to the city yet.

"What are all these teepees?" asked Jazreal from behind.

These are all refugees. They are looking for protection.

"I think they're all people seeking shelter in the city," Cale answered.

"Seeking shelter from what?" Jazreal asked worriedly.

Cale shared her concern. "That's what we need to find out."

Indeed.

Hollow-eyed children wandered about, utterly lost, while desperate mothers begged for food. Fathers sold a night with their daughters just for a single meal. The sick and the dead lay everywhere, muddying the road, while dying livestock polluted the water. City guards wandered freely through the tents, confiscating anything of value and killing those who stood against them. Human life was the least expensive thing anyone owned.

"They all look hungry."

"They look worse than that." Cale urged Thunder to move a touch faster. "That's what happens when you burn the crops in the fields. Come on."

The fog had not let up for three whole days. The road had been a muddy, mangled crush of people wandering aimlessly in the fog. This close to the sea, they could smell the salt and fish and hear the sea birds, but they still could not see more than a few yards ahead of them. Murderers and sneak thieves stalked the roads, snatching people and vanishing into the fog, only to find their bodies hours later. The lucky ones lived. The guards could do nothing. They were too few and the people too many.

The day started off cold and damp, owing to the bank of sea fog they’d found themselves in. They rode forward as best they could, pausing often in the long line of people. Cale was about to go around, but Sword advised patience. Soon enough, a large man in grubby armor and a chipped spear came around to collect their coin. There was a toll for entry, a tax on goods and an inspection for weapons.

"Five silver," The guard grunted. Cale dug into his coin purse while a mercenary knight glared at him, looking them over. He oversaw the procedure at the gates, but he didn't even notice Cale and Jazreal's Swords, which were in plain view. He couldn't, of course. "There are no vacancies at any inn. You have to be back by nightfall if you can't find anyone to sponsor you. No sleeping in the streets. We'll throw you in the guardhouse, understand? Complete your business and leave."

"Yes, sir," Cale said quietly.

"Understand?!" The guard barked once more.

"Um, y--yes sir!"

"Hmm, that's better. Welcome to Uruk. Don't make any trouble for us while you're here. Enjoy your stay." The guard walked away, muttering under his breath. "Filthy plowman."

They rode forward, the palfrey nickering at the beggars along the side of the road.

"Was that expensive?" asked Jazreal. She really struggled with the coinage.

"It is prohibitive enough that most people can barely afford to come in once," Cale replied. "I've only seen a silver coin once before. Usually my father took trade in barter and copper coins.

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