Wandering Eternal: Brothers of War

Greed City

They eventually come to a bustling city full of life and people. They enter the town through its South Gate and Zee looks around for an inn. The sun is low in the sky and is almost ready to set, “we need to find an inn with an open room for us to stay in for the night,” he tells Ezma looking around at all of the buildings.

“Why can’t we just stay with some friendly person like the farmer? I’m sure there’s someone here like that,” she smiles hopefully.

“You can not always trust people like that. We were lucky the farmer was a humble man but not everyone is so trustworthy,” he says holding on to Vespers leader line tightly. He stops at a tavern and ties the line off to a hitching post, “stay with Vesper I will not be long,” he says pulling his backpack off and taking the flask out.

“Well okay, but don’t be gone long, I don’t feel safe sitting here out in the open,” Ezma says in a worried tone. Zee smiles and pats her leg, then walks into the tavern. As he enters it is like the world stops around him and everyone turns to look at him. He pushes his sunglasses tight on his face and pulls his hat down over his face. He walks over to the bar carefully and sits the flask down in front of the barkeep.

“Eh, what can I do for you traveler?” The barkeep asks never losing sight of Zee.

“This flask I need your strongest drink filled completely,” he pauses to reach into his coin purse that he filled up earlier. He pulls out five gold pieces and stacks them up next to the flask. Everyone in the bar slowly stands up facing Zee, “I also need to know where I can find an inn with a vacant room for me and my companion,” he looks around him using his eyes only never moving the rest of his body.

“The strongest drink I have comes from the northern province where there’s a village who prides themselves on making the best drinks. Most men who try to drink it only fail because of how strong it is,” Zee nods to the barkeep and he shrugs his shoulders then takes the flask and fills it up using a mostly full beautifully crafted glass bottle that has a wide belly and the neck swirls up to the top like a snake. There is a white silk cloth that is sealed on the bottom and follows the swirl up to the cork where the cloth enters the bottle.

“How much for the entire bottle?” Zee asks admiring the craftsmanship of the bottle and seeing the white liquid with gold and silver swirls it in.

“It’s my only bottle and I have to send a runner to get another if I run out!” The barkeep says exclaiming.

“Okay, how about this? You pour half of it into an empty bottle and sell me the one you are holding with what is left. Deal?” Zee says putting five more gold pieces on the bar. All of the men in bar start moving towards Zee slowly.

“Alright I can do that. Oh and there are three inns you can try. Madame Chan’s place is a brothel near the north gate so I would check there last. Tsui inn is across town to the west, Chong Mu is next door, and The Golden Panda is the rich peoples inn at the east section of town,” he says putting the bottle and flask in front of Zee and taking the gold pieces quickly off the bar putting them in his pocket, “if you are going to fight in here would you please take care not to destroy anything?” The barkeep whispers backing away slowly. Zee takes the flask and puts it in his pants pocket and grabs the bottle turning around facing the door. All of the men start closing in on Zee until he reaches into his chest pocket and they back away a couple of steps. He pulls out his pipe and they all draw swords.

“You all want to fight me? For what? My money? Or do you have some vendetta against me?” Zee says calmly while filling his pipe. The men start closing on Zee as he lights his pipe up taking a few puffs, he holds the lighter up beside him the flame still burning then he snaps it close. The men take that as a signal to charge at him all at once. Zee calmly puts his lighter back in his chest pocket and takes a long draw of the pipe and exhales a large cloud of smoke. As if everyone around him is moving in slow motion he takes another long draw of pipe and takes it from his mouth then spins in a full circle parrying all of the swords while blowing smoke out. From the big cloud above him and the circle of smoke around him he thrusts the pipe into the cloud above him and starts dancing with it as if it were a sword blocking, parrying, pirouettes, and hitting the men with it. The smoke follows the pipe while he dances around with it and once he has finally disarmed the last man the smoke resembles a lotus flower on top of a yin yang. One of the men runs backwards in terror.

“That’s the infinite sword dance technique! It’s impossible to master and I’ve witnessed it this day, being done with an old pipe of all things!” The man stumbles and falls to the floor and hurries to try to get up and run away. The other men lay on the floor trembling and groaning while Zee walks outside and sees Ezma still sitting on Vesper but looking at her book.

“I have received the location of a few inns here in town so we are going to start trying to find vacancies. First is next door at Chong Mu, then Tsui Inn at the west, if we can not find anything there we will try the Golden Panda to the east,” he says picking Ezma up off Vesper.

“What if we don’t find a room to stay in?” Ezma says partially worried.

“The barkeep told me of a last resort place but I am hoping not to have to go there,” he says putting the bottle of liquor in the saddle bag.

“Hey what is that? Is that more of that goat milk stuff from this morning?” She says with her mouth watering.

“No this is stuff for me to drink, you are too young to be drinking this,” he says rubbing the top of her head. She grabs his hand and follows him to the inn next door. They walk through the door and a bell chimes.

“Good day to you! We have no vacancies but our restaurant is open!” A large short lady yells in a loud screeching annoying voice from the counter.

“Eww, that fat lady has a weird voice,” Ezma says pointing at her. Zee nudges her then bows to the lady and walks back out of the inn the bell chiming again.

“Cheap bastard foreign devil! We don’t serve your kind here anyways!” The large woman screams angrily.

“Listen here fat a*s! I will kick your a...” Ezma yells with Zee jerking on her arm pulling her outside.

“No need to cause a scene,” Zee says dragging her over to Vesper.

“But that fat b***h called you a bad name! It’s insulting! Don’t you have pride?” Ezma retorts dragging her feet.

“I do not lower my pride for someone who casts empty insults. Come on, we have two other places to check,” he says pulling her around and picks her up sitting her on Vesper. He unties the line and walks to the west side of the city. He looks around for a sign with the name Tsui Inn and notices a general goods store at the end of the west road. He walks over to it and ties Vesper to one of the porch pillars, “do you want to come in here with me?” He asks holding his hand up to Ezma. She sits there for a moment looking at the store.

“What is this kind of store?” She asks pointing at the sign that has ‘General Goods’ in big mandarin letters.

“It is a general store, meaning that they have an assortment of wares that you will never know what is in one until you go in and have a look around,” he says shaking his hand impatiently. She takes his hand and slides off Vesper thinking Zee will catch her in his arms but she lands on the ground and falls down.

“Hey?!” She says rubbing her buttocks.

“What is it? Why are you on the ground?” Zee says looking down at her.

“You were supposed to catch me in your arms and then put me down gently like a gentleman,” she says standing up slapping his hand away.

“I am sorry, I assumed you were old enough to get off of a horse on your own. Next time I will treat you as a child then, alright?” He says sarcastically.

“No! I don’t want to treated like a child! I want you to see me as an adult girl!” She says pouting. Zee smiles and holds his hand out again to her, she grabs it and they walk into the store. When they walk inside, they both start looking around at the different wares around the store. Zee notices an entire wall full of jars of tobacco and his eyes light up with glee. Ezma spots a wooden box full of different kinds of books and runs over to it. She rummages through the books looking for one that has blank pages like a journal. She finds a book that has English letters in it and puts it aside. Close to the bottom of a stack of old torn up books she notices a leather bound book. She pulls it out trying not to knock the stack over but it falls anyways. She looks around and notices an old short woman with gray hair standing at the main counter staring at her. She smiles nervously and puts the books back in a stack. She unwraps the leather ties and opens the book to see that all of the pages are blank except the last one which has an odd symbol sketched on it. She studies it for a moment then closes the book and wraps the ties back around it and sits in on top of the other book she set aside. She continues browsing through the books while Zee admires all of the different flavors of tobacco.

“Ma’am, I was wondering if you had some medicines and a mortar and pestile. I also would like to buy some tobacco but I do not recognize one of these flavors,” Zee says pointing to a jar that has the letters, JaHoCiMint written on the label. The old woman walks over to Zee with her hand running across the counter.

“Which one is it young man?” The woman says in a raspy breathy voice. Zee points at the jar of tobacco again and then realizes the woman is blind.

“My mistake miss, I did not realize that you are blind. I am standing here pointing at the jar like a fool and I am ashamed. I cannot help but to laugh at myself though,” he says laughing and the woman joins him.

“It is okay, you have nothing to feel ashamed about. You would never guess how many people come in here assuming I can see and act that way. Then when they notice I am blind they think they can steal from me,” she reaches into her pocket then quickly throws a blade into the top of the door frame where a circle is carved, “but they soon realize I am not completely useless,” she smiles and laughs.

“Very skillful,” Zee says smiling, “although you cannot see my face, I am impressed and I am not easily impressed,” he laughs, “the jar says JaHoCiMint? I have never heard of that flavor,” he says almost raising his hand to point again and stops himself.

“You were about to point at it again weren’t you? You can’t lie to me, my ears, feet, and hands can feel the vibrations of everything around me, my nose can smell emotions such as guilt and shame,” she says feeling her way up the shelves and grabs the jar off sitting it on the counter in front of Zee, “come closer, let’s have a look at you if you don’t mind,” she says waving at him to bend over to her. Zee removes his glasses and hat then bends over the counter towards the woman. She reaches up and feels of his face, “hmm, your eyes are not like human eyes, you’ve seen more battles than any soldier, hmm,” she pauses tracing his scar with her fingers, “you’ve been wandering your entire life and what’s this?” She says quickly withdrawing her hands, her face in fright.

“What is it? Do I have blemishes or moles?” He says freaking out for a moment.

“No child, you are cursed!” She says her eyes looking at him as if she could see clearly, “you will have to slay your own flesh and blood to end this curse, this will come at a terrible price,” she whispers to him.

“Slay my own flesh and blood?” He whispers rising up with one eyebrow raised.

“Ah yes, your memory is gone as well, poor thing. I assume that you’re looking to spend the night in town with your lover no?” She says smiling.

“She is not my lover we are just traveling together because she...”

“She saved your life, I was making a joke no need for serious thoughts,” she says chuckling, “Tsui Inn has no vacancy but you might try the Golden Panda at the east end of town. Just mind your wallets if you go there,” she laughs still. Zee opens up the jar of tobacco inhaling slowly through his nose. He keeps sampling the smell of it for a few moments taking deep breaths of the alluring aroma.

“Are you going to buy some? Or are you going to keep huffing my tobacco? Huh? Haha, you are probably the only person that’s ever chosen that jar because the particular smell is different. It’s my own homemade recipe. I crafted this tobacco using jasmine, honeysuckle, cinnamon, and mint and dried it in the sun.”

“It has a beautiful aroma that is unique and absolutely wonderful. I would buy the entire jar if I had a way of carrying it,” he says pulling his tobacco pouch out of the chest pocket. The old woman opens a panel on the back of the counter taking a large white leather satchel and sets on the counter.

“Here you go, fill this up and I will go get you some medicine and something better than a mortar and pestle,” she says laying a large pouch on the counter.

“I have my own pouch ma’am,” Zee says filling his pouch up with as much as he can packing it tightly.

“Do not backtalk me young man!” She retorts and walks to the back room. Zee laughs picking up the satchel she laid out and fills it up as well. Ezma walks up to the counter carrying four books with the leather journal on top.

“Can we get these? They have the English words you showed me in my duck book and the leather one is like yours for when I learn how to write. I can record my thoughts and days in it like you do,” she says smiling. Zee grabs the stack of books from her and sits them on the counter. The old woman walks back to the front carrying a large cloth wrapped wooden box with a smaller circular metal box on top of it.

“Here, we have a collection of different herbs and even a couple of ginseng roots,” she says sitting it on the counter next to the books.

“What is the metal box for?” Ezma says watching Zee pick it up opening it revealing razor sharp spikes on the top and bottom.

“It’s called a grinder, the top spikes are razor sharp and the bottom ones are designed to rub slightly against the top when you twist it. Then once you’ve ground up your herbs you screw the bottom part in half and remove your newly ground herbs,” the old woman smiles making the motions of using the grinder.

“Oh! How useful, it is much more convenient than having to chew them,” Zee says playing with the grinder. The old woman feels of the books and then feels around for the jar. She picks it up after finding it and sits it back on the shelf in the same spot it was before without mistake, “how much for everything?” He asks reaching into his coin purse.

“Let’s see, you have...” she listens carefully to the jingle of the coins in his pouch, “I would guess, one hundred and twenty eight gold pieces in that pouch. So just pay me what you want. It doesn’t matter to me either way because I’ve enjoyed your company,” she says smiling.

“Whoa, how does she know that? Is she right Zee?” Ezma says in amazement.

“Yes she is correct, and she has the gift of ultra sensory,” he says pulling out five golden pieces and then pulls out three more trying to not make a sound.

“Ultra what?” Ezma says watching Zee carefully putting the three pieces on the counter not making any sound at all.

“I am blind young lady, and I am very old so I have had a long time to train my other senses, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. With my other senses I can see just as clearly as you,” she says laughing, “you’re paying me eight gold pieces? Why? So that the count of your purse will be even? Such a nasty habit,” she laughs again.

“Thank you ma’am, I am glad to have met you today,” Zee says bowing to her, the old woman bows back to him. He picks up everything and walks out of the store. Ezma quickly bows to her and whispers thank you before following Zee outside. He sets everything on Vespers back then puts the books into the saddle bag. He unwraps the box of herbs and revels in how well organized it is. He runs his fingers across the top of the slots realizing every herb has a label. He pulls on the two tabs in the middle and the trays fold out revealing a network of different slots and shelves inside the box. He takes the grinder and slides it into a circular indention on the interior side of the lid. He notices a wooden latch on a swivel beside the hole and a hook on the other side. He spins the latch until it rests in the hook then he closes the lid and opens it back up checking to see if the grinder is still in the indention blocked by the wooden latch. Then he reaches into the saddle bag and pulls out the herbs he picked in the forest unwrapping the cloth off of them. He puts each one in with the others of their kind in neat stacks. He closes the lid and wraps the cloth around it. He takes one of the leather straps hanging from the saddle and secures the box as tightly as possible. He reaches into his courier bag and pulls out a beautifully decorated scroll capsule that has levers, switches, and the rings along each end. He pulls a lever until it clicks then spins the rings listening to how they click with each turn.

“Hey, where did you get that? I don’t remember you buying that,” Ezma says pointing at the scroll in his hand.

“I do not remember. I just know that I had it when I woke up,” he says looking at it curiously. He pushes the lever back down then puts it back in the bag then pulls out a piece of paper. He pulls the quill out of his hat and wets it with his tongue then writes down a list of all their belongings from both saddle bags, the box of herbs, and in both of his bags.

“Hey, do you think I can get a bag like yours?” Ezma says playing with his messenger bag.

“I do not see why not, then you can carry your belongings with you and not have to ask me for them,” he says smiling at her. He finishes his list and folds the paper neatly sticking it under the inseam of his hat. He sticks the quill back in the band of the hat and unties Vesper, “we can look for one while we walk to the Golden Panda what do you say?” He says walking towards the east. Ezma nods and grabs his hand following him. The suns light slowly starts to disappear as it sets and the lamp lighters are combing the streets lighting up all of the lamps giving life back to the darkened city. They pass by several stores and vendors seeking various wares and items and they both look up to see the Golden Panda at the end of the street. It is a large building at seven stories tall and three blocks wide with almost the whole surface painted gold, some accented red parts to add vibrancy. They both wince at it while even still wearing sunglasses.

“Why is it so bright?” Ezma says covering her eyes.

“It probably has electric lights pointed in different directions to draw attention,” Zee says looking back down.

“Are you sure you want to go there? The closer we get the louder it seems to be, we won’t get any sleep if there’s so much light and noise,” Ezma says doubtingly.

“I understand but we should try to see if they have vacancy,” he says doing his best to avoid looking at the building. Vesper starts resisting and jumping up being annoyed by the absurd light and noise of the building. He stops a couple of blocks away and turns around, “yeah okay, I can see what you mean. Even Vesper doesn’t want to go near the place,” he says loudly almost yelling at her.

“Let’s just go to the last place okay?” Ezma screams back at him. They turn back and start walking towards the center of the town and Zee notices a stall with bags hanging all over it.

“Ezma! Over here,” he says pulling Vesper over to the stall while Ezma follows behind him. They both look at all of the bags, “do you see one you like?” He asks looking at some of the feminine styles.

“I think I found one,” she says from the other side of the stall. She picks it up and carries it over to Zee, “see? It’s leather like yours but it has a pretty bird on it,” she hands it to Zee. He studies it all over and then hands it back to her.

“That is a Phoenix, it stands for rebirth,” he says smiling then looks around the stall for a vendor but does not see anyone watching it. He pulls a piece of paper out of his bag and the quill from his hat writing a note. He pulls two gold pieces from his purse and puts them on the note then grabs Vespers line and starts walking again. Ezma puts the strap around her, over her head and then grabs Zee’s hand walking proudly next to him.

“I feel special now that I have a bag like yours,” she says happily, “but don’t you think we should get a weapon, like a knife or sword for protection? Or you could teach me to fight you know,” she says laughing.

“It actually would not hurt for you to have a small weapon for self defense. But I would never teach anyone to fight, only to preserve peace,” he says keeping his attention on the road. They arrive at the center of the town and turn right heading north. Zee notices several weapon vendors on their path to Madame Chan’s, some with guns, some with fake weapons, and some with foreign weapons. He stops at one that has very unusual looking blades to take a look around.

“May I interest you in one of my fine hand made blades?” The vendor asks standing up from his chair. Zee looks them noticing that whoever made these had a unique style of folding his metal, “most of these are Damascus steel and they are all razor sharp!” The man says hoping to make a sale. Zee picks up a dagger with a braided rope handle. The blade is curved like an eagle’s talon and the hilt has a ring made into it for a finger to fit in, “ah, I believe the westerners call this a karambit, it was hand made right here behind me by my father,” the vendor points behind him. Zee continues to browse noticing a set of ten throwing knives with rings on the hilts and the handles are wrapped in blue and purple thread. They are displayed on top of a dark leather bandolier shoulder harness that has two special made knives tucked in the holster. He takes one of the special made knives out of the holster and studies it, “those are called Kunai, and my father learned how to make them from a Japanese man. The two that are in the holster have a crescent shape pointed to the tip and they have maple wood handles.”

“What is the purpose of the ring on the hilt?” Zee curiously studies the kunai.

“The rings are there for your finger. Same with the karambit, and I will sell the karambit with the kunai as a set for a great price!” The vendor smiles shakily. Zee puts the kunai back in the harness then hands them over to the vendor to load them into the bandolier. He continues to browse out of curiosity and notices a dagger that has a sapphire in the hilt and on each side of the guard, the ebony sheath is gilded with silver and has sapphires on each side of the tip end. He picks it up pulling the sheath off and notices the blade is a sharpened blue crystal. There is a silver chain hooked to the sheath on both sides and it has a wolf tooth pendant hanging from the chain.

“How much for this and the kunai set with the karambit?” Zee asks in a hurried tone.

“Oh hohoho, I’m not supposed to sell the crystal dagger, but I can sell this set for ten silver pieces,” the vendor says smiling with his hand out to retrieve the dagger. Zee reaches into his coin purse and pulls out twenty gold pieces and puts it in the vendors hand.

“Thank you!” He says bowing and grabbing the bandolier full of kunai with the karambit sitting on top then walks away.

“Hey! I said I can’t sell the...” he looks in his hand and sees all the gold, “never mind! You have a good night!” He waves at them. Zee puts the dagger in his waist band then holds the bandolier up to see how it would fit. He notices that it would reach across the chest diagonally with another strap connecting the middle section reaching under the arm to the back of it. He unbuckles the side strap pulling the extra holster off of it then buckles it back up putting it into the saddle bag. He puts the karambit into the holster then turns to Ezma grabbing the front of her pants and unties the sash holding them up. She blushes bright red standing there eyes wide.