They had put a token effort into searching for the book – a wanted notice in all the places that mattered, questions asked uselessly of their few friends in the area. But once the sun started setting, and all the night creatures of Jorn filled the streets, the books were the last thing on Leonas and Anjanette’s minds.
“Guys, maybe I should stay here and guard them,” Milly said.
“Don’t be such a killjoy!” Anjanette said. “You are coming out with me and you are getting laid. Period.” Milly flushed.
The Hekan jazz music filled the streets, dozens of performers claiming their space. Jorn had little use for buildings, instead bartenders set up stands on the sidewalk and sold their spirits to the revelers that danced and grinded in the middle of the road. Drug dealers set up shop next to the bartenders, and other than the product served they appeared identical. Prostitutes of every rank, description, even sex and race clung to street corners in clumps. They smoked and yelled suggestively at passerbyes, chattering amongst themselves like old wives.
“Isn’t this great?” Anjanette asked. “Hey, is that a cephalod whore over there? Don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those.”
Leonas walked up to one of the dealer’s counters. “One vial of spellsauce, please.”
“Four gold, pelase,” said the dealer, a pretty young blonde woman.
“Highway robbery, is what it is,” said Leonas, but paid for it anyway. “Anj, I got some sauce.”
Anjanette grinned and walked over to Leonas, dragging Milly by the arm behind her. “You have to try this stuff Milly. It’ll rock your world.”
“Um, no thanks, I don’t do drugs – I mean, no offense or anything, just not my thing.”
“Aw come on, give it a try.”
“I think my world is fine enough being un-rocked, thanks.”
Anjanette would not quit. “Come on, Milly. You’re all about pursuit of knowledge right? Why not learn about ‘sauce?”
“Well, maybe...” Milly said. Leonas was watching the whole exchange with a big grin.
“Exactly.” Anjanette handed Milly the small vial. “Give it a shot.”
Milly scrunched up her eyes, rallied her courage, and took a gulp from the vial.
Anjanette immediately snatched it out of her hands. “Woah woah woah! You’re only supposed to take, like, a drop!”
Milly shrugged. “I feel fiiiine.” She then immediately collapsed, eyes wide open, shuddering.
Anjanette just sighed. “Leo, can you help me out with this? We need to make sure she doesn’t, like, die or something.”
“Yeah yeah,” said Leonas. He lifted up Milly. All of her body parts were moving at once, independent of each other. Tired of falling in line they were just doing their own thing. Muscles shuddered, fingers and toes clenched, her eyelids beat rapidly and her teeth chattered angrily. Leonas pried open Milly’s mouth, to stop her from biting her own tongue. For a second he looked down into her eyes, glassy plates that seemed to reflect infinity back.
“Hey!” Anjanette yelled to the dealer. “She had too much!”
The dealer shrugged. “Not my fault. Take her to a clinic, I guess.”
“Go fuck yourself” Anjanette said. The dealer just laughed. She picked up Milly’s spasming legs, and together she and Leonas carried her through the streets, looking for aid.
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Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Chapter 9-2
Thrnjorn, or “Jorn” to everyone who lacked the ability to pronounce pure consonants, looked like something out of a picture book. Squeezed between lush green forest and the calm waves of the Bluewater Ocean, the city sat half on land and half built over the sea, a triumph of architecture that had never been duplicated. All of the streets and the old building were white marble, newer brick buildings sticking out like a sore thumb. Heka had been the crown jewel of an empire long ago, built at enormous personal expense. After ten years, when the last block of ivory was put into place, the empire had gone bankrupt and disintegrated into wartorn nations. The builders shrugged and decided to live in their imperial city.
And of course, from that city had spawned Heka, a country whose name was only ever spat or loftily whispered. When the trio had made their way into the city there were no guards to question them. They were, however, briefly accosted by a group of prostitutes hawking their services like one of Nariev’s merchants. They did not restrict their offers to Leonas.
“Ah, this is the life,” said Anjanette. Her face was nearly split with a grin. “Milly, we are partying here tonight, and you are coming. Anyone who goes to Jorn and spends the whole time on business is not someone I want in my life.”
“I don’t know... last time...”
“Hey Anj, you ever wonder what Milly would be like hopped up on spellsauce?” said Leonas.
Anjanette laughed. “Leonas, it’s times like these I remember why you’re the brains of the operation.”
Milly shivered. “Um... do I have to?”
Anjanette and Leonas just grinned wickedly.
* * *
Valgard was sitting in his hotel room stoically, staring out the window. The sun was setting on the beaches of Jorn. “So after all that, we still have no leads?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not, my liege,” said Lloyd. “It would appear that the local government we have met with is... less than aware of what goes on in their city. As is the press. And needless to say, we have few contacts in the underworld.”
Valgard tapped his heel against the floor impertinently. “And have you heard anything about those thieves?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Valgard frowned, he still held that one against himself. The conmen’s trail had disappeared, and nobody had seen them... or would admit to seeing them, at least. They had gone to Jorn out of frustration, to at least attempt to find one of the tomes, and hoping that would bait their enemies into showing themselves. Of course, that relied on them finding the damn thing.
“I believe that less savoury means may be necessary,” said Valgard.
“But sir,” said Lloyd. “Not that I question your judgment, but we must not cross the codes of honour and nobility in this quest. The ends do not justify the means.”
“Of course not. But if we immersed ourselves in this underworld a little, we would stand a better chance of gaining the information we need. Of course, we won’t actually do anything illegal.”
Lloyd was shining his sword idly, and his tempo increased. Still, he nodded. “I believe I understand.”
“And then afterward we can seek justice for this city,” Valgard said.
“I fear this city may be beyond saving.”
“I refuse to accept ‘beyond saving’. Now get your casual clothes, we must appear as slovenly as possible.”
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And of course, from that city had spawned Heka, a country whose name was only ever spat or loftily whispered. When the trio had made their way into the city there were no guards to question them. They were, however, briefly accosted by a group of prostitutes hawking their services like one of Nariev’s merchants. They did not restrict their offers to Leonas.
“Ah, this is the life,” said Anjanette. Her face was nearly split with a grin. “Milly, we are partying here tonight, and you are coming. Anyone who goes to Jorn and spends the whole time on business is not someone I want in my life.”
“I don’t know... last time...”
“Hey Anj, you ever wonder what Milly would be like hopped up on spellsauce?” said Leonas.
Anjanette laughed. “Leonas, it’s times like these I remember why you’re the brains of the operation.”
Milly shivered. “Um... do I have to?”
Anjanette and Leonas just grinned wickedly.
* * *
Valgard was sitting in his hotel room stoically, staring out the window. The sun was setting on the beaches of Jorn. “So after all that, we still have no leads?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not, my liege,” said Lloyd. “It would appear that the local government we have met with is... less than aware of what goes on in their city. As is the press. And needless to say, we have few contacts in the underworld.”
Valgard tapped his heel against the floor impertinently. “And have you heard anything about those thieves?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Valgard frowned, he still held that one against himself. The conmen’s trail had disappeared, and nobody had seen them... or would admit to seeing them, at least. They had gone to Jorn out of frustration, to at least attempt to find one of the tomes, and hoping that would bait their enemies into showing themselves. Of course, that relied on them finding the damn thing.
“I believe that less savoury means may be necessary,” said Valgard.
“But sir,” said Lloyd. “Not that I question your judgment, but we must not cross the codes of honour and nobility in this quest. The ends do not justify the means.”
“Of course not. But if we immersed ourselves in this underworld a little, we would stand a better chance of gaining the information we need. Of course, we won’t actually do anything illegal.”
Lloyd was shining his sword idly, and his tempo increased. Still, he nodded. “I believe I understand.”
“And then afterward we can seek justice for this city,” Valgard said.
“I fear this city may be beyond saving.”
“I refuse to accept ‘beyond saving’. Now get your casual clothes, we must appear as slovenly as possible.”
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