Flooded city

– I knew it. But here I am, so I stole money from a spice merchant from the stampede while he was sleeping. I made my way to him at night. He is a famous merchant, he has a lot of money. Don’t worry, I didn’t kill the owner. Well, today for sure. But he saw me and began to call the guards. So I give it a try. He fled the city without looking back. I see the cave is empty. I looked with my night vision, empty. Let me think, I’ll wait. And then you know for yourself.

I just nodded, and we went to the entrance to the cave. I filled up the tunnel. The fire was still burning. He took out a piece of bread, broke it off, and gave half to Sofa. He ate it greedily. He also gave away his piece. I didn’t want to eat anymore. He gladly accepted it. And he’s cute when he eats. Wags his tail. Using magic, he created two sleeping places, placed a guard golem and went to bed. The sight of my abilities delighted him. He’s probably thinking about how to steal something with them. What a long day it is today.

Woke up to a delicious smell. He opened his eyes. My partner is frying fish on a fire. Caught it in a nearby river. I patched up my clothes and washed them.

– Are you awake. Get up, wash your face and eat. The fish will be cooked soon. Let’s have some food and discuss where to go next? What to do? How to live?

I nodded. I went to the river and washed myself. The water is icy. How good. While I was washing, I was thinking what should I do. There aren’t many options. You can’t go home, they won’t let you in. So you need to go to the adventurers guild. There is always a lot of work there. We’ll manage somehow with my knowledge. Moreover, I am not alone. Even though we are not friends. He’s not bad as a partner. I tested his abilities yesterday. Thief status. Abilities include blades of speed, shadow, and nimble fingers. The name alone made my head spin. I once rented one of these in a brothel. I couldn’t walk straight for two days. Nimble fingers. Special skills dance of divine blades. A rare gift. Can cause damage without receiving it for a short time. Almost immortality, albeit temporarily. I returned to his cave. Dispelled the golem. He did a good job last night. Three corpses of magical jackals lay near the entrance. He put them in the void. Selling at the guild. Maybe I’ll raise my rank. I’ll use the money for equipment. I need a staff. What kind of magician am I without him? Your partner will have newer blades and more modest clothing. Otherwise I might attack. I’ll let you know. We need to give him a hint about this later.

– Sit down. So I prepared the place.

He scooped up two piles of leaves from nearby trees. Sit softly upright, like on a feather bed. Nimble fingers. We started eating. He was well-mannered and ate carefully, even aristocratically. Bandits don’t eat like that. You need to learn this from childhood. And not everyone succeeds. There were cases where children of aristocrats were kicked out of their homes due to bad behavior. Is he one of those kids? They often ended up in various gangs or brothels.

– You are also an aristocrat, as I see. – I said, seeing how he began to shake his head. – Don’t argue, I see. Tell the truth, now we will always be together. There shouldn’t be any secrets. I will accept you anyone.

– Yes, I am the son of a lord. But from a very distant country in eastern Malawi. It will take at least two years to go there. They kidnapped me five years ago. But you see, they didn’t return it. Dad died of boredom and did not pay the ransom. And I had no other relatives. They held it like a toy. They tortured me in every way. I went through everything. Then their leader changed and they made me a bandit. I learned to be a thief from them. But I miss home. I should go to my father’s grave. Maybe my title has survived well. That’s why he saved money by plundering, but it’s clear that now it’s not his destiny to visit his homeland.

The face became sad. Tears began to flow. This is where the hatred for everyone comes from. He’s seen a lot of bad things. That’s why he became so angry. I patted him on the shoulder as if he were my equal. This calmed him down.

– I don’t mean you. I will protect you from everything. And you me too. – I said laughing.

– So what are we going to do next? – Soph brushed away tear after tear. But he was determined to move on.

– I think you should join the adventurers guild. To the city of Temyan, it is several hours away. The work is not dusty and there will be plenty of money. You can buy a house. Or for rent. We’ll put your six gold into the guild’s account. Total score.

– As you say, master. But maybe we’ll also steal a little. By a little. Your spells are so wonderful. This golem can break through a wall. There is no need to fiddle with the lock. – The thief looked at my hands in the white gloves of a magician. “Your spells are so useful.” Just rob with them. You magicians are so strong. I have very little magic. There is not enough mana to cast spells. I’m better with swords and blades, bows and crossbows. But I always wanted to become a magician. But apparently it’s not fate.

– We won’t steal. We must live honestly. He wanted to go to prison. Can I teach you how to cast magic?

– So what do you ask in return? I know your tricks. You won’t get anything. – He bared his white teeth. The tail ruffled. He placed his hands on top of the two black daggers that hung from her belt.

– You are my partner. I won’t take anything in return. You swore an oath of allegiance to me. I can’t harm you, just like you can’t harm me. “How could he forget the basic rules of such vows?”

– Yes its true. “He was so happy that he went to hug her.” Then he came to his senses and sat down in his place with a red face.

– Let’s agree right away. I won’t pester you. But you will learn to trust me completely. No tricks. Fine. – You need to be gentle with him. Although he wants to seem strong, he is very vulnerable.

He nodded.

“They don’t know me in the city of Thyme.” Maybe your idea with a guild will work.

We finished the fish. The fire was put out. We packed our things and went on a trip. What will they be like? Time will tell.

Chapter 2 New City

I love to travel. The road has always attracted me to adventure. Although I never went far from the academy. I was in the city of Temyan once and that was at night. I saw off the lady. The wife of a local baron. The lady is young, her husband is not there. Then he ran away in one sock. Maybe he forgot me. I’ll hope so. It’s already been a year.

– The road is wonderful, isn’t it, master? – Said the cheerful Soph. A full stomach and clean air work wonders.

– Stop talking, master. Even though you swore an oath to me, call me by name. I don’t call you servant all the time. It would be unpleasant for you.

– Mikhail understood.

– That’s fine.

Then we walked to the city well and happily. He sang songs and purred. It’s a pity I didn’t let him pet his ears and tail. And I wanted it that way. I taught him spells. But he had no success in them.

This is the city of Thyme. It looks like an ordinary town. The province is not even close to the city with the Rua Academy. There is only a guild and a small estate of the baron. Five streets and one not-so-clean brand with a hotel. You will have to spend the night there with bedbugs. Well, at least I know the magic of getting rid of them. Thanks to my teachers.

The city welcomed us cordially. The smell of fresh baked goods, shopping arcades with fresh vegetables and fruits. And also two dirty guards at the gate.

– Who are they? – Said a guard in her forties with a wart on her nose. Her wart hung down to her mouth. How can she live with her? There were traces of a recent breakfast of a sandwich with dried lamb and kvass.

– We are wanderers from distant places. We want to go to the guild. Maybe we’ll become adventurers. – Said the cheerful Soph, making eyes at both guards. Apparently she has done this more than once, she has experience.

– Let the cutie kitten pass. He won’t harm us anyway. I’ll look at the boy myself. – Said the second guard, about twenty. Without a wart and quite cute, you can see the senior one on the shift. She looked me over casually. I saw the magician’s gloves and asked a question. – A magician or what? – I nodded. – I don’t like your tribe. You all wield staves. No, to take swords or axes like normal warriors. Ugh. -Where is your staff? Did you drink it?

– No, I lost it. – I said, although I never had a staff. I already have a lot of magic with magic gloves, a family heirloom from my heroic grandfather, a hero of the war with dragons about a hundred years ago. One merchant wanted to buy it from me, even offered one hundred gold pieces, but I refused. Family honor is more important. And in them the magic turns out to be strong, and they spend little manna.

“You magicians always have problems with you.” – She spat disgustingly. – Will you write a missing person’s report? The thing must have been expensive. Judging by your clothes. You are a mid-level magician at least.

– No, there will be no statement. Dropped it into the river. And you will know that I am a magician of the highest level.

– Yes, at least imperial. Pay in gold and come in. – Said the lady with the wart. Apparently she was bored with the conversation. She smiled sweetly at Soph

– Three silver ones? – Said the thief. My friend has kind and gentle voices that have melted more than one heart.

– Five silver and go ahead. – Said the guard without a wart.

I reached out and gave the money out of the void. You won’t even be allowed into the city without money. Although officially everyone is allowed into the city without paying. But I wouldn’t argue with the guards. I don’t want to go to prison for resisting.

Although the guards spoiled my mood, the city lifted it. The beautiful ladies were dizzy. And after passing the local brothel, I indulged in memories, but Soph quickly cooled me off with a blow to the head and we moved on.

Here’s the guild. The same as I remember her. But last time they didn’t let me in. Entry is only for those over eighteen. Those are stupid rules. But today I got in without any problems. The guard at the gate only looked at us disdainfully, without saying a word. There are always a lot of rabble hanging around here. Inside, as always in such places, it was crowded. Someone drank dark kvass, someone played with dice or cards. About twenty people stood near the wall with tasks. Three reception desks. I went to the most beautiful lady who was available. She turned out to be a nice lady Cyclops. She smiled when she saw me. But when I noticed a thief next to me, my ardor diminished. I should at least draw a sign for this cat saying that he is only my friend. Otherwise I will have problems with my personal life.

– Hello, the most beautiful creature in the world. “I said, smiling. The lady immediately covered herself with paint. “I’m with my partner, we’re just friends.” – I emphasized noticing the interest not only of the receptionist, but also of the ladies at the next table. Fine. – We want to register in the guild. I also have things for sale. Skins and bodies.

– Yes, he and I don’t date, I’m dating for ladies. – Soph smiled at the Cyclops. – For little buds like you.

– Oh. I’m so pleased with this. The guild always needs new people. I am your curator Bai – Her cheeks were literally glowing. – Fill out these forms. We will accept the goods in the yard after receiving the documents.

I took the form and began to fill it out. Filled it out quickly. Noticing that my companion did not fill it out, but only twirled it in his hand, without understanding.

– You can’t write? – I asked quietly.

– Read too. Who will teach me the local language in the bandit camp? But my native language is not used here.

I nodded, took the form from him, asked questions and wrote answers. Editing the content a bit. He turned out to be such a foul-mouthed person. Handed over the forms. Cyclops examined them carefully. She took out a large stone of “Truth” and we put our hands together. The receptionist compared the form with the inscription on the stone.