Рамиль Латыпов - Flooded city

«Sit down.» That’s the place I’ve prepared.

She threw two piles of leaves from the trees nearby. Sit softly, just like on a feather bed. Deft fingers. We started eating. She was well-mannered and ate carefully, even aristocratically. Thugs don’t eat like that. This should be learned from childhood. Even then, not everyone succeeds. There were cases when the children of aristocrats were kicked out of the house because of bad behavior. Is she one of them?

«You’re also an aristocrat, I see. I said as she started shaking her head. «Don’t argue, I can see that. Tell the truth, we’ll always be together now. There should be no secrets. I’ll take you anywhere.

«I’m a lord’s daughter. But from a very distant country in the east of Malawi. Go there for at least two years. They stole me, five years ago. But you see, they didn’t return it. Papa died of melancholy, and did not pay the ransom. I had no other relatives. Held like a toy. Tormented in any way. Passed everything. Then they changed their leader and made me a bandit. I learned to be a thief from them. But I miss home. I should go to my father’s grave.

His face was sad. The tears came. That’s why I hate men. They did a lot of bad things to her. So she became like this. I patted him on the shoulder as if he were my equal. It reassured her.

«I won’t let you down. I will protect you from everything. And you love me, too. I said, laughing.

«So what do we do next?» Sofya wiped away tear after tear. But she was determined to go on.

«I think we should go to the Adventurer’s guild. The city of Temjan is only a few 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 coins in the guild account. Shared account.

«As you say, master.» But maybe we’ll also steal a little. Just a little bit at a time. Here are your spells, how wonderful they are. This golem can break through a wall. There’s no need to mess with the lock. The thief looked down at my white-gloved hands. – You don’t use such spells. Just rob with them. You mages are so strong. I have very little magic. There isn’t enough mana for spells. I’m better with swords and blades, bows and crossbows. But I always wanted to be a magician. But apparently not fate.

«We won’t steal. You have to live honestly. I wanted to go to jail. Can I teach you how to do magic?»

«So what do you ask in return?» I know your manly tricks. You won’t get anything. She bared her white teeth. His tail ruffled. She placed her hands on top of the two black daggers at her waist.

«You’re my partner. I won’t take anything in return. You swore an oath of loyalty to me. I can’t hurt you any more than you can hurt me. «How could she forget the basic rules of such vows?»

«Yes, it’s true. «She was so happy that she went to hug herself. Then she came to her senses and sat down in her seat with a red face.

«Let’s make a deal right away. I’m not picking on you. But you will learn to trust me completely. No tricks. Good. – We should go easy on her. Although she wants to appear strong, she is very vulnerable.

She nodded.

«They don’t know me in Thyme City. Maybe your idea of a guild will work.

We finished our fish. The fire was extinguished. We packed up and went on a trip. What they will be like. Time will tell you.

I love traveling. The road always beckoned me to adventure. I’ve never been far from the academy, though. I was in the city of Temyan once and that was at night. Saw off the lady. The wife of a local baron. The lady is young, her husband is not. Then I ran away in one sock. Maybe he’s forgotten me. I’ll hope so. It’s been a year now.

«It’s a wonderful road, isn’t it, master?» – Said the cheerful Sophia. A full stomach and clean air work wonders.

«Stop talking master. You may have sworn an oath to me, but call me by my first name. I don’t call you servant all the time. It would be unpleasant for you.

– Understood Mikhail.

«That’s fine.

Further to the city went well, fun. She sang songs, hummed. It’s a pity I didn’t let you pet my ears and tail. And so I wanted to. I taught her spells. But she had no success with them.

Here it is the city of Thyme. It looks like an ordinary town. The province is not even close to a city with an academy. There’s only a guild and a small baron’s estate. Five streets and one not-so-clean tavern with a hotel. You’ll have to spend the night there with the bedbugs. At least I know the magic that drives them away. Thank you to my teachers.

The city welcomed us cordially. The smell of fresh pastries, shopping malls with fresh vegetables and fruits. As well as the two dirty guards at the gate.

«Who are they?» The hairy guard said. His beard hung down to his navel. How can he just live with her? It showed traces of a recent breakfast of a sandwich with dried lamb and kvass.

«We are travelers from faraway places. We want to go to the guild. Maybe we’ll become adventurers. – Said the cheerful Sophia making eyes at both guards. Apparently, she did this more than once, there is experience.

«Skip the cute kitty.» She won’t hurt us anyway. I’ll look at the kid myself.“ The second guard said. Without a beard and clearly the oldest in the shift. He looked me over casually. I saw the magician’s gloves and asked a question. I nodded. „I don’t like your tribe. All of you wield staffs. No, to pick up swords or axes like normal warriors. Ugh. «Where’s your staff?» Did you drink it?

«I lost it,» I said, even though I’d never owned a staff. I already have a lot of magic with my magic gloves, a family heirloom from my heroic grandfather the dragon War hero about a hundred years ago. A merchant wanted to buy it from me, even offering me a hundred gold pieces, but I refused. Family honor is more precious. And in them, the magic turns out to be strong, but it spends little mana.

«You mages are always a problem. He spat nastily. – Are you going to file a missing person’s report?» The thing was probably expensive. Judging by your clothes. You are a mid-level mage at least.

– No, there will be no application. I dropped it in the river. And I will be known to you as a magician of the highest level.

«Even an imperial one. Pay gold and come in. The bearded man said. He must have been bored with the conversation.

«Three silvers?» The thief said. My friend is kind and affectionate.

«Five silver and come in.» The guard without a beard said.

I reached out and handed over the money from the void. They won’t even let you into the city without money. Although officially everyone is allowed to enter the city without paying. But I wouldn’t argue with the guards. I don’t want to go to prison for resisting.

Even though the guards had ruined my mood, the city had lifted it. The beautiful ladies were so giddy. And after passing the local brothel, I indulged in memories, but I was quickly cooled down by Sofia with a blow to the head and we went on.

Here’s the guild. Just as I remember it. But they wouldn’t let me in last time. Admission is only for those under the age of eighteen. These are stupid rules. But today I logged in without any problems. The guard at the gate only looked at us disdainfully, not saying a word. There’s always a lot of rabble hanging around. Inside, as always in such places, it was crowded. Some drank dark kvass, others played dice or cards. About twenty people were standing near the wall with their assignments. Three reception desks. I went to the most beautiful lady who was free. It turned out to be a nice lady cyclops. She smiled when she saw me. But noticing the thief next to me, the ardor subsided. You should at least draw a sign for this kitty that she’s not my lady. Otherwise, I will have problems with my personal life.