Sixteen - Midnight sun

The city is alive.

Very alive!

Emotion and movement in every corner. A lot of people. Coming and going. A big, bustling city. Busy. Cramped. Aimless, yet everything falling into place at the same time. Every light is on. It is nighttime but it does not look like anyone is planning to sleep.

Time to explore.

Looks similar to the Capital a little bit.

But the people at the Capital are always looking down. Covered from head to toe to protect from the rain. Sad and gloomy.

Here everyone is excited, colorful and vivid.

I am heading to the Tavern of Thousand Dragons. Apparently a very famous place here. I was told that there was the meeting point for the rebels. But it looks like the whole city is meeting there. Even the cold could not drive people away. They remain happy and lively—drinking, laughing, shouting, fighting, and making up.

So many shops, taverns, inns, restaurants, and establishments open and bustling, even at night. People in the streets—coming and going, enjoying themselves.

I arrived at the Thousand Dragons. It is so full of people I can barely get in. Everyone is dancing and partying.

Loud.

Very loud.

People are drunk and singing.

A full celebration.

All of this reminds me a lot of when we had parties in WayDek.

Grandma loved parties.

My mother a little bit less.

I never think this amount of people could celebrate at the same time. Just the tavern alone is more people partying together than any festival we had back home.

Things were more dispersed.

I do not even know how this many people fit in such place.

I squeeze my way along until I reach the bar.

“You are not from here? Have you just arrived?”

I nod. “I am bit surprised with so many people. What are they celebrating?”

“It is like this every night. We are not even at full capacity yet.”

I was very surprised. How this is not full? How can you fit more people here?

“What brought you to the mountains?”

“I was sent here. Recruited by my friend. He said people like me were needed here. So I came to help.”

“Does it look like we need help?”

I shake my hand saying no.

“Do not be discouraged. I know what you mean. But tonight is not the time. You should drink something.”

“I have never drunk anything.”

He looks surprised.

Like I am challenging him.

I was not.

He put a drink on top of the bar.

“On the house.”

He left to attend to other costumers.

I kept looking down at the beverage.

A gold liquid.

I was too young to drink back at home. And during my training, my master said not to drink or take any substance.

I can not let my mind be cloudy.

I can never be distracted from the fight.

But one sip will not hurt.

Right?

I wake up on the floor.

Everything is spinning.

I feel head so heavy.

I have no strength to leave the floor.

The light hurts so much.

What happened?

The bartender now is cleaning the place.

“You finally woke up. You had fun, huh?”

I am very confused.

Did some wild animal stomped on me?

I stand up struggling for my life.

My stomach tries to get rid of something.

I swallowed back.

Tastes awful.

“For your first time, you sure had a lot of fun.”

What just happened? Where are my things?

I lose balance.

I stumble myself to the nearest chair.

“Your things are behind the bar. Do not worry.”

I try to calm myself down.

Breath.

Breath.

Focus.

“Hey. My name is Kasamba. Welcome to Fojstar. You should go rest, young one. My friend has a hostel down the street. We can talk later today.”

I just follow.

I wash myself.

Change clothes to something more comfortable they gave me.

I lay in the bed.

The girl that worked here also sent some food to help me recover. My stomach does not accepted the food very willingly but I ate something either way.

By the gods. Why am I so tired? I will never drink again. My master was right.