Bazaar of Sands

--Gatix--

“Aaah!”

“Where did-”

“What the hell is that?!”

Opening my eyes showed neither a reddish sky over a war-torn landscape nor lush blue-green woods with unknown plants. Sand filled the landscape, with tents, gazebos, parasols, and canopies interrupting the horizon. The absence of sunlight covered everything in darkness, with only a myriad of torches providing some illumination. I could hear sand scratching against my armor as a gale threatened to blow me over.

“I don't know, I've never seen one before.”

“Where did it come from?”

“Think it's dangerous?”

“No idea, but look at that thing it's holding.”

A closer look disproved my initial impression: it wasn't parasols surrounding me, but skin-walkers, covered head to toe in fabrics with goggles over their eyes. Close to a hundred from what I could count, and all their attention on me. Which would explain the five-meter clearing around me.

“Eh, hi.” A series of gasps echoed throughout the crowd, and I caught sight of a few stepping backward. The urge to yell “boo” was strong, but the kill count from such an action might be higher than I intended. “I come in peace.”

I could hear a century's worth of sci-fi entertainment laughing in my mind.

Everybody held their tongues, except for an elderly parasol who used a cane to creakily step forward. “Who are you, stranger?” The voice fitted the profile.

“I am a traveler from... very far away.”

“Why are you here?” A parasolite to his right asked.

“I'm on a quest for my... king.” Boss is going to love this.

“To do what?”

“My business is my own and will not interfere.” I re-clipped Scythe against my back. Best to look as non-threatening as possible. “I have one question before I go: what is the name of this town?”

“You are in the Bazaar of Aventil,” replied the elder. “About a weeks from Phonta if you travel as the halo sets.” He pointed his cane west to emphasize his point.

“Nev?”

“I have located the Bazaar of Aventil on the map.” I was glad to see Nev had turned private mode on. Smart. Hearing two voices come from my suit might create legends about a possessed teleporter. “Preliminary estimates show we've arrived about two thousand kilometers from our previous location.”

“Halfway around the world?”

“About a tenth.”

“World's the size of Mars, gotcha. Deactivate private mode.” The blue indicator light disappeared. “Thank you. I'll be taking my leave.”

“A moment, stranger,” the old man interjected. “The Bazaar is under siege by the sands of Yaot. Venturing into the desert before the storm has passed will lead to your death.”

“I'll take my chances, thank you.”

“Why not stay the night? The sands will clear in two days' time, whereby we will send a convoy to Phonta. You will be welcome to join them.”

“Uhhh...”

“Agent,” Nev spoke. “We don't know what dangers hide in the desert. I suggest taking the elder up on his offer.”

“I see.” The blue light disappeared when I answered. “Sound advice, but the funds I have on hand would not be accepted here.” Which is to say I didn't bring any with me.

“My door is open to a soul in need.” He waved me forward with his free hand. “Come with-”

“Hey...” A new voice ran out from the crowd. “How did you get here in the first place?”

“Young man, this is not-”

“I teleported in!” I answered loudly I don't know who shouted the question, but it did not matter. If somebody was brave enough to raise his doubts, there were others who shared them. Best to avoid provocation lest the town throws itself into a frenzy.

“Then why can't you teleport out again?”

“He's lying!”

“He's an agent off the Queen!”

“I've seen that armor in our history books!”

“He's going to kill us all!”

“Quiet!” Thanks for the amplification there, Nev. “My magics are depleted, so I can't teleport again today. I am not an agent from the Queen, nor am I planning to kill you all.” I stayed silent for a second, waiting to hear if another voice would interject. “I will take the old man up on his most gracious offer. Come morning, my magics should have recharged, and I will leave this place. But let it be known: if anyone disturbs me or the old man, you'll wish it was the Queen who came to visit.” I started walking toward the elder. Everybody cleared the way as I came close, with only the elder staying in place. “Thank you for allowing me to stay the night. Please lead the way to your home.”

***

The elder's home was basic but functional. I stepped inside a living room decorated with trinkets and artifacts the elder must have collected along the walks of life. A framed picture against the right wall featured a younger version of him, with his arms draped over a pretty lady.

“My daughter, by adoption.” The howl of the wind lessened as he closed the door behind me.

“I didn't ask.”

“You didn't have to. Everybody who has entered here has done in your stead.” He gestured for me to take a seat on the chair, but I opted for a sturdier bench. The elder had been nothing but kind to me thus far. I'd hate for my first action to be breaking his chair.

“I never married - those in my line of work rarely take partners - but during my travels, I came across a young girl whose parents had been killed by a pack of rache. I don't know how she survived, but I couldn't leave her to the elements.” The elder grinned to himself. “No, that would be a lie. In truth, I had no reason to take her with me, but when she clung to my leg and refused to let go, I knew the Goddess made our paths cross for a reason.”

“Where is she today?”

“Married, sadly widowed, with three children of her own. She was living in Urugesh last I heard, though she still comes to visit every few years.”

“I'm glad.”

“And you, stranger?”

“Gatix.”

“Sorry?”

“My name is Gatix.”

“Gatix.” The old man sighed. “A foreign name, one I have never heard before.”

“I would be surprised if you did.”

“You share your name easily, yet are reluctant to answer my question.”

“I have never taken a lover before.”

“I'm sure the Goddess will send somebody over your path soon enough.”

“Yet she didn't bless you as such.”

“Aye, that is true, but she blessed me with my little Cli.” He glanced at the picture. “A sad life, to wander the world alone, young Gatix.”

“We'll see what happens.”

“You don't sound optimistic.”

“My profession also does not invite partners.”

“A mercenary's life, no doubt.”

“You could tell?”

“You learn to analyze people. In your case, the weapon you carry and the aggressive aura around you. Not many can seize control of a mob like you just did. That speaks of practice.”

I chuckled. “You could say that. But you don't need to beat around the bush, old man. I know what I resemble, which makes it strange you invited me into your home.”

The elder slowly turned to me yet did not narrow or widen his eyes. “You know of our history, young Gatix? Not many remember the Dread Knights of yore, much less a foreigner.”

Ms. Queen told me. Best not to go with that line. “This isn't my first stop.”

“A fact that speaks for itself, yet you invite comparison readily. Why?”

“Present company. You're advanced enough in years to know more history than the modern folk. You might have participated in the battles yourself, for all I know.”

“I see.” The elder nodded to himself. “Then take the advice of someone seasoned: do not remind the common man. Let the terrors of the Dread Knights die with old age.”

“I'm only here to fulfill my quest. History can sort itself out for all I care.”

“What might this quest of yours be?”

“No need to trouble your head over it.”

“Questions asked may lead to solutions discovered.”

“You love to pry, don't you?”

The elder grinned at the accusation.

“I'm after a rare mineral. It is called trisortium where I come from.”

“What does this mineral look like?”

“It's usually hidden inside rocks and stone, but it takes on the appearance of a white-yellow powder when it appears. I'll admit I've never seen this powder, but I have a special... ability, that lets me detect its presence.”

“Hmm...” The old man leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. “I don't know this mineral of yours, but the town's alchemist may be of assistance.”

“Where can I find him? I didn't see a giant tower hover over the bazaar.”

“Your notion of the arcane arts might be somewhat outdated. While some prefer to look down on their village of residence, others burrow deep to look at new heights. Ours is one of the latter. You'll find the entrance to his lair behind the main market. I'll take your there tomorrow.”