Rise of a Demon Chapter five

5

Not daring to sleep, the two boys hiked all night, and when they finally crested the last hill before the city, the sun was just peeking above the horizon. Port City, as it was so generically called, spread out before them for nearly two miles in each direction. Even from the distance of almost a mile, and the earliness of the morning, the boys could make out the business of the grand port from here.

“We’ve almost made it,” Vortin said, rubbing his hands together. His tired face was lit with an optimistic smile.

“Yah, well keep sharp, we can still run into trouble,” Kalo said, but even he had gained some confidence at the sight of the city.
They traveled down the road for the rest of the morning hidden by the masses of tra
ffic flowing into and out of the city. By noon they made it through the gates, and now hungry for something besides dried meat and tired, they had one final problem.

“So where do we go from here?” Vortin asked, still smiling optimistically.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to avoid, see I don’t… exactly… know where my uncle lives,” Kalo said.

Vortin’s smile drooped. “Can’t we ask directions?”

“No, too risky. You never know who works for the ‘you know whats’. Besides, I know he lives right on the coast in his shop. It can’t be too hard to find, right?” Kalo asked

“Oh yah. Except that’s half the people in this town.” Vortin replied shaking his head.

“Well, I have a pl—“ Kalo started.

“No. The last time you had a plan we both almost got killed. This time I will say it. Even though I think we are on the same page. I think we should split up. You go left, I go right. One of us is bound to find it eventually,” Vortin said looking proud of himself for making the plan.

“As good an idea as I could have came up with. Only problem, we have to have a meeting place if we can’t find it, which one of us obviously won’t. What have you got for that in your plan?” Kalo asked.

“Right here, if we can’t find it in three hours time. We should have enough to pay for a room for the night. Sound good?” Vortin asked.

“Yah. Let’s get going,” Kalo replied.

Kalo was used to growing up in a large city so the bustle of the many trade wagons and the chatter of the people crowding the streets was something he had grown used to. However, unlike Corsec City, Port City brought people of many nations and customs. Clothing that most people in other parts of Corsec would never have thought to wear, were a common sight. One man walked by wearing a long purple dress embroidered with a dragon. One beautiful woman was barely dressed at all, making it hard for Kalo to pry his eyes away.

Another difference was to be found in the longevity of Corsec buildings, which had been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Port City had many original buildings. As a matter of fact, the cobble stones on which Kalo stood were now over five thousand years old.

Port City’s old city spread out around Kalo. The thousands of grey stone buildings were built with defence in mind rather that comfort or luxury. They had ladders and bridges to the next building for more convenient transport of troops. Many had arrow slots rather than windows, echoing of a time when Corsec’s neighbors had been less that friendly. Kalo couldn’t stop from staring at them as he went past, imagining himself as one of the ancient defenders of the city.

The sights and smells of the great port town ensnared him. In an instant the trance was gone as he blindly stumbled into a hard body.

Kalo only had to glance up to notice that it was a Karonian soldier. Quickly he glanced down, trying to hide his face.

“Hey watch it!” the soldier said, before returning to his patrol.

“Yah, all right,” Kalo said before turning and losing himself in the crowd.

That time was too close, Kalo thought as he wiped his brow. He knew he needed to be more careful. A more informed or attentive soldier might have known him for who he was.

Looking further down the road he noticed a bunch of soldiers. Kalo turned quickly, hoping they hadn’t noticed him yet. He glanced back over his shoulder to look at the building signs, none of which were his uncles shop. If the shop was down this part of the road it would be passed those soldiers.

A skill Kalo acquired from being a city dweller was a keen ability to navigate streets. He decided to go round the solders by way of a back road. They looked fairly regular and easy enough to navigate.

He crossed the street and turned down the first alley. It looked like it went right past the soldiers, a perfect getaway route.

Kalo made his way wearily down the alley. Cluttered behind the buildings were stacks of wooden crates and barrels, but beyond that it looked empty. It smelled awful. One of the shops was a fisherman’s shop, and all of the scraps and guts were piled in the back. Not to mention a set of sewage gutters ran through it.

When he reached the end he peeked out. The soldiers were still there, but as long as he had his back to them they probably wouldn’t notice him. He took a step out and was yanked back hard.

A hand grasped around his mouth, muffling his voice. He tried to yell but was shoved face down. He felt the blade of a knife prick the back of his neck and a small stream of blood trickled down.

“You move and this goes right into the back of your neck,” Kalo heard a hushed voice say.“Take anything he’s got,” the voice said.

Suddenly a pair of hands grabbed him and started patting him down, reaching in his pockets and pulling out whatever he had. Kalo held still, hoping they wouldn’t hurt him more if he did. When they had everything on him the second pair of hands let off.

“Should we blindfold him and let him go?” a second voice said.

“No, we have to finish him. A live man still has a chance at finding us,” the fist voice said.

Kalo winced; he had to do something now. If he failed he would die, but if he did nothing the results would be the same.

“Well be quick about it, could you? I hate seeing them suffer.” the second voice said, a little loud.

“Fine, just be quiet.” the fist voice said.

That’s when Kalo moved. He kicked up at the man’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He had only an instant to take advantage, so he shouted as loud as he could.

“HEL—“

The man crushed down on him, driving the knife down and just missing Kalo as he jerked his body out of the way.

“Grab him Skef!” the first one instructed as he attempted another thrust with his knife. This time Kalo kicked it out of his hands.

Suddenly the guards came around the bend swords drawn.

“Never mind, just run!” he said changing his mind.

Kalo rolled out from under the man, jumped to his feet and ran. From behind he heard the guards yelling for part of the group to catch him ant the other to get the suspects. Without a thought Kalo pressed on, nearly knocking down three different people, and once getting knocked over himself.

He ran until he was winded, not even paying attention to where he had run to. He looked around and noticed that he outrun the guards. He took a moment to check himself. The robbers had taken everything. He had no food and no money to buy any. His cloths were ripped and tattered. He was about to give up to despair when a voice called behind him.

“I’ve found him! Kalo, come here, I’ve found him,” Vortin’s voice called out jubilantly.

Kalo spun around to see, what had been a look of happiness slip from Vortin’s face.

“Kalo, are you all right? What happened?” Vortin asked.

Exhausted and battered, a grin appeared on Kalo’s face. “I was robbed,” he said simply. “You were right about my plans,” he said and suddenly collapsed.

***

Kalo awoke to a dim light coming through the corner of a hastily covered window. A man Kalo presumed to be his uncle, was stirring a liquid in a kettle over the fire. Vortin was at the end of the bed laying out fresh bandages. Kalo groaned from the sharp pain in his neck. Vortin looked over.

“Shh,” he said “Ari told me you’ll be fine, but you need rest”

Kalo lied awake for a few seconds more; long enough to notice the setting sun and know he had been out for a few hours by now. Without much more thought however he was out once again.