2Chapter 1: The Flying Leopard
I was fortunate that there were many food left in the deserted tents of my fellow Astrians, it would supply enough for my excursion to the Arbor of Tranquility bordering north of the Flames, another place where no man had ever dared to step on. My wild guess would be that the strange beasts living there inexplicably terrified them. It would be easier for me to go down southeast, since my real destination was the Merchant City of Gratz.
I wanted a Pterodactyl to fly on.
And I did.
By the time I reached the borders of Gratz, I knew it would be harmful if we were seen hovering their skies. We landed a few miles away from Gratz when I realized that he was already exhausted and needed a rest. I decided that he had helped me enough and treated him with a nice huge buffalo as a meal, (and half of my food load to decrease the burden) before we bid goodbye. Here, my journey started.
As I entered the giant gates of Gratz, and huddled myself through the loud sounds of merchants and buyers haggling for a better price, I realized that I had no money with me. Thankfully I had enough food carried in my backpack, and a sharp pair of eyes.
Actually it didn't take a fool long enough to capture the message. Almost all pillars and walls were stamped with the huge posters with bold words displayed blazingly –
Zolgar Throth, the Magician
Offers 10000 drachmas
To those who are willing to complete his Quest!
Meeting at The Flying Leopard at 11-ante meridian today!
"Zolgar Throth," I found myself repeating the magician's name. It felt so familiar on my tongue, as if I've heard it spoken among the Astrians before. It lured me. I might have fallen into the trap when my eyes bulged at the offer: 10000 drachmas! As conscious as I was with how the citizens of Gratz stared at me, I realized that I wasn't the only freak show in town. There were several others with creepy faces walking down the narrow, crowded streets.
The atmosphere wasn't as free as Flames had been, but the slap of the breezy air on my skin made me realize the importance of clothing. I could see the lingering gazes from the ladies looking at the lack of decency sense, but Flames was different. Here in Gratz I could smell sweet air and the sharp, mixed scents of multi-cultured cuisine and newly brewed potions for different ailments.
"Excuse me. What is the time now?" I asked a white-haired merchant, selling exotic pets by the streets, who wore a lengthy robe and a fez.
"It's 10.40, young lad. If you are going to the Flying Leopard, it's a tavern just right at the end of this alley, and turn left. I know travelers like you. Always up for adventure and wanting the rewards. I have an advice for you, though."
My ears pricked, sensing his sarcasm. "And that would be…?"
"Be careful. Zolgar Throth is not just a usual magician. No one knows what he's up to. He had put up this kind of notice months ago. One would wonder why he puts it up again this time."
My heart thumped wildly. It might have showed on my face, when the merchant commented again. "You seem brave, young lad. And you don't seem like the type who talks much."
"So?"
"Keep it that way. Don't reveal much about yourself. That will ensure your safety," he said. What surprised me was that he took off his first layer of robe and gave it to me. "You need this," he smirked a knowing smile. "Good luck. And I hope we should meet again in the future," he said, as I walked away, confused.
When I barged into the Flying Leopard, all I could see were drunken old men gambling round the tables, and the face of a very bored bartender. However, in the darkness, I saw four young fellows sitting as far as they could from each other, sipping their drinks, their backs facing me. Only one turned around to face me, and it was a blond Caucasian dressed in blue velvet vest and a snow-white shirt underneath. He smiled, and for a second I thought he was doing it out of sarcasm for my inappropriate dressing. I realized that he had a huge luggage under his seat, and a trunk I saw just like the potion-brewer had. He might be a man of science or magic, I thought.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here? Right on time, I suppose," he said haughtily, diving his hand into his vest pocket and held out a golden watch.
"Are you here for the quest?" I asked.
At this, the other three turned to face me. The one at the far left had a perpetual angry and fiery face, with something in him ready to snarl and ravish all of us in fire. The one beside him was a calmer man, who had only a glass of water in his hands. The other one was a rather confident looking man whose mind was unreadable. He was hiding something, yet he stared at me as if I was a threat.
"Yes, we are," the four of them, repeated in unison.
We were about to be friends, I thought, as I gave a nervous smile.