Phase Two

Greetings and Beatings

Ch. 1

Urasei

Her trek did not last very long. When Savannah started out, the sun shone brightly upon her cheeks. Now as she began to spy the walls of a city, the bright star of the morn warmed her crown. Visions of how the city would look within those walls began to crawl through her mind. Great and shining beauty of wealth, or the filth and depression of poverty, she knew not which she would see. She did not care that much, in truth. Yet, on she trekked, ready to face whatever she might witness.

The entrance of the city was a great arch, reaching high enough to allow two elephants to pass through. The opening was bare, with no gate hinged to it at all. Strife must be quite rare for this city to be with such a weakness. She walked through without any hassle from guards, for there were none. After entering only a few feet, she realized she could hear the soft thuds of her feet against the packed dirt street. If this were truly a city, she should be deafened by the clamor and chattering of people. There were plenty of buildings and structures to house and set up shop, but no one to do so.

Savannah wandered through the city trying to find someone, anyone. Even though the city seemed as bare as a newborn babe she sensed no foul play was committed within the high walls.

By the time she reached the center of the city, Savannah had lost hope that there was anyone inhabiting the area. She was proven wrong when a thundering sneeze echoed off the bare stone walls. She jogged over to where the sound seemed to originate. Merely one block away was a man surrounded by a multitude of aged papers, consisting of different sizes. The man seemed to be in his late fifties, maybe his early sixties. Just one look and Savannah could tell that she would have to watch her tongue. His sneering face left her thinking, ‘If looks could kill...’ But she needed answers and would stop at nothing to get some.

“Excuse me sir,” she quietly asked as sweetly as she could. “But could you be so kind as to tell me where I am? I’d be very grateful.” The old man looked up from his papers and glared at her. His clothing was made of poor leather and suede. It hung off of him as though he’d been a beggar all his life, never removing his clothes. She asked herself, ‘Why would he settle for these clothes when he could be wearing silk?’ But one feature stuck out on his haggard form. A pale blue swirl, about the size of a quarter was etched just below his left eye. It was a strange design, but then again, so was this land.

“Tch. You’re in the soon-to-be-great city of Urasei.” His tone was sarcastic and cold. This was the kind of man mothers tried to keep their children from seeing. The kind of man people crossed the street to avoid encountering.

“Why was this city built to be so grand, but have no inhabitants?”

“Use you’re head you little bitch. If humans spent most of their time here building houses and shops, the divine fuckers wouldn’t have as much fun with them.” Just be hearing his voice, Savannah could tell he had been an alcoholic, if he wasn’t one now.

“Well, that does make sense. By the way, what are you selling exactly? Are they maps?”

“Well, well, the young bitch wins a cigar. Yeah I got maps. So far I’m the only map maker in this god-forsaken land. Of all the professions available, this seemed the most needed.”

“I guess you’re right. I’ll take the best detailed map you’ve got.” She glimpsed the maps and was quite impressed by the details put into each one.

“The best one I got is that one in the back. My demonic bitch of a divine gave that to me when I decided to become a mapmaker. Damn, what I wouldn’t give for a night with her.” A lewd expression flowed over his face like rancid shit. “For an exact copy of it though, it’ll cost you 300,000 shens. That’s cheap compared to how much the original is. That would be well over thirty times that.”

Savannah was left in a state of shocked silence. The very idea of currency in a Utopia waiting to be built seemed ludicrous. She didn’t even know what a shen looked like, let alone how much it was worth. “But I, I just got here. I don’t have any money. Can’t you just give me it? I swear on the honor of my family name, I’ll pay you back, plus interest. Please?”

“You want me to just give you a map? Do you actually expect me to believe that a little bitch like you will return with cash? Ha, what a joke.” Every word he spoke was pushing Savannah’s infamously low patience. He stood up to look down at her. “You don’t have any actual honor. That up and died with the last millennium. But I just might consider lending a much smaller piece for something other than shens.” His eyes darted and stayed above her breast plate, the same lewd expression returning. This was the breaking point.

In one swift movement, the forgotten staff leaning in the crook of her arm was swung and tossed the lecherous old fart using the infamous weakness as a mark. The opposite end followed forthwith and landed adjacent to the fogey’s skull, creating a small crater. The femme fatale bent over so her face was above the mapmaker’s. His eyes were wide with shock and his breath was shallow. “Why thank you so much. That price was much better. Eh, what’s that you say?” She cupped her hand to her ear. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and dark bliss. The man’s grunts were surely curses not suitable for translation. “You say I can take the map your divine gave you? Wow, that’s very generous. Thank you.” Stepping over the half-drawn maps, she reached the most beautiful map, chuckling. She once again leaned above the writhing mass of flesh. “Thank you once more. I had no idea you were a masochist who liked to be paid in pain. He, he. Don’t worry. I promise to return with shens next time.

And so, she left the lecher still laying in the dust and dirt. ‘Thank you sensei.’ Her thoughts flew back to her days beginning in her martial arts school. She had always wanted to learn the art of swordsmanship. Her parents on the other hand were fearful of her losing a limb from herself or a classmate. So bo staff was the only weapon she could learn without to much worry. The school specialized in only staves. She couldn’t be happier. Her skills were finally being put to use.

Ch. 2

Mercenary

Laughter. It rang through the square of the city as the staff wielding kuusooka was making her way to the grand gate. A woman’s voice was resonating with laughter. “I know I shouldn’t, but I am.” She followed the sound like a dog on the scent. On the other side of the square was a couple. Two lovers playing with one another’s flesh. Quite embarrassed with this site, Savannah’s first impulse was to turn around, leaving the lovers to continue with their affections.

It must have been the energy within the land that caused her to perform this unexpected action. She walked right up to the occupied couple and tapped them, causing their faces to flare like flame while the girl attempted to cover herself up. “I know this land is new, but you still must keep some decency. Go find a building to do this in. There are plenty of them, take your pick.”

The male stepped up to her and glared daggers. “And who are you to tell us where we should go?” His voice was a hard rasp. “Last time I checked there were no laws in Yume.” His outrage for the interrupted moment caused his body to break out in shakes. His dirty blond hair fell into his eyes, shielding their color.

Savannah chuckled, despite her usual nature amongst strangers. The usual way was ‘Be kind to people you don’t know. You might see them again and have the past bite your ass.’ “I’m not handing out laws. I don’t really give a damn about how you screw her. Just don’t do it in public. I’m not a huge fan of porno.” She then departed, the blond man shaking with his fiery haired lovely holding her clothing over her breasts, stunned. Their hickies glistened with spittle, a tinge of blue swirled in them.

Once again, the grand gate was her goal. Another being was occupying the space. His face was timid and terrified. Adorning his stout frame was the attire of a monk. A heavy brass cross hung from the belt of his robe like a pocket watch with no pocket. Most notable was the blue swirl, like a third eye placed on his brow. It was similar, but much larger than the one the one the map making letch wore. His gaze met hers as she strode toward him. “I am in need of assistance, my child.” It was oddly humorous having him calling her his child, when he looked no older than eighteen. “I need a warrior to help protect me through the wilderness. I must travel south through woods to get to another town and there could be thieves hidden amongst them.”

“You just get straight to the point don’t you?” She quickly contemplated this odd being. His raven hair was tousled with the wind. His pale blue eyes were almost white and reflected equal purity in his soul. The idea of thieves and murderers, beating the living hell out of them, and just general adventure started her adrenaline pumping. “I can’t think of any reason not to help, so why not.” Her eyes flicked down to the cross. “Just don’t start talking about God to me, alright. You preach, I pull out.”

Obviously desperate, the monk quickly accepted. “My name is Darien Jo.” He bowed slightly.

“How ‘bout I call you D.J. for short?”

“I’d rather you not, thank you.”

“Whatever. The name’s Savannah Link.” Without any more exchange of words, they immediately set out to the south, into the wilderness. The woods through which he wished to travel were within a few hours walk. The forest looked great and ancient. It seemed untouched by the flesh of man since the creation of time, which was more than likely the truth. They trekked in silence until the already thickly filtered light began to wane too greatly for sight. A fire was made as the two ate a few loaves of bread the monk had gathered, methods unknown to Savannah. Her thoughts wandered to the accounts of the day. They soon trailed back to the map maker, and her word of honor.

“So, Dare. How much are you gonna pay me for this?” He seemed taken aback by this comment as he choked on a bite of his bread.

“I took you for a mere warrior. I had no idea you were a mercenary.” His eyes were wide with shocked and a bit of fear. Perhaps he believed that she would kill him if he didn’t pay. Whatever thoughts ran through his religious mind, he knew being with her was a life hazard.

“Hey, I’m no mercenary. I’m just indebted to someone.” A huge bite of her bread was ripped as she was disgusted with that comment. A mercenary. One who will switch his loyalties to whoever can pay more. A pitiful excuse of a profession, unworthy of her code of honor.

“So, how much do you owe exactly, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“About 9 million shens”

“How in heaven’s name did you owe that much so soon?!” She gave the details of her encounter with the map maker, silently taking in delight at Darien’s face when he heard of her violence and the man’s lechery.

“’Cept I don’t even know what a shen looks like let alone how much it’s really worth.” Darien reached for a pouch on his belt and pulled out a coin. A gold disk about the size of a bottle cap shone in the firelight. Imbedded in the middle was a small white jewel held in with a silver rim.

“The jewel shows how many shens it is worth. This is merely worth one. I myself am not even sure of how much other colors are worth.” Savannah wondered on who made the currency and the values. But this journey was already confusing her. She’d probably ask someone some other time.

“And how much is one shen worth by Earth standards?”

“Considering the size of your debt, I don’t think you want to know.”

“That bad, huh?” Darien simply nodded. “Damn.”

8