[Story/Closed] A Journey of Trust

[Eistella Soulstar]

The wheels of the carriage crunched over the loose dirt and gravel that made up the roads that criss-crossed Thanalan.  This carriage had only one occupant, whether for lack of travelers these days, or because no one wanted to be in the same carriage.

 

The man was clearly an Au'Ra, the great horns that protruded from his face and scalp matching the color of his dark scales.  Skin a light blue with matching perriwinkle eyes.  His hair slicked back and pulled into many braids of a green and white color.  Scales of shimmering black covered random patches of his face, the light from the noonday sun making them change hues in a trickery of illusion.

 

He was looking at a map between his hands, the jolting of the carriage seeming to not bother him.  One finger tapped at an area on the map, the fingernail filed to a sharp point and painted black.  All his nails were that way as they protruded from fingerless gloves.

 

Ul'dah.  A place of sand, money, and opportunity.  Or so I was told.  The Dusk Mother points me here through dreams, though why there is a crystal and a man in a black robe confuses me.  But should I have told my elder?  Would he have thought me crazy?

 

The Au'Ra turned his head, gazing out at the scenery.  He could see a large city in the distance, and as the carriage turned, could start to make out the flags that lined the road and the wall.  He let out a long sigh.

 

Mother spoke of a journey to build trust.  'Words and deeds not fists', she said.  Bah.  But I swore upon my honor I would do as she asked.  I have heard that Ul'dah holds the renowned Pugilist's Guild.  Perhaps I could apply there to hone my fighting skills as I . . . talk.

 

The carriage slowed down as it came to a large pair of gates made of iron and stone.  The guards, though their eyes were hidden behind masks, stared and gawked at the Au'Ra that passed before them.  But the one in the carriage showed no sign of caring or acknowledgement.  Instead, he put the map away he held, pulling out another slip of paper from the pouch across his chest.

 

"Hold there!  State your business in Ul'Dah!"  A guard came up to the back of the carriage while the sounds of the chocobos pulling it kwehed nearby.  Silently the Au'Ra handed the slip of paper to the guard, which the man took and opened.

 

"Hm.  An Au'Ra eh?  Name of Goro.  Huh, what a stupid name."  The guard looked up at Goro and held out his hand.  "There is a fee of 100gil in order to enter the city."

 

Stupid Hyur.  I am not foolish enough to fall for that.  Goro glared at the guard, holding out his hand as well, meaning to take back the paper that would get him passage into Ul'Dah.  The hyur scoffed, throwing the paper at Goro and waved a hand at the driver of the carriage.

 

"I'll get it from you later, beast.  Now get out of my sight."

 

The carriage jolted to a start, rolling down the road and into the city, Goro shaking his head.

 

I fear this is what each day will be like for me now.  But I won't be deterred.  I will find a place in the Pugilist Guild and become stronger.

[Eistella Soulstar]

Sandaled feet stepped onto the stones of Ul'dah's main street, the sounds of merchants and hawkers mixing with the overpowering smells of incense and chocobo dung.  Goro fought the urge to wrinkle his nose in disgust as a true warrior wouldn't do that.  The Dusk Mother would not be bothered by such trivial things.

 

Taking out his map once again, he traced a path with one sharpened fingernail from where he was to the Adventurer's Guild.  He needed to register himself into the city before he could apply to the Pugilist's Guild.  Looking both ways, Goro moved onto the main road and began to walk.

 

Ul'dah was not like any place he had been before.  Of course, some parts were familiar, but others felt quite alien.  In every nook was a stall of goods or a guard, while people milled out doing their business of hurrying with arms full of goods.  Thankfully with his large and imposing stature, the citizens gave Goro a wide berth as he made his way to his destination.

 

Climbing the short flight of stairs, he felt the cool mist from the fountain nearby and sighed inwardly.  Though he didn't mind the heat overall, he did notice his black scales were drying and cracking around the edges.  Not something to ignore as infections can set in.  But for now, he pushed open the doors before him, and squinted in the change of lighting within the tavern atmosphere.

[Eistella Soulstar]

It was much louder now, dishes clanging, voices raised in conversation and song, drinks being poured, and one patron snoring in the corner.  Goro frowned slightly, but made his way through the maze of people to the registration desk.  He did not see anyone there, and moved a hand to ring the bell on the counter.

 

"Welcome to the Quicksand, friend!"

 

Goro blinked, hearing a voice but seeing no one, until a throat was cleared.  "Down here!!"  Bending his neck, Goro looked down and behind the counter slightly to see a lalafell climbing up onto a small stool.

 

"Hello!  Welcome to the Quicksand, or otherwise the Adventurer's Guild!  Momodi is normally the one who welcomes all new adventurers to Ul'dah, but she had to take care of something in the back.  For now though I, Nikarika, shall be your greeter!"

 

The lalafell looked Goro over, and gave out a slight whistle.  "Wow, you are big!  I heard stories male Au'Ra are at least as large as roegadyn but I didn't believe it!  A-anyway, let me get back to the point.  I have a greeting card here . . . somewhere . . ."

 

Goro watched as Nikarika patted down all of his clothes, eventually pulling out a battered card with tiny writing on it.  Clearing his throat, the lalafell began to read.

 

"Welcome to Ul'dah, the city of sand and gold.  Here we are the center of all trade in Eorzea, and those willing to seek out adventure can easily find it!  Blah blah ... amalj'aa ... uhm ... ah!  You need to sign the register to become a full fledged member of the Adventurer's Guild."  Nikarika reached over to point to an open book with a quill beside it.  "Just write your name into the book and occupation if any while I get the other papers I need."

 

Goro watched the lalafell jump down from the stool and open a drawer behind him, before picking up the quill and signing in the book.  Goro.  Pugilist.  Putting the quill down, he waited for Nikarika to return.

 

"Whew!  Sorry that took so long.  Normally Momodi just rattles off everything a new adventurer needs to know then gives them names and places to visit.  Me, I'm not that good so I made myself a few copies of what Momodi says in case I need to help."  The lalafell placed two pieces of paper on the counter, one being a map with places marked off, and the other a list of people's names and locations.

 

"Okay.  Here is a map of all of Ul'dah.  I marked off where the important places are, such as the different guilds and aetheryte crystal locations.  Feel free to take your time and wander around, but Momodi always suggested newcomers visit the large Aetheryte Crystal in the Plaza, Seseroga in the markets so you can learn about how commerce and all works here, and also your guild of choice.  It seems you wrote down pugilist as your profession, so you'd want to speak with the register in the Pugilist Guild not far from here."

 

Pushing the two papers towards Goro, the Au'Ra picked them up and quickly glanced at the other paper.  It had names of different people in the city with what they sold or if they might have something for him to do.  Goro thanked Nikarika with a bow, and the lalafell waved as the Au'Ra turned to leave.

 

"Don't be a stranger!"

[Eistella Soulstar]

Goro decided he would find the Aetheryte Plaza first.  He had heard about such objects and how it made traveling through Eorzea quicker.  Of course, he wasn't a fan of things he couldn't understand. Punching and kicking was simple.  Magic was anything but.

 

The glow of the crystal greeted him long before he made it to the plaza.  Its cool, pale blue hue saturated the walls and floor in the area, nearly mimicking the color of his own skin.  He could feel the aether radiating from it, and it made his scales itch.  But he wasn't afraid, and walked up to it.

 

From floor to ceiling it touched, surrounded by a large circle of metal.  Perhaps to hold it upright.  How does such a large crystal exist without crashing down on itself?  But that is a query for another day.  Raising his hand, palm out, he concentrated on the crystal before him, as he was told to do so in the pamphlet he read.

 

It didn't take long before he felt a tingle, then warmth spread over him.  A little itch formed in the back of his skull, and then it was gone.  He had been 'attuned' to the crystal and could use it.

 

There.  Now if Nikarika's map is correct, there are more crystals around the city.  I shall focus on finding them all first before anything else.

[Eistella Soulstar]

It took all Goro's strength to not yawn as he listened to Seseroga go on and on about the economy and market of Ul'dah and Eorzea.  Granted, the Au'Ra could care less about such things, as others were chosen in his Clan to deal with making goods and selling them.

 

He did enjoy spending time watching his father work metal, bone, and stones into amazing items to be worn and used.  'It takes just as much strength and dexterity to work with bone and metal as it does to engage and kill an opponent', his father would tell him.  'Too little and the material refuses to listen, too much and it could break and become useless.'

 

 

Goro snapped back from his thoughts when someone cleared their throat nearby.  Looking around, he found himself alone in front of Seseroga, the lalafell giving the larger man a narrowed eye.

 

"I do hope you didn't find my information to be too taxing on your brain.  Momodi would be disappointed if her newest adventurer cared not one whit about what I said."

 

Goro shook his head then bowed deeply to the lalafell before turning and leaving.  The Au'Ra really wasn't paying attention, but something in him said he should find a way to understand the markets a bit more in a less . . . boring way.

[Eistella Soulstar]

The smell of leather and sweat reached his nostrils as Goro entered the Pugilist Guild.  He felt his heart race with excitement watching people of all races spar and train in a nearby ring as instructors barked orders and corrections to them.  Remembering what Nikarika told him, Goro headed towards the nearby counter to register his name.

 

"Greetings my friend!  Are you interested in the arts of the pugilist?" said the cheery woman seated behind the counter.  Goro nodded, and the hyur clapped her hands happily.  "Excellent!  Sign your name in the register here, and let me give you some pamphlets and a bit of history of our guild."

 

Goro took the pamphlets, letting his eyes scan over them as the hyur spoke of the past and how the art of pugilism came about.  It was truly fascinating, the Au'Ra nodding and listening intently.  When finished, the woman pointed to the nearby ring.  "Master Hamon is busy at the moment, but why don't you spectate a match or two in the meantime?"

 

Nodding, Goro did just that, heading down a small ramp and standing at the edge of a corded off square.  In the square where two people, a lalafell and a hyur.  Goro watched as they both moved fluidly, dodging each other's punches and kicks as well as dishing out their own.  Through it all, neither touched the other.

 

"Amazing isn't it?" a voice said behind Goro.  Turning his head, the Au'Ra looked at an elder hyur, his clothing giving him away as the guildmaster.  "Reminds me of my youth, it does."  The elder hyur cocked his head and looked up at Goro with a glint in his eye.  "Not seen many of your kind in here, Au'Ra.  Don't tell me you're interested in being trained as a pugilist?"

 

Goro nodded, patting his homemade fist weapons fastened at his waist.  The elder hyur nodded, then leaned to the side and said, "And what about your tail?"  Goro was confused.  That was when the guildmaster continued.  "You use that as a weapon or just for balancing."

 

The Au'Ra thought about that a moment.  "I . . . never used as a weapon."

 

The elder hyur clicked his tongue.  "Then we need to change that!  Could get some weight behind it and use it to defend yourself from those attacking from behind, I wager."  Stroking his chin, the elder hyur chuckled.  "Sorry, I never introduced myself.  I am Master Hamon.  You might have heard of me in my youth as Hamon the Holyfist!"  Goro shook his head, deflating the slight puff in Hamon's chest.  "Ah, well, I guess you haven't since you aren't from around here."

 

Goro stood silently as Hamon fell quiet a few moments, more than likely lost in thoughts of the past.  But in time he spoke again.  "You are Goro, correct?"  The Au'Ra nodded.  "Excellent.  Then let's see what you can do, hm?"

[Eistella Soulstar]

Sunlight trickled in streams through the swaying curtains of the inn room, laying across the Au'Ra that was on the bed.  Goro lay on his back, and let out a groan.  Everything on him hurt, from the tips of his hair to the tip of his tail.

 

I think Master Hamon made me use parts of my body I didn't know I had ...

 

 

As his eyes looked to the ceiling, unfocused, his mind wandered back to yesterday.  Then, Master Hamon had Goro show what he knew of fighting.  The elder hyur said he was impressed, but felt Goro wasn't using all of his ability.  That got his scales twitching.  He had trained for years at home!

 

But Master Hamon was right.  The old hyur showed Goro new moves, how to weave and dodge better, and how to use his tail as a defensive weapon.  Of course, all this went on for hours, and after the adrenaline wore off ...

 

NNNGH ... I don't think I can feel my legs anymore ...

 

 

He did receive a battered old book, detailing different creatures in the immediate area.  Master Hamon wanted him to train himself on finding and defeating one of each creature, then make a note of their fighting style and abilities.  The Au'Ra readily agreed, as learning about one's opponent was very important.

 

But for now, Goro grimaced as he struggled to move his hand to get the glass of water nearby.

[Eistella Soulstar]

It had been a few weeks since his arrival in Ul'Dah, and the Au'Ra had made a few acquaintances.  He has spent most of his days training at the Pugilist guild, then running errands for the different merchants in the area.  Of course, he was doing it less for coin, and more for trust.

 

This time he headed into the desert in order to collect some items from the cactaur that resided there.  Apparently they secrete something called 'cactaur piss' that a merchant needed for a client of theirs.

 

Don't even want to try and figure out how a cactaur pisses ... or anything else.

 

 

Stopping behind a broken wall, Goro knelt down and took out a few small vials.  All he had to do was pummel the cactaur around enough until they were knocked out, then squeeze some area that was bulb-like on their arm.

 

It sounded simple enough.  Creeping up to a cactaur, he gripped the cestus he had and took a swing at the cactaur in hoped to knock it out.  His hit connected, and the creature made a shrill ... sound of some sort, cause the cactaur in the area to all turn towards him.

 

Damn ...

 

 

No time to waste, Goro grabbed the small vials from his pouch and squeezed as much of the yellow liquid from the bulb-like protrusion before the other cactaur got too close.