There was always that rather interesting smell of leaves decomposing and the very air vibrating with the hum of frantic activity from birds, tree rodents; and especially small animals like rabbits and foxes; of which he was sure they were foxes- maybe... There were times he really wished he'd listened to his father about this sort of thing. Really, being ignorant of the difference between a chicken and a pheasant was not the most intripid thing that the man had ever liked to admit. Albeit; with the slow grind of the Caravan he was with; it was honestly a boring bout of rather lackadaisical luck. Well, as boring as overland trips got; bandits, slavers; the occasional angry monstrous; but rather mundane, beast.
He had a rather, enjoyable time with the Caravaneers who wished to part ways up ahead. While he was heading toward the city proper; these fellows were heading off toward the mountains themselves. Not all that odd; albeit he didn't really know what was there, he could only guess- because one who cannot put two and two together tends to die horrifically; that there was a town with more in it for them to sell to. The caravan drivers and Vik parted ways without so much as a farewell. They knew the likely hood of well wishing was so minute that it would be just silly to wish it.
From his estimate; as he had been down this road almost, goodness- in his short life he'd been down it about three times total; always with a caravan and always with more than just himself. While he knew he was probably only about half an hour away- he still was wary even though the forest seemed somewhat tame compared to what could certainly have been a gnarled and frightening fen. So; onward he went; his mule being half-pulled half-guided along the path.
He was thankful for the old girl's help- she kept him from carrying all of his food-stuffs and really that was something only a man who appriciated economy could really want. All his supplies and; as he was not in the company of men who he was sure would steal his pipeweed? It was such a time- as he decided- for a bit of pipe-weed, he was slow to start the flame that fanned within the pipe itself- he knowing well enough that the pipe would need to insure a slow- hearty burn.a spark ignited within. He pupped and puffed the fluted mouth of his long-stemmed pipe. Before exhaling through his nose. No smoke yet; but- that said. He just went along his business.
Pipe-weed jar settled back in the mule's pack; fire starter settled to where he could gather it once more; he merely glanced toward where he was going every once in a while; following the road down to the heart of Humanity.
The leaves that crunched under his feet made things all the more fun; the half an hour of movement saw many who might be travelers; caravans; or other things that made him have to walk near the 'ditch' as it were. But, he didn't really care. Kicking up leaves and humming- off key, a rather jaunty tune, smoking like a steamer all the way. It was a strange sight for such a small, seemingly happy; man to be walking along one of the only roads in the known world. But, the scent of kline; the tanned skin, and the obvious obliviousness to the world at large got him dismissed from most attention.
For which he was thankful for when he did actually lose track of what he was seeing and hearing. The city now loomed like a dark blight upon the sky itself; albeit, one that spoke to the primal beasty within his heart. It was big, and he liked it! Syralias, he remembered many things his father called this place 'a home all men know of' and 'where fools tread'. He didn't understand why his father thought of such crass, mean-spirited things but; even so he didn't question old words from a long-dead man. As the gates appeared and loomed upward- he just had to take his pipe free to look up. It was beautiful, in a traditional sense that just wrought itself of humanity's pragmatic view; heavy fortification around a fortress-city. That was an intelligent move.
”State your buisiness in the city and how long you intend to stay.” What would have been a voice was drowned out by Vik's own imaginings; 'I have got to get on top one day; just to see out and around. My father's eyes be cursed this place could not possibly be anything bad.' The process of his mind was working on just how he'd be able to find a roof- and maybe the acrobatic skill to climb up and around there. The view must be breath taking and he would have such a thing!
So lost in his thoughts was he, that; when his mule recoiled back he snapped out of his reverie. It wasn't a blade or anything; but; still, there was a rather- stern, looking person... Who; he... Wasn't exactly sure of the gender of. They were slim, the waist was slightly tapered and the hips weren't narrow... But, still; his flabbergasted expression got a sigh of annoyance before the person, likely having said something before hand- spoke once more.
“State your buisiness in the city and how long you intend to stay.” The, now obviously male, guardsman stated- once again- with a firm; authoritative tone that almost caused Vik's cheek to twitch but, he suppressed this with closed eyes and a wily smile.
The opening of one eye and speaking in a slightly slurred; but- quite eloquent voice- while leaning forward in a mildly mocking respect; even as he held his pipe to the side as to avoid dumping out it's contents, “S'name's Vik; m'not wiff a traden'type people; they'd all gone off t'the main mountain o'er there.” He paused, before- realizing that he was still bent at the waist and stood up firmly. Before taking a puff of the pipe; he, well, had explained well enough he thought.
“You still haven't said why you're here.” Prompted the second guard, who got a bemused look; the man just giving a humorless stare back before Vik's mental process slowly turned the small wheel in his head; he then made a low 'Ooooh' sound, before nodding his head in mild vigor.
“Ah! Yeah-yeah-yeah 'pletely'fergottabout that... Employ! Mostly, yannow, needa job t'train an fight an eat right?” This, explaination- which he could tell was annoying the two Knights as the gate; just, got a look between the two- before he was guided into the gate proper; then, with a mildly annoyed sounding grumble- the second Knight just pointed- to a rather painfully obvious building.
“There's the Employ Office and Greeting Center, you will want to head there first. ” The knights got a rather lazy wave and thank you as the man strolled on toward the offices. To which, the first of the guards just shook his head slowly, “... I feel sorry for the employment office at the moment.”
Meanwhile, in Vik's perspective- the offices themselves were a likely good source of a place to sit- so, he was more than happy to head toward them. His booted feet and armored shins made for a rather odd contrast to the rather worn pants and vest- it was an interesting combination; albeit one that didn't scream winter-preparedness. But, then again; it was the summer... Right?
… Oh, no; wait- it's the Fall. This just got him a bit more on the down and out thought process. It had been nearly a year's traveling- a year. He'd really rather not repeat this trip more than a couple of more times.
'Joy, the older I get the longer this shyke takes. Well, I'd better get some employ- or I'll end up unable to support myself; and I hate being accosted.' The offices were mere feet away.
Hello Syralias~
