Closed New Places to Experience (Crylon)

[Kynier]

70th of Winter, 518 A.V.

It was difficult to determine if it was excitement or impatience that he was feeling more. From the estimates that they had been telling him, it should only be another tenday, maybe more maybe less, until construction was complete. If that remained true, then there were only two more payments required to cover the expense. One was due today, and Kynier was making his way to a little section of the Seaside Market that was just off the Nameless river to make the payment.

During the last couple of visits, he had been growing anxious to move into his new home. There were several things that having a home provided which he missed. First, was the privacy. Having somewhere that you could go to be alone and know that no one would disturb you was a small luxury he wanted to have again. Then there was the ability to have a bath where he felt cleaner after taking it. The bath chambers at the Song’s Rest were not easy to fill with water, and bathing in the bay wasn’t as refreshing. Also, a sense of security. Keeping most of his possessions stored within his magical backpack only made him more apprehensive about it getting stolen.

The day itself was fairly pleasant. Syna was bestowing her light comfortably upon the city with only a few inky clouds decorating the sky. A fresh wind did cause the smoke column from the Slag Heap to drift over the city, adding a little darkness to the sky. Kynier was traveling with his usual assortment. The black mohair cloak draped over his shoulders with the hood up. A dark green vest with several hidden pockets on the inside which he kept an unusual assortment of tools. Underneath was a crimson cotton shirt tucked into his dark pants. Two cold iron short swords hung at his belt, one with a more mundane hilt, handle, and pommel than the others exquisite design. His back was slung over his shoulder and under the cloak, making it more difficult to see and steal.

Coming to the construction site, Kynier smirked a little. The single-story building of mortar and stone looked good to his amateur eye. Most of his construction and architectural work was subterranean and consisted of digging rather than building. The structure was square and looked more appealing than most of the buildings one would see in Sunberth. The acre of land it sat one was fenced off by a meager wooden set up that couldn’t keep anything out. A project for another time when more funding was available. Kynier walked the beaten path up to the door which stood open. Hammering, sawing, and cursing could be heard from within. Kynier stopped and stood at the open doorway until someone noticed him. The laborer did, they called for the foreman.

Less than a chime later, an older man with an ale formed gut and large arms came to meet him at the door. “How does everything fair?” Kynier asked the foreman. When the foreman wasn’t around, Kynier didn’t speak to anyone working on the project, nor would he have left the payment. Too many people with sticky fingers and an eye for unattended gold.

“It’s coming along well. The chimney was completed without further delays, making the hearth and cooking pit usable without filling the place up with smoke. The leak in the roof has been fixed, and the last of the interior walls should be up within the next few days.” Glad to hear about the progress, Kynier reached into his pack and withdrew the day’s designated payment. He gave it to the foreman. “Did you want to come inside and take a look?”

“Not just yet. But I’ll be around for a little bit to admire the work.” The foreman gave a dry laugh and returned to the work. Kynier stepped away from the structure and made his way back to the fence perimeter. Sitting down on the grass, he leaned against a wooden post positioned closer to the corner of the property. So far, this was a favorite view of the place. He could see the front and side of the building, as well as the land leading down to the river, as well as a section of the Gated Community on the other side of that river. With Syna’s light reflecting off the water, the place almost looked peaceful.

Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!

[Crylon Stonecraft]

70 Winter 518 Crylon was still learning his way about Sunberth, each day expanding his knowledge of where something was or how to get to another place. Little by little a general layout of the city was forming in his mind, and if he did not know particular ways to get places he knew general directions and distances to do so. Since arriving he had heard of a market, and decided that today he would seek it out. Not equipped with coin, he knew better than to venture into a new part of town laden with much more than a few mizas worth of money. No today he would simply find the place, get a measure of it, feel about, and have a better plan for when he came back in need of purchasing something. It was not too difficult to figure out the way once he tried to find it. He basically headed west from the bay area, where he spent most of his time, and kept going till he ran smack into the large and spread out market area. Arriving though he was reminded of Ravok, as the structures were all up on stilts or other things increasing their height somewhat similar to the large wooden bases the floating city buildings rested on. Inspecting the ground and the nearby waterfront, he could see why. The water level was not too high, and by the markings when it rose it flooded the ground by rising higher and over the banks. Rather than raise the level of the ground, which seemed to Crylon to make more sense, they had raised the stalls. At that time, the tide and therefore water being lower, it was simple enough to walk from place to place, though requiring heading up a ladder or stairs to get to one. Off to the side he saw some small boats, and assumed someone sensing a need would raft people about on them to get to the stalls when their feet no longer allowed it. It was a reminder to him to make sure to get here before that happened, as he was not really a swimmer. Of all the qualities of Isur, being natural born swimmers was not one of them. While many eyed him as he moved about, Crylon was not showing any signs of being ripe for the pickings. He was not wearing enough to be hiding anything of value, only his pants and boots, and his bare chest let his black gem/metal arm show all the more visibly. In the right hands, his own attached to his body, that arm was both a tool of making and a weapon of defense. Something in that equation made the trouble of attacking the Isur not worth the expected reward, and so while a few eyed him openly or secretly none accosted him. He kept heading around, moving at the outskirts, not delving in too deep into the trade area. Instead he experienced things from afar. People arguing. Dealing. Wheeling. Wheedling. Up-selling. Down-selling. It was all a confusing mishmash of commerce which overwhelmed his senses ability to discern anything specific of interest or value. Like sticking your arm in a quick flowing stream of water, and trying to pick out one particular drop of the liquid. As he headed a bit further away from the deep press, began to exit the market and head into the area surrounding it, he noticed signs of labor. Construction. A new building going up. It was one of the first ones he had seen outside of the bay, and seemed to be a genuine undertaking unlike some of the finished products he had seen which seemed little more than a few boards nailed together. It was not as fine as what he was working on, and no where near compared to Sultros and its masterpieces of stone architecture, but this structure seemed decent. Perhaps a bit above average by Sunberthian standards. Laid bricks, straight walls. Wood being cut and placed could be heard from within. Though considering the nearby issues of flooding, he was surprised to not see much high ground or any retaining walls... Something to keep the place from being submerged the first time a minor flood came, or even a particularly high tide. It all sat smack in the middle of a wide patch of land, devoid of any other buildings or structures. Perhaps for other later additions, or some such things. As he continued eyeing the building in progress, the industry in motion, he noticed near the outer fence one still figure. A man, leaning against a post which marked part of the land allotment's outer defining boundary. Heading over to check closer he found the man was a human, sitting on the ground and watching the proceedings. Either he was another person like himself interested in construction, or logically in alternative he was the person who owned the place being built. Or perhaps he just found it a good place to sit, and was a somewhat decently dressed layabout and vagabond. Either way, he could not tell if the man wanted to sit in silence, or if he would welcome a conversation. Crylon did not say anything as he neared, nodding if the man looked up and met his eyes, though if the man spoke to him he would carry on a conversation. Until then he would just stand and keep watching the proceedings for several more chimes, inspecting the structure going up and sizing it up. A bit small of a structure though, he felt, for so large a parcel of land.

[Kynier]

The future was in a fluid state for him and often his thoughts were dwelling on what could come rather than where he was. As Kynier sat there, observing the place that would soon be his home, he thought about the things he had wanted to include in the construction of his home, but couldn’t afford. There was only one room that had the mage had yet to assign a function to. And it was small. He wanted a space to be able to practice and harness his magic in safety. To be able to make note of his self-discoveries and perhaps do something as foolish as create a book about it. It sounded foolish, and even more so in Sunberth.

Then there was also the physical training he desired to pursue. It had been sometime since he last managed to provide consistent training for his body. Kynier looked around the vacant land surrounding the structure, imagining himself taking the space to run and perform acrobatics. Perhaps an obstacle course could be formed to provide an additional challenge? And as his eyes slowly scanned the land, that was when Kynier felt the presence of someone nearby. When he looked up, there was a male with short hair and a well-kept beard nearby, that nodded at him in silent greeting. Kynier returned the gesture by shifting his chin up and slowly back down.

It was a distant sound, that of the construction inside the building, and it was a bit muffled. Yet, when combined with how Kynier allowed his mind to wander it served to disguise the approach of the Isurian. That was a sign to him, one of growing too comfortable and complacent. Kynier felt it was a sign of loosing his edge, which he needed to get back. Soon though, he could designate time and some space to accomplishing just that. For now, he was a bit taken by the man standing at his property line. The man wore no coat, cloak, and not even a shirt. Bare chested with a strange bluish hue to his skin, and an obsidian black left arm. An Isur.

The man seemed to take in the scene of the property and the structure with a critical eye, as Kynier watched the man’s reactions to his own mental dialogues. While the mage had not met any Isurians in Sunberth that lived to the race’s reputation, they were generally acknowledged as smiths and crafters. The fellow hadn’t taken advantage of Kynier’s lack of awareness, so he likely wasn’t a thug like several he had seen around the city. He didn’t appear to have any weapons on him, though the metallic limb could be quite intimidating he supposed.

“A fairly poor structure,” he said critically as he turned his eyes back on the construction. “Compared to buildings in other cities. Yet, in Sunberth, it is definitely of higher quality.” Kynier looked up at the Isur to gage his reaction. “It’s a bit discouraging how much one needs to scrape together in order to have a roof that doesn’t leak over their head in this place. Most never manage to get that much together.” Kynier got to his feet and leaned against a post of the fence, crossing his arms. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!

[Crylon Stonecraft]

The mans eyes shifted suddenly to Crylon, indicating to him he had not been noticed until he drew close. Still the man did not jerk away, nor did he attack or grow violent, simply nodding in return. A positive reaction if ever there had been one, at least by Sunberthian standards. From where they stood the sounds of the works building were audible, occasional loud noises cresting and dipping to the general low hum of such work. An occasional swear, oath, or yell. Tied in with the lower sound of people at work and adding and taking away and cutting and pulling. Dropping. As the man did not react right away, Crylon simply continued to examine and appraise the land and the work site. Still small, with too much unused and wasted land. Perhaps far enough from the market for daily flooding not to be an issue, perhaps not. And perhaps just waiting for a higher than normal tide to come in... At the mans comment once he finally spoke, Crylon shrugged, continuing to ponder the work for a few more moments. Taking a few moments to arrange the words in his mouth, Crylon spoke in his best but certainly not fluent common. “Seen better here. Seen worse here. But yes, not bad, for Sunberth. But that not say much. Like saying not bad horse compare to many with broken legs. Most horses better than one with broken legs. Most houses better than many... Ruins... One find in city.” He was not sure why, but something about the way the man commented on the work site, on another persons work, rubbed Crylon the wrong way. As a fellow craftsman perhaps it struck him as wrong, for someone to besmirch another workers craft when they themselves doing the complaining had never tried it and did not know its difficulty. “But if not happy, how made bad, why not make self? Easy say do bad, when not do. But if do self, no one blame but self. So you not know how? Or you like complain others work but not do?” Crylon paused for a bit, eying the building and the workers coming in and out of the structure. He also eyed the dividing line, the rough "fence" which divided the edges of the property from others. “Why so much land, so little building? Seem waste, waste space and money, buy so much. Why not buy less, or make bigger building?” Crylon paused again, considering, and turning to the man again. “Or maybe you want land tween for other reason. Me not know, can't say.” Once more Crylon would pause for a moment, not having asked an actual question at the end, more having phrased a statement in what to others might have been a question. Pausing Crylon pointed with his left arm in the direction of the market nearby that he had come from. “Is close market, there. But market flood, looks like. Flood much. Maybe every day, tide come in, flood. How deal flood here, if water come?”

[Kynier]

The stranger’s comparison was very apt and mildly amusing. The standard was set low within Sunberth, making a “not bad” structure probably very easy for those with the knowledge. Kynier had read through a couple of books, but they were not enough to grant the confidence to go and build his home himself. That required knowledge and experience that came after years. Kynier may not of needed a personal home now, but he needed one now. And he desired something that would be comfortable to stay in.

As he listened to the Isurian, he suspected that the intent of his words had been lost on the fellow. The way the man spoke in a round about way that sounded almost challenging. Kynier looked at the structure in the ticks of silence that followed and at the fence around the edge. The thought was tempting, but his methods of doing so would be very poor for his health. The mage could’ve created stone walls for the house and a solid roof, but they were likely to be brittle if done so in haste. But then, people would wonder where the structure came from when there were no supplies lying around and no indications of a work crew. But he may be able to do that with a stone wall around the property.

Kynier just softly shook his head, “That’s not what I meant. I was implying how unfortunate it is that making such a building requires more than what many here can accomplish. And that it falls below the standard of what you would find in other cities.” The tone of the man’s words did not go unnoticed. Exactly why the man felt that way was impossible to tell. “The land,” he said indicating the yet to be utilized property, “right now is mostly for privacy. Also, space, for later expansions. I see something being built here, but I just am not sure what that is yet. As for the size of the structure, it’s what could be afforded without going into debt.”

Listening to the question about the daily flood waters, Kynier began to get the impression that the man had an eye for buildings. “The markets are next to both the Nameless river and the Mudway, to the north. This,” Kynier indicated the land again, “is far enough south the flooding is less severe. Comes close but not quite to the building, since it is next to only one river. One idea is to replace this fence,” he thumped a fist on the wood post lightly, “with stone. Stone tall enough to keep out the flood waters.” Kynier could see the waters at the river’s edge beginning to rise. Within the bell, a large section of the land between the river and the building will be engulfed by the tide.

“My name is Kynier,” he said offering a hand to the Isurian. “Every time I see an Isurian in Sunberth, I get very curious to why they come to a place like this. Sunberth is not exactly an ideal Human settlement to come to.”

Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!

[Crylon Stonecraft]

A small smile came to Crylon's lips as he considered the human. He seemed to change his tune as soon as it was sung, to Crylon's mind. Though perhaps it had simply been a careless or unintended word, or some trick of translation in error. Crylon after all knew he was not quite fluent in the common tongue, though was slowly growing closer to it. He was also young, particularly compared to Crylon, who while appearing close to thirty in human age was much closer to twice that in actual years. He would in fact be turning sixty at the end of the current season. “Good things take time. Patience. I wait, till make own home, till can make proper. For now, make others, learn, get better. So when make own, is good. Is proper. I not hurry, know get there. Humans, much hurry. Not enough years maybe. Maybe you too much hurry to get done, not so worried about get done proper, eh?” While his words were still somewhat harsh, they were not spoken in anger or with malice, more akin to a teacher trying to explain some concept to a student. Not blaming him for not knowing it yet, understanding he did not grasp it, but still trying to nudge him in the correct direction. He was interested to know that the man wanted the land as much for privacy as for use. It seemed a bit odd to him, a bit of a waste, but he could understand wanting a... Buffer, between himself and others. As they spoke and returned to things architectural Crylon nodded, considering his words. Apparently the land was far enough from the water that flooding was less of an issue, according to him, at least compared to the market. His idea though to replace the simple fence with a stone barrier... Something he pointed out with a half laugh in his voice. “If think not find make building right, make stone wall tight to keep out water, is probably much harder. Water like flow. Not easy keep out. Not sure how would make, but think not so easy as wall keep people out. Height no help if not tight of water.” Taking the offered hand with his right more normal arm Crylon nodded, considering his words. His tone and his movements were precise and with intent, even the choice of his hand was one of appearing less threatening, for if he had wished to with his left he could have crushed the mans hand like a rotten melon. But he did not wish to be perceived as threatening at the moment, and so used his other hand. “Name is Crylon. Come for many things. I... Design for building. Also learning more of to build, but focus is on design for other build. What better place for that, what place need more of that than Sunberth? Also compare to some places, Sunberth freer. Sometimes is not good, maybe too free, but sometimes is good free.” Pausing, Crylon met the humans eye, considering him. To an Isur in some respects a trade was as important as a name, and knowing what someone did for a living often said much about them. “But that why I here, what I do. Why you here Kynier? What you do? You also here, and maybe bit easier for human but still here. So why? What?”

[Kynier]

Kynier listened carefully to the Isurian as he spoke. The man’s word choice was very particular, and their delivery was a bit rough. It sounded as though the fellow was a builder rather than a craftsman. He had come to work on making structures for other people. A good way of gaining experience. It sounded as though the Isurian intended to stay in Sunberth and build his own home here. That’s how it seemed since he didn’t specify where he wanted to build his own home. Kynier simply grunted a “hmm” when the obsidian limbed fellow commented on Human impatience. Kynier never talked about Isurian physiology with an Isurian, so their extended lifespan was something he was oblivious about.

“These workers have a good reputation,” Kynier said with an indication to the structure and the noise coming from within. “I have seen the result of some of their work before this too. I… believe in their ability to make a good structure. But I remain cautious. I have been paying them periodically, rather that all at once. Even well reputed people can get greedy from time to time.”

Kynier thought over the Isurian’s comments about the stone wall he wanted to put around the perimeter. It was true that it was duel purposed, privacy and flood prevention. But Kynier had to repeat a few things the man said in his mind a few times because he hadn’t understood initially. Tight of water? It took several ticks for Kynier to understand he probably meant watertight. That wouldn’t really be an issue, Kynier could task a Shield to keep the water out. But the man wasn’t wrong about how difficult it was likely to be making that stone wall. The building itself was far enough away that they only took a few precautions. Trying to build something in between floods though…

“No, not easy to keep out at all. But it’s to allow more use of the land too. That would be a project that would be done slowly in order to make sure it is done well. One idyllic thought would be to plant a few trees on the land as well. Add a little more life to the city. It all seems to have been uprooted and removed. The presence of a few well grown trees would be calming, I believe,” he said a bit whimsically.

Crylon. Kynier mentally repeated the name to himself several times in order to remember it better. He did appreciate not being giving the signature Isurian arm for a greeting. Crylon confirmed Kynier’s suspicions about whether he was a builder. Although, it sounded like it would be better to say that he was an architect. Kynier chuckled softly at the remark of Sunberth being “too free”. It was anarchy after all. But that was more detrimental at times than helpful. The natives probably would never realize that unless they went to another city. One like Syliras or Nyka. Although, they’d probably revolt rather quickly in places like those.

What did he do? Well, there was one word that fully summed up what he did in Sunberth. However, it was not a word that was well received by those not looking to retain his services. “I’m a broker of information. Someone has a question about something, I try to get them an accurate answer.” That didn’t fully describe what he did, but it was better than admitting that he was a Spy, a Nightstalker, or a mage. “As for why I’m here… I want to make changes. To the city. Hopefully to the whole world. Change how people view each other. And if I can do that here, then maybe it will have a ripple effect throughout the world.”

As they spoke, the water crept up the land towards the structure. There was indeed a significant section of land that was submerged on a daily basis. To him, it seemed a waste to not try and build a wall to block the high tides. “Being a Human here definitely makes it easier to live in Sunberth. Less suspicious I suppose. Easier to blend into a crowd. Go unnoticed.” Kynier turned to look at Crylon as he continued to lean against the post. “So, do you intend to create your own business in Sunberth? Because you’re right, there’s a lot of potential construction for this city. Or are you a freelance worker?”

Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon watched the men at work on the site, the sounds of labor and building humming away in the background. According to the man, said Crylon felt somewhat defensively in response to Crylon's earlier comment, the men at work on his site were skilled and did good work. If nothing else this seemed to him rather conflicting to his earlier words of complaint... Or perhaps he simply wanted to come across as satisfied with the labor given to him and the work being done, and had simply been grumbling over nothing before? Such a thing might have made sense to Crylon as a negotiating tactic, it occurred to him then, but outside of this context he did not see the point of arguing and complaining about such a thing to no end. But even with this comment, he seemed to cut it with a grain of suspicion, as if Crylon would think less of him should the man let on to him that he was too trusting. Or perhaps thought if he did not make it clear he was not too trusting then Crylon might try to take advantage of him as well. “Yes, have seen much among humans. Spose is good be cautious. Word not always bond...” He made a bit more emphasis on the word human, making it clear he did not think the same of Isur or that an Isur as himself would be caught doing such a thing. “But common, not pay for thing, till get. But spose with big thing, like house, need pay some, for labor, expenses, to keep building. And make sure person have money pay for work. Safe for worker as much payer, if they not money have. If not, what left do? Keep self, and hope sell to other? Not so easy, think, as sell to person who choose.” His comment on the land did make sense, in a manner, and gave some indication he had long terms plans for it and himself. And also gave some indication the man had given thought to such things, at least since Crylon had brought them up. He was less sure about trees though. From his comment it seemed he planned to add them only for aesthetic purposes, whereas he himself was not overly large for purely aesthetic additions. Such things could compliment, add artistry to things, but to do it solely for that? Odd... As useful as having a glass sword, or a wooden forge. Or perhaps another difference between humans and Isur. At the mans mention of his job, Crylons brow creased. He had a feeling something was being lost in translation, but he was not sure what. Even concentrating for a few moments he could not puzzle it out, and so was left to try and puzzle it out. He traded information? Like a merchant, but with words and knowledge? Someone wanted to know something, and he would search it out for them... But it seemed there was more to it than that. “You... Find out things for people, things want know? Like what sort thing? Like... Guide for city? Or... Not sure follow meaning.” At his explanation of why the man was there well... Crylon smiled, shaking his head. “You not first tell me similar thing, since come here. Seem lot have hopes, change city. I only get here, but seems me city not change much afore. But like say, new here. Have plans. Hopes, of own. Build, once get know better. But not yet. But maybe hopes come true, in days come. Who I to say.” “Now, work other, helping with order before building. Managing site. Doing work. But once get better, will design self, build self, do self. Once have moneys saved, and skills. Maybe then, start own business. But not yet.” As he gave the man some consideration, having answered his newest question, Crylon pondered the man some more. The more he spoke to him, the more he felt how young the man was compared to Crylon, even for a human who aged so much quicker than an Isur. This, combined with his mentioning of him working as a broker of information made him consider a few things to say to the man. To ask of him. “Is question, for you. Seem young. How old you are? And how old you think I am?” “Also, you say broker information... What sorts?... Like you know... Is place in city, for children no home? I see many, living in town of tents, no home. Is sad. But wonder, they not have place for these no home childs in Sunberth? New, not know such things, but maybe is common thing. But wonder you know.”

[Kynier]

Trust was a finicky thing. It took so long to build and so short of a time to destroy. Within the anarchy, there was only one thing Kynier had seen among the citizens that he could truly trust. That they would do what was best for themselves. If anyone were to confront him on that view, he would not hesitate to admit he was the same way by instinct. No. Words held no real bond. Not here. Even those you expected to get trust from can refuse to give it for no reason at all.

Crylon’s emphasis on the word Human did not go unnoticed. But Kynier did not remark on it. He did not feel the need to get into a philosophical debate with a man that was a stranger. And, he couldn’t argue that it wasn’t just humans that were untrustworthy. Most of his life had been spent in human civilizations despite his closest relationships being with those that weren’t. Was that the reason no one ever fully trusted him? Because he was human and not a member of any other race? No one could control their own birth. It wasn’t fair to judge someone by their race. And yet, that’s what everyone who claimed to be better did.

What the Isurian said about monetary exchange for goods was completely understandable. “I agree. That’s why I’ve been paying them in increments. And yes, I would imagine it would be very difficult to find another buyer. So many buildings of lesser value are available, and no one tries to purchase them. Even those that can afford them don’t want them. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to demolish all the derelict structures and just rebuild the city.”

The Isurian offered no comment on the idea of planting trees. Which, Kynier suspected he should have been able to guess beforehand. He knew Isurians lived undergound, and that their home, Sultros, was located inside of a mountain. Trees likely had very little appeal to an Isurian. Instead, he asked more about what it was that Kynier did as a profession. If the mage had any sort of conventional job or trade, there would be no word dancing. But he couldn’t just say that he was a spy to anyone that asked. “Not a guide of the city. Just… if you wanted to know something, I find out who can give the best answer and get it from them. I find out information that is less known or harder to acquire.”

Crylon commented about changes to the city itself. What he said was something Kynier had experienced as well. People wanted Sunberth to be different. The contention was simply in what changes people wanted to make. “Change is difficult. Most days, I don’t know where I’m supposed to start to make the changes I want to have happen. There are direct, even violent, things that could be done. But if the aftermath isn’t permanent, then it isn’t worth the violence.”

It sounded as though Crylon intended to work as a foreman, or a private contractor? Nothing on the scale of a business. He did not mention whether he’d be doing all of it by himself or with a crew. It sounded as though he would like to own a business, once he had a comfortable amount of experience. “It is wise to make sure you are prepared, and feel ready, before starting on something that significant.”

The next question was one Kynier did not expect. “How old am I? This last Fall I turned twenty-four.” Kynier did not understand why it was that Crylon wanted to know his age. “I’m not sure,” he said as he examined the bare-chested male next to him. “If I had to guess… I would say thirty. Perhaps thirty-five.”

What sort of information did he broker? The Isurian probably didn’t care much about the gang politics, nor even their territories. That was what he had spent a few years discovering. Crylon asked about a place for the homeless children. It was strangely noble that the man would ask something like that. “There is an orphanage in the city. A place where children with no home would wait for adults to come and adopt them. But that place with all the tents, that is Tent City. They’re refugees from Denval. Denval was destroyed by Djed storms. They made their home with all those tents.”

“Many children would rather fend for themselves. So, they become thieves. Or join one of the major gangs. Most of them are not well educated. Many of them cannot read and will never learn. Some may find a profession and dedicate their life to it. But most will throw themselves into the violence that fills the streets.” An unpleasant bit of information, but Crylon had asked. “Was there anything else about the city that you would like to know?”

“What is it that you do when you’re no building something Crylon? Life is made of different flavors. One person cannot be content with doing the same thing all the time. I do some physical training and try to expand my knowledge when I’m not working. Do you have any such hobbies?”

Boxcode credit goes to Gossamer!

[Crylon Stonecraft]

Crylon pondered Kynier's words, a small shrug coming to his shoulders. “Is possible, could. But who would build? Who would pay to build? Who would use? If not have all these things, then no point tear down and replace, for make place no purpose. If make, no purpose, then not be used.” His explanation of his work, how he made a living, seemed to Crylon to be skating further from the truth than coming closer to explaining. A dance about the spot, touching the edges without showing the middle. But the more he spoke, the more Crylon saw those edges, and pieces together his meaning. Sold information. Someone seeks something, some knowledge, so he would find it, find who had it, and bring it or them to the buyer... Which implied they were things people wanted kept hidden, and had to be extracted by effort rather than easily gathered. Secrets... Guarded. A broker of information. A finder and breaker of secrets. He understood the concept then, logically followed the crumbs the man had left. Though did not know why the man felt the need to do so, particularly when Crylon was having enough trouble breaking through the simple barrier of communication. He spent a few moments wandering his mind, trying to recall the word in common. In an offhand manner and tone, not overly quietly or loud, Crylon responded once more. “Oh, is spy. Why not say so before, be all confusing? Nough trouble speaking this tongue, not skating on words.” And if Kynier had no more to say on the topic, Crylon would let it go at that, passing on to the next topic of conversation as casually as two men discussing the weather. Spying was not so odd to Crylon. It was in fact something his clan was more well known for than the other Isurian clans. Crylon himself had not been trained in its use, but he had met many spies in his time, had some within his close family. Cousins, and such, learning a trade and craft which while not producing anything physical required skill and intelligence in its user. Protecting the family and clans secrets, seeking out those of other clans and families who might mean ill to them... It was more a fact of life, which made Crylon wonder why the man would tell him, and yet not just come out and tell him. His speaking on change, of means by violence and force seemed a bit odd, and not clear to the Isur. “If people not choose change, if force on, will not last. People must see reason of change, agree with, embrace, or when no one to force around will go back. Children will not be taught. Must be accepted from top, down to bottom. Else change, else way, not hold.” It was much in Sultros, everyone from the head of the Sultros down to the lowest worker embraced their way of live, working for the good of all, for the Kingdom, making an impact. Even as he was doing now, if less directly. Laziness, inaction, had been over time bred out of his people, until it was accepted such was not possible. Hearing the humans age, his youth, Crylon smiled. From his earlier words speaking of the workers he had been left with the impression the man was young. But he also seemed to think Crylon was much younger than he was. Humans, always in such a rush, even rushed through aging. “Is as thought, is young. Not even three... Double hands years, what call? Thirty years but... Name for double hand... But not even. Is young. Humans, most I meet, seem so young, but also... So in hurry to live. If not in so hurry, maybe get more done.” “As for me... Ah, not quite. I is... Ah... Is number, will be... Sixty years, come end of season. Though for Isur, still young, much years left. Not even to middle of years by far.” His talk of the orphanage though did get Crylon's interest. Orphanage, the word he had not known before for a place for children without a home. He was glad to know that such a place did exist, would perhaps seek it out if he could, though was further saddened to here of the reason for those in the tent City, and that many children would choose to live as such rather than in the orphanage or in more proper ways. “I is like find, if can. Help, if can. Is worthy pursuit, to do as they do. Would... What word... Volunteer. Help there, if can. Help children, is good. Children full hope, full promise. Most promise for change, not stuck in ways. Can still learn, grow, change, much easier than grown ones.” “Is not think of anything else now, is what know of in city. Still new to city. Still learning where things are, how get bout. What things here, and what things where. Things. Learn with time. Not hurry.” The question of what he did when not working, his hobbies, seemed to be a recurring one. Did humans perhaps define themselves as much by what they did on their off time, as by their work? It seemed odd to Crylon, but he was a non-human in a human city and so expected to run into many such things. “I is learn. Learn things. Learn talk in human tongue. Also train body. Is tool of Izurdin, I do best to hone tool. Make stronger. Learn defend self, others. Learn more make. Craft. Many things can be make, not learn fore. Like learn make new ways, new things. Not just build, make places. New knowledge, is new tool. Like tool, is how use matter. I like have new tools, expand what can do.”