Sky was now dim with orange clouds waving on it.
The horses had exceeded their expectations. Their training hadn’t gone in vain.
Both of them entered inside Pryeg city on the back of horses.
Even though they were expecting unwelcoming faces to greet them, they got to see none.
Every commoner seemed to be minding their own business.
Fujimoto was looking for something up in the sky, which Shinji noticed.
“What are you looking for?” Shinji questioned.
“Can’t see the damn castle.” Fujimoto had to say.
“King doesn’t live in this city. Don’t let this much of population confuse you.”
“Had heard the prince lives in here. He must be living in a big house, shouldn’t he be?”
“He left the crown altogether. He stakes no castle. Not even a single penny of royal wealth.”
Some guards in noisy armors came towards them by foot.
One of them removed helm from his head and said, “No horses allowed further. City already stinks with horse litter.”
Both of them dismounted horses and took them to tie on a pole.
“Make sure to mark them. And if your saddle is expensive then don’t leave it here. We are not liable for your property.” Guard walked around Shinji.
Shinji knew it was an excuse by him to have a look at his sword.
Fujimoto went on to paint random lines on waist of their horses.
Then the guards cleared the way for them.
“He was interested in your sword.” said Fujimoto when they got past the security.
“Good thing he kept his interest confined. I expected we would enter in the city with red swords.” Shinji spoke while walking on the crowded street.
Both of them stood infront of a shop selling clothes.
“Do you know where Tetsu lives?” Shinji asked the shopkeeper.
“No idea. Would you like to buy some clothes? Sorry to say but your clothes don’t really make you look good.”
Shinji turned around and Fujimoto walked behind him.
From there they asked over fifty men about Tetsu but none of them seemed to ever have heard of him.
“Has Tetsu changed his name?” Fujimoto wiped sweat from his forehead.
“Apparently.” Shinji was exhausted.
Night life had started to begin there.
Day in Pryeg had seemed busy but the night was turning out to be merry.
Streets were not crowded, most shops were closed and lamp lights were coming out through curtains of houses.
While walking they stumbled upon a small alley.
Moaning of women and laughter of men were coming to their ears from everywhere.
“Don’t you think we need some food and sleep?” Fujimoto stopped Shinji.
“Yes. But not here.” Shinji understood what Fujimoto was thinking.
“I can’t walk a step further.”
“Then I will carry you to the other inn.”
“Stop fathering me. If I did not have trust in you then I would have never come this far.” Fujimoto’s eyes had gone red, “Now, rent a room.”
“I can’t stand brothels.”
“Then stand outside. Guard me and father me for real.”
Fujimoto took out a coin from Shinji’s bag and knocked on a door.
Three of underdressed women opened the door. Those three harlots had same face.
Triplets. Shinji thought.
“Hospitality right from the door.” Fujimoto laughed.
“More awaits inside.” Said a woman.
Fujimoto’s smirk showed no sign of ending. He turned back at Shinji and said, “You want to come in or stay outside?”
_
Shinji was on his bed, listening to Fujimoto making noise in the other room.
He never had been into whores.
Shinji remembered the time when one of his friends had been to whores and got infected with a disease which turned him into a monster.
Turned out, cut-throats had enemies more than humans.
Shinji had slain his friend by himself.
He also slay the witch who had lured his friend to spend night with her.
Hoping this brothel was witch free, Shinji listened to Fujimoto for more than half an hour.
“Don’t you sleep?” a woman entered inside with a chalice.
Shinji looked at her.
“Your friend paid me for you as well.” She sat on his bed.
“Generous of him. Now you can go.” Shinji made himself clear.
“I am a proud woman. I won’t take anything without doing a job.”
“Then give the coin back. It was not Fujimoto’s anyways.”
But she already lay on her bed.
“No refunds. So make sure you make this moment count.” She mumbled, “In case you are wondering, we are triplets.”
“Your mother must be proud of you three.”
She lifted her chalice high.
As the chalice touched Shinji’s nose tip, he got a strong desire to taste it.
“Get this away.”
“No.” she said and threw it on his face.
Shinji felt the earth beneath him shake.
A second later, he was unconscious.
