CHAPTER ONE

It was warm morning and so, stench of fishes had blown from the harbor right into town. Prospero Ardiente, young man of age seventeen, run down the main road in direction of Remas harbor. Prospero was strong build, very tall gentleman with raven black, short cut hair. He was rather handsome with dark, brown eyes, typical reman nose and smooth shaven face, like most boys in his age. Beard was considered as a symbol of bravery or intelligence in city of Remas, so his smooth shaven face was in some way a sign of his status as an minor, not adult. Prospero wore blue robe with red ornaments, colors of his family, underneath, causal and elegant clothing made from cotton. White cotton shirt tied at the chest. On top of it cotton blue vest. He also had wide blue pants with red stripes. Prospero had on his neck hanging gold medallion with symbol of Myrmidia. Myrmidia is a goddess of honor, beauty and civilization, commonly respected in whole Old World, reason why Prospero decided to wear this symbol were his own.
As he run, boy was hoping to see his friend as soon as possible, mostly because last time they seen each other was almost year ago. However, small part of Prospero, very tiny bit of him, was eager to see how rare and exotic gifts he will receive this time from his no less exotic friend. Last year young Ardiente received a blade. Elven sword was a masterpiece, made from very rare metal, forged only on Ulthuan, sword was incredibly durable yet flexible. Handle was lined with gold and silver. Blade itself was silver with single golden strip going through the middle of it. Sword was well balanced so it let fighter to use fast swings that could easily defeat any enemy. Ardiente always had this blade at his side, pinned to his belt, he trained with it whenever he didn't had to help his family with work.
Prospero get so close to the harbor he saw the masts of the ships docked there, they looked like big forest of trees surrounded by white clouds. The huge circular harbor of Remas was built, by the High Elves as their trading port for their collosal ships. Now, even though it was ruined and gigantic chunks of stones layed half submerged in the water, it still sheltered the large and powerful fleet of Remas. The narrow entrance to the harbor was spanned by a mighty bridge resting on great stone piers. This bridge not only carried the road linking the two sides of the city, but beared the weight of many fine houses and palaces of the Merchant Princes on both sides of the street. These houses rise up in three, four and five store’s with overhanging balconies. There are towers at either end and in the middle of the bridge, some of them are leaning at gravity-defying angles, supported by numerous colossal buttresses. Even though he lived in this town all his life, Prospero was always overwhelmed by beauty of this part of town. Boy ran through wooden platform floating on slow waters. At the end of the dock 34, in local language signed as XXXIV, moored very distinctive ship with very exotic silhouette. Ship had only two long masts and one shorter at the end of the boat. All three sails had, different than in most of the Old Worlders ships, triangular shape. Ardiente went through footbridge, and after a moment he was on board of Arabian ship. He went straight to the poop deck, hee knew his way, there he was awaited by captain of Desert Jewel, Ibrahim Al -Musaf.
Captain Al-Musaf was tall and strong build man with big, curly, black beard, briefly cut hair and hazel eyes. Ibrahim went to greet his young friend.
'As-salamu alaika, my dear Prospero.' Next he hug young boy.
'Wa alaika salam, capitano.' Ardiente answered.
'I have good news for you.' Ibrahim continued with strong Arabian accent after releasing boy from his grasp. 'I found very rare dactyls at the market of Copher, you should get for them small fortune, but I personally.' He paused for a moment.' I would give them to some attractive young lady.' Ibrahim laugh out loud as Prospero face blushed when he heard it.
'Grazie capitano. I sure will.' Prospero hided small sack with Arabian raisins. 'Any who. I hope that except palm grapes you have our shipment.'
'Of course, sabi!' Ibrahim yelled, but very quickly lowered his voice, realizing even, that Prospero was young man, he was in someway his employer. 'My lads had unloaded it, it is already safe at warehouse.'
For moment they stood silently, finally Ardiente spoke out.
'How was your travel capitano?' Prospero asked, unsure how to start conversation.
'Things had been good.' Captain put his hand on Prospero arm and lead him to main deck. 'I cannot whine. Wine I drank was good, wind was almost always at my back and clean whores in each port we visited made my happy. Yes sabi, I’ve been good. But how was you?' Ibrahim walked with Prospero off the ship. 'How you been?'
Prospero didn't wanted to lie, so he replied like always when asked. 'Also good capitano.'
'If you say so.' Ibrahim didn't pressed on this matter deeper, he felt that Prospero didn't wanted to talk about it at this time.
Both, young Prosper and captain Al-Musaf left the harbor and headed to warehouse district. Huge buildings without windows stood in the rows along the wide alleys. Harbor workers had been carrying crates and barrels off the ships to the warehouses, and after a day, back onto a ships. Unless shipment was sent to Remas, than, after day in wait, crates could been moved into town, to market, private estate or other warehouse. All this complicated process was really a gold laying goose. Captain of a ship had to pay off harbor workers to carry the shipment, he also had to pay off the thieves guild to make sure his shipment would return to the ship in one piece. While waiting in harbor, there also had to be paid a tax for ship. There was really huge number of weird taxes to pay, but most paid. Unless you used to be old pirate, like Captain Al-Musaf, than you had your friends like Remus Ardiente to pay them for you, and you just had to care about the pirates trying to rob you, also if you had your man to do the work, you didn't had to pay workers for transport.
There at warehouse number 34, Prospero checked the shipment, hundreds of meters of high quality silk, one of the most luxury items in whole world, each bale worth few hundred florins. Captain Al-Musaf brought entire cargo hold of this material, few dozen crates, each with a symbol of different Arabian trading guild, some of them with symbol of a green dragon, emblem of the very powerful empire at the east, far behind world edge mountains, where silk was produced first, and it masters knew secret to manufacture best quality cloth.
'I hope captain, that you are not leaving us too soon.' Prospero started small talk when they headed to inn, that always was visited by captain when he was arriving with shipment for Ardiente family.
'Aye. Unfortunately I have to wait till my ship is repaired, it's nothing serious, but we had small encounter with those bloody pirates on the way here and lower decks takes water.'
'In that case, I want to invite you to our estate, captaino.'
'That's very kind of you boy, I will be honored, but i don't want to abuse your hospitality.'
'That's not a problem at all. Please be my guest in my fathers house.'
'If you wish so.' Captain paused and thought for a moment. 'Damn me! I would be fool to not accept hot meal and clean sheets over this stinky inn. Lead the way young master Ardiente.' Al-Musaf answered happily and together they headed to Palazzo Di Ardiente.

***
Next day was warm and sunny, moist and hot air made breathing hard. Prospero went down the stairs to meet his father in the library. Big room in the western wing of Palazzo di Ardiente had all walls covered in book shelves made from best quality hard wood. Many kinds of wood like ebony and mahogany were shipped to Remas by Prosperos grandfather from Araby, and this library was central point of the house build by grandfather. Each book shelve was filled with carefully picked and collected, hard cover, handmade books over the decades. Remus Ardiente was looking very much like his son, even though he was all foot shorter, everyone used to say that they both look alike, but Prospero couldn’t see similarity.
'Saluti padre.' He said.
'Good morning my son, how are you doing today?'
'Very well father, mother said you wanted to see me.'
'Si, I'm very pleased how you handled our yesterday trade, but today you have more important thing to do. I want you to take ten paces of green silk to Castello Di Garazzi, our servants have prepared them already.'
Head of Garazzia family was Lorenzo, powerful merchant prince and leader of Remas trading guild who, among other thirty two members of the guild, he held control over trade all over Remas region, both, by sea and land. Merchants Guild were formed by the elite families in whole Tilea, each group controlling bigger city of the region, with few exceptions like Luccini, which had it King. Trading guilds are responsible for all sorts of taxes, from which they gain profit, this taxes are not easily accepted or liked by lower classes of society. This was one of the main reasons why merchant princes founded their own mercenary armies. Some of the merchant princes gained another source of income in selling out their own mercenaries to fight for other cities. This merchant warlords are know as Mercenary Kings, one of whom was Fernando da Ravola. Da Ravola was soon to be da Grazia ally in business and family. Allience like this would surely change the balance of powers in entire country and bring big changes to the region.
'Si padre.' Prospero replied and left.

Narrow streets of Remas are always full of traders, craftsman's and mercenaries but biggest group of citizens within city walls surely are poor people like beggers and thieves, last one's are also one least seen. Many low expierience thieves disguises themselfs as beggars to work as pickpockets, most of them are kids. More mature robbers, one step higher in thief hierarchy are teenagers and young adults specialized in armed robbery. They work in groups, armed in knives, sticks and knuckle-dusters they wait for their prays in small dark allays which Remas is full. Their strategy looks similar to wolf pack, locate, attack, feast and run away before danger, city guard, arrives. The elite group of thief's are burglars, specially respected for their skills, burglars work by themselves, rarely gathering in groups. All burglars need permissions to, as they call it, sweep the house. Permissions are given by local crime lord who rules on of the city districts. If one would decide to sweep some merchant house without giving right share to district lord, he could find himself at the bottom of harbor. Above all of these are mentioned crime lords, leaders of the thieves guilds. No one really knows how many of them live in city, but rumors says about a dozen, each one leading separate gang, or as they prefer to call themselves, guild. Each thief guild rules over different district in town, and there are even guilds who, instead of territory, specialize in thief arts, like lock picking, stealth or disguise. But most powerful are richest and by that, connected to city officials are ones who trade contraband, any kind of goods, weapon, alcohol or people, all products are desired in city of Remas. It happens that when one gang works on territory of other, they very often start wars which shaken the foundation of the city, numerous dead, fires and killings in bright day disturb city life. This short term conflicts end as quickly as they start. In most cases with peace treaty signed at Thief's Council, also know as Brethren Court but sometimes when both sides don't want to step back, wars end in bloodshed with use of muskets and blades of town council.
Prospero passed by the temple of Solkan, this ancient building goes back to time of great Reman Empire when Solkan, main god of justice, was very often worshiped by emperors as first god of the empire. Temple was build in the same architectural style as it twin in Spartii. Build on a plane of square with row of many high columns around main building, each decorated with a motive of flame. Flames were important for Solkanites, so fire was always burning inside the building. High priests of Solkan were responsible for the fire, it was said, that as long they keep the fire, so long Solkan will protect the town. Followers of Solkan used flames as a decoration on their robes, engraved red flames on black robes are symbol that is both respected and feared in town. Solkan himself is presented as a cruel god of vengeance punishing those who resist gods of law. Most often portrayed as a tall, mighty man, whose face is reflected by rage, he is dressed in armor and wide hat, similar to one wore by witch hunters. In his hand he holds mighty artifact a flaming sword of vengeance, Flammendrung. This image of him is shown on his statue, fifteen feet tall, bronze monument located right outside the temple where Solkan looks down at the town folks with rage and raised blade, remembering them, that if they even ally with dark forces, his blade will taste their souls and flesh.
Prospero decided to choose path through back allays to avoid crowds while traveling with such important cargo and away from the pickpockets. Soon he was in one of the alleys, his servants behind him.
'Pass us the merchandise, messere.' Mysterious voice coming from the back suprised Prospero, at first he tought that one of the servants speaked to him, but the servants would not speak in such threatening tone.
Ardiente slowly turned around. He saw three robbers, two of them were muscles, both armed with wooden clubs, between them smaller robber who held small dagger. All three of them wore casual clothing, on top of which they had leather braces and leather vests. Right on their chests, they had symbols of blood red cross, so called Templars. This gang worked in temple district as one could suspect. Prospero didn't knew what their specialization was, as he knew most of the gangs, but there was a rumor that they were ready to fulfill any quest, from simple robbery to assassinations if their emplyee paid enough.
'I said give us your packages.' Middle man repeated. His voice was high and squaky, almost like a talking mice.
'Mi scusi signore. But I can't allow you to take it.' Prospero replied trying to calm armed men. 'But I'm willing to support your cause from my own pocket.' Saying that Prospero grabbed his coin purse.
'Looks like you don't have choice rich boy. There is three of us, and your servants don't have weapons.' Mice voice replied.
'My lord.' One of the servants interrupted. 'I will fight. I'm ready to use my bare hands in this one.'
Other servant came closer.
'Me as well.' He added.
'That won't be necessary.' Prospero reached for his elven blade. 'I will take care of this myself. You protect the crates.' Servants nod and Prospero took few steps forwards increasing his distance from merchandise and coming closer to greedy robbers.
'I see you like to play rough. Fine!' Bandit leader shouted to Prospero, than he turned to his sidekicks. 'What you wait for you fools. Get him!'
'Let's play!' Prospero replied and threw his coin purse in one of the thugs. Gold hitted him right in the face and gave Ardiente advantage of few seconds.
Other thug swung his club from above. Prospero couldn’t parry this with his blade, such blow could break the sword, even though it suppose to be hard like nothing in the world Prospero didn't wanted to risk so he took small step back and club landed right in front of his toes, missing them by inches. Seeing that attacker arm was down Prospero hit his opponent in the face with handle of the blade. Ardiente hit stronger than he expected but even this was not enough to make giant fall. First he heard breaking noise, second later he saw red trickle coming from enemy nose which growed twice the size, now looking like red potato, trickle turned into floating stream of blood than thug get really mad. Other robber saw that his companion may have a problem with the boy and rushed to fight.
Now Prospero had no illusions, he had to use sharp side of his weapon to win.
First, he finished already injured enemy, simply, by kicking him in the testicles and uppercut punch. This combo made giant thug go to sleep and Ardiente had just enough time to duck from oncoming attack. Second thug was right next to him weaving furiously with his club, Prospro risked and parried one of the blows, surprisingly sword took it very well, so Ardient pushed his enemy with all his strength, and cut two times. Unfortunately for robber, maces are great stunt weapons but they give poor chance to parry attacks. Elven blade went through enemy armor but wound wasn't too deep to kill, yet it was enough to eliminate this target from further fight.
'Looks like I have to do this myself.' Small bandit came closer.
'You can still save yourself.' Prospero replied.
'I can't. I'm already paid for this job.'
Robber attacked first. He was fast, too fast. His dagger easily penetrated Prospero block. Ardiente felt great pain in his forearm. He looked down for a second, wound was long for some four inches and deep for about a quarter. Before Prospero was able to react enemy struck again, this time putting blade in boy stomach.
Prospero fell down. Even greater pain was coming from the this wound.
'Let me see you bleed.' Robber said in his squicky voice smiling.
Mugger leaned down over his victim. Suddenly. Prospero saw a big blade in front of his face. It was dripping in blood, but not his blood. Sword was coming through robber chest. Blade disappeared as soon as it appeared, leaving hole in thug chest. Blood came from mugger lips and with shocked face he fell on the street right next to wounded Prospero.
'Patch him up.' Unknown voice ordered from the distance. Voice sounded low and distincitve.
'Sir, yes sir!' Other replied.
Right before loosing his consciousness Prospero saw group of six or seven man, each one wearing coats in royal blue and red stripes, city militia, among them was someone else, this man was wearing full plate armor with yellow and red cape on his back and feather on his helmet.
One of the soldiers turned to armored man and said.
'Wound is deep but he was lucky and blade missed aorta sir. He may live if he sees doctore soon'
'We take him with us.' Knight replied looking at Prospero from up close. Prospero eyes closed, he lost himself in the world of dreams and could barely see face of the knight that saved his back.


TBC