Two days passed.
Sifu arrived at the city.
It was foggy. The usual weather for the south.
The sun was trying to make its way through the wall of clouds, a struggle that has been going on since the dawn of creation.
The crickets sang the song of war.
Something felt heavy in the air.
He closed his eyes.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/1.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/1.jpg)
When he arrived at the east gate to the city, one of four main gates, leading inside, one of the guards approached him.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/2.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/2.jpg)
- No weapons - mumbled the guard
- What do you mean? - asked Sifu
- Just what I said - replied the guard
- Care to elaborate a bit more, as to why I cannot protect myself inside your city - asked Sifu
- Since we had the slaughter at the market - said the guard - the commander of the city had banned entry with weapons, only guards and nobles are to carry weapons inside.
- I see - said SIfu
The guard was looking at the big sword that the stranger was carrying.
"What waste of energy to handle such a big sword" - he thought.
He blinked.
The weapon was gone.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/3.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/3.jpg)
- Wha.. what sorcery is this?! - stumbled the guard - where did your sword go?
- What sword? - asked Sifu
- Don't play games with me stranger - said the guard while he pulled his bow - I saw it bright as day!
- You are welcome to search me - replied Sifu
The guard searched him, but didn't find anything resembling a weapon.
- Pfft... - said the guard - you may pass
- And a good day to you - said Sifu as he entered the city.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/4.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/4.jpg)
He felt that heaviness in the air again.
He could feel the fires that ones engulfed the city.
Not so far from this moment in time.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/5.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/5.jpg)
As he walked among the buildings, he could see the destruction that war brings.
Yes. There was a war fought here.
The city was rebuilding.
"Not quick enough" - he thought
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/6.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/6.jpg)
He saw the ruins and misery.
Poverty and disease had plagued the city's streets.
"Faith?" - he thought - "Destiny, set in stone."
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/7.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/7.jpg)
Consumed with his thoughts he suddenly stopped, dead in his tracks.
He could feel someone watching him.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/8.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/8.jpg)
"The building to the south east, second floor" - this thoughts passed through his mind in a flash.
He turned around.
No one was there.
He looked closely.
Not a trace.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/9.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/9.jpg)
He closed his eyes.
"Yes.." - he thought - "Magic"
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/10.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/10.jpg)
He walked further into the city.
It was one of the biggest coastal cities on the south west.
Import and export was thriving, before the war that is.
It was a key location for military maneuvers, every tactician knew that.
The city itself was prosperous.
Many noblemen had made it their home.
(https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/11.jpg) (https://upload.rpg-club.net/upload_image/peace_180114_7/big/11.jpg)
It was located beneath mountain Vesuvius, a big volcano, that prophecies always claimed will erupt, but never did.
"Faith" - he thought
He checked the market and the shops.
Not many were open.
"That's war for you" - thoughts passed his mind