Blue Crystal - The Heavy Price

Day 16

Shane West walked the streets of Point. It was a dirty city and a special smell unique to it hang in the air. Meat lay on the ground with insects crawling on it. Yet people bought it and ate it. The smog from many nights lingered as a haze at the end of every street. Shane was sure that even a satellite would get an unclear picture. If anything at all.

He went to the square where most of the trading happened and asked for Captain Kumi.

He asked every stall and everyone who would stop long enough for him to ask.

Shane sat down by the well. It was not as ease to find this guy as he had hoped.

“Greetings.”

Shane was startled.

A big man stood behind him. He was tall and well build.

“I hear you are looking for me.” The big man said.

“Are you Captain Kumi?” Shane asked.

“I am. Do you need to be escorted somewhere?” Kumi asked.

“Yes, myself and my friends. We need to go to the mountain.” Shane looked around.

From where he was, he had no idea where the mountain was. Nor if it had a name and what direction it would be in.

“How many of you and which mountain?” Kumi asked.

“We are on route to mount Jeku in a few days.”

“If you are at the castle facing the gate that’s closest to this city and you look to your right. There is a big mountain there. We want to go there.” Shane explained.

“Why? There is nothing there.” Kumi said.

“We want to climb it.” Shane said.

“How many are you?” Kumi asked.

“Well, it’s me, and Nikki, and Viola.”

“My escort services for three will cost you. I will require, twenty silver pieces per person as it’s a job all on its own. I don’t usually go that way.” He told Shane.

“So how much gold will that be?” Shane asked.

Kumi looked at the man. He was nervous and clearly, he had gold.

“Well, it will be five gold pieces per person.”

“That includes food, and drink and a place to sleep?” Shane inquired.

Maybe he wasn’t as dumb as he seemed.

“Yes.” Kumi smiled.

“Can we leave today?” Shane said “We are in a hurry.”

“We can leave whenever you want.” Kumi replied.

He really was coining it. Coming to Point had been of great profit for him. Fifty gold coins from the queen’s friend, the gosling. Now an extra fifteen gold coins for a quick side trip. He felt like his ship was coming in. People so happily parting with their wealth. Handing it to him. He pondered, over charging other people…

“We will need to go to the castle and fetch the ladies.” Shane said.

Kumi’s face fell.

“The castle?”

“Yes. My friends are there, and we need to leave as soon as possible. Gather what you need and your men. Here is the gold and meet me at the castle. We will be ready to leave when you arrive.” Shane said.

“If I had asked for fifty gold, would you have paid?” Kumi asked.

Shane smiled.

“Never. As it is you are over charging me. But it’s a matter of time. So, I will pay.” Shane said hoping his strong face was not too much.

“I will meet you at the castle gate. Trouble happens inside. I am not going in.” Kumi said,

“Plus, maybe the queen is in a bad mood today. After all people have tried to kill her a few times now. In the past she would have wiped out the whole village that they came from even the whole city if she felt it was needed.” Kumi was pensive “I met her. The queen, she was much nicer than I expected. She looked like a nice person. But appearances are deceiving.”

“Sometimes, but sometimes our feelings about a person are correct.” Shane reasoned.

“Are you friends with the queen?” Kumi asked.

“No, but I have had the pleasure of speaking with her and she is lovely.”

Kumi returned to business.

“I will provide my escort services to you and your friends. But we move when I say, and I am in change. Once we get to the mountain do as you like. While we travel do as I say.”

“Why do you call yourself an escort?” Shane asked.

“Because that is what I am.” Kumi replied confused.

“Maybe travel agent would be better.”

“I will meet you at the castle gate.” Kumi stated.

At the castle. Nikki and Viola had prepared everything they needed. When Shane returned with the good news that Captain Kumi would take them, they rejoiced.

When Kumi arrived with his men to fetch them. They were ready.

Once they were on their way captain Kumi came to Viola.

“I saw you in the castle. You were with that woman who killed those men with a crossbow, during the attack on the castle.”

“You mean Viv?” Viola queried.

“Is that her name? She is the most beautiful woman. So skilled and it was breath taking watching her fight.”

“What?” Viola was perplexed.

Viv hadn’t shown. She had gone most of the way to meet him but then turned back. Captain Kumi had been stood up.

“I saw you too. Skilled fighters. Are you not traveling with them anymore?” he asked.

“No, they are going home, and my journey is to that mountain.” Viola smiled trying not to let what she said, sound too harsh.

“Where does she live?” he asked.

“Are you going to stalk her?” Viola asked.

“No! She is not an animal to be killed!” Kumi exclaimed,

“I just want a chance to get to know her.”

“She lives in a Caster city, near a sea, I cannot remember its name. I have never been there.”

He grinned a silly grin, from one ear to the other.

“Haven.” He said knowing only one Carsta city was on the sea.

Viola went to Shane.

“Do I have a Dr Phil sticker on my head?” She asked, “Why does everyone want to tell me who they like?”

“Does Nikki like someone?” Shane asked.

“Don’t ask a question instead of answering.” Viola said.

“I don’t think you’re approachable.” Shane replied.

“Thank you, so why is everyone telling me their stuff! Hey! What do you mean I am not approachable?” Viola demanded.

“You have an ‘I don’t care’ thing going on.” Shane answered, “With a disturb at your own risk.”

Viola gave him the duck face. An unimpressed pout.

“See.” he said.

Viola ignored him.

“You have a mean grumpy face.” Shane said.

Viola tried not to smile.

“That makes you smile.” He shook his head.

Viola held her stiff face and walked over to Nikki.

“Do you think your sister will find me a boyfriend?” Nikki asked.

“I hope not.” Viola replied.

“Why?”

“Because your earth options are limited, and the other options are aliens. I don’t dig aliens.” Viola said.

“But they are like us.” Nikki stated.

“Only in appearance. Humans can’t heal you and make stuff happen. We are not fireproof or poison immune. We don’t have tribal” Viola pulled a face “inherited extras and if we had children with them what would they be? Half animal? Stick with your own kind. Human with human.” Viola said.

“But your sister is with Ranger. He’s a nice guy.” Nikki pointed out.

“He’s too old for her and they will be shunned. Relationships are hard work without extra hurdles to jump over.”

“I guess you are right. It’s not like I liked one of them. But Fiona has been pushy about it and it has me thinking.”

“Think about going home and doing what makes you happy.” Viola replied.

It was time for them to camp for the night. There was no river or stream only the water brought with them. So bathing was not on the agenda.

Shane, Nikki and Viola were given a mat to sleep on and a skin to put over them. They were sleeping in Captain Kumi’s tent. He was ensuring their safety.