Primate Typings

            The canyons stretched for miles in the city of Tagerden. Towering stone buildings lined the winding streets, creating shadows burned away only by the height of the day. The crowds of the city disappeared during that time, taking shelter from the blistering heat of On. Zonneshin. The merchants closed their stalls and removed themselves to sup and rest before facing the customers who would shop long into the evening. Down on the docks, men cursed the sun and loaded the cargo onto the ships set to leave on a tide that cared nothing for the heat. Elsewhere, others whose duties kept them under the sky sweated and prayed for Zonneshin to hurry along his way. (more…)

            Celeres trundled back along the street, returning from feeding the gate guards. The streets of the city were empty save for the beggars taking what shelter they could in the narrow shadows from the eaves of the buildings. Celeres ignored them, knowing the heat pushed most of them into slumber. Even the few alert to his passing would not spare the energy to futilely proposition him for a bit from his cashbox. It was the same every day, so Celeres, wrapped up in his thoughts of Sanura, failed to notice the shape dropping down from the roofs before it knocked him over. (more…)

            The crowds stared at them, of course. Even wrapped in a blanket, it was obvious just what the body was. Parading through the street with a corpse simply was not done, but Sanura’s uniform parted the crowd despite any doubts they had. (more…)

            The stench of sulfur grew stronger as they traveled down the tunnel.

            “We’re not heading toward Knud are we?” Celeres asked. (more…)

            The collapse of the tunnel cut away the ground beneath Khenet. Sanura and Celeres jumped up, but there was little they could do while the dirt slid. Sanura called out, hoping against hope that Khenet might somehow escape. (more…)

            The morning brought a messenger with it. The night before had been quiet, but the lovers had not gotten much rest, comforting each other in the dark. Khenet had slept like a rock. (more…)

            Cookie was pleased with the extra help On. Bunri assigned to him. Despite the rumors surrounding his arrival, Cookie found the boy to be eager to please and actually fairly competent with the preparation. He was a more than adequate replacement for Ireba, who-may the ether embrace him-died on the journey from Treffen to Tagerden. That had left Cookie and Jada to feed the hundred-odd people of the caravan by themselves. The boy’s presence certainly made their work easier. (more…)

            Life in the caravan passed quietly over the next two months. Sanura and Celeres mostly kept to the camp, trying to avoid strangers that might recognize their faces. Along the way, they gave money to On. Aikyo and had him purchase the items they would need after they left. The journey from Kugiri to Mt. Clero would probably take a week, and they wanted to be prepared for it. (more…)