MQ: Chasing Shadows

[Koran]

The machine stared calmly at the bleak white landscape of eastern Salvar and wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing his chest for warmth. It was a futile gesture and he knew it as such, for the cold here bothered him less than it did the rocks. Less, in the sense that rocks could explode from the force of this cold. For if water were to find its way down into the smallest cracks and crevices of those rocks, and then freeze - Well, needless to say, a man did not want to be near to one when it went off.

Come to think on it, I've rarely seen that happen. But I have seen trees do that before.

He pondered the thought, then shrugged it from his consciousness. It would have to be something he looked into later. For now, he thought with a small frown, he would have to put his mind to other, more important matters. He turned from his silent study of the bleak landscape and faced the bustling port city he had been called too.

Aihnrekvolok. The great Port City of Eastern Salvar. Jewel of the Eastern Ocean. Eastern Gate to the lands of the Frozen North and about a hundred other slang names or conotations that the machine could honestly give a rats ass about. It was also the current residence of the High Lord Cilarnen Volipril, closest cousin to the King and protector of Salvar's eastern reaches.

The machine regarded the sprawling city with a feeling of disgust and pity, although he carefully kept his face blank, lest he alert his company to his unease. The city was grand yes, but also a great metropolis. Formed from the remnants of four or five smaller cities some hundred or so years ago, the then newly formed city had seperated itself into five distinct quadrents. Both to retain the individuality of each old city, as well as establish some semblance of order to a then chaotic land.

The northern most quadrant, called the Lords Quarter, was lavish, pompous and pristine. Few people entered into this area unless specifically invited, and if such an invitation was not granted, the City Retainers made sure one did not make that same mistake twice. Clean and well paved, this section of the city occupied the least space but boasted the largest captial.

To the west and south of the Lord's Quarter stood the Workmen's Section. A well maintained place, squared away and clean cut, and perhaps the easiest of the five to navigate. The City Guard that patrolled the streets kept it that way, ensuring that anyone who lived there or was simply passing through, knew it too.

Sprawling south and slightly west lay the Commons. The largest of the five quarters, it was also the most chaotic and run-down. The City Guard patrolled here often, but more often than not, the moment their large patrols vanished around the next bend in the street, whatever had been happening before they appeared to quell it quickly resumed. Boasting most of the residences, as well as a fair amount of the shops, Inns and warehouses of the city, the Commons had every right to be as it was. It saw the most business and as such, was the most unkempt and chaotic.

To the east and slightly north lay the Merchants Quarter. A gaudy and pompous section of the city in which many, if not all, of the local and passing merchants found heart and hearth. This section was filled mostly with large merchant houses and even larger shops and warehouses, accounting for whatever else was left over from the Commons. Merchants, being who and what they were, regimented their section and as such, it was second only to the Lords Quarter in cleanliness, and came equally close to the Workmens Section in simplistiy.

And finally, to the north and slightly east, was the Port. A very large system of piers and dikes, the Port was perhaps the largest in all of Salvar. Hundreds of ships entered and exited the port on a weekly basis, carrying with them trade and supplies for the city, as there was little farming to be had in the vast tundra that encompassed the city.

This day there was little activity down amongst the massive piers and warehouses, as the machine could only see twenty seven of the great three masted ships, with only seven or eight equally sized vessels anchored just beyond the piers in the harbor. He had seen it like this a few times before, so it was of no consequence that he ignore it this time. He did know however, that if that kind of activity carried on for too long, the city would steadily starve itself out and become quite desperate and much, much more dangerous than it already was. As if last month wasn't a testament to that...

"We are ready to move now Captain," a voice said behind the machine, jostling him from his mental monologe, and there was a light jingling of armor and tack as horses and men moved. Right, he thought. I've got a job now.

Having found it easier to earn his money in an honest sort of living, the machine had put it upon himself to enlist in the local City Retainers and, after quickly distinguishing himself in their ranks, had risen to become Captain of Lord Volipril's personal guard. An esteemed position, or so he had been told, but all he was really concerned about was the pay, and what he could purchase with it. Not that a machine had any real need for precious worldly attachments, but he still found some solace in buying them. He already owned a nice house in the Merchants Quarter, a single story thing with a modest entry hall and modestly extensive rooms. He hardly ever went there however, as he found no real comfort in its cold halls, but it still felt good to know that if it came to it, he'd have a place to stay without being yelled at.

Turning from his study of the ugly city in which he now lived, the machine raised his head to address his mounted company. "You know the drill Lieutenant Lorin, you have no need to wait for me."

Lorin, a gangly under-lieutenant in the Lords personal guard, smiled and bowed from atop the horse he rode. "Of course Captain, but as you know, we shalln't move til you give us the word."

The machine sighed, letting his features sag a little. The man was right, of course. The guard would not move, could not move until he gave the order. After a moments respite the machine lifted his head once more and then his arm, silently signaling his men to move out. There was another soft jingling of armor and tack and the twelve men of the Lord Volipril's personal body guard began to advance out from the large estate said Lord owned and lived in.

Today they marched to the Commons, for their Lord wished to visit each Quarter of the city at least once every four weeks, and this week, it was the Commons. The guard would have to be on their toes this day, as the last time they had ventured into the Commons, complications, had arisen. Resulting in their Lord having to be nearly run back to his estate, lest he fall upon the wrong end of a rather unruly crowd of weapon brandishing 'well wishers.' This was perhaps the main reason for doubling his Lordships guard today, as he normally only went with six, instead of a full twelve. There were only twenty-four guards, a separate entity from the City Retainers, and of that they were separated into two squads of twelve, then down into four smaller quartets of six. There was little need of having a strong personal body guard when living in the city, as the City Retainers dealt with most problems before they could reach the Lords estates.

One can only hope, the machine thought, as he and his twelve exited the Lords estate and began the day long journey to 'witness' the Commons.

(Closed)