Morning came and I woke. I felt much better now that I had rested. I was ready to face the new day. Fuzzy was already up making something to eat for us. I was very hungry. I felt like I hadn't ate in days. Maybe a side effect? Who knew? The fight had really drained me on many levels. I was certain I'd be back to normal in a few days.
"I don't know a whole lot about magic, however I understand that spell casting can be draining on you." Fuzzy noted. "You will need to practice I to be able to build up stamina to be able to do things like you did last night without passing out. Once you get to the city, you should also try to find someone who can tutor you in the arts. That would be easier than trying to learn it alone."
"I'm sure I will be able to find someone to teach me. Right after I find a place to stay." I chuckled. We packed up and set out for another day of sojourn. Wandering across the plains was mostly pleasant. The sounds of insects, the smells of the wild flowers and the colors everywhere.
We passed the hours with menial conversation about whatever happened to come to mind. Fuzzy explained how he would never settle down. He was a wanderlust, and never wanted to be tied down to any one thing, place or person. It was a bit much for me, honestly. This trek was enough of a journey I wasn't sure I'd ever want to wander again. I was pretty sure once I got to the city, I would stay there, come hell or high water. I was starting to feel like this is what my father would have had to have experienced to trade between men and the tribe. He would have had to take a journey like this several times. I was glad that I had not chosen to follow in his footsteps so to speak.
Hour after hour drudged along and the sun sailed across the sky like a glimmering boat on a bluest ocean. The occasional cloud would drift by with every intention of breaking up the azure hue. Eventually the golden disk became tired and rested itself on the horizon. It was about that time that a set of large gates came into view. This must be it! The city of men!
"This is where I must part." Fuzzy said, soulfully. "I am not really welcome in the cities of men anymore. And before you ask, no I'm not really interested in talking about what happened either."
"Then I guess this is good-bye." I felt rather upset even though we hadn't really known each other all that long. But even I knew, no one can tie down a wanderlust.
"Well, for now anyway. Perhaps our paths may cross again. You never know." He smiled. He hugged me hard and gave me a parting kiss. I hoped that one day we would meet again. He then turned and wandered off. I watched him until I could no longer see him walking off into the distance. Night had crashed down upon me. Nothing left to do but get to the city.
So I made my way to the gates. At this time of night, they were closed and there was a guard on either side. As I approached, one spoke. "State your business, dog."
I wasn't quite sure what to say. "Well, I've been wandering for several days and I would like to stay at the inn."
"Great, just what this city needs, another mongrel." The second guard scoffed.
"That's enough, Rutter. You can disrespect people when you are off duty. While you wear that uniform, you are to keep your personal opinions, personal." The first guard sound very stern.
"Yes, Lieutenant " Guard Rutter replied.
"The inn is just inside and up the street. You will need to stick to the foreign quarter for now. You can see the city registrar in the morning if you need access to any other place in the city." The Lieutenant wasn't overly friendly, but at least he didn't make any comments.
This was going to be interesting. If a guard felt so free to state his detest of me so openly, how would others in the city react? I started to get a small twinge of regret for leaving the village. Well, I was here now so not much else to do. The gates were opened and I entered the city of men for the first time.
