Watercrest was one of the larger cities in Dellmond kingdom. It acted as a hub for merchants because various nobles frequented the city with the hope of being accepted into Elomburg academy.
There was a large city wall that dictated the workday. When light peeked over it in the morning, shops opened. They closed as streetlights flickered on after the sun disappeared. The streetlights were pretty interesting; I haven't seen anything like them back in Kalabar. Red gems charged during the day and glowed when a certain threshold of darkness was met.
It was truly a prosperous city; large thoroughfares allowed for as many as four large wagons to pass side by side. The streets were generally clean as well, at least in this part.
The people of Watercrest looked content with their lives, but there is an undercurrent of sickness and despair. Stare down an alleyway for too long and you'll find children with deflated stomachs and gaunt faces.
It disgusts me that being heartless and ignoring their suffering is normalized.
Elias takes me to a very fancy shop. It's the cleanest place I've ever been in other than the academy.
There are no clothes visible as we enter, just a waiting room and old portly man behind a counter.
He seems to recognize Elias and rushes over to us.
"M' lord—"
Elias cuts him off with a snap of his fingers and assumes a persona I haven't seen before. His attitude turns cold and imperious as he somehow looks down his nose at the taller man.
"Take my friend's measurements and shape a 'Jilliar' style suit for him. We need to be ready in an hour, so make haste."
The man isn't even slightly offended at Elias's tone and my mind starts to wonder about his noble status.
'Son of a count? Earl maybe..'
Soon, I'm very uncomfortable and have to restrain my impulses as three sets of hands slither around on my body.
Just as fast as they arrived, they were gone again, and hushed shouting was coming from a back room.
I turn to Elias and ask if it's really necessary to dress up like this.
"Of course it's necessary! I can't have you looking like a barbarian in the Frosted Rose now, can I?"
"Then why'd you ask me to come."
Elias turned his eyes away from me a little.
"Well… that's because Marinah's her best friend and I need you to keep her entertained while I show my charm off."
He flashes me what some would call a charming smile. I think it's a little repulsive.
"What does Marinah being there have to do with it? If you wish to court that girl, why beat around the bush and do… all this."
I say the last part while gesturing my hand around the room.
Elias looks at me like I'm a simpleton for the hundredth time this day.
"Kelric. That's what courting is all about! No one likes when someone gives in too easy or gives up too fast. It's a delicate balance one has to maintain in order to pursue true love!"
He got so swept up in his explanation that he started hugging himself and made a creepy face. Cracking an eye to look at me, he continues.
"… and the reason I need you today, my friend, is so you can keep Marinah company. Women are strange creatures Kelric, beautiful, but strange. I'd have no hope of showing off how dashing I am to Kathlyn if Marinah is left alone without anyone to pursue her."
My mouth drops open.
"Elias. You didn't say anything about me pretending to court Marinah! I don't know how to do that you idiot!"
He looks at me sheepishly.
"Well.. you don't have to try to court Marinah… just keep her engaged in conversation until I win over Kathlyn.. shouldn't be too hard.."
Elias jumps back as I take a step towards him, my fist clenched.
"My friend, violence is never the answer!"
I stop when I hear some movement from the back room, only after giving Elias a look that promised recompense.
The portly man returned and is carrying a very nice three-piece suit. They are the fanciest clothes I've ever seen. The material is a dark black against a stark white. It looks almost glossy yet dulled in muted color and the craftsmanship is elegant.
I turn back to Elias again.
"That looks expensive. I thought you said you didn't have any coin?"
Elias retreats a little further from me.
"I don't! This is just going on my tab, my father will take of it later.."
I eye him carefully to make sure he's not lying.
The portly man is speaking to me now.
"Young master uhh.."
He's asking for my name.
"Kelric, but I'm no young master."
"Then Mr. Kelric, please try this on and let me see if they're any alterations that needs to be made."
I nod and begin removing my clothes.
Elias shouts at me from his position of retreat.
"Gods man, we're you raised in a stable! Go to the dressing—"
His voice stops suddenly and I'm a little embarrassed again.
I forgot that most people would feel ashamed of undressing in front of others.. I've long since stopped caring about being nude. Multiple fights naked in front of thousands of people had stripped me of my shame.
I look to Elias and am confused by the horror masking his face.
"Sorry.."
I turn to the portly man and his face is just as twisted as Elias's.
'I don't remember being shirtless to be this outrageous.. times sure have changed.'
"Can you guide me to a private room then."
The man takes a moment to respond, for some reason his eyes keep looking all over my naked torso. He has a look that baffles me now, it's full of pity.
"Yes.. come this way."
Elias sucks in a sharp inhale of breath.
'I need make sure I keep my body covered in the future..'
The suit is nice and feels good against my skin, but I hate how it restricts my movement slightly. I walk back out to show Elias and get his approval. I need an adjustment around my shoulders and take off the top and hand it to the man.
Elias cringes slightly at my bare forearms and I don't understand what is so unsightly about them.
While the man takes my suit jacket to the back again, Elias asks me a question.
"Kelric.. were you tortured or something.."
This question catches me off guard. I do not understand why he would ask such a thing.
"No?"
"T-then then! Why are you covered in those terrible scars! Holy mother Kelric, I've never seen such brutality displayed across someone's skin before!"
I have long forgotten about my scars; they were just a part of me now. I came close to death several times in the arena and my body bears the truth of it.
I don't know how to respond, so I just shrug my shoulders.
He's even more distraught at my seemingly nonchalant attitude.
"Kelric.. make sure to keep your jacket on tonight. Marinah would probably cause a scene if she saw—"
I'm nodding to his words as he cuts himself off.
"Are those claw marks!?"
I look down to see what he's pointing at and shake my head.
"No that's from a weapon known as a Bagh Nakh, it's very tricky to parry."
I unbutton my undershirt a little to show my chest.
"This is a wound from claws, see how more jagged it is and how the lines are a different thickness."
My explanation seems to be sufficient, and Elias doesn't ask me another question until the man returns with my jacket.
Elias bade farewell and we head into the street, brisk fall air causing a slight chill.
"Are we heading to the Frosted Rose now?"
Elias still looks weird as he responds.
"Ahh.. yeah. Follow me."
I have to stifle my fury as we walk, mothers are kicked from the street corners where they beg for scraps.
Elias doesn't see me disappear from his side as I stalk towards a merchant. His shrill voice strengthening my conviction.
"Look! Stupid wench, you got blood on my shoes! How will you pay me back, do you know how expensive these are!?"
His polished dress shoe has a hard toe, and it slams into a woman's already bloodied lip, splitting it further.
My hands clamp around his neck and mouth to carry the wriggling man into his shop. Thankfully no one's inside to see me snap his neck and take the gold from his purse.
I feel a little satisfied when his lips bloody the same way that woman's had. I kick him a couple more times for ruining my mood.
The woman is still laying on the ground and doesn't resist as I pick her up. Resting her against the wall in an alley, what look to be her children hesitantly approach. They are frightened of me, and I step back to show them I mean no harm. My last act of this small kindness ends with tossing a gold at the woman.
Elias had only moved halfway down the street by the time I was done and didn't even notice my absence.
He's talking, but I can't pay attention to him. I just killed a man in broad daylight without thinking. That merchant may have been a bastard, but I'm even worse than him. Nothing more than a beast wearing human skin.