February 08, 2005
(VI)
I arrived for the first time at the gates that marked the entrance to the renowned city of Yarsin. I didn't know what to think. I had heard a lot about the place (who hasn't), and travelled through it a couple of times with my family when I had been allowed to accompany them on caravan runs. But this time it was different.
This time I was alone, my feet bare and covered with grazes and dirt. My gown long since become little more than rags. I was hungry... ravenous. I had eaten some berries I had found earlier that morning but it had done little to calm the grumbling of my stomach. I still had my pack, and carefully stored in the bottom of it was a small purse of coins and some jewellery I hoped to sell. I was weary though. I figured they would be looking for me, so had muddied my hair so my red-Talenthan-origins would be less noticeable. I had lost a bit of weight, and I hoped that if any of the Guards had already been given my description, they'd not recognise it as me now.
Perhaps they'd not even care. Telantha is just a small town compared to Yarsin, surely not they'd have bigger things on their mind than a run-a-way-murderer. "My feet hurt." I was thinking as I moved quietly by the guards without even a passing glance. Now what? Over the last week my only goal had been to 'get to Yarsin.' Now that I was here I was at a loss as to where to go. I followed the street and everyone else moving on it, clutching tight to my backpack for fear it would get stolen. Well, it was Yarsin, home to whores and thieves.
The smells of freshly baked bread assaulted my senses and found myself unable to resist the temptation of buying one of the hot and expensive loaves. I parted with one of my gold coins and took away a good sized loaf wrapped in brown paper, hugging it closely to my chest along with the backpack as I wandered looking for somewhere quiet to eat. Surely not they had a temple gardens like Telantha. Somewhere I could go where it would be quiet. Perhaps they might take me in. I could do that I think.. maybe become a scribe. Help with the filing. I know how to write and read. But no--- they'd ask questions and my accent would give me away. Something else then, more simple.