The Kingmaker System-Chapter 76 - 75. The Capital Of Gold And Blood (1)

The Gate which led into Mordino was manned by several guards dressed in a white sleevless tunic and a skirt fastened by a metallic belt at the waist. Their long dark hair was tied back and their brown skin seemed to have taken their hue from cocoa.

They seemed like the Egyptians from my previous world if I had to compare.

The dry and sandy land just was enough to make me feel itchy and sweaty. My head and face was covered by the turban just as Lyall’s and the guard at the gate peered right at us.

"Tax." He demanded and I pulled out a pouch of money just as Roan had told me about.

These people wouldn’t let anyone enter unless they paid the tax, yet, it was just the beginning of extortion. The further I go, the expensive everything would become.

Roan showed the emblem of the temple and he didn’t need to pay.

The carriage moved on, Roan didn’t say much after I’d told him almost blatantly that I was going to create trouble in Mordino.

The place was quite beautiful and almost seemed to be glowing because of the sand and the sunrays. Still, I couldn’t deny that it was really hot. It was still afternoon and it had only took us around five hours till we managed to reach inside the borders of Mordino.

"So damn hot..." I groaned.

"Get used to it." Roan spoke up before he stopped the carriage near the noisy market place.

"You can hire a cameleer from that place," Roan pointed at the stall where there were various camels and men standing and talking with each other or hollering for people.

Lyall and I got down with Lyall carrying our luggage, Roan who was still on the cart looked down at me.

"Hopefully, you’ll return alive, Ace." He said and I could see that strange emotions that was swirling in his gray eyes.

"I will, don’t worry about that. But when I do return, I will take you with me, Roan."

Roan cocked his brow, "Yes?"

"You know what I mean, Roan. Father Marlowe has told me everything about you so, now all you have to do is wait for me at the temple. When I’m done with my work, you will return to my place with me."

His gray eyes seemed like stormy clouds as I said that and he asked, "And what if I don’t?"

I smirked, "You will come because you’ll owe me one."

I turned on my heel and Lyall followed as I walked towards the marketplace without a glance back at him.

Lyall looked like he was dying to ask me questions, he usually never questioned my decisions even if they seemed impulsive but when it came to things that even he couldn’t help but be curious about he fidgeted until I allowed him to ask.

"You want to know why I will be taking Roan." I spoke up and Lyall flinched slightly.

"Yes..."

"Let’s get something to eat first, I’ll explain later when we’re alone." I said and he nodded, stopping his fidgeting.

The language of Mordino was different than Sestia, but thanks to the gift of knowledge of linguistics. I was able to communicate without any problem.

The food here was exceptional though, it was quite good and suited my tastes well. After eating we walked over to the stall where Roan had pointed.

I talked with the cameleer and got us a ride, the man hauled our luggage onto the side of the camel and I got on. Lyall insisted that he would walk but I still got him a camel. It was stupid to exhaust our bodies in an unfamiliar environment where danger could come from anywhere.

The cameleer steered us towards the sandy dunes from where we would be traveling to the next town which was also an oasis. It would take some time before we reached at the capital city of Mordino. The place which was called the City of Gold.

The sea of the golden brown sand stretched all around us like the sea as the mirage rose from the hot surface and the winds that swirled over carried the grains of sand and dust along.

Till the time we reached at the next oasis it was already nightfall. The cameleer showed us the inn and we found good rooms for us, of course it costed more than the other places where I’d stayed at.

At night after dinner, Lyall escorted me till my room and I invited him in as he seemed like he would start fidgeting again.

Lyall sat down on the edge of the chair while I took a seat on the bed before I began started telling him the story that Father Marlowe told me about Roan.

Roan had a connection to Mordino just as deep as I had with Sestia.

His real name was Zyran Kassis.

His father was an advisor for the previous King of Mordino and his name was Rezan Kassis, he was a person of great standing in his time and had brought about a lot of positive reforms in the kingdom.

It was said that when the previous King was on the throne the kingdom of Mordino was rightfully called the Kingdom of Gold but with time the things started going wrong.

The corruption had suddenly found root into the court and the ones who ended up siding with the rising powerful people were saved while the ones who didn’t comply to the illegal things were wiped out.

Rezan being the special vassal of the King was framed of treason after the King was killed and was executed. Roan was twelve at that time so, he wasn’t ignorant. He knew of the truth but had no power to do anything.

In rage, he tried to raise a rebellion but his father’s so-called supporters stabbed him in the back and threw him out of Mordino thinking he was dead.

But Roan survived, his wounds were deep but he managed to cling to his life until the bandits found him and took him in. He stayed with them for two years but because of the hierarchical structure and the clashes with the other clans he couldn’t settle well there.

Amidst that, he met the benevolent priest who cared for him and gave him time and affection. Roan seemed to have started trusting him which was why after two years of being a part of the bandits he turned himself into a priest and stayed at the temple.

He changed his name to Roan and erased his past as he realised that he was too weak to stand and exact justice or even think of revenge against those who destroyed his life.

Rezan Kassis was a loyal advisor who had also been teaching his son about the administration. Roan hadn’t forgotten his father’s teachings and had been utilising his skills at the small temple.

"It will be a waste to let such a talent rot in such a place, that’s why I have to take him back. I need someone to manage my guild and there’s no one better than Roan." I concluded.

"But that would also mean to directly mess with the royalty here, Master. Didn’t we plan to only take what we were here for and then leave without creating much trouble?" Lyall asked.

That was the original plan but for now, I couldn’t let go of a talent that would help me reach to the point where no one would be able to touch me and or my resources.

"That was the plan, yes. But this asset is too valuable to let go. He will benefit us greatly in future."

"Are you really sure about it, Master?" He asked and I smiled.

"You will have to wait to see my prediction come true." I said.

And for me? I had already seen it in my prophetic vision. This guy would become one of the pillars of my plan.

And in order to make him join my side, I had to show him what I was capable of. My plan was way greater than anyone’s greedy in this world so, even if I had to reconstruct a kingdom or trample a tyrant for that I would gladly do it.

The next day after breakfast and packing some lunch, we set out again after mounting on a camel.

"Are you foreigners?" The cameleer asked.

"Yes," I answered in Mordino language.

"It’s quite rare to see foreigners, where did you come from?"

"I’ve come from far East."

"You mean Sestia?"

"No, I am actually a merchant, I was first settled in Denril but since the war broke out I’ve been traveling far and wide trying to find a good place to set my business." I lied and the man nodded.

"Our kingdom is quite prosperous because of our sovereign, if you want you can settle here. It will be quite beneficial for you as well." The cameleer suggested.

"But once you settle here, please don’t forget this old man, all right?" He grinned and I smiled back.

The journey to the capital was three days and two nights long, I had to sleep in the tent for those two nights. I couldn’t quite describe the feeling of being out in the open, it was like I was in the middle of the seas, minus the waves. But the sound of the wind and the clear starry sky made up for the rest.

It was an astounding experience. It was the silent nights like these which made my mind reel back to my own kingdom. And I often wondered of what everyone would be doing. I missed them all. I also often wondered how Davian was doing, I heard that he had arranged for his parents’ funeral after I’d left. I couldn’t do anything about that but keep moving forward for now and wait till I was done with what I set out to do.

After three days, we reached at the Amiri city, the capital of Mordino and also the capital of gold.