The Wrath Of the Forgotten Read Free

open eyed and open mouthed at him. The longer that Nori stood in place, the more people noticed him and regarded him as if he were some kind of river monster.
    A wild tingling danced in Nori’s stomach, but he pressed it down deeper into himself. This was not the first time he would have to acclimate among lowlanders. Perhaps Jadai would not be as uncomfortable as the capital was. Nori moved down onto the pier and started walking toward the city gate.
    An all too familiar silence heralded his coming. More people halted in their steps and watched him. In his wake, quiet murmurings crept up like flowers. The crowds thickened with more people as Nori got closer to the Jadai city gate. However, as soon as people noticed Nori behind them, they gave him a wide berth.
    Nori studied the forty feet high stone walls as he got closer. In many places, stone blocks jutted out ever so slightly. Only one or two soldiers walked atop the walls. Based on their movements, they did so lackadaisical. Nori frowned.
    Several armed guards stood at the city gates, each armed with spears. They wore light blue colored breastplates, tan colored slacks, and matching light blue helmets. The guards stopped everyone who wished to enter the city, and they either traded soft spoken words or passionless searches through sacks of questionable size.
    When the guards noticed Nori, they stepped back and lowered their spears in defense. A collective gasp echoed from behind him. Instantly, the noise on the docks stopped.
    One of the female guards stepped forward. Her armor appeared a little more decorated, and her helmet had a yellow stripe running down the center of its bowl. She didn’t have a spear, but a sword hung at her belt.
    The female guard said “Hold on for a moment. Where do you think you’re going? That’s a very big weapon you have there.”
    “Well, I’m a very big fellow,” Nori said. “Am I breaking any of Jadai’s laws by carrying a weapon?”
    The female guard winced. “No, you’re not breaking any laws, per say. I still want to know where you’re going. You’re liable to make decent citizens nervous with that massive club of yours.”
    Nori shifted his stance to the side and gazed behind him. Dozens of eyes watched him eagerly. Many more observers stood in the mouth of the gate leading into Jadai. Only the sound of anxious breathing broke the aura of complete silence that had dominated the docks moments before.
    Nori swallowed in hopes to moisten his dry throat. He regarded the female guard again. “I’m headed to the Jadai University of Magic. Would you be so kind as to show me the way?”
    One of the guards took a step closer to him. “Why are you going there?”
    “My business is my own,” Nori said. “I’d appreciate it if you gave me directions and let me go on my way.”
    The female guard rested a hand at her hip, right beside her sword hilt. “It’s our business to protect the citizens from perceived dangers.”
    “Am I a perceived danger because I’m a warrior or because I’m an Onistan?” Nori asked.
    The female guard’s facial expressions softened and she let out a little sigh. None of the other guards said a word or moved a muscle. They kept switching their glances between Nori and the woman.
    Nori asked, “Are you in charge?”
    “I am,” the female guard replied. “I’m Lieutenant Jaji. And you are?”
    Nori replied, “I’m a weary traveler who’s not breaking any laws and who’s minding my own business. You can’t detain me if I’ve done nothing wrong. If you’re not going to help me, I’m going to find someone who will. Good day to you.”
    He moved closer to the gate. The other guards gripped their weapons tightly, but Lieutenant Jaji held up her hand. One by one, they lowered their spears and moved out of the way.
    As Nori passed by her, Lieutenant Jaji spoke. “Head into the city and search for the large fountain. Take a right, and keep going until you see the large tower. That’s the