Chapter 5: The City of Ice

When Myrin and Delmar first reached the City of Ice they were in awe. They knew that the city was rumoured to be the most beautiful city on the continent, if not in the world. But the two boys had no way of expecting it looking anything like that. The city was built in a field of ice and snow, halfway up a mountain and half built into the mountain. The city walls were towering over the surrounding landscape and could be seen from far away. Each building looked unique and yet coherent enough to be easily recognised as part of the city.

The most impressive sight by far though was the palace. With its size it overlooked the whole city with ease, each of the towers topped with a spire. And like the rest of the city, it seemed as if the palace was made completely out of ice.

As the caravan entered through the city gates, Delmar and Myrin were leaning over the sides of the cart, trying to take in as much of the view as they could. Delmar gave a sharp tug on Myrin's sleeve, making the other boy look over to his side, where he was pointing at what seemed like an artistic performance. A man in a costume was balancing along a fine line, span between two houses, all the time juggling flaming torches.

»I've never seen anything like that ...«

Myrin watched with big eyes, even while the caravan was moving away still trying to keep his eyes on the juggler.

Delmar though was already looking at the next thing. Peeking between two houses they could just barely make out what seemed to be a market. And even though he couldn't see much with the caravan moving past the alley, Delmar was sure that they were selling fruits there he had never seen before.

The caravan eventually stopped at what seemed to be the main market. The two boys hopped off, yet again in awe. It was a busy market. People had to be careful not to bump into one another, the sellers were shouting as they were advertising their wares. Delmar grabbed Myrin's sleeve, dragging him over to one stall, both the warmth and the delicious smell having drawn them closer.

The stall was selling some sort of food neither of the boys had ever seen before. From the consistency it looked to be some sort of meat. It had been sliced in small managable chunks, and then put onto a skewer with alterations of what Myrin hoped to be vegetables. The skewers were still on a rack just above a coal fire, slowly cooking away. Myrin could feel his mouth water as he watched the meat being turned with big eyes.

And Delmar was already two steps ahead of him. He paid for two skewers, handing one to Myrin as they moved to the side to hopefully not stand in anyone's way. They started scarfing down the food they had just bought, Myrin being the first to speak up again eventually.

»This place sure is busy ...«

»Well ... I mean it is a city. You said you're from a village. And you've seen my hometown. This place is on a whole other scale.«

»It sure is ... so ... what are our plans for now?«

»Well, first and foremost we'll try not to get killed by assassins.«

»Great plan.«

Delmar rolled his eyes, Myrin's answer dripping with sarcasm.

»Second. You grew up in a kingdom, right?«

»Yes...?«

»Well, so did I. But these people didn't. The City of Ice apparently is a democracy. And I want to find out what exactly that means.«

»Uh ... doesn't it just mean the people rule?«

»Well ... yes and no. I know what it's supposed to mean. But I want to see how this city practices it.«

There was a moment of silence as the two of them finished their skewers, Delmar looking out over the market.

»And third ... I heard some rumours that there was another dungeon somewhere around here.«

»No.«

»Oh, come on, you scaredy cat! We did great last time!«

»We almost died last time. Several times.«

»But we didn't. We got out just fine. And rich.«

»That also almost got you killed I believe.«

»We're already hunted by assassins. I don't think we can be double hunted by assassins.«

»Delmar ... what do you event want in another dungeon? I can't even imagine us spending all that money in a lifetime.«

»First of all, I can. Second, wasn't that dungeon our first adventure together? We wanted to go on adventures, didn't we?«

Myrin let out a soft sigh. He knew he couldn't win this argument. Not when Delmar had made up his mind about something. He wasn't wrong either. Yes, currently they were pretty well off. Rich even, considering where they came from. But money could always be lost. And Myrin did agree to go on adventures with Delmar. And those necessarily included danger.

»...alright. But only after we've seen the city.«

»Sure!«

---

The boys had spend a few hours looking around the city. The shops, the theater, the public hall. They even managed to stop by a temple, impressed by the shere size of it. What they hadn't found yet was any trace to the dungeon. At this point Myrin was starting to wonder if that dungeon even existed. He was walking alongside Delmar as the two of them were heading down a quieter street, looking for anything that seemed like an inn.

»Maybe we should've asked someone after all ...«

»This is part of the adventure, Myrin. If you always ask others for help and hints you won't enjoy it nearly as much.«

»But what I'd really enjoy right now is a warm bed.«

Delmar simply ignored him and continued down the street. While he was busy looking for signs that one of the surrounding buildings was indeed an inn of some sort, Myrin was looking ahead. There were only a few people actually heading down here. The other streets seemed much busier. We probably have gotten lost. He let out a sigh, before feeling someone bump into him with a thump. He hadn't even noticed the person until they bumped into him, and he quickly raised a hand.

»Sorry! I didn't see you there!«

He had stopped to see if the stranger was okay, a friendly smile on his face. But the person he had bumped into just continued down the street without a word and without saying anything.

»Huh ... maybe people here aren't as friendly with strangers after all...«

He shrugged before jogging after Delmar, for a moment his gaze falling down to his belt where he had been carrying a pouch with his new spellbook. Or not. He froze dead in his tracks, staring silently at his side, his brain slowly trying to make the connection before he'll whip around, seeing the person who bumped into him disappear into the crowd.

»Wait!«

Without thinking about it Myrin took off, running after the person who had most likely stolen his spellbook. He dove into the crowd, fixing his eyes on the person ahead of him, who after turning their head around for a moment, started walking faster until they were both running. The crowd made moving fast quite difficult, and Myrin was constantly apologising for stepping on people's toes and pushing them around.

The person ahead of him seemed to have it easier. They ducked through the people, emerging in a side alley where they took off at top speed. When Myrin got out of the crowd, they had already gotten quite the headstart.

»Stop! Gimme back my book!«

His call wasn't answered. Instead the person continued running, almost seeming as if they were getting even faster. Myrin wasn't an athlete. He had never been one, and he never wanted to be one. Even just wearing that armour back when he was doing military service felt exausting. And that was fairly light armour. But that book was a present. And his first piece of magic. He had to get it back.

Luck seemed to be turning for Myrin's sake as the thief reached a dead end. They whipped around, their face covered by hood pulled deeply down, watching as Myrin was approaching. He slowed down, breathing hard as he hunched over, resting his hands on his knees and trying to catch his breath.

»Finally ... I'm ... not that ... fit. Could I ... have my book back?«

Still breathing hard, he held out a hand, waiting for the person to return what they had stolen. But instead the person jumped. Myrin watched with wide eyes as the thief jumped from wall to wall in the small alley until they got onto the roofs, continuing their escape there.

»You've got to be kidding me ...«

Not sure if and how he was still supposed to keep up with that, Myrin scrambled over the wall of the dead end, continuing the chase on lower ground. The way the thief jumped from roof to roof and the way they moved with such grace reminded him of a cat. He liked cats. As long as they didn't steal from him.

Emerging from the alley, Myrin looked around. He was back on what seemed to be a main road of the city. The street was wider. He doubted any person could cross this street by jumping, so the thief must've returned to solid ground. Looking from left to right, Myrin started panicking when he couldn't see the thief. There were people everywhere. It was easy to hide. But ... A running person should be easy to see. Goddammit.

What got Myrin back on track was the sound of pottery crashing to the ground. As he whipped his head around to look at the commotion he saw a familiar figure having run into a moving stall, the pottery on it having come crashing to the ground. With a sigh of relief Myrin took after the thief who scrambled back onto their feet and started running again.

---

In the end, Myrin had to give up. The thief was faster, and fitter than him. And they had the advantage of knowing the city. Myrin had followed the thief all the way to the outskirts of the city, just outside the city wall. Sitting on a crate he let his eyes trail over the area. He hadn't expected there to be anything out here. After all the city itself seemed so clean and organise. Maybe that's exactly why you should've expected this.

The houses out here seemed more like makeshift huts than like actual homes. The air was stale and the cold even more noticable than inside the city. The streets out here were littered with broken wood planks, remains of formerly functioning carts and old crates no one needed anymore. Compared to the city this place was more than just a little dirty. There were also a lot less people around. A few children were playing between rubble and dirt, but there was no trace of the masses of people that looked so busy within the city.

»I wonder if they choose to live like this ...«

»You really think anyone would?«

Myrin flinched. The voice reminded him of something he had forgotten during his chase. With a sheepish smile he slowly turned his head to a rather exasperated looking Delmar standing behind him.

»....hi, Delmar.«

»Did you get the guy?«

»I wish ...«

Myrin will let out a disappointed sigh, shoulders slumping down as he sits on his crate. The book that was stolen from him was clearly important to him. Delmar patted his companion's back in comfort before giving him a confident smile and a thumbs up.

»Good thing that I'm brilliant at catching thieves, hm?«

»What?«

Immediately Myrin was sitting straighter, staring at Delmar with wide eyes, before jumping off his crate. He grabbed the other boy by his shoulders, shaking him a little.

»Where?«

»Calm down, Myrin ... let's go there together.«

»Y-yes!«

Excited like a little puppy Myrin followed Delmar down a street through the slums, stopping in front of a small hut. Delmar gave him his usualy grin before knocking on the door. At first it was completely silent behind it. Delmar knocked again, and this time after a moment the door opened. Staring at them was a girl of maybe sixteen or seventeen years, her fiery red hair framing her face in an untamed manor. At first she simply stared at Delmar, who was still grinning. But when her eyes fell onto Myrin who was behind him she quickly moved to slam the door shut. Luckily, Delmar had his foot in the door quicker.

»Whoa there! That's kinda rude. We just came here to have a chat with you. Though I have to admit, I didn't expect Myrin to lose a chase to a pretty girl.«

»...I don't know what you're talking about.«

Delmar pushed against the door with his shoulder, putting his whole weight into it. The girl stumbled backwards, before falling onto the ground, landing on her butt. Myrin felt a little bad but she had stolen his spellbook from him. So maybe it served her right. Just a little. Delmar had already moved inside, starting to look around the small house. Myrin remembered that Delmar's house was also fairly small. But this hut was almost just half that size. And it only consisted of one room.

Delmar looked through a few of the girl's things, making her jump up and raise her voice in protest, when Delmar will suddenly hold up Myrin's spellbook.

»Found it.«

»...never seen that before.«

Myrin reached out and grabbed the book from Delmar, holding it close and letting out a sigh of relief, earning strange looks from both other people in the room. Amd while he was busy reconciling with his book, Delmar looked at the girl.

»So. Let's start this over again. I'm Delmar. This book lover is Myrin.«

The girl answered with a silent stare, as Myrin flipped through the book, making sure it was fully intact.

»I believe it's appropriate to at least introduce yourself to someone, hm?«

»Shirin ...«

»That's a pretty name. Now, Shirin. Would you care to tell me why the people here live so miserably when the city seems so rich?«

---

If Myrin was certain of one thing then that Delmar wasn't a normal boy. After having pretty much broken into Shirin's home, the two boy had made themselves comfortable. It was obvious she didn't want them there. But somehow Delmar managed to get her to talk to them. She started telling them how the City of Ice functioned, how the transport systems could work, how the markets could be so full with items, how everything seemed to be in such a pristine condition.

According to her it was made possible by using those people that couldn't afford to live in the city as stepping stones. Criminals, people who weren't able to pay their taxes, or anyone else who wouldn't have fit the image of this perfect city was cast out beyond the walls into the slums. The received minimal protection there but where still supported by the city with food and water. It wasn't anything amazing but it helped to keep them alive. In return the people of the slums worked for the city for free. They were practically glorified slaves.

Though the worst part about that system, at least according to Shirin, was that once you were in the slums, you only left them as a corpse. For those that had become unworthy of being part of the city, there was no redemption to bring them back. And the slum life was inheritable. Those children that had the misfortune of being born in the slums never had any chance at a better life. They were going to live in the slums for the rest of their lives and later they would be working themselves to death for a city that treated them like trash.

When Myrin first heard this he couldn't believe it. After all the city seemed to be in good condition. Nothing within the walls even hinted at this side society. Though it seemed Delmar wasn't so doubting. The more Shirin talked the darker the look on his face grew. Eventually he sat there, crossing his arms, his eyes closed in thought. Neither Shirin nor Myrin could have expected his next words. And those were the words leading them to where they were now. Behind Delmar, who was standing on top of a crate in the slums.

Let's fix that then.

Myrin was shifting a little form his left foot onto his right one and back again, pulling on his own fingers a little and constantly looking around. He didn't even notice the girl they had just met recently was staring at him. He also didn't hear her clearing her throat and call his name. He's going to cause a commotion. He's trying to start a rebellion. Most rulers wouldn't appreciate that. Oh, by the gods, what is he getting us into this time?

»Mister Myrin.«

He felt someone nudge his shoulder, making him turn his head to face the person. The girl, Shirin, had her head cocked to one side, staring at him curiously.

»You look worried.«

»Ah haha .... yeah. That obvious, huh?«

»Yes. It's quite obvious.«

»Well ... you don't start a revolution every day, do you?«

Shirin just stared at him for a moment before turning her head to watch Delmar's back, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

»Why is he doing that?«

»Doing what?«

»Causing so much trouble.«

»Well ... he's just like that. I think. Causing trouble seems to be a thing that's in his blood.«

»Why am I here then? I stole from you.«

»I mean ... I have my book back and you were just trying to survive, right? I'm not mad. And I think Delmar thinks similarily. He's probably angry at the people in charge.«

Shirin opened her mouth to say something else, though just in that moment Delmar started talking. Somehow they had managed to gather quite a few people from the slums. Shirin had knocked at a few doors and form there word of mouth travelled around. Eventually thirty, maybe even fourty, people had gathered on the small central place in the slums, waiting for Delmar.

»Thank you everyone for coming here. I won't take up much of your time. I know I'm not one of you. I'm an outsider. I'm not even from the City of Ice. But I heard your story. Shirin here told me your story.«

Delmar made some over dramatic gesture with his hand, pointing at Shirin standing a little behind him. Myrin felt a little bad for her, having all the attention on herself now, and gave her an apologetic smile. He sure likes to go big.

»When I heard your story I asked myself ... why? Why are you allowing others to push you this far out of your city? Wasn't this supposed to be a city ruled by the people, for the people? I can't see any such city casting its people out beyond its walls!«

There were a few murmurs, though Myrin couldn't tell if they were agreeing with Delmar or calling him crazy.

»Your children play between rubble and dirt. You have to fight for your own survival every day. And they dare call this a just society? A society where the strong live from the weak, where the rich trample on the poor. That is no just society to me!«

This time Myrin was sure that there were a few agreeing murmurs. Though he was also somewhat worried. Through the crowd he could see what seemed to be some guards. For now they were waiting but ... What are they waiting for? He glanced over at Shirin. A frown was on her face, and her whole body looked tense, like an animal ready to flee.

»If this city is ruled by its people, then its people have the right to take their life back into their own hands! You have the right to live within the walls! You have the right to get paid for your work! You are no different from the ones already living within these city walls! So, don't live your lives in the shadow of these walls. Rise against those oppressing you. And if you don't believe you have enough strength ... I will stand with you! I am Delmar Amabile and I have cleared the first dungeon in this world!«

He really did it now ... Now people started murmuring more loudly. They seemed excited. Ready to take action. And form the look on his face, Delmar was pleased with what he did. Myrin felt a sudden tug on his sleeve, turning his head to look at Shirin who wasn't looking at him but in the opposite direction. He leaned forward so that he could look past her, following her gaze. Another set of guards where closing in on them. Shirin looked back into his direction, her voice but a quiet whisper.

»There's more of them.«

Myrin's head whipped around, counting the guards. Three, five, eight ... there were at least ten guards and he most likely had missed a few. He reached out a hand and started tugging on the hem of Delmar's shirt, though he only earned a swipe behind his back as a response. Despite seeming to be interested in Delmar's words the people in front of them suddenly started to scatter, all seemingly having more important things to do.

And as the people left, the guards came closer. They had completely surrounded them and both Myrin and Shirin were standing back to back, not sure wether to run or surrender. Myrin wasn't sure which one of them was more nervous about the situation. He only knew there was one person who wasn't nervous at all. Delmar was smiling down at the guards from his crate.

»How can I help the gentlemen?«

One of the guards stepped forward, his armour making him look ever so slightly more important.

»Mister Amabile. I would like for you and your friends to accompany us. The senat would like to speak to you.«

»Well. Myrin, Shirin. We shouldn't let them wait, right?«