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Chapter 34 - Chapter Seventeen: Zuxmel

The city of Zuxmel is centered by a massive strangely shaped mountain, buildings climb up the sides and balconies peak out from within, the mountain is topped by what appears to be a massive glass dome supported by a steel framework. Dayn was unsure how they managed such a feat of architecture with this worlds low technological level.

In the distance he could see a wall which surrounded the mountain a large gatehouse standing out, from what he could see of the buildings beyond the wall they were of newer construction then the rest of the city. The city as a whole looked old, most of the buildings were of wood some of which appeared to be falling apart, Dayn assumed that to be the slums, Kanyra was the same. The closer to the inner wall the city got the more extravagant the buildings became, it was the same in every world the richer you were the better land you could acquire.

"Well what do you think? beautiful is it not, our wonderous city of Zuxmel!" Sabrim was positively beaming with pride, Dayn didn't know how to respond, everywhere he went he could clearly make it the disparity between classes. "Its quite a sight to behold to be sure" Sabrim appeared to be pleased at this remark and belted out one of his trademark laughs, "Come, come I'll show you to my glorious shop."

Sabrim's shop was in the outer city, it wasn't in the richest area neither was it in the poor area, it definitely stood out, it was nearly as ostentatious as its owner. There was a large sign out front crafted in the likeness of Sabrim's face Dayn assumed it was ensorcelled as well as the teeth within the wide smile seemed to sparkle. The wagon pulled up to a large warehouse out back where the wide barn like doors opened on approach, Dayn hadn't yet seen such a wide use of magic since coming to this world.

Sabrim guided him through the main entrance, the shop was astir with customers, at the far end customers were assisted with their purchases by several people dressed in the same outfit. It reminded Dayn of a general store in his old world, he hadn't seen work uniforms since his time in the hospital. "It makes sense that you are confused" Sabrim beamed, "This is the shop of the future someday all merchants will adopt my system" Dayn couldn't argue that point.

Dayn wanted to escape this shifty merchant and explore the city on his own so he politely excused himself, Sabrim gave him a wide grin, "Of course my friend of course, you are welcome back anytime to Sabrim's Emporium!"

Dayn headed back the way they came, he wanted to have a look at the slums and see how they compared to Kanyra. He passed into the market which had a fair gathering of patrons but something in particular caught his eye. To his left just outside of the market amongst the decrepit old houses was what appeared to be a shop, he moved toward it and found it to be an old smithy. The building was boarded up and a few rough looking folk were milling around by the entrance, amongst years of yard waste and debris he could see an anvil and an old forge.

Dayn walked over to the aged workshop, he ran his hand over the anvil, it had rusted over the years but if it was cleaned up could still be used, some of the brick on the forge had cracked and fallen away, it could be fixed without to much out of pocket expense. Dayn caught one of the ruffians stir out of the corner of his eye, "Wot're ye fer" the man demanded of him, he raised his hands in a peaceful gesture and backed away.

He remembered passing what looked like an inn on their way into town, the place was run down but with his current expenses guessed it to be the best he could afford. He made his way back and was welcomed to the Silver Chalice by a worn out looking barmaid. Despite being fairly well lit the place wasn't much to look at, cobwebs hung from the ceiling and a thick layer of dust covered everything that hadn't been used in a while. Dayn could clearly see ass prints on the seats and glass marks on the tables a young man with a drooping mustache lay back in a chair behind a dusty stained bar clearly asleep.

Dayn approached and behind the man he could see what looked like an old temp work board hanging askew from the wall, several notes stuck to it yellowed with age. Dayn cleared his throat to try and get the mans attention, the man let out a raucous snore in response. He didn't want to waste any time so he pounded the bar top with a heavy fist, the man snapped awake nearly toppling off his chair at the sudden noise.

He looked at Dayn am expression of disinterest plain on his face, "Yeah what'ya want" Dayn smiled at him politely despite the rude greeting, "I was wondering what the story on the abandoned smithy is." "S'mine" the man said slurring the word, "More trouble an its worth, city keeps telling me to tear er down or clean er up." "Can't, one of em slum gangs taken it over, I'd sell er but who'd want it" Dayn thought for a moment, "What are you asking for it?"

The man eyed him curiously and for the first time took notice of the large sword strapped to his back, "Tell ya what, you clear out them hard folk and clean er up I'll rent er to ya fer the cost of a stay at me inn." Dayn looked at him politely waiting for him to continue, "Two silvers a night" he finished, "Write up a contract and you have yourself a deal."