Connor has been in an excellent mood recently. Was this because of his recent success in cultivation? Well, maybe partially yes, but mainly no. What so good has occurred? The answer was simple. He finally left Snojfell! For the first time in this world, he finally saw something other than snow! It may seem insignificant to others, but it was one of the best news to Connor.
He saw grey rocks around him, a few tiny plants here and there, a lot of dark-brown dirt. It all smelled damp. The terrain around him can't be described as "beautiful" or "good-looking." For anyone, it was just a grey-brown dull place with a lot of moisture, but for Connor, it was different.
He finally could see something else than an infinite white blanket. The dissimilarity between snowfield and this landscape made it so beautiful in Connor's eyes. Every grey rock, every piece of dirt, and every little plant was something to look at for young scientists. Gorgeous!
-Enjoying the view?
Connor heard Alrick's voice.
-Yes...
After the incident, Connor had again to put on a mask of a naive little child, so his answers once again became shy and short.
-We will soon arrive at Aros, and there we can buy new clothes for you.
-Okay
Connor was looking forward to it because his clothes were highly crappy right now. It was a miracle that they withstood a blizzard considering their state before the storm and Connor's actions inside the storm.
As the group slowly progressed through the tundra-like biome, they eventually met some small animals. They looked like rabbits with long tails. It made Connor wonder about how evolution worked in this world. Because every species he met in this world resembled that from Earth, he could say that it mustn't differ significantly. But it was true if only the other animals and plants were similar or alike their Earth versions. In the end, Connor decided that he would investigate this question later when he had more time and resources.
While Connor was thinking, a shout was heard from the crowd.
-Hey, everyone, look, it's Aros!
The young biologist got out of his thoughts and looked in the direction of the horizon. High towers made of gray stone were the first thing he noticed. They looked like beacons for the travelers. On top of towers, large pots were located. They were probably used as the large torchers in the night. Below those towers, a vast wall made of the same gray stones stood like an eternal guardian. An arch in the middle of the wall allowed people to enter the city. Behind the walls were beige houses with brown wooden elements, but it was hard to tell from such distances what they exactly looked like.
Gradually a tiny city on the horizon became bigger. When Connor could already see the guard standing on the tower, Alrick, who was walking in front of the group, suddenly stopped and turned to the rest of the people.
-When we'll enter the city, all of you will be quietly waiting and don't speak at all. If something unexpected happens, I will directly ask you to speak, everyone understands?
-Yes
-Yeah
-Okay
Everyone agreed. It seemed like an obvious and regular command, all of them were perfectly okay with it except Connor.
-But why can't we speak?
Men from the group turned to the young boy with confused expressions on their faces. It wasn't obvious for Connor why everyone acted so strangely. But Alrick's words explained everything.
-Because slaves don't have a right to speak without permission when their master is near.
Now, Connor looked at Alrick with a shocked expression
-Are all of them are slaves?
-Yes
Connor was bewildered by this situation. He never saw any slaves in his life. The only thing he could remember was paintings of some ancient artists from a history textbook, where many slaves were illustrated. But to think that all those people, with whom he survived a blizzard, left the snow wasteland and came to the city of Aros, in fact, were slaves? It doesn't really change anything in reality. They were the same people, after all, but to Connor, it was confusing. This just didn't seem right that the same people as him were seen as slaves.
-Am I considered the slave too?
He decided not to cause a commotion and argue about the ethical side of slavery with the dweller of another world but to ask an important question about his own status.
-No, but before we reach the capital, you'll need to act as a slave of mine. It would make things easier.
-Okay.
Connor secretly heaved a sigh of relief. It would be troublesome for him to assimilate into this world if he was a slave.
-Alright, if everyone is ready, let's proceed to the Aros entrance
As the group was approaching the entrance of the Aros, Connor saw that there were many groups like their willing to go out from the city, but no one was willing to enter. After thinking about it for a little, he figured that it was probably because if the group of people was willing to enter the city, it meant that they came from Snojfell, and probably not all of the groups made their way back, or it was possible that the returning groups naturally evenly distributed themselves among all five cities that connected Snojfell and other territories of the island. If it were an ordinary situation, Conor would ask Alrick about everything, but right now, he was forbidden to speak.
- My name is Alrick Jarvinen. I want to enter this city
Alrick stopped near the fat man who sat behind the large wooden table. There was a large stack of papers behind him, two guards with helms that entirely covered their heads. Helms had two horns on top of them, and only their eyes and mouths were seen through armor. After hearing Alrick's statement, the fat man said.
-I'll send your name to the captain, it will take some time before you would be approv......
The tall red-haired man placed a pouch filled with coins in front of that fat man.
-I want an exclusive treatment, you don't mind?
-Of course, of course, please feel yourself at home, Mr. Jarvinen.....
After that short exchange, Alrick turned and started to walk. Everyone from his group followed him.
"There's a lot of corruption in this world. It's quite medieval, as I see."
Connor made a mental note and continued to walk into the city's depths along with the others.
The city's insides weren't quite pleasant for Connor. First of all, it was dirty. The central street started at the entrance and ended at the other entrance, which was most likely used to let people who came from the habitable part of the island enter the city. The street itself was initially made of some kind of stone, but Connor observed that with the time going, the stone-paved road transformed into a road made of mud, dirt, and stone. It looked like it wasn't treated for years! And it was the main road! Other roads may not even be made of something. Usually, it was just dirt and mud which was trodden down by wandering people. Only houses were looking somewhat acceptable, they were still quite ugly to Connor's taste, but they at least were made of stone and wood, not some mud or dirt.
But all that visual negligence was nothing compared to the other aspect, smell. Oh, the smell was utterly disgusting! It was a combination of dry fish, people excrements, dampness, and rotten eggs. It took all Connor's willpower not to show the worst facial expression that he could make. Hopefully, he could adapt to that sooner or later, or it would be eternal torture for him.
The group was slowly moving through the narrow streets of the city. When they approached the tall bright-brown wooden building with a stone foundation, Alrick suddenly stopped, turned with a melancholic expression on his face, and said.
-Everyone, at that moment, our expeditions have ended. We have survived in the harsh environment, overcame many obstacles, and fortunately, all of us are back alive, standing here. It's truly deplorable that the awards are so miserable for such hard and dangerous work, but I hope the clan will award all of you fairly. Thank you for everything, good luck to all of you, and goodbye, my dear friends.
At that moment, Connor thought that it was strange. Why did Alrick say so much to mere slaves? Of course, for Connor, they were all the same, they were people, but to the habitants of this world, slaves were nothing more than an item, so why did Alrick say so much and even tell them that they were "dear friends"?
Members of the expedition slowly walked to the house in front of them. Some even said to Connor something like:" Thanks, kid" or "Don't forget us."
After everyone disappeared in the tall house, Connor was ready to bombard Alrick with questions, and unluckily, he was interrupted with Alrick's voice.
-I know that you have many questions right now, and I will answer them later. But first of all, we need to get out of this city.