Humanity's shield and spear point against the undead, the white bricked walls of Edurand stood tall, against the late day sun. Imposing and insurmountable, its battlements having withstood challenges and assaults for decades.
It was much less like the town the cat eared Tora described and more like a small city. Sitting upon a hill giving it the advantage of terrain, a large drop protected its far side making it unscalable from there.
Excluding that far side, four towers stood on each wall evenly spaced out with the exception of the two in the center which flanked the gate house, in which there was a double portcullis and a thick iron banded gate.
Guarding it were Men-at-Arms wearing kettle helms and chainmail with shoulder rondels fastened tightly in place, A dark blue tabard draped over them bearing a coat of arms of a white owl.
The insignia of the city's lord Earl Ulysses Witchmane, a mystic whose background and origin is a mix of rumors, debate and speculation.
Stretching forth from that impenetrable threshold awaiting entry a longline of merchants with their goods and wares as well as Yeoman with their excess crops come to sell their shares.
This would not be where the party of three would be entering, instead they would be going through a side entrance taking a route through what Tora called the rubble district.
It was a stand out addition to Edurand branching off from the outside of the main wall, an ovular section walled in by rough stones and mortar rather than the large square blocks as well as being much shorter.
One could tell it was made to protect from the undead and beasts rather than armies. There was a guard at the outer gate but he didn't do any checks, merely nodding his head as they walked past.
Asher cast his gaze around it was probably less than a fifth of the main city's size, and was much nicer than he expected. He had surmised it to be a slum from a distance instead having a square with a big circular fountain and cobblestone pathways to walk on.
The houses here were more like shacks or sheds being cozily sized and made from the same material as the walls with plank roofs.
Tora in her talkative nature explained what the place was as they went.
"It's called the rubble district. I'm told it was built decades ago to house refugees after the undead crisis started. The walls and houses here were all built with rubble from the wall getting smashed up." She paused before gesturing to one of the shacks. "My house is right there actually."
Asher looked over but couldn't discern the exact building she was pointing out as the houses were all built the same.
"Well, anyways, ready for the grand tour of Edurand?" Tora inquired, smiling hands on hips and heel bouncing against the ground.
"Sure… there is a stop I'd like to make though. Is there a shoe maker here?" Asher asked.
Tora took a glance at the scuffed boots on his feet which looked to be in good condition wondering why he wanted to see the cobbler.
"Yeah, follow me!" She said happily leading their procession. Tora was a girl who didn't often keep company.
People either disliked her for her overly talkative nature, or she avoided them due to her own wary nature. So she was happy to have someone she could talk to.
Asher followed after her Sophia in his arms, feeling a sense of trepidation. After all he was the Azure Eyes the legendary monster revived, now once again a living person with skin in the proper places and reason in his head. But a monster he was still.
White hair, blue eyes, and a curved sword.
It was bound to stand out, bound to draw attention. If someone made the connection or if the right person plied him for answers that would be it, the miracle second life would be over.
Though he didn't care if he died again, he wanted to. Sophia is what his worries lied, if it wasn't for her he'd have sliced his own head off trying to kill himself.
Now more than anything he wanted to protect her and give her a happy life, to save at least one person after everything, but should his identity be discovered that would become impossible.
Heading up a slope the three came to the rubble districts interior gate leading inside the town itself. After a quick check with the guards they were cleared for entrance.
Walking past Asher could feel hard eyes on him. One guard, an older man with a beard, narrowed his eyes and spoke up. "Hold it!" He demanded his voice brusk as he walked towards Asher who had stopped dead in his tracks.
The guard shifted the hand his halberd was in reaching down towards the club on his belt. Asher could sense the movement, if he needed to he could toss Sophia in the air and kill both the guards and resheathe his sword in time enough to catch her.
He turned, facing the guard who was holding out some kind of small red rocks. "Here, take it. You kids look like you could use something sweet." The man said with a toothy grin.
Assuming Asher's penchant for hesitation when accepting things from others, Tora piped up. "It's candy Asher mister Norris' wife is a candy maker. It's pretty yummy stuff so be gracious and accept it."
Asher took the candy thanking him awkwardly as he continued on his way letting Sophia munch the offered sweets.
Edurands streets were bustling with people, causing him to tense. How long had it been since he'd last been surrounded by living breathing people who weren't trying to kill him?
Tora noticed his hesitation and smiled trying to reassure him. "Welcome to Edurand."
Asher just focused on the back of Toras head trailing after her while ignoring the stares and glances of passersby. An odd site to be certain, this young man. Truly, the way he wore his sword edge up was so very odd.
This was the main thought that filled most people's minds, they who were more used to the sight of adventurers and soldiers than undead monsters or scrawny boys with white hair, being more curious about the kinds of armor and weapons carried by those of the martial professions.
Though there was some pointing and whispering by the fairer sorts who were speaking with their fellow housewives and companions, seeming to appraise his appearance.
He could just barely make out the words cute and ugly girl as well as gestures which speculated that they were also talking about either he or Sophia's hair.
Asher continued on taking in the city's sites. The buildings were three stories at the tallest, colorful and well kept being made from fine timber and possessing shingled roofs.
He could make out some of the keep which rested in the far side at the highest point but couldn't make out enough details with the houses in the way.
They went down an alley towards a shop with a boot shaped hanging wooden sign, a shoe maker.
Tora led them inside "hello? Anyone in?" She inquired, not seeing anyone. "Oh, yes. Be right with you!" A voice called from the back before a gray haired man appeared wearing an apron. "Ah if it isn't the young miss Tora! With company this time of all things. Goodness me, what can I do for you?"
Tora gestured to Asher who stepped forward having set Sophia down. "It's nice to meet you… sir." Asher paused before continuing. "I was wondering if you maybe traded in used shoes?" He asked, tapping one of his boots against the other.
The man looked Asher up and down for a moment, a quizzical look on his face. "I certainly do young man. Tell me, are you buying or selling?" ""Selling." "I see. Well let me take a look." Asher pulled the scuffed brown boots from his feet and handed them over to be examined.
The cobbler looked over them tugging on the soles and pulling at the lip, before nodding satisfied. "Mmm yes these are certainly a fine pair you have with a little bit of polish they'll be like new… actually brand new they must have fetched at least a silver judging by the material quality and craftsmanship." He clicked his tongue. "And for now I can give you let's see… twelve bronze."
Asher wasn't sure if that was a good price or not nor how well that equated to one silver. "And how much for a pair of shoes for her?" He asked, pointing to Sophia who was barefoot.
The cobbler raised his eyebrows. "Four bronze but if you can bring them back in good condition when she outgrows them I'll give you a discount on your next pair."
"Alright get her setup won't you?" Asher said as he gently placed a hand on Sophia's back and guided her forward.
They were plain and a little bit worn, but they were clean and didn't smell. For a poor girl like Sophia they were an incredibly precious gift and she seemed excited. "I've never had shoes before!" She exclaimed, her eyes shining as she happily tapped the soles loudly against the floor.
She tightly wrapped her arms around Asher's waist hugging him. "Thank you big brother!"
Asher's gloomy face softened as he patted her head. "You're welcome Sophia."
As the trio went to leave the cobbler seemed to want to stop Asher and inquire as to why he wasn't getting himself a pair of shoes, but was met by a soft shh as the boy exited the store barefoot;
Leaving him standing there with a slight pang of guilt in his heart. At first he thought that boy was a vagrant or a rotten sort and that those fine boots he was wearing must have been stolen but now the cobbler knew he was not a bad person, rather he is a big brother who loves his little sister very much.