Chapter 298 - Sixth Sense

The journey through the walled city did not take long despite the winding nature of the path through the upper and middle layers. The main path from the northern gate was a thoroughfare for carriage and pedestrian traffic. It was the main entry point for the wealthy elite that lived on the lower layer, and so this path was designed to be a direct route to the bottom of the city.

The main road was flanked by tall, decorative walls, and they passed by dozens of gates that lead into the various districts. In the upper layer those districts were largely residential or for business catering to the working class of the upper and middle layers.

There were only a few carriages and pedestrians traveling up and down the road, reinforcing the privileged nature of the thoroughfare. However beyond the walls on either side Char Char could hear throngs of crowds packed together in markets and eateries.

Her sixth sense had just enough range to pick up the people who were on the other side of the walls, but even more curiously there were points in the road where she also sensed people walking below them in underground tunnels that connected the districts on either side of the road.

As they traveled down the path they passed through many open gates. These gates did not impede their travel, but the driver explained that they could be closed in order to impede movement between the districts in cases of emergencies.

After an hour of winding through the upper layer they reached the gate to the middle layer. Their documents were checked once more and they even inspected the carriage briefly to count the passengers and ensure there weren’t any uninvited tag alongs.

There was a distinct elevation difference between the upper and middle layer. As they passed through the gate Char Char once again had a full view over the rooftops of the city below. A long winding road circled around the inner perimeter of the middle layer wall, leading down to street level.

The three hills of the lower layer were clearly visible, with rings of mansions and estates forming clear terraces. The estates on the top of the hills were just barely higher than the rooftops on the middle layer.

There’s only a few exits from the middle layer to the upper layer. Char Char thought to herself as she counted five other gates. The walls are very high and there are guards patrolling constantly. Someone trapped on a layer would find it very hard to get out without going through a gate…

The other gates were less majestic than the one that Char Char was at, and she could see streams of people passing through them. It seemed that the various gates had specific functions and catered to different classes of people.

“It’s like an onion…” Char Char muttered softly to herself. “I can’t decide whether I feel safe because of the walls, or trapped.”

While the upper layer felt like a cramped, bustling inner city, the middle layer gave the impression of a rich, prestigious neighbourhood. The districts in the middle layer consisted of social gathering spots, fine dining establishments and luxury stores for the wealthy elite. The residences in the middle layer were for reserved for the wealthy and powerful, the homes were still packed together but they were spacious and the streets were clean and well-maintained.

Bright colourful flags flew front of the gates of each district, watched over by guards in similarly coloured livery. Though Char Char did not know the specific families each flag belonged to, she counted no less than two dozen different flags either leading directly off the main path or visible in the distance. Some of the districts had multiple flags flying in front of them, indicating joint ownership.

The journey from the middle gates to the lower layer gates was also quite direct. The middle layer was only a third of the radius of the upper layer and the path was less winding making the travel distance quite short.

Char Char and Kai followed the driver’s recommendation and stowed their weapons inside Corbin’s luggage prior to reaching the lower gate. Once again they were allowed to pass through without any trouble.

A pristine valley spread out before them. Walking paths meandered across bright green terraces filled with manicured trees and colourful gardens. Gazebos looked out on man-made ponds filled with golden koi. White stone bridges passed over gurgling streams. Instead of tall imposing walls the areas were separated by leafy green hedges or ornamental fences.

The carriage took a left turn, heading up the path to the north towards Gold Hill. They passed by numerous estates as they wound around the outside of the hill, eventually reaching a set of gates on the eastern side.

Red and white banners hung down on either side of the white metal gate, which was flanked by two sculpted bulls.

“We’re here, the Reza estate.” The driver announced.

~

A small entourage was waiting at the gate for them. Char Char saw them clearly form her perch atop the carriage, and once again felt a strange sense of familiarity-but-not-familiarity pass over her.

She was familiar with being welcomed at a person’s estate, but she was always a passenger in the vehicle, not riding on top as a guard. However, looking down at the group as they approached Char Char felt like this vantage point was far superior to being inside the carriage.

There’s Master Reza, his wife and children… Corbin had lunch with them today. They’re dressed in evening wear. And there’s a dozen servants flanking them. Char Char observed coolly from behind her mask.

The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the gates and Char Char and Kai hopped down. They opened the door for Corbin who exited the carriage with a large smile on his face as he greeted Reza and his family warmly.

After the greetings were made there was a rush of activity as the servants gathered the luggage and loaded them onto hand carts to carry to the manor.

Char Char, Kai and Firuzeh stood to the side, essentially invisible to everyone present.

“First we will be assigned to our lodgings. We’ll be free to wander about as guests of the family.” Firuzeh explained the arrangements amongst the three of them, “We won’t be allowed to wear our uniforms, so we will be given plain robes in the family’s colours. This means our actions while in the city will be reflected on the Reza family.”

“Sophie,” Firuzeh smiled as she turned to Char Char, “You worked hard today. How about you and I take the night off and walk around the estate. We can leave Kai to watch over Corbin.”

“Okay.” Char Char returned the smile, keeping in mind their primary goal.

“Ah? And I didn’t work hard?” Kai raised his voice in an annoyed tone, “I was assigned to Corbin for the whole morning.”

“You mean, you got to play Kingdom cards in the back room of the restaurant for hours.” Firuzeh rolled her eyes.

“Who says I did?” Kai shot a mock look of shock at Char Char, as if she’d betrayed him. “Did you tell her?”

“No, I didn’t!” Char Char couldn’t help but grin at his antics.

“She didn’t have to tell me.” Firuzeh said, glancing at the coin pouch hanging inside his vest, “Your purse wasn’t so heavy in the morning.

“Tell you what. You split your winnings equally among us, and you can have the night off too.”

“And leave our client alone? I take my job seriously.” Kai grimaced as he waved his hand dismissively, “I’ll handle the night shift, you girls have fun.”

As they were chatting their ears perked up as the rumble of another carriage turning around the bend caught their attention. The luxurious, gold-trimmed vehicle pulled up with two guards in red and white uniforms on the top of the carriage next to the driver.

They just came from out of town, too? Char Char wondered.

The Reza entourage moved over to greet the newcomer as the door open and an old man descended from the carriage.

That’s old man Reza! Char Char immediately recognized the slightly hunched man with wire frame spectacles and a friendly face. He was dressed in a comfortable old coat not befitting a man of his wealth.

“What a coincidence, what a coincidence!” He chuckled, “Fate has blessed us with an unexpected meeting.”

Corbin walked forward, removing his hat as he bowed to old man Reza and exchanged pleasantries. In the meantime the servants began unloading the luggage from the back of the carriage. They passed by Char Char’s group as they carried a large brown chest.

Wait, what’s that? Char Char frowned as her sixth sense went off.

The outline of an object shimmered within the chest as she couldn’t help but pay attention to it. It was the size and shape of a small plate, though Char Char couldn’t discern any more detailed information about it.

As it passed by Char Char felt the faintest sound coming from within the chest. It sounded like the ticking of a clock, but had a strangely arrhythmic beat.

It sort of sounds like a beating heart…

From her past experience with similar items though, Char Char knew that the item was some kind of Exalted artifact. Furthermore, her sixth sense didn’t just go off for any item. She didn’t understand exactly how it worked, only that it was often most potent when an object posed a danger to herself.

For the item to grab her attention when it wasn’t even being held by someone…

A queasy feeling rumbled in Char Char’s gut as she felt something off about the plate in the chest.

She looked over at old man Reza, wondering what exactly he had brought back with him.

At the same time the elderly man coincidentally glanced her way. Their eyes locked for a brief second, and a look of confusion crossed his eyes before he looked away as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

Char Char frowned as she wondered for a second if the old man had recognized her. However she was quite a distance away, wearing a security uniform and a mask. The chances were slim.

“Something wrong, Sophie?” Firuzeh asked.

“No—“ Char Char smiled instinctively as she shook her head, “It’s nothing.”