The Eye of Elicion: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol 1 (42 page)

“I’m looking forward to this library,” said Lucy with interest. “If the information is so valuable, why doesn’t anyone try to steal it?”

“Excellent question. I’m sure the idea has occurred to some, but it’s not worth it in many ways. The Kennemts believe knowledge should be shared. They are very open minded. Anyone who wants to come and read is welcome to come and stay as long as they want. Provided you can stand the humidity, the scrolls and the sensuality can be a vacation of sorts.”

“Who rules in Kennemt?”

“No one specifically.”

“And that works?”

“Better than you would think. A long time ago, a group of them sat down and wrote up a basic set of rules and punishments for breaking rules. Since most of them aren’t interested in law, no one has bothered to sit down and change any of them. Everyone tends to keep everyone else in check. Besides sensual decadence, their other passion, oddly enough is assassination. Most of the people claiming to be assassins have never actually killed someone, but if the occasion arose, they would know fifty or so different ways to accomplish that task. There are some with many kills under their belts so be careful, but you shouldn’t do anything to cause that in such a short amount of time. People tend to behave when they know that everyone else in the room could kill them multiple ways if they misbehaved. They find both life and death fascinating, but are not in any hurry to die and miss out on other pleasures, so the system oddly works.”

“Just in case I need to know the information, do they assassinate by weapons and stealth?”

“Mainly. Stealth is part of the fun of the game. They do have mock assassination contests which everyone enjoys. I think I’d be paranoid, but I’m not Kennemtian. Although, I suppose it’s time I mentioned the snakes.”

“Snakes?” asked Lucy suspiciously.

“There are many snakes that like the hot and humid. Some are large, some are poisonous. They don’t worship the snake by any means, but they do respect it. There are snake charmers who milk their pets and sell the venom. I’m sure if they had ambition and an interest in chemistry, they could come up with any number of poisons and drugs from the venom and the odd plants growing all around them. They don’t go in for recreational drugs of any kind, but they do enjoy some amount of poisons and it’s mainly venom that they use.”

“I’m starting to think that I’m not going to be very comfortable in this society.”

“There is one thing you will like,” said Justin with a smile.

“What’s that?”

“Because of the heat and humidity, they believe in bathing daily in cool water. Also, since standing water would stagnate and breed all sorts of nasty things, they believe in running water.”

“I will like that.”

“It’s all part of the sensual pampering system. Bathing is enjoyable, and it’s hard to appeal to another person if you reek of old sweat. Their chemists may not invent drugs, but they do invent perfumes, oils, bath salts, soaps, incense, and candles.”

“What about the clothing? Do I have to wear it?”

“I mentioned they were open-minded and pleasure-oriented. I don’t think you have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m sure they will invite you to wear what they do, but that’s more because they couldn’t imagine being comfortable in what you are wearing. It’s polite to make one’s guests comfortable and anyone who arrives is a guest. There are styles that are less revealing, but it’s so hot there that lots of clothing is uncomfortable. It’s not like the desert where clothing protects you from the sun. They will not be able to understand your boots either. Everyone goes barefoot or wears sandals. The other thing I should mention is that people may strike you as acting bored. Don’t believe it. First of all, they are most likely relaxed, not bored. Secondly, most of them have assassin training. You mentioned stealth being important, but the other skill that might be even more important is observation. Don’t underestimate them.”

“I try not to underestimate anyone.”

“Good, Maya can instruct you on further customs if you are interested, but they won’t mind if you don’t follow them so it’s not a huge worry. I’d be more concerned if we were going to Salmatina. I’d not only give you the information, but drill you on it.”

That didn’t sound too reassuring to Lucy. Well, one place at a time. At least she was enjoying the ride there. She stretched her shoulders and continued to follow Maya.

The further south and east they traveled, the warmer and more humid it got. The mornings were beautiful if a bit warm. However, every afternoon it poured without warning for quite some time. The rain would quit as suddenly as it started, and the sun would come out again making the moisture oppressive. Lucy was glad she had waterproofed her cloak and wore it against the rain even though it was too warm to wear a cloak. Then, the massive amounts of vegetations started. They wound their way through trees layered with vines and flowers. The heat, humidity, and smells the flowers were giving off made them drowsy. Breezes were infrequent if not altogether nonexistent. It became stifling. They had to be careful to watch their step to avoid snakes and other poisonous plants. Lucy could not detect a trail or road at all and wondered how Maya found her way around.

The nights became as unpleasant as the days. Everything felt damp no matter how many times they magically dried things. It was sticky, and the air was heavy inside the tent. It didn’t do any good to try to leave the flap open as there wasn’t any breeze and it only let in bugs. It was difficult to sleep over the noises. There were frogs, lizards, and any number of bugs humming and chirping. Lucy didn’t know much about different animals, but she was sure that some of the primates living in the trees were nocturnal. Lucy was convinced she could hear snakes slithering, but it could have been her overactive imagination.

They woke up every morning feeling sticky. Lucy longed for a bath, but Justin wouldn’t let any of them go near the water. They even watered their horses from their water bottles rather than go too near the water. Apparently, there were poisonous leeches of various sizes as well as snakes, flesh-eating fish, alligators, snapping turtles, and lizards with the nasty ability to electrocute. Justin assured Lucy she would be able to bathe once the reached Kennemt, and after learning the many dangers of bathing in the open she was willing to wait. Lucy might be able to convince some animals to stay away from her, but she wasn’t sure she could maintain the level of alertness she would need and enjoy a bath at the same time. Also, the travel bread was getting moldy. All in all, spirits were getting low, and tempers were getting short.

Periodically, they walked; leading the horses as even they seemed lethargic. They did not talk much. Anything Lucy could think of say or ask could be taken as a complaint, and she certainly didn’t want to make things worse by being that whiny person on a journey that everyone wants to beat into silent submission. Lucy hoped they were close to Kennemt because a few more days of this was enough to make her want to build a door and try Eric’s door trick uncaring about the multiple possible calamitous outcomes. Lucy did not remember noticing that they had gone uphill, but suddenly they were descending. Then, for the first time in days, she caught the hint of a breeze. The next hint was stronger, if slightly salty, and enough to lift her spirits.

“Feel that?” Justin asked her.

Lucy nodded.

“We’re getting closer. We should get there tonight or early tomorrow.”

“Why does it smell like salt?” she asked.

“Kennemt is built halfway up a large hill,” answered Maya. “At the bottom of the hill is a coast and the sea. The wind blows up the hill, cooling the city enough to make it tolerable, and there is still enough jungle between the city and the coast to offer a reasonable defense. The breeze will be stronger soon.”

Everyone’s mood lightened as the breezes became stronger, even if they were salty. When it got dark, Gavin wanted to continue to travel through the night rather than camp. Maya was all for the idea in theory but agreed with Justin that the hazards of the jungle were better traversed in light so they set up their tent. At least the breeze and the hope it brought made sleeping easier.

The next morning they awoke and packed with renewed vigor. Shortly after setting out, they reached the outskirts of the city of Kennemt. As Justin had described, the buildings were of stone. Most of them were not very tall, consisting of one or two stories. Here and there vines interspersed with the stonework. Other than the multitude of arches, the architecture was simple and plain. There were few if any carvings. Covering walls, windows, and walkways were drapes of fabric of various sheerness.

No one paid them much attention until they got closer to the center of the city. They were greeted by a short, thin woman of indeterminable age and waist long black hair. She was dressed in a sleeveless silken green tunic that was low cut in the front and even lower in the back. It was short enough that it did not drag on the ground, and Lucy could see that she was barefoot.

“Good morning,” she said. “My name is Kaliea.”

“I am Maya, and this is Justin, Lucy, and Gavin,” Maya introduced them and Kaliea inclined her head slightly to each of them, enough to show recognition without implying submission.

“Many families don’t take an interest in visitors or the outside world. Those of us that do, take turns in welcoming them and offering them a place to stay. You are welcome to stay in my house or I can lead you to an appropriate inn.”

“Thank you,” said Maya. “Our main reason for staying in your fair city is to study the scrolls in your library. We would appreciate it if you could show us there. We would welcome your hospitality as well, although if it is too far from the library, perhaps it would be better if you could show us to a convenient inn.”

“Luckily for you, my house is down the street from the library,” said Kaliea motioning them to follow her and giving Gavin an appraising look.

They did not walk long before Kaliea motioned them to a side street. At the end there were clean stalls strewn with palm branches.

“You can stable your horses here. I do not keep horses so you will have to tend them. I will have feed sent over. Through that archway, you will find Tenna. She will further direct you to your rooms and the bath houses. After that she can direct you to the library. You are free to seek pleasure as you like provided it does not infringe on anyone else’s pleasure. Watch yourselves. You are my guests, but that does not mean I have to protect you if I feel you are in the wrong. You will be warned once of an infraction. After that you will probably be killed. Have a pleasant afternoon. I will see you at dinner.” With that said, Kaliea turned and walked through the archway she had previously indicated.

Lucy looked at the others with raised eyebrows, but didn’t say anything. Partially, she wasn’t sure what to say. Kaliea had asked no questions of them or their reasons for being there. She had invited them to stay as guests but made it clear that that invitation offered no inherent protection. Lucy was also baffled by the fact that she managed to look slightly bored and slightly interested at the same time. Instead of spending time wondering too much about their hostess, who Lucy was sure she would find out more about at dinner, she unsaddled her horse and brushed her down.

When they had finished caring for their horses, they picked up their packs and went through the previously indicated archway. Near the entrance there waited a woman, younger than Lucy, but not by much.

“Tenna?” questioned Maya.

The girl smiled, nodded, and motioned them to follow. Tenna was taller than Kaliea. Her skin was tan, her brown hair was braided, she was dressed in a simple gray silk tunic, and she was also barefoot. She led them down a hallway of sorts with archways and curtains to different rooms. At one curtain, she paused and gestured that they should enter.

“You have been given two adjoining rooms to do with as you please. If you continue down this hallway, you will come to the bath house. There will be plenty of towels waiting for you there. Do you require anything else?” Tenna asked.

“No, this is wonderful, thank you,” replied Maya.

Tenna inclined her head and walked away.

“Slaves?” questioned Lucy when she hoped Tenna was out of earshot.

“Yes, there is a high demand for slaves here, but it is not the worst place to be a slave,” said Maya. “You do have to work, but there are usually enough slaves that none of them are overworked. Kennemtians enjoy being served, but they feel their slaves should enjoy life too. A good slave here lives a better life than some citizens elsewhere.”

Lucy still frowned. The idea of slavery of any kind rebelled against her altruistic belief system even though she was well aware that the world was not perfect.

Justin noticed the frown and added, “You don’t have to like it, but we are not here to make waves or start a rebellion. Not that you would have much luck. The majority of the slaves here wouldn’t even think about joining you. The system here may be odd, but it works for the most part. Once slaves are freed after their years of service, many choose to stay here as citizens. Believe me, get used to the idea of slavery now. Kinowenn isn’t a utopia. There are things you will see in towns that will disturb you much more. We are here on a quest. You can come back later and try to make changes if you want.”

Lucy wasn’t sure how to respond to that but she nodded to show she had understood what he said. She decided that forcing her viewpoints on another society was not a good way to foster amicable feelings or encourage social change. She walked into their rooms.

The first room was furnished with a table and two chairs as well as a variety of cushioned settees that one could sit, lounge, or sleep on. There was a window facing a garden on the wall at the opposite end of the door. On the left wall was another curtained archway. The second room had beds in each corner and another archway which led to a small terrace also overlooking the garden. Lucy picked a bed and deposited her pack. Maya also chose a bed and sat on it after depositing her pack.