19 STAPOLIS

At dusk, Medeia entered the port of Stapolis, halfway to the area where the monster Sillabot had been sighted.

Even with little wind, the modern bireme with foreign technology, allowed only in some imperial ships, had traveled more than twice the distance that a common bireme would do. That meant they had almost a day's lead over Chriseis.

Glax didn't have to disguise his ignorance about Stapolis, and Captain Laertes explained, seeing his astonishment,

"Much more imposing than little Temnos, isn't it? Stapolis is the second-largest city in the Echelian State, and the third-largest port. But it's not a beautiful city. We'll spend the night here. Now that you are officially a Krios, of the Kroton family, I suppose you'll have many doors open tonight. This is the port where any Echelian wanting things from Delpia or Thyria would come first. So there are many merchants from other clans here... and many scammers too. Have fun with your new name!"

But Glax already knew that by now. He glanced at the clock still in the palm of his hand. That was a secret he now shared with a vselys slave, Malko. But it wasn't the only secret.

After reading what was written in the watch, Malko had blinked many times.

He watched the intricate spins of the tourbillon, and the revolutions of the globes and hands for a while, thoughtfully.

"It is a dedication. It doesn't have a name. It just says, "I dreamed of you, my finest and daring work. Our story begins where our story ends."

"Hm, quite mysterious, isn't it? Is it a famous quote or something?"

Malko stared at him for a few minutes, his eyes lost. Just when Glax didn't think he was going to answer, did the slave say,

"No. I never heard it before. But I would say someone presented this watch with a unique intention."

"I figured it was special. There aren't that many watches in Valya, are there?"

"I have never seen something so finely crafted, although there are many watches in Valya, yes. Even in Valya, something so fantastic would be seen as a princely gift. Something to give to a visiting prince, or..."

Glax filled in the lines. 'Or someone you love a lot.' Even in his original time, Glax guessed this was the gift that heads of state would give to each other. It was absurdly expensive and unique. The dedication was not one of friendship or homage, however.

The two sighed almost at the same time, caught in their own thoughts about it. But then Malko asked him to go to his workbench.

Just as if he hadn't denied it minutes ago.

Glax knew it had to do with the vselys object Glax possessed.

But they didn't return to the subject of the watch or the dedication.

He had spent a lot of time thinking about how to make an effective rocket launcher capable of doing good damage. Incredibly, his mind was able to think of ingenious machines, and he and Malko subtracted one of the onagers to adapt it for war.

Nothing would be as effective as if he had the 'liquid fire', which was more powerful than gunpowder. But gunpowder would still be excellent for the projectiles he could do with what little Malko had at its disposal in Medeia.

But then Malko had revealed that the gunpowder could still be found. Clandestinely. It was still used with empire authorization, but Glax could get enough if looking in the right places. And certainly, someone in Stapolis would have.

Indeed, Glax remembered seeing fireworks in last night's celebration.

Malko was quite excited to help build a cannon, which was exactly what Glax thought he would need. But something so massive would cause problems for Captain Laertes.

So Glax thought about building a larger version of his grenade launcher, with a tripod. However, more than a launcher, he needed highly destructive projectiles, and as safe to launch as possible.

He knew already they would consider his method dishonored, but he was just taking precautions, so to speak.

Between honor and blood, he was sure it was better to lose the first, especially when you are away from the hospital.

It would be sad and ironic if he died in the clutches of a sea monster just like the idiot Proctus wished for, and well before he reached that Hall of Bones, where Glax planned to get! He just hoped that whatever was there, it would be worth all the trouble.

Furthermore, a god himself thought he would make good use of a weapon!

Laertes indicated which inn the crew would stay at, and suggested. "Now that you are a Krios from Kroton's home, you can get full board on behalf of the clan, don't forget!"

So, did ascending to the aristocracy really have a Benefits Club? Glax polished the gift from Chriseis, a brooch that held his tunic at shoulder height, shaped like a ram's head. This was not only the symbol he saw on the flags of the Echelian Clans, but also the symbol of one of the main families.

Before leaving the boat, Glax went to speak to Malko.

"Aren't you going to come down?"

"Only if necessary. It's always a problem to justify myself in places where I am not known, very far from the capital."

Glax could understand the problem. "If you want to join me ..."

"I would certainly get you in trouble, but ... it's possible that we will meet later."

"Do you have a tip where I should look for what I need?"

"I don't know Stapolis, but I heard it's one of the most exotic cities in the Echelians… So, look for the fun. Crime is always around, wherever it is."

"Hm, good advice, my friend," Glax raised a fist for Malko to greet him in farewell, forgetting that he was no longer at his old home. Malko looked puzzled for a moment, but repeated the gesture, with a smile, after deciphering it.

"This! See you later, comrade!"

The night fell with a violet hue and the orange horizon created a stunning visual in the bay of Stapolis. The small bay, surrounded by mountains, was teeming with ships, and the port was busy. The buildings, as in Temnos, dotted the hills in a profusion of whitewashed walls, and the public buildings seemed inherited from another era.

An open-air fair still sold various products, and as soon as he went down with the officers, they were surrounded by people offering their services.

"Noble Kroton, at Sereias you have a magnificent dinner and you can still hear the Delpian Triplets and a show with Hilan's beauties!"

"No, dear Kroton warrior, I can see that you have exotic tastes, judging by your long hair! At Wolf's Castle, with the best view at the top of the Lost Gate Hill, you will enjoy Thepomesus-style mead and Pharysian black mullet, and watch a magic show from beyond the Sea of ​​Mists. Legit and guaranteed! For just 1 silver coin; for 1 more fish, Rhytosian wine refills!"

Glax had already deduced in Temnos, from the contents of his money bag, how the monetary system worked. There were gold and silver coins, as well as small stone tablets. Blacks were 'fish', whites were 'birds', and reds were 'cattle'. The price plates had drawings of the animals next to the numbers... The numerals were neither Arabic nor Roman, but it wasn't difficult to deduce after looking at them for some time.

"The belly certainly accepts anything, my noble Kroton, but not your 'noble friend'! Meet the most beautiful people in Stapolis at the Arito Palace! Gorgeous boys and girls to keep you company!"

"Does the nobleman need a horse for hire?"

"Do you need a guide and a messenger at your disposal for 24 hours? One fish per hour, noble Kroton! I can get the best seats and even a place in the theater to hear Juvenu the Storyteller! Or the fights that night at the West Ward Gymnasium, the best matches in the South!"

All the offers looked interesting, but the last one looked, after all, useful. While the officers went unmoved to the inn, Glax stayed behind, and asked the man who had volunteered as a guide.

"Can you really take me anywhere?"