Road to Redemption: Stories of The Sadabi

I get down from the carriage and turn back to smile at the people in it. "Thank you for your hospitality."

The woman sitting in it gives me a sincere smile. "You make it seem as though we've done something great." Her hand slowly strokes the hair of the little girl asleep on her lap.

The burly man driving the carriage lets out a particularly loud laugh. If it were a few weeks ago such a laugh would have caused me to wonder what it was that I said that was so funny, but after hearing it so many times I am more than used to it.

The man says, "Why are you thanking us? We are the ones who should be honored you chose to ride with us. God knows how many times we would have died if it weren't for you."

I let out a weak smile. "I was just doing what any guest should do."

The man gives me a look that says he doesn't believe me. "Either way, I wish you good luck in whatever you want to do in that city. A word of advice? Leave that place as quickly as possible if you want to live long. I understand that you're strong, but with the threat of war hanging above us, it isn't as safe as it used to be."

I nod to him. "I understand. I hope to see you all again."

"So do we. If you ever go to Hinesed, remember to visit."

The woman warns. "If I ever find out you passed through Hinesed without taking the time to visit us, I'll make sure you regret it."

I smile and wave to them as they finally move away. When I turn around to face the city the smile on my face fades away as a look of pain briefly flashes across my face. I take a deep breath to steady my emotions. After so long, I'm back to where it all started.

Silently, I make a promise to myself. This time, I will spare no effort to make things right. I blink my eyes rapidly to get rid of the tears that threaten to form behind them. I then spend the next few seconds composing myself before I join the throng of people, horses, and carriages heading towards Tinael city.

The city is quite large, in fact, it is the largest I have seen in a long time. It is surrounded by a large octagonal wall. There are battlements at regular intervals all around the walls which are continuously manned by soldiers. Also patrolling the length of the wall are heavily armored soldiers, each keeping a keen eye on whatever is happening below. From what I remember, there are three entrances to the city. One to the east, and another to the south, where I currently am. Each entrance has two gates: one for influential people like the Sadabi, nobility, or particularly influential merchants or tradesmen. The other gate is for commoners, people with little to no status looking to make it in the city. As for the third entrance, no one knows where it is, except for the royal family that is. It is said to have been made by the first king to allow the royal family to safely leave the city should it ever fall.

The city is divided into three parts. The Rose District, where the king, members of government, and very wealthy people stay. It is the only one of the three districts to have a wall separating it from the rest of the city. East Cherub is where the middle class stays, along with other wealthy people who don't have enough social standing to get into the Rose District. Finally, there is the Poor District whose very name is an insult to the people living there. Though, when I left a few years ago, the Poor District and East Cherub had begun spilling into each other as the population of the city steadily rose.

A lot of people think of Tinael fondly, but not me. Once, I had lived happily there, but now, all the city holds are memories of pain, lost friendships, and death.

In front of one of the gates is a long queue as a throng of people and horses jostle each other to get into the city. The other gate is relatively empty, containing nothing more than two guards by the side and a table behind which an officer sits, trying to look as important as possible.

I head towards the empty gate, earning looks of surprise from a few people. The officer behind the table gives me a questioning look as I stop in front of him.

"I understand that the queue is very long, but you need to go through the other gate. I cannot allow you to pass through here, sir." The officer says, sounding a bit unsure and apologetic. It isn't hard to understand his thoughts. Judging by my clothes, I probably look like a slightly well-dressed peasant, but the fact that I came here could very well mean that I am one of the people the gate is meant for, irrespective of my clothes.

I ignore him and reach into my satchel, before bringing out a well-worn piece of parchment. The officer falls silent as he collects it from me and reads it. A moment later a look of surprise flashes across his face.

"Sadabi!" He exclaims, a little loudly. The two guards by the gate immediately turn to look at me, respect and adoration written all over their faces.

The officer finally reads my name and his mouth snaps shut. He hands me back the parchment with a look of reverence. After a moment's silence, he clears his throat and asks. "Sire, your license please, and your weapon."

I stretch out my hand and pull out a simple-looking blade from thin air. At this moment, people in the other queue finally notice me. Their loud chatter quietens for a moment before beginning with renewed vigor as they begin to discuss the 'Sadabi', with more than a few of them trying to guess if I am one of the more well-known Sadabi.

Ignoring them, I pull my sword from its sheath. The blade is a steel one, looking as new as the day it was made. The two edges look sharp enough to cut air, with no visible notches. But the most prominent thing about the blade are the gem-like, kite-shaped Ari on the flat sides of the blade. They are so thin that it almost looks like they were painted on. There are seven of them, three on one side and four on the other. Around the Ari are smaller gems that form a strange-looking pattern. Tiny grooves, filled with what looks like glass connect the Ari to the spots, giving the sword a slightly mystical look.

After letting the officer take a good look at it and record the number of Ari on it, I sheath the sword and reabsorb it. Next, I pull out another piece of parchment from my satchel. My sword's license.

After confirming the authenticity of the document, the officer notes something down on the book in front of him. After drying the ink he closes the book and smiles at me. "Welcome back to Tinael, Sire."

I nod dismissively at him before walking to the gate in front of me. The two guards hurriedly open the gate, letting me through. After six long years, I am finally back at Tinael.