Moving Out

After the mind-numbing events of the Game of Life and Death, Gilgamesh returned to Mariam's room and stayed there.

A couple of days passed with him just following his usual morning routine, before he noticed his body feeling a bit odd.

It was like he was out of shape, even though he technically wasn't. He felt like his body needed to catch up with himself, and so he started to work out a bit more seriously.

After about a week, Gilgamesh decided that he no longer wanted to stay within the Felis Clan's villa.

Although she seemed reluctant at first, after talking with the Great Elders Mariam agreed to it. She then insisted that he not go too far, and even went so far as to offer to buy a small place nearby for him.

Although he thought about declining her offer, Gilgamesh ultimately decided to accept the help. He really just didn't want to have to worry about finding a place to stay every night.

And so, after almost two months living in Mariam's room, Gilgamesh left the Felis Clan's villa on horseback, with an escort to his new place.

The young servant boy led Gilgamesh through the main gate of the villa, which was wide open during the day, and onto the main road.

Hundreds of people came from beyond the walled border of Conceala City everyday, and even more people left from the city to begin their journeys home. There was constant traffic, making those rare moments where the roads were empty seem all too surreal.

Gilgamesh and the servant boy traversed the roads until they came upon a wide bridge over a stream. On the other side, the road became a proper brick road, clean and kempt. Those on foot walked on either side of the road, on brick paths designed for them.

Coming from further into the city, a number of carriages passed Gilgamesh by. He noticed that they seemed to be escorting someone important, but as he had only given them a cursory glance, he did not notice anything else.

After about thirty minutes of swift riding, Gilgamesh's escort led him up to a cabin that was not too far from the roadways. Looking around from just outside the cabin, Gilgamesh could see that it was just a few minutes away from the entry into the heart of the city.

"Aside from the center, is everywhere else in Conceala like this? Grassy and serene?" Gilgamesh asked the servant, who shook his head after some consideration.

"Just the south. The City Lord made it a rule that only members of the Felis Clan could inhabit the southern district, and now it's mostly just land like this apart from the roads."

Nodding, Gilgamesh went into the cabin before bidding farewell to his escort. The boy begun his swift return, and Gilgamesh took in his new home. It did not take him long to settle in, especially considering he already had everything he needed.

He was used to having to adjust to new environments by now.

He had a small kitchen, some kind of energy-powered stove and cold storage- which was fully stocked- a living room, bath and bedroom. It was all he could ever want, really.

To the back of the house was some fresh-chopped firewood, as well as a chopping block and axe. In addition, there was a stable in the shade that he put his horse in.

Mariam did not tell him how much of the land was actually his, but after hearing what the servant said he could guess that a lot of it was unoccupied.

With nothing better to do, Gilgamesh basked in the morning sun while carrying out his new routine. He used some of the nearby trees for his workout as well, and then took a run into the foliage.

When he returned, he took a bath, had breakfast, then sorted through all of the clothes Mariam had gotten for him. After separating them into things he would wear to leave the house, and things he would only wear when he was staying in, he donned an outfit suitable for leaving home.

Then, just a few hours before midday, Gilgamesh left home on foot, wearing a simple white shirt and loose grey trousers. He had also done his hair, and tied it up. A few strands fell from the left side of his head, refusing to stay tied, and hung near his eye.

It took him about three minutes to get to the road at his normal walking speed, then twenty minutes to get to main gate of the central city.

Although the roads thenceforth were swamped with people, Gilgamesh took his time and maintained a steady pace. He glanced around at the city's design, and saw that almost all of the buildings were made of an old kind of stone.

Some of the buildings were so old that they were a bit overgrown, but for some reason it only added to the city's aged charm. Gilgamesh took notice of the many banners that were strewn overhead, and also the occasional citizen living above, coming out to sip tea and look at the city from atop their homes.

Before he even got to the shops, a wide variety of peddlers and random hustlers bombarded him with their wares and offers, but he simply declined as he continued on his way.

Ever so often, he would find someone that seemed both learned and familiar with their surroundings to direct him to the best smithy they knew. After a few tries, and hours, he finally found one that he could respect, tucked away in a corner of the shopping district.

"Well good day to ya, sir. Be with you in a moment."

Upon entering the smithy through some thin cloth windows, Gilgamesh saw that it was well stocked and properly worn.

"I can tell this smithy has seen long years of hard and honest work. When you get the chance, Boss, show me some of your best work."

Hearing his words of praise, a short, stocky, soot-covered man in a sullied apron laughed jovially before returning to his customer. Gilgamesh did not pay much attention to what they were doing, and instead kept looking around at the various tools.

He sensed something in them that he had not felt in far too long, which sparked in him a desire to pick back up an old hobby of his.

Before long, the middle-aged blacksmith finished up what he was doing and came over to see Gilgamesh stroking an old anvil that was put aside.

"Ah, that there's an old friend of mine. He's been through it, I'll tell ya." The man gave a small nod.

Gilgamesh flashed the man a curt smile.

"Wanted to see my best? Well follow me to the shop, why don't ya?" Leading the way, the short man walked to and opened a side door that led out of the smithy and to another side of the building.

If Gilgamesh had not been to taken up with the smithy itself, he would have noticed that the main attraction of the building was the shop itself, with multiple items in display cases at the front.

First wiping his hands, the blacksmith opened the door which caused some hanging bells to ring.

"Welcom- Oh, hi there Uncle Hank!" A young female voice sounded the moment that the blacksmith walked into the store, then when Gilgamesh entered he saw a slightly pockmarked redhead standing behind the counter.

"Ah, good day and welcome to you, sir!"

Gilgamesh nodded to her, and followed Hank.

The shop was filled with items on display, as well as a number of decorative pieces to bring the place to life. There was a lovely crystal chandelier above that emitted a soft, warm light, which gave the shop a lovely, homey feel.

Gilgamesh was taken aback for a moment before he heard Hank, the blacksmith, speaking to him.

"Oh, right, where are my manners?" Wiping his hands again, more thoroughly, he extended a hand for Gilgamesh to take, looking up at him with a wide grin. "Name's Hank. Hank Fyllin! At your service."

Gilgamesh took his hand and gave it a firm shake, reminiscing on the last time he felt such a rough hand in his own. "Gilgamesh. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Hank then directed Gilgamesh to a rack on the wall, near the counter and to the left. "These are some of my best swords, while over there on those mannequins are some of my best suits of armor. If you look behind the counter, you'll see the very best shield I ever did make."

Gilgamesh looked around at everything, appreciating everything he saw with clear respect and awe. "You are a true master, Hank. To tell you the truth, I only came into the city looking for a blacksmith because I wanted to find one whose work I could respect."

Hank nodded slowly while wondering where Gilgamesh was going with this; the redhead behind the counter looked on with interest.

"I wondered if, by way of demonstrating my own ability, I could formally apply for a job at your smithy." With a most genuine smile and a humble disposition, Gilgamesh made his request.

Hank folded his arms across his chest, appearing to be deep in thought. "Hmmm..."

Behind the counter, the young woman's wide eyes darted between the two of them.