Chapter 4- Thieves

Colt awoke from his bed in the local motel. He was offered a room for free as he was the new champion and all and he did not hesitate in taking the innkeeper up on his offer. He had not slept in a proper bed for what seemed to have been a year but was more like only a week. Colt reluctantly rose from his slumber and went to the water pump and bowl over by the door. He pumped out some water and washed his face and drank some to help awaken him.

The inn was not a completely run down place. As a matter of fact in La Selva it was quite cozy. You and I would think it behind the times but in La Selva those were the times. Colt felt at home. In the inn at Oeilvert it was quite similar except that the rooms were a little neater. This was a minor detail for Colt at the moment, however, as he got dressed in his old clothes and put on his hat. He then walked down the steps of the inn and went into the streets of La Selva.

Once again, as on his first arrival to the desert city, he found himself emerged in the market district. The shouts of merchants on the road aggravated him but he was accustomed to the quiet tranquility of Oeilvert. The only noise there was that of the wind blowing the sand. Here Colt, every once in a while, would be forced to shoo away a merchant or two but he did not mind a great deal. He understood they were trying to make a living.

As he navigated the streets he found himself looking for the regular gun shop. He had found that, though they had given his guns back to him without persuasion, they had failed to supply him with any ammunition or new charges. This annoyed him and so he was forced to search the streets for a gun shop. He had found this atmosphere quite different from that of Oeilvert and found the people much more rude. They all seem angry with anyone and yell much of their time. Though, that is probably because they try to make themselves heard over the other noise in the district, it is somewhat a nuisance for those trying to talk to them. His eyes were getting very irritated at the moment, as well. In the market district he had found that all the people hustling and bustling around cause much dust to fly up into the air. He was squinting at this point. Finally, through the clouds of sand, he saw a weapon shop. Like most other buildings in the city it was blocky, sand colored, and had the many archways and windows along with the pegs at the top of the building for tying a canopy or a clothesline to. As he walked into the building he removed his hat and placed it under his arm. He then blinked his eyes a few time to try and get the dust out of them. After a few seconds he opened his eyes and looked at the man behind the counter.

He was a dark-skinned man, like many of the citizens of La Selva (because of the amount of sun they get… after all they are in the desert) , and he was dressed rather outlandishly in Colt's mind. Instead of a suit like he had been accustomed to for businessmen to wear he wore clothing similar to the tunic given to Colt the night before. He also wore a red fez on top of his balding head. As Colt came through the doorway the man came from around the counter and patted Colt on both his shoulders, as he was honored in being in the presence of the man that won his freedom. He smiled a toothy smile and showed his yellowish teeth (and at least one tooth was missing) and began joyfully helping Colt with what he needed.

"Ah yes, my good man." The storekeeper spoke "I shall make sure you are pleased with anything you buy from here. I'll ever give you a 30% discount! I admire you very much, sir."

Colt cracked his mouth into a small grin. He was amused by the man. He then let his eyes wander and examine the room. He saw many a bladed weapon but there were no guns displayed. Colt began to feel let down, and sorry for the storekeeper who looked very hopeful in helping him.

"Yes sir, I am looking for some more charges and ammunition for my guns here, you see." Colt explained to the storekeeper

He smiled and clapped his hands together once and then took Colt by the shoulder and led him to the back room. As Colt went through the curtain he found himself looking at firearms of all kinds. Colt was relieved. He could get moving quicker and not have to journey to another store. He looked around and found the type of bullets he used most often. He picked up three boxes and then did the same with the charges. He asked the man how much everything was. The shopkeeper, though, was content on selling Colt something else. When Colt finally refused very firmly the shopkeeper ceased his bartering and sold him the ammo and charges, and for the promised 30% discount. Colt exited the shop and put the boxes inside his pouch where he kept that sort of item. He began the way back down to his hotel when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder.

Colt swirled around and looked who was behind him. It was a Burmecian, though he did not look as menacing as some he had seen. His large black eyes stared at Colt and cracked what Colt was sure was a smile. He wore jeans, a tan shirt, and a vest over it. Colt also noted the holster at his side carrying a revolver and a shotgun hanging on his back.

"Hello, friend. Beautiful morning isn't it?" the Burmecian spoke

Colt looked at him, a little puzzled "I suppose. I don't believe this town suits me. The dust is quite hard on the eyes."

"Not to mention the sport of choice." Said the Burmecian nodding his rat-like head toward the stadium

Colt just stared at the stadium for a moment then turned his attention back to the Burmecian.

"Is there some reason why you choose me to talk about the morning with?" Colt asked, obviously aggravated

The Burmecian shrugged. "I just wished to see the new champion of La Selva's great blood sport."

"And you are?" Colt inquired

"A fellow champion, like yourself." The Burmecian said with his grin

Colt was surprised for a moment.

"So you are that Burmecian soldier captured and forced to fight then won back his freedom."

"Bah. I thought you were smart enough a man to not believe everything you hear, or is your intelligence present only on the battlefield?" the Burmecian retorted

Colt was insulted slightly by this remark but then saw the Burmecian's mouth curl into a smile once more. He grasped his shoulder and chortled a little.

"No matter. Come! Let me buy you a drink. Us free men need to stick together, eh." He exclaimed

He then pulled into his pocket and pulled out a small cigar. He struck a match and lit it. He puffed smoke from under his whiskers and out his nose. He then looked at Colt and reached into his pocket once again.

"Ah, but where are my manners?" he said while bringing out another cigar

Colt waved his hand. "I thank you but I do not smoke."

The Burmecian shrugged and put it back in his jeans. He took him by the shoulder once more and led the way to someplace to get a drink.

After following the Burmecian through the sandy streets of La Selva, Colt seemed to notice a pattern in the way the city was built… All the restaurants and shops worth their salt stood very close to the stadium, for many people went through this area. It was just good business for the people who ran these establishments. Of course, the market district was a different story as it was made up of kiosks and barters, not honest to God shops. Taverns, it seemed, were the same. The two had walked to a small bar quite near to the stadium. Near enough to hear the roar of the fans. This, understandably, made Colt's hair stand on end. Though the bar was inside the normal sand colored brick walls typical to La Selva the roof… well, there was no roof. It was open on the top so to let the sunlight in and create quite a unique experience for the tavern's patrons. Colt sat at a table along with the Burmecian with a bottle of the finest La Selva made ale. The Burmecian had his own rat-like fingers wrapped around fine La Selva whiskey.

"So, where have you come from, friend?" the Burmecian asked after taking a sip of his whiskey

"I hail to the city of Oeilvert." Colt answered, puzzled by the Burmecian's interest in him

"Ah, Oeilvert. I went to that city once as a child… When my parents were still alive. That was so long ago. I have heard a city sprang up to the south of Oeilvert since I visited. I have heard it is not the most pleasant of environments."

"Yes, you must be thinking of Doft. A large industrial city, it is."

"Industrial? What is it they make there?" the Burmecian inquired

"Oh, weapons, airships. They are quite the pioneers in today's technology."

"Airships, you say? Tell me, have you ever been to the Eastern Continent, Colt?"

"No, my friend. Up until now I have lived in Oeilvert all my life. I had planned to live there to the extent of my days but I've found myself wanting more."

"Well, someday you must travel to the vast Eastern Continent. There is a city that also experiments in the technology of airships. It's a beautiful city run by the great family line of Cid. He is a magnificent ruler."

"You come from the Eastern land?" Colt asked

"Why, of course. I am a Burmecian, am I not? Oh, but forgive me, in Oeilvert I understand that the world to the East and even the world on your own continent is a mystery, for you never really want to leave."

"I suppose…" Colt remarked, voice trailing off.

It was true he really knew very little of the world outside Oeilvert, but he was not one to yern to stay there. Though his plans were to keep his comfortable life in Oeilvert, as he said, he wanted more.

"Well…" The Burmecian continued, "I hail from the great kingdom of Burmecia, land of rain."

"Land of rain?" Colt repeated

"Yes, my friend, it is always raining in the land of Burmecia but no one minds. The climate is quite nice and we have grown accustomed to it."

Colt was listening intently to the Burmecian's questions and stories but after a good time the fact came to him he really was unsure of this person, for he did not know his name or what he did and he surmised it would be in his own interest to get these questions out of the way before continuing with their discussion about the world he's never known.

"Excuse me, sir. But I know naught your name nor the type of person you are, and though I know you are a man of excellent stature and you mean well I would feel much better if I knew your name and then we may continue with our individual stories."

The Burmecian cracked a grin once more.

"Ah, of course. I cannot believe I have overlooked such details in the amount of time we have been conversing. I am Sesom… what I do for my meals may be considered questionable but I get along just fine."

"So, you are not a part of the Burmecian Royal Guard?"

"No, I am not. I was never able to muster enough strength in battle for such an honorable position. However, I doubt you made many friends in the empire of Burmecia the other day."

Colt saw a flash of the hulking Burmecian fly through his mind… He remembered the blood flying everywhere… Within a second it was gone and he snapped back to consciousness.

"They should have not put one of their soldiers in the match if they did not want to suffer the consequences." Colt remarked, taking a swig of his beer

"Do you always hold your skills on the battlefield in such high regard?"

Colt was taken aback by this statement but realized that his own remark was rather immodest.

"Nay, that was not what I meant. I believe that there is truly someone watching over me, or else I would have been decimated by any one of those warriors."

"You come equipped with firearms… Not often you see them in La Selva I believe…"

"Do they have a large assortment of firearms on the Eastern continent?" wondered Colt

"No, they do not. Pity, wars would be so much more violent… Just what that pompous captain of the Burmecian Royal Guard wants…" muttered Sesom

"The one who admitted his soldier to the fight?"

"Aye." Confirmed Sesom

"You know the captain?"

"Yes. I met him once at a banquet for those who enforced the law across Burmecia."

"You're law enforcement of some sort?" Colt asked

"I was, my friend. Now I am retired and have demoted myself to less lawful ways of making a living… But let us not dwell on that subject."

"Very well… However… Why is the Burmecian Royal Guard sending soldiers through La Selva? Who would want to come to this God-forsaken place? I heard something about a place called Ispen and something about training."

"That is probably true. They are probably trekking to the castle Ispen."

"Out of curiosity… What is Ispen?"

Sesom grew a look of astonishment upon his face.

"You don't know of the castle Ispen?"

"Should I?"

Sesom shook his head with distraught. He had not known that this boy, Colt, knew so little about even his own continent.

"Ispen is a castle to the west of here… Many armies take men there to train them. Ispen is a castle mainly for monks, however these monks have a very unique fighting style… Very good in hand-to-hand combat, they are. They are not seen very often outside this continent."

"Are they persecuted in other lands?"

"That is rumored to be the case… But I am no scholar… I do not keep up with many current events, you'll have to forgive me."

"It is no problem… I suppose I shall find out myself someday."

"I suppose…" Sesom's voice then trailed off as he then gazed into the sky, looking at the sun, "It's late. I must be returning to my quarters. Tomorrow I will find you and we can talk more."

"Very well." Colt agreed

So Sesom did as he had said and retired to his hotel for the night. Colt, however, felt the need to tour the cities high points. After all, he had just been caught up in the God forsaken arena for the majority of his stay in La Selva so he wished to see the much more tranquil places to visit. He toured the city. Barters were on every corner and all the buildings looked alike but the city radiated with a sort of uniqueness that he had never before felt. However, as we know all too well, cities always have the cloaks and daggers lurking in the shadows waiting to ambush the occasional passer-by. Colt, unfortunately, became one of these passer-bys as he was walking back to the hotel through a dark alleyway, alit only by the lanterns on either opening of the alley. A man, dressed all in black jumped out at Colt, pressing a knife into his neck.

"Give me your money, you." The thief said gruffly

Colt slowly turned around. The man must have been new. Sweat rolled down his brow and a look of uncertainty was plastered on his face.

"Well?! What are you waiting for?! I don't want to kill you. There is no need for bloodshed." The thief screamed in frustration

Colt took it that he did not know the volume of his voice. It was loud and disturbing, not the characteristic of a professional thief at all. Of course, Colt also understood if this man were professional he would already be dead.

"Why do you protest bloodshed so much? It seems to be the law of the land in this city." Colt retorted as visions of the men he had killed flew through his mind

"All I want… Is…Is… your money…" stammered the thief

Blood and screams just flew through Colt's mind. He despised what he had been put through.

"Just kill me! I have very little money! You're wasting your time." Colt screamed He, as well, did not notice the volume of his voice.

Suddenly, a loud packing sound was heard and the thief fell to the ground, knife spinning from his hand. Where he once stood was the captain of the Burmecian Royal Guard. Colt was immediately surprised, but didn't show it. He knew that this man must have been following him… The look in his eye on the day he killed the Burmecian gave it away that this captain wanted him dead.

"People these days…" The captain remarked shaking his rat like head

"What's the world coming to?" Colt remarked, rather sarcastically

"You seem to attract trouble young man." The captain nodded as he thrust his hand into his pocket.

Colt became aware of this and moved his own hand to rest on the butt of his pistol. No sooner had he done this than the captain pulled a small sack and piece of paper from his pocket. The sack contained tobacco and he proceeded to roll a cigarette. He then pulled a small box of matches from his pocket and lit it. He took a puff and let the smoke trail out of his nostrils before continuing to talk to Colt.

"What is your name young man? I have never seen you and I have seen many a powerful warrior."

Colt replied solemnly, "Colt."

"Colt, eh?" repeated the captain, "That name is not a name of a resident of La Selva. Where are you from, boy?"

And again Colt quietly replied, "Oeilvert."

The captain chuckled a bit.

"Oeilvert? The small trading city? How quaint."

He took another puff from the cigarette and then continued.

"There are not many warriors with your level of prowess on the battlefield, Colt. You are quite a rarity."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Very well. Before I take my leave, however, I have my sources that inform me you have been conversing with a certain Burmecian named Sesom. Is there a particular reason for such conversations?"

"He and I are fellow winners of the tournament here in La Selva."

After this question Colt's interested were peaked. Why would this captain be interested in Sesom?

"Well as long as that is the extent of your conversations and basis of friendship I will be quite pleased. Now, if you'll excuse me, it is getting quite late and I must take my leave. May the rain only sprinkle upon you as the day grows long."

Colt's eyebrow shot up. What was that supposed to mean? The captain saw this look and chuckled.

"It is a Burmecian phrase. It means may you have good luck. Now, good bye."

He nodded at Colt and then exited the alleyway.

Colt had many questions in his mind. Why was the captain interested in him and Sesom? Colt thought of all these things as he wandered through the chilly La Selva night back to his hotel. Whence he got there he flopped on the bed, not even bothering to remove his guns or anything of the sort. Shortly after, he fell asleep.