David Bishop and the Mystic of Creation T.C. Crawford (icecream ebook reader txt) 📖

you can see what we are facing with Jakob. Maybe you can find a way for us to get through their gates?” said Natan. “So far, no one has ever tried.”

“Yes, that would be great” said Erin, smiling and nodding to Anita.

David chimed in “I’ll come along too!” He was eager to spend some more time with Erin and catch up after being away for the past several days.

“You two go ahead, I will stay here and continue going over the plans with Natan and the others. We must make sure we are truly prepared for everything, there’s too much at stake if we fail.” replied Tyrius.

“Alright, see you in a bit then” said Erin, hugging Tyrius and waving goodbye to Natan.

Anita led Erin and David through the maze of narrow corridors between the buildings until they reached the main road.

The sun was on its last stretch of sky heading towards the horizon in the West, casting longer shadows and signaling that the end of day was growing nearer.

With the air beginning to cool off from the scorching heat of the day, more and more people were beginning to gather in the streets to enjoy the reprieve and get their work done while socializing with their neighbors.

The endless chatter of people busy at work echoed around them as they made their way through the crowded, dusty streets.

They passed several noisy vendors that were yelling at them as they passed, trying to get them to come take a look at their goods. Some were selling various spiky fruit and vegetables, and some were selling different types of outfits and face coverings for the dusty storms that plagued the region. It was a very chaotic market.

Children ran throughout the streets laughing and playing, while others sat on the sides holding out their hands, hoping for a gesture of kindness from the passerby’s in the form of food or coin.

David even caught a few of the children trying to reach their hand into his pockets. He quickly shooed them away, telling them he had nothing to give them, at which they quickly scattered off, fearful of a rebuke.

Eventually they reached an area where the buildings stopped looking so ragged and frail and instead were much better built. There were hundreds of sandstone brick or adobe structures that Anita said had been standing for many years and would be still for many years to come. Buildings that lasted more than a couple of years were apparently a luxury that most of the population couldn’t afford – including Anita and her family.

Anita explained that they were now in the wealthier middle district that formed a ring that separated the poor outer slums from the rich inner circle.

She said the city was much like a circle, with the outer edges being the poorest, and the inner most section being the wealthiest where the pyramid of the Wolf Guard stood along with the Guild’s compound which they would soon be reaching.

The three major markets that they would be setting blaze to in the coming days each existed in these middle-income sectors, as they were within reach of the wealthiest members of society but didn’t impede on the wealthy class’ privacy and grandeur. This strategic position still gave access to the poor and middle classes, whose money really fueled the economy as the majority of the population fell within these classes.

Finally, Anita brought them to a place where there were large, sandstone walls with great arched openings being guarded by members of the Guild.

“This is one of the gates separating the wealthy inner district of the city from the rest of us. It is guarded at all times by two Guild members at each entrance. They rotate shifts twice a day and twice throughout the night, so they are always fresh and alert. When the uprising begins, we will need to take out these guards quickly so they don’t ring the bells at the top of the gates and alert the rest of the city.” she said, pointing to the large bronze bell positioned at the top of the arched opening in the gate.

It was connected to two long ropes that were rung through rings along the wall and hung just behind each of the guards. They were well within reach so it would be easy for them to sound the alarm in the event of any trouble.

“If you look through the archway, you will see the Guild’s compound. It is that large wooden building there, just beyond the street.” she said.

Erin and David looked to where she was pointing and could see the structure she was referring to. It was a great, walled structure surrounded by wooden fencing that rose nearly eight feet tall. They could see a wooden gate that was currently open but had the ability to quickly shut in the event of an attack.

They silently noted the number of guards before the entrance and began formulating plans on how they could get through the front gate and to the structure before any alarms went off, causing the gate to be securely shut.

“Anita, are there any basements in the city?” Erin asked, “Particularly near the Guild’s compound?”

Anita thought for a moment to herself before answering, “We know of a merchant who sympathizes with our cause. She owns a small shop a couple of streets down that specializes in perfumes. She keeps her stores in a cellar to keep the flowers and other ingredients cool, so they don’t spoil.”

“Do you think she would be willing to help us?” asked Erin.

“How would she help us?” asked Anita, “She isn’t a fighter.”

“I don’t mean to fight with us, but if she could give us access to her cellar, we could easily burrow through this soft rock in a matter of a day or so. If we planned it right, we could tunnel under the wall and beneath the compound. Then, when the uprising begins, we can break through the floor and take them out from within.” she said,