Chapter 52.

There was a great underground city in front of Nick, Enora and Rose, enthroned at the top of a large rocky hill. It was several kilometres large, encircled by a five meters wall, with a deserted field of brown soil surrounding it. Then far away, against the edges of the cavern, a thick forest of grey and orange trees laid, silently moving to the rhythm of a refreshing breeze.

The trio of humans could only see blurry figures from where they stood, little ants in the horizon. They leaned on each other just to stay up, the blood on their clothes and armours still wet. Only when a sound came from nearby did they realise they were not alone. Quickly, they tried to get ready for combat, their hands fumbling about for their weapons, before seeing what made this noise : something was there, a few meters away.

It was a human, with an average build and unremarkable face, clothed simply of a white shirt, brown frock and leather short boots. Covering those was a boiled leather armour, helmet and gloves, clutching a wooden spear and shield. After a few seconds of staring at each other, the man spoke gibberish. Those were definitely words, a rough language, and none of it made sense ... at first. But little by little, the fog of incomprehension dissipated, like magic. Probably because of magic.

- ... you here ?

Those were the only words they understood, as it took some time for the phenomenon to settle. Enora was the first to react afterwards.

- Are you hostile ?

- What ?, answered the man with a surprised expression. Have you not listened ? I said that all Otherworlders were welcomed in Sephayis, as long as no trouble is caused.

- Otherworlders ?, frowned Nick.

- Yes. You came out of the Trial, so naturally, you are not from this world. Otherworlder is simply a common name for your people.

As much as the conversation interested and baffled the three mages, they felt tired, hurt and weak all at the same time, visibly shaking. Even the man saw that and hurriedly said :

- Maybe those details can wait, as you are obviously in need of help. Begin walking towards the city. I will go ahead and bring someone proficient in the right field.

Before they could object in any way, the man turned around and ran. His speed was impressive, every step producing a loud impact of the hard ground. Seeing as they did not really have a choice, the three companions followed at their slow pace. Their objective became clearer and clearer as minutes passed and distance shrunk. The city's buildings were made of polished stones, with wooden roofs and small windows. The streets were bustling with activity, hundreds of people going about their business, walking along those alleys smoothed by time and traffic.

(Nick) Hey ... is it me or ... some of the people there don't look human at all ?

They were still quite far away, but even the skin colour failed to match the different origins they were used to. Black, white, yellow and mixed were all fine and dandy, but scarlet ? Pale blue ? That did not look very human.

(Enora) Maybe I'm hallucinating. I've lost buckets of blood ...

Before long, when they were two hundred meters away from the city, the guard came back at high speed, closely followed by ... something ? The three mages had seen non-humans before, but they always had to kill them. In that instance, this thing came willingly with no apparent bad intention. It was humanoid, as tall as Nick, with a thin build and greenish-brown skin covered in delicate black lines that formed weird shapes. Its arms were long, ending with scrawny hands and spider legs like fingers. Its face was the most striking though, with a long nose from the large forehead to the lipless mouth, and those two big, dark globes around everything, probably acting as eyes. The head itself was very square, with angles and all, as if this being was made using a ruler. Its clothes were common, leather pants and boots, and a linen shirt.

The being did not hesitate to come close to the three disconcerted and scared humans, beginning what could only be a series of check-ups through a soft light radiated from its weird fingers. Those had more phalanxes than what the three were used to. After a few seconds of analysis, it began to apply magic. As a reflex, Nick Enora and Rose mentally resisted. Surprised, this creature opened its mouth, showing many tiny canines in there, and said without changing its facial expression :

- It would be much easier for me to help you if you did not try and resist it. I am only here to heal.

Its voice was definitely abnormal. Most humans would not talk in that manner, intense but detached. A lazy, throaty tone. As if it could not care less, but, at the same time, it was like an echo from a hollow tunnel. And, although pretty much everything about that 'person' bothered them to a profound level, Enora took the lead and let the foreign energy invade her body. Following the example, the other two did as well.

Without comment or reaction, it began the healing process once again. Through the previous analysis, it had managed to find every significant wound and injury and quickly took care of it. Scars were left, of course, as the magic only accelerated the healing process in extraordinary ways, not making the body as it once was. Enora's dangling left arm was back at its rightful place, Nick's head trauma disappeared, and Rose's leg ended up as good as new. The flesh was healed and showed its scars, but the pain, the pain would stay its welcome as long as their brains did not process the change.

When all was done, the being stared at them with its big and dull black eyes and waited expectantly for a few seconds. It took a look at the armed human that had been waiting on the side the whole time, then back to the trio. Losing patience for some reason, it extended its arm, opened its smooth hand and said :

- Nothing is free here, Otherworlders.

- No Agamai would work without being paid., softly said the guard.

Stunned, the three of them wondered what such a being would accept as payment. Mistrustful, Rose slowly asked :

- What do you want ?

- Gold of course, what else ? It would be a robbery of me to ask for gems. The cost here amounts to two gold coins per healed person.

Seeing no reaction from the other human present, Nick assumed the price was acceptable. Maybe they were lying, maybe not, but it did not matter as they could not afford to be unreasonable for their first encounter with another race. Who knew what this one could do if they refused to pay ? They did not know enough. So the man went through his backpack and fished out the gipser he had picked from the tables so long ago, in Kassander's cave. The gypser in which they had put all the precious metals and uncut gems they had found in the Maze. Opening the purse, he took six shiny gold nuggets and showed them to the 'Agamai'.

- Raw metal ? I guess these can do. Coins or nuggets, gold is gold.

In a swift movement, he grabbed the little rocks and turned around, going away without another word.