"Okay, you may pass through" said the guard giving Jokku's card back to him.

The doors opened, making a hollow sound, as the sand rubbed on them. The gate was huge. At least 30 meters in height and built from metal, having the symbols of Freedom and Respect engraved in it. On the surrounding walls two large flags of Fuzen's state, where waving. They where of blue color and had a golden dragon seamed in the middle. The dragon was turning, creating a circle as he devoured his tail. The flags rippled viciously under the strong wind.

"Let's go" Jokku said as they entered the city. A slight breeze hit the caravan of three, as they faced a remarkable sight. Katsuo goggled his eyes, excited. Around them, hundreds of houses stacked themselves in a large stone road. In both sides, small shops with noisy salesmen filled every space. The loud voices, coming from this market, seemed to mirror the liveliness of the city.

"Αmber City is a city for trade. People from all over the country come here to buy and sell anything you can imagine. The story says that there is nothing you can't find here"

"Awesome! And look at all those people." Hundreds of people, strolled the wide street to shop or just to enjoy a pleasant walk with their family.

Kugi, left from behind them and moved towards the right side of the street, where a large shaded space existed, playing the role of a stable.

"O-Oh right. We can't enter riding our camels" said Jokku, who understood his partners intentions.

"We have the best prices, the best prices around! You won't find anyone, even to close to the level of our service quality and customer satisfaction!" the stableman shouted. He was a lean man, wearing a light blue coat. In his face a weird thin mustache twirled. Jokku unmounted and started to unload his camel. Kugi was already done. "I'ts great. I love this place. And because there are so many merchants here, ti's incredibly cheap." Jokku mentioned light-heartedly.. When all three of them where on the ground and had their camels settled down, the stableman approached them smiling:

"That will be 1,500 Yunzi". Jokku goggled his eyes, as Katsuo, who drank water from a leather canteen that hanged from his cloth backpack, almost choked.

"What?! Do we look so stupid? This should be 15 Yunzi."

"Well, you put your camels on one of our premium spots, this has some extra charges for the deluxe care we will provide. Also there will be no other extra hourly charge. It's a one-time payment. You can leave your means of transport here for as much as you desire." A group of people, wearing white uniforms had already started treating the camels, washing them and giving them delicacies. "Plus, there is no other stable like this on this part of town, so you will have to travel all around the city. It will take you at least half a day."

The stableman seemed really pleased with the way he handled the situation. There is no way they will choose to travel another half day in the excruciating heat of the desert after so much travel, I got this! he thought.

"All right. We 're gonna do that." Jokku said simply.

Whaaaat? What are they, monsters? the stableman thought.

"Ηey, Katsuo do you have a problem with another half day?"

"You 're so kind." said the young man "I think I'm going to see the city, though. Besides the person I have to meet, might be nearby"

"Hmm, okay.". Jokku paused. "I guess this is goodbye then." he said and mounted his camel, which approached the young man. Kugi stood close by. Silence fell on the bright street. He looked them in the eyes and then let his knees loose and fell down, putting his forehead to smoothly to the ground. Jokku tensed his back, letting a slight interjection slip from his mouth.

"Thank you so much, Jokku-san, Kugi-san, for saving my life.." said the boy tensely. "Ι hope that someday I will be able to repay you this huge favor, so accept this thank you until we meet again. I promise you, I'll be much more important then!"

"Katsuo..."

The young man was already on his feet, wiping his knees. When Jokku turned his look back at him, Katsuo was giving him a thumbs up, smiling. Jokku smiled back: "You should hurry and explore the city then. Sunlight makes it so much prettier and there's so much to see".

The young man nodded affirmatively and turned his back. He started running on slow speed, excited by the sight of the spectacular city lying in front of him. After a while he waved towards the two men: "See you later!" he shouted.

"Yeah!" Jokku responded.

The two men started moving slowly, side by side, to the big gate.

"I don't understand why you made such a fuss about the price." Kugi said with his low voice "Sure it was overpriced, but we can easily afford it."

"Don't you think it was time we parted ways with the boy?" the other asked. Kugi paused for a moment and beckoned : "You ain't wrong."

"Besides, you know how much I hate it, when they try to con me."

"Whatever, I would have liked a cold tea right now..." grumbled Kugi putting his hands behind his head. "I guess I can wait half a day..."

Far behind them, the stableman was boiling in his anger as he watched them leave.

I'll show them. They will pay my fare no matter what, he thought, looking Katsuo that observed the shops around him, filled with curiosity. Blue eyes, Grey hair and dark skin color. He wears a white woolen knit sweater and khaki shorts. Let's see if that kid is worth anything.

He took a device that resembled a calculator, out from his pocket, typed a number and put the small gadget next to his ear. He had the look of a hungry vulture as he observed Katsuo. After a few moments he finally said:

"Yo. I got an easy job for you. You in?"