"Let me take you to our armory." He said. We walked down through the palace corridors. There was a heavy stone door that towered higher than any of the others in the palace. Arzaan used magic to open the doors. There was some kind of interlocking mechanism on the inside that activated and the doors swung open. Inside was the largest assortment of weapons and armor I had ever seen. This was the only room in the palace that had no windows. It was a cavernous vault of war instruments. The Djinn were powerful enough on their own without the weapons, I couldn't imagine the destruction they could unleash with all of this.
Arzaan noted my dismay and said, "We have been at peace in the Liminal World for many thousands of years since the creation of this city in fact."
I nodded and began to peruse the contents of the room. Most of the things I found were completely unsuitable for me. They were meant heavily trained warriors. There were blades so heavy I could not lift them. I found a wall that was completely covered in swords of all shapes and sizes. I selected a small dagger that would be easily concealable. It was beautiful with a light silver blade and beautiful swirling symbols carved along the hilt. It was a masterpiece of metalwork. I also chose an outfit of some kind of black material. It looked like leather but was much stronger. I tried it on and found it to be perfectly fitting and secure. I stowed the blade in a side pocket of the pants.
When I returned to Arzaan, he was looking at me oddly. "It is strange that you should choose that blade when it has been waiting for the right person to wield it for a long time."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"That particular blade came into our possession through a strange series of events. And ever since we have had it in our ownership there has never been anyone who has been able to hold it. It defies the laws of possession where all one has to do is take something to own it. Instead, this blade seems to follow a different law, of destiny rather than choice."
"That is odd," I admitted, but it wasn't any stranger than any of the other things that had happened to me since entering the liminal world.
"It is yours now." He said.
After leaving the armory with my weapon and a new set of clothes, it was time to leave. I was ready to enter the City of Umbrion.
The Djinn waved with long elegant arms as I left. When I turned back around I could only see the empty city filled with stone buildings and streets. I did catch a glimpse of a strange mirage, but I turned away to head what toward my destination.
I walked for a long while in the desert, feeling my feet sink into the loose sand. Eventually, I caught the breeze and let myself merge with the wind. Nox flew by my side, catching the breeze as we floated over the desert. It was easier now to know where I was going. I could feel the whole liminal world stretched out before me. Instead of feeling like I was running hard and unable to keep up, it felt like I was still and the whole world was moving to meet me. Is that what it was like to be the wind? To feel like movement itself was rest?
I passed over the edge of the wasteland and to an altogether different kind of forest. This was not like the woods at the Mage's Academy. It was misty, however. It felt cold like the drizzle of rain that lasts all day. The trees that covered the landscape were huge redwoods and dense evergreens. I descended once again when I caught sight of the trail passing through the forest. It would lead me to Umbrion.
The trail was really more of a road. It seemed more established than any of the roads I had been on before. Ahead, I could see a bright light glowing in the distance. It was almost certainly another Inn. This time I was more careful. Even though Arzaan had said the Lord Morningstar's servants would not come here, I wanted to be safe. I crept into the trees and made my way carefully past the Greyhaven Inn. It was much busier than the other Inn had been. I wondered what kind of people went to an Inn outside of the city of the dead. I would likely find out sooner rather than later.
The city was surrounded by a wall, as everything seemed to be around here. There was no light to guide the spirits, however. The Inn was the brightest thing in the surrounding area and the city just looked dark and empty. Once I was clear of the Inn I had hoped I wouldn't have to speak to too many people, but my hopes were dashed when I saw the entrance to the city.
In front of the gate a long line wrapped around the trees, creating a winding river of people. The people were unimaginably diverse. Some looked unwashed and desperate, like refugees. Others looked like they were here for perhaps not so wholesome reasons. I considered turning back, but this was my only lead. I knew I had to find the shrine. How was I going to find it? That was the question. The djinn said it was hidden in the city somewhere, but that didn't give me a whole lot to go on. I fell into the line behind a wraith-like girl. She was slender and skittish. When she turned to look at me she sighed in relief.
"I'm so glad you aren't one of the Viator." She said.
"I'm sorry, I'm not sure what that is?" I explained.
"Oh, the Viator... It's what they call the spirits who come to
