Welcome to Sanjipur

The four men stood on the dock, travel bags in hand, their long brown robes flapping gently in the breeze. The great southern city of Sanjipur stretched away before them, its majestic towers rising over the top of the warehouse district.
“So many people,” whispered Duncan, the youngest of the group. Gregor smiled.
“You will see a great many more before this journey is over, Brother Duncan.” He warily eyed the array of people around him. Sailors and stevedores loaded and unloaded the ships in port and busied themselves with tasks he could only guess at. A group of fishermen unloaded their morning’s haul from a boat nearby, the smell from the catch mixing with the odours of the city. Small groups of men stood in conversation, propped up against the grubby walls of warehouses. A few were paying more attention to new arrivals than the conversation of their companions. A young man dodged around a wagon full of barrels and made his way towards them. Terrance watched impassively and nudged Gregor as he approached.
“Greetings, sirs. My name is Mattion and I see you are strangers to our fair city.”
Gregor’s face remained impassive as he regarded the man. Mattion continued to smile through the silent response from the four men.
“I would be happy to guide you about, sirs,” he continued undaunted. “Will you be needing lodgings for the night? I know an excellent inn and very affordable too.”
“That will not be necessary,” Gregor answered. “We have no need of lodgings.”
“Where are you heading, sirs?” Mattion asked, taking Duncan by the arm and gesturing at the city before them. “The city is large and holds many dangers for the unwary. Let me guide you safely to your destination.”
“We thank you for your offer, Mattion, but we have no need of a guide either.”
“Very well, sirs,” Mattion responded, releasing Duncan and bowing slightly to the group. “I bid you all a safe journey.”
He turned and made to leave but jerked to a halt as a hand clamped down hard on his collar. He managed to half turn and found Terrance’s stern visage glaring back at him.
“You too, Mattion,” Gregor replied pleasantly. “Although you will find it a lot safer if you first return my companion’s money pouch.”
“Money pouch, sirs? I don’t…” he trailed off as Terrance tightened his already painful grip and Gregor slowly shook his head. Mattion opened and closed his mouth a few more times unable to take his eyes from Gregor’s piercing stare. Duncan looked slightly puzzled through this exchange, then realisation dawned.
“Hey!”
William stifled a chuckle, then discretely checked the location of his own pouch. Mattion sighed and removed Duncan’s pouch from the folds of his tunic and tossed it back to the young monk. Duncan caught it and re-fastened the pouch to his belt with a glare at the thief. Mattion at least had the decency to look guilty.
“Well, what shall we do with you, Mattion?” asked Gregor. “Hmmm? What is the usual punishment for thieves here?”
“They are let off with a warning?” he suggested.
“I thought they lost a limb or appendage of choice,” William offered.
“His choice or ours?” Duncan asked, perking up.
“Oh, our discretion, naturally.”
Duncan smiled. Mattion gave a short whimper as Terrance’s grip tightened even further. Gregor advanced on him, the unmistakable sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath sounding unnaturally loud over the background noise of the docks. Gregor smiled and returned the half drawn blade with a slap, clicking it back into place across his back.
“No. I think you can consider yourself warned.” He nodded once and Terrance released him. Mattion let out an involuntary cry of relief, raising a hand to rub the feeling back into his shoulder. “Now get out of my sight before I lose my uncharacteristic kind streak.”
Mattion nodded, backing away from the four men. He turned and ran.
“And you,” Gregor continued, turning to Duncan, “can consider this a learning experience. People are rarely what they say they are, and always have their own agenda.”
Duncan nodded. “I shall remember.”
“And always keep track of your money pouch,” William scolded, grinning. “For there are more than enough legitimate methods of losing its contents, as I am sure any local merchant will be happy to demonstrate to you.”
“Indeed,” Gregor agreed seriously. “And to prove that point we shall now go and see a man about a horse.”

-Excerpt from Book One of the Ascension Wars