The young lad made his way to the "artisan" area of the city with a familiar sense of direction and at a leisurely pace.

The city he was in was named after its founder and chief architect, much against his last wishes, the Free City of Trask. An outpost village turned town and formed into a self-sufficient city. The life's work of the travelling merchant/architect Trask of the Waytreader Tribe. Its original intended name of the architect's masterwork had been lost to the passing of time.

The formation of the city was influenced by the nature of said the travelling tribe, a curious bunch not in the nomadic nature they had. The Waytreader tribe was one known for trade, friendship and hospitality which was not expected from one greatly composed of Orcs with some Goblins in the mix. They were a group that liked the allure of finery that most Goblins had but with the business sense like that of a Gnome, which gave them an eye for treasure gained by the means of trade.

Yet they also retained the Trait of Strength that Orcs, Goblins and Trolls commonly upheld which was to hone and prize the power that an individual held. In the tribe's case, this was used in yhe protection of their treasure and family rather than the breaking of foes and rivals.

They travelled the land in search of ways to test their mettle in bouts of friendly competition and also carried with them the finery that they desired and were often also used for trade or wagers wherever settlements that may be on their route.

Those above qualities were such what made them an often target and subsequent bane to foolish bandits that wished to take the bounty that the tribe carried with them and also a welcome travelling companion to a caravan that asked for their services as an escort.

The Waytreader tribe was even an appreciated and relieving sight to all travelers which were in need of assistance or protection on the road as they were friendly to those which were less fortunate, exposed and unused to the difficulties of a life of travel.

The combination of Orkish battle prowess, a head for trade and a friendly disposition to fellow travelers made them a welcome and profitable presence in the areas which they were passing through.

But this was not an easy life, not in the slightest, as more than a few occasions have they had that their protection was used in factional disputes or made to bring wares which were illegal in nature or acquired by questionable means. Their honor did not permit them to show weakness when confronted by the so called 'justice' of some groups and they lost a number of their people as the times had passed.

The life of his people weighed on the young successor to the Tribe and his father allowed for him to gain the tools to steer them to security and safety. The youth of Trask was marked with scholarly learning, most unusual to an Ork and supplemented by the Strength the upheld as he was trained in dealing with merchants and taught in ways of administrating a city and the building of one on the many travels he experienced in his life, a life which was also riddled in loss and difficulty.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The semi-permanent settlement of the village they frequently passed through for many long years had become a town when the New Chief of the Waytreader tribe made his decision and to break the few centuries of tradition, Trask had made the choice of settling down the Tribe's roots. It was not an unwelcome conclusion to the long weary members of the tribe as they would rather have security for their family more than the riches and adventures their travelling lifestyle had given them.

A city was to be built, and such a city was envisioned to welcome all fair travelers. It was to be a place one could call home, for the weary warderer to find a place to rest, for trade to prosper and exchange and above all, a place that honors strength, hospitality and friendship.

No kingdoms nor empires did bother the growth of the city as it was nestled in a valley that hardly any one dared to traverse, unless desperate or sure of their strength as it was nestled between two mountain ranges, one through the whole of its north and the other to its south-east, with the road that cut through it from east to west. Crossroads to other locations lie on both ends over a few day's ride on horseback and this road which passes through the city connects both junctions.

Much of the western side of the city is a plain covered in grain and produce, wide enough to feed the whole of the city and then some. Streams of snow-melt feed the western plain and provide quality water to the city and the fields ensuring both a bountiful growth and fresh drinking water to the population.

Both the south and parts of the east are heavily wooded portions of land which house quite a few nasty kinds of flora and fauna. The residents of these areas even reach the locations of the crossroads which makes them a more challenging point in routes that pass through it as both of these intersections allow one to cut the travelling time of two months in half but at the cost of three times the danger with beasts and monsters that call the area home.

The city had maintained a perimeter around it, just up within a short distance to the crossroads. While the city grew the resident forces even cut away a bit of the forests around to establish a safe zone that is constantly patrolled to keep the more dangerous wildlife away.

The Artisan area of the city that the elf/dwarf lad was going to was on the North-eastern side of the city, along the main road. Much of the Eastern portion of the city has many shops specialized in carpentry, masonry, tools, armor, weapons, and even has stores for art and jewelry.

His destination was quite near, considering he only had to go around the Martial and Magic Academy which was just below the city guard's barracks and detainment center.

One may think that placing a prison beside an area full of young students would be a possible threat to the students' safety but the fact that guards within the city are of a higher level and quality that they are said to rival that of royal/elite forces of the neighboring countries. Another point is that there are rewards to the trainees when they able to track and subdue escapees though one would not want to run from a group of young and excitable individuals which still haven't fine-tuned their skills and abilities for capture and not elimination.

The stated facts did not bother the young man after his 2-day stay in the prison and his colorful record, as there were quite a few students, teachers and guards that avail of his services.

"Well this is it." He now came to a stop in front of a smithy whose wooden sign was the silhouette of an anvil with a pair of bunny ears on it and the words Long Ears Smithy. Noticing the soft and constant bellowing of smoke from the chimney, he made his way through the door as a pair of bells jingled to announce his entrance.