“Slow! Slow! Slow! Stop!” The deafening grind of metal-reinforced wheels against stone finally ceased as the caravan rolled into the next town.
Around the same size as Pinepass, Creekview was nestled alongside a small river and surrounded by a stone wall which provided protection to the town from beasts. The entire caravan was lined up just inside of the wall, in a lot which Noone assumed was especially meant for them.
The entire camp was lively at the prospect of being back in a town, and after taking care of the chores, everyone began to wander off to seek out their pleasures and poisons.
“Alright, let us go to the temple.” Tobias spoke evenly. The entire party had gathered around Tobias after completing their respective tasks. Feylin glanced to another group nearby. It was Anette’s party. They were speaking with Novrada about being sponsored to join the adventurer’s guild.
“Hmm.” The armored dwarf frowned. “Not that I am one to complain, but we had no run in with bandits during this journey, not even an encounter with their scouts…” She mumbled out her thoughts. “Initially we would use that as a test of your abilities before we decide whether or not to sponsor you.” Anette’s group was antsy as they listened, some shifted from foot to foot, but they did best to look confident.
In order to qualify as an adventurer, even the lowest E rank adventurer, you would need to be sponsored either by a company you have worked for, or a group, school, or order which you are a part of. Otherwise you could pay off a grade B or higher adventurer to sponsor you, but that came with its own risks and was too costly for the young party.
This system was established to encourage a certain type of individual and certain types of parties. The adventurer’s guild was completely subsidized by the common countries, as well as having their own established income. This meant that the Adventurers guild existed as a tool which could be utilized by the various common-realm countries, within reason that is.
Upon looking at the young and hopeful faces of Anette’s party, Novrada could only sigh. “Fine. Bring me the paperwork and I’ll sign it for you. You all did your best through the whole trip, I suppose this is the least I could do.” Despite looking like a harsh, battle-hardened Dwarf, there was no helping the fact that Novrada had a soft side. Nearby, the young noble in charge of the economic side of the caravan couldn’t help but chuckle when he overheard this, but he quickly hid it before she would notice.
Anette’s party did their best to reign in their excitement, but it was clear how ecstatic they were. They immediately ran off to find the adventurers guild and get the paperwork she would need.
Anette noticed Feylin watching her as she ran and waved to him, flashing a large innocent smile. Feylin also smiled, giving the young cleric a thumbs up as she disappeared into the town.
Around Feylin, weird stares were being cast in his direction. They had all noticed, but no one said anything. Over the past month, Feylin and Anette had become rather close.
Sarah pretended not to notice, but she couldn’t help but feel a little put off… Feylin hadn’t talked to her much at all since they left Ardglass. When they did talk it was always a little terse, nothing like it used to be.
The group had only just taken their first step to the temple when a familiar voice called out to them.
“Hoi! Tobias my friend.” A small robed gnome with lightning blue hair strolled out from a nearby cart and waved their party to a stop.
“Alaviv.” Tobias smiled and nodded at the small man. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
The gnome waved his hand nonchalantly. “No need to be so formal Tobias. We have been travelling for a month now, you should understand my temperament. It’s nothing much, I was just hoping to borrow Noone for the day.” Alaviv smiled mischievously causing Tobias to frown. He knew that Noone and the gnome wizard had formed some type of bond over the past month, but he didn’t think it was to this extent.
“With all due respect Alaviv sir, we are escorting Noone back to the capital under orders of the grand-priest of Cinapul. I am afraid that-“ Alaviv gave a well-meaning chuckle, cutting off Tobias. Tobias was hoping using the name of the grand-priest would give the gnome pause for thought, but it seemed his strategy had backfired.
“You needn’t worry Tobias, I have no plans to steal him away.” Alaviv smiled. “We only have some personal business. After that I will return with him to the caravan tomorrow morning. We are heading in the same direction after all.”
Tobias smiled wryly, he couldn’t turn down such a powerful individual so instead he just looked at Noone and shrugged. Noone was also surprised by this turn of events, and was unsure whether or not to go along. After a moment of thought though, he decided that the gnome wouldn’t be pulling him away if it weren’t for a good reason.
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Seeming to read Noone’s expression, Tobias just sighed and nodded to Noone signaling him to go with the wizard.
The entire party looked on, each with their own thoughts. No one was sure what to make of this powerhouse of a wizard. Least of all Feylin who watched the proceedings with a slack jaw. Unlike the rest of the party, he had been so caught up in his own matters and was part of a separate section of Caravan, so he never realized that Noone had developed a relationship with the wizard.
After a moment of hesitation, Tobias led his party to the temple sans Noone who looked down at the confident and unperturbed wizard. Finally, when Tobias and company were out of earshot the wizards casual smile turned into a scowl and he mumbled under his breath. “Grand-priest my ass. I could wipe the floor so clean with your grand-priest that even your gods would be impressed.” A prickling energy formed around the small being but just as quickly dispersed. Noone’s eyes widened but he merely looked away, ignoring the wizard. Whether or not what the wizard said was true, he didn’t want to be implicated when the lightning struck. However, no lightning came and soon the two were walking through the town.
Noone looked around at the various buildings made of stacked brick and stone in appreciation. It was a welcome sight. After traveling in the forest for so long, even he had grown a tad weary of the constant trees.
The town was bustling as vendors hailed passerby and the various shops had people passing through them in what looked like a constant stream of faces. Noone took the time to spot each sign he could and memorized the symbols they used to represent their wares.
Sword and shield were obviously a smith’s shop. Signs for taverns were in abundance. Leather shops. Jewelry shops. Tapestry and cloth shops on every other corner. Compared to Pinepass, Creekview’s economy was evidently much more robust.
Noone walked behind the small gnome silently, studying every person he passed. Almost everyone was a mortal of some variety, with the odd classed being or adventurer scattered throughout.
Noone of course wasn’t the only one scanning his surroundings, and he caught the gaze of almost everyone he passed. A feat that was not difficult for the giant that he was. Unlike in Ardglass though, the number of stares was far less. Instead he would receive casual glances followed by swift expressions of surprise or interest before they continued about what they were doing.
Noone - for the most part - ignored them.
A squeaky sign swung lightly from the roof of a nearby building, catching Noone’s attention. On the sign was etched a bottle with a cork stopper in it, along with various other small charms Noone could not recognize.
“Alaviv?” Noone asked. Alaviv, who was in his own world quickly brought himself back to reality and looked at Noone. “Can we stop there real fast?” Noone asked casually, motioning at the sign he had noticed. Normally he would ignore the gnome and do what he wanted, but in truth he was a little grateful for Alaviv pulling him away from the party for a while.
Surprised by Noone’s interest, the gnome nodded, and they easily weaved their way through the crowded streets before pushing the entrance to the shop open.
Outside, the building looked no different from the surrounding architecture. Inside though, Noone couldn’t help but immediately spread his divine sense in an attempt to take in as much of the atmosphere as he could.
The air inside the shop was completely different than outside. Even the light which filtered in from the windows seemed to change color once it entered the room, shining softly on the many shelves which were lining the shop.
A miniscule amount of energy was perfused through the air, causing Noone to unknowingly relax his usual prudence.
Alaviv on the other hand seemed to not be affected by the atmosphere at all. Instead he looked around with a critical eye, quickly examining the items on display. After determining the overall quality of the store, he gave a nod of approval. “This is about what you could expect for a small town like this.” He thought to himself. On the outside though he waved to the shopkeeper, who nodded back.
At the moment, the shopkeeper was busy dealing with three customers who seemed to be together. Noone gave them a glance. He noticed immediately that the energy surrounding the three individuals seemed to resonate with the energy in the room.
All three individuals were elves of tan skin and nut-brown hair. They spoke softly but calmly with smooth tones. Noone noticed immediately a squirrel which sat upon the shoulders of one of the men. It chattered casually into his ear before glancing back at Noone and continuing to speak.
“Druids. Don’t pay them much mind. They like to keep to themselves.” A voice in Noone’s head spoke. Noone glanced at Alaviv who was still looking through the shelves as though he had not just transmitted his voice into Noone’s mind.
Noone nodded and also began to look around. He was here with a special item in mind.
Despite his divine sense, most of the items in the shop eluded him in their purpose. He could feel the faint vibrations of universe energy from everything in the shop. However, because much of everything on the shelves were natural resources, Noone was unable to see any threads of energy surrounding them. He assumed they must be fully integrated with the energy, unable to be separated.
After a few minutes of looking around in interest, the druids finally received what they were bargaining for and left the shop. The squirrel which rode on the shoulder of the one elf turned to watch Noone as they left.
“Sorry for the wait.” The older shop-keep called from behind the counter. He was putting away some items which the elves had given him. “How can I help you both?”
Alaviv waved his hand as if to say, ‘not me’ and motioned to Noone.
“I was hoping to buy a type of potion.” Noone walked to the counter, inquiring. The middle age shop-keep nodded and took out a book which was underneath the counter. It was a catalogue of various potions.
“Do you know the name of the potion or do you just have an effect you want?” The man asked as he began to flip through the pages.
“Yes, I wanted to purchase two bottles of liquid fire.” Noone said casually. Alaviv who was nearby gave a slight knowing smile but otherwise did not react.