The route to Ravenhold fort was rather scenic, crossing multiple rivers and a mountain, the rather cliffy and rugged terrain giving off just the right sense of primal and untouched beauty, captivating one with its untamed nature and promise of the unknown, soon replaced with humble, small villages, people working hard on the fields, the crop season having just started. The year had been good, providing plenty of yield, allowing for the farmers to breathe easier, the cold season seemingly less dreadfull than some particularily bad years. The elderly and grown ups smiling and the children young enough to not be much of a help, running around and playing, their laughter serving as a sort of music for those listening. Even Rex was spending some time gazing through the window apreciating the sights, both of natural beauty as well as those of people. content or happily living their lives, at least somewhat bright future ahead of them, even if only for a single season. And he wanted Snek to enjoy its naps as well, so days were his time to awake and on the lookout.
Ravenhold fort itself was situated along a large river, named after the mountains it originated from. Legends claimed that large sized crows, ones that could easily carry humans, or even domestic animals, lived there, along with the mystical tengu clans, half crow half human beings, though due to the sheer distance, as well as being in another, not at all friendly nation, there were no actual information regarding the truth of said legends. Still, the river was large, incredibly so, allowing for stable and constant ship travel, both for transporting people and cargo alike. As such, numerous cities, similar to Ravenhold fort, had developed over time alongside the river, creating a rather capable and extensive trade network, spanning more than seven nations, untill the river touched the sea.
It was quite easy to get through the city gates, the coachman briefly stopped, a guard poked his head in the cabine for a moment, and upon seeing Rex guild ID, that still indicated he is D rank, pulled back and allowed them access. The city was not exacting any sort of entry toll, its main income coming in a form of a tax that was paid by merchants selling goods or services, as such, everything here was slightly more expensive, but since there were many different wares that could only be aquired in this city, said elevated price could not even be detected, no comparison aviable, unless a competing merchant started to sell teh same thing for cheaper.
"Take me to the docks." Rex asked the coachman, recieving an affirmative, but short response from the coachman. Another thirty minutes of a rather fast pace riding, Rex was informed it was as far as he could be taken, thus, he thanked the man for the provided services, wished him good luck on his travels and departed, the fee already covered, or included as a part of the job he had already performed.
"Lets see what interesting and exotic things I might find here." Rex smiled, the inquisitive and adventurous spirit of his elevated at the new and unknown place, just waiting for him to explore. And so, he moved forward, towards the river, his gaze skipping from one palce to another. Many different shops, or warehouses lined the street, numerous peopel of different complexion, age and even races walked around. Caucasia, mostly, though he did notice peopel of asian or even egyptian descent, or so they would be called back on his original world. He did notice a couple of blacks as well, an elderly man a teenage kid, neatly dressed and with some papers, likely some ledger or manifesto, tucked in the elders pocket. They were aminatedly talking to one another, something about the proper way to calculate the shipments to take with, keeping in mind the stops along the way to be made and profit margisn and such. Rex was not too interested, so he did not follow after them, noticing the lack of any non human races. Sure, there were some occasional dwarfs around, and a super rare elf here or there, but nothing from the more beastlike races he had heard of. 'Was it really so human skewed in this world, or just in this small, backwater nation?' Rex wondered as he stopped at some street stall, surrounded by numerous people, calling to get whatever the vendor was selling, his gaze moving towards the center of the commotion, noticing some octopus like skewers being served. His elevated height was quite teh advantage at this point.
"Another time maybee." he muttered to himself, not willing to stop and wait through the supposed line, nor willing to push his weight around. Thus, he continiued further, continueing his excursion. And in such a manner, taking in sights of the docks, he spent most of the day, finding several decent looking inns along the way he could rest and get a decent meal. His nose was good enough for the latter, informing him of prospective kitchens, and so, upon teh arrival of dark, he stopped at the one that seemed the most promising, wit ha creak of the doors entering the building, a plaque identifying the joint as "The Fat Burge."
As he stepped inside, a relatively well lit, filled with the smell of alchohol and apetizing food greeted him, the interiaer reminding him of bars he had seen in old american western moovies. Several round tables filled the room, most of them taken, though he could still find a few empty ones just glancing around. A large counter stood in the far end of the room, numerous bottles stacked behind the back of the large and fat guy manning it, polishing a glass ale mug. A few, rather skimpily dressed waitreses walked around, either bringing over more booze to the patrons or either delivering or taling away plates with food or whatever remains of it after the patrons were done.
Rex, with his rather large frame attracted quite a few, carefull glances, though few lingered on him for long, one of them being the barkeep, as Rex aproahed the man, damn enar staring him down. "What can I do your ya?" the fat bartender asked, once Rex was in front of the counter.
"Got room for a night?"
"Yea, thats one silver. Money up front."
"Mhm." Rex nodded, his hand dissapearing inside his pocket, placing a silver coin on the table moments later. "Need some hearty meal as well." he added, recieving a small menu, that he observed for a moment and then ordered six servings of some riasted meat with some extra bread and a bowl of soup. As well as a mug of water.
"PIXIE!" the bartender yelled out, one of the waitresses rushing moments later over.
"Yes Burge?" the girl asked, glancing at Rex out of the corner of her eye.
"Tell her and take a seat at an empty table, unless you want to find some trouble." Burge spoke, returning to his previous task of polishing the glassware. Rex repeated his order, and once the girl was done, found and empty table to take a seat at, awaiting his order. he did not have to wait too long for the fist part to arrive, his table covered with a few pieces of bread and his soup, the waitress bowing slightly, her breasts jiggling with the movement quite invitingly, her skimpy outfit emphasizing the movement quite a bit, and promised that teh rest of his order would come soon as well. Rex, quite interested in the soup before him, nodded with understanding and devouted his full focus on the tantalizingly smelling dish.
Rex had to admit, it tasted just as good as it smelled and its smelled wonderfully, making him more interested raising his expectations regarding the rest of the meal.And, he was not dissapointed once it started to arrive as well. He devoured the food like a man possesed, not forgetting to savour its taste as well, though if someone were to look at him from the side, it could be mistakenly assumed he had not eaten for nearly a week. Though once teh last plate of food ordered was placed on the table, pausing his eating, Rex asked for the cost of the meal and paid immediatly as he was told, leaving a few extra copper coins as a tip for the girls working the place, then returning to his meal, once again greatly enjoying it.
Once done, with an extra plate in his hands, he ascended the stairs leading to the second floor, his room located there, and without any fuss, or beingf involved in any either, he retired for the night, leaving this extra meal for Snek to gorge on. It was no monster core of blood, but was tasty all the same and it turned out Snek could apreciate such things every now and then. The night was calm and without incidents either, leading to a morning that finnaly grought something interesting to Rex's attention. he was eating yet another, rather large sized meal, numerous plates of roasted meat to be precise, when to, rather eyecatching individuals entered the building, walking straight towards the bar.
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"Hey. Hows the search going Burge? We needed those mercs yesterday. We payed you pretty penny for the job." spoke the older of the two. By the looks of it, the man was almost as tall as Rex, just a few centimeters shy of two meter mark, with blond, short hair, and musculed figure. He was what one would call a mountain of muscles, though the man felt like he could be extremely agile as well, despite his muscular frame. He wore a tanktop, his muscular arms, adorned with quite a few battle scars, result of claws and other, sharper objects cutting his flesh, proudly displayed as both a badge of honour no doubt, as well as a warning not to carelessly aproach him, lest one wishes for trouble. Thought the two, most eye cathing things were the two, just as blonde as his shor hair, wolf ears, standing straight and pointting to the sky, as well as a rather sleek, yet no less conspicious blonde tail, wagging bakc and forth, even if just barely.
"I told you Igdan, I will do what I can, but no promises. None of the main groups that could fit the bill have returned, delayed on their latest jobs. I dont know the details though."
"Then return the money we paid. No job has been fullfilled." growled the other of the two, some ten centimeters shorter, shoulder lengh blonde hair, the same type ears and tails adorning her as well. Incredibly toned and fit body, with quite the shapely ass, one that demanded attention, the rather tight fit pants accentuating its form even more.Thick, toned thighs that could no doubt snap some necks, boasted the athletic ability, and even from behind Rex could tells she had a drop dead magnificent bust as well, He could see some glimpses even from his own position. The first beastkin he had seen so far, and the pair seemed quite interesting as well.
"Dont bust my balls Danica. You know the details of our deal. You want to hasten the departure, look around. maybee one of the guys here fits your bill. I stil have time to fulfill my end of the bargain. Now, if that is all, I have stuff to do." Burge scoffed, turning around and leaving the two in their spot.
"Grrr, that jackass. I will..." Growled Danica, cearly frustrated and not one bit willing to take it laying down.
"Stop it sis. Does not help. Sigh. Lets see what we have to work with here. Maybe we can scrounge a decent dude or two. We dont have the time to wait around." Igdan dejectedly spoke and turned around, his sharp, yellow eyes scanning the room, rather loaded with people.
"Urghhh" Groaned Danica, turning around as well "I know brother, does not make it any better." And as she did so, she once again earned quite a few looks from the filled and bussy tables, numerous gazes locking on her enticing breasts, jiggling with her movement. Even Rex had to admit, those were some incredible tits, on just as incredible body. The face of the woman was quite young, around twenty five, if Rex had to guess, but there were a couple of old scars, indicating just how long ago she had staretd her combat activities,
Noticing the numerous stares, locked on her tits, she scoffed, pulling on her chain, moments later an adventurer's ID attached to the other end of it landing between her inviting breasts.
"I aint into weaklings. Want to get a shot at having a taste of me? First prove you have the balls and strenght to deal with a babe like me." she smirked, her A rank adventurer card clearly on display.
"Hehe." Rex chuckled lightly, quite amused by the firecracker attitude of the bombshell beastkin, her green eyes locking onto his position, after both sibblings ears twitched due to his snickering..
"What are you laughing about you big log, Huh?" She snarled, making Rex realise that the ears of the pair was much better than he expected. Sighing and shruging, not caring all too much, nor willing to pretend he did not actually chuckle, he replied, leaving coins on the table for his meal, some extra left as a tip.
"Dont mind me. Recalled some pleasant memories of mine, but do go on." he replied, rising from his seat and leaving the room, heading upstairs t a void a possible escalation.
"Oi. I asked nicely." Danica grabbed his hand as he passed her by, clearly not willing to let it go, causing Rex to sigh. 'Firecrakers eh?' a stray though ran across his mind.
"Just thought you offering that goodness way too cheap is all. A mere upper A rank strenght to get a shot at that, too cheap lady. Learn to value yourself more. If I was backed up and in the mood, I would definetly tap that." With what he had to say out there, he tugged his arm, freeing it from her grasp, only to hear another angry snarl, turning int o a snicker, alongside a laughter. The growl and snicker came from Danica, the laughter- Igdan.
"Ha ha ha. I told you the same thing." laughed Igdan, clearly amused at the response they got. Danica however, was clearly not of the same opinion.
"Grrrr, should have just kept quiet if you dont have what it takes. Dont talk the talk if you can walk the walk." an angry grin grew on her face, her canines showing.
"Told you I am not interested. Besides, I find it a waste to damage such a fine piece of art." Rex replied, his gaze going over the enticing body of the blonde wolfgirl, or wolf woman, her body and curves deffinetly indicating the latter.
"Then you will not have a problem proving it right? Not that you get a choice. What say you boy? My way, or the hard way?"
"Errrrrhhhh" Rex groaned, now slightly annoey by the insistence of Danica. "Thats it, schooling is in order. Dont complain later." He nodded his head towards the door. "We dont need an audience for that. Hope you know a secluded spot."
"Yea, thats better. Come on Igdan, you will serve as the witness." Danica now grinned, smashing her hands together, clearly something to prove. She was the first to head towards the door, followed by Rex and their small procession was closed off by Igdan. Once they had left the inn, Danice lead them off, reaching some sort of a warehouse, quite large in its size, a plaque 'property of Tigerclaw company' hanging at the door.
It was then that Igdan walked forward, fishing out a key from his pocket and unlocking the rather large and somewhat archaic looking lock, providing them with acess to the property. Walking through therather empty firt building, they soon exited in a relatively sizable field, encompassed by similar buildings to the one they had just passed through. A field the size of a basketball court, covered with sand, much like the testing ground back in Solendiel inside the adventurers guild.
Danica walked on the sand, stretching her neck and moments later, Rex felt the usage of a space storage, and her hands wer covered in a rather nasty looking battle gauntlets, clearly used often and to a great effect.
"Come on, draw your weapons. As an A ranker you certainly have your space storage, right?" Danica almost purred, clearly trying to rile him up, or giving him a chance to confess before he gets properly smacked around. Not that she would let him off without at least a few proper bruises. Not her style.
"I would rather not. I said I dont want to hurt such prime real estate. My weapons would do precisely that. Are you ready though?" he then asked, he asked back, stepping on the sandy field and rolling his shoulders.
"He he he." a predatory grin spread across her face as she slightly crouched, clearly prepearing a lunge "Show me your worst.".
PLAP!
A loud, resounding sound of a landed slap spread across the clearing, followed by a rather girly 'eep' as Danica jumped forward, one of her hands moving swiflty to rub one of her but cheeks.
"And that is. you died." Rex sighed, standing right behind where Danica was just moment ago, his right hand stretched before him performign a squeezing motion. He could swear he heard her grinding her teeth, anger boiling inside. Igdan though, he was no longer all smiles, his eyes narrowed as he locked his gaze on Rex, his stance slowly changing, prepearing to draw a weapon and lunge in to save his younger sister, should the need arise. For some reason, for just a blink of an eye, he sensed that the guy Danica had picked a fight with was extremely dangerous.
"Grrr. BASTARD!" Danica roared and lunged at Rex, and just a moment later, the second she was in striking range, performed a one- two strike combo, aimed to disrupt his balance with the first, and deliver a devastating blow with the second. And yet, nothing of the sort happened. Rex lightly deflected the first strike, and then using some weird movements, flowed along the second strike, his body turning as his hand displaced the strike. Igdan could feel a brief mana flare, being the better of the siblings in that regard, and he shuddered. The level of controll was terrifying.
As a result, Danica's strike went wide, her arm caught and bent behind her back as she herself was planted face first in the sand and once there, Rex body weight pressed her down, a cold blade pressing against her neck.
"Dead again. We done? Or do you want to recieve more slaps?" Rex asked, his voice monotone and bored. "Think before you act. The next monster might not be so nice. Any other nation, and you might already have a slave collar around your neck." he added, his latter sentence earning quite the reaction from the restrained woman, a notable tremble going across her skin, Rex noted. 'Damn.' he thought, realizing the implication. Then, he released Danica before Igdan felt he needed to act, though not before delivering another slap to that juicy posterior of hers. "You are the older one no? Teach her." Rex shot a short glance towards Igdan, before turning and walking away.