It was dusk by the time they arrived at Deadwood. The town was huge, surrounded by large black trees, which stood like statues, each spaced twenty metres apart. A second wall stood tall in front of the stone wall which surrounded the town. Near one side of the town, towards where it met the hills, was a large tree, one which could be seen even from where they stood.

“The Deadwood,” Adam said, nodding his head. “When the town is threatened, they can be called to defend it.”

“I have heard of such magics,” Rose said, looking out to the large trees.

“They possess wood from the Deadwood, but that’s extremely rare,” Adam explained. “Red Oak can be grown pretty good over generations, but there’s actually only a single Deadwood tree, which is different to the trees which guard the town. Its branches and twigs fall, and that’s how they get the wood. If someone forcibly removes a branch, it won’t grow again.”

“There is a similar tree within Aswadasad,” Rose confirmed.

Adam looked her way, though both Jurot and Laygak perked up at the information.

“Dragontree,” Jurot said.

“You know of it?” Rose asked.

“A wood which is as hard as a Dragon’s scales,” Laygak piped up from the back. “It has to be worked with special tools made of particular metals, like dragonsteel or dragonglass.”

“Of course it does,” Adam said, before smiling. “Where can one find dragonsteel and dragonglass?”

“Much of it is made in Aswadasad and Drakkenlan, but some is created in Blackwater, though only once a generation,” Jurot explained.

“When we become Masters, we are gifted a weapons of dragonsteel,” Rose said.

‘Man, this fantasy world is so cool,’ Adam thought.

The guard hailed the group as they approached, standing tall and proud as they noted the Darkknight which accompanied them.

“You may step inside without the need to pay the gatefee,” Sir Kanna said, bowing her head to the group. “The guards will escort you to confirm that you slew three big blacks.”

Adam winced, unsure of how he felt that they called the creatures big blacks. ‘I guess it’s like the shark?’

The guards did as the knight commanded, leading them to the Adventurer’s Guild within Deadwood.

The Adventurer’s Guild was near identical to the building in Red Oak, save it was made of smooth rock. An adventuring party was currently relaxing within the guild, nodding their heads towards the large group stepping inside.

The beautiful woman at the counter caused Adam to narrow his eyes slightly. The guards quickly explained the situation, before the rewards were divvied out, and their tokens were stamped.

Quest Complete: Trouble in Deadwood

XP Gained: +200

XP: 11 000 -> 11 200

Stamps Gained: +1

Stamps: 17 -> 18

Adam hadn’t expected the reward to be so middling, for they handed over no more than fifty gold per head. ‘I suppose fifty gold is actually a lot of money.’ Rather than accept the coin for himself, Adam slipped it into the party fund. ‘Oh, damn. I was meant to spend money on trying to find Amira.’

Once the group had settled down within the Adventurer’s Guild, Sir Kanna appeared, approaching the large group. “The Countess has extended her warm welcome to your group, Fate’s Golden. If you would follow me, I will situate you within one of her estates.”

“You guys can go on ahead,” Adam said, nodding his head to the others. “Jurot, mind staying with me again?”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Okay,” Jurot replied.

Sir Kanna paused, trying to understand what Adam was doing. “You would refuse the Countess’ welcome?”

“The last time I had the Countess’ welcome, I…” Adam bit his tongue. “Sir Kanna, would you mind speaking with me to one side?” Adam asked, motioning his head to the side.

“You can speak your words aloud, Adam,” she said.

Adam sighed, looking to Jurot. “You saw that I offered, right?”

“You did.”

Adam nodded his head at the confirmation. “The last time I had the Countess’ welcome, I found several of her guards pointing their spears at me to drive me out. No offence, but I’m not interested in that kind of hospitality.”

Sir Kanna remained silent. ‘What?’ She had just spoken to the Countess, who seemed rather interested in these adventurers after hearing what Sir Kanna had to say, but apparently there was bad blood between them? “Perhaps there was a mistake.”

“There was no mistake,” Adam assured, chuckling lightly. “There’s a reason why I’m keeping my helmet on, Sir Kanna, and that’s because the last time I took it off, the guards were trying their best to find any reason to fight me.”

“You’re an Elf?” Sir Kanna asked, while the other adventurers peeked at the pair.

“Only half,” Adam replied. ‘When was the last time I said that?’

“I’m sure there was a simple misunderstanding.”

“I’m sure there was, but considering not even the High Alchemist of Red Oak could deal with the issue, or the Vice Master of the Red Oak Adventurer’s Guild, I hope you understand that I’d rather stay here, under the protection of the guild.”

Sir Kanna remained silent, trying to build a bridge between the party and the Countess. “Do you work for the business? This United Kindom?”

“I do,” Adam replied.

“I know Jurot is a… Chief Executive Officer?” Sir Kanna tried to recall the title. “What of yourself?”

“I’m also a Chief Executive Officer, like Jaygak and Kitool,” Adam said, motioning his head towards them. “I have certain abilities which the Enchanter finds useful. I’m an alchemist, a fairly good one if I might say so. I was going to assist the High Alchemist with assisting with the Countess’ issue when I first came here, but, uh… you know.” Adam shrugged his shoulders. “So far the only people who have benefited from my abilities are the Iyrmen, my companions here, and individuals who hold a higher rank than the Countess.”

“Which individuals?”

“That’s confidential,” Adam said, before realising he had really said too much. ‘Damn.’

“Why will you not say?”

“The business of United Kindom remains the business of United Kindom,” Adam replied, firmly.

“I am a knight, young man,” Sir Kanna said. “I do not appreciate your tone.”

“I will be sure to relay your sentiments, oh Darkknight who works for Countess Deadwood, that you wished to know the business of the Enchanter, and did not appreciate their Chief Executive Officer’s tone,” Adam replied, simply. “I will have Jurot also speak with the Enchanter, since Iyrmen don’t lie.”

“I apologise if it seemed I was trying to pry into your business, but I had no such thought to do so,” Sir Kanna said. “I merely had to verify for the Countess’ sake, to make sure that your business met certain requirements.”

“It is a shame, then, that our business will not be working within Deadwood for the recent future, but we will surely see what can be done in order to bring our business to Deadwood.”

“Does the Half Elf speak for your business?” Sir Kanna asked, looking to Jurot.

“My brother does speak for the business,” Jurot said.

“What of your opinion?”

“My brother’s opinions are mine.”

Sir Kanna bowed her head. “I will bring word to the Countess that there is some disagreement about such matters. I will bring word if she wishes to welcome you within her estate, or her town.”

“We thank you for your understanding,” Adam said. “It would be a shame if we are not welcome into the town, for the good Countess may find it difficult to contact our business since we do not have a place where we consistently do business, and we may be too busy enjoying ourselves within towns that do welcome us, pointy ears and all.”

Sir Kanna bowed her head once more, understanding Adam’s threat, before retreating. She would need to inform the Countess of what happened, though she would need to speak with Sir Enna to see what happened with Adam previously. Adam was the Iyrman’s brother, so he must have had a special relationship with the President.

‘He said he was an alchemist? Are his abilities with alchemy great because of his Fae blood? Is that why the Enchanter keeps him?’ The thought of Adam being the Enchanter did not cross her mind, since Jurot had mentioned that the pair were the same age during their conversation, and that they had met only two years ago.

There was no way a man of twenty could be proficient in alchemy, enchanting, smithing, while also being an Expert in both martial and magic abilities.

It was impossible.

“Why are you starting a fight with a knight?” Rose whispered. “Even if you work for a great enchanter, how can you ask for death so easily?”

“Rose, I don’t want to treat you like an idiot, so do us both a favour and don’t say anything stupid again, please,” Adam said, as politely as he could possibly imagine.

Rose blinked, not expecting Adam to snap at her. “I’m not saying anything stupid.”

“When did I start a fight?”

“I was here, Adam.”

“Jurot, did I offer to speak to one side so the situation could be resolved quietly?” Adam asked.

“You did.”

“Rose, if you’re smoking some dragonleaf, you could at least share some with me,” Adam said.

Rose’s cheeks flushed. “If we had dragonleaf, we would not have been able to leave South Fort.”

“You know what?” Adam slowly nodded his head. “Fair enough.”