“Now there are more of you,” Sir Robert said, his eyes scanning across the group.

“Didn’t you meet Jonn?” Adam asked.

“Which one of you is Jonn?”

“The Guardian,” Adam replied casually, motioning his head to the heavily armoured warrior, the same Half Elf who had swore his Oaths to Adam.

Sir Robert’s eyes then fell to Pual. “Do you think you can hide your stench from me?”

“You must be Sir Robert, the Mountain,” Pual said. He had heard the name from Adam, but he knew of the knight before him. “I’m from the Confederacy, and I have no qualms with you, Sir.”

“You may not have qualms with me, but I have qualms with you,” Sir Robert replied, his voice full of venom. He stood like a tower before them.

Adam stepped forward, grasping Wraith with his right hand, while grasping his forearm with his left hand. “Let us thank the Gods for our meeting, and continue along our way.”

Sir Robert remained still. The last time they had met, Adam had several great warriors at his side. The knight had been stronger than any of them, by his estimations. Though the warriors beside him were now weaker, there were more of them. His eyes fell across the Iyrmen, three of whom had stepped forward slightly, and had straightened.

“It is within my rights to demand war tax from you,” Sir Robert said. “One gold per head.”

Adam looked to Jurot, who nodded. The Half Elf reached into his personal pouch, grabbing four pieces of obsidian, and handed them to Jurot. Jurot approached the knight, allowing the mountainous figure to pick up each gem from his palms. He picked them up one by one, placing each into his own pouch. Wordless, the knight marched forward, his heavy boots thunking along the King’s Road.

Adam stepped aside, and his companions did the same. Pual stepped slightly in front of Iggritte, keeping his eyes on the ground, following the boots of the knight. The knight passed them by, but as he broke away from the group, the thunking stopped.

“What is your name, boy?”

“Adam. Adam Fateson.”

“I’ll be seeing you, Adam Fateson,” the knight said, stepping forward again.

“I’ll be seeing you too,” Adam replied. “Sir Rockhill.”

Sir Robert of Rock Hill stopped. He turned to glance over his shoulder towards the Half Elf. Seconds passed as he took in Adam’s sight. He turned, and continued his way.

“Why are you always trying to get yourself killed, Adam,” Jaygak grumbled quietly.

“You wish to face him?” Jurot asked.

“It’ll happen one day,” Adam said.

“How can you be so sure, young man?” Pual asked, no longer as tense as he was previous.

“It’s Fate.”

Pual tipped his hat, bowing his head, before they continued towards East Port, following the road and river to the city.

Omen: 4, 11

Adam whistled as they approached East Port during the afternoon. The walls of East Port were numerous and large, though not quite as impressive as the Iyr’s. Two major rivers met together, with branching streams all around them, each heading out towards the sea.

Adam had passed by South Port before, another large city which was the capital of South Aldland, now currently at war with the rest of Aldland. However, they had passed through it quickly since he wanted to reunite Lucy and Mara together after the Demon Lord had been unceremoniously killed.

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

“Jurot, was South Port this big?”

“Yes,” Jurot replied. “They are of comparable sizes.”

“Damn,” Adam whispered. He didn’t recall much of the city, but they had passed through it quickly, with many other matters on their mind at the time.

They approached the gates of the city, which were manned by two warriors adorned in breastplate over chain. The breastplates wasn’t made of metal though, appearing to be made from coral. The guard wielded spears, the shafts made of wood, but the spear tips made of fine steel. At their sides were blades, the hilts also made of coral.

“Seawood,” Jurot said, noting the grey and blue wood of the spear. “It grows under the sea, and due to the pressure, it is greater than even forged steel.”

“Nice,” Adam whispered, smirking slightly. ‘I should have expected, damn wood nerd.’

“Well met travellers,” the guards called out. “Safe travels I hope?”

“Weirdly, yes,” Adam replied. “We travelled from Red Oak, up through Deadwood, and found almost no trouble at all.”

The guards glanced between one another, before standing up straighter. “No trouble at all? No roaming beasts or any such?”

“There was a chimera, but one of ours scared it away with his magic, and other than Sir Robert who we met yesterday, didn’t really meet any others either,” Adam said, careful with his words.

“Sir Robert did leave recently,” a guard confirmed. “Doesn’t seem like you have any Elfkind in your party, so hopefully no bother.”

Adam cleared his throat. “Anyhow, it’s our first time in East Port, is there anything we should know?”

“First time you say?” the guard asked, glancing across the party. “Welcome to East Port, where silver and spice flow freely, and greater than South Port for certain.”

Adam smiled. “Well, it’s my first time for sure, but I think we have someone from here?” Adam threw a look to one of the Priests within his party.

“I am Sir Vonda of Life’s Rose,” the Priest said, bowing her head slightly.

The guards straightened up, though one raised his visor to reveal his tan face and hazel eyes. “Sir Vonda? It has been so long! How have you been?”

“I have been well, Timothy, and yourself?” Sir Vonda replied.

“I’ve been great,” Timothy replied, a wide smile across his face.

Adam glanced between the pair. “You know each other?”

“I spent some time at the order for training,” Timothy explained.

“We spent a year patrolling the river,” Sir Vonda explained. “It was Timothy, Charles, Katya, Jules and I.”

“Must have been, what, two, three, four years ago?” Timothy asked, trying to recall. “At least three years ago I think.”

“A little over four,” Sir Vonda confirmed. “How do the others fare?”

“Charles and Katya joined the sea guard,” Timothy said.

“I thought Charles disliked the sea.”

“Despises it, one might say, but I suppose he adores Katya just that much.” Timothy chuckled. “Jules joined one of the noble guards.” Timothy smiled wider, leaning in slightly. “The Duchess’ estate.”

“How wonderful. I thought he would join the noble guards, but the Duchess’ estate? His mother should be within the estate now too?”

“That’s right. He managed to impress the Duchess by becoming an Expert. Must have been earlier this year, I think?”

“He reached the level of an Expert so young?” Sir Vonda smiled. “It is no wonder the Duchess accepted him.”

“Hey!” came a shout from behind, as an older guard sauntered his way to the gates. “What’s taking so long over here?”

“Nothing, captain, just speaking with Sir Vonda.”

“I don’t…” The captain blinked, before looking to the heavily armoured Sir Vonda. “Sir Vonda?”

“Sir Vonda of Life’s Rose,” the Priest confirmed.

The captain stood a little straighter. “I apologise for intruding, Sir Vonda of Life’s Rose. Shall I clear some rooms for yourself and your companions?”

“No, that is not needed. I apologise for taking up so much time. It had been some time since I saw Timothy and I did not consider that we were blocking the way.”

“No, no, nothing like that, Sir Vonda,” the captain replied, clearing his throat. “Never any issues from the great warriors of Life’s Rose. Do you have room and board within East Port, or should I send word?”

“We were planning to stay at the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Timothy, escort Sir Vonda to the guild once you’re done with your conversation,” the captain said. “I should return to my rounds, Sir Vonda, but it was an honour to speak with you.”

“The honour was mine, captain,” Sir Vonda replied, bowing her head.

“Why don’t we talk as we walk, Sir Vonda?” Timothy asked.

“A wonderful idea.”

Adam leaned in to Jurot. “Sir Vonda seems to hold a lot of weight in East Port.”

“Yes,” Jurot replied. “She is from Life’s Rose.”

“Right…” Adam still wasn’t sure how much sway the orders held within the land. “I thought it would be because of her name, but she hasn’t even mentioned it yet. Is this all the influence from her order?”

“Yes.”

‘Should I join an order?’ Adam thought. ‘Or should I make my own?’

“Are you here for the tournament?” Timothy asked as he led the group forward, taking another guard with him to escort them through the city. The guards kept a hand at their blades, but casually, their chain jingling quietly as they marched through the city.

“I am not, but my companions wish to enter.”

“With all the Iyrmen in your group, I should have expected as much.” Timothy chuckled.

Adam whispered to Jurot. “Hey, Jurot?”

“Yes?”

“Why the hell are there so many coloured folk in this place?”