“Civilisation, Isn't it marvellous.” After finally reaching a proper city I didn't even register that I had unintentionally leaked out my own thoughts. But who cares, we've finally made it to the Flain Theocracy outermost city, Fieldden. Aptly named for the absurd amount of fields the city has, even now the farmland is still expanding, so much so that while we're still a good mile from the farm's actually boundary, the city in front of us is just a hazy blur, the only building standing out is the church and only because of its height.

But, while I was gawking at the city, I began to feel the carriage slow down slightly to the point where we were competing for speed with normal carriages. So I turned to Ramaze to ask him why? But he beat me to the punch. “If we're going to enter the city, we'll to need to disguise the carriage we have. Otherwise, we'll draw too much attention to ourselves and that might give the Grand Elder information we would otherwise like to keep secret.”

Suddenly, the mocking voice that has barely been around these past few days, appears within moments of Ramaze finishing. “Well, that's all and good, but there's one giant flaw in your plan Ramaze.”

“And what would that be William?” Ramaze, on the other hand, was still seemingly angry at William as he only grinds his way through saying his name. Ever single meeting between those two was like this know, obviously, I was waiting to see what would happen, since I've personally learned these past few days that's it's best not to get between those two.

“We do need the item called money to procure stuff.”

“Tch, don't patronise William, I've already come up with a solution to that problem.” Though luck betrays me as Ramaze immediately moves to bring me into the conversation after finishing his chat with William; as far as Ramaze was concerned at least. “Henry,since you were eye-struck upon seeing this city I can assume you been here before? And if so, what is the best place to rest at, which also provides decent privacy?”

Er, think Henry. It's only been twelve years since you've been here but you should be able to remember something, right? “Er, um, let me think for a second. There's the uh, no no not that place. Erm, what about, no no no, that place is long gone. Um, ah, I've got it, we can use the Golden Claw, it's the only inn that the cities resident nobles and well off people use, and since the church is present it has a great deal of secrecy and privacy to protect it's patrons.” Phew, how did I almost forget about the Golden Claw, it's the place that my mum's subordinates took me too when we were passing through here all those years ago.

Unexpectedly, it was William, not Ramaze who chimed in first. “Oh, a noble's pleasure palace, I haven't been to one of those in years. Heh Ramaze we really should go there, though I doubt we'll be able to get in without the coin.”

“Shut it, William. Henry, does the place come with fully equip personal baths as well?” Ramaze on the other hand still doesn't seem that concerned about our money situation. Caring more to berate William and finding out about the different facilities available.

“Well, the more expensive rooms do. Starting with your simple bath tub, then going all the way up to massive bath houses for the few top floor rooms.” Those things were great to swim around in when I was a child, even if some of the men and women were anxious for me to go to bed already.

“Good, then we have a place for you to clean yourself once you've done your second circulation.” However, Ramaze next words caught me off guard. Even if I heard him through my imagination, I couldn't be sure if what I heard was real or not.

So with anticipation in my voice, I ask Ramaze, “So you mean that I.”

“Yes, for the past few days I've begun to feel your Qi bloat up inside of you, so in anything from today to a few days time you'll be able to pass the barrier of the second circulation.” Yes, all my hard work paid off. Finally, I can become even stronger.

Hearing that I would soon gain some new unrivalled power, I let my imagination run free, and it was only until the carriage suddenly stopped and I was unceremoniously thrown from the driver's seat and into the awaiting dirt road, that I was reminded of where we were. Though Williams laughter and Ramazes shaking head did little to help my now wounded pride.

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

You know that's the second funniest thing I've seen so far. It only barely beats out the Rising Lotus Sect goons by a very short margin. Speaking of goons that once belonged to the Rising Lotus Sect, Ramaze has been in an awful mood with me lately. I though he'd be happy that his oppressors are now gone.

Well, nevermind. I'll ponder on this subject later. First things first, though. “We're here Ramaze. So what's the ingenious plan you thought of to disguise the carriage with.”

“Easy, we'll indefinitely borrow some of the farmer's horses.” The plan, however, was something that I wasn't expecting.

So much so that I had to ask him if that was it since there should at least be more to this plan. “That's it.”

“Yes, what else were you expecting.”

Defeated I could only voice my true opinions on the whole situation.“Something less theify for example.”

However, Ramaze to an offence to this opinion and begun to rant on about us not having any money. “What else are meant to do, we've got no money to buy the horse and I doubt the local peasantry will be able to comprehend any of the things I could barter with them.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Obviously, I ignored the ranting moron and instead told Henry to get his embarrassed head out of the dirt. “All right then, Henry pick yourself out of the dirt already, you're going to be playing my attendant, and Ramaze you're regulated to the carriage guard role, you already fit the part.”

“Hey, you can't just...”

Ramaze attempted to complain but as he was doing to me lately, I quickly shut him down. “Shush you. Honestly, it's been ten years since I last spoke to a peasant and yet I know that the best way to barter is to use gold. That get us our horses, hell he'll properly offer up his daughters as concubines and servants for enough of the damn thing.”

Floating of the carriage I begin to material my body. Though this time I completely change my outfit, gone was all the leather and armour, minus the leather riding boots since there was always my favourite. In its stead, I wore the uniform that I wore during my governing duties: pitch black trouser with gold inlaid at the bottom and a doublet dyed in black as well though it came with white sleeves. The only other thing I added, was a white cape for my left shoulder, even if it only ran the length of said shoulder it was out of habit to include it in my dress code since the white cape helps my family coat of arms: a golden dragon slithering around a black sword.

At least Henry was impression with my attire, though Ramaze was still sulking on the carriages driving seat. “Come along Henry, the farm's entrance only a little ways away so it shouldn't take us that long to reach. So, Ramaze, be a good boy and guard the carriage while were away.” Instead of responding to that he just gives me a deep glare, well I'll take what I can get when I'm poking the sulking tin can.

But since Henry's dusted himself off, we set off for our little trip, and in no time at all, we cover the fifty odd meters that separated the carriage and the entrance and once inside I began to tell Henry the what he needs to do. As we approach the farmhouse about two hundred meters away. “Now then Henry, this is how the barter is going to go down. Once we arrived at the farmhouse you're going to knock on the door or yell it's up to you and get the farmers attention. Once that's done you'll introduce me at the Duke of Ostilia and inform him that he has the pleasure of selling horses to is excellence. If he asks why show these gold coins to him and...” As I was waving around the gold coins I materialised Henry seemed to be entranced by their sudden introduction. Obviously, this was detrimental to the planning session, so hitting him over the head I snapped him out of his stupor. “Oh, pay attention. 'Ahem' as I was saying. Show the gold to him and tell him we simply require two horses for our carriage.”

However, Henry rubbing his head held some doubts about the plan I had come up with. “But, isn't these gold coins a bit much for two horses. At most they'd go for a papal coin each, pure gold coins seems a bit excessive” Though in truth he was just nit-picking at this point.

But it's better to put his mind at ease, so he can play his part better. “Of course it is, but until we get to a jeweller or a high-end goods merchant we won't be able to get the actual currency for this country. Plus, this way we might even get to see the higher ups if rumours of a wealthy foreign noble start to spread about.”

However, it seemed to have the opposite as he again found another point to nit-pick over. “Well true, but we might also bring about the attention of the wrong type of people as well.”

You'd think after seeing me fight he'd have a bit more faith in me. But alas. “Stop worrying about your safety, Henry. Not only am I attached to you which means I can feel if you're in danger or not, but Ramaze will be there as well and he's covered in full plate armour, and I doubt any criminal will be able to take him out of action easily.”

“I'm not worried about that, what I'm worried about is...”

Though Henry had attempted to say something else, I instead rudely cut him off since we were almost at out target. So I had to quickly shut him up.“Shush now Henry we've arrived at our destination, now take these coins and put your best act on so we can get out of here quickly.” Thankfully, he didn't try to pursue what he wanted to say so it shouldn't be that important.

Now then, while I stopped a good ten feet away from the surprisingly non-wooden farmhouse which mixed various stones as it's base and walls, and with the only wooden thing being its roof. Farming can't be that profitable around here? Though the extensive pasture full of a menagerie of farm animals and fields of crops as far as the eye can see may be the reason why the house isn't one hundred percent wood.

'Knock, Knock, Knock' Henry's loud banging brings me back to the current situation as he stands before the farm's door hands behind his back and standing tall. It would have been quite the sight to see, s he never acts imposing. Though the effect was ruined slightly by the seven-foot muscle bound monster that answered the door. Even dressed in a simple linen shirt and pants his rippling muscles hugged the tight clothes. Even ignoring the various scars across his body, the balding head and that imposing face and the thing I can only think to myself was that Sophie would love to be here right now.

But while I was thinking of my old friend's type, Henry himself was doing a good job of not backing down. Even if his first sentence didn't leave the best of impressions. “Farmer as the attendant of his excellency the Duke of Ostilia, I have come to er...” It started off so well, but a single glare from him had left him speechless. At this rate, I'm going to need to step in.

However, thanks to Sol, Henry seemed to regain his composure after a few seconds of swimming in that man's glare, with a simple 'ahem' he restarted the negotiations. “I have come on the orders of his excellency to engage in a trade with you for two of your finest horses, and these gold coins should be more than enough,” Henry said the last part as he waved the two gold coins around. The man on the over hand took the two coins in a single swipe and proceed to take a bite out of both of them. Not only leaving teeth marks but also bending it ninety degrees.

This act made Henry flabbergasted, he couldn't even ask for the coins or what he was doing. But before Henry could snap out of his state or I could have told him to wake up. The stone wall of a farmer spoke first in a deep and menacing voice. “It's real.” After saying that he turn his attention to me and in the same voice and glare he gave Henry, he spoke to me. “Fine, you can have two of my best horses your excellency, but if I hear even a whisper of them being treated badly. You will come to regret it.” And without further ado, he shut the door to his home and with big strides to his step, begun the trek to his horses.

On our side, after waking to bring Henry back to his senses we hurried after him. Though Henry once ago decided it was time to bring up a fault in our plan. So whispering to me he said, “William do you actually know how to attach the horse to the carriage? Since looking at the front there was an obvious lack of horse attaching devices.”

To that, I can only grin and pull out some more gold coin. “I think we're going to become this man friend very easily today. Don't you think so Henry.” To that Henry can only pull a face of horror as he begun to think about spending more time with the man built like a stone wall.