Chapter 32
Village [https://i.imgur.com/ojOCKBE.png]
Cart leaders stood in a circle around Giogio discussing what to do in silent voices. Their voices were full of worries because, in a world where even rocks and trees try to kill you, a man can take nothing for granted. Be it safety or even his life.
The village standing silently in the middle of the road is nothing else but strange. And in Rosmoree strange equals dangerous, and something which should be approached with extreme caution or not approached at all. Yet the caravan had a hard choice in front of it. Do they turn around and possibly lose weeks trying to find a different route, or do they go through the village and face anything in their way head-on? There was no real possibility to circle around the village through the woods as the terrain was impassible for large carts carrying a myriad of heavy goods.
“We are in the middle of the empire. There is no threat in Emperor's dominions which we can’t handle by ourselves.”
“You should be ashamed to speak so recklessly at your age.”
“Let’s go around.”
“The worst thing we will see is a bunch of rebels and bandits. We don’t need to waste our time finding another way.”
“Why didn’t we travel through the main road in the first place?”
“Main road would lead us to the Capital. It’s three more months of travel to reach the city of Golden Order.”
Men were fully focused on their conversation. No one except Giogio saw how a simply dressed man with long grey hair stepped out of the forest and walked in their midst with no fear on his face. The man walked to the center of their group followed only by the piercing gaze of Giogio. Fat caravan leader already had summoned a golden trident in his hand, but he didn’t take any more steps to stop the unknown man. Giogio simply observed what he is going to do.
The unknown stranger cleared his throat which, finally, garnered the undivided attention of all cart leaders.
“Ekhemm! Esteemed merchants and warriors, may I intrude upon your discussion?” the unknown man said in a sweet and welcoming tone.
Cart leaders backed away from him, leaving the man alone in a small circle around him.
“You already did, didn’t you?” Giogio said.
“Oh! That’s correct!” the man chuckled, “I guess it’s too late now.”
“My name is Giogio and I am the leader of my little crew. Say, how can I call you?”
“It’s Warren, the esteemed merchant.”
“Say Warren, is it village behind you or graveyard?”
“It is the village of Youkermoon.” Warren looked up at the dwindling sun, “Night soon will be upon us. Your men are welcome to spend the night in our hospitality. Our arms are always open to the fellow-subjects of Emperor, may Divines bless his name.”
“That’s very nice of you, but surely you must discuss it with the rest of your village folk. We can wait for that. Where are they?”
“It will not be necessary. Little Nilly got mauled by a bear two moons ago. All village is out there in joining in her last ceremony.” Warren explained the deserted state of the village, “Just come with me, you will meet the rest later. I will show you where you can stay for tonight.”
Giogio looked at Warren with a thoughtful expression. The fat merchant looked at the caravan behind him and the path leading back where they come, and gears of thought spun in his head. The rest of the cart leaders patiently waited for his decision. After a moment of contemplation, Giogio waved his hand back at the caravan behind him.
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“Get back to your carts. We will accept their invitation.” Giogio said and cart leaders went back to their respective places.
On Giogio’s order caravan began to move and the village entrance came closer with every rotation of the wheel. Warren didn’t run off anywhere but kept walking in front of the Giogio’s cart leading the way into his village.
They crossed the entrance and dark, wooden houses around them stood silent. Chimneys didn’t puff smoke and windows were empty and devoid of life, yet there still was an uncomfortable feeling as if somebody was watching them pass by.
Jakc Mors looked around the houses around him with a piercing look. Something was triggering his instincts, but he couldn’t quite put a finger on it. Something was not normal, yet everything in this place seemed so normal.
“What do you think?” he asked Zaun.
Zaun didn’t answer him, which was not surprising, but when Jack looked at Zaun a young man seemed almost too relaxed. Jack did a double take. Zaun seemed completely off.
Zaun was always the most perceptive one. He was always ready and on guard. His eyes even during their normal travel never stop wandering around and seeking threats in their surroundings. That was just how it is. Yet now. Zaun seemed relaxed and his eyes didn’t wander. He looked forward at the leading cart with a relaxed look on his face, which seemed so out of place in their situation.
Jack looked at Orla and Linus and he saw exactly the same relaxed posture. They didn't seem to be even slightly bothered or worried about their new surroundings and potential danger which could hide in any of the homes on the side of the road.
“Are you good?” Jack asked, but they both just ignored him.
“Are you good?” Jack repeated and shook Linus' shoulder.
Linus slowly turned his head to him.
“What? Am I good? Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?
“You all seem too relaxed.”
“This village is very nice and beautiful,” was all that Linus responded to him.
The glossy look in his companions’ eyes reminded Jack of the same look when they spoke about their Emperor in their preachy voices clearly under some mind-fuckery. Besides village wasn't that special. Homes seemed dark and ran down, and the forest so close to the village border gave it an eerie aura.
“Damn!” Jack cursed and readied his mace.
All people were under influence of something. The movements of people around him reminded him movements of druggies. What made him different? What was the reason that he only kept his mind clear from the invisible puppet masters? Jack Mors looked at this status page and one particular part of it caught his eye.
[ Will of Guardian – Wisdom, and Intelligence no longer affect your mental fortitude and willpower. Your mental fortitude and willpower now scale with Constitution ]
Jakc’s right arm was still missing, but the fingers on the left one were already grown back during their weeks of travel with Giogio and his crew. Restoration II perk clearly did its job. His right hand was starting to regrow as well, but it was still a long way to go until his deformed stump will be anything near a healthy arm. His finger movement mobility was still impaired, but he was able to hold his weapon without a problem and that was the most important thing right now.
To not raise any suspicion of any onlooker he took the same relaxed pose as his companions and stared forward with the same empty eyes. There is no need to act now or act up when he doesn’t even know what he is up against. Be it a monster or a man, Jack was ready and the element of surprise was now on his side.
Jack looked at Warren walking in front of Giogio’s cart. The man could be in the ploy or just an unsuspecting victim under the same mind magic influence as the rest of them. Either way, if he going to get his skull caved in, Jack won’t lose a good night’s sleep over it.
Caravan continued to travel until they reached the central square of the village and parked all their carts there. Men of the caravan worked in an unnatural silence, setting down the carts and bringing horses to the stalls shown by them by the Warren. All men of the caravan had the same glossy eyes. Even Giogio was in the same trance-like state as the rest of them.
Only Jack hid in between the working people, trying not to look suspicious. He tried to see where his enemies were hiding and waiting, yet he could not find even a sign of any other living being there except for Warren who helped the caravan find everything they needed.
After the men finally settled down, Warren clapped his hands together and said in loud voice.
“Now, that you have settled down, we will go to the village Elder’s house. We have prepared a feast for you, my friends.”
No one questioned the fact that his words went against the story he told just a few minutes ago. Even Giogio seemed to be going with everything man said despite his naturally shrewd mind. When men went into the Large house in front of the square, Jack hesitated.
He looked around with only empty windows and wooden shacks in his view
He sighed, readied his mace, and stepped over the doorframe of the Elder's house.
“Let’s feast,” he whispered and a dangerous spark started burning in the depths of his eyes.
The fire was on.