Our group changed our disguise since we did not wish to be caught and followed around by the Path. Although, we already looked very unremarkable so we only had to make a few adjustments. I changed my hood to an intricate looking wrapping around my head.
“Boss, why does it look like you’re going to be married and you’re the bride?” Sarjay snickered.
“Shut it,” I answered back as I adjusted my headwrap. In no time our group started to tour Aon once more guiltless. We spent the last four weeks just touring the grounds and not buying anything. We basically had to take back anything that gave out my mark.
I warned the cardinals that my mark would cause calamity should they be written down. To throw them off the original mark, I also gave them an item with a fake mark. This should make them think this was my insignia.
Given the problem that we had with using our fun money that was mainly just used for gambling within the stronghold, we had to resort to using normal coins. Although the coins were old, gold was still gold.
We packed our souvenirs and things and met up with Asha the blacksmith. We knocked at her door when we arrived at her place.
Ashe opened the door and let us in, “You guys look a bit different that I wasn’t sure at first. But then I saw your armors and weapons were still the same. Looks like you’re all ready now. I got my approval of leave from the Grand Cardinal and I’ve already cleared all my orders.”
The shop was indeed looking a bit more empty. They were either probably sold off or packed for storage. The forge in the other room was dead, with its tools neatly stored away, as well.
She was carrying a bag, presumably carrying her essentials and her tools. By her feet was also a few sacks. Some of my companions helped her with her things.
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“Hey, you guys don’t seem to be carrying much. Aren’t you going to pack food and other supplies?” Asha asked.
Whoops. We forgot that part. How are we supposed to travel with Asha if we don’t eat or sleep?
“We...ugh...have food magic that could give us nutrients magically,” I said.
Sarjay was silently laughing to himself and Daggerless went, ‘Whoa! Really?’
“Food magic?! That’s...that’s absurd! To think that your country not only have mithril everywhere, you also have food magic!” Asha was impressed, “You should teach me food magic!”
“You can’t! Because it’s a….genetics thing. Anyone who doesn’t have food magic by blood inheritance left the country,” I continued to lie.
“What’s Gee-ne-ticks? Whatever, from what I can understand, it’s passed down by blood? That’s a shame. Will it be a bother for you guys if I need food?” She asked.
“Of course not. Anyways, let’s start moving if you’re ready to go,” I suggested and I also told Asha that we just wanted a greatsword instead of a dagger and a greatsword, now that we found Daggerless’ dagger. She was overjoyed to hear that as she would have more excess metal which she could keep.
We all started moving towards the northern gates. We got out without trouble and started headed for the roads.
As we went further from Aon, we could see less and less people on the roads until eventually there were only us left.
“So, Asha, tell me more about the city,” I asked Asha.
“Well, it’s a very typical dwarven city. It’s built on a mountain and most of its structures are made from various types of stones. The roads, I heard, got improved recently and now there was even a port inside the mountain itself!” She explained the details of the city.
“A-ha. That sounds so like of the bearded, tireless drunk dwarves!” I exclaimed.
“What? Are we talking about the same race?” Asha was dumbfounded.
“What? What do you mean? Dwarves are the short, angry, bearded and drunken people, right?” I asked.
“What are you talking about? Everyone knows that every dwarf in the continent are clean-shaved, gentlemanly, civilized and only drinks tea.” Asha looked at me like I was some kind of a country bumpkin.
“Wait...what? What are you…...This...THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!”