Disceroa, 1st of Budrise, year 179 BN

Path to Valewater

Richard's gaze was stuck on the projection coming from the stone. His hand was trembling, 'What is this stone' Richard thought as his brain couldn't comprehend the magic that was happening in front of him. By all logic, this shouldn't be possible, in a world that still used iron tools an item like this luminescent stone shouldn't exist. Even in his own world back on Earth, holographic displays, because that is the closest thing he could compare to this, wasn't available to the public.

He'd seen magical feats before, such as the fantasy creatures outside of Evergreen that could breathe fire. But this was on a scale greater than that, it meant that not only did this world have magical creatures, it had magical items as well. Richard should have known this, but in his day-to-day life he's rarely encountered anything 'magical'.

The firestones Gregor had shown him were indeed magical, but their commonplace use in everyday life had dulled their wonder. Moreover, Richard had never personally used one.

The sudden touch on his shoulder jolted him from his thoughts. Turning swiftly, he found himself face-to-face with Benjamin.

Benjamin glanced once at the pulsing blue stone in Richard's hand before looking at him. "Richard, you should put that away," he advised as he nodded towards the luminescent stone.

Richard, still processing the rapid turn of events, held the stone up slightly higher as his gaze locked with Benjamin's. "Do you know what this is?" He asked, hoping the monster hunter had an answer for him seeing as how Benjamin seemed to know a lot.

Benjamin hesitated, a flicker of recognition crossing his features before he nodded slowly. His attention, however, quickly shifted towards the approaching army descending from the hill. "There are more pressing matters," he said, gesturing towards the soldiers advancing in their direction.

"Ugh!"Big Oar's roar of frustration drew the attention of both Benjamin and Richard. He spat disdainfully on the ground, his glare lingering in the direction Benjamin had vanished. "I should have known Ben would run off," he grumbled under his breath.

Benjamin cleared his throat, pulling Richard's focus. With a nod of the head, Richard secured the stone in the brown pouch at his waist. The pouch was used to hold his tales, and the stone was small enough to fit into the pouch without making it seem suspicious.

"You couldn't have known Big Oar," Earl interjected.

"With how he was acting around Mitch,it was obvious," Big Oar countered, frustration boiling over as he clenched his fist. "I'm going to beat him until he talks the next time I see him."

Carl raised an eyebrow. "You think that's a good idea? I mean, we don't even know where he went."

Big Oar glanced at Richard. "He's on foot, he couldn't have gotten far. Dave over there," Big Oar pointed to Richard's verlpax that dashed away who was slowly making his return. "Can give us an edge, we'll find him in no time."

Richard heard the big man's words, but going after Ben was not on his mind at the moment. Did none of these three see the projection? He wanted to ask, but the ground trembled with every step the army took closing the distance. They'd find out soon who those soldiers were, and with their numbers, they wouldn't be able to make it out alive if they fought.

"Reckon we don't have time for that." Benjamin told Big Oar.

The tremors of the approaching Aurochids grew more pronounced, sending a cloud of dust into the air as they neared. Richard watched, his hand instinctively resting on the pouch that contained the mysterious stone. The beasts were monstrous, their breaths heavy and forming misty plumes in the cool air. Atop the largest Aurochid, sat a man with a stern countenance, clad in a mix of leather and iron that bespoke his military rank.

The Aurochids halted, and the man dismounted with a practiced ease that spoke of years in the saddle. He approached Richard and his companions, his eyes taking in the scene before him: the shattered carriage, the scattered goods, and the lifeless body of the soldier.

"I am Secondmarshal Varus," the man announced, his voice carrying the weight of command. "We have been tracking a band of rogues from Suncrest. It seems we have come upon a different scene. What happened here?"

Richard stepped forward already having the answer prepared. "Secondmarshal Varus, we are travelers that were caught in misfortune. This soldier," he gestured to the body, "attempted to rob us. We simply defended ourselves, and the others in his group fled."

Varus's gaze shifted to the dead soldier, his expression deadpan. "And the villagers?"

"They fled, heading towards Disceroa I take it," Richard replied.

Varus turned, signaling to a subordinate who hurried off, presumably to check on the villagers. He then focused on Richard again. "Your destination?"

"Valewater, initially. Now, with our carriage in ruins, we'll likely return to Disceroa first," Richard explained, gesturing to the scattered remains of their transport.

Varus considered this as his gaze lingered on the debris laid out on the open plain. "These are dangerous times," he finally said. "Raiders often leave little behind. Your survival is... fortunate."

Big Oar stepped up, his size doing nothing to intimidate the Secondmarshal. "Wouldn't call it fortune, they just picked a fight with the wrong person."

Varus gaze landed on Big Oar for only a second before he returned to lock eyes with Richard. A reply never came from him aimed at Big Oar. "If you seek to go to Disceroa, I can send five men to escort you. If not, I advise caution."

Richard, with a polite smile, declined. "We appreciate the offer, but there's much we need to gather here. We wouldn't want to divert your resources from more pressing matters."

Varus studied Richard for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing as he seemed to weigh Richard's refusal. “Time is not a concern when it comes to the safety of travelers on these roads,” he responded. “But it is your decision to make.”

At this, Richard said nothing. His decision was made, and he had matters to discuss with Benjamin. The man Roxanne suggested to him seemed simple at first, portraying himself as nothing more than a monster hunter. With the past events that unfolded, Richard was confident that Benjamin was no simple monster hunter. He had too much knowledge for that, even Big Oar, Carl, and Earl had not spoken about the Aurochids or the soldier's equipment like Benjamin had.

Varus turned, casting a glance toward the horizon as if sensing something beyond their sight. “Very well, if you insist on declining our escort, at least allow my men to aid you in gathering your belongings. It’s the least we can do before we resume our hunt for the raiders.”

Big Oar looked as though he was about to protest, but a stern look from Benjamin silenced him. Richard gave a nod of appreciation. “Your help would be most welcome, Secondmarshal. Thank you.”

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With a few commands from Varus, several soldiers dismounted their Aurochids and began to assist with collecting the scattered items.

As they began salvaging what they could, Richard approached Varus. The Secondmarshal was in a position of power so if he wanted to know anything about the ongoing of the way, he was the best source to secure it from.

"Secondmarshal, if I may," Richard began, "how fares the war? Are there any places along the border that are safe to travel through?"

Varus's expression hardened. "Our forces have held firm in many areas, but the rogues and raiders exploit any weakness they find. Paths leading to Evergreen remain under our control for now, but the situation is fluid."

Richard nodded once, people told him to watch out for the skirmishes taking place at the border between Suncrest and Disceroa, but he did hear about Vale attacking Disceroa as well. It was a mention in passing and Vale was in the opposite direction he was traveling so he paid it little attention. Not to mention the border between Disceroa and Evergreen was large, so he was sure he could cross back into Evergreen territory without running into any trouble. "Why not ask for assistance from Evergreen?" Richard asked as a way to continue the conversation.

Varus reacted with visible skepticism. "Rely on Evergreen?" he paused, briefly distracted by a soldier's report on their recovery efforts.

Richard's expression prompted him to elaborate. "A similar suggestion was made by one of my scouts," Varus dismissed. "Our circumstances haven't yet driven us to depend on external aid. Moreover, Evergreen's own struggles with their beast infestations hardly inspire confidence in their capacity to bolster our defenses."

Varus had no clue it seemed. News of Evergreen's monster tide being over did not reach Disceroa it seems. Or, no one cared enough about Evergreen's situation to pay them any attention. Either way, the Secondmarshal was clueless. Evergreen was in a position to help, but Richard did not know if Lord Kirk would assist Disceroa. He wasn't knowledgeable about the political situation between the two regions, and frankly, he wouldn't bother with it unless it impacted him in some way.

However, the situation changed. Richard knew that there was an influx of people entering Evergreen as he was leaving, but he never found out why. Earl and Big Oar told him that wasn't normal, and Richard felt that he had a decent understanding as to why. The information he gleaned from the luminescent stone in his pouch, some of it had to be true.

"I see," Richard said as his mind began to buzz.

As the silence drowned on between the two of them the soldiers and Richard's guards made quick work of the cleanup. The soldier that was sent away earlier returned and began whispering something to the Secondmarshal.

The soldiers began mounting their Aurochids and Varus glanced at Richard. "Stay vigilant, you never know what you'll encounter out here. Best to head to the city as fast as possible."

The group watched as the soldiers rode off.

All of the goods that remained in decent shape were placed onto a piece of wood. Richaard was surprised to see the vase of oil was still intact but even with this, he'd still need a way to transport all of it back to Evergreen. Having the others carry it back was an option, but they needed their hands in order to protect themselves and him.

With the army now out of sight, Richard turned to his group. "We head back to Evergreen," he announced decisively.

Big Oar's response was loud and incredulous. "What? And just leave Ben to escape with whatever he took from that box?"

Carl chimed in, reinforcing Big Oar's sentiment. "Exactly, Richard. If Ben took off with it, it's gotta mean something."

Richard shook his head, dismissing their concerns. "The contents of that scroll are irrelevant now. Our priority is Evergreen." Benjamin, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded in agreement.

"He's correct. Pursuing Ben under these conditions is futile. Given his lack of provisions, he won't get far," Benjamin reasoned.

Earl crossed his arm as he looked at Richard. "Alright, so if going after him isn't so important, then what about going back to Evergreen? Shouldn't we go to Disceroa instead? I mean, your goal was to head to Valewater right? We should go Disceroa, get some wagons, and continue on."

At that moment, Richard retrieved the luminescent stone from his pouch, igniting its projection once more. "This is why," he stated, emphasizing the importance of their return.

Big Oar's confusion was evident. "So? What's it supposed to mean?"

"Did you not read it?" Richard asked, feeling as if he were plucking teeth here.

"Read?" Big Oar laughed. "You think we know how to read? You're joking, right?"

There was one small detail Richard overlooked after he read the information the stone showed him. Many people couldn't read, write, or do math. He knew that, the first day he arrived in this world the man he interacted with couldn't count. These three things were essential in life if you wanted to progress, but not necessarily needed if you went about your day-to-day life. The only ones capable of reading and writing were those who were able to pay scholars to tutor their children.

Turning to Benjamin, Richard sought confirmation. "You understood it, right?"

Benjamin nodded solemnly.

"What are you talking about? What's so important that we need to read what that says?" Earl asked as he pointed at the stone in Richard's hand.

Richard broke it down for them, what the stone projected. Hearing it for themselves, they were all shocked and each of them voiced their own questions. None of which Richard had the answer for.

"Calm down!" Richard shouted over them. "Benjamin, you said you know what this is, what is it?" Richard finally asked.

"It's a Scrying stone. Extremely rare," Benjamin elucidated, his tone grave. "Worth more than all our lives combined. And if someone specifically requested its delivery..." He trailed off, leaving the implication hanging ominously in the air.

Carl, puzzled, chimed in. "But if it's that valuable, why didn't Ben take it instead? The scrolls must be worth less, right?"

Benjamin paused, considering Carl's question. "Did you know what it was? Did any of you lot know what it was before I told you? That right there is the reason Ben didn't take it. It's so rare that most people don't even know it exists, let alone how one looks."

Earl raised his eyebrow at that. "But you did? So, if it's so rare and no one knows about it. How do you know?"

Richard had been wondering the same. Benjamin's depth of knowledge hinted at a background far more complex than they had assumed. His understanding of the Scrying stone was just one piece of a puzzle that suggested a wealth of experience or education not common among monster hunters or ordinary soldiers.

Even if Richard were to chalk him up to be some soldier turned monster hunter, that still did not explain it all.

Benjamin sidestepped the question with a dismissive gesture. "We're straying from the crucial issue. The real concern is that someone out there has intimate knowledge about Evergreen's current situation."

Seeing how the others were missing the point, Richard spoke up. "Think about it, none of us knew what was happening by the time we left. And we only left a few days ago, you all said it is dangerous outside the city's walls and how long it'll take to reach Disceroa. I'm pretty damn confident we were the first ones out of the gate and here in Disceroa, and within a few days, I was given a box to deliver to Valewater. How is that possible?" Richard asked hypothetically.

"It isn't. This," he held the scrying stone up "had to be made, recorded or however it works, long before we got to Disceroa."

"Hold it," Earl said as he rubbed his temple and held a hand up. "That just doesn't make sense."

Big Oar and Carl both nodded in agreement. The man wasn't wrong, it didn't make any sense at all. Unless...

"It adds up perfectly if you consider that someone anticipated all these events—Evergreen's movements to Thornhill, the allies, the regrouping location. Everything contained here is knowledge that only a few people would have. Why? Because they plotted it themselves, discussed strategies weeks, probably months prior." Richard explained.

After a moment of silence, Benjamin added, "The council. Only a member—or rather, a highly trusted member—of the council would possess such detailed information."

This news shocked all of them, except Benjamin and Richard. Having been exposed to the complexities and often underhanded tactics of politics back in the United States, he was well aware of how power could be wielded and contested.

"But is it true?" Richard had to ask. His question was more directed towards Benjamin than the others.

Benjamin shrugged, "Not the slightest clue. Doubt Lord Kirk would have any plans for Valewater considering the distance."

For him, the information was shocking but wasn't the biggest question he wanted answered. How the information came to be was simple if you had the least bit of knowledge of politics and intrigue. This left him wondering who exactly Richard was, for the man to see a lot that others would overlook. He could understand if the man was a noble, or the son of one, but from what he could gather, Richard wasn't. While Richard's identity was a mystery to Benjamin, the real question on hand was one that Richard seemed to overlook.

How did the information leave Evergreen?

No one ventured out of the city for months, the ones that did end up dying long before they made it to an area relatively safe. This suggested an insider's involvement—a traitor or spy capable of not just acquiring such sensitive information but also smuggling it out and recording it onto a Scrying stone. The meticulous planning and execution of such a task indicated a player with significant resources and foresight. This was Benjamin's best guess as of now.

None of the others knew it, but to record something on a Scrying stone took days. It wasn't instantaneous, meaning the culprit had a lot of time beforehand to prepare.