-80 Gold!

With the livestock gathered in a huge herd, Caster and Abel sat atop horses from their newly bought group.

Thanks to the farming skills of the shopkeeper and his son, Jeb, the herd of hundreds of animals was magically sedated and moved as 'orderly' as a gathering of this size could be. Caster barely managed to control when his horse. He'd never ridden one before, and the quick lesson he received only covered the basics. But for now, he would make due. Abel faired far better, proving his agility with his steed, he assisted Jeb in wrangling any straying creatures.

They traveled around the town instead of through it, the shopkeeper let them know that wouldn't fly with the officials. But it wasn't a bother. The journey wouldn't be too long anyway. Thanks to their horses, if they needed to travel anywhere they could now get there much sooner. The 6-hour walk to Hale's Pass would become a half-hour gallop from now on.

As they rounded the eastern outskirts of the town, they nearly made it to the southern side. It looked like their mission was nearly over, and that Casterville would finally have what it needed to sustain itself.

That is until they heard the sound of a trumpet, followed by a man bellowing a warning.

"Make way for his Lordship! Make way!"

A royal procession was rolling into the town from the east, and Caster's herd was caught in its path.

"I said, make way! Old God approaching, make way!"

Caster stopped, pulling on his horse's reigns. Jeb had already started shouting, making the herd move faster at risk of breaking their somber zombie-walk trance to Casterville.

An Old God?! Here?

Like a meerkat, Caster looked out past the possession that was approaching from the mountains.

They're coming from Cairngowan! Are they having a political meeting now? I can't leave, I need to stay and spy on what's going on, it's the only way I'll be able to learn!

Caster looked to Abel and Jeb, he watched as the two expertly maneuvered the herd without his help.

If anything I'm slowing them down. Come on, have a little faith in the kid! Caster convinced himself as he approached Abel.

"Hey, Abel!" Caster interrupted Abel just as they got the last gaggle of chickens to cross the road - narrowly dodging the racing forwardmost carriages of the Old God.

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"Yeah?"

"I'm going to stay here and check out what this Old God is doing. If anything goes wrong, just use the Roundtable to talk to me."

"What's the Roundtable?" Abel asked.

"It's... never mind. Can you make it back with just Jeb's help?"

"Oh... you think I can do that?" Abel shared a rare moment of doubt in his abilities.

"I know you can! I'll be back at Casterville soon!" Caster said, jumping off his horse.

His steed was lulled back into the calm group by Jeb's still lingering spell and joined the others in their march back to Casterville.

Caster turned and ran after the Old God's procession. A group of hundreds, if not thousands had already gathered around the carriages painted red, white, and black. The masses kept their distance, as the fully armored knights were ready to strike without hesitation at anyone who dared to come within reach of their polearms and halberds. Caster mingled into the crowd, easily slipping amongst them. He wasn't able to see over their heads, as he was far shorter than the adults, so he was forced to make his way to the sides, where he could peek his head out.

He was able to see the main carriage just in time to see the door swing open. A man stepped out. He was tall, older, and had grey hair. Although he was clearly of immense wealth and power, he wore a simple white toga. It had no sleeves, showing off his massive arms and old battle scars that covered them. The crowd got silent, and Caster immediately understood why.

Being in the presence of this strange new Old God was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. Elenore and Keith seemed incredibly strong to him back when he had first arrived at Perdita. But this figure was something else altogether. It was like he had an aura around him that spread out to cover the area in a blanket of his residue power.

If this guy has any Occult powers, he could kill me in one hit, no doubt.

Caster grabbed his Zz'Wrath that hid under his shirt.

This is a bad idea. I should go! But...

The knight nearest to the Old God rammed his staff on the ground and began speaking.

"Make way for his Holiness! Make way and temple at The Old God! Noden, the First Hunter!"

The crowd split in an instant, each person making more than enough room for the stoic Old God and his knights to make their way toward the capitol building that stood at the center of Cairngowan.

"Make way for his Lordship - secondborn son of Noden, the First Hunter!" The knight slammed the ground with the base of his polearm once more, announcing a second arrival right after Noden entered the building.

The second man exited the carriage. He had scruffy, yet well-kept short blonde hair. His outfit was mostly black and was simple, yet sharp.

Caster knew immediately who he was looking at.

"Make way for Lord Griffin, the Flame of Ambition!"

Griffin looked over the crowd, his eyes panning from one side to the other. As he did, Caster realized he would be right in his line of sight. Caster nearly dove back into the crowd, just as Griffin's eyes reached his side of the crowd.

Level Up! Luck Increased +1!

Caster waited, hoping to hear the sounds of the door to the capitol building open once more. He didn't dare peak his head out again even to see if the coast was clear.

This guy again!? His dad's an Old God?! What did I get myself into!?! I need to leave, now!

"Hello, people of Hale's Pass. Did you miss me?" Sure enough, Griffin's tone was the same as when they'd first met - despite him having nearly died the day prior.

The crowd cheered, giving the firey tempered Lord roaring applause with a standing ovation.

Oh brother.