As Tim’s merry band left the estate, and Harper’s patrol started their rounds of the perimeter, the manor was eerily quiet with only the sounds of crickets and the rustling of the trees from the nearby forest, even Labrys’ station was dead silent as if the ruckus from earlier never happened. At moments like these a nice cup of coffee would be great.
Roland grabs over a chair, his mug half-full and in high spirits enjoys his afternoon, then to his surprise Lorraine was just right behind him.
Lorraine: Care to explain why you aren’t busy?
Roland: Uhh that's because I’ve already done with my tasks.
Lorraine: Oh that is great then, because I’ve got something for you to do.
Roland: Well then, so much for R&R, so what’s the task?
Lorraine: Going to need you to do a logistics run, there’s a nearby city roughly a two kilometer ride from here, the kingdom of Senteo out in the south. Shopping list is over there by your workbench.
Roland: Hold on a minute, shouldn’t we wait for Tim to report in before moving out? Since whatever or whomever beat the life out of those poor lads are still roaming the land. And what about the coin to buy stuff with?
Lorraine: Well, go sell the loot the field team obtained on their last mission. And if you don’t want to end up like those poor gentlemen, I’d suggest that you move out this instant.
Roland: Alright woman, I’m going already.
He sets down his mug on the table and marched over to his workshop, looking for Lorraine’s shopping list, a bit disappointed since he was going to use his free time to continue tinkering later on. On his workbench a short list was found beside his current project, a rifle stock etched with marking similar to that of a man’s veins. Brushing his hand through the delicate carvings, the dark oak wood finish began to glow a soft vibrant blue.
Smiling with satisfaction that his project seems to be going according to plan, he grabs the list, his coat, a short sword and his prototype, then made his way back out bumping into Labrys as he left the medical tent.
Labrys: Hey Roland, where you going?
Roland: Logistics run, heading over to a nearby city, you need anything?
Labrys: Oh if it would not be any trouble, I’d like it if you could find any books or maybe scrolls about healing and protective magic.
Roland: Hassling with some mage stuff, I’ll try.
Labrys: Alright man, safe travels then.
He then proceeds to summon his horse, a Tennessee Walker with a red roan coat, mounting the majestic beast, giving it a few head pats to calm him down, after being accustomed to riding back on the saddle, Roland gave the reins a gentle whip and the horse starts cantering out of the estate.
After what seemed to be hours of riding, Roland thought that he should give his trusty stead a break, he found a fine little spot right next to a small pond. He dismounts and gives it some more head pats, as he pulls out a carrot from is inventory. Then proceeded to grab his canteen and notebook from the saddlebags and takes a seat and started doing some scribbles of the landscape around him. As he was drawing he heard some rustling by the bushes around him, to his surprise he immediately drew his prototype weapon, it was a wooden pistol bearing some resemblance to his current project.
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As the rustling gets louder he began to hear the growling getting closer, his piece started to glow a faint hue of blue and then he pulled the trigger, a projectile of pure arcane energy came straight out of the barrel and into the woods, whatever it was must have scurried off with their tails between their legs. Roland was conflicted on whether he should be shock or dumbfounded on what just happened. With the tip of the barrel still smoldering, gives it a small dip into the pond, the bright red barrel quickly changes color back to grey as if he was quenching a sword.
After getting his shit together, literally and figuratively he then saddles up and continued down the beaten path.
Currently heading further down south to the kingdom of Senteo, over in the great plains, one of the few kingdoms bearing the shield of James, out in the great plains, a nice mix of fields and pastures covering the vast land, the cool breeze accompanied by the cloudy day made the trip quite pleasant. Slowly what was once a dirt road carved by fellow travelers has now became a busy street, wagons and carriages trotting by, farm hands working in the field, and herdsmen guiding their cattle, to his astonishment the people working out there we’re not people of this world, but were other players sharing a similar faith as his own people sucked from reality ending up here. After over hearing the conversation between two farmers talking about wanting to eat some hamburgers or having a cold can of cola.
Roland thought to himself “Hamburgers huh, sounds like a neat idea hehe”
As he approached the main gates, a long line is being formed by the city gate, a large banner looms over bearing a shield with a dragon on one side and a lion on the other, cladded in blue and gold. Soldiers checking each and everyone’s papers and documents, their reason of visit, standard procedures like at any old checkpoints, once it was Roland’s turn he brought out an identification card under the guise of Philip Thomas, an adept of the adventurer’s guild.
With nothing out of the ordinary, the guard let Roland through without a hitch, Roland just strolling through the streets of Senteo, contemplating on what his next course of action would be, either to get started on his shopping list or find some shelter for the night, since the sun is about to set.
As he continued to roam the area, he stumbled upon an open market that was about to close for the night, vendors closing shop, while others are checking their sales or inventories. While he was passing through as he turned the corner, someone ran into him, due to his physique and height the poor fellow merely just bounced off him.
Roland: Hey you watch where you’re … Sal? Is that you?
Sal: The fuck man, you got your head in the clouds or something?
Roland: Ah yes, still small and feisty just like in real life.
Sal: Put a boot in it Roland, so tell me what are you doing here? Knowing you aren’t much of a city man.
Roland: Eh, got some shopping to do for the family.
Sal: Oh, so the big man here got married I see.
Roland: Shut it Sal, you know who I meant by family.
Sal: Yeah, yeah, just yanking your chain. So you got a place to stay for the night?
Roland: Unfortunately, got nowhere to stay as of the moment. So can a bro crash over at your place for the night?
Sal: Ugh fine, c’mon now you bum before them swashbucklers come popping out of the alleyways.
As nightfall upon the city of Senteo, the two hurriedly head towards Sal’s home, another shop front, “The Wolf’s Den” as Sal fumbles through his pockets to open the door, Roland can feel like someone is watching them, his hand steady over the holster, peering into the darkness of the city, then someone tapped him over the back which caused his instincts to go into fight-or-flight mode, and assumed a boxer’s stance to realize that it was just Sal with door wide open.
Sal: So, you coming in or what?
Without even answering Roland just bolted for the door, and with a sigh of relief he crouches down over by the fireplace, the Wolf’s Den was a hunting house, the place was decorated trophies over the walls, munitions crates filled with arrows and crossbow bolts, an assortment of traps and baits covers the shelves behind the counter.
Roland: So, You’ve heard the news Sal? About the world or the game?
Sal: Really bro? it has been a month already since then, and business been booming right here. Anyways how about you guys? Still a bunch of vultures out there?
Roland: Eh, We’ve been busy that’s for sure.
Sal: Wish you would tell me all about it, in the morning that is… You can go bunk in the store room for the night.
Roland: Nice, and again man thanks for the favor.
Sal: Just tidy up by sunrise okay?
Roland: No problem, you won’t even notice I was here.