Chapter 10

The trades Cavern

The complex and money were filled at this time of the day, a cavern appeared through the city gates, alone, without any companions. None paid attention to them as this was a common sight in that town.

Mayoko came over to Amnophia and said, “If you are lucky, the Relumatsan will appear to you by the sunset, else, there is no need for staying here, he will come to you when you are ready.”

“Got it.” replied Amnophia.

All the fighters get out of the cavern and met at the centre, they decided to talk a walk and to have any food of necessity, waiting for trouble to find them. The main reason to stop there was because Mayoko urged them to be there till the sun set.

They split in a group of two, Ivan with Amnophia and then they started to walk off.

Amnophia started, “So you are a soldier.”

“I guess so.”

“Hope you can fight.”

Ivan didn’t reply at this as was his usual custom. They went over to a trader, had some meat loaf, and went away.

Mayoko came in between with Leofin and said, “Ivan, let’s change pairs, you go with Leofin. I will go with Amnophia.”

Amnophia was happy by the prospect that she could have some chance now of meeting the Relumatsan. Ivan as usual didn’t speak anything but went away with Leofin. Leofin was happy that he could be with his friend.

While Amnophia was away with Mayoko, a far safe away distance, Mayoko said, “There is a chance of more attraction if there are two arrowcasts than one.”

“He is an arrowcast’s gem provider.” asked Amnophia.

“He provides others also but yes, as much as I know him.”

The King and Master Mystcot were sitting inside a pub having their drinks. It was common that the patrons spoke of the news in their meeting at the pub when they were drowsy.

Mystcot said, “Should have brought Marmok and Revarin.”

“Do you think Ogrek would have managed alone the whole village.” asked the King.

“We are only seven now.”

“Don’t forget we have support other than from those who travel with us.’

A man walked in the pub, He was someone with a well built body, the bouncer checked for any weapons but couldn’t find any. The man came and sat next to the King and ordered a whisky, he drank a whole bottle in one go and ordered more. He seemed unaffected by the Quantity. The King extended his bottle of wine to the stranger as a sign of extending friendship. The stranger accepted it.

The stranger said, “Not from these parts are you.”

“No, we were selling some pots in these parts and some chemicals with devastating powers.” said the King.

“So you are just another tradesman selling illegal things under a cover, huh.”

“You guessed right, until you are with the authorities.”

“Hmm hmm, the authorities are against us, the Baron of this city is very strict against commodities. Don’t worry, I will be a baron soon.”

“And how might that be.”

“By overpowering the King.”

“Well, if what you are saying is true and what I am hearing too, them it would be better if you buy the bombs from us.” said the King.

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“Explosive, we may need them in felling the forts.”

“Then do we have a deal.”

“Well, how much quantity do you have?”

“Presently very less, but if you include us in your group we can keep on making continuously.”

“I may have to ask someone for that.”

“We are not in a hurry.”

The strangers stood and looked at the King in the eyes, then said, “Follow me.”

The King looked at Mystcot and then stood and went away, Mystcot followed silently after the King.

The King and the Master were gone with the stranger, but Leofin and Ivan were at another part of the city. They were moving together always on guard, slipping in and off in conversations with salesmen.

A man came over to Ivan and said, “Hand over all your possessions or else.”

Ivan looks around, they were in the corner where no one could see them, it was a good trap but not for him. He punched the man on the face and he fell over, he was knocked out.

Seeing this a few others who were hidden, approached with swords in their hands, Ivan motioned Leofin for a quick escape. They both touched their belts and they escaped from there. They were in a complex on another part of the town. They knew the sun would settle in a few hours and they had enough time to return to their cavern.

They saw an outside food cavern, they went over there. There were a few people discussing and eating food.

Ivan gestured Leofin to sit down, they started eating food after having exchanged some coins. They were listening to the men when one among them shouted under liquor.

“Hurray, merry o merry, the dark knight reawakened.”

“Dark knight.” interrupted one among them.

“Yes, the last time was when to shut up the Lady, then to fight for the King and then he disappears and arrives at times when needed.”

“Huh, so you are a new tradesperson.” one among them asked to the server, cook, seller, who was the same person for small shops which moved from place to place.

“Yep, and I am moving this night.”

“Child, your food is good, start a pub here, you will be rich.” said the same one among them.

“What is the fun in that, I am a traveler, but for money I sell food, it is not my job I like but the path.”

“Huh, a typical tradesperson.”

The stranger said to the King, “Well, close your eyes and walk behind me, I will take you to my loss.”

“If you are going to be the Baron what might your boss be.” asked the King.

Well, there are other prominent locations.”

They moved into the house. From outside it was an ordinary one, but when gotten inside, it was a castle. The King gasped seeing the extravagance of the small town. The stranger motioned the King to follow. The King gave the Master a signal, Master Mystcot touched his wristband without any gesture. They followed after the stranger.

The King said, “Didn’t know your name yet.”

“It is better none knows it.”

The King and Master slightly and slowly kept their hands over the hilt of their blades, knowing they may need it soon. They walked in to the hall and there sat a council of people deciding over weapons and war strategy.

The coming of the King and his friend startled all, though they couldn’t understand who or what they were but just some stranger.

The one at the centre took out his hammer and said, “What does this mean, how dare you bring stranger.”

“Well I have good news.” said the stranger, who was not a stranger to the speaker. He continued, “I have some good news, our new guests here trade explosives.”

“Is it true.” questioned the Chief.

“I am said it is so.” replied the King.

“How much do you have presently?”

“Much more than to destroy ten such towns.”

“What do you want in return?”

“Let us join you.”

“The chief turned towards his comrade, who had brought the then traders and asked, “Do you know where their cavern is.”

“Yes.”

“Soldiers, kill them, we only want their products not them.”

The King touched his wrist band to give a call towards his friends.

Mayoko and Amnophia were walking among the streets observing every man and women, child both young and old.

Amnophia asked Mayoko, “So when will we able to find this Relumatsan.”

“When he wants to.” said Mayoko.

“You never said how you became an arrowcast.”

“It was my dream to be an arrowcast from my early childhood. Was fascinated by elves, actually I was fostered by the elves.”

“Fostered by elves.” asked Amnophia in acclamation.

“Yes, fostered by elves, I was left as an orphan, I was said my parents were tradesmen and were killed when I was a bare child. It was the elves who rescued me. Well, then onwards I lived with the elves till they told they needed me in human settlement, to be a link between humans and elves.”

“So you are a gemlet and were trained to be one.”

“You are wrong. I was just taught how to use arrows. The power comes because Relumatsan took me in and trained me to be a sage. I meditated a lot till I could channel my energy. I am as old as an elf now. I am more than four hundred years old, which is much more for a human. When I came into human settlement, by that time elves had forgotten of me, so I was free to choose my own path.”

“So why do you help me?”

“I told you I am supposed to be the link between humans and elves.”

Suddenly the wristband of Mayoko glimmered. She took her bow out of her bangles magically. She motioned Amnophia to do the same.

Mayoko said, “The King is in danger, prepare to apparate. Just catch my hands and don’t think or do anything.”

By the time Mayoko and Amnophia had apparated in front of the place, where they were required, the open area of the halls of the castle, unknown, the fight had been on the verge of end, the favored side being not of the King. The battle was raging highly, Amnophia shot her arrows and so did Mayoko. Ivan, King, Leofin and Mystcot were fighting with their blades and sword.

Ivan advanced out of the group with their sword raised, a fighter came to him, they started slashing swords against each other. Ivan had a V cut from bottom to his head letting him drop back. The King tried to call him back but he had already gone to other parts of the house.

Amnophia was shooting purple streaks while Mayoko was shooting blue blossom. The pirates were also using magic.

The King said, “Out into the open grounds.”

But Leofin said, “But Ivan just rushed to other section of this place.”

“Just follow what I say.” shouted the King.

Mystcot hesitated. But they all ran out of the so called house. They were now in free space. They were surrounded by the crowd. Mayoko shot an arrow in the air which caused fire rain to erupt, which was just an illusion but was enough to scare the crowd from there.

A dark cloud rose from the ground and from there stepped up Krokon, the dark sworded one. All the mercenaries stepped out. Ivan had been caught in chains now and a sword was being held at his neck, as now there were many sworded ones among them.

Krokon stepped forward so did the King.

The King said, “Nice to see you again knight.”

Krokon showed a grin on his face, a grin of satisfaction. He said, “Yes, much have changed since I left your service.”

“Or more like been thrown out of the service.” said the King. “What is that you want Krokon?”

“Nothing that you can grant my old King or more likely, the past and former King.”

“So you want to be a King.”

“Nay, I am already more powerful than you.”

“Seems so.” said the King.

“Let me put it straight to you my King. Make me the King, resign from your post hand over the crown.”

“Or else…”

“Else I will kill this sweet young soldier.” said Krokon pointing towards Ivan.

“Huh, do you think I will hand over our whole realm, just for a boy.” said the King without any emotions or any show of grief.

“I have an army assembled.”

“Yes I saw them.”

“That was just a small part, we are getting prepared, what you see now is just a part of it.”

“Really we can see.” said the King.

Krokon unsheathed his sword and with that came there darkness. It was a war which was declared and now the battle had just begun. The mercenary who had his blade pointed towards Ivan was just about to strike when an arrow strike him. Ivan was free and the King threw a sword over to Ivan. Her held it and started fighting. Krokon drew his sword and shadow of darkness fell over everywhere.