NEW MISSION
PACIFY THE REGION [X]
KILL THE BANDIT PARTIES [X]
KILL THE BRIGAND KING [X]
AID ABANDONED SETTLEMENTS [X]
[SIDE TASKS MAY APPEAR THROUGHOUT MISSION PROGRESSION]
REWARD: BANDIT KILLER, BRIGAND BUTCHER, STONE EDGE’S ANGEL, KNIGHT OF ORDER TITLES
[EXTRA REWARDS PENDING UPON SIDE QUEST COMPLETION]
Kayd’s jaw dropped.
What’s with the jump in rewards!?
That voice is testing me more huh?
“As a token of good faith, you are permitted to roam and visit stores we have, ones that should aid in your mission. Along with this,” The sound of a coin drop followed by the money card appeared before them.
WEALTH CARD
BALANCE: 500 COINS
“A small price, yes, but it is normal for newly contracted mercenaries under our command. But you may consider anything you find on the bandits yours.”
‘Small pay, for a larger possible benefit. That seems fair enough unless those bandits aren’t loaded.’
“Oh sweet I can buy more steak and wine with this! Or maybe a night at an inn.” Ikari held out her wealth card.
The rest simply dismissed it, more focused on other things than the money.
“Evelin will guide you to the eastern front when ready. Meet her at the palace gate when you have what you need for your journey. As for the overseer, we will have a longer talk” The king snapped his fingers.
“Good luck!”
Just do what the paper says, and get more titles. To beat those damned peers and to gain some fame along with these powers.
—-----
“There's a few stores down the street that all should help you. Meet me here once you have what you need. Those cursed bandits are a more annoying threat than the rats.” Evellin pointed down a stretch of road populated by civilians and soldiers alike.
“Alright then, thanks for the rewards and titles.” Ishmael smiled.
“A small reward. Thanks again for clearing the dens, Captain Ishmael. Or should I say, rat slayer and savior?” She laughed, sending the team on their way to prepare.
Everyone turned to the passing team, smiling or leaving quick comments on their new titles or giving simple thanks.
“Wonder if there’s a tavern or something, would rather eat there than in that palace of rich people.” Ikari cringed at the thought of remembering them.
“What’s your deal with em?” Kayd asked.
“Not so fond memories of rich folk in the forest before…”
—----
They stopped at a store that stood out from the rest, multiple signs hung on top of it along with having more color and light compared to the others, even looking more sizable than the rest.
An old bearded man happily greeted them, putting his arms on the desk.
“Well if it isn’t the saviors of the river and the ones that destroyed the rat dens. What brings you to my store?” The man jovially asked.
“We just need supplies, Princess Evelin advised us to go here.” After Ishmal responded, the man pushed forward a piece of paper, on it was the stock of what the man had, listed out like a menu for a restaurant.
In an instant, the wealth cards of Kayd and the others appeared, hovering near them.
“Take your gander, since you handled those rats and helped us more than those soldiers, I'll let you have a little discount.” He added, giving more of those papers to the other team members.
‘Medicine items, crafting materials, brewing material, even small foods, and miscellaneous?’ Kayd browsed the paper, seeing the categories listed on it.
Such a wide selection for a single store, no wonder it's still in business.
While browsing it, he came across a few interesting items.
Clothing cleaner kit and weapon maintenance kit? He stared intently at the two listed items, noticing the price placed next to them.
“Fifty coins each!?” He exclaimed loudly. The man laughed at Kayd.
“Those kits provide all the servicing you need to keep your clothes and weapons sharp and pristine for a lifetime! If you ask me this is a bargain, even with the added discount.” Kayd sighed.
“Well, I guess it’s a fair deal. Was never that frugal with money.” While looking at the list, his thumb pressed against the written text. The sound of coins falling down followed, and the old man bent down, putting the two kits Kayd had wanted on the table.
The number on the wealth card had changed.
BALANCE: 400 Coins
So that’s how we purchase things here huh? Much more efficient than a pouch of gold He chuckled.
The rest of the team began making their own purchases, draining their accounts quickly as they bought different items, useful or accessories.
Quellin bought a bundle of iron cuffs along with the same kit Kayd bought, looking at his dirty weapons and armor in disgust.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
“Germaphobe like me huh?” Kayed laughed.
“Clean weapons make better cuts, clean armor takes better punishment.” Quellin didn’t share his enthusiasm, replying in a cold tone.
Next to them, Ikari grabbed more and more small trinkets from the desk as the man struggled to keep putting them on the table.
“Ikari, what are you even buying? You’re draining your money!” Kayd questioned. Ikari simply turned to him, revealing a bundle of different animal skulls in her hands. Kayd looked in utter shock, silently looking away to let her do her own thing again.
“Sorry kid, looks like you don’t have money to buy this.” The man grumbled, he was talking to Ikari who had a heap of different medicinal supplies and herbs stacked in front of her.
“And you’re still shocked by what I was buying?” Ikari sarcastically asked Kayd, eyeing the pile of materials on her table.
“But I'm willing to take that tooth, rat hair, and meat from you for a good price.” He grinned. The man noticed the three items in her bag, despite it being closed.
Lia looked at Ishmael, silently asking for guidance, unsure of the next move to take and visibly hesitant.
“Well, we have no use for those three other than for show.” Ishmael gestured for Lia to give the items, which she obeyed.
One by one she dumped the assortment of items on the table, seeing the number on her card go up and the man repeatedly placing the items below the desk.
In the end, she was left with two hundred gold coins. She started to buy more supplies until her money ran out, again.
‘She definitely needs an accountant’
“Kid, you really need to learn saving money,” Ishmael commented, visibly concerned.
“I’m sorry, I may have gotten carried away with the mushrooms and plants he was selling,” Lia replied in a flustered and embarrassed tone.
“Are we done yet?” Mian’s teammate muttered, catching everyone by surprise, forgetting he existed.
“Yes, no worries. Eager to leave the rats and kill bandits already?” Ishmael questioned him with a smirk, to which he replied with a slow nervous nod.
—---
The team ventured further down the area, stumbling upon an odd building that resembled a military quarter, but retained a civilian-style appearance with gated windows and two soldiers standing in front of a metal door.
“Do you wish to learn new skills? Then the Stone’s Edge training guild is just the place!” One of the guards enthusiastically explained through the metal helmet.
“All at a price of course.” The other guard added.
“Apologies, we were just exploring, we don’t want to buy here,” Ishmael replied.
“No worries then, return if you wish to learn new skills for your journey or for simple combat!”
While they were walking away, Kayd noticed Quellin blankly staring at the building, remaining there until he turned and started running back to the team.
“Blanked out?” Quellin remained silent, ignoring what he just said.
—----
Further down the street, they arrived at the last of the stores before a long intersection of wagons and civilians walking both directions.
A tavern, extravagant in appearance from the outside with people chatting or stumbling outside of it.
“Rock Bottom Tavern” Ikari read out the large sign hanging on top of the door.
“Named by the history of this place. Chop a mountain in half and put a kingdom down in the middle of it.” Ishmael laughed and walked to the tavern.
She pushed the doors wide open with a hard thrust of her hands, being introduced to a sight of drunken men and women, dining or drowning themselves with tankards of ale.
Both Ishmael and Ikari shared a similar grin and rushed towards the counter where the bartender wiped down a wooden cup. Everyone cautiously from behind, looking around at the people.
“Ah the saviors and ratslayers, what would all of you want?” The man asked, pushing forward a similar piece of paper they saw at the store.
“Just a drink of your fine ale, Heath!” The middle-aged man grinned and quickly set down tankards of alcohol for each of the members who took their seats with their team leader.
Around them, the patrons started to notice them, smiling and cheering at them, shouting praises all the while downing their drinks.
Kayd smiled nervously at the sight, still overwhelmed by the feeling of it all.
Mian’s teammate sat next to Kayd, still nervous from what happened.
“Still shaken up from the rats huh?”
“Yeah…Pretty much…”
“What else happened in that cave? And where’s Mian?” He turned silent, simply staring at the drink in front of him.
Shouldn’t have said that…
“Ever drank before Kayd?” Ishmael tapped him on the shoulder.
“No, not heavy amounts but I did taste some before. Taste like piss.” Ishmael laughed loudly.
“You’ll get used to it eventually. Like how you seemed to get used to killing those rats,” She nudged his arm, mocking him.
“Well, I am a bit thirsty.”
“That’s the spirit!” Ishmael stood up, turning around to face the crowd.
“To the saviors and ratslayers!” She exclaimed. The crowd yelled out in response, raising their drinks with her and taking a big swig.
Kayd begrudgingly followed, taking a quick swig before setting it down, unable to handle the taste.
‘It’s so strong! And tastes horrible! People seriously drink this stuff!?’ Ikari noticed Kayd’s hesitance to even look at the half-empty drink.
“If you don’t want it I can take it,” Kayd hastily pushed the tankard to Ikari. She grabbed it and began downing the drink alongside Ishmael.
Quellin and Lia silently looked at their own drinks, thinking to themselves.
“Seems like Ishmael and Ikari are having more fun than us.” While looking at them, Kayd began to yawn, and his eyelids started to droop down.
“If you want, you and your friends can have the room upstairs free of charge. Another way of saying thanks.”
“A whole room!? In this kingdom!?” Ikari questioned in a slurred voice.
“Well, it’s the least I could do. It’s only for tonight though.”
“Ikari relax, their rooms here are just comfy enough to not wake up with a bad back,” Ishmael added.
From the door, an armored soldier walked inside, heading up to Ishmael.
“Ms. Ishmael, Evelin requests your presence at the kingdom entrance, you left your giant crab outside.” Upon the man finishing his words, Ishmael spat the ale on the ground and quickly sobered up.
“Damn! I forgot Pip!” Ishmael ran out of the tavern with the soldier, ending the brief interaction.
“That was sudden, well, should we check that room now?” Kayd asked everyone.
“Yes please,” Ikari stumbled back and fell, caught by Quellin before she could hit the floor.
“The rooms are up the stairs, take the first one.” Mian’s teammate was the first one to head upstairs, along with Lia, both eager to leave the rowdy place as soon as possible.
—--
Entering the room, Kayd quickly saw a large bed along with a desk and chair.
Modest and simple, nice
Ikari, Lia, and Kayd all fell on top of the best, consumed by the soft mattress and embracing the warm comfort.
Quellin leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, Mian’s teammate sat in front of the desk, a hand covering his face.
“Damnit, dammit all…” His voice quivered and his body shook.
The rats really broke him, I doubt he’d even survive first contact with the bandits…It would be better if he just stayed here or back at home.
Kayd’s overthinking head slowly calmed down, only focusing on getting some rest and more comfort.
On the bed they wrestled for the single pillow left there like little children, twisting and turning until slumber and fatigue consumed them. In the end, none of them claimed the pillow, clinging to different sides of it.