Thaddeus travels to Redwood

At Sunrise Thaddeus and his soldiers trotted out of the city's walls. Sabrina sat behind Thaddeus on his horse, gently holding his back. Sergeant Ulysses' horse marched beside Thaddeus. Not far outside the city, they saw a large caravan of horse riders and carriages waiting in line to take the jump gate to Redwood.

While they waited in line, they noticed a manservant calling for help. Thaddeus glanced over to see her carriage when cracked.

“Good morning, it appears you need assistance. I am happy to help,” Thaddeus said maneuvering his horse out of line.

“Thank you, Lord Baron! We have a spare tire, but not the means to repair the carriage” the servant bowed humbly.

“Sergeant Ulysses have your men repair the carriage, while I speak to the occupant,” Thaddeus commanded as he jumped down from his horse, before helping Sabrina slowly to the ground.

As they approached the carriage, Thaddeus saw a woman of imposing elegance. In her late forties, she carried the air of someone who was accustomed to command respect. She was taller than most women, standing at almost equal height to Thaddeus. Her auburn hair, tinged with streaks of silver, was always neatly coiffed, revealing a face that had weathered years of experience yet maintained a touch of feminine charm.

Her eyes, a striking hazel, were her most notable feature. They held a spark of intelligence and wit, indicating a woman who had traveled extensively and had experienced the ups and downs of life. Fine lines branched from the corners of her eyes and mouth, etched over time by a life of smiles and laughter.

She wore rich and fashionable attire - elaborate dresses of silk and brocade that accentuated her imposing stature. Her gowns were always adorned with intricate embroidery and gems, highlighting her wealth and status. Around her neck hung a pendant of an emerald set-in gold, a family heirloom she wore with pride.

Despite her flamboyant appearance, the woman carried herself with a graceful calm that radiated assurance. Her posture was regal, her movements precise, her speech articulate - every bit the accomplished merchant she was known to be. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she knew it. It was her demeanor, combined with her appearance, that made her a truly unforgettable figure.

“Lord Baron and Lady Baroness, I greatly appreciate your assistance,” she said gracefully.

Hearing the word, baroness, Sabrina, blushed.

“We are happy to help a fellow traveler,” Thaddeus bowed.

“It’s rare to see noble Travelers, especially ones with such good manners. I am Lillian, a merchant from Redwood. We waited over an hour for support, but you helped as soon as you got in line. Honestly, all those people waiting in line, standing there, but they refused to help us.”

“Are you going to the coronation?” Sabrina asked.

“Unfortunately, I was only invited to the award ceremony and imperial ball. Shall I have the honor of seeing you there as well?” Lady Lillian inquired.

Sabrina looked at Thaddeus anxiously. Seeing Thaddeus nodded, Sabrina smiled in excitement.

“Yes, we’ll see you there. This will be my first ball, I’m so excited.”

“Then would like to hear about some of the balls I attended in the past?”

“Oh, I would love that?” Sabrina said excitedly joining Lady Lillian in the carriage

A few minutes later, a sweaty soldier saluted Thaddeus and said, “Sir, the tire is repaired.”

“Lady Lillian, we shall escort you to Redwood,” Thaddeus declared.

Sabrina gladly accepted Thaddeus' request and soon he and his soldiers rode alongside the repaired carriage.

Two days later they arrive in Redwood, the Akkadian Capital. It’s a huge capital city, with tall buildings, large cathedrals, and densely packed houses.

The size and magnificence of Redwood dwarfed any settlement Thaddeus had ever seen before. Its towering spires reached towards the sky, their opulent decorations glittering in the sunlight. The city was teeming with people; nobles draped in fine silk, merchants shouting their wares, craftsmen toiling away, and children darting through the busy streets.

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Thaddeus marveled as they rode through the city. He was used to the simplicity of Woodhaerst, where he knew every face and every corner. The city bustled, and people and goods moved quickly. It stood in opposition to Woodhaerst where people took their time and enjoyed the neighborly conversation over productivity.

Guiding their horses through the labyrinth of streets, they arrived at the city center. Here the pristine city but marred in burnt marks and ruble. It was a clear indicator of the past civil war. Laborers hurried to repair damaged buildings and roads. Despite the shambles, Thaddeus could tell the city center was once the jewel of the city. The rubble could not hide the splendor of the large shopping districts and boutique shops.

Thaddeus and his troops followed Lady Lillian into a large manor in the noble district. Thaddeus smiled, as he saw Sabrina crane her neck to look out the carriage at the large manors. He was sure to Lady Lillian they looked like hicks, rural-uncultured nobles. And she would be right.

Most players, after increasing their level, would travel to the capital in search of higher-level mob spots. But Thaddeus was different. Instead of chasing the leaderboard, he focused on living his game life the way he wanted. And based on what the saw of the capital, he made the right choice. He enjoyed the peace of rolling prairie and meandering river. He enjoyed the sounds of nature at night and looking up at the stars. He was happy to be in Redwood, but he’d be happier to be back in Woodhaerst.

“Thank you, Baron Brown, for the aid and escort, and you Lady Brown for the company. I find long journeys droll without conversation. To repay your kindness, I invite you and your troops to stay in my manor,” Lady Lillian encouraged.

“You have such a pretty house, Thaddeus can we stay?” Sabrina asked looking like she planned to rob the place.

“We accept your hospitality,” Thaddeus accepted.

“Good, Jarvis, have someone put their luggage in their rooms,” she commanded.

After being led to their rooms, Sabrina spoke first.

“Thaddeus, can you believe this? I can’t believe NPCs can live in such nice houses. This house is incredible.”

Thaddeus agreed, not sure whether to tell her the news the emperor granted him permission to purchase a house in the noble district as well. He wondered if knew, would she still return with him to Woodhaerst.

After washing up, Thaddeus and Sabrina joined Lady Lillian for dinner. When they walked downstairs, they were surprised to find the dining hall was buzzing with lively conversations. When they entered the Dining Hall, Thaddeus was surprised to see Baronet Simon von Boleyn from the Pine Grove Merchant Guild and Owen from the Pinewood Akkadian Trading Company.

“Hi Owen, it’s been a while since I saw you. I wanted to tell you for a while now, I’m glad you talked me into purchasing that yurt,” said Thaddeus smiling and shaking Owen’s hand.

“Cassian’s been telling me many good things about Woodhaerst, I hear it’s growing fast.”

“Yes, but it’s still a sleepy little village tucked away in the frontier.”

“Ha-ha, how humble Baron Brown. I’m glad to see gaining nobility hasn’t changed you.”

“Oh, you know Owen. How do you know my younger brother?” asked Lady Lillian

“Owen your nobility?” Thaddeus asked in surprise.

“Ha-ha, I guess I should introduce myself. I am Owen von Cavanaugh. Lilly, I helped Thaddeus pick out a few items on his way to his homestead. What’s more interesting is how you two know each other.”

Lady Lillian explained the story of how they met.

“Well, I suppose I should thank you for helping my older sister.”

“It’s not a big deal, it was just the right thing to do.”

“You keep talking like that, you’re going to make a poor noble, like me,” Owen laughed happily.

After they finished talking, Thaddeus briefly spoke to Baronet Simon von Boleyn before Lady Lillian introduced him and Sabrina to several influential merchants, many of whom expressed their interest in his craftsmanship and goods.

Lady Lillian spared no expense in treating Thaddeus and Sabrina to a feast that showcased the culinary excellence of Redwood.

They started with a selection of exotic appetizers. There were seared scallops sitting atop a vibrant green pea puree, garnished with crispy bacon bits. Miniature chicken and mushroom pies were served piping hot, their buttery pastry giving way to a savory filling that was rich and comforting. They also had skewers of chargrilled prawns and bell peppers marinated in a spicy sauce, their smoky flavor tickling their palates.

For the main course, they had a hearty roast beef, slow cooked to perfection. The beef was juicy and tender, served with a rich red wine sauce that had a depth of flavor. Alongside this, there was a creamy potato gratin, layered with cheese and garlic, its top perfectly browned. A side of steamed vegetables tossed in a light herb butter added a much-needed balance to the rich mains.

A lavish cheese board followed the main course. The board was a feast for the eyes with a variety of cheeses, some hard, some soft, some blue-veined, some white. They ranged from the strong and mature to the mild and creamy, each cheese offering a unique taste and texture. Accompanying the cheese were a selection of fresh fruits, nuts, and homemade bread.

For dessert, they were served a rich, dark chocolate torte, its bitterness offset by a side of vanilla bean ice cream. There were also delicate lemon tarts, their sharp, citrus filling complemented by a sweet, buttery pastry.

Throughout the meal, they sipped on a selection of wines, expertly chosen by Lady Lillian to complement each course. From a crisp white wine for the appetizers, a robust red for the main course, a lighter, fruitier wine for the cheese, and a sweet dessert wine to accompany the dessert.

The meal was a testament to Lady Lillian's taste and wealth, each dish masterfully prepared and beautifully presented. It was a meal that Thaddeus and Sabrina would remember for a long time.

Sabrina, with her charisma and intelligence, skillfully navigated dinner conversations, painting a vivid picture of Woodhaerst's potential. Thaddeus felt a swell of pride as he watched her, realizing how lucky he was to have her by his side.