ADVENTURING INTO THE FOREST

"We use these stones to grind the gemstones into powder. The process is long and tedious, so most of the time the apprentices tend to skimp on the powder. Rubies are used as the base for the inks, mixed together with special herbs and then left to simmer for three days."

"Amazing, the Tower Mages deserve their reputation as a center for all learned men to gather."

Chu praised while watching Tye in action. Currently, they stood around a tiny cauldron, with its contents simmering, as the Mage Apprentice carefully placed each measured heap of ingredients into the dark-colored liquid. Tye soaked in the compliments that rained down while maintaining a focused face.

"The ink for the ancient talisman required similar ingredients, with the exception of the gems. Besides doubling the amount of ruby powder, it also needs a similar amount of a scarce black gem. The dried and ground bones of poisonous predators like Jagas help to create a thick liquid. This liquid must always be stirred before using."

Tye used a thin iron ladle, stirring the mixture within the pot while explaining.

"This ink preparation is done by apprentices since it requires no magical requirements. Only after when the talisman is drawn, is magic needed. At the center of a talisman, within the large circle, a series of runic chants need to be carefully written, matching the number of symbols on the outside of the circle."

The man continued as if lecturing a crowd.

"Once the talisman is finished and dried, a Mage simply has to touch the filled center circle and imbue his magic. The talisman is deemed ready when the words in the circle completely disappear. Then it is ready and now left to the fate of the lucky user."

Chu nodded as he scribbled on a parchment.

"How long can the ink be stored? And why congest everything into a small slip?"

"Interesting question. The ink can last for years, but every year it must be reheated and stirred. The size of the magical circle is limited, along with the lines connecting the glyphs. The Tower once tried for years to increase the size or even make it square, but it all proved futile. I recall reading some information on that event, it occurred about..."

Tye droned while stirring as the boy scribbled his own notes on the side.

Outside the warm workshop, the snowflakes continued falling without any signs of stopping.

***

The next day, somewhere out in the lonely road leading to Karst.

Merchant Gan shook the reigns of the wagon as the lone horse struggled to haul the heavy load along the slushy road. His companion glanced towards the rear, keeping an eye on their small five wagon convoy. Since this morning, he had to stop twice to unhitch the horse, leading it to aid a rutted wagon.

"Damn, if I knew trading in lumber would create such a hassle, I would have stuck to buying pelts. The profits made me forget the problems when transporting a heavy load. Chalk it down to inexperience on this route, next trip I won't make more rookie mistakes."

He mumbled. At least the snowstorm from last night had died out today into a light drizzle.

Coming from a small merchant family, Gan decided to make this long, half-year round trip out to the forest for lumber and pelts. Like a true merchant, he spent his families entire wealth on this venture. Five hitched horses plowed along with the goods he bought and sold.

Like gamblers in a casino, most merchants risked their entire holdings to increase their wealth. If the proverbial ship sunk, then they faced the music of bankruptcy. Should they be unfortunate to have borrowed money for a failed venture, then the only route remaining would be to sell their family into slavery.

Gan did not have an extra cent to hire guards or workers. His extended family members filled the positions. Once he sold this lumber, he would double his investment. Gan also befriended the young master of the Trading Post and had drawn a lucky star.

"Brother Gan, I mean Merchant Gan. There is a rider over that ridge near the road. Why is someone waiting out in the cold, could it be a bandit sentry?"

"Stop trying to call bad luck down on us you fool."

Gan replied in excitement. He reached to the side and pulled out a purple cloth tied onto a stick. Waving the flag, the situation he hoped for actually bore fruit. Peering through the drizzle of snow, he saw the rider wave while calling him over. Gan stopped his convoy on the deserted road and trudged towards the side bank to meet the rider.

"The Trading Post Master sent you?"

"Yes. He said we can buy unmarked horses from you. He holds the contract for ten horses I wish to purchase."

Gan said while glancing nervously at the cloaked figure. Reaching into his sleeves he pulled out his copy for the man to browse.

"Wait here."

The bandit rode off into the grasslands, with the horse kicking up the snow. A short time later, he returned with a small group of riders, leading ten horses out of the falling snow.

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"Ten horses as stated. We expect you will complete the payment in the agreed three years as written in the contract."

As a merchant, Gan was no fool. He inspected the horses and once satisfied, beckoned to his companions to take the horses. Soon he had two horses hitched and pulling the wagons with five of his guards now riding along to escort them. The yearly payments during future visits for merchandise would not cut deeply into his pockets.

A profitable trip indeed.

One thing bothered Gan though.

Since when did bandits learn to read and understand merchant contracts?

Thank heavens he didn't try to weasel the bandits for more horses.

Doug glanced at the departing convoy before leaving.

"Well, that's the last of the horses we needed to sell."

"Yup, good job. Let's ride over to Farmer Brown's farm. Clod might need some help in loading the corn stalks and bales of hay he had asked the farmer to gather for him."

Chu said as he removed the wrapped scarf from hiding his head.

Ah, it was so good to be a kindhearted bandit, helping others in need.

***

Mr. Pick shuffled his body from leg to leg and then twiddle his fingers to dispel the nervousness. Tonight marked the first time he was called to participate in the rumored high-profile meetings held inside the barn. Although he and his wife had settled down and considered everyone family, his heart still skipped a beat.

The faces nearby belonged to the core inhabitants-- the farmer, the Boss, the little terror, the two money-grubbers, a high profiled meeting indeed. He sweated while wondering about what role he had to play.

"This is why I called you all here. I borrowed this from Apprentice Tye."

Chu said as he placed a small stone on the table. The miner immediately understood why the boy called him to the meeting.

"Black Opal."

Pick gasped on leaning closer to have a look. He unconsciously reached out and held it up, while scrutinizing it closer to the lamp.

"That's right its Black Opal. Can you tell us about it, Mr. Pick?"

Chu said.

Pick placed the stone reverently onto the table. Clearing his throat he spoke.

"Black Opal is mined in the desert kingdom, exclusively for the Tower Mages. When I worked at our mine, I heard visiting merchants talk about how the mine was close to depletion. I don't think the Empire has any mines producing this gemstone. It is a rare find since the Tower is known to pay top gold for it."

Chu nodded, satisfied with the explanation.

"I believe that now is a good opportunity to search the forest for this stone since we have an open window."

"Why stand the cold and the risk in the forest. We can wait for the next full moon and have the goblins scour the forest."

Mr. Thomas asked. The winter had begun in full blow, with the snow falling unceasingly.

"I would have waited but we cannot waste valuable time. When winter ends, so to will our free time. We have a huge contract to fulfill, along with an expansion in both corn and vegetable fields. We also have to begin our preparations to enter the city."

Chu said.

Back on earth, he would have sent an e-mail or dialed a number to arrange supplies and delivery. A network of roads and transportation ensured prompt and speedy delivery. Out in the farm, he possessed neither of these luxuries. Waiting a month to place an order, and having to wait another month or two for a reply was unacceptable.

"I will trouble you to join us in this venture, Mr. Pick. We need your expertise."

Two days later, after a heavy snowstorm blanketed the forest, a unique adventuring party slogged through the snow. Three armed girls fanned around two boys pulling a small sled packed with camping gear and supplies. Panting and blowing at the rear, slogged a man aided by a wooden staff.

"No wonder people shy away from the forest during the winter. Walking alone is a struggle."

"Boss, I agree with Ming. This snow is over three feet deep, making it hard for prospecting in places like riverbeds. Finding caves and passages is also difficult. The best time to search usually falls during the end of the spring and summer months."

Chu listened to the man leaning on the staff. They had entered the forest about two hours ago and journeyed under difficult conditions. The markings on the trees leading to the goblin cave had all but disappeared, hard to find on living bark. Ever since the trade occurred, the goblins avoided the lumber camp, leaving no trail for Lucy to follow.

Chu signaled them to rest, while he removed the small box compass from the sled. He could still make out the clearing of their lumber camp in the distance behind them. Aiming for the goblin cave, he wanted to first find any information on the gem needed for the ancient talisman's ink. Searching undiscovered caves came after.

He pointed towards the west.

"Let's continue heading that way. For sure we can at least meet up a goblin. Check if you have your armbands on full display to avoid trouble."

He pulled the yellow band higher on his arm, over his thick cloak. He had no idea if all the goblins received the memo to avoid attacking them. Just as they prepared to continue, Lucy signaled them to stop while straining her ears.

"Fighting. Coming from that direction."

She whispered. In the silent forest, the sound reached her sensitive ears.

"Can you smell anything?"

"No, it's to the north, I can't smell anything because of the way the wind blows."

"Follow it, maybe we can find something."

Chu told her.

They burst through a small clearing after trudging for about a mile. The sounds had long ceased but her nose soon found the trail. The aftermath of a battle greeted them.

A bleeding man kneeled on the ground, propping up another person. His arms circled around the unmoving chest of the dead man, while his face dripped with a mixture of tears and snot. Together they dyed the snow red around them.

The other survivor sprawled with his back against a tree, his glazed eyes trying to focus on the black-feathered arrow sticking out from his shoulder. His chest heaved as if having run a marathon. A bright red trail marked the path he crawled.

The bodies of the fallen remained scattered over a wide area, easily found by the trails or splotches of blood.

Chu hailed the wounded men before venturing closer for fear of being mistaken as a foe. When the sobbing man raised his head, the face jogged Chu's memory. The boy paused for a moment, for he had met this man once before. Glancing around, he recognized the red-headed man in the open.

Chu had met this adventuring party during a trek to the village not long ago. He had developed a favorable impression of this friendly group of adventurers.

The food connoisseurs.

'But why were they here?'