It's a fine day today, and the weather is warm with a light breeze. The trio is wearing more lightweight clothing today to compensate for the heat. Beatrice and Runa decided to show Soren around the city again to explore more places.
The trio made their way to the market square, where vendors sold everything from fresh produce to colorful fabrics. Runa showed Soren the best stalls to buy exotic spices and herbs while Beatrice pointed out the jewelry stands and the pottery vendors.
After exploring the market square, they wandered through the city's winding streets, admiring the stunning architecture and the intricate carvings on the buildings. Finally, they visited a beautiful garden filled with fragrant flowers.
The garden was a peaceful oasis amid the bustling city, and the trio couldn't resist admiring the flowers.
"Look at these irises," said Runa, pointing to a bed of purple and white flowers. "They're stunning."
Soren smiled, looking around at the different varieties of flowers. "I don't know much about flowers," he admitted, "but these are beautiful."
"Well, let me tell you about them," said Runa, her eyes lighting up. "These are tulips. They're native to the Middle East, but they've become popular here in Austrasia. They come in many different colors and shapes and are often associated with love and romance."
"And what about these?" asked Soren, pointing to a bed of bright yellow flowers.
"Those are daffodils," said Beatrice. "They're one of my favorites. They symbolize new beginnings and rebirth, often associated with spring."
Soren nodded, taking it all in. "I never knew flowers could have so much meaning."
"They're like a language," said Runa. "Each flower has its message and its own story. It's fascinating, isn't it?"
"It is," agreed Soren, looking around at the different blooms. "I could spend hours just looking at these flowers."
Soren couldn't resist picking a few, giving one to Beatrice and Runa.
The trio continued to walk through the garden, admiring the different flowers and discussing their meanings. They talked about roses, lilies, and hydrangeas, each flower sparking a new conversation and a new memory.
As they were leaving the garden, Soren turned to his friends. "Thank you for showing me this garden," he said. "I never knew flowers could be so fascinating."
"We're glad you enjoyed it," said Beatrice, smiling. "Flowers are one of life's simple pleasures. They can bring so much joy and beauty to the world."
"And they're a reminder of the fleeting nature of life," added Runa. "They bloom briefly, but they bring so much color and happiness here."
Soren nodded, feeling a sense of wonder and appreciation for the simple beauty of the world around him. As they walked back through the bustling streets of the castle city, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his friends and the unexpected joy that a simple garden of flowers had brought to his day.
"We should go to the forest tomorrow and collect wildflowers for Hilda's tavern," Runa said.
"Can't we give her flowers from this garden?" Soren replied.
The girls knew that while garden flowers were beautiful, they lacked the potent magic that wild flowers possessed. So they explained to Soren that wildflowers were infused with mana, the magical energy that flowed through the world. These flowers had an extraordinary power that could heal, soothe, and bring joy to those who possessed them.
They continued that mana was vital in the wild, and that garden flowers had been bred for their beauty and longevity, not their magical properties. Wildflowers also tend to have a more exotic look due to mana influence. Soren expressed that the sunflower he picked in the forest did seem to glow.
"We won't just pick them either; we'll pull them by the root so they will last longer," Runa said.
After concluding their plans for tomorrow, Soren remembered his sword. It will be good to have one should they encounter a beast or monster.
"I know we didn't plan to take any requests today, but we should visit the weapon shop Sully told us about," Soren said.
"That sounds good. You'll need a new one so we can take more requests," Beatrice said. After more wandering, they came across the blacksmith's shop and entered. Once entering the blacksmith's shop, they were greeted by the heat of the furnace and the sound of hammers hitting steel. The blacksmith, a large, burly man, looked up and asked, "What can I do for you?"
Soren replied, "Are you Tark?"
Tark: "I am."
Soren: "The other day, my sword broke during a quest, and I need a new one. Sully recommended you."
Tark: "Ah, I see. It's been a while since he and I pitted our equipment against each other. I should visit him. Look around and let me or one of my shopkeepers know if you have any questions."
The shop was filled with weapons of all kinds. Swords, axes, and maces hung from the walls, and shields and armor were scattered throughout the room. Soren's eyes widened as he took it all in.
"Wow," he said, "This place is amazing. Look at all these weapons; you have shields and armor too?"
Tark: "Yeah, but mine don't compare to Sully's, considering he's a specialist. I put all my blood and sweat into weapons."
"Let's see if we can find you a sword," said Beatrice, leading the way through the crowded shop.
As they browsed through the weapons, Soren picked up a few, testing their weight and balance. But they all felt wrong.
"This one's too heavy," he said, setting down a large sword with a broad blade. "And this one is too short."
Soren then saw a sword that looked similar to Elwin's giant sword in size and weight and picked it up. He attempted to swing it but struggled, almost falling over. He regretted trying to lift the big sword as it only demoralized him.
Runa, who had been examining a set of daggers, looked up. "What about this one?" she said, pointing to a sword tucked away in the corner. "It looks like it might be the right size for you."
Soren picked up the sword, testing its weight and balance. It felt comfortable in his hand, and he liked how it glinted in the light.
"This one might be perfect," he said. "But how much does it cost?"
One of the shopkeepers, an older man with a grizzled beard, looked up from where he was polishing a shield. "That sword is made of fine steel," he said. "It's not cheap, and considering your attire, I'm afraid it's beyond your budget."
Soren looked crestfallen. He had been hoping to find a sword that he could afford. But he had an idea as he put it back on the shelf.
"I have a few old swords and weapons we collected during a quest," he said. "Could you use them as payment towards this sword?"
The shopkeeper looked skeptical, but he agreed to take a look at the weapons. Soren rushed back to the inn. He quickly returned with the old swords, including his broken sword, and handed them to the shopkeeper.
After examining the weapons, the shopkeeper nodded. "These are not much to look at, but they're made of good steel. So we could melt them down and use them to make a new sword. This way will be cheaper than buying a new one since you provided the material."
"Hey, Tark? What do you think?" the shopkeeper said. So Tark came over and also examined the weapons.
Tark: "Looks good. I can make you a good sword from these. It won't be anything fancy, but I'll ensure its quality is fine. It may be heavy at first, but building a little muscle is good. Come back tomorrow to collect your sword. We'll work out the details then."
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Soren thanked the blacksmith, and the trio left the shop. He felt relieved that he would soon have a new sword. They walked around the castle city, taking in more sights and sounds. He watched merchants sell their wares, children play in the streets, and soldiers march by in formation.
Walking, he noticed a group of children playing with wooden swords. They laughed and pretended to be knights, fought imaginary dragons, and rescued princesses. Soren smiled, remembering his childhood when he played similar games with his friends.
"Great, there goes Elwin and his group," Beatrice said in annoyance as Elwin's group walked in another direction.
Soren: "Who's that man walking with them?"
Runa: "I don't know. Never seen him before."
Beatrice: "Who cares? Just another sucker for them to bully."
The man walking with Elwin's group was a bit taller than him with long dark brown hair and looked like he may be an adventurer but dressed a little eccentrically. "So what's the deal with the Lord of Fulda?" Soren asked.
The girls explained in great detail about the Lord, telling a story of an incident that happened a couple of years ago.
The Lord of Fulda was a man driven by greed and avarice. His family had amassed a great fortune through many legitimate and otherwise dealings. His wealth was the envy of all those around him, and he took great pleasure in flaunting it.
However, the Lord of Fulda had a deep-seated hatred for non-humans. He saw them as inferior beings, fit only to serve the needs of humans. Therefore, he refused to allow them within the walls of his city, believing that their presence would only bring trouble and strife.
Many had tried to persuade the Lord of Fulda to change his ways, but his greed was too great. He saw non-humans as nothing more than a threat to his wealth and power and would not be swayed.
One day, a group of adventurers arrived at the gates of Fulda. They were a diverse group of humans, elves, dwarves, and goblin. Unfortunately, the Lord of Fulda's guards quickly turned them away, citing the Lord's strict policy against non-humans. The guards even considered killing the goblin.
But the adventurers were not so easily deterred. They knew that the Lord of Fulda was a man of great wealth and power, and they were determined to discover what secrets lay hidden within his walls.
They spent weeks camping outside the city walls, observing the comings and goings of the Lord's servants and soldiers. They also contacted sympathetic humans who shared their views on the Lord's policies towards non-humans.
Finally, they hatched a plan. They would sneak into the city under darkness disguised as common laborers. They would then gather information on the Lord's dealings and report to their allies outside the walls.
The plan was risky, but the adventurers were determined. They made their way into the city, slipping past the guards unnoticed. They mingled with the servants and laborers, gathering information and observing the Lord's daily routines.
What they discovered shocked them. The Lord of Fulda was involved in a vast criminal enterprise, trafficking illegal goods and exploiting the poor for his gain. He had amassed a fortune through his illicit dealings and was using his wealth and power to maintain his stranglehold on the city.
The adventurers knew that they had to act quickly. They contacted their allies outside the walls, sharing the information they had gathered. Together, they staged a massive protest outside the walls of Fulda, calling for the Lord's removal from power.
In the end, many guards attacked the adventurers and drove them away. The news of the Lord's dealings circulated throughout the city, and the citizens began protesting. The Lord's response was to enact the current tax levy to crush his opposition. It was shut up or shut down, and that is why the nobles detested foreigners. Citizens stopped visiting the castle though it was still open to the public.
"Can we visit the castle then? I've never been inside one before.", Soren said.
Beatrice: "I don't know. It's so cold and uninviting."
Runa: "The nobles talk to you like you're scum. If they talk to you at all."
Soren: "OK. I understand."
Beatrice: "No, it's fine. Just be on your best behavior and try not to get their attention. Nothing good will come of it."
The trio headed toward the castle, seeing what lay ahead of them. The towering walls, adorned with banners bearing the crest of the ruling family, loomed in the distance. The castle was nestled in the city's center, surrounded by a labyrinth of winding streets and bustling marketplaces.
As they approached the gates, they could hear the clanging of armor and the bustle of the city echoing off the walls. The guards at the castle gate eyed them suspiciously but were granted entry.
The grandeur beyond the gate immediately struck them. Before entering the castle proper, they passed through a massive courtyard filled with fountains and gardens. Inside, they were greeted by a maze of corridors and staircases that led to grand halls and ballrooms.
The first room they entered was a grand hall adorned with tapestries and paintings depicting the history of the ruling family. As they made their way through the room, they came across a group of nobles dressed in fine silks and furs. The nobles eyed them with suspicion, clearly taken aback by their appearance.
Undeterred, the trio pressed on, passing through the castle's many rooms and halls. They marveled at the intricate carvings and ornate decorations adorned the walls and ceilings.
They also encountered many of the castle's inhabitants as they explored, from the cooks and maids who hurried about their duties to the guards who stood watch in every corner.
Despite the castle's grandeur, the trio also discovered its darker corners. They stumbled upon a room filled with arcane artifacts and a door with one guard on each side preventing access. This room had a staircase leading to a dungeon where prisoners were held in cramped cells.
For every dark corner, there were also moments of wonder and beauty. The adventurers discovered a library filled with ancient tomes and scrolls and a grand ballroom filled with nobles.
The trio departs the castle and heads to Hilda's tavern. They were hit by a wave of noise and chaos as they entered the bar. The room was packed with rough-looking patrons shouting and laughing as they drank their ale and gambled at the tables. Hilda's tavern doesn't have gambling tables, but that didn't stop the patrons.
The trio made their way to the bar, hoping to find a quiet corner where they could rest. But before they could even order their drinks, a loud crash erupted from the far side of the room.
They turned to see two burly men facing off against each other, fists raised and ready to strike. The other patrons cheered them on, their voices rising excitedly as the two men exchanged blows.
Hilda was screaming at them to take it elsewhere. The trio tried to ignore the fight and focus on their drinks, but the tension in the room was palpable. They could sense that things were about to get worse.
Sure enough, another patron stumbled into the fray, swinging his arms wildly as he tried to join the fight. The other patrons quickly took sides, dividing into two warring factions.
The fight was intense. Tables were overturned, mugs were shattered, and bodies flew across the room. But then Hilda joined in to stop the brawl. She fought skillfully and determined, using her fists to subdue the unruly patrons.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the fight ended. The Hilda stood panting and bruised, surrounded by the wreckage of the tavern.
The other patrons looked at her with fear and admiration as if she were some legendary hero. She paid them no mind, though. Hilda knew she had done what was necessary to restore order to the tavern and protect the innocent.
"Hilda, that was crazy! Are you OK? You're not hurt, are you?" a worried Runa said.
"Nah, I'm good. A scuffle occasionally is good for the body, though they did smash up my bar pretty well. They'll have to pay me for the damages.", Hilda replied, chuckling.
"I've always loved watching Hilda kick-ass," Beatrice said with a smirk.
Hilda, striking fear into the unruly patrons, ordered them to clean up the mess they made while she talked with the trio.
Beatrice and Runa recounted their tour in the walled city to Hilda. They had spent the day exploring the city, admiring its towering walls and bustling markets.
"And then we visited a flower garden," Runa said, her face lighting up with excitement. "It was so beautiful, with all kinds of rare and fragrant flowers."
Hilda nodded in agreement. "I wish I had the time to visit one of the gardens. They truly are marvels."
"But they don't compare to wildflowers," Beatrice chimed in. Hilda leaned forward, her interest piqued. "And what of the castle? Did you manage to get a glimpse of it?"
"We did," Beatrice said. "It was magnificent, with towers reaching the sky and a moat filled with crystal clear water.
"We were at the gates, just admiring the view when one of the guards approached us," Runa explained. "He asked us what business we had at the castle, and we explained that we were exploring the city and wanted to tour the areas of the castle open to the public."
"We were let in and instructed to be on our best behavior," Beatrice added.
Hilda's smile turned into a frown. "Just be careful, girls. The Lord of Fulda is a jackass and will lock up for any reason. So keep your wits about you, and don't let your guard down."
"We will, Hilda," Beatrice said, nodding solemnly. "We'll always be on our guard when near or in the castle."
Hilda couldn't help but worry. She knew they were capable adventurers, but she also knew that the castle was full of dangers and secrets that could threaten their safety.
"By the way, something happened yesterday, but we didn't get the chance to tell you cause it was late," Runa said, her voice serious. "Soren's sword broke."
Hilda's eyes widened in surprise. "What happened? Was he in a battle?"
"Yes, but," Beatrice said, shaking her head. "It was Elwin. He sabotaged the sword. We don't know why, but he's been acting strange lately, and we suspect he's up to something."
Hilda's expression turned stern. "That's a serious accusation, girls. Are you sure it was Elwin who did it?"
"Yeah, it was proven at the Guild when we returned. He was barred for a month because of it," Runa said.
"I checked his sword while we were returning to the city and spotted an indent in his sword. I then filed a complaint at the Guild when we got there." Beatrice said.
Hilda frowned, her eyes narrowing. "That's not good. Elwin has always been a bit of a troublemaker, but this is a new level of mischief. Why would he do that?"
"Because Soren stood up to him," Runa said
"Wait, doesn't he have a thing for you, Beatrice?" Hilda asked. Beatrice nodded to confirm. "Then he has a motive. He sees Soren as an obstacle."
"In the meantime, we're having a new sword made for Soren," Beatrice said, trying to shift the conversation to something more positive. "It will be made from old weapons we collected during the quest and Soren's broken sword."
Hilda's eyes lit up with interest. "Awesome. Who's making it?"
"We were recommended a blacksmith named Tark when by the armor smith when we got Soren his vest," Runa explained. "It's going to be ready tomorrow."
"Then we plan to go to the forest to collect wildflowers for you," Soren said.
"That's great! I can wait to see this place filled with flowers; thank you." Hilda replied, then turned to Soren. "But from now on, be careful around Elwin. I'm sure he's holding a grudge now that he's barred from the Guild."
Soren assured Hilda that he would be careful.