Walls showed up towards the Horizon. The view of the Border patrol Wandilt erected itself in front of them as they arrived at it with a steady speed thanks to their horses. The King had gifted them one of their best means of transportation for this journey. Arkevh however had some problems with riding, or controlling those horses from time to time, which he showed as he almost lost his balance, stepping down the majestic animal.
The Guards on the Battlements looked down at the companions and sent some of their Colleagues down the Spiral Staircase of the tower.
“Morning, what can we do for you?”, one of the guards asks and looks at the three.
“We are on the journey towards Enshire for the next theater play.”, Arkevh explained and gave the guard their invitation cards.
“I Understand, however we still need to search through your belongings before we let you go further. Instructions from King of Alexander.”, the guard explained and went towards the companions with two others.
All of them got searched through to avoid illegal items being transported towards Carwitz territory. One of the guards was a magician as well as analyzing magical artifacts. Everyone passed the control besides Arkevh.
“Do I really need to take off the mantle?”, Arkevh asked, looking towards the guard who nodded strictly.
“Don’t worry Arkevh, you find a way to let me pass through, hopefully.”, Craftol whispered under Arkevh''s mantle what the guard seemed to hear.
“What in the name of the King was that, off with the Mantle!”, he yelled at Arkevh who just grabs Craftol by the neck and holds him in front of the guards.
“I told you to not hold me like that!”, Craftol floundered around in Arkevh''s hand, while the Guard raises his short sword in tension. The Guards on the Battlements drew their bows as well. Directing them towards the companions. The blazon of Helgria was worn proudly on their armor and on the banners of the border wall, as they waited for Arkevh''s answer.
“I can explain.”, Arkevh starts nervous and sat Craftol down on the ground, he stopped fidgeting around and looked at Arkevh rather annoyed.
“He is one of the good ones, I know that sounds nonsensical but he speaks the Human language perfectly even with his accent. He is a guild Member just like us so he is an accepted citizen of Helgria.”, Arkevh explained and stared into the eyes of the guard.
The guard looks towards his colleagues.
“What does the law say about Goblins?”, he asked one of the archers on the battlements who seemed to be their leader. Symbolized by the shiny silver armor that was decorated with the largest blazon of Helgria. A Lion who spit out fire.
He took a big breath and eyed Arkevh once again.
“I heard about that. You are Arkevh right, you can be happy that the Carwitz guards are currently in the guard rooms. What really brings you towards here.”, The general asked curiously.
“I can explain everything to you general. I may need your help as well with something.”, Arkevh explained, resulting in a nod from the General who stepped away from the Battlements. Showing his longbow towards one of his soldiers.
The Border Patrol resigned in a small border fort Close to the World Lake. A giant Lake that stretched from the Northern Mountains into the Middle ocean. The Bridge and the fort itself were on a small hill so supply ships could pass under the bridge. After they went through the Harbor patrol of course. The Harbor control itself was reachable from inside the Forts basement. After some time the General reached the gates and looked at Arkevh interested.
“So what is it Soldier?”, He asked and eyed the goblin that climbed up Arkevh''s Shoulder again.
“You heard about the Assassination attempt on the King?”, Arkevh asked.
“I did, one of my men was there as a guard.”, He explained and pointed towards one of the guards on the battlement.
“Then i want to inform you that we are on the journey to find out more, however we want to stay hidden, look.”, Arkevh described and drank some of the liquid in the tube. Changing his eye colour slowly to grey.
“I Understand is that all? Then I let you through.”, The guard smiles.
“One more thing, did a Holy Knight pass through her.”, Arkevh asked.
“A bit more than a week ago, he was on the way towards the north.”, The general explained
“Are you searching for him?”, he asked.
“I do, he is a fraud, he worked with the Assassins of the King and is on the way towards the church. Are you able to close the Border towards the north for him, if you still have the Griffons of course.”, Arkevh explained.
“Sure we have.”, the general explained and whistled in his hands. Shortly after they heard the clapping of wings as a griffon flew from the courtyard towards the gate, landing next to the general.
The majestic creature with the body of a lion, the feet of an eagle and wings with a 2 meter spawn each erected his head and eyed the companions with great interest.
“I will see what we can do.”, The general smiled and scratched the neck of the griffon, who seemed to enjoy his master''s attention.
“But keep in mind we won’t be able to close the Border for long, a few days, a week if we are lucky.”, The general reminded Arkevh.
“That will be enough. I''m Thankful for your help.”, Arkevh thanked the general who replied with a nod.
“Then I won''t slow your mission down.”, he agreed and turned back towards his soldiers.
“Open the gates for our adventurers.”, the general yelled to his soldier who followed their demands and slowly opened the wooden gate, being satisfied with his man''s work he turned back to Arkevh and focused his view on Craftol.
“Regarding that Goblin, he will count as a serf to you if you enter Carwitz territory, keep him close to you and he should survive.”, the general teached him and stepped towards the side of the road, opening the way for the companions towards the duchy of Carwitz.
“I appreciate your help.”, Arkevh expressed his gratitude and saddled his horse again.
“Not for that, I hope for your success.”, the general replied and saw the guild galloping towards the wilderness.
After passing by some carriages and other adventurers they hear a rumbling from the distance as giant animals emerge from a southern forest on their way towards the north. Brachiosols.
Peacefully the creatures vanished at the horizon after some time had passed, time in which no one of the group had spoken a word. They were completely focused on the large long necked mammals that were a rare sight to behold, especially in those large herds. consisting of two dozen.
“What was that?”, Kalliope asked confused.
“Brachiosols.”, Arkevh answered
“Gentle but rare giants, they eat plants and are almost extinct sadly. They are said to absorb the mana from nature or even the Sun thanks to their long necks, instantly regrowing the Nature around them.”, Arkevh continued.
“I read a lot about them as a kid as well.”, Trisor added.
“Ankylspikes, Brachiosols, Spinotors or what not are all giant creatures that are rumored to have lived with Dragons 1000s of years ago. History we have completely missed. Back then there were not a lot of Humanon and they lived primitively as well, not recording any history..”
“History is pretty interesting.”, Craftol comments, getting a nod from his companions.
Arkevh had continued to look towards the north again. Seeing the last neck vanish at the Horizon. He also wished to see the lands in the north once and he may will sooner or later, if he wanted to stop Donovan.
Late at night they finally reached Farsen. The Horses but also their riders felt tired as they stood in front of Fernshire''s Gates. The Journey had gone by without much of a hassle so far, a good sign, however they still needed to keep their guard up.
After another guard patrol in which Arkevh presented Craftol to the guards, now in a position the Goblin was fine with, they were allowed to enter Fernshire by the main road.
The night was silent and only a few houses had light in them, most of them were taverns. Some dogs barked in the distance and they were able to see something in the dark thanks to multiple well lit and decorated Lanterns across the main road.
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“Where are we going now?”, Craftol asked from Arkevh''s shoulder.
“Well we need a place where we can park our horses and to sleep as well. You will find this in the poorer regions combined.”, Trisor explained
“Then let’s make this not harder than it needs to be and search for a tavern with a barn in the outer parts of the city.”, Arkevh answered.
“What does the rest think?”, Trisor asked the others who nodded.
“I don’t think I will get into a richer Tavern at all. So let''s see how Nolan''s Tavern holds up against the one in Fernshire.”, Craftol theorized, getting a smile from Kalliope and Arkevh.
Their horses now on leeches they wander around the city for a while. Craftol went back into the Arkevh''s mantle for the time being, the few people that they saw on the street looked rather curious to see new visitors that late at night, easing Arkevh who first thought the trinket had lost its effect.
“This one looks good.”, Trisor throwed Arkevh out of his considerations as he pointed towards a quite well looking tavern.
The tavern stood right next to the western walls and seemed to be surprisingly filled in this late hour. The wooden planks were freshly painted in a brown color and the windows had ornate leaf symbols on them, letting the warm light shine towards the streets. Next to the tavern there was a little barn, connected with a wooden roof. Right now they could not make out how many horses, or other mounts resided in the barn at this instant.
A wooden sign hung over the door.
“The Fireplace”
A fitting name, on the dark green roof they were able to see a chimney, blowing smoke into the night sky.
“What do you think, should we step inside?”Arkevh asked and entered the Tavern as the first, after he received a nod from Kalliope.
“I will stay with the horses in the meantime.” Trisor answered and watched them vanish in the sound of the tavern.
Lovely tunes of a lute rang across the tavern, soon overshadowed by the laughing and dancing of happy customers, who were all across the main room, drinking and chatting about their days. Similar to Nolan''s Tavern there was a Fireplace, However large and right behind the counter. The counter itself was decorated with shields and swords, lit up by some candles, like on every table in the tavern. Behind the counter and under a large chandelier stood two dwarfs and a human. Serving food or drinks for their customers.
Slowly Arkevh approached the counter, for the first time nobody really cared for him walking in, something that felt surprisingly good.
“What can I do for ya?”, one of the Dwarfs asked, cleaning an empty mug.
"I was wondering if you have space for 4 people, including a goblin serf and enough space in the barn for 3 Horses.”, Arkevh answered, resulting in a thoughtful face from the dwarf
“A Goblin serf?”, he repeated and considered for a while.
“That''s 2 Gold.” , he showed a dirty smile.
“That''s a fraud.”, Kalliope starts speaking up.
“Well should the Goblin be allowed to sleep here or not?” The Dwarf asked, annoyed and looked at Kalliope.
“Don’t worry, I paid for one night only and we have got enough coins.”, Arkevh explained and throwed the Coins on the table.
With a greedy smile the dwarf snapped the coins back in his pocket and started to grin at Arkevh until the human behind the counter gave Arkevh 6 keys, 3 for the tavern and three for the barn. Afterwards the Dwarf started to speak up again, setting up a more natural smile.
“Aye. I’m not a bad guy so the drinks and food will cost the same for everyone, don’t worry.”
“Thanks for the offer but i think i will pass for now.”, Arkevh explained, gave Kalliope her key and went towards Trisor with the rest of their keys the musician seemed to have mad a pause for a while and stepped down the rostrum to fill their stomachs and throats.
“You don’t look all too happy, did we get kicked out?”, Trisor analyzed Arkevh''s mood.
“No we did not but i paid 10 Gold for it.”, Arkevh answered and gave Trisor his room key and the ones for the barn''s enclosures.
“That''s 2000 Copper! It would be around three to four hundred. Are you crazy? Why did you apply?”, Trisor questioned Arkevh''s decision.
“I know it was stupid. However we may not have another option and hiding Craftol now that we got the information that he count’s as a serf could lead us to more trouble.”, Arkevh answered.
Trisor sighted.
“I guess you’re right, I’m more mad that they use those shameless prices cause they know people like us don’t have another option than sleeping on the street.”, Trisor explained himself and led the horses towards the Barn.
“Indeed.”, Arkevh supported.
“Should I buy something to eat for you in the meantime?”, Arkevh then asked.
“The King gave us some money and the Dwarf said the food is normally priced.”, Arkevh added.
“Something small, sure.”, Trisor answered and led the horses into the barn.
The music had started once again now however there was a single lute ringing throughout the tavern, accompanied by a lovely singing.
“We won''t change”
“As they are in our swords range”
“We have the chance to convert.”
“Yet we still die in dirt.”
“Why are we controlled by it?”
“Why are we still living with it?”
The Bard sang with a seeming tear in his eyes. He had his eyes closed until he was done with the song. Arkevh stood there till the young bard had played the last note. He was covered in a fine red garb and wore a colorful hat with a theater in it and had a thin beard, covering parts of his pale skin. Next to him stood two large man who supported him with additional instruments but seemed more like bodyguards, looking throughout the tavern. As the music stopped Arkevh looked towards the bard again. To his surprise the music had stopped and the bard looked directly at him, shocked.
Quickly Arkevh turned around as the people in the Tavern started to applaud the performance, seeing Kalliope sitting on a free table he quickly went towards her. She had taken off the chaperone and looked at Arkevh with concern, who quickly took a sip from the tube.
“Did they see it?”. Kalliope inquired and looked towards the customers who still seemed to be focused on the bard who now bowed down.
“What did they see?”, Trisor walked towards the table and sat down, throwing Craftol’s magical pocket on the table.
“Only the bard seemed to have seen my eyes turning violet again.”, Arkevh explained and let his head sink on the table.
“Not the time to let ya head sink on my table.”, A dwarf came over to them.
“What can I offer you to eat? We got fresh soup and of course good Fernshire beer.”, The Dwarf offered.
“Sounds good. We take for soups and three beers i suppose.”, Kalliope asked her companions, getting no complaints. Arkevh raised his head again and set Craftol on a chair.
“You are a pretty interesting group huh?” a voice appeared behind them after a while.
It was the Bard, with the two body guards that did not seem to leaf from his side.
“What do you want, piss off!”, Trisor said harshly, the body guards were about to raise their fists but the bard symbolized them to calm down with a gesture of his hand.
“Well a bard can always be helpful and it''s too late to hide it now, with your aggressive attitude you will only make the people more interested in us.”, the bard smiles.
Trisor just sighed.
“What do you think Arkevh?”, Trisor asked afterwards.
“Just let him speak for now.”, Arkevh answered and looked into the bard''s brown eyes.
“My name is Fabian Ljus, i was wondering why Arkevh is here.”, he whispered, the guests looked at them for a short while but then returned back to their food.
“Not your Business sorry.”, Arkevh replies.
“Are you sure, you don’t need a tour guide, I know a lot about Carwitz”, the bard continues
“Why are you so interested in it?”, Trisor asked anew.
“Well I heard about the King''s Assassination attempts failing. I knew about it beforehand and counted one and two together.”, Fabian explained.
“You want to take revenge aren''t you?”
Arkevh looked towards Kalliope, her fist shacked as he heard Fabian speak. Why couldn’t he resist?