As the horses gallop through the night they reach the top of the hill right in front of the enemy's base. "Raph drop the explosives here, and set up the recover stone stone",
Can ordered.
"Why are we putting are ordinances here", Jack asked.
"It's not all of them, but this is plan b if things go wrong. Are goal is to escape without getting caught. But if that falls threw we're going to need something big to get us out of a mess. And setting explosives right in front of a main base is a damn good diversion wouldn't you say"
"But we're more then a mile outside there base". Jack said.
"Trust me, they will see it", Raph said with a smirk.
Cane orders to change clothes to civilian and pack up the rest of there gear before telling the squad them to move out. They travel parallel to the Crainian base for a few miles before heading down twords the town.The squad rides there way through crop fields and the small villages that populate the otskirts of the country.
As dawn welcomes them they arrive at the outer wall of the city. The gate is solid wood and iron.Two guards standing on either side
with heavy armor and spears.
"Present your identification and payment for entry. If you are park of the merchants guild state your wears. If you are park of the adventurers guild state your rank and reason for entry." The gaurd on the left speaks
Cane pulls out five pieces of paper, each one with the information and identification needed for his squad. "No special affiliation, just need a place to stay for the night"
"Three small silver is needed for entry", the gaurd speaks back.
Cane reaches into his pocket and pulls out a large silver coin and hands it to the gaurd. The gaurd pulls out a coin pouch and hands back seven small silver after placing the larger coin into the pouch.
"You may enter", as the gaurd on the left speaks the one on the right raises a hand to signal the gate keeper inside the walls to lift the entrance.
As they enters the town Cane looked around for a minute then spoke. "I'll find us an inn, after that you can do what you want, just stick with someone and don't be a dumbass".
After finding an inn Raph takes the horses to a nearby stable. Cane hands each of them a large silver and orders to be back by nightfall. Jack decides to head to the nearby black smith with Kate and Hunter. Leaving the inn they smell the food stalls that line the city center. Jake sees food he's never even heardof, or that he's only seen in passing but never actually tryed.
"Those are called Red Tails" Hunter says pointing to the stall Jack was staring at. "You said you were from Treasa right? I bet you haven't even got to taste any of the local food since you've probably been on base since you got here. There honestly pretty good but I prefer these", He says handing him a kabob with an assortment of meats and vegetables. "The meat is from a local monster called a Wyrn. It's a weird texted but once you get past that it's pretty good."
"Thanks", Jack says as he takes a bite. "I don't think it's that weird. We got something similar where I'm from but it's a little different."
"Why did you come here anyway", Kate pipes up. "It must be very different from here".
"I don't have an answer for why I came here to be honest. But it's definitely different around here. You guys have different culture, and even the animals, plant, and even geography is all a little different."
"I've lived here my whole life and never really thought about leaving, so traveling such a long distance just amazes me", Hunter says with a smile. "I'd like to hear more after this mission"
"Ok but you'll have to wait you turn, Cane already said he wanted to interrogate me", Jack says with a chuckle.
"We're here", says Kate. "A few guys at the inn were kind enough to tell me what the best shop in town was"
The blacksmith workshop that Kate decide to enter was run by a dwarf. It didn't look like a shabby workshop but it wasn't anything fancy. You could tell just by looking that it was very popular with adventurers and guardsmen. Each of them started to pick through what caught there interest. As Jack was holding a long sword he caught the eye of the dwarf that ran the shop.
"Thats 3 silver" The grump dwarf said threw his overflowing beard.
"But the price says one" Jack said confused.
"Thats for people that I like. And I don't like you", The dwarf said as he glared at Jack.
"I'm sorry if I did anything to offend you, but may I ask why you dislike me"? Jack questioned.
"Because your mana is red", the dwarf said softly but sturn. The dwarf comes over and takes Jack's hand. "How many people have you killed, fifty, a hundred. Whatever the number I don't want you in my store. I don't care if you did it for good or not. I don't serve killers".
"How did you..". Jack stammers
"Because I can see. Now scram" The dwarf says, shooing him out.
"Wait, I really need a weapon" Jack says
"Then try to take the one outside. If you can do that you can have it", the dwarf says indifferent, not even bothing to check if he does or not.
As Kate and Hunter see Jack getting pushed outside they quickly grab there items and pay before heading out to meet him. As Jack stands outside weighting for his squad he looks at the blade the dwarf said he could have if he could take it.
With ease Jack picks up the blade and sheath next to it. The blade itself dosnt look like much. Just a metal hilt with a ruby in laid. The sheath wasn't anything special either.
"I guess if he was willing to give it to me it must be pretty crappy. Still, it's better then the military issue crap we have" Jack says.
As Kate and Hunter come out of the workshop they see the sword that's now tied to his back.
"Did you steal that", Kate asked
"What, no! The dwarf gave it to me. Probably cause it's just a crappy piece of work", Jack replied.
"Hm, anyway it's getting late now, I want to get food before heading back to the inn." Kate says. As both the boys agree they head out twords the nearest tavern.
"Damn that boy, such a young man shouldn't have that much blood on his hands, it's a shame really.The dwarf mumbles to himself as he closes his shop for the night. When he goes to flip is sign outside the door he notices the empty spot that once held a sword and it's sheath.
"No way", he says his eyes wide in shock. He hastily closes his shop. Shutting down his forge and extinguishing the lanterns. After he finishes closing up he runs off in the direction Jack, Kate, and Hunter were heading.
Later that night the three of them headed back into the inn. Before Jack could enter something pulled him back out the door withought either of the two with him noticing. On instinct Jack turns around and hits his assistant on the head.
"Ah"! Screamed the dwarf
Before Jack could hit him again the dwarf help his hands up in surrender. "I just want to see the sword boy, no need for violence".
"Says the guy who dragged me out of a doorway", Jacks snapped back.
"I just needed to talk to you alone". The dwarf said
"Then ask like a normal person you crazy old fool" Jack said
"Who are you calling old, I'm only one hundred and twenty. The names Manic"
"Ok, Manic, what do you want". Jack replied
"I already said what I want. Give me the sword"
"You said I could have it if I wanted"
"No, I said you could have it if you managed to pick it up. The only reason your holding that blade is because it wants to be held", Manic piped back.
"What do you mean. You saying this is some sort of bonded weapon" Jack said sarcastically.
"Exactly", Manic said