Near the far East of town Aeris and Xantha had their own set of tasks. It's been around an hour since there departure. Nothing has changed well except there outfits. Mid way Aeris had used there spare coins left to buy better outfit, as well as a set of padding under it.
They maneuver across the East of town, Aeries took the lead wearing a navy blue t shirt, black pants fit for comabt and over a it a fur coat. Xantha walked steadily beside her, wearing a shirt and pants, under it some padding. And over it a womans coat that resembled a academy uniform. Of course she also wore a hood on top to be discret.
Xantha bopped her head around has she sight sees the sourruending. Aeris didn’t speak much on the journey, but strangely she felt calmer with her around. Which would be odd, as compared to the guys her combat skills are lacking, perhaps she felt like she was a little sister to her.
“Where are we headed now?” Xantha asked curiously. She knew they were going for buying animals to ride. As to where was a mystery, on ther way they passed by few small barns having animals for sale.
“There’s a big farm house near the end.” She says bluntly. Taking a turn right down an alleyway. “ there’s more variety, and species there.”
“Does it matter? We don’t have to much money to spend.”
“True, but the journey will be long. We need animals which are low maintenance and strong enough to survive.”
Xantha rubbed her chin, indeed it made sense. Although perhaps the should have set a meeting point for the guys to hand over some coins from there venture. Since compared to them, Aeris had around 8 gold coins to spare.
They roads become more jagged, with bumps here and there. The smell started to have a scent of dung and poop. The building slowly changed to several barns, farm house and silos. They were in the far East of town, a place where the towns farmers live. Infront of them was another gate, outside were rows and rows of crops with farmer harvesting there growth.
“50 silver for the horse.. Oh 60 silver haha,” A farmer had a mini auction setup of his own. He sat on his horse’s saddle, several buyers named there price out loud and within a minute it was sold for 65 silver. The beast was a healthy and large, fit enough to carry heavy farming tools.
Aeries stopped midway, looked around the place for anything worth buying for. “Let’s look around and see.”
Together they went across several barns and stables— some sold horses, silver cows, goat and other domestic animals— other setup shop to sell there crops, vegetables and fruits. So far the horses seem the best option but they still looked for one more beast. A Chucka Bull, these buffalo like creatures that come shades of brown, gray and the most rare crimson bulls. They are strong, high endurance strength, omnivorse and can adapt easily. So far there finding have resulted in nothing.
They were reaching the end of town and towards the gate, horses seemed like the only viable option. Aeris irritated , didn’t want to waste anymore time. Afterall the more time they spend means the less animals remain.
“Looks like we need to settle for horses,” She said irritated.
Xantha brows furrowed, her gaze wondered her and there until it stumbled upon one more barn located in the corner of the distract. “Leads check out there atleast.”
Aeries shrugged and lead the way– the barn looked dull from afar but upon closer look it was fine. Good infact, the exterior was well kept and maintained, it’s just that they weren selling anything much , except a few grains. They walked behind no hoping for much, then they saw the jackpot.
The wonder or whoever was feeding there cattle. They looked inside through the open door and there they saw— 6 Chukka bulls, all looking plump and muscular.
#####
A smile grin grew on Xantha’s face, they hit the jackpot. Aeris pleasantly nodded, from her experience she could tell those bulls were healthy and could trudge on any terrian. But another question poked her mind, is would the farmer sell or if it has to …. Should they steal it?
With optimisim in mind, Xantha tugging her hood enough for her smile to be visible walked over to the farmer. Her hands swayed like a grade schooler, her body language was open and cheerful. Aeris was surprised as she caught on all the calculated body movements she made.
“Excuse me kind sir!,” Xantha called in a cheerful voice, Aeris followed slowly from behind. One hand gripping her sabre, while the other rested on Xantha’s shoulder.
The farmer looked at the source of the call, frowned in deep annoyance. He couldnt make it more obvious. “Who told you , you could enter my property!”.
Xantha didn’t wavier , her smile still wide and cheerful. “Sorry about that kind sir, it’s just we couldn’t stop after seeing those chukka bull. From afar I could tell you take care of them well. In fact I would say there the best animals in the district with all…” Xantha went on a spree of details, never forgetting to give compliments to the farmer.
The farmer smirked, he raised his head and looked oddly proud. “See you got a good eye kid, fine i won’t report you. Admire them and leave before my patients runs out.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Xantha jumped internatly, “Actualy we were hoping we could… purchase some of them. Four to be exact, we need it for–” Before should could the farmer interrupted.
“Not selling!, so beat it–” the farmer said folding his sleeves revealing his laboir hardened forearm. Crossing his arms, he walked slowly making his presnes known and intimidating.
Aeries pressed harder on Xantha’s shoulder, another hand ready to unseath her Sabre. It was to late she thought, preparing to lauch a quick attack. Until Xantha gave a deep stare, with an expression. “Hold on ,” written all over her.
“If it’s aout the money dont’ worry,” Xantha took out a gold coin, spinned around her fingers. Making sure the ray coming from cracks reflected back. “We can premium rates, so-”
“Do i look desperate,” his voice harsher, more intimating he came closer.
“Now leave you little girlie, efore I report you,”
Aeris lost her patience, bent low to pounce on him, then–
“Sorry, but i think I can report before that–” Xantha stepped closer. Her expression didnt wavier, but that smile turned into a cunning one. Her small didnt wavier in the prense of the ig farmer. The farmer stuttreed, parted lips to speak bu t Xantha took the words right out of his mouth. “You may be wondering what I mean. Well let’s see. Six chukka bulls, all high quality . you must be feeding expensive material. In comparison you fields , the barn looks cheap.”
“So what, i take care of my animals properly.”
“Hmm.. could true but…” she paused long enough to notice. “ are you reporting your income. Because to me you spending doesnt make sense. There’s no way a farmer in the corner can make enough to afford the bulls.”
“Like you can prove it!” the farmer scoffed.
“No, although i don’t think the gaurds would care.” chills ran down the farmer spine as she spoke, he words taken with careful consideration and a tone that calm. “ I’m sure they could make a a few coins from some bribe… or theft. You know how they are.”
THe farmer leaned his shoulders lower, making his face an inch away from Xantha. “What if i report you two frauds?”
“Well you can, but do the math. A old farmer, or a sweet cure girl like me. Who do you think they will believe? Or better yet I can scream, the locals will coming to savea poor helpless girl.”
No words came from the farmer, he slowly walked backwards. Reached the door from behind, slowly turned the knob—
THUNK
Aeris threw her sabre, flying right past Xantha’s head it struck a inch away from the farmer’s eye. Xantha still smiling lke a doll.
“Alright , Alright, take the bulls.”
“Thank you….”
—--
Minutes passed, Aeris and Xantha walk down the road. In each of there hands a leash pulling the four chukka bulls forward. Aeris was stilled stunned on the past encounter, in her mind Xantha was someone she has to protect. But what she saw in there changed her mind.
“H-How do you know all that? Was it true, whatever you said?” Aeris acked her voice with deep curiosity.
Xantha back to her usual self, glanced at her. “Nope, it was all bluff.”
Aeris was flabbergasted, “You thought that would work.”
“Not completely, back at the tavern Lester taaought be the ropes on how to deal with people. Farmers rnt the rightest bunch. All muscles and no brains, you just have to now show fear and all there cards are off the table. Plus dealing with merchants, and mercenires taought me well.”
She continued, “And we it went south. I had you as backup, you delt with captains and guards before. A farmer is nothing in comparison.”
Aeris smiled, clearly impressed. “Leads tie the bulls in a stable.”
“Is it safe?” Xantha questioned.
“Safer than dragging four big creatures down the streets,”
Together they lead the bulls to a nearby stable, they tied the bulls inside. Paid a the man running 30 silver to watch them. The man had pleasant smile come across his face, he bowed with his hat deeply as the girls departed.
Now that the transportation issue has been sorted, only left now was to window shop some gear and rations for the journey. They had another 6 hours left before midnight, plenty time to go on a calm pace, or alteast that’s what they thought.
Things went by smoothly, they toured the shopping district. Grabbed a few bowls of meat to eat by the shade, than made there way into a survival store. The store had a decent amount of mercenieres in there , shopping for rations, tools and tents.
Using the money they had, the girls bought a set of ration—- mainly in the form of cans, decompressed bread, seeds, dough and other stuff. They bought some light weight tents, and beds— emergency medicine like ointments and tablets.
They stored the array of items in there pouches and bags, went down teh streets again to find anything useful.
“Do we need anything else?” Xantha asked, coinign the leftover money they had. “We don’t have alot of money left.”
“We have most of what we need,” Aeris rubbed her chin, deep in thought as she surveyed the map printed on a notice board. “Let’s head down the alleyway, will lead to the west district and also weapons stores. We can purchase items from the stores and go meet Edric.”
Xantha nodded, followed Aeris down the alleyway. The alleeyway was wide enough for three people and long enough for the bustle of crowd to fade in te background. They quietly made there way down the long path, the exit was in site.
“Bar~~”
Aeris stopped in her tracks as she heard a faint sound. She looked around and nothing, but she swore she herd something. She gives a look at Xantha who just shrugged.
They continue to walk forward again, and then…
“The timber’s are falling , the bars~~~”
Aeris snapped, her hands on her sabre, eyes turning here and there to find the source. Either she is going crazy or there’s a ghost.
“Did you hear–”
Xantha nodded in agreement, her eyes widned as sh scanned the alleyway. She spots something a bit far off, on closer looks it’s a celler door.
“I think it’s coming from there.” She points at the door. “But why does that voice sound, well you know–”
“Familier,” Aeries finished her sentence. Indeed the voice , the playful tone reminded of a certain someone wielding a staff. Ideally they would be ignore the distraction, but something nudged them to come closer.
Aeries lead the way, slowly opened the celler door. The outside of the door was painted almost cameologying with the walls and floor. They slowly creep down the steps, careful not to make any noise. The creaks of old wood was muffled as the song became louder and louder.
“I think it’s a gamblign den,” Aeris said, spotting a sign on the door which was a coin and a purse. The fact that a gambling den exists wasn’t exactly odd, any town or city has that. What was odd was that there was no guard outside the door instead the doors were open wide.
They looked at each other, sneaked there way inside not making noise. They peeked at the inside to see the source of the commotion.
“Timbers be fall, the bar’s are high–”
Aeries jaw almost drobbed as she become glaberhasted at the sight she saw. In front of her groups of men with makeshift weapons ranging from broken stools, bottles to daggers and sword all screaming and yelling attempt to climb a big poker table in the center. There attempts fail as they get hit off from the singer or performer—- Kael who for some reason is singing perhaps even drunk. Spinning his staffc knocking down the dwellers, bartender and many others who were after the neck.
Xantha tries to hold her laugh, alas couldn't as she looked to the right another brawl was taking place.
Edric stood on top of a bar counter, his face held an expression which was a mix of confusion and excitement. In on hand he held a stool like a shield, pushing away anyone who attempted to climb and another hand he dueled the bartender using his long sword. The bartend a slender man with a thin will combed stache parried his strikes effortlessly using nothing but a single broken wine bottle. Edric didn't let that stop infact it lit a fire of determination, he clenched his teethed like sparing contest he strike with even more power.
Now as to why he is there or infact why are both of them here is a mystery of its own.
