Chương 1494: [1403] – Y06.303 – Troublesome Journey III

The city sprawled across the horizon, the buildings flowing out like a wave across the land, the hilly terrain carrying homes and fields like waves rolling on the sea. The large walls seemed so broad, so heavy, the kind that held the seat of power of an entire region. It had been only a couple of months or so since they had left the city for Black Mountain, but as Adam returned, he returned a changed man to a changed city.

'The Prince said he'd be here in a few days, but I don't really know what that means…' The half elf let out a soft sigh in thought.

"Adam," Jurot called.

"Yes?"

"Okay?" Adam turned towards his brother, blinking.

"It's been such a long time and you decided to only ask now?"

"I wished to give you the time to allow your heart to ease, but Arisa will spark a fire within it, so I must ask now," Jurot explained. Adam held Jurot's gaze for a long moment, fermenting in his brother's wisdom.

"How dare you be so handsome, strong, and wise, you punk." Jurot held Adam's gaze for a long moment, and though it remained serious and dark after the joke, he noted the gentle sparkling beneath the surface, and the Iyrman left him be. The Black Lion dealt with those at the gate, with the support of the members of Black Mountain, and they rolled their way into the capital. As they made their way along the main road, Zabir stared out the window. A complicated whirlwind filled his heart.

"Have you become sentimental?" Yasha dared to tease.

"I have returned, only to leave soon," Zabir said.

"I cannot allow my granddaughter to walk through Aldland just yet."

"Floria before, the Iyr after."

"Those lands too." As they rolled into a particular complex, the workers all rushed to the carriages, but as the figures stepped out, they were uncertain of they had been informed of receiving such fine guests. He was tall, strong, with long dark hair peppered with white, a neatly trimmed beard, and he was built like a bull.

As he approached the group at the carriages, he spotted two who seemed a touch wider than himself, his entire body tensing slightly, but he stepped forth, almost slamming his foot as he halted, clapping his hands together.

"My name is Aman, and I will be assisting you this evening," he said, understanding why they had called for him specifically, since there were so many warriors, though with those wearing such amulets, he was certain it would be fine.

"Asaym, is there still room?" Dunes asked, noting how few of the spaces remained after they arrived, but then again, the inn only had spaced for less than ten carriages.

"Walay, Mo, there is much room, though I fear our inn may not satisfy your needs," Aman admitted.

"There is a need to enter this inn," Dunes stated, smiling, before realising his smile probably didn't help how cryptic it seemed.

"As you wish, Mo," Aman said, understanding this was a matter the likes of he or the inn owner couldn't deal with. They would need to… Then he recalled Dunes was a Mo of Black Mountain, and the man nearby was certainly a Black Lion.

'Huh?' As the group stepped within the inn, made of wood, with a few dozen people within already, enjoying their meals, a large number of travellers who eyed up the group as they stepped within. They had quietened slightly, noting the large number of Iyrmen, those of Black Mountain, and even a Black Lion. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"What is a handsome fellow like you doing in this inn?" called a figure, silencing the last few of the figures within. She was more handsome than pretty, with short hair that was cut at the side, with slightly longer hair at the top. Brass scales fell down the sides of her neck, going down to her back.

"It's just your luck for you to come across me," the half elf replied, glaring down at the half dragon. The half dragon grinned wildly, but her grin fell, the woman straightening up as she noticed the other figure who was so notable.

'What is he doing here?' Adam's eyes snapped towards Bael, who seemed to pay the others no mind, while Kizwolima glanced up towards him expectantly, causing him to step to an empty table near the mercenaries. They were not just any mercenaries, however, for they were the Golden Savages.

"He won't bite," Adam joked, plucking a chair from nearby, then forcing his way between Vasera and Rook, holding up a hand to shake their forearms, leaning over to shake the rest of the mercenaries arms.

"Man, am I glad to see you all."

"I am no man," Vasera replied.

"It's a general term, not like that," the half elf replied, nodding towards the rest of his companions, allowing them to stop worrying so much about him, while Jurot settled himself with the group too, which made the table of eight rather cramped, but none complained.

"How have you been?" Vasera asked.

"Uh, well…" Adam smiled awkwardly.

"A lot of things have happened. Some terrible, some fine."

"Is that why you required our services?"

"Something like that." Adam cleared his throat, feeling his throat tighten slightly.

"Are you finally interested in joining our business?"

"I am considering it," Vasera admitted, since it had been a few years, and she was approaching thirty.

"If you're thinking about it then you're thinking about it."

"What task do you need of us?"

"Just to escort us to the Iyr, for now, but…" Adam smiled, raising his brows expectantly.

"We will escort you along the way, six hundred gold each month, and a six hundred gold fee upfront."

"I forgot how pricey you were…" Vasera grinned wide, shrugging her shoulders, since they had been asking for such a price from Expert, and when they would reach Master, their price would remain the same. They were the Golden Savages, after all.

"Well, you know our offer, so just consider it."

"What would you have us do?" Rook asked, since Adam was Adam.

"I'd have you protect the business, train some people, escort our people, escort our products."

"If we were to join, there is one thing you must add," Vasera said.

"What is it?"

"Death fees are five hundred gold per person."

"Uh, what's a death fee exactly?"

"If we are to die, you must pay five hundred gold to another member of the party, who will execute that member's will."

"Hopefully none of you die, but sure."

"Although… you want us to protect the business which is in the land of the Iyr?"

"Yes."

"You want us to train your warriors, in the land of the Iyr?"

"Yes." Adam smiled, but it was not a smile of joy.

"There are times when some of our members want to step out onto Aldish lands to play with the nearby villagers. I have no doubt that the Aldishmen will one day bother the business. If not Aldishmen, various other forces may do so."

"That will be quite difficult."

"There's another monster protecting the place so you wouldn't be doing it alone."

"How strong are they?" Vasera asked, leaning in slightly.

"Well… I'd imagine they are at least a Grandmaster?"

"What of you? How strong are you now?"

"I ended up killing the Grand Commander of High Garden."

"Sir James?" Vasera asked, her tone questioning.

"That's the one." Vasera let out a hearty laugh, smiling wide towards the half elf.

""Why did you do such a thing?"

"I killed a Vice Commander previously, which upset him."

"Why did you do that?" Adam remained quiet for a moment, glancing down towards the table for a moment, before his eyes returned back to the woman.

"He killed my children." Vasera's laughter suddenly stopped, her eyes wide for a moment, furrowing her brows and narrowing her eyes towards the half elf.

"That kind of joke is too dark." Adam held her gaze, not stepping back.

"It's not a joke." Vasera stared at the half elf, tensing up slightly. She recalled just how terrifying his strength was, but there was no way he could defeat a Paragon, and also…

"You should be honest with us if you want us to work for you."

"Adam speaks the truth," Jurot said. Vasera's eyes remained upon the half elf's, faces flashing before her eyes, from the little green skinned Jirot, to the silver scaled children who held that family's blood. The half dragon winced, half punching Adam's shoulder gently.

"I want to see how strong you really are. Let's fight tomorrow."

"Sure," Adam replied, noting the pain in her voice.

"I will fight you too," Rook said.

"Sure." Rook leaned in towards the half elf.

"We're sorry to hear about your children." Adam slowly nodded his head in returned, clearing his throat.

"I hope you understand why I was so eager to do business with you this year." Vasera bowed her head.

"I'll have Jurot speak the tale to you."

"Tomorrow," Vasera said, motioning two fingers towards the worker.

"Let's feast!" Adam inhaled sharply, exhaling long and slow, trying to let the grief slip through his chest.

'At least the Iyr brought them back…'