Nova was confused and ask.
"Capital of Vallahiem, was that where the king lived?"
Gash was stunned at Novas words, did he seriously not know about the capital. An as if Nova could read his mind, he spoke.
"Sorry Gash, I haven't ever left more the a few miles around my home ever since I was born."
"Only father has went to a village close to here."
Gash finally understood, Nova has never been anywhere, this seemed to bother him. Gash I knew Novas lack of understanding and curiosity, would cause quite a lot of problems. However Nova wasn't a normal 13 year old boy, he was a strong iron willed person, that followed orders well. Gash believed since he we his disciple, he would obey him and not cause to much trouble. So Gash began to speak.
"There are many things that you haven't seen, in the villages and city's, can you restrain you curiosity?"
Nova understood what Gash was saying and nodded his head.
"Very well we pack today and leave at first light."
Nova once again nodded his head. They packed the meats and furs, they wrapped up blankets and anything of use. Nova grabbed his bow and arrows, just in case. Even though he didn't need to hunt with the bow anymore. Nova wore the cloak that Gash made for him, and laid there bags next to the door for tomorrow. Tonight they decided to sleep next to the campfire outside. When morning came Nova and Gash suited up, for their long hike to the capital. Yet before they left, Nova paid one more visit to his fathers grave. After awhile Nova and Gash left, Nova was visibly sad but he continued on. After about 8 hours of solid hiking, they arrived in a village on the outskirts of the capitals territory. The village was named Harperton, after the first village chief that settled here. They decided to not sell there furs here, for they knew they wouldn't get the right price. Currently they had about 113 furs, of various animals they hunted. After the sun went down they camped outside the village walls, which was more like a fence. They ate some of the meat and vegetables they brought, from high up on the mountain.
Then when morning came they set off for the next town over, which took them about 6 hours to get to. For Nova the hike was atrocious, for he has never walked this far in his life. He's feet became sore and his body was sweaty. From compared to the mountains cold temperatures, the plains where much different. The plains where a mild 72 degrees but to Nova it felt like 100. Nova wore his cloak made of fur from Gash, and a leather vest that was inlayed with Highland Crimson Fox fur, that came out the seams. He also had on boots and gloves made from the paws of a Black Charger Bear. His trousers also where made with leather inlayed with Highland Crimson Fox fur, peering threw the seams. He even wore a hat made from the skull of a Ridge Back Bison Bore, that had two horns sticking out the side. All of this cause Nova to look like some monster, yet it made him feel like all his fat was burning off in fountains. He spoke aloud.
"I can't wait to sell some of these furs so I can buy some cooler clothes, I'm feel like I'm dying!"
Gash looked at him straight faced and said with a smirk.
"Well now your not allowed to take that off till we reach the capital even when you sleep."
Nova looked at him as said.
"Your joking right?"
Gash laughed villainously and said.
"Nope!"
"...."
Nova had no response he just accepted it, since it was apart of his teachers training for him. After 10 days of constant hiking they finally arrived at the capital, as Gash took a deep breath, Nova was downing water from his canteen like he was lost in some vast desert for months. Nova looked at Gash and asked.
"Can we buy some clothes please!!"
Gash looked towards him and said.
"Soon, very soon but first we must sell our furs."
As Gash and Nova began looking for a place to sell their items. They over heard a group of people chatting.
"Hey did you hear the princess rejected another proposal today?"
"Yeah I heard about that, they should know that our flower won't be taken so easily!!"
"Yeah but doesn't she have to marry someone by her 18 birthday?"
"Yeah but I bet by then she would have found someone!"
As the men spoke amongst themselves Gash began to speak.
"If the throne chooses the princess then she may have the Forgers blessing, however if the husband she takes does not respect the throne they shall perish."
Nova was confused at Gashes words but paid no heed to it. After they sold the furs, they bought new clothes, that where much thinner. However Nova was wondering where are they gonna sleep and eat, then Gash turned around and said.
"Don't worry, I know a place that will give us room and bored."
Nova was absolutely confused, he thought he knew everything about Gash but he did not.
Later they made their way down a cramped alleyway that lead up to a door. Gash knocked 4 times and a small sliding window opened. Gash pulled out a small shield like emblem, that had a war hammer and a throne behind it. The guards face paled as he spoke.
"A Forger?"
"I heard they where wiped out decades ago, when my grandmother was still a child."
The guard was shocked, at first he thought this old man and boy where scam artists, but the rules that where passed down to him still had merit.
'The rules stated that anyone that bared an emblem of a shield with a throne behind a war hammer, shall be welcomed unconditionally.'
So the guard closed the small window and unlocked the door. As the door opened Gash and Nova where hit with a strong smell of alcohol, they where none other at the backside of a Tavern.
There was music and loud voices, mixed with laughter coming from the front. Nova and Gash where guided upstairs to a special room only for the Forgers, however it was dusty and looked to haven't been used for at least 150 years. After awhile of Gash and Nova cleaning the room they laid down for the night. Yet Nova asked a question.
"Gash who are you, I don't think I ever asked before?"
Gash responded sleepily
"I'll tell you everything in the morning, but right now get some rest."