Jacob opened his eyes, when they came into focus he saw that Zadkeil and the Carriage were also in the same room.
The room was large and spacious, there were chairs lined along the walls and a large table in the middle.
Moments after arriving, more tri-colored light filled the room and the City Lord stepped out of it.
"About earlier, If you choose to cause problems in my City I will not be so kind. Those fools are easy to aggravate and I have much more important things to do than policing them. I have warned them to leave your merchant group alone." The City Lord seemed annoyed while he spoke, it was apparent that having the step in and deal with such nonsensical thinking had been taxing on his mood.
"Thank you, City Lord." Zadkeil bowed gently, he asked. "Why have we been brought here?"
I have brought you here for your safety. Many prying eyes were looking to see how you would react, you almost gave them everything they wanted. Those fools only know how to cause problems. Anything you do around them will be used as a means to attack your reputation." The City Lord turned toward a window and pointed to the distance. "Just beyond those walls, my control over the situation disappears. Do you understand?"
"I see, outside of the walls, anything goes?" Jacob knew what that meant. He had been tortured by those around him his entire life, there was always a place without authority and some groups of people thrived in such absence. "Its nice to know that a kingdom cares little about its people."
"Watch your tone with me child." The City Lord seemed more agitated than Jacob had expected. "This is a nation of fighters and the powerful are not subject to being ruled."
"So.. you allow bandits and thieves to trample those around you, because of what? A lack of interest? Zadkeil, I don't want anything to do with this place. We were headed to the Capital, if there is nothing further, I'd rather be leaving.." Jacob wanted to spit, the entire situation was leaving a bad taste in his mouth. "People have always trampled others when they think they can get away with it. If that is how things operate within the empire, I want nothing to do with it."
"Child. Watch your tongue. The Empire is large. People travel from all over the world, of course there will be some with violence in their hearts. That doesn't mean the Kingdom is unsafe, just those people." The City Lord crossed his arms and leaned forward to intimidate Jacob face to face.
"Buzz off." Jacob waved his hand. "Excuses, excuses. You don't punish the thieves and thugs, you give them incentive. They can act how they choose, so long as it's out of your sight. To me, you're not much better than their leader."
"GUARDS! Throw this ungrateful little shit into the dungeon. Take these others and throw them out of the City." Furious, the City Lord tried to backhand Jacob after speaking.
Shortie bit down on the swinging arm and bones could be heard cracking.
"I don't think Shortie likes it when you yell." Jacob saw six guards rushing toward him and Shortie with swords drawn. "Like I said, you're just a thug in a fancier dress. Don't think that I'm afraid of you."
"You should.." The City Lord tried to speak but as soon as he opened his mouth, Shortie jerked his arm around and ripped the City Lord's forearm and hand away.
Blood splashed across Shortie's face and smattered across the floor while the City Lord rolled in it.
"Guards! Kill these bastards!" the City Lord's voice grew sharp and had a high pitch, he was in serious pain.
Shortie bit down and gnashed at the hand. It was splintered and frayed while he chewed. When the guards were nearby, Shortie turned quickly and barked.
Shockwaves echoed inside of the room and the guards were stunned. Shortie looked at Jacob and Zadkeil, Zadkeil had a look of horror on his face. To a Merchant, negotiations were important but now things had gone to hell. There was no route back to the pleasantries that existed before, the City Lord was angered and had even told his guards to kill the boy.
"OLD MAN! I suggest you come with me, this asshole seems like the type to kill witnesses." Jacob jumped on top of Shortie with his spear.
"Go Where? You've taken everything from me in an instant!" Zadkeil looked pale.
"You still have your lives, RUN!" Jacob leaned forward as Shortie lurched. The Guards were still recovering from the sonic blast. Running past them, Jacob headed for the City Gates.
The Carriage was right behind him. Its roof was halved and many treasures were being lost as a result. None of that mattered if Zadkeil and his family lost their lives. The Old Merchant bit his lip sharply, blood flowed down his chin.
"Once we're out of the City things should get interesting." Jacob fell back a few meters so Zadkeil could hear, "I'm still headed for the Capital, I suggest you stay with me."
"Stay with you? You're a calamity! Every time I see you it's a whirlwind of things." Zadkeil was frightened, his entire family was in danger.
"Not my fault, bad people tend to find me. It's not my fault that everyone treats me badly." Jacob tried to reason with Zadkeil but it wasn't working. The Old Merchant had many thing on his mind as they raced through the city toward the gates.
Guards stood in a row to block their path but Shortie was ready.
Shortie raced in front of the Cart a few dozen meters to give himself space. He squared his footing and barked again. Sonic waves rippled in front of them and most of the guards fell into a state of confusion. Spears fell from their hands and most of them had blank expressions on their faces.
As Shortie finished the attack, Zadkeil and the Carriage had caught up. Jacob held on tightly as Shortie pushed past the guards and cleared a path.
The Carriage was peppered with arrows from the guards that were unaffected atop the City Walls. A Few screams from inside showed that the girls were still alive and well, even if they were a bit scared of what was going on.
When the group had cleared the gate, the arrows and guards kept following them. It was a few more days journey to the Capital but they had passed the final outpost along the way.
Zadkeil wondered if he would be arrested in the Capital once they arrived but it was hard to tell. The City Lord had overstepped his authority and even allowed attacks to happen in broad daylight.
"Which way!" Jacob was excited and there was a smile on his face.
"Why are you smiling?!" Zadkeil was not happy, his entire future was uncertain.
"Am I?" Jacob wondered for a moment but the look on his face didn't change. "Which way?!"
"You ..This way." Zadkeil pulled the reins to the right and returned the cart to the roadway. "If we don't stop, we might make it there before the City Guards send word. If those Connirok riders still have a grudge, we might not make it that far."
"I think those guys have their own problems to deal with, we left in a hurry but they couldn't drop everything and run after us. At least, I hope not." Jacob held onto Shortie's collar and tucked himself down against his body to slow the wind.
The Road between the Capital and the first outpost were much nicer than the ones they had previously traveled. Thousands of people were either coming or going from the City.
"How long do you think it will take for us to arrive?" Jacob asked quietly but Zadkeil was still pissed off at what had just happened.
It took a minute for Zadkeil to respond, his anger refused to leave him. "If we aren't executed on the way back? Two days, maybe less. It all depends on how many people are on the road. The Capital is a busy city and guards are posted at the entrances. If the Outpost's City Lord wanted to be a problem, we would already be under attack. Maybe he's too embarrassed, maybe he's tending to his injury. Either way, we should be prepared for anything."
"I think I understand." Jacob put his spear away. He pulled out the book that Zadkeil had given him about merchandise and items that were regularly sold on the markets.
"We don't have time to read.. keep your eyes peeled and on the road." Zadkeil shook his head and told Jacob to put the book away. They were not free from danger and if they were caught off guard, it would cost them all their lives.