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New World, Aurora
This is the name that the natives have given this strange moon. No matter the weather, the storm and rain, it shines clear and bright and illuminates the world. And aside from functioning as a light source, it also holds allot of symbolic meaning. Aside from what I have previously assumed I have jet to see a single human dedicated towards a god. Jet they still adore aurora. Apparently she is responsible for sanity and a clear mind. There is a legend that states that the awakening of aurora banned the darkness and gave men spirit. How much of this is true in this world of magic remains to be seen, but it is still interesting. Furthermore I observed that people who are afraid or unsure usually draw a circle on the left side of their chest. Silver is also a way people try to remain clear-headed.
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After the body's were burned to ashes , the priest and the people quietly left.
Reluctantly turning around we too left the scene in order to get supply's.
But I should leave that to Leonard, he should be experienced in the field.
And I was not disappointed, while I was deep in thought he had already made out a target and dragged me away into the labyrinth that was the alleys. It was at such moments that the man proves his quality's as a guide.
After a few minuets, we arrived at a rather large and clean house, which even had windows. I guess it is a way of showing the confidence of whoever resides there. Entering from the tall front gate, a large open room came into view. It surprised me as it seemed some kind of gathering spot. I guess even the so called hunters we saw earlier still needed a place to socialise. And here I thought I would meet my first arrogant noble.
It almost reminded me of some sort of tavern, but the noticeable absent of a bar and any kind of liker made me think otherwise.
Confidently walking through the crowds, Leonard lead us to a slightly bigger table towards a lean but strong man in his mid forty. He wore some kind of brigantine and had a spear leaning right next to him. His scarred and deformed face was contorted in annoyance.
"I am telling you, we need a few more men to deal with these grey apes!"It seemed as if one of the other men sitting with him was trying to convince him of something, although contrary to his loud voice he was looking with respect towards him.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but I am a merchant and I think you are in need of my wares."
The man, I assume he holds some kind of important position, turned around abruptly facing both me and Leonard. " A travelling merchant and a stranger it seems. Normally your kind stays away from trouble, let me guess you trade weapons from the highlands and haven't heard about our circumstances jet?"
slightly smiling Leonard retorted.
"indeed, but you must understand we just value our lives, we don't have anything against you."
It was a fake smile. One that was used so often, it looked like a second persona, a mask.
"Spare me with your words, we know that it still doesn't make it easier for us. Although food from the city would be better, we can definitely use some weapons, especially now. Show them to me later when aurora touches the rim of the world, we will make out a fair price. But now to a more immediate problem, would you be interested in helping us? The bloody worship have decided to get us involved in their dirty businesses, and we have to clear some beasts in the area to help them. You and your friend have travelled far, so you should have quite the expertise."
He looked at us kindly although I could see his intention behind the question. He took the trade deal hostage. It was not malice that motivated his action though, rather he was concerned for his people and judging by what we could overhear he had a lack of manpower.
I could see the subtle displeasure on Leonard's face. Before things escalated, I tried to do something.
Trying to concentrate I felt the ever present rhythm of mental power pulsing slowly to the beat of my heart. I could feel it interacting with the mana around me, weighting my will on the surrounding world. But instead of activating magic, I searched for what was already there. Similar to the time I made my first contract, I could feel the vague string connecting the contractors. Then I concentrated on this lonely sting and tried to apply my magic to it. Communicating was impossible, I mean it is not a telepathy spell in the first place. But after expending half my concentration I could finally send a tether of emotions through it. Barely something, but it was enough. It already gave me Ideas what I could improve further.
His face contorted in annoyance.
"We will think about it, I will tell you my decision next time."
We left as fast as we arrived. And although I wanted to talk to different people, but I could understand the reason for our forced isolation.
We were strangers, and especially since the situation was tense not everybody would be open to speak.
"What was that all about? And what the hell was that strange mind trick?"
No need to be so aggressive.
"The dark side of the force is a pathway to many ability's some considered to be... unnatural."
I could see the visible confusion on his face, there were many things I still had to introduce to this world.
"Well I guess you don't know, have you ever heard about the tragedy of dark plagues the wise?"
Even more confusion.
"Can you pleas stop with this crap, just answer me why do you want to go monster hunting, you do know that it is fucking dangerous. I thought you were not the type to take unnecessary risks."
Ah you have to talk to my teacher about that, he clearly had some influence on my humor.
"Well ignore what I said just now, but I do have a legit reason for doing this. First I need practice, my pistol sadly doesn't have unlimited ammunition, and I may be trained in hand to hand combat, but I never used it before. Also this is a prime opportunity to get some more research on the monsters. And lastly would it definitely help build trust and goodwill, he might even help us to get to our next destination safely.
I grabbed his shoulder to rattle him a bit, he was definitely too stiff. Like my teacher always said, that stoic attitude will get you nowhere.
And he was right of cours, getting out in the world and being confronted with a man who acted like me when I was in my edgy phase showed me how much I needed to change. And so did Leonard. Your pride would only get in your way, and he was clearly not completely sane either.
„If this conflict with your travel plans, just tell me. We need to get that sorted out now anyway."
He sighted and grabbed my arm in a futile attempt to remove the hand from his shoulder. A physically enhanced mage wasn't that weak.
Resining to his fate he started talking.
„What I seek is an old relic from the empire. It should be hidden on the archipelagos at the bay of tears. The river that is next to loggers rest, this village, leads us directly to the biggest port city, from where we can make the rest of the way by totally legal channels."
My friend took out a sting, on which a dozen blue shimmering stones were hung up. They were shaped like coins with a hole in the middle.
„ 12 moonlight stones, my entire fortune. They should be more than enough to get us there and back."
Leonard wrapped them in leather again and hid them inside his clothes.
„As such we can figure out another way of getting there without the old man. Its not worth the risk."
Well his plans sounded solid, and we will definitely go there eventually. The empire and they're craftsmanship seemed marvellous, as seen by the road. He had my attention, but it already remeind hidden for a few thousand years, it could wait.
The strange phenomena that was grabbing the attention of the worship could not.
„We will still go there, believe me but I have a feeling that we will get something interesting out of this."
He had no choice anyway. You don't think I added no hidden safety measures into the contract he signed do you?