"Purr… purr…" was purring Pancelot at Jorael caresses, as he was being petted under the table.
"Daisy, can we have a few words with you now that it's calm here?" the Traveler asked because it was still early for the inn to come alive.
"Candy boy, just tell me. You're tired of the Elf and want me instead now?" answered the innkeeper.
"Not even in your slightest dream.
No seriously, we need some intel.
Who are the Four Flowers?" asked the Traveler.
"Candy boy, are you really sure you don't know who they are? and yet you claim to come from The Gift..." replied Daisy suspiciously.
"Please, explain for our friend Cyn'Thia..." Jorael begged.
"Fine. There are Four Flowers here in the Human Empire. They're four military generals. Each general commands a region of the Empire:
Northum for the North.
Southum for the South.
Nefertalis for the East.
The Gift for the West..." explained Daisy.
"well...yes, of course, the Flower of The Gift... Please go on..." whispered Jorael.
"Fine. I heard general Snowdrop, the Morning Star, was here today in the capital. Is this related to your question?" asked the innkeeper.
"Uhm yes, Cyn'Thia saw him back at the plaza and wondered who he was..." explained Jorael finding an excuse.
"Watch out for him. He's not the humble, devoted man he wants you to think of. He's a heavy hitter, as the Four Flowers are said to be on par or even stronger than the three Titans. Plus, he's a disgusting man; every time he comes to the capital, young and beautiful slaves go to Northum with him ... " explained Daisy.
"Yes, I figured he's strong just by looking at him" said Jorael.
"Candy boy, I know what have you done with your slave, and I appreciate your kind heart for saving her, but targeting a Flower it's going to put an end to your life" warned Daisy.
"Who said anything about him becoming a foe of mine?" asked Jorael.
"Young man like you, will only face and bring trouble. Like this cat for example... her owner is well roasted by now..." Daisy whispered.
"Do you know about it, Madam Daisy?" asked Cyn'Thia worried.
"Honey, I have eyes and ears everywhere here in Rivella. Don't worry about it, I don't despise Candy boy actions. That noblewoman is doing better now dead than alive. The oppression of her slaves is finally over." replied the innkeeper.
"Do you perhaps hate slavery Madam Daisy?" asked again Cyn'Thia.
"Of course, Honey…
Demons, Elves, Dwarfs, Humans. We're all creatures of this world. We should live in peace altogether, but it seems rather a utopia.
But that's what you should expect from a monster like me. A male disguised as a female. A woman who tries to run an inn on her own, but has turned into a half-brothel. "Explained Daisy with sorrowful eyes as Cyn'Thia at the end of her speech took her by the hand to bring some comfort.
"You know what Daisy…
It's nice to see that people like you do exist in this world; people that despise slavery and racism, and dream of a world where everyone can find happiness.
That makes me think…
What if I support you and help you fix your inn?" asked Jorael.
"How so?!" exclaimed out loud the innkeeper.
"You must first listen to all my arguments ...
You need staff here, to make customers obey your rules.
And for the brothel part… well, you could at least tell the girls to work in their rooms.
Now, I suppose you won't have enough money to hire more staff, but here I come on the scene. I'll cover the costs, but we need to hire carefully the staff as… we'll buy slaves." Was explaining the Traveler, but suddenly got interrupted by Daisy that yelled:
"What?! Did you hear me explaining that I hate slavery?!"
"Yes… me too for many reasons.
But what we're really going to do is free the slaves. They will live here, maybe they will help you as a staff member, and when we are prepared, we will take them out of the Empire and free them.
I will try to cover them with my job as an adventurer. Does it seem feasible to you? "asked Jorael.
"What do you want back?" Daisy asked without batting an eye.
"As I expected a real businesswoman would say ...
I'll just need some information. " the Traveler replied exposing his plans to her.
"Only? Is that enough?" she asked as Jorael nodded. Then, she resumed her speech:
"You know that information is valuable. The Guild does know that too, and I'm on their side as they help me to keep the Warg from the door.
Still, your offer sounds appealing to me…"
"Wait, Madam Daisy, so you pass intel to Titan Guild?!
What about the cat's owner's demise?!" interrupted Cyn'Thia worried.
"Oh, about that ... it's still my guess, there's no solid basis and the Guild doesn't know. At least I didn't say anything to Kat, but they could imagine Candy boy's guilt ..." Daisy explained reassuring the Elf.
"Uh-hm… Anyway, back to us, what is your final say?" ultimately asked Jorael.
"For the moment I say yes. Show me that my impression of yours is the exact opposite of Kat...
Also, how can I refuse such a manly Candy boy?!" replied the innkeeper while winking with her right eye and sending flying kisses.
"Ugh… well then… deal." Said the Traveler whilst Cyn'Thia was clapping her hands.
…
The following day.
"Did you sleep well, Master?" Cyn'Thia asked as she and Jorael were walking through the morning streets of Rivella, heading for the Guild.
"No. Somehow I always forget to change room, and find myself in critical situations." Replied bluntly the Traveler.
"What do you mean?!" exclaimed the Elf not understanding.
"Nothing. Let's go check if there is a new quest for us." Jorael said avoiding answering her.
After arriving at the guild headquarters, Catherine greeted them:
"Good morning Initiate adventurers!
A fresh new quest has arrived, and I feel like it's perfect for you two!"
"Good morning Madam Kat, what's the mission?" Cyn'Thia asked.
"You have to go to Green Harbor, details here!" shouted the secretary passing the contract to the adventurers. Jorael began reading it:
"Quest for Initiate adventurers or above:
Missing Child
Merchant Armando from Green Harbor, Sea street, villa number 13, demanded the search for his missing daughter.
Reward 75 gold coins.
Warning! To receive the reward from Titans Guild this contract needs to be signed by whom requested it."
"Still low reward…" lamented the Traveler.
"You ungrateful monkey!
Your first reward was that high because that woman was filthy rich and obsessed with her cat of hers.
May Kalipso led her soul to attain eternal peace…" suddenly Catherine cried.
"Woah, Woah!
What's happening over there?!" yelled a familiar manly voice from the hall.
Everyone turned around to find out who was talking. He was the Titan-rank adventurer Arnold.
"S-sir Arnold, nothing!
It's just our new adventurer that is whining about rewards!" explained the secretary.
The man approached Jorael, placed his mighty right hand on the Traveler's shoulder, and said:
"You can't expect every mission to be highly profitable, or everyone here will be extremely wealthy! Ha ha ha! "
"Um… yes, of course.
May I take advantage of your presence here to talk to you, Arnold? "asked Jorael.
"Yes."
The Titan and the Traveler withdrew a little from the women to speak privately.
"The first time we've met here, you were telling me the story of the man who owned my sword. What happened to him?" Asked Jorael. Arnold's mood changed from smiling to depressed and he began to tell his story about him:
"That story? ... oh ...
Twenty years or so, we were about your age or a little older. We became adventurers like you and, rising through the ranks, we found ourselves on a mission in the Dark Forest. At the time there were no compasses like now, so traveling, especially in that place, was really difficult.
Through hardships and battles against Cockatrices and Wargs, we fought a Behemoth. Oh boy, how naive we were. He was destroying us.
Our group fled in all directions to regroup in a different location, but your previous sword owner fled in the wrong direction.
The fog took him.
We searched for him for days, but without success.
It's been 20 years… and I've seen his unmistakable sword again. "
"Such a sad story carries my sword…" said Jorael to be interrupted by the man:
"Boy. The day with Captain Jonathan I saved you for that very reason. You can say that sword saved you.
There won't be a second time, understand? "
As the Traveler was gazing into the Titan's fierce eyes, he could tell the amount of pressure Arnold was emanating, threatening Jorael.
"Understood." The young adventurer whispered in response.
"Good. Now that I've noticed, where is your sword?" Arnold asked returning to his smiling face.
"I left in the care of the master blacksmith Ercante" Jorael answered.
"Okay. Now I have to go. Take care!" Said the Titan as he left.
"Goodbye!" Jorael exclaimed as he returned to the women.
"Have you finished your business with him, Master?" Cyn'Thia asked worriedly.
"Yes, we can leave now" Jorael said.
"Are you leaving already?!
Cyn'Thia was telling me how you force her to sleep with you ..." Catherine exclaimed with her eyes full of hate.
"W-what?! Oh my ..." Jorael yelled.
…
It was mid-morning and the duo of adventurers left the headquarters of the Guild to head to the Southern District, to Ercante's shop. Once they arrived, as usual, there was no one to take care of the shop, but the metalworking could be heard from the back of the shop.
"Good morning!" yelled Jorael.
Few seconds passed, and Ercante appeared greetings his customers:
"Good morning adventurers!"
"I came to pay half the total for Cyn'Thia's bow, that's 25 gold." Said the Traveler as he gave the gold to the blacksmith.
"Thanks. I have good news for you ... "Ercante said as he took the money.
"What is Master Ercante?" Cyn'Thia asked with interest.
"The sword is ready!" the man yelled as he pulled Jorael's weapon from his counter.
To the Traveler's awe, it looked like a completely different sword, but it was still the same. The metal blade was well sharpened and shone brightly with no traces of rust or oxidation, and the hilt was perfectly restored with the red ruby that shone like the red sun.
"It's fantastic!" shouted Jorael with joy, remembering the ancient splendor of the sword when it was in his father's hands.
"A wonderful work Master Ercante!" exclaimed Cyn'Thia whilst applauding the blacksmith.
"Thank you, adventurers!" humbly replied the man while giving the sword to its owner, and then commented:
"Now with this blade, you can easily cut through Magic Beasts neck with ease… if you're able to!"
"We'll see… we'll see…" arrogantly responded Jorael while swinging the weapon, then continued talking:
"I must apologize as I cannot fully pay you for Cyn'Thia's weapon, but we've got another quest on our hands, and I promise I'll come to pay."
"hmm… I've no way to doubt you, just go on and pay me next time!" said Ercante smiling.
"Thank you for your kindness and trust!" exclaimed Jorael while he and the Elf bowed their heads in respect.
"Farewell!" said the blacksmith saluting the departing adventurers that returned the greeting.
…
On the way to Green Harbor.
"Master, do we have to follow the road to the south?" asked Cyn'Thia as they were walking on the paved road.
"It seems so. Green Harbor is the southernmost city of the Empire, but first, we will have to reach Southum, halfway between Rivella and our destination. It will take few days; hope we make it in time. If we had horses for sure it would have taken less time, but that's not an option for us with the little money at disposal…" Replied Jorael.
"Green Harbor… the closest Human city to the Elven Realm…" wondered the Elf.
"Yes, but still there's the sea in the middle, am I right?" asked the Traveler.
"Yes, of course Master…" replied Cyn'Thia with sorrowful eyes.
"The compass needle is really pointing to south…
So weird that the magnetic pole is south…" whispered Jorael as he checked his compass.
"What?...
Master, at times you say the strangest things. It must be Sage stuff or whatever…" the fuzzed Elf commented.
"Hmm… let's see if we're able to hop onto a passing coach…" said the Traveler while thinking.
"Master! Don't! They'll mistake us for bandits!" Cyn'Thia cried out in concern.
"Then hitch-hiking?" asked Jorael.
"H-hitch what?!" yelled confused the Elf.
"You'll see…" confidently replied the Traveler.
Jorael waited patiently for the first carriage headed in the same direction as them, and after a while, it arrived. He promptly halted the coach by throwing himself in the middle of the road.
"Master!!!" shouted Cyn'Thia concerned.
"HALT!" shouted the coachman, stopping the horses that neighed loudly. The man in the carriage then began to scream in anger:
"ARE YOU CRAZY?! Do you want to die or something ?!"
"Not another time… uh-hm.
Sorry to bother you and your travel, honest man, but we're in a hurry to reach Green Harbor. May I ask you for a ride? "asked Jorael, bowing his head.
"The nerve youngsters got… I'm NOT going to Green Harbor. I'll stop by Sothum.
Let's see… if you both want to, you can into the onions I'm carrying… but it will cost you a gold coin for each of you." the man replied.
"We accept your kind proposal, thank you. Here is the money." Jorael said as he gave the coachman two gold coins.
"hmm… yes, yes… now get on quickly.
Look at this fine Elf… just don't fuck her on the onions youngster or you'll spoil them!" shouted the man whilst staring at Cyn'Thia.
"Master, I ask for permission to silence this man…" the Elf whispered furiously.
"No, just get into the carriage and don't think about it…" Jorael answered helping Cyn'Thia to get on the carriage.
"Master, but if you really do want to take my body…" whispered the Elf.
"Thia, please stop joking!" Jorael shouted.
Cyn'Thia's mocking expression suddenly disappeared, and she began to blush silently in embarrassment.
"What is it now?" asked the Traveler mounting on the carriage.
"I-it's how you called me…" the Elf whispered shily.
"Thia?!...
Oh, sorry it came out on its own…" replied Jorael apologizing.
"N-no, if you wish you can call me like that… kyaaaa!" Cyn'Thia cried unexpectedly, covering her red face with her hands.
"?!"
The coachman snapped the reins of the horses and shouted:
"YAH!
Would you two stop being all lovey-dovey?! I told you not to spoil my onions!
To Southum!"