When you travel the lands you start to get used to the dirt on your feet and the wind on your back. The caressing of your hair and the various smells. There are times where we would stop to take a rest with our butts sore, and when we were hungry.
There are times where we take a long look at the land. The sunlight breaking through the leaves, the creatures that roamed the land, and the shapes of the earth made me gasped at the sight.
Travel was not all fun. There are hardships such as sudden downpours, the weather, and the paths being so troublesome that we had to take a detour and find another path. There are also obstacles that prevent us from moving forward.
Avoid any problem that may come. Skirt around monsters and never let your guard down when traveling. We have met people who are welcoming and there are also terrible ones who have barks but no bite. There are monster groups that travel in packs that we had to wait before passing.
There are times where we had to initiate trouble and bury them in one single attack. Meris made a quagmire below their legs, Bren binding them with fire, and me pouring down wind slicers on their heads.
That was the usual plan of attack that we had devised. When we are outnumbered we shield ourselves with a dome of light and attack while protected by the said shield.
There are times where we witnessed corpses on the ground, looted, and nothing left in them other than the ripped clothes. The trip alone made us cremate four people.
There are also unfortunate ones who got robbed, escaped with their lives but are now traveling with their heads down. Three-hundred seventy miles until we reached the Academy in Zamra. I had stopped counting the days, instead of following the map that Meris has.
Araia was a town located northwest of the Capital of the Empire, Jasko. The first thing that you'd noticed in the town was the cobblestone walls that wrapped the town like a box. Entering through the gate you'd see the eyes of the militia eyeing you.
The stables are located just right of the gates. We left our places for the stableman and had paid him to watch our horses. With a few warnings and a threat, the man should know what it would be like to betray trust.
That's the thing that there are some assholes who would try to take your better and healthy-looking horse. Meris had branded her horse and I did as well by making a ward that electrocutes anyone who shouldn't be riding it.
It was called spiritual bonding and even when I'm far from my horse. I could still control the horse to come to me by whistling. The whistling was the chant that makes them find a path to you. It was convenient enough that even Shanie decided to learn it from Meris.
Entering the tavern we managed to take a sniff of the roasted meat that every tavern had. It was the same as usual, we offered a block of ice, got a discount, and listened to the rumors.
There was a problem up west with a recent orc Warband happening. It then came to me that they must be heading to the meadows and the countryside to raid grain. We did come across stockpiles of grains in gunny sacks. The presence of the Jakian Empire Cavalry also suggests that they know of the Warband that was trying to head to the meadows and the countryside.
On the side of the tavern was an officer accompanied by a scribe who occupied a table. They were in discussion with the mercenaries, travelers, and even the local militia on whatever happens if they would come to this town.
"That's a problem," Bren said. "Orcs and their warbands are bad news."
I asked Bren what was so wrong about Orcs. He shook his tankard and calmly explained to me.
"Orcs aren't as stupid as any bard tale tells you to," he tapped his finger repeatedly on the table. "They are organized, they ride on dire wolves, and have their own organized army as well. They practice hit and run tactics and they use their sizes to tear through normal cavalry like paper. If we want to go to the Academy with an Orc Horde then count me out. I am not risking my life in trying to go toe to toes with those kinds of monsters."
"You should listen to Bren in this," Meris added. "Orcs are strong and only those who have the third level of the physique could match up to them, and that isn't counting those who have greater abilities. The Jakian Cavalry should be able to handle most of the incoming Warband. With them this close to the Empire's Capital, I doubt the noble families and the Knight Houses would stand and let these Orc-kins go on a rampage in this season."
"Yeah, no matter how you are, it doesn't matter if the Orcs surround you and tear you apart," Shanie commented as if she had seen what happened to those who faced the Orc.
"Have you experienced it? This Orc-filth?" I said.
"It was a small group but they ransacked the baggage train and tore through the common without a change in their expression. To them we are nothing more than hunters who have driven them to the deepest forest and jungles, turning them into savages. Why should they show mercy?"
It made sense in a way. Nonetheless, all of this meant to me that we could not continue traveling until the orc-menace was dealt with. Meris, Bren, and Shanie agreed already that there was no way they were going to engage an orc Warband.
There was simply no benefit in doing so. Unless there was a great reward and a very good reason to risk one's life. We wouldn't be moving forward.
That was simply it. And so until the Jakian Empire Cavalry could take care of the Orc Warband then we could only wait here in this town surrounded with cobblestone walls.