In the morning, Al and the others set out. Monty was kind enough to keep the night's events between them.
This time, Mia and Al were designated as the coachmen, and Monty and Tristan got sent to the back. When Al asked for the reason for the change, Mia said, "They deserve a break, and Monty's tiger form may attract unwanted attention. He could, of course, use his human form, but it hurts him to use it for a longer period."
The oxen hauled the wagon toward the end of the Thaz forest. As they followed the river the trees got sparser until they rode past the last one, where a prairie appeared in front of them. Its lush grass cover extended as far as the eye could see.
They continued along the bank of the Lethe river. The City-State of Rivia was built on the river, so following its stream would lead them straight to it.
"Does it suck to be blind?" Al said to Mia.
"It does, I can still orientate myself well, but life has lost a bit of its beauty." Al couldn't help but nod at her words. He looked out at the prairie, 'I would hate not being able to see this,' he thought.
On the river bank's path, they passed diverse travelers going and passed towns that gradually seemed to increase in size.
The sun journeyed to the east, letting through the night.
Under the starry night sky, Ak spotted a den of lights. Surrounded by vast stone ramparts, the bustling city-state of Rivia came into view. In its center, stood a silver tower glistening in the city lights. Its lofty cupola seemed to pierce the dark heavens.
The sophisticated architecture amazed Al.
"It's so big."
"Yeah, with a population of a hundred thousand it has to be," Mia said as they looked out of the rear together.
Shortly before they reached the city gates, she asked, "Do you have money?"
"About twenty silver."
"That's enough. Are you planning to stay for a while?"
"Yeah, that's the plan." Al originally wanted to sign up at the Guild and travel the continent, but his experience at the Lethe River showed him he needed to learn the basics first. So, Tudor University was the place to go.
"Okay a residential pass, is fiver silver. Give it to me and I'll pay for you at the gate." Mia said.
"You're not scamming me, are you?"
"Pfff! We don't need to scam you for a few measly silvers."
Makes sense, since they're nobles of some sort. Plus, he had no reason to mistrust them. These people had saved his life multiple times.
"Alright." Al fetched five silver coins from his backpack and passed them to Mia. The gate was a metal lattice grille barring all passage to Rivia. It was a huge step up from the wooden gates of Nientel.
Upon arrival, two guards dressed in chainmail stepped toward them. On their surcoats, an emblem, depicting a deer jumping over a river, could be seen.
"What are you transporting?"
"Frozen redback cod," Mia said. All the crates stored fish kept cold by Mia's water magic.
The second guard strolled to the rear of the wagon, and said, "Could you step out please."
"Yes, sir." Al heard Tristan say, rid of his usual pompousness.
From the rear, Al could hear the guard rummaging through the crates. "He's inspecting the cargo," Mia whispered. "They are strict on contraband in these large cities."
It didn't take long for the guard to step back out. He gave a nod to the first guard. "Your cargo is acceptable. Pass or Fee?"
Mia passed the guard eight silver coins. "Three silver as for Fees, and five for a residential pass."
The guard pocketed the money and took out a small metal plaque. "This will last you thirty days then you need a renewal." Mia passed Al the plaque.
The second guard raised the gate, letting them through into the finely paved streets of Rivia. A strange stench filled the streets, a mix of food, excrements, and smoke. Al grimaced, the smell seemed so unnatural to him.
"Welcome to city life," she said. "When so many people mix it's bound to smell a little."
"A little?"
"It gets better in the inner city if you're rich enough to make it there," Monty said from the back. "Al, we'll part ways soon, we have business here. We intend to drop you off at a trustworthy, cheap inn."
This was bound to happen. Al couldn't rely on their charity forever. "Sounds good to me."
The oxen pulled the wagon through the winding city streets, as Al admired them. It hadn't taken long to get used to the smell, leaving him to appreciate the city.
The brick buildings lining the avenues were lit up by the warm light of magic street lamps. Through the warmth of the light, the night's cold air brushed his skin. Families could be seen laughing behind window curtains, while shop owners prepped for tomorrow.
It was bizarre. Al had never observed such heaps of people in one place. It was foreign, yet endearing. After seven or so turns along the winding streets the oxen stopped in front of a three-story building. A wooden sign inscribed Tammy's Keep hung above its entrance.
"This is your stop," Mia said.
Al jumped off the wagon with Mia, where he was greeted by a human-form Monty and Tristan. Both wore their usual, a blue riding hood and a black fur coat over leather armor respectively.
"I guess this is goodbye," Al said.
"Yeah, it is."
"It's been fun, hasn't been real fun," Mia said her cold face pulling a cheeky smile.
Still rude.
"Good to know how you feel, Mia." His gaze wandered over Monty, Mia, and Tristan, coming out of the wagon. "You have helped me greatly on my travels. I owe you a great debt. Once I am a great adventurer I will repay you somehow." Al's upper body sunk into a bow.
They smiled, "We might just take you up on that," said Monty. "Good luck."
"See ya, kiddo."
"Goodbye."
They waved as they left on the wagon, Al waved back before heading into the inn. Inside a single candle burned, illuminating an old woman reading a book at the reception desk.
When he walked, she gave him a cranky look, before turning back to her book. Al walked up to her. "I'd like a room, please."
"It's twenty-five copper a night."
"For four nights," Al said laying down a river coin.
Without looking up from her book, she rummaged under the desk, took out a key, and threw it on the desk. "Room twenty-five."
"Thanks."
Al found room twenty-five on the far end of the second floor. The room was small, and cramped with only a small skylight allowing for light to enter. The door boards creaked as he stepped on them, and the room smelled of mold.
Still, it had all the Al could need, a bed, desk, and storage.
Al didn't want to waste time unpacking, so he simply threw his backpack next to the bed. He took off his dirty clothes, revealing the sturdy body he had shaped for six years. He slipped on a pair of clean pants and went to bed.
The mattress barely had any cushioning, but Al ignored it. He needed the sleep. After all, tomorrow he would become an adventurer.