C-6-367 looked down at the Alchemist before responding, "I am here on an official commission." Those words caused silence amongst the Alchemists as they exchanged glances, 'official commission' that phrase was familiar to them.
It was similar to when they claimed to be on 'Tower Business'. The Gladius saying that meant this wasn't some wandering Gladius who decided to make a stop here but one who had specifically arrived here for reasons unknown to them. The one who had asked the question gave a small nod to another alchemist who responded with one of their own, before turning and heading off into town.
"And you?" The alchemist questioned Barnabas who stood by C-6-367 and tried to make himself look smaller.
"Hahaha me?" Barnabas let out a nervous chuckle once the attention of the tower alchemists were brought on to himself, gulping down his spit and steadying his nerves Barnabas introduced himself.
"My name is Barnabas, traveling bard extraordinaire, and companion to this here Gladius"
His words elicited a quirked brow as the alchemist turned to C-6-367, who in turn glanced at Barnabas below. Barnabas felt a sweat patch form on his back as he believed his companion was about to deny him with the same fervor he denounced the ladies who came to him claiming to be pregnant.
Lady luck was smiling upon him that day however as the Gladius confirmed his story with but a nod. With the nod of confirmation the alchemist and guards dared not hold them any longer and allowed their entry into the town.
The town of Rusvil, if Barnabas recalled correctly was very close to being called a city. With a bustling market, tourists, hedge alchemists who offered their services as well as a variety of foods and women who could forget the ample bosoms of the people of Rusvil.
However as Barnabas looked around he could not help but wonder if his long time away had let to a misconception in his memory. There were people up and about yes, but they walked around with a certain urgency he could not place.
The various guards and alchemists who could be seen at every corner, caused this place to look like some insurgent occupied town rather than the colorful town in his memories. "What happened here?" Barnabas muttered as he continued to look around.
"Pay up"
"Pardon?", Barnabas turned to C-6-367.
"I have escorted you into the town of Rusvil and kept you safe throughout the journey. Now pay me what you promised."
"Right the money" Barnabas began to scratch the back of his head, "about that... my money was kind of with the horse so when it run of with my stuff I kind of lost most of it." Sensing the growing displeasure of the Gladius before him, he quickly stretched out his hand before him.
"Not to worry, this is the town of Rusvil. There is an inn or bar at every corner and each one is filled to the brim, now, now with my skill, my songs will have the women swooning and pockets empty. Thus by the morrow you are certain to get your money".
Barnabas words were met with silence, a silence that stretched out to fill the space between them. The silence was broken with a grunt as C-6-367 jumped down from his horse and stood before Barnabas, his eyes trailing down from Barnabas' eyes down to his chest tilting his head as his eyes remained focus on their target.
Barnabas followed the eyes of the Gladius and looked back up at them, a nervous chuckle escaping him once he realized what they were looking at.
"Well, what is this. A bag of silver, I had completely forgotten about this." Barnaba reached into his clothes and brought out the bag of silver.
C-6-367 stretched out his hand as a response, "really just like that, now, my friend" Barnabas began, his voice oozing with charm, "I understand my debt, truly I do. I truly intended to pay you what I promised, but we were just attacked just last night and my horse run of with most of my wealth."
C-6-367 remained standing still like some sort of statue, unimpressed by Barnabas' attempts at manipulation. "I've held up my end, now pay up."
But Barnabas' was not one to give up easily. With a practiced sigh, he leaned, adopting a pleading expression, his eyes turning watery on command as though he would burst out in tears at any given moment.
"Surely, there must be some room for negotiation, you can't intend to leave a good man starving and out in the streets without any coin" he implored, his eyes darting around as though searching for sympathy, from the people in the streets who stopped to look once they took notice of the Gladius.
"After all, we fought together just last eve. That makes close friends right, a bond formed with blood, are we not? Surely you can find it in your heart to show a little leniency to a poor bard."
"Pay up"
Hearing the cold unfeeling words, Barnabas lost all the earlier emotions and with a sigh simply handed the money to the Gladius who promptly left after receiving his pay.
....
In a manse, located in the wealthier districts of Rusvil.
Matilda sat behind a desk reading through files placed upon her desk, they had scoured each and every art of this town yet they were unable to find the boy or the member of the Scarlet church who was last seen with him.
Her only comfort was the fact that none had seen either the boy or the cultist leave through any of the exist be they legal or less so.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on her door, looking up from the documents she was reviewing she saw an alchemist from the tower step in.
"Sorry for the interruption Magistra, I bring news."
"What news?" She questioned as she put away her quill and paying attention to the new comer. He was a young one, with his youth still radiating from his person. This was natural she could tell, not some modification as other alchemist who were concerned about their appearance were wont to do.
This one could not be yet reached his twenties she surmised, as he continued on to deliver the news that had brought him to her.
"A Gladius is in town".