"A magic scroll!? How do you have this?" Rhetta exclaims, bewildered and giving Kramoris the exact reaction he wanted.
Her face was a sight for sore eyes, indeed, this was the anticipated reaction he had awaited. He almost wanted to laugh at his prediction. Khio had been stunned into silence. It was no surprise that being around the imperial family they were bound to hear of magic scrolls and this was the first time they actually got to see one. It had them all the more impressed that Kramoris just casually pulled it out.
The emperor himself could not readily have magic scrolls available, even if he wanted them. They were so rare and only a finite few remained. They were arguably as rare as those fluent in the ancient language. Someone was able to successfully engrave functioning magic sigils and circles, for obvious reasons their identity was not known. They kept a small supply of scrolls circulating after they created them.
Florian covered her mouth upon closely inspecting the magic circle, it was to prevent the sign of recognition from escaping. She knew who had drawn this magic circle, though would not say and kept it quiet. Such was her intention, however for Kramoris who saw this, he felt a twinge of greed. His shadowed eyes filled with intrigue and a sly smile rested on his lips. The tingling of his merchant's instinct indicated that Florian knew something. She didn't show the same outward amazement, it's almost as if she had seen magic scrolls before, so much so that she grew bored. A subtle warning ran out in the back of his mind. Florian held plenty of secrets as did everyone else present.
"It's great that you have a scroll and all but if you don't have a mana scroll it's pretty much useless." Khio says, gesturing her hands in a pseudo spell.
"Indeed! That's why I have this!" Kramoris chortled in perfect response to Khio's concerns, he slipped a second scroll from his sleeves. A mana scroll to be precise. They wanted to be surprised but that they understood from this interaction is why the Sage suggested Kramoris to be a part of the plan.
"Why do you have teleport scrolls? Aren't magic scrolls only given to very high ranking nobles that pay excessive amounts for them?" Florian inquired, to an extent she had a partial answer to the question.
"Of course! I am the one that sells these to the high ranking nobles. I charge a pretty penny for them but it would be silly for me to pay the same price and that is what we call turning a profit." Kramoris pets Florian's head after his explanation. "Besides, I need to get around for business. I pride myself on attending to clients in a timely manner after all."
Kramoris takes a few steps back from the group. His hand grips and swiftly rips the first scroll, and in a blinding flash of a light a magic circle is burnt into the ground where he stands.
'Did you really need all the theatrics for the scroll?' Florian thinks to herself, mostly referring to the person who created the scroll.
"Well then dear entourage, shall we head off now? To Cagrown!" Kramoris appears much more chipper than earlier as he awaits everyone to step into the formation.
Hesitantly they step into the formation, Hammy jumps into the circle and nips Khio's hand. He whines and flashes eyes filled with sadness.
"It's dangerous to come with us. You should stay here, it's your home after all." Khio speaks softly and soothingly.
Hammy whimpered, pushing his face into Khio's hand, she gave in. It would be alright if he came with, besides seeing what they saw earlier he would probably be safer with them anyway.
"Now everyone please hold hands and stay safe while we travel. We wouldn't want a limb to stay behind." Kramoris states, watching everyone hold hands. He rips the mana scroll that burns with unusually coloured flames that fall into the circle. The light engulfs their vision, blinding them from anything around them. There is a dense pressure that passes over them and a strange sensation which overtakes their bodies. It was not an unpleasant feeling, nevertheless it still felt very peculiar. The light shoots through the forest and leaves nothing behind but the charred remnants of the magic circle on the forest floor.
The ambient sounds of the forest vanish, replaced by a distant crash of waves. The chilling ocean breeze washes over them and the sounds of the busy city arise and surround them. The jovial conversations and sound of ships in the distance all but tell that they are in Cagrown. The resounding toll of a bell to indicate midnight rings throughout the city.
They open their eyes to the rumoured city of Cagrown. A scene of the building's gem-like sheen that reflects an impression of starlight. Much more subtle than the capital city but somehow even more splendid. The sight of ships sailing in the distance, all various sizes coming to and fro the harbour drew a sense of peace from the group. It was the first time in days they felt like they could actually breathe.
Small buildings, larger buildings, little market stalls that line the road all comprised this busy city. The architecture was vastly different from the capital, there was artistry and intent behind their designs. There were rows of lights strung across the lamp posts to light the city streets and in spite of the late hour there were still many people on the streets perusing the famous night markets of Cagrown.
The streets were paved, a very rare sight as the only paved road could be found in the capital and the merchants road but it still looked nothing like this. The road was neatly paved with refined limestone, a marvel of the mining industry as the means and machinery had yet to be developed anywhere else but Cagrown.
"This way." Kramoris's voice interrupted the gawking of the group who were marvelling at the city sights. It snapped the group out of their dazed states.
Khio picked up Hammy, Rhetta and Florian pulled themselves away from the sight and trailed behind Kramoris.
They approached one of the bigger buildings on the main street, the group looked at the lavish sign that hung overhead, it read: Silverly Trading Centre
It proved to be an appropriate sign for the second largest merchants guild on the continent. Looking at the intricately carved wooden door, they read the sign 'Closed' that was hanging on the front. Ignoring that, Kramoris confidently pushed the handle down, the door popped open and a soft chime announced their arrival.
"This is the Cagrown branch of Silverly" Kramoris stated with pride, his smile radiating even through his cloak. He felt proud to show this store, a place he built up through his efforts. The group looked up, taking in the extent of the building. They could visibly make out three floors, shelves that lined the sides of the walls and even a few standing shelves and displays. Each filled with a variety of different items and objects. Dainty glass ornaments, rare gems and jewels, even weapons could all be seen. Every shelf stood a catalogue that held illustrations and art of even more products. It was an awe-inspiring scene, things could be purchased directly from the shelves but many people preferred ordering specific items as well.
"Ah, I did already specify that you would be going as cargo...It's a bit of a different kind of carriage and cargo that I had in mind."
They looked at him with uncertainty and the sudden subdued manner in which Kramoris spoke only further roused questions and unrest.
Legacy Information Guild, Azmar Village. Early morning.
Rennier paced around the small room, he had been unable to sleep and remained apprehensive. After escaping the first prince's palace he had no idea what happened to his highness. Rennier's pacing increases trying to find a solution or at least some line of thought to distract him from assuming the worst possible scenario. His mind is unforgiving, he always wanders back to the things he did not want to remember.
Thanks to the poison Rennier felt stiff, his body felt cumbersome and his physical capabilities were not up to his usual standard. It frustrated him when his body would not work the way he told it to. The wounds inflicted by Melgrens knife had yet to heal fully, the residual poison proved far more troublesome than he originally estimated.
Driven by his concerns, Rennier decided it is pertinent to visit Tayoshi, he exits his room and with a hastened pace he marches towards Tayoshi's office.
Outside of the office, a secretary closes the door. She looks at Rennier who appears to have rushed over, evident by his light panting and trying to catch his breath. Her surprised face morphed into a practised smile and professional composure. "Master Tayoshi is outside for his morning training."
"I see, thank you."
Rennier offers a short word of thanks and goes the way which the young woman pointed out to him.
Tayoshi strained under a dull ache in his muscles. The amount of times he had stabbed, slashed and swung his double bladed spear. Each swing held more force than the last, he gave it his all. If not for the deathly grip he held, it surely would have gone flying with devastating force.
His mind clouded and felt cluttered with too many unnecessary worries. Mechanically running through his current jobs, strictly from his perspective of his role as the head of the information guild. He buried himself under thoughts of work to detract from the tugging memory that lingered in his mind. One when he pictures himself as a young child again, standing in the scene of tragedy and the gentle face of Yoritoki that smiled at him. The ever so kind man who had taken him in and protected him. The failed attempt to drown out the memories only allow them to surface. Beneath his mask Tayoshi's face grimaced with regretful sorrow. His swings grew heavier, harder and desperate. He forced the memories back, Tayoshi corrected the minuscule mistakes in his form. His fixation on form breaks with the cold prick of blood lust directed at him. There is a slight delay in his reaction as he counters Rennier's attack not a moment too soon. Rennier's momentum is staggered by the vicious swing of the spear and forces him to take a few steps back.
Regaining his balance, Rennier assumes an all too familiar stance. Tayoshi smiles bitterly, a mix of impressed and insulted. A calm moment passes and the peace that existed a second ago snaps with the aggressive display of their attacks. Tayoshi steps carefully, calculates and creates the right amount of distance to take a wide swing at Rennier.
He drops beneath the reach of the staff, accounting for the low and awkward posture he launches from the ground, drawing his knife up to strike quickly in the small window of opportunity. Rennier draws a thin smile at the taste of his victory.
It is nothing but bait...Tayoshi pulls his spear back quickly, releasing the grip and holding it shallowly causing a loud clang when the blades collide. Swift in his reaction Rennier alternates the hand brandishing the blade and disappointingly is pushed back again. His agility is far better than Tayoshi's, a smaller weapon suited his style and made great use of that fact. Opposed to carrying swords, he carried a smaller variety of blades.
A calculated and powerful leap sent Rennier into the perfect position of an angle that Tayoshi would have difficulty swinging at, he moved quickly to close the range between them. Tayoshi smirked knowing it had been far too long since the two of them sparred.