The allure of the luxurious fabric caught the attention of the students, drawing them in like moths to a flame. One by one, they stood up, their curiosity piqued, eyes wide with fascination as they stared at the convoy.
Meanwhile, the teachers, far more experienced, recognized something unusual. Even if the students couldn't figure out where the convoy came from, the teachers certainly did. Without hesitation, they quickened their pace, urging their horses onward as though they were trying to escape the mysterious travelers.
Some students, still intrigued, tried to dismount to get a better look at what was being transported in the carriages. But before they could manage, the convoy suddenly picked up speed. Chaos followed. Several students lost their footing, tumbling off or clinging desperately to the sides as the horses galloped ahead. Among those struggling to stay steady were Oliver and his companions.
Chris, who had already fallen, looked bewildered as he picked himself up. Enola, still wobbling but managing to stay upright thanks to some luck, glanced around in confusion. Lesley, who had chosen to stay seated next to his girlfriend, stared after the convoy in equal puzzlement. "What just happened?" they all asked, their voices mingling in disbelief.
Oliver, attempting to calm the situation, shrugged. "Maybe they're just trying to reach the city faster. Who knows, maybe they're rushing to grab lunch there."
"Really?" The three exchanged skeptical glances, but Oliver's explanation didn't seem completely out of place. They nodded, though curiosity still lingered in their eyes as they watched the convoy disappear into the distance.
Oliver, however, didn't just rely on his own eyes. His vision extended far beyond, through an unseen watcher high in the sky. His instincts told him that the figures hidden in the convoy weren't just ordinary travelers. If he wasn't mistaken, among the elves being transported were some very familiar faces, ones that were not to be underestimated.
The group's focus shifted as they neared the city, its silhouette finally emerging after what felt like hours of travel. The closer they got, the more a sense of desolation crept in.
"This place looks... abandoned," Sandra whispered under her breath, breaking the uneasy silence.
The city wall before them was in a pitiful state. Cracks and scars marred its surface, some so deep that light filtered through tiny holes. Where guards should have been posted in full force, only a few weary figures stood atop the rubble-strewn wall, barely holding their ground. Even the defensive stones, meant to protect the city, had crumbled and fallen to the ground, scattered like forgotten memories.
Enola couldn't help but make light of the situation, shaking her head with a smirk. "I bet even a ragtag group of human thieves could put up a better defense."
"That's not even a bet," Lesley said dryly. "It's a fact. Not just here; pretty much anywhere outside the territory, too."
"But maybe that's good for us," Chris suggested optimistically. "In a place this run-down, we could probably sell a few items and make enough to last us the month."
"Maybe," Oliver mused. "But too much money can draw unwanted attention."
"Then we'll sell things bit by bit," Chris said, still hopeful.
Around them, the others seemed to share similar thoughts, their faces lighting up with excitement. The students buzzed with anticipation, unaware that their teachers, watching from a distance, wore uneasy expressions, as if they knew something the students didn't.
At last, the convoy pulled up at the city gates. Two guards stood watch, their faces serious as they scrutinized every traveler who passed through. Their demeanor suggested they were expecting trouble, determined to stop any stranger who didn't belong.
"Even the guards are branded by the Black Crows," Oliver muttered, yawning as if bored. His half-lidded eyes, however, quickly scanned the guards, taking in every detail.
Though they looked like ordinary human soldiers, the Black Crows' presence was undeniable. If the guards were under their influence, it meant the Black Crows held significant sway in this decrepit city.
Once inside, the teachers led the students to a shabby little restaurant on the edge of the town square. The scent of hot food greeted them, and despite the gloomy surroundings, the sight of bowls of steaming noodles brought smiles to everyone's faces. The students eagerly took their bowls, the warmth seeping through their fingers as they prepared to eat.
But as they peered into the bowls, their smiles faltered. The noodles floated in clear water, devoid of any real flavor or ingredients. For some, a few lonely green onion slices drifted on the surface, hardly making the meal any more appetizing.
"Is there something special about this?" one student muttered skeptically, glancing around. Some, too hungry to care, slurped up the noodles or took a sip of the broth, only to gag as the bland taste hit their tongues.
A chorus of groans and complaints soon rippled through the group.
The teacher approached, a knowing smile on his face. "Alright, students," he said, looking at the unimpressed faces before him. "Care to guess how much each of those bowls cost?"
The students threw out guesses, ranging from 5 to 50 copper coins, their faces reflecting varying degrees of skepticism. After all, it was just a plain bowl of boiled noodles with no seasoning, and barely enough to fill anyone up. How expensive could it possibly be?
Oliver, however, had a far better grasp on the situation. He knew that the basic ingredients for a bowl of noodles, along with the firewood and water to cook it, should cost around 20 copper coins. But in a city controlled by the Black Crows, everything was inflated beyond reason. Here, a bowl of noodles wasn't 20 copper coins, it was closer to 20 silver coins, or a staggering 2,000 copper coins.
The price had multiplied a hundredfold.
His suspicions were soon confirmed when the teacher revealed the answer: 21 silver coins. The room went silent, shock rippling through the group. The students, who moments ago were grumbling about the bland food, now sat in stunned disbelief.
After a beat, someone let out a nervous laugh. "Teacher, you must be joking!"
The teacher's expression remained serious. "I'm not. If you don't believe me, feel free to check the prices outside for yourselves. And no, I won't be dumping the noodles for you."
At that, most of the students bolted for the door, eager to verify the teacher's claim. Deep down, they knew the teacher had no reason to lie. Still, they couldn't bring themselves to believe it, which is why their instinct was to laugh it off.
But Oliver and a few others didn't move. His companions, Enola, Alice, Rosa, and the teacher's granddaughter, stayed seated, their curiosity drawn to Oliver, who had calmly begun to eat.
Enola raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously eating this?"
Oliver leaned in, signaling for them to gather closer. He pulled out a small pouch, no bigger than a tea bag, and whispered, "It's salt. I don't have much, so I can't share it with everyone. Keep it quiet, or others will notice."
The group nodded in understanding. Oliver carefully tore a tiny hole in the pouch and sprinkled a pinch of salt into each bowl. "This should help," he said, his voice low. "I was going to give some to the little guy, but…" His words trailed off as he glanced outside the window. There, he spotted the principal slipping a large stash of food to a teacher, all while pointing protectively toward his granddaughter.
"Never mind. Looks like they're taken care of," Oliver muttered.
The group began eating slowly, savoring the difference. Though the noodles remained simple, the addition of salt made them much more bearable. Each bite felt easier to swallow, and a quiet sense of satisfaction settled over them as they ate.
Soon, the students who had run outside began trickling back in, their faces pale and expressions tight with disbelief. They had seen it for themselves, the prices in the city were outrageous. A loaf of freshly baked bread was 20 silver coins, and a small piece of stale meat cost an exorbitant 60 silver coins. Suddenly, the bowl of plain noodles they had been given for free seemed like a luxury.
Many of the students came from wealthy families, where spending a few hundred gold coins was of little concern. But this sudden change in circumstances caught them off guard. No one had expected such high prices, and most hadn't thought to bring much money. After all, they assumed a short stay would be manageable, and they could easily earn extra on their days off. Now, survival in this city seemed like a much bigger challenge.
As the others slowly began to grasp the gravity of their situation, Enola, having finished his bowl, turned to Oliver with a curious look. "Why did you have salt packets on hand? Did you know how bad it would be here?"
Oliver paused, thinking quickly. He couldn't exactly say he had anticipated how terrible the food in this place would be. "It's just a habit," he replied with a casual shrug. "I like to be prepared. Sometimes local food can be tough to get used to, so I bring my own things to adjust."
"That actually makes sense," Enola said, nodding. "Where'd you get the salt packets? I might grab some next time we travel."
Oliver grinned slightly. "The school canteen."
Enola blinked in surprise. "Wait, they sell this stuff at the canteen?"
"Of course," Oliver said, a knowing smile on his face. "You'd be surprised at how many useful things they stock if you know where to look."