David immediately positioned himself in the front of the carriage with Loui. Kol assumes he did this to avoid any questions from June regarding his face.
The carriage would occasionally cross another carriage carrying other people the opposite of where they were heading. David kept Loui company, talking about horses and their care. David seemed happy to talk to them unless he was hiding his real emotions about horses well. He genuinely looked happy. The complete opposite of what Kol saw a while ago.
"You said you needed camping supplies, and you don't want to lose your advantage from the class." Kol turned to June. "Does that mean after our duel, we're going camping?"
"No. but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared." June says as she crosses her arms, sitting across Kol.
(Insight D20 + D4 roll) – 9
'I know you're hiding something.' Kol thought.
"What are you staring at?" June asked catching Kol staring at her.
"Is this your first time going to Lindow?"
"No, I was here once before, but things have changed since then, things might look different now," June says looking at the graying sky in the distance.
"Change? Everything looks the same as before." Kol corrected.
June sighed, "57 years ago it was different." June said.
The realization hits Kol. How could he have forgotten that June was a high elf?
In the balanced world, elves were divided into 2 subraces, A high elf, like June preferred the study of the arcane and mingled with other races. The other is wood elves who preferred the company of animals and forests. Though both have a shade of Gold on their skin the distinguishing factor would be their growth. High elves grew as they age up to 1500 years old, while wood elves would reach maturity first and stay aged at 1500.
"I can see it on your face piecing it together," June said. "I am a high elf, I'm 183 years old. By human standards that would be around 16 or 17 years old."
"I see," Kol said awkwardly, not knowing what to follow up with after the revelation of her age.
"I have a question for you," June said propping up and turning to face Kol. "I know you lied about your eyes, but now it's more than just your eyes. You seem more confident."
Kol averts her eyes, preparing how to answer her question.
'Should I lie?'
'She already caught me in a lie what makes you think she can't tell this time?'
"Is your sudden change related to that girl you like? Nicole, was it?" June asked.
'What?'
"Like her? Where did you hear that?" flushed from her question.
"The little girl from yesterday."
'I'll double down then.'
Kol took in a deep breath and seemed to relax his before-tensed body.
"No. I've been experimenting with my spell recipes. When I fail the spell backfires and sometimes causes random effects. My eyes are a testament to that." Kol said confidently hoping to not get caught. "As for my confidence, which I wouldn't call it that. It's more of comfortability, getting familiar with how things work especially in our classes with Ross."
(Deception D20 + D4 roll) – 22
"Comfortability huh?" Junes looks at Kol, then turns to David. "I see."
'Nailed it' Kol cheered internally.
After a while, the group's carriage arrives. The entrance has the same busy atmosphere where carriages are waiting for passengers. The familiar archway that says 'Welcome to Lindow'.
The port town of Lindow is situated in a way that the main road would divide the town and the sea. The facing east, the town would be on your right and the sea would be on your left. The road would then stretch for until a quarter mile where the sea would gradually disappear into the cliffside.
The majority of the town is above the sea and held aloft by planks of wood. Multiple ships docked that sway from the waves, the guards patrolling in groups inspecting every language or passenger that comes and goes from Lindow, the smell of fresh air, freshly caught fish, urine, feces, and probably something that found its way underneath the wooden floor and died. A completely different aura compared to the lazy town of Fallholt.
"Here you go." June hands Loui 5 gold leaves, as she dismounts from the carriage. "Wait for us until we get back. Alright?"
"Yes, miss." Loui salutes with 2 fingers showing confirmation of their deal.
"So. Where do you want to go?" David asked, turning his head to June.
"Like I said, I want camping gear. But before that." Junes reaches into her bag. "I told my mother I hired a guide. She gave me money for the guide, since there's two of you. Just share."
June hands 5 gold leaves to David.
Both of their jaws dropped at the sight of gold just for them. People would normally be able to save for 1 gold if they probably worked for an entire month. Confused as to who June was for letting go of 5 gold so easily.
"Alright. Lead the way guides." June gestures forward.
Energized by the leaves they received. The boys imitated Loui and saluted June as well.
"Yes, miss." They both exclaimed, then laughed at their goofiness.
Reaching the docks, the cold wind was no longer subtle to their skin. The first thing Kol noticed was a ship in the ocean heading toward the island, behind it was a growing cloud of darkness, streaks of light illuminating the cloud ever so often followed by a loud crack of thunder. This wasn't good. Kol thought he would spend the whole day in Lindow, but they might be heading back a little past noon.
David and June noticed the incoming storm as well. But their expression changed almost as if something didn't add up in their thoughts.
"Let's go. Let's not waste any more time." Kol cleared the air.
"Yeah, it's this way miss." David was still consistent with the joke.