As the party traversed the quiet countryside on foot, the moon cast a silvery glow over the path. The air was cool, with a breeze wafting through every so often.
"Honestly, the best part of being a mercenary has to be nights like these." Kade stopped to feel the breeze and listen to the quietness around them. "This is really what I call the freedom to do whatever you wish." He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again and continued walking. The others silently nodded, watching where they were stepping as they moved forward.
After several hours of traveling through the countryside, they spotted a lantern light up in the distance and grew curious. Nodding to each other, they decided to check it out. Kael gripped his axe tightly, just in case.
As they approached, they saw a short man with a bushy beard jump out of a caravan. His eyes brightened when he saw the party, and he put his hands together. "Well met, you four!"
They all looked at the short man before Kael released his grip on his axe. Jin spoke up before anyone else could. "Is this your caravan?"
"Yes! Yes, it is! Is there a destination you need? I can take you anywhere at all," he said, smiling at them.
"How about Valor's Reach?" Kael suggested, looking down at the short man.
"Valor's Reach, huh? I can take you there for 40 silvers."
Jin glanced at his team and, reluctantly, handed the man 40 silvers from his bag. After the man counted the coins, he exclaimed, "Alright, go ahead and get on in! Next stop: Valor's Reach! By the way, my name is Brom Flint."
The party climbed into the back of the caravan, laid out their belongings, and settled back with a sigh of relief, grateful to avoid walking any further.
After they settled back, the caravan rumbled along the dirt road, the rhythmic clattering of wheels lulling them into a comfortable silence. They traveled for the next week, the landscape shifting from rolling hills to bustling towns. Finally, as dawn broke one morning, they caught sight of Valor's Reach.
As they approached Valor's Reach. The city loomed large, its jagged edges cutting into the gray sky. Kade, eyes wide with wonder, took in the sights. "Look at the size of this place… It's like something out of a fairy tale."
Kael smirked, tightening his grip on his axe. "Let's hope it lives up to the stories. I'm ready to show them what we can do."
Jin nodded, feeling the weight of the journey ahead. "We should stay alert… this town has quite a special reputation, and it seems they only respect strength from what i've heard.
As they stepped into the bustling streets, a sudden cold breeze swept through, rattling the windows of a nearby bar. The atmosphere suddenly shifted. Locals paused their conversations, turning to appraise the newcomers with narrowed eyes.
Kade glanced at the group, a grin still on his face. "Not exactly the warmest welcome, huh?"
"More like a test," Jin replied, scanning the crowd. "They're sizing us up."
As they walked, they heard snippets of conversation. "New mercenaries, I bet," one resident murmured. "Think they can handle the challenges here?"
"They'll have to prove it," another replied, disdain coloring their tone.
"Let's find a lodge," Kael suggested. "We need a place to rest before we tackle whatever challenges await."
The party made their way to a large, wooden lodge that stood at the edge of the main thoroughfare. Its sign swung gently in the wind, creaking ominously as they entered.
Inside, the warmth of the fire greeted them, but the atmosphere remained tense. The proprietor, a burly man with a thick beard and arms like tree trunks, stood behind the counter, watching them closely.
"Welcome to The Cliffside Lodge," he grunted, his gaze unyielding. "What brings you four to Valor's Reach?"
Jin stepped forward, trying to project confidence. "We're looking for a place to stay and some information about the city. We've come to take on the clan quests."
The lodge owner raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "And why should I let you stay? This isn't a place for weaklings looking for handouts."
Kade's enthusiasm dimmed a little. "What do you mean? Just let us get a room."
"A room, eh?" The owner leaned in, his expression skeptical. "How do I know you're not just all talk? I can't have anyone taking up space here who can't back it up."
Kael stepped forward, clearly irritated. "You want us to prove ourselves? We've fought countless battles—"
"Enough!" the owner interrupted, his voice like thunder. "If you want a room, you'll have to demonstrate your strength. I've got a challenge set up for anyone who wants to stay here."
Jin exchanged glances with his party, a mix of determination and apprehension on their faces. "What kind of challenge?"
The owner smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "A simple test. You'll face my best fighter in a one-on-one bout with no techniques, and no ki. Just strength. Win, and you'll earn your rooms. Lose, and you'll find somewhere else to sleep."
"Bring it on," Kade said, clenching his fists. "We're ready for anything."
The owner gestured toward a large door at the back of the lodge. "Follow me. And just so you know, I don't take pity on bitches. You'll fight until one of you can't stand."
As they moved through the lodge, the air grew thick with anticipation. The sound of a crowd echoed from the other side of the door, and Jin felt his heart race.
Stepping through the door, they entered a makeshift arena surrounded by rough-looking patrons. A massive man with a shaved head stood in the center, flexing his muscles as he prepared for the bout.
"Meet Brawn," the lodge owner announced, his voice booming over the crowd. "The best fighter of Valor's Reach's Cliffside Lodge. Who among you bitches, wants to face him?"
Kael stepped forward, his confidence unwavering. "I'll take him on. Just point me to the arena."
The crowd murmured, excitement building. "You sure about this?" Jin asked.
"I've fought tougher," Kael replied, determination etched on his face. "This will be easy."
"Let's see what you've got then!" the lodge owner shouted, a grin spreading across his face. "Step up, mercenary! Show us your strength!"
Kael approached Brawn, sizing him up. "I hope you're ready to be knocked down."
Brawn laughed, his voice deep and rumbling. "You think you can take me? I've sent stronger challengers south!"
"Enough talk," Kael shot back. "Let's get this over with."
As they squared off, the crowd's cheers roared like thunder, and the lodge owner raised his hand. "On my mark! Three… two… one… fight!"
Kael lunged forward, axe raised high. Brawn sidestepped, effortlessly avoiding the attack. The crowd gasped as Kael stumbled forward, barely regaining his balance.
"Not bad!" Brawn mocked, throwing a powerful punch that connected with Kael's side. The mercenary grunted, but he quickly retaliated with a swing of his axe.
The clash echoed through the lodge as the two fighters exchanged blows, the crowd roaring with approval. Jin watched, anxiety twisting in his gut for Kael. Kael was strong, but Brawn, from the few movements Jin saw, he looked like a man known for fighting his whole life.
"Come on, Kael! You can do this!" Kade shouted, his fists pumping in the air.
Kael dodged another strike and swung again, his axe barely grazing Brawn. "I'll show you what a real fighter can do!" he shouted, pushing himself to the limit.
But Brawn responded with a flurry of punches, landing a few solid hits on Kael, who staggered back, breathless. "You're quick for your size, but I'm stronger!" Brawn taunted.
"Strength and speed isn't everything about a fight." Kael managed, wiping blood from his lip.
With newfound determination, he charged, executing a series of swift strikes. Brawn struggled to keep up, but his size gave him an advantage. Just when it seemed Kael might gain the upper hand, Brawn caught him with a powerful kick, sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps. "Get up, Kael!" Jin urged, his heart pounding. "You can't let him win!"
Kael groaned, pushing himself up slowly, but he was clearly dazed. "I… I won't give up…" he murmured, determination flickering in his eyes.
"Is this all you've got?" Brawn jeered, looming over him. "You'll have to do better than that to earn your place here."
As the tension reached a boiling point, the lodge owner leaned forward, watching intently. "Prove it, then! Show us your strength, or pack your things and leave!"
With a roar, Kael summoned his energy, rising to his feet. "I'm not done yet!" He charged at Brawn once more, his movements fueled by a mixture of adrenaline and desperation.
The crowd's cheers reached a deafening level, and Jin could feel the energy in the air shift. Kael delivered a powerful swing of his axe, and for a moment, it seemed he might have the upper hand.
Brawn didn't see it coming but caught it last second, barely glazing his skin. "Shit you sure can throw an axe down, huh? You aren't as useless as you look." Brawn said confidently before throwing a punch into Kael's side again.
Kael dropped his axe and grabbed Brawn's fist before using his strength to toss Brawn down onto the floor.
The slam was loud, it echoed throughout the arena. The crowd grew quiet at the sound, after a moment everyone saw Brawn down on the ground gasping for air.
The owner of the lodge laughed and walked over to Jin, "Well you son of bitches somehow did it. Welcome to the lodge—your rooms will be prepared shortly" He clapped and laughed before leaving to go get 4 keys for the party.
Jin, Kael, Riven, and Kade followed the owner until they reached the bar. The owner handed them each their own keys. "Second floor for all of you." He said while pouring up a cup of alcohol to server to a customer.
Here's a continuation based on your request, focusing on their discussion in the room and ending with Jin stepping outside:
After receiving their keys, the party headed up to the second floor. They chose the largest room, the walls adorned with rustic decor that hinted at the lodge's long history.
"Alright, let's settle in," Jin said, dropping his bag onto one of the beds. "We need to talk about our next move."
Kael leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So, what's the plan? We can't just sit around. This place is too chaotic."
Riven plopped down on a bed, her eyes scanning the room. "We need intel. Information about the clans here, the palaces that are here, the sects that have been planted here or nearby, and we need information on the surrounding lands. We need intel on the quests this place has as well. That's how we'll make our mark here."
Kade nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! But where do we even start? This place feels… different. A lot more intense."
Jin furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "We should check out the bars. There are bound to be locals who know what's going on. But we have to be careful. They respect strength here."
Kael smirked. "I can handle a few locals. Just point me in the right direction."
Riven chuckled. "You're not invincible, Kael. Remember, there's always someone stronger."
"True," Kael admitted. "But we can't let them intimidate us. We have to show we mean business! Isn't that why we're here?"
Jin stood up, the determination in his eyes clear. "I'll head out tonight. I'll find someone willing to talk. The sooner we gather intel, the sooner we can dive into the quests."
Kade raised an eyebrow. "You're going alone? You know that's risky."
"I can handle myself," Jin replied, confidence ringing in his voice. "Besides, we need to split up a bit to cover more ground. You guys can scout around here, see if anyone knows anything. If they do, try to get them to talk."
Riven nodded. "Fine, but be careful. This place can be unforgiving… especially from what we saw in that arena."
Jin gave a reassuring smile. "I will. Just keep your eyes peeled for anything interesting. We'll meet back here later."
As he finished speaking, Jin walked down the stairs towards the door. He stepped outside the lodge, the cold air biting at his skin. The sounds of the bustling town greeted him, and he took a long deep breath. Afterwards he walked off to gather information.