We were slowly approaching the Tyrnbrook, the capital of Tryn. Like most medieval cities, this one was built in a multi ring formation, with different sections being walled off from magical beasts. We had passed the first gate last night, but since it was a few hours ride into the merchants ring, we stayed the night there, and headed off before first light to get into the capital early. It was now mid morning, and we had the entire day ahead to explore the Merchant Ring, while gathering intel on the 13th platoon. According to dar, the majority of the army was stationed in the Middle or Merchants ring as well, rather than the Nobles district. The nobles district was exclusive, and didn't have many tourist, so I was not too concerned with missing out on that part of the city. IF anything, the city formation benefits me, as I wouldn't accidentally run into any nobles trying to catch me in there bullshit schemes.
Feeling relieved, I check our purse, we had just barely 100 gold coins. in Ravenaire that money didn't get me very far, but in hindsight, it was the top adventures guild in all 5 nations, and a top tourist destination. The place was packed. IT would be the equivalent to traveling to Disney world and thinking all of Florida would run on the same economics. Sure the city will still have some inflation, but im hoping it wouldn't be too bad.
With only a few minutes left in the carriage, our group planned on splitting up, Ari & Ronin volunteered to search the city for Aiko's scent. Dar gave us an old outfit of hers, and Ari will see if she picks up anything. Ronin will keep an ear out for the city.
Prya, Ruby, and I will have two missions, first try to socialize with some locals, and gain intel on the city and where the platoon's hang out and drink. The second will be making progress on my last two quests. One was tame a spirit and create a soul bond. Prya had already chosen to become my soulspirit, yet we lacked the necessary supplies to make it work. Prya had everything she needed to bond with Ruby, choosing to get the supplies before leaving the Dryad Animal Kingdom, but we needed a powerful regent for our bond. We either needed to kill a powerful fire beast, or find some fire gem that ruby went on and on about in the carriage. She explained it in great detail, but all I really understood was it was like a fossilized ember or flame. Sounded pretty expensive though.
The second quest given from Siya, was form a permanent connection with one mount. This one was a lot more complicated than it sounds. I had a lot of time to think and consult Siya while in the carriage. Forming a connection with my mount, would allow us to again, she life energy, or mana between the two of us. Similar to my connection with Ronin. Therefore, when we are fighting whichever magical beast I select wouldn't be left behind as our party ascends to higher tiers. Yet, the problem I see happening I need one that is both useful but large enough to carry a party, Ari aside, as he may as well be a mount himself. I added Ronin to my party after several failed attempts, Ruby was added after a dare, and Prya was ... mutual you could say. This time, I would take the time to research.
Our driver, Sami approached the guarded gate and handed the beefy guard a token for enter. The gate was built with stone, similar to the Great Wall of china, if the Great Wall was 200 feet tall. There was no way over this without a flying magical beast, and even then im guessing there were sentries. Tyrnbrook was well guarded, and this was just the middle ring.
The walk into the city was breath taking. Tyrnbrook was ... magical. Each shop was drawing you attention with a different magical gimmick, the Inn's gave of a magical sent, the butchers shop had a bowl circling the roof, and one of the magical regent stores had a constant firework going off. It was like New York on steroids, grabbing your attention at every turn. I could tell that the city was affluent, yet as we traveled, there was barely anything between the city and the Guildhouse. All the wealth was located in one centralized location, rather than having what is suburbs.
I decided to treat this like I would treat any large city, start small. Find a quiet shop or storefront, have small talk and then ask a local where to go, best spots to hit up, and what to avoid. Get a lay of the land. So after saying goodbye to Sami, we departed into the middle of the city.
We passed along a few main streets, that were filled with people, even though the morning was just starting, due to the crowds, we turned onto a side street and kept out eyes out for a restaurant. We ventured down an alley, following Ari nose, and landed on a small Mom and pop store, Mysteria's Egg' and Hash house
We all walked in and I was awestruck, this was a fantasy diner! As I peered around, the Hash House was no very crowded, but had customers evenly spaced in each of the booths that were available. I even noticed someone brought their owl bear with them, as he was hunched over the side of one of the booths, being fed from the table. I then noticed a small, peacock looking chicken flying around the chicken. IT seemed to be the spirit beast of the owner, due to its ease of access to the backroom.
Knowing that this establishment would welcome my entire party, we headed in and found the last remaining booth and sat down. Ari, rather than lay on the floor, took up an entire side of the booth, while Ruby, Prya, Ronin and I sat on the other. Quickly, a young man with reddish brown hair a ton of freckles came by with Menu's
"Hi, I am Airin Mysteria, and I will be your server today" Wow, it was like I was in an actual diner, this experience was incredibly similar. Feeling at home, I made quick conversation with the young man, finding out the specials, which were magical beast meat cut into sausage, and mysteria's eggs, a random magical beast egg of the day. Not only, that but I learned that he was the son of the owner, a married couple who both use to be apart of Tyra's Army, but now they are retired owning a small restaurant and country house in the third district. Airin was a local, who was currently going to school in Tyrn, and had yet to leave the outer ring of the capital. This seemed to be common among children, due to the risks that traveling represented with 'monsters' on the road at all times.
Airin quickly took our order, as we all got what I would describe as an 'All American Breakfast' a selection of meat, hash browns, eggs, and toast, Ronin order half, I got 1, Prya and Ruby split an order, while Ari got 3 large plates. The food came quickly enough, as each of us immensely enjoyed it. However, before we paid, I was able to talk to Airin about the city, letting him know this was my first time visiting. His first suggestion was the Main Park, which was always the main tourist destination, as the fountain in the center makes the most wonderful waterfall. He then told us about a small market district that was unknown to locals. Best homemade goods around, rather than generic high priced items found in the merchant quarter. Airin then starting asking about Ronin, Ruby and Ari. I explained that I was a beast tamer, and was in town looking for information on my next new team member. This seemed to excite him, as he said ' I have been looking for my soul beast for years, The Queen Brianna Library has a full list of all magical beasts on the continent, sometimes on my off days I go to look and imagine myself bonding with one...' Airin voice went quiet as he finished the sentence, sort of embarrassed by what he had said.
The impression I got from talking to Airin was, he mostly avoid any heavily occupied place in the city, telling us how to avoid any and all tourists, but was an overall good hearted kid. If I had time in the city after finding Aiko, I vowed to help Airin tame a magical beast. I already knew I would be coming back here again, so I may as well form a friendship with Airin, he couldn't be much younger than myself. We chatted for a few more minutes, eventually, I got him to explain that if I wanted to find a certain platoon, I would need to head to the military quarter, which was mostly always avoid by the locals due to the rough nature of the area.
I thanked Airin again for the information, and then we headed out of the Hash House. Airin gave us a few starting place's for exploring the city. Ari, Ruby and Ronin would head to the military district, and look for clues. I made sure to tell them to stay out of trouble and if someone tries to stop you, run away and find me. With ronin's and I connection, it wouldn't be difficult. In the meantime, Prya and I headed to the market district Airin mentioned, then we would visit the library to research my next magical mount.
We had only been separated for less than an hour, when I had a mental jab hit my brain. Ronin was calling me, I couldn't perfectly understand the message, but it sounded like Ari had taken off into the crowd at full speed, knocking over anyone who he passed and needed me to get to them asap, the guards were chasing him! Ugh!! I thought Ari outgrew his puppy behavior, yet once again I learn I can't trust him with crowds. The second an enjoyable scent is sniffed, he would sprint away. I can't remember how many drinks of mine he spilled when I use to take him out... Damnit, I thought the increased intelligence would lessen these problems. Sadly, dogs will be dogs no matter if they posses mana or not.