Both Marrowfield and willowfield were named after two siblings from ages ago, at least that was what the history said.
Even to this day, they are said to be the twin cities, with open trades and helping each other in drought or even with manpower. It was the marrow field that helped Gareth the most months back, fending off the ogres.
Reibar had been here before, on some errands from the guild. There were small quests of delivering a few items and, one time, a mission to escort a caravan, too.
Well, he had expected the same but this time it was totally different. They were thoroughly checked and inquired before entering town and of course, replying that they were survivors of willowfield would only raise suspicion.
"ah we just came here to visit our nephew from the village" reibar spoke, saying whatever came to his mind at the moment.
"What village?" the guard at the entrance questioned, pointing his gaze more.
"stone hollow" this time hamira replied with a stern face.
The guard let them pass...
"How do you come with that village name ?" reibar was surprised at her cover-up.
"I had spent some time over there observing willowfield, what did you think I loved to poop in that cave? It's a small village nearby"
If they were in the cave Reibar would have 100% punished her, but it can't be done in a street fully packed with people.
"well it's okay, it's better to keep a talking person with you rather than keeping some toy who only does what you say. Moreover, she did save my story this time from that guard" Reibar kept walking through the street with this thought.
They stopped near an alley, Reibar instructed the once proud demon commander to seduce a lowly commoner and bring him into this alley where he waited. Well.....those red hairs of hers and shiny silver armour did the trick. Reibar didn't have to wait there for long, hiding in the alley, when she came along with a guy, all cheeks red, looking at Hamira's chest.
When they were at enough distance, he lunged from the shadows and grabbed him so fast he couldn't even notice him coming. Maybe it was due to that agility from the wind, or.... his mind was too indulged in indecent thoughts to notice the surroundings.
The man tried to pull away, mumbling excuses, but Reibar's cold glare and firm grip left little room for debate.
"Talk," Reibar demanded, his tone sharp. "What's going on here? This place wasn't like this a few months ago."
The man hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I-I don't know anything," he stammered.
Reibar leaned in, his voice dropping dangerously low. "Do I look like I have time for your lies? Spill it, or I'll make sure you regret wasting my time."
The man gulped, glancing nervously around the alley. It was clear he knew even if someone stumbled upon them, it would already be too late to help him. Sighing in resignation, he began to speak.
"It's because of what happened at Willowfield," he muttered, his voice shaky. "The whole place… gone. Annihilated."
Reibar's eyes narrowed. "Annihilated by who?"
The commoner hesitated again but flinched at the dark look Reibar shot him. "The Beast Kingdom of Tharvin. They're behind it. Word is… they're preparing to attack here next. That's why the city's changed. We're scrambling to set up defences. Forces from the Capital are supposed to arrive soon to respond to their attack."
The man's fear was palpable as he spoke, his voice trembling with every word. "Everyone's scared. We're not ready for something like this."
Reibar released the man, who stumbled back, clutching at his chest as though relieved to still be breathing. Without a word, Reibar turned to leave, Hamira silently following him.
"what do even demons want to get from this? Making martlock and Tharvin fight" he asked hamira knowing she would have an answer for it in any case.
Their next stop was the armor shop, a modest establishment tucked into the corner of a bustling street. Reibar pushed the creaky wooden door open, motioning for Hamira to follow. The shopkeeper, an old man with sharp eyes and a practiced hand, looked up from polishing a set of chainmail and froze mid-motion. His gaze locked on Hamira's shining silver armor, widening with surprise.
Before they even reached the counter, Hamira spoke up, her voice soft but firm. "This armor… it's a gift from my brother. I don't want to sell it. Please."
Reibar didn't even glance her way. "Not happening."
Her request might have tugged at someone else's heartstrings, but Reibar wasn't someone else. If it had been a simple set of clothes, maybe he would've allowed her to keep it. But the armor? That thing practically screamed for attention, and the last thing he needed was more eyes on them. Already, he'd noticed too many lingering glances from passersby as they walked through town. Keeping a low profile was impossible with her looking like a knight who had just stepped out of a fairy tale.
"Let's get this over with," he muttered, stepping up to the counter.
The old man finally snapped out of his trance, his eyes flickering between Reibar and the armor. "Well now," he said, rubbing his chin. "That's not something you see every day. Where'd you get it?"
"Not your concern," Reibar replied curtly. "How much?"
The shopkeeper gave a low whistle as he inspected the craftsmanship. Every detail of the armor, from its intricate engravings to the unblemished shine, radiated quality. "This is… top-notch work. I'll give you 50 gold coins for it."
Reibar didn't hesitate. "Deal."
Hamira's expression twisted in silent protest, but she said nothing as the old man counted out the coins and handed them over. With the transaction complete, Reibar used part of the money to purchase some practical necessities: plain clothes for Hamira, two sturdy carrying bags, and a set of simple leather armor.
As they left the shop, Reibar glanced at Hamira, now dressed in far less conspicuous attire. "Much better," he muttered to himself. Low profile restored.
Reibar spared no expense, booking the most luxurious hotel Marrowfield had to offer. After a week in a damp cave and a long walk of two days through the woods, he was determined to pamper himself. The room was grand, boasting a double king-sized bed, elegant furnishings, and a bath large enough to fit five people. Reibar wasted no time indulging in the hot water bath, letting the tension melt away as he relaxed to his heart's content.
Hamira shared the room with him, though not the bath—Reibar had some boundaries, after all. He allowed her to use it after he was done. When she emerged wrapped in a towel, her damp red hair framing her face and her striking blue eyes shimmering in the soft light, Reibar couldn't help but notice her graceful beauty. His gaze lingered for a moment too long before he caught himself.
"No, no, no. What the hell am I thinking?" he muttered, shaking his head furiously to clear his mind.
To distract himself, he ordered a lavish dinner. The meal was a feast of roasted duck glazed with honey, buttered vegetables, freshly baked bread, and a hearty stew seasoned with aromatic herbs. For dessert, there were sweet pastries filled with cream and fresh berries. Every bite was a delight, reminding him of the banquets the headmaster used to arrange back at the orphanage, where each day brought a new spread of delicacies for him and his siblings.
After the meal, they settled in for the night. Reibar claimed the bed while Hamira took the sofa. As he lay there, the comfort of the mattress lulling him into relaxation, he silently admitted that a little luxury now and then wasn't so bad.
The next morning, Reibar made a practical decision: instead of spending a fortune on horses and enduring the exhausting ride in isolation to the Capital, he opted for a caravan. What would happen to Marrowfield or the escalating tensions with the Beast Kingdom? Nah, it's not his concern. He had his own priorities, and getting to the Capital was at the top of the list. He needed to get more abilities and get stronger, and capital was the best opportunity for it. whereas forces from the capital were coming here, so it won't be a problem for the city to face demons, or so he thought.
They stopped by a market stall and purchased some fresh bread and fruits to pack into their newly acquired bags. It wasn't much, but it would suffice for the journey ahead. Soon after, they found themselves seated in an ox-drawn caravan, surrounded by other travelers.
The caravan was a modest convoy of three ox-drawn wagons traveling together, ensuring safety in numbers. To add an extra layer of protection, a group of four adventurers had been hired as escorts, riding horses alongside the first wagon. Their fee had been covered collectively by all the passengers—a small price to pay for peace of mind, and one Reibar didn't bother to question.
The wagons, including the one at last Reibar and Hamira rode in, were packed with passengers. The atmosphere buzzed with quiet conversation and the occasional laughter.
The driver mentioned the trip would take about two weeks. As the caravan began to roll along the road, Reibar glanced at the mix of passengers.
"Well," Reibar thought, leaning back against the wooden seat. "At least I won't die of boredom on this trip."
"Let's just hope this ride stays as peaceful as it looks," he muttered to himself, stealing a glance at Hamira, who remained quiet beside him.