The town was bustling when Kael and his companions arrived, its gates flanked by guards who barely spared them a glance as they passed. Merchants hawked their wares from crowded stalls, the air alive with the hum of trade. A steady stream of wagons and travelers moved through the cobblestone streets, their chatter blending with the occasional shout of a deal struck.
Keira wrinkled her nose as they guided the bandits, now bound in a tight line, toward the town's central square.
"I'll never understand how towns like this can smell worse than a battlefield," she muttered.
Victor smirked. "That's the smell of desperation and bad deals."
"Or maybe it's the mix of sweat and greed," Keira shot back, her eyes scanning the bustling square.
Kael stayed focused, leading the chain of bandits through the crowd. Most townsfolk gave them a wide berth, their curious gazes lingering on the defeated criminals trailing behind. A few whispered, while others hurried out of sight.
"Keep moving," Kael instructed, his voice calm but firm.
They stopped at a low building near the edge of the square—a slaver's guild, marked by a weathered sign bearing the symbol of interlocking chains. The guild was a necessary, if distasteful, part of the frontier towns. Here, criminals and debtors often found themselves sold into forced labor or service, a harsh but common practice in these parts.
Inside, the air was musty, and the walls were lined with iron cages, though only a few were occupied. The guildmaster, a stout man with a hawkish nose and a greasy demeanor, looked up from his ledger as they entered.
"Well now," he said, his lips curling into a sly smile, "looks like you've brought me quite the haul."
"Bandits. Caught them on the road after they tried to ambush us," Victor said, his voice tinged with triumph. He dumped the sack of weapons onto the counter with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the room. Dust rose from the counter, mingling with the tension in the air.
The guildmaster scratched his chin, inspecting the line of battered men. "A rough-looking lot, but they'll fetch a decent price. Any notable skills?"
Keira laughed softly. "Does screaming and begging count?"
The guildmaster chuckled, then gestured to his assistants. "Take them to the holding pens. I'll tally the lot and have your payment ready shortly."
As the assistants led the bandits away, their leader cast one last venomous glare at Kael before disappearing through a side door.
"You won't get away with this!" the leader spat, his voice filled with spite.
Kael met his gaze with an unflinching stare. "You're already forgotten."
After a brief exchange, they left the guild with a heavy pouch of gold. Victor weighed it in his hand, his expression satisfied. "Not bad for a day's work."
Keira peeked into the pouch and grinned. "Enough to cover our expenses for the journey."
Kael nodded. "We'll buy a few supplies for the journey to the capital. We shouldn't linger here too long."
As they moved through the square, they made quick work of resupplying. Victor stocked up on oil polish for his blades, while Keira replenished her supply of red mana crystals and spell reagents. Kael focused on essentials—food, water, and a few alchemical ingredients for the gauntlet's maintenance.
"Think we'll run into more trouble on the way?" Keira asked, slipping a few crystals into her pouch.
Victor shrugged. "Always a possibility. But nothing we can't handle."
With their tasks complete, they returned to the carriage, stowing the fresh supplies into Kael's infinite storage. Kael paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. The distant spires of the capital were barely visible against the horizon, shrouded in a haze of uncertainty and anticipation.
"Ready?" Victor asked, leaning against the carriage with his arms crossed.
Kael nodded. "Let's move. We've wasted enough time here."
The journey resumed, the forested paths eventually giving way to open plains. The air grew cooler, the breeze carrying the faint scent of autumn.
As the capital drew nearer, the landscape shifted. Small villages dotted the countryside, their farmlands stretching for miles. The roads grew wider and busier, filled with merchants' wagons, noble caravans, and travelers like themselves.
Keira leaned out of the carriage window, her eyes scanning the horizon. "You think we'll find trouble in the capital?"
Victor chuckled, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "It's a city of politics, power, and ambition. Trouble doesn't need to be found—it'll find us."
Kael tightened his grip on the reins. "We're not here to get involved in anything unnecessary. Once we've dealt with our business, we leave."
"And what if it's not that simple?" Keira asked, her tone light but her expression thoughtful.
Kael didn't answer. Deep down, he knew she was right. The capital was a hub of intrigue and danger. Whatever awaited them there, it was unlikely to be straightforward.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the massive walls of the capital came into view. Towers rose high above the city, their banners fluttering in the breeze. The gates loomed ahead, guarded by soldiers clad in gleaming armor.
Victor whistled low. "Impressive as always."
Keira smirked. "Let's hope the inside lives up to the view."
Kael slowed the carriage as they approached the gates, handing over the necessary papers to the guards. After a brief inspection, they waved them through, and they entered the city.
The capital was a world unto itself. Towering buildings lined the streets, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant banners. The air buzzed with energy, a mix of voices, horse hooves, and the clang of distant forges.
"This place never changes," Victor said, his tone a mix of nostalgia and wariness.
Keira glanced around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I can't wait to explore."
Kael guided the carriage toward the merchant district, their first destination. Whatever lay ahead, the capital would test them in ways no bandits ever could.
And they were ready.