Realizing that food shopping on an empty stomach was liable to empty his wallet, Vir splurged on a scrumptious al at the local food carts, tasting kebabs, stir-fries, and delicious local sweets, of which an orange deep fried sugar dish was his favorite. Even Neel had his fill, so when they stopped at the market, it was all business.
Owing to its temperate climate, Zorins market was outdoors in an enormous square that had been taken over by a sea of colorful fabric awnings, turning the once-open space into sothing of a maze of vendors.
Vir tied Bumpy up at a nearby hitching post, leaving Neel to guard the beast. He made a pass of the entire market before committing to buying anything. Many of the vegetables and fruits were foreign to him, such as a big red one with hundreds of tiny, juicy seeds inside it. It was his first ti laying eyes on a pogranate, and after tasting their unbelievably sweet aril seeds, he bought a half dozen.
It was only an hour later, after multiple trips to deposit his load back onto Bumpy, that he finally finished. Zorins goods were pricey, but Vir felt good about the two weeks of food his silver had bought him.
Finished with the market, Vir made his way to the eastern edge of town, where he was due to et the caravan scheduled to depart that afternoon.
It wasnt difficult to spot; the half dozen wagons were impossible to miss. Unlike Params wagons, which boasted the sa design and color sche, these had no consistency whatsoever. So were open, others closed. So had two Ashva pulling them, while others were drawn just by one. Even among the enclosed wagons, their fabrics were all in different states of disrepair, all of differing color.
Their riders continued the the, with nall nwearing clothing from refined to rags, in many styles and colors.
It felt to Vir like a hodgepodge of strangers had gathered together to brave the journey.
Vir rode past a group of three who stood off by themselves, tending to their three Ashva. It wasnt just their foreign-design burgundy armor that caught his eye. These days, he scanned everyone nearby out of habit. Not only was it a useful survival skill, but doing so allowed him to grasp the overall power level of those in an area.
Other than the Executor, Vir hadnt spotted a single noteworthy warrior, let alone a jai.
So it ca as a surprise that two of the group were strong in Earth Affinity prana, but it was the third mber of their groupthe tall, black-haired jai clad in form-fitting burgundy gambesonthat caught Virs eyes. She boasted not just one, but three affinities.
Vir flared Prana Vision as he rode by. His eyes lingered over her for just a mont too long, and she caught his gaze, forcing him to look away.
Greater Life, Lesser Water, Lesser Lightning.
That was a potent combination. Not only could she heal herself and her friends, shed have excellent short range combat capabilities with her Lightning magic, and Water was useful both in and out of combat. Vir surmised she was at least a jai of Ash.
But it wasnt just her. The blue-eyed blonde not only possessed so Earth prana, but a bit of Fire as well. She was likely both a Talent wielder and a jai, though not nearly as strong as the other one. The Fire affinity orbs at her waist corroborated his assessnt.
So thats the group the Executor ntioned. The one Ill be working with. Wonder what such a strong partys doing all the way out here, he wondered, approaching the caravan leader.
The man who sat atop the frontmost wagon looked less like a rchant and more a pirate. An old scar ran diagonally from the bridge of his nose across his left eye. Though the man wore no eyepatch, that eye seed fused shut.
His wild, greasy black hair, sun-wrinkled skin, and gravelly voice only completed the image,
You the other Brotherhood rc? the caravan leader barked.
Thats , Vir replied, as Neel eyed the man warily from beside Bumpy. You are?
Aryan. Youre late. Were just about to set out. Weve got a long caravan, so I want one of you at the front and another at the rear. Dont really care who. Discuss that amongst yourselves.
Understood, Vir replied with a nod. The man wasnt the most polite, but the Brotherhood didnt pay Vir to anger their clients.
Expecting any trouble? he asked.
Maybe so. Maybe not. Who can say? Mountain passes are dangerous.
Out here? I havent seen a single prana beast, let alone one with a Balar Rank. Whats your cargo?
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
None of your business, rc.
I an, itd help if you
None of yer business, the leader said. Im not paying you to ask questions.
That was true. What they did pay him for was protection, and so he needed to know more about the situation. But it seed Aryan wasnt interested in further conversation, so Vir turned Bumpy around and headed to the other rcs.
Wonder why they need this much protection in such a prana-deficient area. It wasnt just the brotherhood rcs; hed spotted over a dozen guards, all in mismatched armor. They, too, looked like they had been cobbled together, but their numbers ant that Aryan feared sothing.
He concluded they were likely transporting high-value cargo. Either that, or they were doing sothing illegal. Vir sincerely hoped it wasnt that.
He arrived to find the three in amiable company. The blonde-haired warrior and her armored male companion laughed at so joke, while the black-haired jai stood flushing with embarrassnt.
Ah! Ho there, counterpart! the girl with the long blonde hair said, waving Vir over. She wore a type of armor that Vir had never seen before, comprising plate tal pauldrons, a plate chest protector, leather bracers, and fabric in between. It left many gapsand even bare skin in so placesbut Vir supposed it protected her vitals.
On anyone else, it would have co across as a brutish look, but the blue-eyed, freckled blonde sohow made it look elegant.
Co on, no need to be shy. We dont bite! Well, so of us dont, at least, she said, eyeing her black-haired male friend. The powerfully built man narrowed his eyes and shoved his blonde friend, nearly causing her to trip.
Rather than be offended, she burst out laughing again.
What a rry bunch, Vir thought, dismounting Bumpy.
Youre Spears Edge, I presu? Vir said, eying an ornate steel spear that was lazily propped against a nearby Ashva. The rcenary party of three Im to work with on this protection detail?
Thats us, the clean shaven man said. Nice to et you. Im Vason. The timid girl behind s our jai, Haymi, and the brute over theres our esteed leader.
Tia! the blonde said with a dazzling smile, extending her arm to Vir. Brutes pleasure.
Vir grasped her forearm in greeting. Param, he replied. And, uh, likewise?
That sent the entire party into another fit of laughter, leaving Vir standing, scratching his head.
Aww, and is this your cute little friend? Tia said, stuffing her face into Neels fur. Despite the bandys aversion to such fondlingVir and Maiya exceptedhe seed content to let Tia rub his belly, licking her face while she did.
Well, if Neel likes her she cant be too bad, can she?
I see youve t Mr. Friendly over there, Tia said with crossed arms, jabbing her chin over at the caravan leader.
Tias words broke Vir out of his reverie. Spears Edge seed genuine, though Vir knew better than most how little external appearances were worth. Would he trust them with his life? No. But hed happily trust them to guard a caravan led by a grouchy old man.
Aryan? Yeah, we spoke, Vir replied. Sounds like he wants so of us at the front and so at the back.
Yep. How about I ride up front with you? Even split that way.
Works for , but dont you want to stay together as a party? Vir asked.
Naw. Vason might look delicate, but hes studier than an Ashva. Slls like one too.
Hey! Dont push your insecurities on ! ca the mans retort.
And Haymi, well she could knock us all out even if we ganged up on her.
Delicate? Vason was built like an Ashva. Every inch of his body was decked out in Brigandine, and a great tower shield was strapped to his back.
Maybe rember that next ti you tease , Haymi said with a huff.
Vir regarded the jai again and realized she was easily as beautiful as her freckled friend. Slim, tall, and with regal erald eyes highlighted by her erald earrings, her wavy black hair fell onto her burgundy robe in a way that just made her look regal. Even without the array of orbs at her waist, Vir mightve guessed she was a jai. She just looked the part.
Looks like theyre pushing off, Vason said, mounting his Ashva. The days late, and with a caravan this size, I doubt well ride long.
Doubtful well make the Legions by nightfall, Tia said, stretching her back. Well, at least our bums wont be sore tomorrow! See you guys later! Vason, you better cook sothing nice tonight or Im gonna be grouchy.
Yes, your highness, the warrior replied, gesturing theatrically.
Those two. I know they dont treat like the leader, but I promise we take our jobs seriously, she said, turning to Vir. It was as if shed swapped with soone else. All hint of her prior levity had vanished, replaced by a fierce Talent-wielding warrior woman.
Vir nodded as they rode up to the front of the slow-moving caravan.
Its nice, what you have. I had a friend like that, once.
Oh? Where is she now? Tia said, searching his face with her bright, nearly translucent blue eyes.
Howd you know it was a she? Vir asked.
Experience.
Sowhere. Sowhere far. Vir regretted his words the mont he spoke them. His heart throbbed, and he felt an emptiness within him. Tias rambunctious group and their easygoing mannerisms only served as a reminder of what Vir had lost.
The blonde-haired warrior drew up next to Bumpy and patted Virs shoulder. Youll find her again. Promise.
Thanks, Vir said, flustered to be talking about sothing so personal with soone hed just t.
So whats your story? he asked, desperate to change the topic. Guessing youve known each other long?
Oh yeah. Ive known Vason and Haymi since we were kids. Theyve been with ever since, she said, before lowering her voice. Through the thick and the thin.
I-I see. No wonder youre such good friends.
Theyre the best, Tia said, flashing him a toothy smile. You may have noticed our burgundy armor.
Is that your countrys color?
Tia nodded. It is. We all hail from Matali.
Oh
Maiya had told him about that kingdom. How its lands had been ravaged by the encroaching Ash. Over the centuries, its people slowly trickled out to neighboring kingdoms, and their situation grew worse and worse. From everything hed heard, Matali was a broken shell of the country it used to beeven worse off than Hiranya.
My condolences, Vir replied. Tia must have been another refugee, seeking a life in greener pastures.
Everyones got a sob story or another. Hard to go very many days without being mugged or set upon by so beast. Its a hard world, but the people in it are tougher. Isnt that right, Param?
What makes you say that? Maybe my lifes been full of prana and roses?
Is that so? Tia said, gazing off into the distance in silent contemplation. I wonder how many coddled children have killed soone before?
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