On the road, Xinnian Empire, 18 of Starlight.
The night passed without events and the group prepared to continue their trip. Travelling without interruption, they reached the Township of Moller before the second sunset. As their map indicated, a full battalion if the Xinnian Army covered the South East Approach to the city. As usual, the companions decided that Mamba should do the talking.
Black Mamba justified their presence in Moller as a re-supplying trip and justified the fact that they were fully armed to the presence of barbarians in the North. After consulting with their fellow officers, the soldiers allowed the companions to enter the township.
"Go on," said the soldier, gesturing with his thumb. "But if we hear that you caused any problems, we'll go get you."
"Understood, Sir," said Mamba with a slight bow.
"This guy is going to get us in trouble," murmured Daktari to no one in particular after they passed the barricades.
The group entered the town and looked for an inn, which was not too difficult because the town was small and because the Inn was marked with a large sign. They entered the Inn and walked straight to the bar, where they met a short, middle aged woman. Her hair dropped dead to the sides of her pale face and she was missing her two front teeth.
Daktari and Mamba ordered honey liquor and Kishara asked for bread. Persephone decided to sit by the tables and keep her eyes open. There were two suspicious men in a corner, who seemed to be eyeing the companions, but they left without causing any trouble.
The companions rented two rooms upstairs, and a while later, Daktari and Kishara retired to their beds, leaving Persephone and Black Mamba downstairs. Persephone remained in the main hall for a while but later decided to go top her room. For some reason, she could not sleep that night, and remained awake most of the night.
Mamba established some rapport with the bartender, whose mane was Danina, and before the night ended, she was pouring free drinks on Mamba's cup.
"So," Janina asked, leaning on the counter. "Which one of those girls is your wife?"
"Oh," said Mamba after considering if he should lie or tell the truth. "None, of them. I don't have a wife."
"No one waiting for you at home?"
"No."
For some reason, this seemed to please the woman, who kept Mamba's cup to the brim with the sweet liquor.
Township of Moller, Xinnian Empire, 19 of Starlight.
Persephone did not sleep at all that night, and from her bedroom, listened to the movements of troops and people on the streets. Finally, too exhausted to remain awake, she succumbed to sleep, almost at first dawn.
Kishara and Daktari woke up early and met each other in the main room.
"Are you ready to go?" Asked Kishara. "Persephone is still sleeping."
"Mamba was drinking last night with that bartender woman," responded Daktari. "He's totally wasted right now."
"So, what should we do?"
"I guess I'll go see the town," Daktari got up. "See if I find anything interesting."
After Daktari left, Kish decided that she would also like to see the town. However, since she really didn't have a particular place in mind, she quickly grew bored and returned to the Inn.
Daktari on the other hand, found a weapon shop. It was full, wall to wall with low quality weapons and there was a tall guard keeping an eye on him at all times, which he found oppressing, so he decided to leave.
On the way to the door he saw something that called his attention. There on a shelf, was the most beautiful knife that he had seen in his life. Actually, it was the most beautiful knife he had seen twice in his life, because now that he thought about it, that knife used to belong to his great-grandfather. So, this was where great-grandpa had lost his knife! How lucky for him to have found it! He was about to grab it when a thought came to him. The knife was in a store, so whenever he grabbed it, the guard would think that he stole it. That would be an inconvenient, because great-grandpa was not here to explain to them that the knife actually belonged to Daktari, and he was in an important mission with Persephone and could not go to jail just now. He thought about leaving the knife, but that was not fair. He had found it and it belonged to him.
Dak walked to the window and looked out. Two women walked down the street outside.
"Are all Moller women that beautiful?" Dak asked pointing out.
"I don't think they are particularly beautiful," said the guard, giving a momentary glance to the women, but returning to keep an eye on Daktari immediately. "Most women around these parts are better looking."
"Oh," said Daktari. "I guess I'll go see some of them, then."
Daktari walked out the door and into the street. It was about noon, so he decided to return to the Inn. On his way, he pulled the jewel-encrusted knife out of his pockets and stared at it. How lucky he was! To travel so far from home and find Great-Grandpa's knife. None of his friends back home would believe it. The knife looked even better than the last time he saw it. Back then, it had been an old relic. Now, it looked new, and the jewel was different too. Someone must have had lost the old glass bead that was at the pommel and felt bad for great-grandpa so he placed a precious gemstone there instead. How lucky...
By the time Dak reached the Inn, everyone was ready to leave. Bartender Danina came outside to bid farewell to Mamba and gave him a bag of bread that he quickly gave to Kishara.
The rest of the day passed without event and they camped on the road again.
TO BE CONTINUED
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