Chapter Thirty Four: A Rose has Thorns.

“What is happening?” Henrietta asks from Rathos’ side. She is pointing to the distance, towards a large city in the distance. A city with tall stone walls, powerful defenses, even a couple ballistas mounted on top of it. But Henrietta does not care about that. She knows what a city is and what defenses may be mounted on them. No, what she is pointing at is the large plethora of dead bodies in front of the city gates. Hundreds of bodies.

“It seems there was a battle recently and the defenders have won,” Rathos explains, gazing at the several scorch marks present on the doors of the city.

It is rather clear to Rathos a battle had taken place, a very one-sided and desperate battle that the defenders had won with ease. Granted, farther from the city, Rathos can see the burnt remains of trebuchets as well as a broken battering ram near the gates. It was a bleak picture, a picture which gets even bleaker with each second that his caravan gets closer to the city. The [Guards] are outside the city, picking up dead bodies and placing them on carts.

But even so, Rathos gets a sense that the [Guards] aren’t upset or miserable. More relieved than anything else. Granted, Rathos understands that hauling dead bodies and burning them in a pit is not fun work, but it is far better than being dead. And it seems the [Guards] share the same belief.

As Rathos passes by with his procession, many of the [Guards] look up at him, warily, on guard. But only long enough to make sure that he is not a threat. After all, all [Traders] are welcome to cities, even to ones which seemed to have recently fought a war.

“Are you sure this is the right city?” Henrietta asks, gazing at the bloody battlefield seemingly indifferent.

“I was under the impression that Sanavil was far away from conflict,” she adds.

Rathos grunts, tightening his hold on the carriage reins.

“I would agree that this might be the wrong city, especially considering the map, but the fields of healthy crops speak otherwise.”

Rathos points towards the abundant farmland circling around the city to the south of it.

“There is far more food here than any of the other cities we have visited. The farms are filled to bursting with huge amounts of crops. It’s clear a skill is active, making the land around the city far more bountiful.”

“And the battle?”

Rathos shrugs.

“We will find out soon enough.”

____________________

“Who goes there?” a man with armor asks, blocking the city entrance. The man, unlike many of the others, wears armor of a much higher quality.

[Silent Analyze]

Darrus Praetorus

[Guardsman] Level 37

Rathos lifts an eyebrow at the class. He was expecting a [Guard] class, not a [Guardsman] class. Granted, the classes are similar, but a [Guardsman] or [Guardswoman] is superior in the sense that they tend to get much better skills. Unfortunately, these classes can only be obtained as a first class. Which means that this Darrus person is quite experienced in his job.

“A pleasure. I am [Trader] Roth and have come to sell my goods,” Rathos says, waving behind him at the many carts and carriages following behind.

Darrus squints and takes a look behind, possibly activating a skill.

“What are you trading?” he asks, finding nothing exactly obvious.

Rathos smiles, ”Various enchanted goods.”

The [Guardsmans] eyes widen as he takes a better look at the [Trader]. Strong eyes, clean well taken care of clothing. Quality transportation.

But most of all, the fox demihuman [Slave] sitting next to him. Rare and expensive, something Darrus could only relate to powerful or wealthy individuals.

He nods and moves to the side.

“Welcome to the city of Sanavil,” he says, waving for them to enter.

“Before that. [Guardman] Darrus, what exactly happened here?” Rathos asks, pointing at the dead bodies and wrecked siege weapons.

“A small war. A couple of towns which found themselves starving. They banded together and created an army. Marched it to our city and attempted to lay siege. They had a good couple thousand people, but lacked any form of true organization or plan. We destroyed their trebuchets from range, which forced them to charge. Their charge failed and they lost a third of their army. The rest of the army retreated and now we are cleaning up the mess.”

As Darrow finished the explanation, his mouth widens in recognition. He had explained the situation similar to giving a report to someone of a more powerful class. Of someone who he would consider a superior.

“Thank you for the explanation [Guardsman] Darrus,” Rathos says with a smile before flicking the reins and quickly entering the city.

But Darrus stands awestruck, not only because of what he felt around the [Trader] but what the man had said.

“I never told him my name or class…”

*****************************************

Certain classes excel at doing certain things. A [Pikeman] is the military term for a [Spearman] which excels in group combat. They are efficient at fighting in large groups. With enough levels and possible skills, they are able to extend their spears through the tiniest margins of a large fight. Seemingly slithering their spear forward, avoiding allies and striking enemies in a mosh pit of bodies.

But a [Spearman] is different even though they utilize the same weapon. A [Spearman] may not be as accurate as a pikeman, but they trade that in for greater mobility and the ability to utilize their weapon defensively. A [Spearman] would be able to block with their spear while also obtaining skills that could parry blows.

Both classes are similar but are gravely different in capability.

But those are just tier one classes. When you obtain a tier two class, and not one of the lower tier two classes, then things become much more complicated. One such class is a [General]. A class which has one of the most diverse and confusing skill sets available, all thanks to a [General]’s unique aura. An aura allowing them to extend many of their own personal skills to, if the [General] is good enough, the entire army. It is this fact which makes every [General] so unique and different from each other. Their former class, former skills, capabilities, all of it is a tool for an army.

So Rathos, a [General] who excels in countering and reacting to army attacks must also excel in gathering information.

Which is why, when Rathos enters the city through the front gates, he is immediately struck with a plethora of useful information.

The streets, though lacking in any proper stone walkway, are actually relatively clean. No garbage or wet dirt is located anywhere on the ground. It is clear that they are being maintained. The [Slaves], many of which stop what they are doing to look up to see who just entered the city, look much better off than those he had seen from the other cities. They are relatively fed, some having decent muscle, and the clothes they wear are lacking in holes. It is a massive improvement to what he had seen the weeks prior, of [Slaves] barely wearing anything, some even nothing. All while looking like they could just keel over and die any moment.

Other, possibly more useful information that Rathos obtains from his quick view is of children. A group of children had been playing, but has stopped to stare, followed by one quickly sneaking off into the deeper parts of the city.

Clearly, an untrained eye would have given little thought of a child sneaking off. But Rathos noticed the careful ease in which the child had disappeared, seemingly focused on staying in shadow.

“This will be troublesome,” Rathos says, staring at the location the child had disappeared to.

Henrietta looks up, “Is there a problem?” she asks, her eyes turning to look towards where Rathos is staring at but finding nothing of importance.

“At the moment, no, but it would be best to obtain a place to live as soon as possible. This city may not be as safe as it may seem.”

Henrietta nods, “Then it would be best to head directly towards the central castle. A home near there would be far more desirable for safety.”

Without saying a word, Rathos whips his reins, increasing the pace of the animals pulling the carriage, his eyes focused on any possible threats.

______________________

Entering through the double doors, David, the [Viceroy], kneels. “[Lady] Rose, your presence will be required soon.”

The [Lady] looks at the [Viceroy], annoyed. She had designated him to run the majority of the city. After all, she is much too busy to be bothered.

“Is it reeeaaalllyyy required David? Can you not speak in my place? I am very busy right now.”

David looks at his [Lady], a very plump [Lady], sitting on a chair with a half-finished cake in front of her. “I understand that your time is precious my [Lady], but an extremely wealthy and powerful [Trader] is requesting your presence,” David stops, frowning, “and I do not believe I have enough levels in my class to properly deal with him.”

“Then send Scarlet. She is a high level [Captain] after all.” [Lady] Rose exclaims, annoyed, “Have her assist you with this [Trader]. I’m sure between the both of you, taking care of some [Trader] should be easy.”

David sighs and rubs his head. Yes, he enjoys his job, running the city in place of [Lady] Rose. But he has only been a [Viceroy] for a short while. Granted, he feels he has done a fantastic job of pretty much running the city alongside [Captain] Scarlet, but that is more towards the fact that no other [Nobles] are present in the city to complain about his changes or the usage of the taxes. Unfortunately, that [Trader] is someone that the [Viceroy] very much feels inadequate to deal with.

“[Captain] Scarlet is very busy with paperwork and organizing the cleanup work outside the city. Her skills are also inadequate to deal with anything outside of combat.”

*Sigh*

“And it seems your skills are inadequate at dealing with a single [Trader].”

The Lady shakes her head and places the fork on her plate, taking one last longing look at it before standing up. Which of course is followed by the creaking of her chair no longer having to support her massive weight.

A massive weight born from the love of food.

“Fine, take me to this [Trader]. Let us see what he wants.”

David stands up, his internal struggles dying down as much as the chair’s.

“Follow me my [Lady],” David says, turning around and walking through the double doors, towards a room to entertain guests.

_______________

Surprising to Rathos is how fast he had been granted an audience to see the [Lady] of the city. Granted, it was his first stop; to request an audience. Normally, his request would be answered and specific time and date would be given. Usually a date several days later. This would allow the leader’s [Spymaster] to obtain information about the individual that the leader can use to manipulate the other party. Things like knowing financial strength, levels, skills, anything that can be used. The [Nobility] loved to play these games. Games which Rathos hates. How is he to know that a [Noble] is insulting another [Noble] by make them wait four days to see them instead of three, or if the food available is not towards the guests liking? Politics. Rathos hates it.

Which is why, when he was ushered into the castle by a very nervous [Viceroy] to meet the [Lady], he was utterly flabbergasted. No games or politics.

“[Lady] Rose is inside, please follow me and feel free to take a seat,” the [Viceroy] exclaims nervously.

Rathos nods at the [Viceroy], confused about the man, trying to figure out how a rat demihuman was given such an important class. Question upon questions, all of which would be hopefully answered soon.

Rathos enters the room, finding it to be something he did not expect to see. The first things to notice about the room is the sunlight streaming through the windows, lightening the place, followed by several portraits of food on the walls. Cakes, pastries, even a portrait of a cooked pig. All of it was food. And at the center of the room is a table filled with snacks alongside it two very plush couches at either end. One couch has an enormous woman, a woman that Rathos would guess to weigh over two hundred kilograms.

And she is currently holding a half-eaten pastry in her hands while sporting an annoyed look.

The [Viceroy] scurries behind the woman and places his hands behind his back, “[Lady] Rose, this is [Trader] Roth.”

The [Lady] looks at the man. Tall, strong, powerful, confident, back straight.

“You going to stand there with your fucking mouth open or are you going to take a seat?” she exclaims, looking at Rathos, her aura seemingly attempting to surround him, to manipulate him, but the [General] is unaffected.

Still confused, Rathos walks and takes a seat on the couch, unsure how to react to the situation. Every [Lady] he had met so far had acted similarly to each other. They were all skinny, constantly smiling, always regal in their looks, and never cursing.

This [Lady] Rose has broken most if not all of his expectations.

The [Lady] takes another bite of her pastry, some of the powdered sugar falling on her chest, but she gives it not one thought. As she finishes the pastry, she grabs another one from the table and starts to eat. Not even saying a word.

Normally, Rathos must wait for the other party to make introductions before he makes his own, and then they would be able to talk. But after her fourth pastry, it was clear that she was waiting on him.

Rathos leans forward.

“My name is [Trader] Roth. I have com-”

“Lies,” she says, one word, interrupting him.

She quickly swallows her bite.

“You are neither a [Trader] nor is your name actually Roth.” she says like it is the most normal thing in the world.

Rathos stops.

[Silent Analyze]

And to his surprise, he finds that his skill was blocked. It seems that this [Lady] is far more capable than he had expected. Probably a very high level as well with many powerful skills.

She lifts an eyebrow at him, clearly knowing that he had attempted to analyze her but failed.

“I can see now why my [Viceroy] demanded my attention to deal with you. I was a bit confused initially why he needed assistance with a mere [Trader], but it is clear that you are something else.”

She takes a bite of the pastry in her hand, swallowing quickly, “And if the feeling I am getting from you is correct, then I would guess you are some kind of class from the second tier.”

Rathos doesn't move, doing his best to control his aura from reacting to his emotions. To keep her from being able to read him. Unfortunately, that was the wrong course to take.

She smiles like a predator playing with prey, “Keeping your aura from moving at all is something that only a second tier class can do,” she exclaims, chuckling, clearly seeing through Rathos’ attempt to reclaim control of the situation.

She moves forward and grabs a cup, pours herself some tea from a kettle, and then pours an enormous amount of sugar into the cup. She then immediately chugs the whole contents down.

“Mmmm, very good tea. It goes very well with the pastries.”

She looks back, behind her, “David, when you get the chance, tell Anita she very much outdid herself with the snacks. I am very pleased.”

David bows, “I will my [Lady].”

Turning back to Rathos, she finds that the man is expressionless, waiting, aura completely silent. She can't read him anymore. He is now guarded. But that is a moot point. He cannot lie to her, especially not when he is in her castle.

“Now then, Roth, if that's the name you are choosing. Why have you requested my presence?”

Rathos frowns and takes a deep breath. He is not used to being so easily cowed. If only he had brought Henrietta.

“I have traveled long and far… to reach this city. I am looking to live here with my daughter and all my servants. I would like to buy a large building closer to the center of the city to live in.”

“Ahhh, good. Honesty. Maybe we actually can come to an arrangement,” Rose says, her eyes staring at a pastry too far for her to reach.

“My city is not at all lacking in coin Roth. We get more than enough from selling food. Is there something else you can offer?”

“I can offer various enchanted items of several different grades.” Rathos says.

Rose scratches her chin, thinking, “I see… hmmm. Do you have weapons and armor? Enchanted?”

“I have several, both light and heavy with various kinds of weapons.”

“Good. I have a [Captain] that has done a tremendous job over the years and she will need to be rewarded properly. You will give her an entire set of Common grade enchanted armor and a Rare grade enchanted sword. In exchange, you will be given a house near the castle.”

“We don't have any homes available,” immediately says the person who had been silent the entire time as the meeting had taken place.

Rose, confused, turns her head. “What do you mean we have no homes available? I’ve killed off the other [Nobles] years ago. There should still be some available.”

David stutters, “Um, most of the homes have been given or sold off while others have been turned into businesses or other important buildings we lacked.”

“Even my uncle’s home? I am pretty sure I told you to not give that house to anyone.”

David's ears flatten, “That house is currently being used as a medical ward for severely injured [Guards] and [Soldiers].”

“Ahhhh, right. Our former medical ward was burned down two weeks ago. We should really have that building fixed.”

“Construction is already underway. It should be finished relatively soon.”

Rose claps her hands, smiling. She turns to Rathos,” It seems it will take a bit longer before you can get your house. In the meantime, how about you rest at my castle until it is ready?”

Though Rathos has not moved or done much of anything, it was clear to him that he is severely lacking in the ability to deal with this woman. He has not accepted any deal. Nothing. It was mostly her making the deal for him without even acknowledging his thoughts or even allowing him to make a possible counteroffer. Which is annoying, because he feels like he has no control over anything.

“I accept your hospitality,” he answers.

The [Lady] snorts, “You sound so defeated,” she says, standing up and then leaning over the table, grabbing the plate with a pastry on it.

She then walks out of the room, saying nothing more.

Rathos and David just look at her, staring at the door, completely flabbergasted and confused.

“I will, um, show you to your room,” David says, walking towards the door, blushing at his lady’s lack of tact.

Rathos shakes his head and rubs his temples. He stands up and follows David out of the room.