100. Deadwood

100. Deadwood

“Whoa,” Adam whispered, staring at Deadwood.

The town was huge, surrounded by large black trees, which stood like statues, each spaced twenty metres apart. They were a second wall in front of the stone wall which surrounded the town. Near the side of the town, towards where it met the hills, was a large tree, one which could be seen even from where they stood.

“Those are the Deadwood,” Paul said. “When the town is threatened, they can be called to defend it.”

“That’s even cooler than I thought. I thought it would be like Red Oak, but to think that the Deadwood can be awakened...” Adam whistled.

“They do possess wood from the Deadwood, but it is extremely rare,” Jurot said. “Red Oak can be grown well over the generations, but there is only a single Deadwood tree, which is unlike those guardians. When the branches and twigs fall, they are able to procure the wood. If someone were to forcible remove a branch, it would never grow again.”

‘This fantasy world is so cool,’ Adam thought. “This world is way cooler than last time. Now that I think about it, was there Deadwood last time?” Adam squinted, thinking deeply. ‘No, hold on, the entire world is different.’

The others had tuned him out, unsure of whether he was crazy, sick, or both.

The Iyrmen, on the other hand, paid closer attention to him, especially Aizaban and Lanban, purely because Jurot seemed to believe his words. Jurot wasn’t known for his intelligence, but he was still an Iyrman, and it would have been difficult for Adam to convince him of such madness. There was also the fact that Adam had been welcomed as a Nephew of the family, which meant there was a level of trust between he and the family.

As they approached the gates, the Guards held out a hand for them to stop. They wore chain mail, with black tabards over their over their armour. The sigil of Deadwood, a long, thin tree with no leaves, was printed into the cloth. They wielded spears in hand, and there was a shield which was half tied to their side.

“Halt,” a Guard said, their eyes scanning the group, before they noted a peculiar form. It was a man who wore breast plate, stamped with the sigil of Red Oak, their ancient rivals.

Sir Merrick, noting that they had noticed his sigil, raised his voice. “Sir Merrick Crimsonwood, Seventh Branch of the Oakguard!” he declared. “Accompanying Sir Harvey, High Alchemist of Red Oak!”

The pair of Guard glanced between one another, understanding that this situation was above their pay grade. “Do you have your papers?”

Sir Merrick stepped forward, producing the papers, and revealed two identity plates too, which the Guards took around back to double check.

“They’re quite thorough,” Adam said. He had recalled the time when they had to go past South Fort, and it was about as thorough as this.

“They’re claiming to be an Oakguard and a High Alchemist so they must show proof,” Paul said.

“What about you?” Adam asked. “Aren’t you the Vice Master?”

“Yes, and I’m sure they’ve recognised me, but I am not here as Vice Master Paul, but Paul, the Silver Rank Adventurer.”

“Thank you for waiting, good Sirs,” the Guards said as they returned, bringing with them four more of their companions. “An escort to guide you to the manor in which you’ll be staying.”

Sir Merrick nodded.

The four Guards noted the pair of Iyrmen, and remained on full alert as they marched through the main road of the town. Many of the buildings were made of wood, most of them small shacks stacked two or three high, though Adam noted a few buildings which were stacked four or five high, though they were sprinkled through the town.

The bustling streets very quickly gave way to the Guards and the group which had arrived, causing all sorts to point and gossip between one another, whereas young urchins slipped away into the shadows, going to inform their various masters of the newcomers.

They slipped away from the main road, and were led to a different district, where there was an inner wall separating it away from the riff raff. The Guards quickly chatted, before the group were led into a district where the buildings were built sparsely apart, with their own walls, forming estates.

The Guards walked up to an estate with its own pair of Guards, each who wore a single breast plate, and carried with them a spear, and a blade at their side.

“Sir Harvey, High Alchemist of Red Oak,” a Guard stated, introducing their charge.

“You were going to go without us to a place like this?” Dunes asked, dabbing his lips with a fresh handkerchief. “You pretend to care about us just so you can have fun.”

“You can say that after the greatest Knight in the North attacks you,” Adam asid.

“Ah, right,” Dunes replied, trying to not break a smile.

“Since we have two Iyrmen from the Ban family, I’m not worried,” Adam said. “Though the dragon might pose an issue.” Adam noted the Servants nearby, who were pretending to not listen to their conversation.

“How do you know there will be a dragon?” Dunes asked, taking a sip of his wine.

“I don’t know if there will be a dragon,” Adam admitted. “That’s not up to me, really.”

“Why do you think there will be a dragon?” Dunes asked.

Adam smiled, wondering how he should respond. “Well, why wouldn’t there be a dragon?”

“Dragons don’t appear randomly, Adam,” Dunes said. “How many dragons have you come across so far that it’s a common occurrence for you?”

Adam threw a look to Jurot, trying to hide his smile. “Well, let’s say I have met more than zero dragons in my time.”

Dunes blinked at Adam, unable to sip any more of his wine. “You’ve met a dragon?”

“At least one,” Adam said, winking at the Priest.

Dunes looked to Jurot, then back to Adam. “Who was it?”

“Are dragons so common that you know them by name?” Adam asked.

“There are many dragons who are active around this region. There are a few within Aswadasad, and I know that Queen Silvari rules the Drakken Kingdom to the north of Aldland.”

“Well, I’m not sure I should be giving out names of the dragons I know so willy nilly, but let’s say I’ve met at least one.”

“It’s very convenient for you to say that. I could say that I have met a dragon and not mention their name.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Jurot,” Adam said.

Dunes looked to Jurot again, who nodded. ‘Do I have to get used to this too?’ He cleared his throat. “So why do you know that a dragon might show up?”

“Fate,” Adam replied.

Dunes stared at Adam for a long moment. “I need some more wine.”

Click banner for Patreon and come join my too!

Even more dead stuff?

I feel like something is going to go badly wrong soon...