108. West Wood and Trouble

108. West Wood and Trouble

Omen: 11, 19

The forest was thick and full of life, though much of it left the party be. Soon the large walls of West Wood were revealed, made of earth, with several towers made of dark grey wood, basking in the evening sun.

The West Wood Guards who stood ahead wore scale mail of grey, with the symbol of West Wood on their tabards. Long, thick, grey cloaks fell down over their shoulders. In one hand they carried a long spear, also made of the grey wood, with a small shield and a quiver full of arrows set beside them. At their hips were short blades, and through their cloaks, Adam could see a small bow made of a darker wood.

“Hullo,” the Guard called out. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”

“Good evening,” Harvey replied. “Sir Harvey, High Alchemist of Red Oak.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Sir Harvey,” the Guard nodded, tipping their helmet. “Would those at your side be the good Knights of Red Oak, Deadwood, and Eagle Wing.”

“That’s right. They’re escorting me as I study.”

Sir Merrick handed over the various forms of identity, and the Guard accepted them, glancing over the party.

“A group of Iyrmen as well?” The Guard raised his brows, nodding his head towards them. He had heard about the party before, but hadn’t believed it. “The Lady will be pleased.”

The Guards checked the identity before handing the items back, his eyes scanning them, noting the stranger with the tiger skin over them.

“I believe accommodations for yourselves have already been prepared, though I’m ashamed to admit that you’ll most likely find them lacking.”

“Oh no, I’m sure it’s fine,” Harvey replied, smiling. “At the very least they will be better than the dangerous outdoors of the forest we passed by.”

“I’m sure there wasn’t much of an issue, what with all those powerful escorts at your side,” the Guard said, chuckling. “I’ll lead you personally if you like.”

“I won’t decline your kindness,” Sir Harvey said.

West Wood appeared to be a large town, like Red Oak. It was covered in small wooden buildings all around, stacked three high, and very large open spaces similar to Eagle Wing. Even the main roads were twenty steps wide, with side roads roughly five steps wide.

There were many lush gardens around, every few buildings or so, some extremely small, others much larger, and all of which were growing all manner of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Half of the town was set against the hills, with a large castle overlooking the town, and several large estates which did the same. There were a handful of Guards moving about, patrolling the town.

They were led to an estate which seemed to be empty, though there were a handful of Guards nearby. The Guards chatted with each other for a moment, before the escorting Guard tipped his helmet.

“I hope that you have a wonderful stay,” the Guard said, leaving them.

Adam and the others were brought to their rooms, with a handful of servants who assisted them. There were two which assisted the entire group of Iyrmen and Vice Master Paul, whereas there was one for each Sir.

“We will be here for roughly a week,” Sir Harvey said. “There are many herbs I require from the forest and the surrounding area. You may all rest, but please keep out of trouble.” His eyes glanced over to Adam.

Adam smiled. “Understood, Sir.”

Adam placed away his gear, including taking off his puthral plate mail, which would bring too much attention.

“How do they feel about Half Elves here?” Adam asked.

Jurot shook his head. “It will not be as bad as in other places, but they still do not like your kind.”

“Half my kind,” Adam said, but he nodded.

Adam wrapped some cloth around his head, like a scarf, covering his ears. “Is this good?”

“You have hidden your ears well,” Jurot said.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

“It’s hot and stuffy,” Adam grumbled. “Why don’t we take a walk?”

The pair left, heading out to explore the town. The pair quickly noted the Half Elf with the tiger skin following them.

“Hey, don’t creep on me like that,” Adam said.

“I am keeping an eye on you to see if you are worthy,” he said.

Adam sighed. “So what’s your name?”

“You may call me Jonn.”

“Jonn what?”

The Half Elf shook his head.

“Well, Jonn, you’ve had a couple of days to think on it.”

“I will need to watch you more.”

“Whatever...” Adam rolled his eyes.

Omen: 4, 17

“The Guards’ll have my head if I don’t at least try,” Cornelius said, winking to the Guards. “Remember. Noon tomorrow, alright?”

“Alright, if you say so,” Adam said. ‘I can’t even leave the estate, otherwise I’ll have some weirdo over my shoulder and some random people chasing me.’

Jurot quickly bought some wood to carve, and Adam joined him to buy some herbs, before retreating for the night. He decided against making a potion, preparing for if he had managed to gain a 20 on his Omen.

Omen: 7, 20

“Wow,” Adam said, blinking as he awoke. “Really? One day?” He smiled. ‘Seems like my luck is turning around!’

Mana: 10 -> 9

Alchemy Check

D20 + 3 = 14 (11)

Omen: 7, 20 -> 7

20 + 3 = 23

Congratulations!

1 Enhanced Healing Potion Created.

Heals for 2D6+6 HP.

XP Gained: +150

XP: 820 -> 970

Adam plucked the Thread of Fate.

The white dragon screeched as the dwarf grabbed onto its leg, filling it with dark energy, which caused its scales to flake. The dragon retreated away from the party of four, which had almost perished under its assault, and yet it was far too weak to finish the job, giving them another chance to recover.

“Hey, Vice Master, mind talking for a second?” Adam asked after their evening meal.

Paul stared at Adam, sighing prematurely. “Sure.” He had heard about what had happened the day before. ‘This kid, seriously.’

Once they were alone, Adam handed over the potion. “Are you willing to buy it?”

“Oh,” Paul said. “That’s it?”

“What do you mean? This is a great potion, you know? It’s an Enhanced Healing Potion, but with a little extra pizzazz.” Adam threw out some jazz hands to emphasise his potion.

“No, it’s not that. I can buy the potion from you once we’re back at the Guild.”

“Alright,” Adam said. “Though, we might use it beforehand if we need.”

“I would expect you to.”

Adam nodded his head. “Well, since I’ve got nothing else to do, I might as well get high and kick it.”

“Get high?”

“The guy from yesterday,” Adam said. “Jurot brought the package, which apparently was a lot of tea leaves, and some Moonlight Leaf.”

Paul sighed. “Just stay out of trouble, okay?”

“I always stay out of trouble,” Adam said.

Paul stared at Adam.

“I mean, when I’m not in trouble, I stay out of trouble.” He smiled innocently.

Omen: 6, 14

Adam sighed.

He had run out of Moonlight Leaf the day before. It had provided him a decent high, one which was relaxed and eased him to sleep. He had shared it with the rest of the group, and whereas the Knights declined, the others, save for Paul, enjoyed themselves.

“Are you thinking of the Princess?” Jurot asked.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “We might be too late. I don’t like sitting here, but it’s not like we can just up and leave.” Adam had met them when he was with Sir Harvey, and he didn’t want to change that, even if the person was completely different.

“I will pray for her fortune.”

“She’s our priority, but the heart will be nice.”

“For Mara?” Jurot asked.

Adam nodded. “My future wife must be so alone without me!” Though it was a joke, Adam’s heart was heavy. Mara was slowly dying, and Lucy had a time limit to save her. Though she had been quite a brat, she was probably hiding her pain.

“Cringe,” Jurot said.

“What?”

“Calling her your future wife, is that not cringe?”

“A little, but I don’t want to hear that from you, Baker’s husband.”

Jurot narrowed his eyes, his ears turning red.

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Jurot talking about cringe when he can't even ask a Baker girl out smh.