524. Deadwood II

524. Deadwood II

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

“The Deadwood,” Adam said, nodding his head. “When the town is threatened, they can be called to defend it.”

“I have heard of such magics,” Rose said, looking out to the large trees.

“They possess wood from the Deadwood, but that’s extremely rare,” Adam explained. “Red Oak can be grown pretty good over generations, but there’s actually only a single Deadwood tree, which is different to the trees which guard the town. Its branches and twigs fall, and that’s how they get the wood. If someone forcibly removes a branch, it won’t grow again.”

“There is a similar tree within Aswadasad,” Rose confirmed.

Adam looked her way, though both Jurot and Laygak perked up at the information.

“Dragontree,” Jurot said.

“You know of it?” Rose asked.

“A wood which is as hard as a Dragon’s scales,” Laygak piped up from the back. “It has to be worked with special tools made of particular metals, like dragonsteel or dragonglass.”

“Of course it does,” Adam said, before smiling. “Where can one find dragonsteel and dragonglass?”

“Much of it is made in Aswadasad and Drakkenlan, but some is created in Blackwater, though only once a generation,” Jurot explained.

“When we become Masters, we are gifted a weapons of dragonsteel,” Rose said.

‘Man, this fantasy world is so cool,’ Adam thought.

The guard hailed the group as they approached, standing tall and proud as they noted the Darkknight which accompanied them.

“You may step inside without the need to pay the gatefee,” Sir Kanna said, bowing her head to the group. “The guards will escort you to confirm that you slew three big blacks.”

Adam winced, unsure of how he felt that they called the creatures big blacks. ‘I guess it’s like the shark?’

The guards did as the knight commanded, leading them to the Adventurer’s Guild within Deadwood.

The Adventurer’s Guild was near identical to the building in Red Oak, save it was made of smooth rock. An adventuring party was currently relaxing within the guild, nodding their heads towards the large group stepping inside.

The beautiful woman at the counter caused Adam to narrow his eyes slightly. The guards quickly explained the situation, before the rewards were divvied out, and their tokens were stamped.

Quest Complete: Trouble in Deadwood

XP Gained: +200

XP: 11 000 -> 11 200

Stamps Gained: +1

Stamps: 17 -> 18

Adam hadn’t expected the reward to be so middling, for they handed over no more than fifty gold per head. ‘I suppose fifty gold is actually a lot of money.’ Rather than accept the coin for himself, Adam slipped it into the party fund. ‘Oh, damn. I was meant to spend money on trying to find Amira.’

Once the group had settled down within the Adventurer’s Guild, Sir Kanna appeared, approaching the large group. “The Countess has extended her warm welcome to your group, Fate’s Golden. If you would follow me, I will situate you within one of her estates.”

“I apologise if it seemed I was trying to pry into your business, but I had no such thought to do so,” Sir Kanna said. “I merely had to verify for the Countess’ sake, to make sure that your business met certain requirements.”

“It is a shame, then, that our business will not be working within Deadwood for the recent future, but we will surely see what can be done in order to bring our business to Deadwood.”

“Does the Half Elf speak for your business?” Sir Kanna asked, looking to Jurot.

“My brother does speak for the business,” Jurot said.

“What of your opinion?”

“My brother’s opinions are mine.”

Sir Kanna bowed her head. “I will bring word to the Countess that there is some disagreement about such matters. I will bring word if she wishes to welcome you within her estate, or her town.”

“We thank you for your understanding,” Adam said. “It would be a shame if we are not welcome into the town, for the good Countess may find it difficult to contact our business since we do not have a place where we consistently do business, and we may be too busy enjoying ourselves within towns that do welcome us, pointy ears and all.”

Sir Kanna bowed her head once more, understanding Adam’s threat, before retreating. She would need to inform the Countess of what happened, though she would need to speak with Sir Enna to see what happened with Adam previously. Adam was the Iyrman’s brother, so he must have had a special relationship with the President.

‘He said he was an alchemist? Are his abilities with alchemy great because of his Fae blood? Is that why the Enchanter keeps him?’ The thought of Adam being the Enchanter did not cross her mind, since Jurot had mentioned that the pair were the same age during their conversation, and that they had met only two years ago.

There was no way a man of twenty could be proficient in alchemy, enchanting, smithing, while also being an Expert in both martial and magic abilities.

It was impossible.

“Why are you starting a fight with a knight?” Rose whispered. “Even if you work for a great enchanter, how can you ask for death so easily?”

“Rose, I don’t want to treat you like an idiot, so do us both a favour and don’t say anything stupid again, please,” Adam said, as politely as he could possibly imagine.

Rose blinked, not expecting Adam to snap at her. “I’m not saying anything stupid.”

“When did I start a fight?”

“I was here, Adam.”

“Jurot, did I offer to speak to one side so the situation could be resolved quietly?” Adam asked.

“You did.”

“Rose, if you’re smoking some dragonleaf, you could at least share some with me,” Adam said.

Rose’s cheeks flushed. “If we had dragonleaf, we would not have been able to leave South Fort.”

“You know what?” Adam slowly nodded his head. “Fair enough.”

Jurot is a real one. He's always ride or die.