Chapter 564: Back of Halburn

Chapter 564: Back of Halburn

The inns kitchen emerged around Dallion. His eyes moved about, readjusting to the new reality. Even after all this time, he hadnt gotten used to the experience completely.

Did you make it? Aspan asked, as a copy of him placed a plate of food on the table, in front of Dallion.

Yeah. Im sixty-eight.

The food smelled nice, but for some reason Dallion didnt seem hungry. He was still contemplating his decision at the trial. Was it the right choice? Or was it the wrong one?

How was the trial? Hannah asked.

Different, Dallion replied. It wasnt a combat one.

Non-combat trials are usually messed up, the copyette said. Some make sense only after you see how stuff works in the real world. Want some pointers?

Im fine. Dallion stood up, not touching his food. I better get going. Jiroh said it was urgent.

Thats not what I asked.

I know. Dallion replied before leaving the kitchen.

As he did, the fake Hannah passed by him, going in. With the conversation done, the copyette was getting rid of any incriminating evidence. The order was still hunting him, even if they didnt know he was in the city.

That was a bit abrupt, dear boy, Nil said. Still upset with the trial?

No, Dallion lied. Just worried about everything else.

None of the guards stopped Dallion as he left the city. It was normal for hunters to come and go. Plus, with Eury gone, he had become the only hunter in Nerosal. That had increased his value to the nobles, as well as the mirror pool. Now he understood why it had been so easy for Jiroh and Eury to save him from all sorts of complicated situations. Everyone wanted to be on the good side of a hunter. It wasnt so much about strengthtrue nobles had plenty of thatbut convenience. The hunters were the ones sent into the wilderness in search of artifacts and creatures; they were the ones to deal with Starspawn that the local and imperial armies didnt want to, especially now that the empire was engaged in war with several other countries. The only person with which Dallions position didnt hold any new favor was the general. One would think that the sly snob would be overjoyed that one of his debtors had become a full hunter. Instead, he had been avoiding Dallion for months.

Ruby, keep close by, Dallion said to the gem-like shardfly fluttering above him. There are furies where were going.

The creature flew down, quickly landing on his shoulder. Of all the creatures Dallion had found and released in the wilderness, Ruby was the only one who had remained. One could say that he was Dallions only real world familiar, and like any familiar, he had grown in strength as well.

Get some rest. Youll need it.

The same thing could be said to you, dear boy, Nil sighed. Its been a while since you had some decent sleep.

I got enough rest

In truth, Dallion didnt want to sleep again for a while, at least not until he fulfilled his promise to Jiroh. There was no reason for him to do so, and it wasnt like the fury could enter his dreams at will, but something told him not to risk it.

The wilderness had changed a lot in the last three months. Most of the patches of plague plants in the area had died out, some with help from Dallion. That had brought a quick return of caravans in the area, traveling all the way to the sea and back, as if there was no tomorrow. Regardless of the occurrences up north, there was no stopping trade. At least, that had been the case. From what Jiroh had said, both the order and the empire were interested in Halburn. As a trading town, it was a nice prize for a local noble, though Dallion could see no reason for the Order to be there.

Has anyone offered cities to the Order? Dallion asked.

Gleam, he said. Keep an eye on things. Im going to get some rest.

I thought you werent going to sleep until you got back, the familiar said.

I wasnt. Dallion curled on the ground.

Getting the hint, the whip blade rose from the ground, then extended to form a protective circle in the air surrounding him. Not the most efficient way of fighting, but this way she could see everything in all directions.

Morning came suddenly. The first way of the sun was enough to wake up Dallion thanks to the level of his perception trait. He stood up, stretched, yawned, then went to finish his daily biological functions. Washing up, he then took a few minutes to himself, then continued on. This was going to be a big day.

Several hours later, Dallion was glad that he had waited until morning. He expected there to be a large imperial presence near the town, but even he wasnt prepared for what he saw. Judging by large tents and soldiers gathered near the wall, there had to be thousands, or at least five full legions. That was a considerable fighting force for a relatively small town such as this.

What do you think, Harp? Dallion asked as he calmly made his way to the town gates. Forties?

Some are in their thirties, the harpsisword replied. The officers are higher, maybe close to your level.

A thousand awakened that were all initiates just standing there, waiting for an equally strong army of clerics to leave the city. Something was definitely going on here.

Hunter, Dallion said, showing his emblem to the first imperial he approached. I have business in the city.

The legionary glared at him. Dallion could feel annoyance and confusion emanating from the man; he had no intention of stopping Dallion whatsoever.

Talk to the guards, the imperial said in utter disinterest and went back to talking to the other soldiers nearby.

Seems they arent worried about losing the town to anyone else, dear boy.

With that many of them, I wouldnt be worried, either. Any idea if any of your mage friends will show up?

If youre talking about someone from the Academy, its possible, though unlikely. The emperor doesnt like to have them accompany his troops. Well, unless there was an active war going on, but you know that.

No one stopped Dallion at the city gate or after. Business seemed to have returned to the city. However, the hunters had not. It was difficult to imagine that this used to be one of the hunter gathering spots in the south. Only a few years ago, hunters from all directions would stop here for a few days to get some rest, restock, and learn of new jobs. The only thing that Dallion could see now were war clerics, furies, and a lot of local sellers.

The place seems booming, Nil said. Maybe Jiroh was making a big fuss over nothing?

Jiroh isnt one to exaggerate, Dallion said. Besides, not everything is booming.

What do you mean?

Do you see any open inns or taverns? Dallion asked. Even with the hunters gone, all the merchants that came by would have a place to sleep.

The way Dallion saw it, there were only two options, none of them particularly good. Either the inns and taverns were confiscated by the local ruler, or their owners had left on their own.

Looks like Jiroh was right. This was urgent. Dallion continued forward in the direction of the furys tavern.