Chapter 694: The Treacherous Trading Post

Chapter 694: The Treacherous Trading Post

Thats what you want, big man? Youre asking where the monsters are? Are you crazy, barbarian? Were set for war with barbarians and beasts of the forest; you think Im just going to show every greasy foreigner who walks in here a map? Old Illiana scowled at Alex from across the trading posts counter.

Women and men, clad in heavy furs with well-used weapons and vicious-looking traps hanging from their belts, glared at Alex and his companions from every corner of the smoky room. Every twitch of their bodies spoke of mistrust and disdain. Hands moved toward weapons, even as curses and prayers were muttered.

Alex heard the words wild beasts uttered in an errant whisper, and knew full well they werent only referring to Brutus.

Bloody rude bastards, he thought, as he kept a friendly, sincere smile frozen on his face. The time for battles might come, but not quite yet.

Though, from the daggers shooting from Theresas eyes, it seemed she was ready right now. Her hands werent far from the hilts of the twinblade.

I wouldnt dream of asking you for a map! Alex grinned with feigned unease. He let out a little laugh, letting his voice crack as he glanced around the room. The odour in the trading post reeked of old oil and tanning furs, as animal hides hung from rough-hewn walls. I just thought you couldwell, that I could be pointed in the right direction. Im looking for Darkroot Walking Mushrooms, you know the ones that can improve, er He looked around conspiratorially. special energy?

Ugh, another one wanting to make the pervert potion, the old woman scowled.

I wouldnt exactly call it pervert potion, Id more say itswell, its a potion that helps couples, uhhave fun! He grinned. But, nevermind who its for or what law abiding people call it. The point is that Ive got a demand for it, but Id like to avoid hungry trolls, firbolgs, elves, and other barbarians and beasts. And then theres the rune-marked to think about; definitely dont want to run into their kind! Come on, wont you help me out? And anything we hunt thats not going into my alchemical cauldron? Ill sell it here! Hows that?

Ten gold coins.

Wait, what now?

Pfeh, you heard me! The old woman drew a gold coin from her apron with the image of a mountain pressed into one side, and the face of a glowering man on the other. Alex assumed he was the realms emperor. Ten of these, not that useless foreign junk either!

Alex frowned. You drive a hard bargain!

Better I state my terms now, since I cant get coin from your corpse when its in the belly of a troll later, now can I?Cheêck out latest novels at novelhall.com

He sighed dramatically. Fair point. With a flick of his wrist, Alex reached into his coin pouch and pulled out ten gold coins, rolling them in his palm. As he did, the gold in the bagand there was a lot of gold fresh from the currency exchange in the Bank of Generasiclinked together, briefly catching the light. Ten gold, was it? Listen, Ive got clients who could really use some pepping up, if you know what I mean. Those mushrooms are worth a lot to me and I hope us doing business togetherll be worthwhile to you too.

Old Illiana paused, her eyes narrowing.

Easy coin for me, is what youre thinking, I bet? Alex thought.

Ilianna snatched the coins, her face splitting into a greasy smile. Well, well, well, why didnt you open with that, my foreign friend? Turksinis a lot more open to people who know how to give something to get something. No free rides here; only the strong survive our forests dangers. Isnt that right, boys and girls?

Life to Turksini! Life to the Empire! the trappers cheered, their hard eyes lingering on the coins in Iliannas hand.

And subtly, Alex noticed those gazes and the hunger in them.

And the more they know, the better for us, Theresa agreed, ducking under a low hanging branch. Whats our next move if we dont find anything here?

He sighed. Something I wont like.

She looked at him sharply. What?

His sigh sounded like the beginnings of a groan. Well, you know how I told you that Kelda teleported right into Generasi's library? To research anything that could help her change the Fools Mark, or give her clues about the hidden church?

Ya, she said slowly.

This Empire has its own universities of wizardry, including one that could rival Generasis. Its called the Brightfire University, and supposedly, its better than Generasis, according to the Empires ownvery biasedopinion. I figure if Kelda could break into Generasi, then I can break into Brightfire. Hopefully, theyll have records that could point us in the right direction. It'll be dangerous, but weve literally fought across like three hells sodangerous is kinda relative, I suppose.

Yeah, somehow, giants and trolls dont seem like that big of a deal to me anymore, Theresa said. Its hard to believe I used to be so concerned about wolves and bears back in the Coille. Now the only thing that really shakes me is that First Apostle bastard.

Yeaaah, Alex said. He was way too tough, way too fast and he threw around way too much power. I hope well be stronger before we meet him againand lets hope that he doesnt decide to go on some training journey that brings him more enlightenment, or something along those lines that make him even stronger.

Theresa shuddered. Dont even joke about that. If he reaches a higher level of enlightenment before I do, Im going to be pissedand probably dead.

Youre going to be stronger than you were when you last faced him. You already are, Alex said

The huntress let out a low groan, tapping the hilts of the twinblade. Theres something Im missing with my weapon. I thought Id unlocked all their secrets, butI dont know. A while back something big happened while I was sparring with Hart and Grimlochthe same day you figured out teleportation with the Travellers powerbut I havent been able to replicate it.

Well, Im sure youll figure it out. Sometimes these things take time, Alex said. I have faith in you.

Yeah, but I need it sooner, not later, the huntress growled. With the secret church involved, were going to have some hard fights ahead of us, and if we arent at full power, then

Brutus suddenly growled, the sound rumbling from his chest, his heads whipping around.

The cerberus paws gripped the snow.

His tail lashed back and forth.

Whats wrong? Alex asked.

Theresa drew her swords, cocking one ear to the path behind them.

Her expression was death. Were being followed.

Alex smiled. Finally.