First chapter of the second arc of Ben's adventures!

So exited to read your comments!

Chapter 14: Welcome to the County of Fridol

I was driving my cart on a dirt road when from behind boulders bandits came out. There was six of them, surrounding us, and on top of a boulder a couple more were holding bows, arrows at the ready.

It was supposed to be a surprise attack, but I had long since been able to determine the ideal location of traps and potential set ups. It was a question of troop coverage, road position and geography along with a bit of instinct.

The two mercenaries riding along side me reacted quickly, i had warned them, of course. They pulled their swords out and each dismounted to clash with the two bandits that were in front of the cart's pulling horse. As for me i shot arrows at the archers, they both fell down and i jumped off of the driver seat to end their sufferings with my black blade.

Once i was done i checked on my two companions status. they had engaged in battle with the bandit on each side of the cart, leaving me to take care of the two behind it.

Since the effect of our surprise counter-attack to their surprise attack had already dulled they took longer than the ones before, paring a few strikes. Still the level 37-40 bandits were of no match against my level 68 avatar and my NPCs companion that were around level 45. It was a one hit kill each time.

The battle over, i added the loot to the cart and we started moving again.

This kind of small fights were a common happening for me now. Since i had left Djaden more than a month ago i had been travelling North West towards Fridol.

In the game more to a year and a half had passed since launch whereas in reality it had been just five month and two weeks had passed by. All the other players had already reached the Capital, as a player with a Merchant related Job i did not stay just a night in the villages along the main road to Fridol but at least an in game week in each town.

I always took the time to befriend the villagers by completing their quests, no matter how small they were. This had led me to obtain information on the surrounding areas of the town and visit many undiscovered dungeons and hunting grounds and learn of close by villages and settlements.

I had dutifully visited all of them, gradually mapping the integrality of Djaden, Vram and Brem County and the two thirds of the lowers side of the Three Peeks area.

I was currently approaching the frontier of Fridol's County.

In my travels i had been selling seeds, grains, closes and low quality weapons to the villagers and settlers. in the towns i had presented the people with more refined goods and some of the jewellery and old coins i had gotten from the secret dungeon back at the Druid Conclave.

I still had most of it with me, stacked in my Small Cart, along with the many Cloth Rolls, Ores and Grains Bags i had collected in the villages. Each area has its speciality, i had taken the time to learn of them and buy the goods with a high durability at the cheapest price possible to sell them later for a high price at the Capital.

That was why i had gotten a cart. it was a small wooden cart originally pulled by a large bull, i had sold the bull to a farmer whose cows did not produce enough offspring and bought a sturdy, well muscled field working horse to pull it.

My journal had more than tripled in size since my departure, enriched by all the tidbits of information i had gathered during my talks with NPCs and my readings. I had also decided to separate my Merchant's log book from the rest of my journal.

The log book contained the integrallity of my inventory divided between my backpack, satchel, cart and horses. Each item had information such as its current worth, place and time of obtention, and its summary.

Another list was composed of all the objects i had obtained then sold.

A third was made of all my past, current and repeating contracts.

The last one was made of the prospects, shops and work places i had gathered through my explorations and travels.

Most of them were abandoned woodcutters houses and hunters huts or broken down farms and shops i had won through merchant's and business owner's quests. Some were abandoned mines i had been the first one to find. The most uncommon of those possessions were empty construction sites situated in towns or villages.

At first i had found it weird, i had looked online if it were happening to other players and had found out that avatars with merchant related Jobs were sometimes offered ownership of small shops or prospects. It was supposed to be used as a back bone for their trading roads and activities.

That was when i had understood that the land parcels and mines were rare rewards that might be common to me thanks to my Emperor and Merchant related Job.

From then on i had actively been researching for abandoned mines or prospects, gathered information on empty slots in the villages or town i had visited and on closed shops i had seen.

Obtaining their ownership wasn't always easy and i often had to prove my worth through divers tasks, some involving battles or rise Familiarity with one or several villagers.

I had also started buying prospects and shops from other players through online auctions. Most of them were monster filled mines sold by players with no use for them. Because i was only looking for abandoned shops or mines and i was probably the only one buying them, i was able to buy many for a ridiculously low price before people understood and rose the price.

It was a hard and time consuming activity but it was all worth it.

Once i would get to Fridol, the real worth of all of those prospects would be revealed.

I felt an evil smile form on my face as i thought of all the profits i would do once i would have reached Fridol and started the second part of my plan.

My two companions were riding on each side of the cart.

"How long until we reach the county's limits?"

The question was from Arnold, a big bellied mercenary and hammer user that had been travelling with me for a while already.

"Two more days. if we reach a village i will discharge you."

"What about when you will leave the village?"

"Yeah, if we are still there, will you hire us back?"

Patrick, a swordsman of a certain age. had joined us at the last village. He used to be a soldier working in Vram, after the senseless death of his closest friend during a routine exercise, he had left to travel the country on his own, looking for a place to settle.

"Of course. You have my word Patrick, if you still wish to travel and i am in need of an escort, you two will have priority over anyone else."

I had decided to hire mercenaries to protect my cart less than an in game week after i left Djaden. In the country side, thieves groups could reach the number of ten men, i would have no problem dealing with them now but the risk back then, when i was level thirty was too high, and they had time to still my belongings nd try to flee with them as i was battling the others.

It had cost me too much to my taste and i had calculated that buying two mounts and mercenaries would be, in the long run, cheaper than getting items stolen one at a time.

The stolen item was picked at random in the cart but considering the amount of old gold pieces and jewels i was transporting i had already lost quite a margin in my profit.

By the end of the evening we reached the top of a high hill, from there we could see, far in the distance, a small village surrounded in a protective wooden wall. It has been ten days since we had left the last one and my companions were desperate for a real bed. But as luck, or the game's system, would have it, we would not rest for a while longer.

The village was being attacked.

From where we stood we could see a mass of men attacking the large wooden doors that had been closed shut. by my calculation, they would break by sun down.

At that moment the men wielding swords, hatchets and hammers and wearing thick leather protection would attack the villagers.

On the walls a dozen defenders were firing at the attackers, but they were too numerous and their archers would shoot every time the villagers showed themselves.

Patrick turned to me.

"What do we do?"

"Defending a village against an army is not part of your contracts. i will not force you to go forward with me."

"So, your gonna help them?"

"Yes, i am."

Arnold, looked at the cart then at the army.

"What about the cart?"

"Well, you are paid to guard it..."

"What if you die?"

"I won't."

The mercenaries looked at each others, conversing through looks alone. I was observing the battle, calculating how to do the most damage from our side of the battlefield.

"We will hide the cart in a ditch."

"Then we will follow you in battle."

"You do not have to"

"On the contrary Ben, we do."

Once the cart was secure i joined Arnold on the back of his horse and we rode down the hill.

"So what's the plan?"

"We will attack the archer at the back from the left. It should do quite a lot of damage! keep quiet, we can't have them spot us when we are far or they will get us with their arrows. I will get anyone that spots us."

As we neared them some would turn around, attracted by the noise of the horses hoofs. I would fire at them from behind Arnold with my bow, soon we reached the extremity of the row and Patrick and i readied our swords.

With a war cry, the horses galloped along the line of archers. i would attack as many as i could, cutting their heads or limbs, slashing their backs.

Patrick followed close behind, taking care of those i had missed.

The first attack was over in a flash, less than a minute later we had reached the other side of the row, we turned our horses around and did another swipe.

When we turned around for the third time, the enemy had finally noticed our presence. Warriors were coming towards us. i started shooting at them but the last two rows of archers were readying their bows, their backs to the village.

I was on the verge of using Arnold as a meat shield when, from the walls arrows were shot, taking out the archers in big numbers.

Our intervention had given the defenders an opportunity to attack without risking their own lives.

The enemy archers were quickly taken

Care of by our new friends while we rid ourselves from the few warriors that had understood what was happening and come towards us.

Once their was no longer any archers, the defenders concentrated their fire power on the troops at the feet of the wall while the three of us were tacking care of those flying the battle.

The attackers number was slowly falling. when half of them had died, they finally realised that their tactics were inefficient and tried to attack us in big numbers.

A group of twenty men ran at us, half of them died by arrows but the rest reached us.

We engaged in an intensive battle. each one of us had to take care of at least three man at a time.

I carefully pared every one of their attacks, escaping when necessary and striking when an opportunity arose.

I took care of my adversaries one at a time then went to help Patrick who was in difficulty.

I took a look at the city's walls, approximately a hundred men were still standing. I picked a couple of bows and arrows from the floor, distributed them to my companions and we started shooting the men in their backs. Each time they would gather to try to kill us the archers at the top of the wall would help us.

After an in game hour of shooting at the invaders, the last one fell.

I hurried to the mass of bodies and started finishing however was still moving and picking up anything of interest or value.

This is Jackpot! Tones of experience, loot and familiarity with this entire village!

The wooden gates opened and a group of men dressed in handmade light armour came out. A man with a bandaged leg was at their head. While his men took care of the surviving attackers, he came to us.

Before i could start talking he surrounded me in his thick arms and hugged me hard. He did the same to Arnold and Patrick.

"Strangers, we owe you our lives!

"No need to thank us sir, we only did what was needed of us."

"Nonsense! People ready to lay their lives for a stranger are rare and should be treasured! Especially in these times!"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't tell me you haven't heard of it?"

"I sincerely do not know what you are talking about, Sir."

The man examined the three of us, noticing our dirty clothes and earth covered boots.

"Travellers..."

His eyes then went to my noble and murim rings on my right hand. The man lifted his own and passed it on his beard, effectively showing me his own murim ring.

"Let me tell you, traveller, of the awful news an envoy of the king relayed to me in the utmost secrecy less than a week ago."

The man's voice was low and intense. I motioned for Arnold and Patrick to leave us alone, the news i was about to hear was to important that it would have never been entrusted to me if i did not have the ring.

"Eleven days ago, on the eve of his sixteenth birthday, our King's only son, Malik, nearly died from an assassins blade."

"What?"

My reaction was legitimate. As a player i could learn of these types of events through websites, chat rooms and official announcements yet it was the first time i had heard of this. Thinking back on it, the price of mercenaries had slightly increased in the last days. It was possible that the king had hired some to help secure his son, causing the increase in price.

As i was thinking the other Murim member continued.

"The king has discovered that the man behind the attempt was working for his own younger brother, Ibrahim."

"What happened then?"

"The King used Malik's taste for private birthday parties as a trap to capture and arrest him. Ibrahim is currently imprisoned but several of his allies are still unknown or at large, waiting for an opportunity to strike again."

"How did the rest of the nobility react?"

"Nobody is aware of what happened! Only

High nobles could have known there was tension, yet none were expecting this..."

Tension... That would explain why Djaden County's Lord was so desperate to get his painting back.

"Some lesser nobles were accused of working with Ibrahim and were discreetly stripped of their titles, privileges and properties before being imprisoned along with anyone who provided them with support. The men you defeated worked for Sendrix, one of the most likely to have helped Ibrahim. Unfortunately the king has no proof or grounds to search his properties. If he is caught now, the King would be most gratefull."

"Your journal has been updated."

"Mercenary quests in Millen are now available to you."

"Ally of The Kingdom

Braeen's prince, Malik, was poisoned by his uncle, Ibrahim, in a failed conspiracy. Ibrahim has been captured but some of his followers are still at large.

Court noble Sendrix is one of them. If you can provide a reason to doubt Sendrix honour, the King will have an occasion to obtain proof of his treachery.

Quest prerequisite: membership to the Murim or previous knowledge of the assassination attempt

Quest completion: find proof of Sendrix's dishonour

Quest Class D++ "

Do you accept the quest Ally of the Kingdom?"

"Accept"

"Ally of Millen

The noble man Sendrix attacked the village of Millen with no valable reason for his own selfish gains.

If you bring him to Vendro you will receive a hefty reward.

Quest prerequisite: Helped during Millen's attack by Sendrix's men

Quest completion: find proof of Sendrix's culpability

Quest Failure: Sendrix dies

Quest class: D++"

"Do you accept Ally of Millen?"

"Accept"

"Why would he take such a risk?"

"He must be trying to profit from the current confusion by killing his rival's people, merchant Ford and his escort, that are currently here."

"Are you saying that your entire village was attacked because only two people could not find a peaceful way of coexisting?"

"Well...yes. But Sendrix himself wasn't present. As soon as he realises his attack has failed he will surrely flee with the men he has left in fear of being caught."

"Then you should cut his retreat. Is there some people available for an ambush?"

"A group has already been dispatched. They left the village as Sendrix army was on its way. A messenger should arrive soon with more news."

"Who is they?"

"A party of travellers, just like you. They were the one that warned us of Sendrix's men arrival."

"I see."

"Your journal has been updated.

Court noble Sendrix has a tried to kill one of his rival's men. You might discover further incriminating proof if you look further into this."

Since i was not the only player in the area, the items, experience and quest available would have to be shared between us. Moreover if they knew of Sendrix and Ford's issues and had already taken a quest about it they might also learn of the assassination attempt and deliver Sendrix to the King themselves.

No way i am gonna let such an occasion go by!

"Say, how many travellers are in the village?"

"Except you and your friends there are a few mercenaries, a merchant and his escort and of course the Lady Elma Da Sala and her six companions Lenias, Ulian, Safi, Dokil, Thea and Hal."

"All of them are in the party that are gone after Sendrix?"

"Yes, they have. By the way, what originally brings you here?"

The influence of the rings was not enough to get information about the other players. that meant they were well liked and respected by the villagers.

"I am a Ben Varrand, a merchant, and the two men over there, Arnold and Patrick, are escorting me."

"I am called Vendro, chief of the village of Millen. A merchant, hein? Were are your goods?"

"We had to hide them. It is strangely impractical to fight while directing a horse the front of a cart."

Vendro was kind enough to send a group of men to retrieve the cart while he led us to his house where we were invited to stay.

As we went across the village i saw several building with burn marks on their walls and roofs, villagers running around, taking care of the wounded and the dead, picking the arrows out of the ground, houses and walls and transporting boxes in a hurry.

Vendro's home turned out to be an inn with a dinning hall and stables. He gave us a room each and prepared us a hot bath. As the water was heating i took the opportunity to wash my closes at a close by washtub.

I cleaned up quickly then went down to the dining hall.

It was full of villagers that were rejoicing in their victory.

Arnold was back and was surrounded with people. I was soon in the same situation. People offered me cups of alcohol and filled my plate with food. Fully using my popularity, i took the time to talk to every person present, rising my familiarity as much as i could.

As i was talking with a wounded men i learned that the families and friends of those who had died in the attack were holding a funerary burial. I left the inn and directed myself to the other side of the village.

More than a hundred people were praying in silence in front of several freshly filled tombs. I closed my eyes and faked joining them in their prayers.

When the ceremony was over i exchanged a few words of respect with the families.

A men was walking away from me when he turned around.

"Hey, stranger?"

"Yes?"

"Where did you come from?"

"Djaden County"

"I see. well, welcome to The County of Fridol!"

"What do you mean? Aren't we still in Vram?"

"Millen is the town marking the frontier between Vram and Fridol county. By coming into the cemetery you've passed it."