Chapter 78: Idle Days

The morning was clamoring. The gates of Dunwich were made of marble and stone were crowded. The spectators eyed the wagons and carts that were entering, they are filled with people. The carts and wagons rumbled as they passed through the gates. The people murmured different things. They seem to feel that the wagon was filled with bleak and sadness. Children with simple linen clothing watched over curiously.

A banging of a hammer, shout of a merchant echoed. Stalls lined up together, they seem to stick to the walls. The merchants seemed to have anticipated the arrival of the wagons and carts. The people crowded on the stalls. While the wagons stopped with a screeched on the road. Boots stomped on the road, they eyed the stalls, and smiles came about their lips as they prayed in their hearts. The Town of Dunwich was a well-known town near the Capital. It is well known for simply because of the relief that it gives to odd adventurers and soldiers.

The battered down people dragged themselves out. Tattered their clothes, their weapons were wrought. They have a cold grimy look on their faces. They seemed to be listless but the smile on their faces seems genuine, they like the scent of the road. The noise that the road made along with its bustling folks made them feel alive.

Closing their eyes, they would see the horrible dark hills filled with weapons and corpses, the hills were corpses and many swords and spears were planted on the hills. They dreamt of returning in this place, and now stepping in this slow-idyllic town. They smiled. Once again, they feel human.

They were humans in the first place. But their trip in the middle of the continent made them feel less human. The blood, the entrails, the screams, the agony and the suffering that was brought upon them, made them feel like they were mindless monsters. The way they act, they hated it. They thought of glory at first, but then they feared, then simply all they wanted was to go home.

Adventurers and soldiers they were. But nonetheless, they are now lesser than that. At least they think so. They haven’t seen such peaceful sight for years, and now that they were allowed to flee from the battlefields, they heavily promised on their hearts that they will never return there.

They saw the stalls. Their eyes scoured and saw various foods they have come to missed. All of them salivated and they took out of their leather pouches, loose the strings and handed coins to the shop owner. The owner took them, a smile plastered on his face. He handed the food, and they eat them.

Familiar and tasty, that was all they could think. They have come to this place obviously, they call it home and now they felt like home with the food inside their mouth. The stall owner watched as the grimy men eat their food. He could not believe that he would see such grimy looking ones cry as they eat.

...

Bruno marched leisurely among the streets. He saw the new arrival and nodded his head. He then walked back to the place where the warband is staying. The Saclea has a compound in Dunwich like the rest of the major families. He headed there and after walking he saw the building. The building was made of marble of stone. There is a gate with iron fittings and inside he could see the tents being laid out.

The party members of the Saclea warband have taken the grounds as camp. Bruno approached the gate. A servant of the house saw him and immediately opened up. He steps on the grounds of the compound and looked around. The people in the warband carried pots and logs as they prepare to make food for themselves. He could see the banners flapping over them. There is also the sound of burning and crackling as the camp fire gets started.

He walks past the camp and entered through the carved door of the compound. He pushed the knob of the door and greeted him was a two-way staircase that leads to the second floor. There is a chandelier that is fitted with lamps. He walks up the stairs and headed to the third floor where his master is.

He went past many doors before arriving in front of a double door. He entered without knocking and there he saw Sena and Susan talking together. Susan was handing Lady Sena the documents while Sena reads them with dire focus. There is a patio window behind them and the white curtains were fluttering as the light enters. Susan noticed Bruno’s presence and slightly nodded at him. He returned the nod and then went in front of the Lady.

“Milady, the arrivals have come.”

Sena took her eyes off the parchment and turned to him.

“I see. Did you any banner men wearing the Sigil of the house?”

Bruno thought and said.

“No, I don’t believe I saw anyone having the banners of the Saclea. Most of them looked like regular adventurers and soldiers.”

“Is that it? Then it looks like they are either dead or still on the battlefields. I have not received any news about any death in the family. So I am assuming they are still with my relatives. Well, no matter, as Saclea never experiences defeat and if they do, they do it as loud as they can.”

Sena said proudly.

“Anyway milady, the arrivals have come. Other than that, there is nothing new around. Well, there are rumors about the Orc Slayer of the Asmara.”

“Orc Slayer, the woman with the hatred for Orc’s has come so far,” Sena said pensively. “To think that conceited gal would turn out to become someone this way. A barb lance, and a dreary armor, it seems that something changed her badly.”

Sena made a curt smile as she talks about the lady of Asmara. Bruno crossed his arms. He could see Susan looking down in thought, probably thinking of her brother again.

“In any case,” Sena continued with a blinking expression. “The compound is well-maintained, the servants are doing well and so far the bannermen living under this place haven’t slackened in helping the town. I patrolled the town myself, and everything was in order. How were the taverns, Bruno?”

She fixed her eyes at Bruno.

“They are fine, mostly adventurers and mercenaries for hire. There is some news out there but they are mostly drunk talk, I believe that the information brokers are more reliable.”

He peered at Susan.

“And Susan, I heard that you went to the information brokers.”

“Yes. I did go there milady. “Susan went upright. “They have a rather interesting system of broking. They accept gold coins, and their tongues are skilled. If it wasn’t for the symbol of the Bank of Brewrael with me, then I wouldn’t have gotten learn anything legitimate. Their words are indeed valuable as coins but it does not mean that it is as cheap to pay them.”

“I see,” Sena crossed her arms, her eyes impassive. “So they can be trusted?”

“If you pay enough, then yes.” Susan nodded. “They can be trusted.”

“Very well, I shall report that as a well. “ Sena leaned on her chair, pressing her back on the wooden chair. “It looks like there was no need to worry.”

“Is that all?” said Bruno. “Is there anything I can do for you milady?”

Sena peered at Bruno with a straight-laced expression.

“No, I can handle the paperwork with Susan here. Try managing the warband, they are still in the compound and make sure they are comfortable and their morale is excellent.”

Sena said. She then beamed at Susan to roll the papers for her. Her arm was still injured so she could not roll them. Bruno watched them for a second before saying.

“I shall go for now milady”

“Yes.”

Sena replied with a deadpan expression on her face. Susan gave a courteous nod at Bruno. He nodded back and went out of the room. He found himself in the room. Holding the hilt of his sword, he strides down the stairs and went out of the building. He turned his attention to the people on the ground. Seeing them, he marched boldly to them with his eyes narrowed. He needs to ensure that the camp is okay.