I find that all these extra hours of being unable to sleep has its advantages and disadvantages. One I’m able to plan and think about things longer. The disadvantage is that I have more time to become bored. This is my first night in Farin and I find myself bored lying on a bed. The inn I decided to stay at seemed to be popular place for the locals to hang out and drink even late into the night.

I may as well partake in the local beverages and see if they can put me to sleep. Heading down to the common room of the inn I take a stool at the bar and order a drink. After a pitcher worth of some flat beer I ordered something stronger. Drinking their strongest drink I sighed and looked to the wide eyed plain looking barmaid.

“So you have nothing stronger?”

“No sir. You seem to be able to take your drink better than a dwarf sir.” I point to my horns.

“I’m part draconian.” Recognition showed in her eyes as she made an ‘oh’ face.

“Of course sir, that would explain it. We are sorry that we don’t have any Sorrit ale. We don’t get many with draconian blood here so it’s not popular.” For draconian she says, must be strong if it can get someone with dragon blood drunk.

“Is it strong?”

“Yes sir. It is. Not even a dwarf could handle more than a few cups of it.”

“Really? Why? What does it do?” the barmaid smiles and laughs a little.

“We had a bottle of Sorrit ale a year ago. Two dwarves ordered some cups of it. One dwarf drank two cups while the other only made it to four. The dwarf who drank two frothed at the mouth striped off his clothes screaming that he was being eaten. We had to knock him out to stop him from clawing his own skin off. The other…well he died sir. He chugged four cups and just dropped dead.” Damn that has to be a strong drink and… sounds like it has a hallucinogen in it.

“And if other races drink it?”

“Everyone who I have seen seems to see things that are not there. They only drink one cup and go crazy.” I smile at her and she blushes.

“I’ve got to try that drink.” Sounds stronger then earth’s hallucinogenic absinth drink.

“Yes sir. They always say the only one who can outdrink a dwarf is a draconian. Seeing as you are part, I think you could handle it sir.” The door to the inn opens and I take a look at who entered. Two elven woman with unstrung bows, and quivers on their hips walk into the inn. The two elven ladies look around then take a seat at an empty table in the back.

If I’m not mistaken these elven woman are the ones who were following me and Shalinith. Activating mage site I look them over. Yup these two are definitely the ones who were following us. Seeing as Shalinith is staying in a different inn, I think it’s safe to say they are following me. I look back to the barmaid.

“Do you still serve food this late at night?”

“Yes sir we do.”

“What would you recommend?”

“Pirut stew sir it taste good and is only five copper.”

“Pirut?”

“Pirut is a local flightless bird some of the farms sell to us.” Hmmm sounds like this world’s equivalent to chicken. Taking out twelve copper I place them on the counter.

“I will have a bowl. Also bring it and two mugs of your beer to the table with the two elves. I will be there with them.”

“Yes sir. The beers will be there shortly. The stew will take a bit more time as it is prepared.” I nod to her and get off the stool. Let’s see why these ladies were following me. I walk up to their table pull a chair out and sit on it.

“So why have you fine ladies been following me?” they just sit there and stare at me. There movements and faces didn’t even twitch as I looked at them. Staring them down did not solicit a response from them. This is odd most people would say something. The barmaid brings two beers and places one in front of each elf.

“Will you need anything else sir?”

“Not at this time thank you.” she looks at the elves. Both look at the beer then back to her and shake their heads as the bar maid looks at each of them.

“Ok.” She looks back to me. “Your stew will be here shortly. I nod to her and she leaves.

“Ok I will be blunt. Both I and Shalinith noticed that you have been following us for the last month or so. The question that keeps popping into my head is why. I pose this question to you both. Why are you following me?” both elves look at each other than at me than back to each other again. They both sigh at the same time. Hmmm they both look exactly the same? Twins maybe, or just sisters? The only thing to tell them apart was their eye color for even their clothes were identical.

“We were ordered by King Hadrid Voean Cis’Viacion to watch you and report your activities to him.” The dark green eyed elf on my left spoke. That’s very similar to Elestia’s name. So that is her father’s name.

“I’m assuming you are talking about the elven king, father to Princess Elestia Voean Cis’Viacion.”

“Yes.” This time it was the elf on my right with olive green eyes who spoke.

“As we have been discovered we are to proceed to the second set of orders.” What? I sit straighter in my seat and gather mana in my limbs ready for a fight. The dark green eyed elf raises her hand palm towards me. “We are not going to fight you.” I relax a little but not much.

“Then what are your orders?”

“If discovered and confronted we are to actively support and guard you as companions in your travels until we receive orders otherwise.” The dark green eyed elf spoke and the olive green one just nods.

“Ok.” I look at them both. “I have a few questions. Will you answer them?”

“Ask.” The olive eyed elf spoke. This one seems to be a one word wonder.

“Very well we shall answer what we can.”

“Why did the king kick me out of his kingdom?” May as well get strait to what has been bugging me.

“You are unworthy.”

“Unworthy.”

“Please clarify?” both woman look at each other then back to me.

“Princess claims you are her soulmate. The king cannot marry you to her because you have no title or renown. If he did his nobles would rebel because he has refused to marry her to them.” This dark green eyed elf must be the spokesmen for them both. Now that I think about it this does explain why I got kicked out so quickly.

“Ok I believe you. How would you suggest I gain title and renown?” both girls look at each other for a moment then look back to me. Why do they keep doing that? Are they telepathic?

“There will be a tournament held in the capital of Coritiam one year from now. Win the tournament and you will have the renown and a title that the nobles won’t complain loudly about.”

“How do I get in said tournament?”

“Sponsorship.”

“You need to be sponsored by a noble of Coritiam to participate in the tournament.”

“What title will I gain?”

“Unknown.”

“The title has not been announced. According to information we have received, the title will be announced the day of the tournament before the preliminary’s and rules are announced.”

“So it could be a good title or a low one right?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.” Both woman spoke in unison.

“Ok since we will be traveling together I would like to know your names?”

“I am Tiat and my twin sister is Miat. We are of the clan Gorset from Orvonit.’

“I do not know the place or clan?”

“Unimportant.”

“You do not need to know where we come from only that we will help you for now.”

“Very well I don’t plan to leave this city for at least a week as I plan and prepare for what I will do.”

“Land.”

“To get sponsorship you need to own some land in Coritiam or own a sizable home in a city.”

“I guess I will purchase something somewhere. Probably at the capital considering how long it is until the tournament.” Both elven girls look at each other again.

“How?”

“How will you obtain the currency to buy such?”

“I have a way. Considering your both working for a king as some kind of agents, I can trust you to keep secrets. Well from others that is, besides your boss. I will show you tomorrow after you wake and eat.”

“Yes.”

“Considering you won’t sleep tonight we shall take your room.” They both stood there and stared at me. Just like that you claim my room? Freeloaders move fast.

“Very well, fourth door on the right.” Both elven women left me heading to the rooms passing the barmaid from before. She came to me and placed a bowl of soup in front of me.

“Here’s your food sir.” She looked at the beers then back towards where the elves went. “They didn’t like the beer sir?”

“Nope.” I stood up and looked around the taverns main room. There were 22 people in here that I could count at various tables and stools at the bar. I need more information. “I’m a traveler and I got two free beers for whoever is willing to tell me information about this fair town.” I yell this out load and look around the room.

“I will take those beers good sir.” A young looking man who looked to still be in his teens got up from a table with several others at it. The young man had two three inch black horns jutting from his forehead. The boy’s skin was a muddy red color. He must be a Vedrin I keep hearing of. The young man started to walk too me yet one of his table mates put a foot out and tripped him.

I frowned and watched him fall on his face embedding his horns on the floor. The man who tripped him stood up. There is no mistaking this bearded man for anything else than a dwarf. The man was only about four foot tall and so muscle bound that his shoulders are almost as long as his arms. Definitely someone you don’t want to mess with, for he looks like he could crush rocks in his hands. I never saw someone so small with so much muscle on them. The young man was cursing at his dwarf friend.

“If any ones getting free ale it’s me boy. Be a good lad and take my stuff back to ma room when you dun unstuck yourself.” The rest of the table laughed with the dwarf and everyone else in the room returned to their own food and drink. The Dwarf took one of the chairs at my table as I sat down. He grabbed both beers and chugged them.

Wiping the remains off his mouth and burping he looked me over. “So what ya want ta know?” Good question. I need more money, so I will pull more gold from the ground later. I will need some guards when I go to Coritiam’s capital. I need to learn as much martial arts and sword fighting I can before the tournament. I think I got magic covered so all I need is to take advantage of my physical strength.

“In a week’s time I need to hire some guards to take me and two others to Coritiam’s capital. There will be one cart’s worth of goods transported as well. So what I’m looking for is a trustworthy group, and I don’t want to hire just anyone at the mercenary guild.”

“That be a month’s travel. Give me another beer and I can tell ya a good group who won’t rob ya for ya goods no matter it’s worth.” Hmm that sounds good. Let’s ripen his mood. I look around and I wave one of the barmaids over.

“Sir can I get you something?” the barmaid I waved over was rather plain looking.

“Yes bring us two mugs of a drink stronger than your standard fair.”

“That would be 20 copper sir.” That makes it ten a mug, if memory serves that is there strongest drink they had in stock. I handed her the money and she left.

“Lad I think I like ya. What ya bee looking for is Herrits band. Just wonder off to the merc guild tomorrow and ask for Herrits band. They be skilled and won’t disappoint ya. If they accept ya, and price not too steep for ya.” He laughed a good bellow then smiled as the barmaid put the drinks in front of us. “You my friend may call me Brack.” I watch him chug his drink wile I take a few swallows of mine. Nice name sounds a lot like brick and just by looking at him he may as well be.

“Herrits band? How many are they? What jobs do they usually take?” I take a few spoonfuls of my soup as Brack finishes off his beer. Yup taste like chicken. I was right in assuming it was the local equivalent to chicken. Brack burps loudly as he slams the mug on the table. I give him a smile and eat more of my soup.

“They be two shy of twenty.” Hmm… 18 not bad. “They caravan guard mostly, not once have they failed to bring one threw the death wastes.”

“Death wastes? What is that and were?” Brack raises an eyebrow at me.

“Were you been dat you don’t know the Waist’s?”

“Don’t matter please explain.” A barmaid showed up and put the drinks in front of us both.

“Here you go sir’s. Will there be anything else?”

“No not at this time.” I waved her away without looking at her. She left. I waved at brack to continue. “Please enlighten me.” Brack picks up his drink and lightly sips it and smiles.

“Good drink. The Death waist’s be the rout from here to Vedrin land. It be a desert of death. Bandits and monsters lurk there.” A desert trade rout. “The death waist be dangerous trade route ta take. It is the fastest rout from here to one of their big cities.”

“Hmm… interesting. Also I’m looking for someone to train me a little in the use of a sword. Know anyone?” Brack put down his half-drunk drink and massaged his beard with his other hand.

“There are plenty lad. They keep a whole list of whose available in town and beyond at the guild.” Brack stood up and patted me on the shoulder. “Good luck to ye.” Taking his drink with him he left to the hallway for the rooms. Good information. All I need now is to buy a cart and a canvas to cover the gold I’m going to place in it. It is going to be heavy, so I need another horse as well.

Looking back to my soup I finish it off. I spend the rest of the night gathering information from the local patrons from time to time. I would have experimented with magic but I didn’t want to do that within city limits were every one could see.

I was just getting bored out of my skull when the twin elves walked into the room and sat at my table. They ordered food as did I. The elven woman payed for their own meal. Apparently they can withdraw from a fund at city banks as they travel. Looking at them I tell them my plan for the day.

“After the meal I will trade my horse and purchase two horses bred for hauling carts. Then we shall head out of town. I want to experiment a little with magic then you will see how I plan to fund my activities. After that I’m headed to the mercenary guild to hire an escort to the capital of Coritiam.” Both elves just stared at me.

“Explain?”

“Why would you need an escort, do you not have us to guard you, are you not a powerful sorcerer?”

“First it is for appearances. I don’t want to look like some regular person when I arrive at the capital. As for my power, I have no experience in fights against other magic users. Who knows there may be some with some random bandit group. I’m just trying to cover myself so I could concentrate on the magic user instead of his buddies.”

“Wise.”

“Not a bad plan. To really make an impression we suggest a band of mercenary’s around 20 strong.

I look at both women. “How skilled are you with weapons? Would you be willing to train me in the use of the sword?”

“No.”

“We are proficient but will not teach you. We will only spar and not explain a thing. We are advisers and guards not teachers.” Well there goes that idea. Guess I do need to hire someone.

“Very well then I shall hire someone to teach me.” Both women looked at each other then back to me. What now?

“Why?”

“Why? You have great magical capability why fight with a sword.”

“Simple its back up incase my magic fails or someone gets through it. I also want to take advantage of my physical capabilities as well.” They both just stare at me. “It’s better to have the skill and not need it then need it and not have it.” They both nod and eat their food in silence as it is delivered.

After the meal we went to the local horse seller just outside the east gate. I was able to get a good deal for the horses. I learned how to sense lies with passive magic last night when I was asking for information from the inns patrons. When I negotiated prices for the horses I was happy with the results for the seller is an honest business man, imagine that.

The cart seller on the other hand was not so honest. He tried to lie about the makers and the quality of the wood for the carts. I showed some magic and demanded a fair and accurate price and told him I can tell he was lying. I will just say he was fairly rebuffed and backed down.

I purchased a four wheeled cart with a bench for a driver. It was a dwarven made cart that had a steel reinforced frame. The wheels were steel as well, for I didn’t want to replace the wheels on the road. With the two large horses I purchased and the cart I could probably transport close to 700 pounds safely.

Driving the cart away from town we traveled about two miles away. I stopped the cart and got off. The twins got off their horses as well.

“I will need you to lead the horses for a bit is that all right?” The twins looked at me with questions in their eyes. “We are going off the road for a bit and I will lift the cart. It would be less of a hassle if you could lead the horses so I don’t have to lift them as well. I don’t think they would like it if I do that.” They both nod, and I unharness the horses form the cart.

Looking at the cart I raise my arm to it in a lifting motion. The cart rises up into the air. Ha this hardly required anything to do. Mana use is negligible and seems to be maintained by just intent. I think I can keep this thing in the air with hardly a thought.

“Do or do not, there is no try. Eat your heart out Yoda. HAHA the force is with me.”

“Do?”

“What? Who is Yoda?”

“Never mind that just temporary insanity, Follow me.” I wave the twins after me with my other arm. I maneuver the cart threw the trees for a good hour before finding a small clearing. I set the cart down.

“This is a good place.” Looking at both elves in the eyes I smile. “I will now show you how I intend to fund my activities.” Turing away from them I walk to the center of the small clearing. Ok gold extraction time. I don’t want to be detected by any one in town so I can’t have a wide spell. Yes I can drive the spell deep and extract from below. I sit down in the grass cross legged, with both arms in front of me palms out. “Program, element gold, extraction five miles deep, shape cone, origin small to large, form sphere before me, execute.”

I feel the mana in the air flow into me and mix with my own before it flows into the ground below me. I wonder how much I should gather before cutting the spell. I look before me as a trickle of gold starts to form. Just a little amount of my attention is required to maintain the spell. All I have to do is keep feeding it mana and it keeps working as intended.

A sphere starts to form in front of me. The sphere grew one foot across before the twins spoke.

“Gold?”

“Is that real?”

“Yes this is real gold. It is not fake. I’m pulling the gold directly out of the ground. Specifically I’m gathering all the scattered molecules of gold that is underground and condensing them so they can visibly be seen. All I’m doing is gold mining with magic.”

“Amount?”

“How much do you plan on gathering?” I turn my head to look at them while not moving my arms.

“What? not surprised I can take gold out of ground were none can be found?

“No.”

“No we are not. We felt your power before you learned to suppress it.”

“Ok. I plan to fill the cart.”

“No.”

“Do not do that it would be unwise.”

“Then what would you suggest I need a lot of money if I want to gather enough attention to get a title.”

“Cover.”

“You can place a lot of gold in the cart but we sagest you cover it with another metal to hide the gold. Less likely to get robbed when we bring it back to town.” I frown. I can’t believe I forgot about that possibility. Ok this is going be tricky.

“You are right. Ok this is how I’m going to do it. I will form ingots out of this gold and stack them in the cart. After I get an amount I’m satisfied with I will change the spell to another metal and cover the gold. I returned my full attention to my spell, and increased the flow of mana to speed up the collection.

I collected the gold tell I had a sphere before me that was six feet across. I cut the spell and kept the sphere suspended. Concentrating I start to pull 6x2x2 inch ingots out of the sphere. Each ingot I pull out I form a skull with flames above its head on each one. Using the first one as a template I was able to change the entire sphere and stack them in the cart in under an hour.

With the last bit of gold I made a foot long cylinder that was almost three inches thick. I form a hollow in its center then cut it into a 24 rings. Conjuring some cloth I wrap up the rings and tie it to my belt. I will use this to hire the escort.

“Picture?”

“Why did you put this picture on each ingot?” Tiat I think her name was standing at the back of the cart and was holding one of the ingots.

“That will be my coat of arms.”

“Interesting.” Miat was sitting sideways on the carts seat and was peering at all the gold with wide eyes. I don’t think either of them has ever seen so much gold in one place.

“Interesting choice, this will definitely gather attention.”

“That was my goal it would be hard to miss and mistake. Now time to cover the gold.” I raise my hand out in front of me then pause. “What should I cover it with?”

“Iron.”

“Iron would be good. But I don’t think the horses could pull the cart well with more weight.”

“I will cast a light weight spell on it.” Both woman nod like it was expected. Casting the collection spell I gather iron and cover the gold with two layers of iron. I did not put my coat of arms on the iron ingots. Looking up into the sky to gage the time I decide it’s time to head to the merc’s guild. “Alright I’m done here. Let’s head out.” Just as I was about to lift the cart I heard something pushing through the bushes loudly.

“Troll.”

“Sounds like a troll.” Both woman unslung their bows and nocked an arrow and pointed it towards the sound. I waved at both girls to get their attention.

“Let me handle this I need the experience.” They both nod and lower their aim, arrows still nocked. I turn back to the sound just in time to see a 9 foot creature come out of the woods. It was hunched over like a gorilla with massive arms and dark gray skin. Its face was flat and ugly reminiscent of a pug dog. It looked like it had taking massive amounts of steroids, for it looked like it had muscles on muscles. It stopped and looked at us. It opened its mouth and roared and started to charge the girls.

I immediately raised my hand and imagined a invisible wall in front of it. It smacked into the invisible wall and backed up a step with a confused look on its ugly face. I box it in with three more walls. The walls I put in front of it and behind it are 15 feet tall. I look back to the twins. “What is it?”

“Troll.”

“It is a rock troll from the wastes.”

“What’s it doing out here?”

“The wastes are just north of us. Rock trolls don’t come here often so it either got chased off by something stronger or food up there is scarcer then normal.

“Ok what’s the normal way to kill it? Is it resistant to magic?” the rock troll roared out in anger and started to pound the invisible wall in front of it. I chuckled at it, for my magic walls handled the force just fine.

“No.”

“It’s not immune to magic, and its skin is quite flammable. Trolls have high regeneration so slowly beating it to death is not optional. Decapitation, drowning, suffocation are also ways to rid yourself of them.”

Crossing my arms I look upon its futile efforts to get at us. How shall I kill this thing? This is a good opportunity to experiment. I walk up to the invisible wall and rub my chin looking at the troll. The trolls anger increases and it growls at me foaming at the mouth with bloodshot eyes. Let’s try manipulation of space. I cover the top of the invisible box so nothing can escape.

I form a barrier inside its body and start to expand it. For a few seconds the troll kept raging then stopped with a stupefied look in its eyes. Then it screamed loudly and started to claw its chest. I kept expanding the barrier inside of it bringing the troll to its knees desperately clawing at its own chest breaking the skin. Its eyes roll up and it falls on its face. I keep expanding the barrier as it rips the troll open exposing all its insides to open air.

Looking it over with my mana sense I confirm its dead. I guess crushing its organs and splitting it open kills it as well. I point a finger at the corpse.

“Incinerate.” A blue flame covers the rock troll’s corps faster than I could blink and consumes the corpse in a matter of seconds. I sigh. “Weak.”

“Sorcerer.” I turn my head from the ashes dropping the invisible box.

“You are a powerful sorcerer. It is a given that you could kill it so easily.” I close my eyes and nod.

“Fair enough, let’s head back to town.” I look up into the sky. “We have about 4 hours of light left.” They both nod as they head to the horses. I maneuver the cart back to the road, and lower its weight as the girls hook up the horses to it. Showing the magic emblem allowed us to get back into town without having to pay its toll. It is time to find me some merc’s.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The mercenary guild building in Farin was the third tallest building in town after the city hall and the local Nobles mansion. Well it’s the third tallest if you don’t count some of the trader warehouses. The metal reinforced double doors in the front were wide open.

I Left the twins to watch the cart. I had asked them to purchase a thick canvas to cover the metal with, and then I would meet them back at the Inn. I walked into the building and the first thing I see is a long counter. The counter had iron bars coming out of it that reached the ceiling. I guess that’s to protect the workers from disgruntled clients.

There were six lines being served. People of all shapes and sizes were receiving money or being handed some papers. Some left and others went down a hallway that looked like it stretched the whole length of the building. Well this is a set up I recognize from my old world. I guess bureaucracy is universal go figure. Getting in a line I wait my turn. The line reduced quickly, and It was now my turn.

“How can I help you?” Behind the counter was a homely looking woman in her late thirties. She was looking at some list or ledger that she was writing on.

“Two things: I want to hire a good sword trainer, and I’m looking to hire Herrits band.”

“Last I heard Herrit is in the building today. He will be at the end of the hall in the common room.” She stopes writing and looks me over. “Length of the training?”

“I want someone who is willing to travel with me for about a year. There is a tournament I want to prepare for.”

“Then I guess you are after someone who is a skilled trainer who can train you at your pace, correct?” I nod. “Then you are in luck a trainer just finished his last contract and has come to this branch looking for more work. It will be 50 silver for the reference.” Damn.

“Why so expensive for just the reference?”

“He is a skilled trainer with years of experience as a gladiator in the Vedrin Arena. Which means he was a former slave who earned his freedom with skill in combat.”

“That sounds impressive.”

“It is, for he is only the third this century to accomplish this feat most just die.”

“Sounds good.” I pass over the silver. “Were do I meet him?” she writes something on a small piece of paper and stamps it with what I guess is the guild seal.

“Here.” She pushes forward two identical pieces of paper. She also hands me a quill. I look at the quill and see a mana trail. The quill was tied to the counter so you could not take it far away. The quill was also tied to what looks like a barrel full of ink. Nice! A pen by magic. I look at the papers. “Please put your sign on the bottom of each paper. If you have a signet ring just press it to the paper and it will be imposed into it.”

I pick up the quill and sign Richard Coldfire in English on both papers. I hand them back to her and she frowns and pushes them back to me. “I didn’t say to write runes on the paper sir wizard just your sign.” Well that’s new information. I guess the English alphabet are considered runes here.

“I did. I wrote my name out in runes.” I push the papers back. She looks back at me with a weary look. I look at the papers and could see the letters I wrote glow a little with my mana sense. Damn I hope nothing happens.

"Yes, sorry sir wizard. I had just thought you were enchanting the paper for extra security.”

“No just my name, and I was trained as a sorcerer not a wizard.” I could of swore I saw a hint of fear for a second before what I guess is her poker face returned.

“Sorry about that sir it is my mistake.” She passed one paper back to me. “Give this to Gravin two doors down the hall so he will know you are interested in hiring him. If he chooses not to work for you come back to this counter, and present this paper, and you will be refunded two thirds your referral.” She gives me a slight bow.

“Thank you.” I pick up the paper and proceed to the hallway. The second door in the hallway had a painting of an armored man with crossed arms looking at a boy swinging a sword attached to it. Well is that just obvious. Opening the door I walk in. There are a few people in the room standing and talking. The room was covered in paintings of many types of training, physical, swords, bows, magic and even horse riding.

Looking around I could see weapon racks all lined up on one side of the room. I notice that everyone in the room was looking at me.

“Can we help you?” A bald leather armored man in his mid-forties takes a step towards me.

“I’m looking for Gravin.” The man clicks his tongue with an irritated look crossing his face, he points his thumb over his right shoulder.

“He’s in the back.” I nod and pass threw them. There is a single man sitting on a single chair at a small table. He is smoking something and looking at me. He has one single broken horn on his forehead. The man wore studded leather armor and his face was scarred and wrinkled with what appeared to be a permanent scowl beaten into it.

I walk up to him and he puts a gloved hand out, it is missing a finger. I pass him the referral paper. He glances at the bottom of the paper quickly and sets it down. He gives me a long slow look over.

“Why would a wizard need training in physical combat?”

“Sorcerer, I don’t want to rely completely on my magic. I want to be prepared in case I’m deprived of its use.”

“How long?” this guy jumps strait to the point.

“About a year I’m preparing for a tournament. Anything further we can negotiate when the time comes.” I take two of the gold rings out and hand them to him. He looks at them both and places them in the pouch on his side after biting each. This guy didn’t even flinch or change expression the whole time.

“When”

“In five days we will be leaving to the capital. We will form up in front of this building in the morning on the fith day.”

“Walk, horse or carriage?”

“I will be driving cart with some trade goods you may ride beside me or on the cart, or on your own horse. You may store your gear in my cart.” Gravin nods.

“Acceptable I will be there. Do you have a weapon?”

“No I do not, is there one you would suggest?” Graven looks me over again then stands up.

“Follow me over here.” I Fallow him to the wall with all the racks of weapons, yet he goes to a rack that has 8 horizontal mounted three foot length bars of different colors. He picks up one and hands the end to me. “Swing this a few times.” I do just that. He snorts and takes the bar back. “Looks too easy for you.”

“Ya hardly felt that I was holding it.” I nod. He is still looking at me with his unchanging face. He squats down and takes hold of the bottom bar. With some quick breaths he holds it, and lifts the bar standing up he turns to me. I can see the strain in his face.

“Take it.” I quickly grab the bar from him. I almost yank him off his feet. Woops I was thinking it was heaver. Taking a few swings one handed I could actually feel some weight with this bar. Graven whistles. “Go ahead and put it back.” I place it back on the bottom of the rack. “Now that I know the weight you can handle, Im going to assume you will need a free hand to cast spells.” I nod. “I will go with you to the blacksmiths in town tomorrow to see what feels right for you.”

“I’m staying at the Tired traveler inn. What time do you want to go look for a wepon to train me with.”

“Noon after first meal.” I nod and shake his hand.

“See you then” I turn and leave the room. Time to find me a merry band of mercenaries. This place keeps reminding me of a temp agency. Walking to the end of the hall, I enter into a large room that resembled a cafeteria. There is food being served to people on the one wall, and what resembled a long bar with stools on the other side. Well damn is there a bar and a restaurant in every building.

There were a lot of people in here, most of them were armored and carrying weapons. The room was pretty loud, and many people were coming and going. Looks like people are showing some kind of token before they were giving a tray in the chow line in exchange for the token. This could be difficult to find Herrit. Walking to the closest group I ask for Herrits band. They directed me to the north east corner by the bar.

I walked to the end of the bar, and found a group of four, a male human, female elf, male Vedrin, and a male dwarf… its Brack.

“Brack my friend have you been drinking anything good.” Brack looked at me then jumped off his stool. We clasp arms as he reaches me.

“Good, good, you showed up. Was afraid ya weren’t coming.” He turned towards the human and waved him over. “Herrit this is the guy that wanted to hire us.” The other three got off their stools and came over to me.

“Greetings I am Feyallin Mroons.” I shook the hand of the brunet elf who presented a hand.

“I’m Jerrit.” The vedrin male stood in the back of the group and gave me a nod that I returned.

“And I am Herrit Stills. It’s good to see that you are real and not one of Brack’s drunken delusions.

“Troll shit.” Everyone laughed as herrit presented a hand. I clasp wrists with him.

“I am Richard Coldfire pleased to meet you.”

“So Richard Coldfire how may my band of mercenary’s help you.”

“Good of you to ask Herrit. I would like the escort of your whole band to the capital of this country.”

“Ok what are we guarding?”

“One Cart that has my goods in it, and yourselves mostly.”

“Not you?” The elf cocked her head and looked at me.

“I will be traveling with you but will take care of myself. I’m a trained sorcerer.”

“So you want all 18 of my guys to guard your goods as we travel?”

“Yes essentially.” I give Herrit a nod as he scratches the stubble of a forming beard on his chin.

“So we are basically for show when you arrive at the capital?”

“Yes, and I may hire you further when we arrive.”

“Ok it is a month and a few day’s trip to the capital. Let’s talk price.” I give him a smile as I untie the cloth with the gold rings. Unwrapping it so all gold rings were exposed, yet unable to fall out I showed it to them.

“How long with this buy me?” All four of them went wide eyed. They were still staring at the gold as I rewrapped it. “Well.” I gave them all a smile as I looked them all over.

“Boss the guys will kill you if you turn this down.” Jarrit spoke first.

“It is an easy job let’s take it.” Fayallin put her hand on Herrits shoulder. Herrit looks me in the eye.

“With That amount you could have our services for two years if there are no unforseen expenses.. I don’t want to overcharge a customer.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” I smile even wider and motion for him to take the cloth of gold from me. Brack quickly snatches the gold from me and stuff’s it into his leather armor. He looks left and right quickly.

“Its good boss no one else saw it.” Brack wipes some drool off his mouth before looking at Herrit. Herrit is looking at him with a frown.

“Well lord Richard looks like you have hired us. I must ask you to give us a few days to prepare. I assume we will meet in front of this building.

“That’s the plan. Is meeting at the front on the morning in five day’s ok with you.”

“Yes it is lord Richard.”

“Please call me just Richard. Why are you calling me lord by the way?” Harrit looks at me confused for a few seconds.

“All sorcerers and wizards are referred to as Lord even if they don’t have a title. Wizards and sorcerers are uncommon enough that they are treated like low nobility.

“Very well I will see you in five days then.” Shaking his hand I turned and left. Exiting the building I see that Tiat and Miat had returned with the cart. Looking in I see that there was a thick canvas covering all the metal, for not a bit was showing. “Let’s head back to the inn and eat.” They both nod without a word

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And here we go chapter 6 with 7195 words. granted it was not my goal but it works.

Once again i ask you to feel free to comment on just about anything you like or don't like. I have 6 chapters so far please vote if you like it ^_^ keeps me motivated.

Well thank you for reading. i hope you like it. Any suggestions or corrections are welcome.