City of Black Pool, was the nearest port and transportation of anyone would be travelling from Anglox in Creekpool to MagnaTerrainian reaching the port of Black Pool leading into the city of it. Still it maybe long trip to Union’s Rising. Thomas reflected as he was on the docks on mid-day waiting for Preston to exit his cabins on his ship.

He had been in Black Pool two days, two days still it feels like a year since I left. First arriving at the city Monroe had told Preston to him around the city in any case he needed to go around.

The new setting had been a nice feeling to Thomas, the new air around him as he walked down the unknown familiar streets exploring each corner and streets memorizing it as Preston would talk of his travels around the Atlas; Monroe’s battalion had been stationed in a fort at north end of the docks, Black Eye Watch, Built on the north area where’s a person could easily spot the docks when Pirates or Raiders would attack the docks back many years ago.

Being called the Black Eye Watch the entire fort’s stone structure made out of Mabony ( A dark colored mineral mined centuries ago out of the waters of Black Pool due to the volcanoes underneath the sea where they lay at the sea floor ) and the inside were made of the usual materials.

There was the main building made out of wood where Monroe had been staying and the rest of his battalion as well as Thomas, It was the usually place where most of the people there stayed whilst others were sleeping in Inns.

Thomas worked at the courtyard at the Blacksmith’s forge placed near the supply shack near stairs leading to the walls that he would often sightsee while he had no worked to do, viewing Black Pool or would go around to the sides of the wall to see it from a different view of what Magna ( The common term people called the country ) looks life beyond the city. He felt a tang bit of getting used to the place now it wasn’t anything back at Summit’s Chest but rather a bit better supposed, He was getting to know some people there at the Inn and the local area as well as Monroe’s crew. He also did work for the people there in Black Pool being the nearest blacksmith in the fort he would be visited by the local guards and people for forging and repairing but Thomas would do it if he had the needed the materials for the work’s sake. He also found new people to keep him accompany like Julian Cross a doctor at the fort a simple person, Henry Stelm a battalion member of Monroe who had shown to be a bold and strong person, and still caught in Thomas’ mind was the girl who’d come and go by the fort and give supplies to either the fort or would have something repaired, Lea Treren was her name and Thomas had remembered it in his mind. Thomas would say she was an interesting and the most notably trait to him from her was she was kind yet fierce at times when he spotted her.

Finally Preston came out of the ship wearing his usual captain’s clothing. “Thomas! what brings you the docks?” he said joyfully as he stepped down to the docks. “Monroe wants to talk to you in the fort” Thomas replied with Preston telling his crew that he’ll be out and guard the ship. They passed through streets of the city, similar in Summit’s Chest but the atmosphere was different still. Suddenly Thomas stopped walking realizing something he forgotten, I forgot to call some of Monroe’s men at the tavern, “We’ll take a quick visit at the Emerald Shadow Tavern, Monroe wants all of his men accounted for” in which Preston replied that he needed a drink after resting in his cabins that he’s thirsty.

Arriving at the inn the inside of it felt as a normal tavern the air smelled of beer or ale and the sound of constant people talking. Thomas found Monroe’s men at a corner table sitting and talking, Thomas had called them over to come along and that Monroe calls them.

They left the tavern and head off to the Fort, they were near the gate of the fort then as they entered Preston was nowhere to be seen till after a moment he came rushing in with a bottle, he said he was caught up in the tavern and that he really needed a drink. Pressing matters on they’ve gathered all in the central building, when entered at the door it was a huge space where it looked as if the first floor of the central building was to issue a meeting with the battalion, and there Monroe stood with all the men of the battalion, there was silence and uneasiness to it, There was the tone of Monroe’s voice that had me think it was urgent, I’m going to find it now.

All of the battalion was there and even few of the local guards in Black Pool and standing next to Monroe was a Black Pool guard wearing a uniform similar to Monroe but colored dark, he was bulky and huge man, who looked ferocious as he stood there. After a while a few more Black Pool guards entered and took their place in the room.

Monroe now stood fast and spoke

“My fellow men, you know that we were supposed to go to Union’s Rising to tell of the council of the attack that occurred at Summit’s Chest, I know all of you are eager to go there and be back at Summit’s Chest and be over this message delivery errand but It appears that we should have a halt of that and we’ll be staying at Black Pool for about more time than we originally intend to.

When we took a detour of going to Black Pool I thought merely that it was just a quick day of travelling and a another quick visit then leaving but sadly I been informed of something to which that we cannot go Union’s Rising till we have solved this matter fast”. It shocked the rest of the battalion but most was Thomas, DAMM, I’ll definitely be late, Elis and his party might have already been there and Rowlan as well, whatever the problem is I’ll help to bring it down fast. Thomas promised to himself.

“I’ll let captain Cormac explain what occurred” Monroe finished as Cormac the huge man standing next to Monroe gave front and spoke “Alright men, now you’re wonderin’why’d that you’ve stalled from going to continue your sea trip back to Anglox, I’ll get to it straight a group of the attackers of the Bonfire tragedy that happened in Summit’s Chest has been reported that they’ve been staying at Black Pool. I’ve tasked that a few of by Guards to stay patrolling the city’s borders but, Captain Preston will your men be kind enough to guard the docks and see if any one of them could potentially spot one of them or the least guard the docks?” Preston gave a nod and saying he’ll need to be paid a little extra.

“Now I’ve have here rumors where might the attackers be hiding in Anglox, I’ll leave it to Monroe now to explain this part” Cormac finished as Monroe spoke again “Now the rumors say that the attackers are hiding south of the docks, in a building near a warehouse. I we’ll be drawing more attention if suddenly a battalion of guards are going to somewhere I’m sure they’ll have a look out ready and warn them quickly, Now I propose that we have some else check the area if they do, It may be dangerous to say the least supposing that the rumor that the attackers have somewhat aligned themselves with a few a crooks in the city, I’ve now I’m going to assign some to do, one person is going to find about where exactly is the attackers are hiding”

“I’ll do it Captain Monroe” Thomas said he stood up accepting the task. There’s no way that I’ll let this opportunity slip away, I’ll make sure that I’ll take them down and get to talk about why did the attack happened. “Don’t be rash and bold Thomas, you’ll get yourself killed there” to which Thomas replied as he showed his flintlock showing it “I’m armed and ready”. I’m ready and armed, I can hunt them down the alleys and streets as long as I have men at my back if I’m out numbered.

“Mister Monroe, I’m would gladly take the risk but I would definitely be careful enough not to attack them if they outnumbered five to one”

“Still I’m not allowing it “ God dammit.

“Then allow me to do it” Preston said standing up as well. Monroe had now looked more relaxed as Preston willingly would like to but still an uneasy returned to him.

“Are you sure Preston, I wouldn’t want the captain of the ship we’re travelling be injured or worse dead”

“It won’t be a problem, Mister Monroe it’ll all fine but I do say I think I’ll let Thomas follow me just in case and a few of my men for that matter if things gets to messy”

“It also adds that the captain here might have experience in talking to the people about this delicate of the matter” added Cormac

“Still I wouldn’t want Thomas here joining, he’s still young and I wouldn’t want his parents finding out that he would be injured by bruises or gunshots” Monroe said concerning about Thomas’ encounter to any danger that might happen to him.

“To all any strategy involved Mister Cormac and Mister Monroe. Any lookout would spot a person tailing him, my men on the crew would give me the lookout a chance to tell and report, your men and the local guards would surely find that the Local Guards were tailing them, but with Thomas no one would suspect it though I will keep my word that nothing will happen to Thomas, he would merely warn my men far away but still in range that they still could swoop in and aid me though I can take care of myself if any danger persist” Preston said strongly yet calmly that made impress Thomas as well as others in the room. I could really learn a lot from him.

Monroe looked at Cormac for a moment then Cormac spoke “Then do it at the time near dusk, I’ll have my men stationed at location if need be, if this turns out to be a success we might be leaving Magna with a criminal to give to the officials at Union’s Rising”

“Then let’s go Thomas I’ll get my men ready and also ready yourself”

Monroe had his men also stationed as well but disguised. When it was nearing dusk Preston had changed his clothes to a more ordinary clothes in his ship’s cabins and Thomas as well wore the same but with a coat to conceal his flintlock. Preston’s men also wore civilian clothing.

“Now I’ll you just need is to stick by me but not to close give my men the signal when I’ve in trouble” Preston said to Thomas.

“Got it, if there’s anything that goes wrong” Thomas showed his flintlock “I’ll cover you”

“Make sure not to cause a lot of trouble”

“Just a question why did you volunteer to do this?” Thomas asked

“Well for one it’s the thrill of it, and second being most to me is that I would really want to get this over with”

Preston ordered Monroe’s men stay at a far securing any exit routes that might be possibly to escape while his men were to stay at a much closer range but still afar while Thomas will be following Preston closely by.

Preston gone have now gone to the area south of the docks entering taverns and speaking to the local people while Thomas closely followed by him, Thomas acted as simple as he can whenever Preston had entered a Tavern he would follow in after a minute or two to avoid any suspicious attention, while walking when Preston had stopped he would continue down and turn at the nearest street or alley and be behind at Preston. This went on for an hour or two till Preston suddenly came out of a tavern with four men accompanying him, They were men of somewhat low class in the city who looked rugged and rough and to say at least from a normal perspective of a person that they were criminal; killers, robbers, and more disgusted titles that the common folk would find disgusting. Preston was heading in the direction of Thomas and bumped into him but all the while giving him a note that says “Get my crew men ready, have them follow you but not too closely till you gave the signal to engage, and tell one to warn Monroe’s men to stay alert”.

Thomas had quickly rushed to find the crew of Preston nearby. One of them had gone to Monroe’s men while Thomas and the crew men followed in Preston’s tracks.

The men stayed close to Preston as they were heading down the streets as the looks of the local people saw that Preston was either a crook leader or was about to victim of a robbery or even worse murder. Still Preston kept calm looking happy while the men was stern. They soon entered a neatly looking general store where the men pushed Preston inside and there the door closed. Thomas signaled the crew men to follow him as they were now outside of the general store, the four crew men went to secure the other areas whilst Thomas had waited for the right moment, I can’t be too late for Preston to get killed”.

A minute has passed yet for Thomas it felt for hours, each second might be in an instant the crucial moment to intervene yet he waited. But then he heard a faint “thump” inside then he entered the general store where the store owner looked at Thomas as ordinary presence but then frightened as he saw the crew men but before he could utter something Thomas had rushed in the door behind the owner with a crew man holding the owner to stay silent. At the back of the door there was another door, when it was opened it lead underneath the house and looked as a passage, Another loud sound was made then Thomas and as well as the crew men rushed into the black passage with only torches and lamps to keep light.

They quickly sprinted when they found a large room space where Preston had been tied and being beaten by ten men, Thomas gave a shot of his flintlock at one of the men, aiming at his legs where the nine rushed at Thomas immediately but the crewmen had aided him, one man though a person cladded in a very poor and torn clothes had ran into the other direction where another passage is, Monroe will probably get him. The crewmen and crook men fought with the crooks having brought up knives from their pockets with the crewmen still fighting having a cuts at their arms and avoiding to get stabbed. Thomas had shot another round it didn’t anyone but bounced off the walls hitting a man as he screamed in pain. It looked as if it was going to be a massacre as blood started to paint the floors till Cormac’s men had arrived aiming their muskets at the crooks as they surrendered.

Thomas untied Preston but a bloody bruised face yet he smiled “That was one fight I may say” he said. Cormac had now appeared looking satisfied as no one was killed in the matter though he looked shocked to the blood painted floor. “What have you to know?” Cormac asked.

“The crooks I found out were a gang hiding in the city thought that’s all I have to know, but the man who ran with the torn and poor clothes said something about he fled from chaos that he was in so that maybe could mean he was one of the attackers you want”

“Monroe would have caught that person if had fled” Preston said as he stood up looking at his injured men “I’ll take my men to doctor you go ahead”

Thomas and Cormac entered to Black Eye Watch where they had caught the person who ran from the fight, he looked poor and torn from his old and ragged clothing, his face dirty with his eye’s tearing up from it”

“Now tell us why did the you as well as others attack Summit’s Chest” Monroe asked in a fearsome manner

“I didn’t know sir!” he screamed tearing up more “There were only five of us when we escaped from Anglox, one of us had a connection with a gang here in Magna so’d we stayed here for a while. The one who had a connection had lived nicely whilst the others are either still in the city or out, I had now where to run to so’d I’d begged the person who had the connection for a job or something but I’d received something else as you can see now. He finally gave in giving a servant job for a group crooks underneath the general store till the recent thing happened, Please that’s all I know”

Monroe had ordered the man to be put in a cell as the rest of the battalion gone to follow Monroe. Thomas went to the blacksmith’s forge doing some work that he didn’t before to ease his mind as he knew he’ll be staying in Magna for a while longer.