Outside Middlebrough

Jacob looked at the Greater Harvest Market that was in full swing, It was a mix of a fair and farmers market as the Free Cities sent representatives to purchase from the far-flung communities of the Arathia Basin and merchants were here haggling transportation fees. Hundreds of sentients were present camped outside the town of Middlebrough or renting a room(s) from the few Inns.

The representatives of the Free Cities had ignored Middlebroughs' new status as a town of the Empire of Night, but more than one merchant was more interested in its new status. Governments meant people, meaning commerce and money. Governor High-Tower had made it very clear the Greater Harvest Market was his main priority, any other transactions would have to wait. At first, they complained but a pair of burly armored Legionnaires quickly dissuaded them from doing anything more than complain a little bit.

The Immortals had spent time exploring both the market and the town because of the new status, Jacob had made it clear to his Guildmates if they went to the Market they were never to travel alone and to walk lightly. The guards of Middlebrough were out in force walking among the stalls and stands, but the Legionnaires were ordered to stay in the town unless something horrible happened.

Jacob was walking with Darren and Yilme looking at the few stalls that had not closed for the night. Once the sun set, people started closing up shop, but a new wave of customers emerged from the nearby town so Merchants smelling a chance to make a profit, kept their stalls open and wares on display. Jacob was looking for a Trinket since he was happy with most of his real gear. Tonight he had foregone all his Artifact gear. He was wearing mostly Uncommon or Common gear to blend in better. "Thank you, sir, but I am looking for something of a higher caliber among trinkets," Jacob told the merchant who smiled while studying Jacobs armor and simple weapon and shield with doubt.

"I apologize sir, but it does not look like you can afford gear of such caliber." The Merchant replied amusement clear in his voice.

Jacob smiled right back at him, "Appearances aren't everything sir. Just point me to someone who does have the wares I am looking for and let me worry about the cost." Jacob replied his smile turning predatory as he stepped closer to the fat man.

The merchant paled and tried to step back but Jacob never let him gain any space, "Mistress Shims Emporium. She has High-End Trinkets. She is set up over there." the man said pointing to his right, further within the Market. Jacob smiled and nodded before moving off.

Darren snickered while Yilme rolled her eyes, "Low profile my ass." She muttered earning a smirk from Jacob.

"He was being an asshole. So I creeped him out a little and got the information I needed.' Jacob said as he walked backward. Suddenly he hit someone. Jacob quickly turned to look and see who he had run into. It was a towering Barbarian type, based on the large Ax and Epic gear he was of a higher level. He was with a Rogue type and a Cleric based on her armor, all were displaying a guild tag of Myrmidon. 'I am sorry for running too you, I was just talking to my friends. Sorry." Jacob told him and tried to step around him but a huge hand darted out and grabbed him roughly.

Alert...

This is a Non-PVP zone, perpetrators will be arrested and punished in accordance with Middlebrough Law

Alert...

"Chill out Jason!!! You came here to talk!! Not start a fight so relax." the Rogue hissed at the Warrior who quickly released Jacob and stepped back. Several Guards nearby were eyeballing the two of them now.

"Do I know you?" Jacob asked while bringing up information on their guild.

"Not me, my sister. She got involved in some bad business with you here in this town and got put into jail while you got away. You are going to do the right thing and pay her fine to get her out." Jason spit out.

Jacob looked confused at him, his companions, and his own before responding, "First who is your sister?"

Jason snarled and grabbed Jacob roughly again before his companions could stop him, "Faith Alstar, she is a Sword Dancer and runs with a small crew that you were a part of." Jacob burst out laughing and Darren was stunned at what the Warrior had stated.

"Is that what she said? Your sister specifically said we were working together?' Jacob asked him, enunciating his last question so there would be no confusion. Jason quickly nodded his head. 'Well I am sorry to tell you but your sister is lying too you. I am far from the most perfect person in this world but I was NOT working with her. She is in jail because of her own choices. She broke Imperial law and was caught within Imperial territory. She will face the consequences for those choices." Jason snarled but before he could do anything Jacobs backup arrived, a dozen Mercs hired from Ineford. All of them were level 60-70, but together they would be able to take the three higher level players and Jasons friends knew it.

"Ok bro, the discussion is over and we are walking away now." The Rogue stated as he tried to pull Jason away. He quickly reassessed the situation and released Jacob.

"Your precious sister was trafficking in kidnapping another Immortal. I don't know what story she spun you, but it was complete bullshit. I was happy to let the law punish her, but since she told and lied too you, I will gladly turn her over to the Devs for them to decide her punishment. I will also be adding your names to that complaint since you tried to intimidate me in reference to those events. I don't know if the Devs will do anything, but your guild will kick you and blackball you for every legitimate merc outfit." Jacob told them.

The Cleric quickly stepped forward, "Please don't. He made the wrong choice based on what his sister told him. Please don't file a complaint based on this, he isn't a bad guy, he just never believes his sister can ever do anything wrong. She has him wrapped around her little finger." Her face revealed both disgust and pain with the last statement.

Jacob considered what she had said, "Get his head on straight, if he does not believe me one of her employees made a full confession. It was recorded and he can petition the local Governor to see it as well as pay her fine to get out. Its 50,000 Gold though. If he comes back here looking for a fight, I won't hold back again." Jacob told her and she nodded as she followed her two friends away. The Mercs faded back into the crowd, for the most part, some followed the higher level players though.

"Always got to start shit don't you," Yilme called from behind him as she dismissed the magic she had prepared if the discussion had gone wrong.

Jacob snorted and continued on his path toward Mistress Shims Emporium. Rounding the corner the large sign and older High-Elf closing up for the night revealed that this might be what Jacob was looking for if he moved quickly. "Ma'am, I was told you have very select pieces. I was wondering if you have any Trinkets that are worth buying." Jacob called as he walked up.

She turned and looked at him and evaluating him and found him lacking, "Not in your price range slim. Go to someone else, I deal with high-end gear that few can afford. Even if you sold every piece you got on, it would not cover half of my worst piece."

Snickers from behind him annoyed him even more, "Why don't you let me worry about if I can afford the item, you just show me what you got in my level range."

Mistress Shims turned and studying him before her eyes bulged slightly.

Alert...

Mistress Shims tried to Analyze you and failed.

Alert...

"Well, well, well. Aren't you interesting, not many have something that can block my ability to Analyze them but you are Level 41, I got that much right? Very well here are my wares for your level range but I would recommend if you buy something, get a trinket you will grow into. Level 50 is right around the corner for you and all the good stuff starts coming out at that level." The High-Elf stated as she opened her interface and passed the information to Jacob on what he was looking for.

After a few moments of looking at what was available at his level range Jacob grunted and dismissed it, they were all Rares and Epics, but nothing too special that he would keep for a long time. "Ma'am thank you for letting me view your wares, but you didn't have anything that jumped out at me. Can I look at your level 50 items, maybe I can find something there." Jacob told her.

Mistress Shims studied him with her eyes, looking him up and down and touching him occasionally before grabbing his hands and pulling them up to where she could study them, "You are a very interesting being, but I think you are looking for something special, maybe even unique. Something old and forgotten maybe...I am sorry but I do not have anything like that in my inventory but I will show you three items I think will help you when you reach level 50."

After a few more minutes Jacob was once again disappointed, nothing really stood out. Everything was good, but not great or exactly what he was looking for. So Jacob thanked the older High-Elf for her patience and willingness to share her wares before he headed off to explore the remainder to the Market. "Darren, that symbol, who does that represent?" Jacob asked gesturing to a canvas covered tent with crossed shackles and whip with a brown background and red border.

Darren frowned before silently saying, "Slavers Union. They got to keep their products fed until they sell at market."

Jacob grumbled but didn't say anything as he walked toward Middlebrough.

Middlebrough

Turned Pear

"What do you want me to do? They are an officially recognized guild throughout all the free cities, eastern kingdoms, and even kingdoms that do not allow Slavery within their borders recognizes them as an official guild. Denying their presence would make a powerful enemy.' Hightower stated before collapsing back into his chair, 'You might be brave enough to fight them, but this is one little town. They would flood this area with mercenaries within a week and take what they wanted instead of paying for it."

Jacob snarled as he crushed the cup within his grasp. He knew the Governor's words were correct, they could not afford to stir up that much trouble with an organization that strong. Not yet anyway. Jacob apologized to the bartender and tipped him silver for a new cup.

"Bad day?" Anthony asked as he sat down next to the irate Jacob.

"Anthony, I am not in the mood for witty banter, subtle threats, obvious threats, double meaning, or complicated conversations. I am disappointed in someone, yet I cannot find fault in his decision because I understand why he did it." Jacob replied as he poured alcohol into his new cup. It tasted like tequila but hit harder. With his increased metabolism though, his body was burning through it quicker then he could drink it.

"Angry drunk got it." Anthony quipped.

Jacob glared at him and signaled the bartender to bring over three shot glasses and poured every single one full before pushing them over in front of Anthony, "Since you are being an asshole, drink all those shots before talking again. If you talk again before drinking them, I will hit you once for every word you say.' Jacob replied before turning away from the Gilded Handz who sputtered and started to respond but stopped when Jacob stood and clenched a closed fist while glaring at him. 'Drink or walk away." Anthony shut up and downed the three shots quickly earning a chuckle from Jacob.