From Blade To Spell

Traveller's Inn

Dining Hall

Aaron sat quietly at a corner table, his thoughts drifting toward the uncertain future. The warm scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere.

Suddenly, he overheard a group of travelers chatting nearby. Their clothes were unusual, foreign cuts and layered fabrics that marked them as merchants or messengers from distant lands.

"The salt prices are rising in Riverbend Kingdom."

"Indeed. We'll need to find a new trade route soon."

"Ah… forget trade. Have you heard the news from Verdia Kingdom?"

"What news?"

One of them leaned in and whispered,

"You mean the marriage proposals from Duke Alaric Blackmoor?"

Another nodded.

"Exactly. Rumor has it, Duke Alaric is searching for a suitable husband for his daughter, Alice Blackmoor."

A third scoffed.

"Isn't she supposed to be a fool?"

"Yes, beautiful, but not very bright, they say."

"Still, Lord Alaric has set a condition for marriage. No one knows what it is yet."

Aaron's ears perked up. The conversation stirred something in him. He had no clear path in Riverbend Kingdom. His memories remained elusive, and returning to Grey Town was out of the question, enemies still lurked there.

Maybe this was fate nudging him toward a new gamble.

If Duke Alaric was truly seeking a husband for his daughter, perhaps Aaron could seize the opportunity.

Aaron rose from his seat and walked over to the group of strangers.

"Hello, gentlemen. Mind if I join you for a chat?"

He turned to the waiter and added,

"Please bring three glasses of ale for my new friends here."

The men smiled warmly and waved him over.

"Hey friend, you're welcome here. Come, sit with us!"

"I'm Edrin. That's Garric, and he's Elwood."

Aaron took a seat and nodded politely.

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Aaron. By the way, Mr. Edrin, you don't look like a local. Are you merchants from a faraway place?"

Garric spoke with a touch of pride,

"Of course. We're from Verdia Kingdom. We came here to trade salt."

Aaron smiled.

"Salt merchants, huh? That's a solid business. Profitable and always in demand."

Elwood leaned in with curiosity.

"And you, friend Aaron? What's your trade?"

Aaron rubbed the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Me? I'm a wandering apprentice knight."

Edrin's eyes lit up.

"Ah, a wandering knight! It's rare to meet one these days. Most nobles prefer to inherit their family lands rather than venture out into the world."

He lifted his wooden jug of ale and declared,

"To you, my courageous friend, Aaron!"

Garric and Elwood raised their mugs in unison, clinking them together before taking a hearty drink.

Aaron chuckled and said,

"Well, Mr. Edrin, Mr. Garric, Mr. Elwood, I'm flattered."

Then, his tone shifted to something more serious.

"Mr. Edrin, could you tell me how to travel to Verdia Kingdom?"

Elwood smiled and said,

"Hey Aaron, no need for formalities. Just call us by our names. If you want to travel to Verdia Kingdom, you can come with us, we're heading back tomorrow."

He gestured toward Garric.

"He owns the ship. You can ask him about the details."

Aaron smiled, though a bit nervously.

"Garric… I'd like to travel to Verdia Kingdom. How much would it cost me?"

Garric grinned and replied,

"Well, friend Aaron, how about five gold coins? That's my friendly rate. It includes your own room with a bathroom, plus food and water for a week."

Aaron winced slightly and opened his map. Three green dots, each marked with gloating emojis, hovered nearby. He hesitated.

"I'll try to gather the money by tonight. When do you depart?"

Garric answered,

"Tomorrow morning, right after breakfast."

Aaron stood and bowed slightly.

"Please excuse me, friends. I have something to take care of."

Edrin smiled,

"Of course, Aaron. Go ahead."

As Aaron left, the three exchanged smug glances.

Edrin chuckled,

"Damn, Garric, it only costs one gold coin, and you bumped it up five times."

Garric laughed,

"Five times, yes, but we're offering safety. No pirates, no trouble. And there's no other ship heading to Verdia. It's a fair deal."

---

Back in his room, Aaron studied the map again. The green dots with question marks still lingered around him. He knew he had to leave soon.

Without delay, he carefully counted out twenty gold coins from his pouch and secured them tightly. Then he headed to the innkeeper and sold his horse for fifty silver coins.

Afterward, he went shopping:

- A brand-new bow and quiver

- A short sword

- Toiletries

- Spices, salt, and bandages

He packed everything into a large bag. After tallying his expenses, he realized he had only spent seven gold coins.

But Aaron hardly cared about the inflated price. His attention remained fixed on the green dots with question marks hovering on his map.

They were clearly spying on him, watching, waiting. And worse, they were stronger than him. He couldn't shake them off, not while he remained in this city.

Leaving was the only option.

He would have to accept Garric's offer, inflated price or not. Staying here any longer was a risk he couldn't afford.

As he stepped outside, he glanced up at the sky. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The air was cooling, and the city was beginning to settle into its evening rhythm.

Today had been a long, exhausting day.

He could only hope that tomorrow, he'd leave this city safely.

Aaron returned to the Traveller's Inn, the evening air cool against his skin. Inside the dining hall, he spotted Garric, still seated with Edrin and Elwood, laughing over mugs of ale.

He walked straight to them and said firmly,

"Garric, I've gathered the funds. Here it is."

He placed two gold coins and fifty silver coins on the table.

"I'll pay half now. The rest will be paid once we reach Verdia Kingdom."

Garric raised an eyebrow, then smiled.

"Fair enough, Aaron. You've got yourself a spot on the ship."

Edrin gave a nod of approval, while Elwood clinked his mug against the table in a casual toast.

Aaron didn't linger. He gave a polite nod and turned to leave.