8 Departure for the city

The next morning Merces woke up relatively late because today was his day off.

*yawn*

"Ahh, finally weekend. What a beautiful day." Said the boy as he opened the window to let some sunlight and fresh air in.

After a shower and breakfast he went to the garden to clean his leather armor and equipment.

As we finished his cleaning, he heard from his uncles' workshop shout.

"Hey, Merces can you go to the town and buy some water crystals? You were the one to use up all the water yesterday anyway. Oh and when you are at it, buy some Ropla fruits, and remember the pink ones are sweeter"

"Got it, uncle. Just a second I have to feed the tamed beast first." Shouted the boy back while swiping a sweat drop from his forehead.

"Yeah yeah. Take your time, the money is here on the counter. There are 4 gold coins and a few silber and bronze ones too. It should be enough to buy this month's water crystal and some Ropla fruits, including the traveling expenses. The rest of the money you can buy what you want with it, go and have some fun. And take care on your way. Bandit are more active this time of the year and ask little Mily if she need to buy something too." Said Elkier from his workshop as he tinker and fine tunes on some beast tamer gadgets and gears.

"Don´t worry, bandits aren´t dumb enough to ambush a Dactori and his tamer." said the boy with a smile while taking the pouch of coins form the counter and closed the door behind him.

"Don´t get to cocky young man!" said uncle Elkier sternly as Merces walked out of the house.

*sight* 'That´s it with my rest day.' Still smiling because he quite liked the city with all its people and divers' shops, food, and street performers. He loves the sea wind and seafood the most.

Covering his eyes from the sunrays he said to himself "Finally it´s getting warmer. Flito season is coming soon too. Hehe and my birthday is in a few weeks can't wait what I get."

He walked to the stable and gave everyone their food and brushed their feathers, fur, and skin.

"Zanek we have to go to town again to buy some supplies. So get ready we are leaving in 10 minutes."

***

After getting ready for his travel he was now standing in front of a small house with a backpack on back and a common steel sword on his hip. He also carried some troughing knifes just in case something happens, as he was trained to handle all sort of weapons from a young age.

*knock* *knock*

…

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

…

Waiting a few seconds Merce could hear footsteps rushing to the door.

*Creak*

"Who is so early in front of my do- "

"Good morning sleepy head." Said Merce whith a grin as he looked at Mily who was still in her nightwear with messy hair.

*boom*

She shuts the door and said from behind the door "Give me 10 minutes."

"What an airhead am I right." Said Merces looking at Zanek while chuckling a little.

Zanek just laid in the grass and enjoyed the morning sun.

15 minutes later she came out fully equipped in her hunter attire. Consisting of a green short bow, a quiver with 10 arrows, brown leader armor and gloves and a short knife on her back

"So are we going shopping again?" asked Mily

"How did you know?"

"A secrete. So come on let's go already" said the girl pulling him by his arm.

"Fine fine, don´t pull me so hard. Hey!"said the boy almost falling over.

Clapping his hand two times Zanek went besides him and laid down.

Mily and Merces then sat on the red Dactori. He put his backback infront of him while Mily sat behind him.

Zanek is now two and a half meters long and on his tail little black nobs are finally showing and getting more pronounced as he grows. Eventually turning it into a thick hammer.

"Onward partner." Said Merces patting the feathers on top of Zaneks head.

"Sha Sha" Zanek then stood up and went in the direction of the city.

"*yawn* how long will it take for us to reach Cercus woods again?" said Mily lazily as she rested her head on Merces back and clinged onto his shirt like a baby Gumnie.

"It will take us approximate half an hour."

Cercus woods is between the port city Aquanor and Plures town. It is also the place where Merces caught Zanek.

***

"Ah I am so bored…"complained the girl as she lightly hit Merces back.

"It´s only been little over half an hour. We still have a 2-hour ride in front of us." Said Merces not minding the light punches.

"SHHHHA" said Zanek as he abruptly stood still and gave out a growl.

"Mily get ready for an ambush." Said Merces as they jumped from Zaneks back and unsheathed his sword and Mily drew her bow in one swift motion."

*rustle* *rustle*

"Ho ho what do we have here? Two children and a young Dactori. Free money I say guys" said a bandit with a rusty sword on his shoulder clad in brown leader armor while walking into view.