Chapter 8 Part 2

This meeting takes place a few days after the previous events. Heather and Haider have finished his new outfit and have it displayed on a mannequin.

"So we did a little research as we said we would." Heather starts.

"And we found the Mercter officials such as Nobles and Royalty have a tendency to line their outfits with pelts such as Wolf or Sheep fur pelts." Haider says.

"Now for you to show respect to these people, but also keep in line for what Loreafan is like, we decided to go for Wyvern feathers." Heather says, pointing to the blazer of the outfit.

"Also as you can see, it's still your signature suit, just modified once again." Haider comments.

"So the reason we went for Wyvern feathers is simply because Dime domesticated them in Loreafan, there were a bunch of feathers he said he was keeping. Not only that but Wyvern feathers emit a small measure of heat at all times so it would actually melt any snow that would come into contact with them." Heather says.

"Since Wyverns are just the small feathery cousin of Dragons, it's fair to say that you're wearing Dragon scales on this suit." Haider says.

"And since they cost you nothing to obtain, you were easily able to make it." Christopher comments.

"Exactly." Heather says.

"So how much do you think this would sell for?" Christopher asks.

"Using an appraisal spell, I would say…30 Platinum, easy." Heather says.

"Yep, that's a Royal garment alright. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable wearing 30 Platinum on me through Mercter." Christopher says.

"The nobility and royalty will be wearing something equivalent to 70 Platinum. And since Wyverns aren't even findable in Mercter, this outfit could be 110 Platinum in that country." Haider mentions.

…

"Fine. we'll reach the border tomorrow morning so I'll put it on then. Thank you guys. How much do I owe you?" Christopher asks.

"Not really much at all. It only cost us 60 Gold in total." Haider says.

"Yeah but we also have labour costs. I'll pay you 70 gold each. I know Wyvern feathers aren't the easiest things to work with." Christopher says.

(Dime) The money has been added into their accounts, Sir.

After crossing the border, an unexpected town awaited him. It's a good thing that there is a guild here, otherwise Christopher wouldn't have his Wyvern feather suit on. Still sounds weird, oh well.

Both Christopher and Jasyn wave as they pass onlookers from the, more unconventional looking village. It's developed, don't get me wrong, with paved roads and a high outer wall, but the houses are a little different compared to the ones we've seen. The winter hasn't hit this far down yet but the houses have thick structures of concrete, brick, and sometimes wood. All are interchangeable I guess. Every house seems to be only a single floor with a roof layered with straw on top, and wood panelling beneath. I cannot be sure but from the houses I entered, every single one of them had one or two levels of basement with a fireplace on the bottom floor, the metal pipe stretches through the other two floors and out the roof, perhaps that's how they keep warm. This goes for, what I guess is the common folk. It seems that there is another wall going towards the inner part of the city.

Inside the inner wall makes it very apparent how looks are the least of a person's worries in this kingdom. Surviving the harsh winters means practicality over aesthetics. It is rather a step up over the last district though. Windows are a thing for one. Unlike Stocaea and Maranus, Mercter layers they're windows, mostly in stacks of two but three can be seen. Every house has more than one level to it making it look more like the houses we are used to. Straw is still used in place of tiles.

"This certainly wasn't what I was expecting. My father told me that he grew up in a wasteland here in Mercter. It doesn't seem that way at all." Christopher says.

"Do you think he lied?" Jasyn asks.

"He might have. But I don't see why." Christopher says.

"Maybe the environment has recovered since he was last here." Jasyn says.

(Dime) I have some information about this actually, Sir.

"Go ahead Dime." Christopher beckons.

(Dime) Heddwyn was sold into slavery as a cub, there is no chance of Heddwyn remembering his homeland at that age.

"That's true. I guess he couldn't find a reason for why he likes orange then." Christopher says.

The carriage is parked just outside of the Adventurers Guild in the city, Christopher and Jasyn are already inside while Beerwolf is stuck outside with the shivering driver in the slightly frigid air.

"We gotta get you something so you're not cold." Beerwolf grumbles.

Inside the Guild, a bunch of people have made a line, all kneeling on their left knee and their right fist firmly planted on the floor.

"Please, you need not kneel in front of us. For me, accepting any generosity with open arms is how you show respect." Christopher says.

"And I need only see your face. Please, raise your heads so I can see them." Jasyn asserts.

"As you wish, Your Majesties. Please accept my humblest welcome to the Yakivv Adventurers Guild Hall. I am the Guild Master, Gritt." They announce.

"Thank you for that, Gritt. How is my Dimensional Door fairing in your establishment?" Christopher asks, taking off a pair of blue dyed leather gloves.

"People are a little sceptical, as you would expect. They don't trust it." Gritt discloses.

"Then I will give you and nine others a one time Visitor Pass. You should have the necessary items for them. If you're worried about entering, I will enter first." Christopher acknowledges.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Gritt says. He looks at several individuals around the room and they join behind him.

Christopher walks up to the Loreafan dimension gate with a large confident smile. "Good morning Dime."

Dime appears on the door, the Loreafan crest dissolving from their presence.

(Dime) Good morning Your Majesty. Where would you like to go today?

"Let's see. How about the Royal Dimension? The ten people behind me are going to be visiting for a short time. They might as well get to see how Loreafan's Holy Healer likes to live." Christopher says.

"Your Majesty, that's too much." A lady objects.

"Did you not hear him? Accept his generosity Jill." Gritt murmurs.

"I'm so sorry." Jill bows.

Jasyn chuckles at her desperate attempts.

"It's alright. Just be as you are. I'm not suited to people revering me in such a way. I prefer a much more casual interaction if you would." Christopher says.

"Uh, right." Jill says, straightening up.

The door opens after a few seconds putting the dimension on full display through the swirling mass of the dimensional tear. Christopher makes a child-like smirk to the guild members when he walks backwards into his dimension. They follow him hesitantly, the first person sticking their weapon through first, Jill kicks them through when they keep stalling.

The door closes up behind them leaving Jasyn to guard the door. On the engraving of the wooden panels you can see a golden circle light. This gold shimmer shows if and where Christopher is within Loreafan.

The door has five circle carvings, each with their own unique pattern on them. There's a big one about two thirds up the door representing the Capital Dimension, which is just Christopher's personal one. It has the Loreafan Crest carved into the centre, a shield adorned with a pair of wings. And just below that are the four that service as the nation as a whole, spread even across.

These patterns represent each of the country's major exports. The first is crops, consisting of a field of wheat in the foreground of a rake and hoe.

The second dimension's exports fabrics like silk, satin, and cotton; shown with rolls of fabric and a Loom.

The third is dedicated to livestock and the produce they make. Shown as a chicken and a cow behind the things they can make, like eggs and milk.

Finally is the cultivation and distribution of wyvern feathers, Loreafan's main crucial income. A pair of the iconic feathers are crossed, like two blades on a weapon display.

…

A woman shrouded in a black cloak walks into the guild hall, her presence silences the last of the chatter in the room as the sheath of her blade hits the hard wooden floor. "Vodka now. And not one of those shitty shot glasses, a full glass of the stuff." Her tone is firm and forthright.

"We're out of that unfortunately. We haven't received our last shipment yet and exporting alcohol this far northeast is expensive. Would you like to try one of our local brews, ma'am?" the Barwoman explains.

This however irritates the woman. "Are you kidding me? How can you not have any good liquor here?" she places her weapon on the bar with a mighty thud.

"Look lady, stop harassing the bar staff or we're gonna have a problem." a brawly man says. Every single person sitting on a chair readies their blades.

"Such a jumpy lot aren't ya. This frigid air must be killing off your brain cells." the stranger mocks. Not even turning back to look at them.

"You've got quite a mouth on you, you mousey little bitch! Maybe we should teach you a lesson." the man says with an expression that screams predator.

He grabs her shoulder and she swiftly moves around the man, gripping his arm like a vice. He goes ass over tit, landing on his chin. The force of the massive man blows the hood from her cape. Revealing who she is.

(Narrator) Who fucking else could it be. Why is she here?

(Nebulon) It is rather interesting, isn't it. Did she know Christopher was here?

Jasyn peaks over at the confrontation, getting a good look at who started the fight. "Get. Out."

"Excuse me, tin can?" she exclaims, twisting her upper body to look at him.

"You heard me, bitch. You are not welcome here." Jasyn retorts.

"I should have your head departed from your shoulders for talking to me like that!" Kiana bites. Stepping on the man she shrew to the ground, getting into Jasyn's personal space.

"Final warning, Kiana. Leave, or I will have you removed." Jasyn says, standing firm.

"Like you even could. I'd like to see you try. And how do you know my name?" Kiana responds.

Jasyn places a parchment on her forehead before she could even move. "Send King Shavik our regards. I won't allow for my husband to see your face ever again."

Kiana opens her mouth to speak, but before any noise comes through, she disappears.