Veland Asylum

Leaving their hideout, Draven and Marogth traveled north to Port city. Since Draven didn't bother to rest on their way, they reached their destination by evening.

As oat field meets a peach sky, the evening arrived in stately fashion, with all the grace of a breeze in repose.

The Port City was built along the banks of a mighty lake and was truly a gorgeous display of wonder. Its beauty was matched by the backdrop of lush fields of grass, various brick buildings, and dockyards, which helped shape the city into what it is today.

The vast majority of buildings incorporate grass as part of their architecture in order to continue the pleasing aesthetic of the fields around them. The city dwindled under the stars, slowly peeking through the clouds in the endless sky.

When Draven arrived at Port city, he hovered in the sky, looking at the dazzling sky and the numerous ships floating in the mighty river waiting to set sail to the ocean.

Draven's target was the biggest building in the city located on a small island a couple of hundreds meters away from the Port City. He could see the island and the walls surrounding the gray building behind them.

Instead of flying directly to the island, Draven descended into the city. Before the soldier patrolling the city gates could look above and notice him, he teleported behind a red brick building.

Draven didn't have to pay the entry fee at the city gates thanks to his short-distance teleportation power. Instead, after looking around his surroundings, Draven walked around the building to reach the streets.

The main street leading to the town's square at the center was paved with red stones and decorated with items such as crates, used anchors, and cannons. He could barely see any trees on either side of the street.

The street was quite crowded despite the evening time. Thanks to King Richard's generosity, the street was lit by street lamps that used Etherian energy to radiate a golden light.

Everyone in the street looked pretty busy as they were rushing in and out of the buildings. Most of the women carried baskets and loaves of bread in them for dinner. While the men were walking towards the inn at a distance like a line of ants after a long day of work at the docks.

Draven's target in the city was not an Inn but a clothing store a few meters away from where he was standing. A few people raised their brows when they saw Draven's armor which made him stand out in the street.

Ignoring those gazes, Draven made his way to the two-story brick building with several mannequins outside. All these mannequins were dressed in different styles ranging from skirts to shirts.

Ding!

When Draven pushed open the door, the bell attached to the frame rang as an old man with a bright smile walked around the counter to greet Draven. Unlike the streets outside, the store was lit with candles.

The dim light reflected the old man's wrinkly skin, receding head, and cloudy white hair.

"Welcome to Enigma designs, young master. We have nothing but the finest selection in all Veland," despite the dim light, the old man's gaze was sharp enough to see Draven's young age. He quickly greeted Draven with a bow and gestured at Draven to the mannequins lined up against the wall in the store.

"Give me the most expensive robes you have,"

Draven didn't bother to look around the store but ordered the old man. His old eyes were surprised and soon showed a glimmer of joy. The old man lived long enough not to question the young masters when they were on a shopping spree.

"Of course young master,"

"Wait,"

But when the old man was about to turn around and take a step, Draven stopped the old man,

"Black,"

"Yes young master," the old man nodded as he rushed to the room behind the counter to bring the most expensive black robes they have.

Considering the old man's age and experience, he didn't have to take measurements of Draven. Instead, the old man measured Draven with a single look.

"Why are we wasting coins on robes? We should spend the coins on buying weapons," Margoth growled,

"Any run-of-the-mill guard will ask fewer questions and do what you tell them to when you wear fancy clothes. The better you dress, the more respect you'd get,"

Draven recited the words of his father.

"Killing the guards isn't an option? I'd really like to have some snacks right now,"

Margoth stared at the crows outside, licking his lips,

Fortunately, the old man came carrying neatly pressed black robes and opened them before Draven.

"How much?"

Draven didn't even try on the robes but asked the old man the price,

"Five thousand coins, young master,"

Fortunately, Draven knew how much a fancy dress would typically cost. Hence, he took six thousand coins from the sack and divided the coins into six pouches. The utility belt of his armor had enough pockets to keep the pouches.

After taking out five pouches from his belt, Draven handed them over to the old man.

"Count them," Draven said as he began to put on the robes,

It took Draven only a couple of minutes to put on the robes. Meanwhile, the old man was still counting the coins one by one. After putting on the robes, Draven walked towards the six feet mirror to take a look at himself.

His long-sleeved, silky jacket covered him to just above his groin and was barely tied with string at the bottom left side. The sleeves of his jacket were quite wide and reached down to well below his wrists. They were decorated with several thread linings at the sleeve ends.

The jacket had a narrow v-neck that revealed part of the graceful shirt worn below it and was worn with a large cloth band, which was held together by a small belt buckle. The cloth band was solely decorative and a status symbol.

His pants were simple and quite wide and reached down to his black boots.

Surprisingly by the time Draven adjusted his collar and fixed his hair, the old man finished counting the coins.

"Do you wish to buy anything else young master? A matching shoes perhaps,"

"No, thanks," Draven shook his head. Then, he walked out of the store hearing the old man's request for him to shop here soon.

Draven wasn't in a rush to meet the Iron Bender. Thus, he calmly walked through the crowd while basking in the Port City's beauty.

"We taking the boats?" Margoth asked as he noticed several boats at the docks. Since there was no bridge connecting the main island which is Port City and the Asylum island, Margoth could tell that the only way of reaching the latter island was by boat.

Compared to the daytime, the docks were crowdless in the evening. Still, Draven saw several workers carrying crates and hoards of pigeons riddling the pavement. The smell of river water coupled with the sound of hammer hitting the hulls brought back memories of the time Draven went to the docks with his family.

He quickly pushed aside the flashes of memories and made his way towards the line of boats beside the long pier.

"You think it's gonna rain? Damn the weather is killing me,"

"I wish John. If this weather continued for another week or two, we are done for,"

A couple of sailors were discussing the weather until they saw Draven,

"How much for getting me to the asylum island?"

While they sailors were looking at Draven from top to bottom, Draven asked the one wearing a tattered hat and a loose linen shirt,

"At this time? It'd cost you 100 coins.If you want me to wait, it would be double,"

"No need to wait,"

The sailor was slightly surprised as he charged Draven a high price noticing his fancy robes. To be honest, the sailor didn't expect Draven to accept his price but thanks to his luck, Draven did.

"Oh, hop on,, young master" as soon as Draven poured hundred coins from one pouch to another empty one and threw it at the sailor, his tone took a turn. He respectfully bowed and gestured at Draven to get on his little row boat.

"See yah later man," the sailor who was called John waved at his friend before starting to row the boat towards the island in the distance.

The river looked peaceful under the starry sky and glistened like a lake of blue gold. Draven stared at the horizon enjoying the momentary peace to calm his mind although it was near impossible to do so.

Seeing the expressionless face of Draven, John opened and closed his mouth as though he had seconds thoughts to start a conversation with Draven.

"Young master, that's a dangerous place," Eventually John couldn't keep his mouth shut,

"Soon, it won't be"

The asylum did not only house General Iron Bender but many criminals who deemed insane by King Richard. They lived a peaceful life inside the asylum but now its time to pay for their sins.