Visiting The Town!

The curtains were ancient, stained with dust and riddled with holes from years of insect bites. Despite their sorry state, they served their purpose. David draped them over his massive frame, the fabric hanging awkwardly over his shoulders like a makeshift cloak. Two holes; one large, one small, aligned near his eyes, giving him an almost ghostly appearance as he trailed behind Leonard under the cover of night.

From a distance, the town came into view, nestled at the foot of the mountain. Its medieval European-style architecture gave it a timeless charm, though its age was evident in the crumbling facades and weathered streets. Most of the buildings were half-timbered structures with stone bases, their peaked roofs casting jagged shadows under the faint moonlight. Scattered among them were smaller, humbler wooden huts with thatched roofs.

The streets were paved with uneven bluestone slabs, though time and neglect had left many sections broken, with weeds sprouting through the gaps. At the town's heart, the outline of a small castle loomed in the distance, a fortress-like manor that marked the home of the local noble family.

As they drew closer, the distinct smell of cow and horse manure wafted through the air, mingling with the earthy scent of damp wood. The recent gunfire had stirred the town's residents; flickering candlelight illuminated the windows of houses on the outskirts, and shadowy figures moved cautiously behind curtains.

Leonard navigated the streets with ease, knowing exactly where to go. He had been here before and knew this was the place to rent a carriage or to discreetly sell a musket if needed. Following the sound of chatter and the glow of light, they arrived at a street on the town's south side. A large building stood out, its windows spilling warm light onto the street. Above the door hung a sign adorned with a Maple leaf and the silhouette of a carriage: the 'Maple leaf Inn'.

Inns like this were staples of the kingdom. They served as havens for travelers, offering food, drink, and a place to sleep. Many also facilitated various trades, from renting carriages to acting as informal marketplaces for goods.

Leonard pushed open the heavy wooden door, letting a rush of cold air sweep inside. The inn's interior hit him with an overwhelming mix of smells, beer and ale, sweat, greasy food, cheap perfume, and the acrid scent of burning tallow candles. The stuffy air was almost suffocating but warmer than the chilly night outside.

A small stove sat in the middle of the room, its faint crackle providing some heat to the shabby hall. Groups of three or four sat around wooden tables, drinking, talking, and occasionally breaking into loud laughter. Others leaned on benches, too drunk to remain upright. In one corner, a harried waiter was scrubbing vomit off the floor, cursing under his breath.

As Leonard stepped inside, the noise dimmed. Heads turned toward him, then toward David, who ducked to fit through the doorway. The sight of the cloaked figure towering over Leonard brought a brief hush to the room. It wasn't every day that a man over two meters tall, shrouded in tattered curtains, wandered into their midst.

A waiter in a tidy, albeit simple, uniform approached hesitantly. "Good evening, sir. How can I assist you?" he asked, his polite tone tinged with nervousness as his eyes flicked toward David.

"I need to speak with your boss," Leonard said curtly.

The waiter nodded quickly. "One moment, please." He disappeared into the back, his pace brisk.

Minutes later, a tall, thin man descended the stairs. He had a sharp mustache and an air of practiced charm. His tailored coat and deliberate movements suggested he was the innkeeper. His gaze lingered on David for a moment before shifting to Leonard. "Please, follow me," he said, gesturing toward the stairs.

Leonard followed him up a narrow wooden staircase to a room at the end of the hall. The room, positioned near a window, offered a faint view of the town square below. The innkeeper closed the door behind them and turned, his expression calm but calculating.

"What can I do for you, traveler?" the man asked smoothly.

Leonard met his gaze. "I need to buy a carriage. I'm heading to Bangor Port."

Leonard still wore the same clothes he had on when he fled his old life, worn, travel-stained, and utterly unremarkable. To most, he might appear like any other wandering traveler, but the innkeeper, Ted, was not most people. A seasoned man who had spent his youth traveling across the country and meeting all kinds of characters, Ted had a knack for reading people.

Leonard's demeanor didn't raise much suspicion, but the towering figure behind him, draped in what looked like patchwork curtains; was a different matter. Ted couldn't quite figure him out. The man radiated a quiet, dangerous energy, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

Still, Ted dismissed the odd outfit as some kind of exotic fashion. "Who am I to judge," he thought, "when travelers bring in styles from all corners of the kingdom?"

"Our inn does provide carriage rental services," Ted began, his voice smooth and professional. "We're an official member of the Hotel Union, partnered with many inns nationwide to ensure safe and reliable transport. However, if you don't travel by carriage often, purchasing one outright might not be the best choice."

He leaned forward slightly, as though sharing a friendly tip. "While a carriage itself isn't terribly expensive, maintaining it can be a hassle. You'll need to provide hay, grain, coarse salt for the horses, and hire a coachman. On top of that, the daily upkeep costs about one silver coin per day."

Leonard frowned slightly, weighing the logistics. Owning a carriage sounded more like a headache than a solution. He'd need to hire someone to drive it, find stables to house the horses, and handle all the associated costs. Considering his destination; Bangor Port; it didn't seem worth the trouble. Once there, he had no plans to travel further.

"How much does it cost to rent a carriage?" Leonard asked, his tone even.

"That depends on what kind of arrangement you're looking for," Ted replied, his salesman instincts kicking in. "If you're in a hurry, you can charter a private carriage. If not, you could opt for a carpool, shared rides are cheaper, as the fee is split among passengers. If the group is small, the carpool rate can be quite favorable. Of course, chartering your own carriage is more expensive."

"Charter a carriage," Leonard said decisively. His voice left no room for negotiation.

Ted's eyebrows raised slightly but he quickly masked his surprise. "A man who knows what he wants," he thought. "Very well," he said aloud. "We offer two types of private charters. One option is self-supported, where you provide your own food and accommodations along the way. It's the more affordable option.

"The other is our all-inclusive service, where the inn handles everything; meals, lodging, and guaranteed accommodations at partner inns along the route. Both options are priced per distance: 8 silver coins per 100 miles on flat roads, 12 silver coins per 100 miles on mountain roads. If you choose the all-inclusive package, it's an additional 1 silver coin per day for food and lodging."

Ted smiled, sensing he had Leonard's attention. "And don't worry, our carriages are equipped with meter drums. For long trips, the driver will beat the drum every ten miles, so you can easily keep track of the distance. If the remaining distance is less than ten miles, we don't charge for it. Consider it a little bonus."

He leaned back, confident now. "Long-distance trips like this are rare in a small town like ours. Most people only rent carriages for short distances, usually in emergencies. For farmers or laborers, even a short journey could cost a small fortune."

Leonard nodded, mentally calculating the cost. Bangor Port was at least 700 to 800 miles away. He didn't know the exact ratio of mountain roads to flat terrain, but based on Ted's pricing, the journey would likely cost close to 100 silver coins. That was a significant sum. One silver coin alone was worth twenty copper coins, enough to feed an ordinary family for days.

As Leonard silently deliberated, Ted seized the opportunity. "You're in luck, sir," he said, his tone warm. "We happen to have a carriage available right now. If you're ready, you can set off immediately."

Leonard looked up, meeting Ted's gaze. The decision was made. "We'll take it," he said calmly, his voice steady despite the weight of the expense.

Ted grinned, clearly pleased. "Excellent choice. I'll make the arrangements right away."

"Pick us up on the main road outside of town tomorrow morning," Leonard instructed, his tone calm but firm.

Ted nodded, his practiced hospitality on display. "Might I confirm the destination of your travel, sir?"

"Bangor Port," Leonard replied.

Ted's brow lifted slightly, calculating the distance. "Bangor Port is about 760 miles from here. You'll need to pass through the Sage Flitwick Mountains, which adds to the challenge. Including meals and accommodations, the journey will take roughly 13 to 15 days; assuming no unforeseen incidents." He paused, letting the weight of the journey settle before continuing. "The total price is 92 silver coins. What do you think?"

Leonard nodded thoughtfully, showing no sign of surprise.

Ted continued, "For first-time customers, we require a 60% deposit up front, which in your case will add up to 55 silver coins. Regulars, of course, are exempt from this."

Leonard remained unfazed. "I have another matter to discuss with you," he said, gesturing to David.

David stepped forward, clutching a bundle wrapped tightly in sackcloth. With careful precision, he placed it on the table, the sound of its contents hitting the wood echoing softly. Ted's eyes flickered with curiosity as he glanced at the bundle, then back at Leonard.

After a brief hesitation, he reached out and peeled back the sackcloth, revealing six muskets neatly stacked. His gaze lingered on the weapons, and for a moment, a glimmer of both interest and caution flashed across his face.

Ted looked up, his expression guarded. "Six muskets… impressive," he said, his voice neutral but his mind clearly racing. He knew what this meant. Muskets weren't just rare, they were highly regulated, controlled by nobility or law enforcement. To have this many at once was no small feat.

In this small, remote town, there were only two possible sources of such a stockpile: Baron Badwa or the town's police force. But Ted didn't press the issue. Whether Leonard had come to sell them directly or brought them from elsewhere, he had no intention of prying too deeply.

"Firearms like these can fetch a fair price," Ted admitted. "But they aren't as valuable as you might think. While they're tightly controlled, they're not difficult to produce, and the materials are relatively common. After all, they're standard issue for the military."

Ted leaned back slightly, folding his arms. "I can offer 40 silver coins per musket," he said, watching Leonard's reaction closely. When Leonard didn't seem impressed, he quickly added, "That's already a generous offer. Finding buyers for something like this isn't easy, and if I can't sell them, they're a loss for me."

Leonard considered the offer for a moment before giving a curt nod. "Fine. All six for 40 apiece. Deduct part of it for the carriage, and pay me the rest."

Ted smiled, his relief barely concealed. "Of course, sir. Please wait here. I'll fetch the payment."

As Ted left the room, David's reptilian gaze followed him until the door closed. Turning to Leonard, he leaned in and spoke in a low voice. "Master, do you think he'll report us?"

Leonard's lips curled into a faint smile. "I don't know. But he won't act until he's certain of who we are or who's backing us."

David tilted his head, still uncertain. "Why wouldn't he just take the risk?"

"Because smart people weigh their options," Leonard replied. "Ted is a businessman. He knows better than to offend someone powerful without knowing what he's up against. He'll think twice before stirring the pot."

Leonard leaned back, his voice calm but firm. "By the time he figures anything out, we'll already be gone. And even if someone does decide to pursue us, it won't matter. The town's defenses are weak, and their resources are stretched thin. They'd be foolish to come after me and my teacher."

David nodded slowly, reassured by the confidence in Leonard's voice.

"Besides," Leonard added with a smirk, "if trouble does come, it won't be my problem to solve. That's what the teacher's for. He's the powerful wizard. When things get messy, I'll just stay back and cheer him on."

David blinked, confused. "Cheer him on?"

"Exactly," Leonard said with a chuckle. "When the fighting starts, he'll be upfront handling everything, and I'll just be in the back shouting '666.'"

David stared at him for a moment, then let out a low laugh. Despite the tense circumstances, Leonard's confidence was infectious.