Guide

The man remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Unfortunately, the war has affected everything here. Fewer customers are coming to my restaurant, and it's getting harder to bring in certain types of food and spices from far away. Sigh"

"I understand, it's affected everyone and everything. But I have faith that we'll be victorious and even push back into their territory." Rafael made a bold statement, fueled by the thought that in a few years, he would have already discovered how to make gunpowder.

"Wow, you're really optimistic, aren't you? Hahaha, you're right, I should think like that too. Dwelling on negative thoughts will only harm us." Rotrim seemed encouraged by Rafael's words.

"We should always be optimistic. Take this city, for example—the war is far away from here, and that's a good thing, don't you think?"

Rotrim nodded, but his expression remained somewhat sad.

"But that won't last forever. Baron Floutt has already prepared his troops and even called villagers to begin training to help if we're attacked. Unfortunately, it might happen, so we need to be ready." Despite being slightly drunk, Rotrim's mind was clear enough not to say anything that wasn't already common knowledge.

Speak more, dammit! I already know that, Rafael thought, hoping for new information. "Let's hope everything will be okay..." Before Rafael could continue, loud laughter erupted from the main hall.

"Oh hohoho, those guys hahah," Rotrim laughed, seemingly knowing the cause of their amusement. "They're some friends of mine. It's rare that we all get together like this... Mr. Robert, why don't we join them? I'm sure you'll get along with everyone." He stood up, extending the invitation.

Should I go? They seem like important people. If this really is the best restaurant in the city, then only the high class can afford to eat here, and their table was full of various dishes. The good part is that it might be easier to gather more information...

Before he could decide, the butler appeared. "Excuse me, sir, your guide has arrived and is waiting at the entrance. Would you like to meet him here?"

Ah, forget about information. What I need now is to get out of this city. Rafael made his decision. "Again, thank you for your help and the delicious food," he said to Rotrim, who responded with a few words before heading back to join his friends.

"For everything, that will be two coins and ten coppers," the butler stated the price of Rafael's meal. Rafael reluctantly paid and then left. Outside, he saw a thin man with a donkey, dressed in simple clothes and with a nondescript appearance.

"Greetings, my good sir. My name is Aerd, and I'll be your guide to Calistoga."

"That's great, but I must leave today."

"What? I'm sorry, sir, but it's dangerous to leave at night. There are wolves, bears, and even the possibility of criminal attacks." Aerd shook his head vehemently.

"I understand, but I'm willing to take the risk. Of course, money is not an issue."

The man hesitated, torn between making good money off this "rich guy" and taking the risk, or staying safe and refusing. Sensing his indecision, Rafael offered his horse as a bonus for when they reached the city.

Why didn't I bring the other horse with me? I could have given him one and still had another to sell for some money.

With that generous offer, Aerd accepted. "I'll fetch your horse, sir, and then we can go." He ran to the back of the restaurant and returned with Rafael's horse. Both mounted their rides and departed, making a quick stop at Aerd's house to gather everything they'd need for the journey.

Meanwhile, just after Rafael went outside to meet his guide, Rotrim returned to the round table where his friends were gathered. "Hahaha, hey, hey, Rotrim, where did you go? You missed the best joke Julius has ever made," one of them said between laughs.

"Sorry, I was talking to a client. Now, I want to hear that joke! Oi, tell it again for me." He sat down and poured some beer into his cup.

Before the joke could begin, another man at the table asked, "That guy had some impressive clothing. I've never seen anything like that. Is he from the capital?"

"Oh yes, yes. Now that you mention it, his clothes were really different."

"What did he talk to you about? Someone from the capital coming here just to eat at your inn and talk to you, that's new."

"Yeah, I've never seen him before," a third man added. At this moment, Rotrim frowned. "What do you mean you've never seen him? He said he spoke with Baron Floutt yesterday. You should have seen him there."

"What? No, I've never seen him, and yesterday only four people met with Baron Floutt, and none of them were that guy." The mood at the table shifted.

Rotrim glanced toward the entrance and saw that Rafael was no longer there.

The sun had set by the time Rafael and Aerd passed the outskirts of Burmegh, Baron Floutt's city. Vast fields with crops swaying in the light breeze surrounded them.

Almost no one could be seen working at this hour. Rafael knew that any crop failure meant famine in these times, so he asked Aerd if the crops were doing well.

"It's...fine. Well, it could be better. I've heard production seems lower than last year, but it's normal, you know? We'll just find another good area to cultivate." Aerd's face showed signs of worry.

"Have you worked in the fields before?" Rafael asked.

"Yes, yes, for years I've worked on these farms. Oh, so many memories..."

"Can you explain to me how you prepare the soil before planting? Like, what do you do, and do you mix the earth with anything to help the plants grow?"