THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

We rode for an hour more as we slowly approached the next town. Val had given Rayla and me a cloak since the snow had slowly started to fall once more. The snowflakes slowly fell as we rode the wind coldly slapped my face as I rode on.

"Hey Val, what was the skill you used when you fought against the bandits?" I asked.

"Oh, that was just a little bit of the magical powers I have" he said simply.

"Come on, I need more details" I said as I gave him a look filled with curiosity.

"Fine, my ability or magic is light related" he said "uhm… how do I put it" he pondered before he continued, "I have an affinity to light magic and when you combine the magic and certain martial skills you would be able execute different skills" he said.

"So, you mean you learnt it like the way you learn kung Fu" I asked.

"Yes" he answered as he slowed brought his horse to a stop, "It's like this," he said as he demonstrated.

He executed a normal karate chop without using magic and then he executed the second chop the same way but this time he infused it with magic as the same karate chop was brought to life as a sharp light shot out of his hand and forward as it tore into the tree at his side chopping it clean in the middle.

"Do you understand?" he asked.

"I think so, you brought the karate chop to life by infusing the chop with the magic power you gathered and shot it forward" I answered.

"That was close enough, but it's not magic it's your personal strength or innate ability" he said as he turned to look at Rayla who was buried in her thoughts. "No need to think about it" he said as he urged his horse forward.

Within fifteen minutes we arrived at the next town, it was bustling with life no matter where I looked the only thing I saw were people who were going about doing their daily activities and other different things.

"What a lively town" said Rayla who spoke up first as she her gaze darted from one stall to the other.

"Yeah, which makes it the best place to find a good map and relevant information as well as unwind" said Val.

"Where are we headed to first" I asked.

"let's find somewhere to spend the night" he said as he led us through the town before we found a good Inn.

…

"When the both of you are done taking a warm bath, here's some money go and get something for yourselves" said Val as he walked out of the inn. "I'm going to gather some supplies and information" He said as he left the inn.

"Well, I'm going to take a shower first when you're ready I'll be in my room" said Rayla as she went to her room.

I went upstairs for a quick bath and ended up falling asleep,

"Shit, I fell asleep I hope Rayla won't be mad" I thought as I hurriedly dressed up before rushing to meet Rayla in her room.

Just as I was about to knock on her door she opened up,

"Sorry I slept off you must have waited for a long time" she said as she laughed.

"It's okay, I also fell asleep after my bath" I said as I laughed too.

"let's go" she said.

"Sure"

…

"It was a little bit more challenging to find such a good map" thought Val as he left the stall. "I pray the journey goes as planned because…" there's no need to think about it he said as he cut himself off.

He continued down the busy market as he went about purchasing different supplies.

…

"Woah!! What a cool Arm-guard" said Rayla as she pulled us towards the shop.

"Let's check it out" I said.

"How much for these?" asked as we arrived in front of the stall.

"Young Miss has such great eyes, these Arm-guards were made from the armored skin of Basilisk and they only cost Eighty Bronze Endra coins" said the shop keeper as he tried to maximize his earnings.

"That's too expensive" she said, "I guess I can't get them for you Ayo" she said as she pulled us in the direction of another stall.

"Wait" called out the shop keeper, "Since young Miss has taken a liking to these Arm-guards I'll sell it for Seventy Bronze Endra coins" he said.

"But I don't have that much money" said Rayla as she made a sad face while looking at the shop keeper.

"how much do you have with you?" he asked.

"I only have Forty Bronze Endra coins" she said as she gave him a look of expectancy.

Sighing he said "That's half the price and I can't sell it for that price but if young miss is able to come up with Sixty Bronze Endra Coins I'll sell it to you" he finished as he smiled.

She signaled me while the shop keeper was busy placing the arm guard back in its case to give her Fifty Coins.

"This is all we have" said Rayla as she passed him the Fifty coins. "This is all we have" she said as she loomed at him with puppy eyes.

"Fine, seeing as you really want it I'll sell it to you for Fifty Bronze Endra coins" he said before passing her the arm-guards.

"Really, thank you" she said as she jumped happily.

She grabbed the Arm-guards as if afraid he would take them back before thanking him once more as she led us deeper into the market.

"Where did you learn how to act like that?" I asked laughing.

"Summer Camp, they had an amazing acting program" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"I feel sorry for the shop keeper" I said laughing. "Val gave us Three Hundred Endra Coins and you still bargained to buy it for almost half the original price" I said.

"if you don't like the fact that I did that then maybe you should go return it since it was so unfair" she said as she gave me the evil eye.

"no way, it's so cheap and that's exactly why am going to keep it" I said.

"Let's go get a couple more things before we have our dinner" she said as she dragged me along on her shopping spree.

…

She had me hauling a bag of different things, from concealed knives to clothes and medicinal supplies by the time the sun set, I was surprised by the numerous things she bought on such a limited budget and she made sure there was still enough money to have dinner.

"what do you want to eat?" asked Rayla as we walked into the restaurant.

"I don't know something with lots of meat" I said scratching my head.

"Ok, let's eat quickly so Val doesn't have to look for us" She said as she ordered a large dish which consisted of a variety of meat.

"Looks like am not the hungry one" I thought as I watched Rayla stuff her mouth up.

"Aren't you eating" she asked with food still in her mouth.

"Eat, don't talk before you choke" I said as I passed her a glass of juice, shaking my head.

"Don't look at me like that" she said before she stuffed her mouth with more food.

…

"You guys are finally back and what's with the bag?" he asked as he saw the huge bag I was practically forced to carry.

"Just stuff we bought" she replied.

"You bought all that with just the money I gave you?" he asked.

"Yeah" she said as she raised her shoulders.

"Amazing, you really no how to haggle" he said, "Have you guys eaten?" he asked.

"Yes" I answered.

"Ok, you guys should rest we'll continue our journey tomorrow" he said as he turned walking to his room.