Walking around the city, I could not find anything interesting in it, sometimes noticing the garbage that was lying on the road, there were those who begged from the elderly to children. The town was small and as where we entered mostly had wooden buildings, the baron who ruled this town lived outside the city in his castle and rarely appeared here.
The city was a place that did not produce anything and the kingdom did not want to invest in it, and I understood why. Monsters often caused trouble to the residents of this city, a couple of times, according to local residents, monsters in a large group wandered into the city itself and at such moments the baron sent his magician to deal with them.
Going into one of the restaurants, I was surprised by how many travelers there were mostly wanderers, but also merchants, Keirin met acquaintances who were surprised to see her in such a wilderness as Lanho. Sitting with them in a restaurant, I briefly listened to their conversation.
- They say a ferocious gang has appeared in these lands, which trades in robberies of various merchants. - One of Keirin's acquaintances complained.
About a band of robbers, I have already heard from one of the merchants in the city, according to him, they appeared recently but have already robbed several caravans.
- What about the local baron? - Keirin asked.
Her friend just chuckled at her question.
- And what about the Baron? While the gang does not attack the city, he will not move, explaining that it is a waste of energy to run through the woods to look for a bandit camp. - Another acquaintance said irritably.
My idea of the baron has turned out to be pretty bad as long as nothing threatens the city under his patronage, he will not lift a finger.
- But the most terrible thing is that the leader of the robbers kidnaps beautiful girls from those caravans that he robs and I'm afraid to imagine what they go through. - An acquaintance spoke in a low voice, looking at Keirin.
Watching this acquaintance, I saw that he had feelings for Keirin, but it was clear from her behavior that she was not interested in him.
- It's terrible and the locals didn't try to find his camp? - Keirin asked in surprise.
The familiar raised his hand and circled around with a heavy smile.
- Keirin, these people who live here do not possess magic, not some kind of military knowledge. If they go there, the robbers will kill them and possibly try to capture the city. - An acquaintance said explaining. - The Baron will certainly send his squad here, but it will cost many lives, you know?
I agreed with the words of Keirin's friend, you can't try to do something only on emotions.
- I understand that this means that these robbers will continue to rob and kidnap everyone. - Keirin said in a sad voice, realizing that her previous words were stupid in reality.
Keirin, as a representative of the light elves, valued order and the preservation of lives, it has been ingrained in them since ancient times.
The robbers didn't bother me, if they prevented me from getting to Midgen, I would have to deal with them. Keirin felt sorry for the locals and those who suffered from their robberies, but there are such robbers in all parts of the world and you can't catch every robber and another will come instead of one.
Running my eyes along the street on which the restaurant was facing, I saw how a stout man dressed richly approached the place where we need to turn about my assignment, he was strikingly different from the merchant who was sitting opposite me, this man had gray hair and as he understood he was aged.
- Keirin, we have to go. - I said, not paying attention to the irritated glances of her acquaintances.
Hearing my words, Keirin smiled and was about to get up when she noticed how the man opposite her put his hand on her arm.
- Keirin, I do not know what connects you with this young half-elf, but if you need help, contact me. - He turned to Keirin.
I just shook my head at the words and headed for the exit of the restaurant, followed by Keirin. After leaving the restaurant, we crossed the road and approached a large building with the same coat of arms hanging on the walls of the building, as explained by a friend of Keirin, it was the coat of arms of a trade organization.
Unlike many buildings, this house was made of stone, opening the door and going inside, we found ourselves in the courtyard of the house, it was large where there were harnessed riding monsters that would pull the cart. Representatives of all races were running next to the cart, but the most amazing thing was that I saw a dwarf for the first time.
He was not tall from the back it might seem that he was a child, but if he turned around, you could see his long beard falling to his waist, bright red hair differed from the color of his body, it was gray, his eyes looked like two dots between his nose. Grunting, the dwarf began to walk slowly towards us, he was wearing hiking clothes that were shabby in places.
- Have you seen enough of the half-elf? - The gnome's guttural voice was heard.
Realizing that my view of him was most likely unpleasant, I hurried to apologize, his name was Blaife, unlike his brethren who did not leave the underworld, he wanted to travel, unlike other dwarves, he was not tempted to poke around forever underground.
- So are you the ones who will accompany us? - Blaife said in surprise, it was clear from his tone that he was very surprised.
Looking at him uncomprehendingly, unlike what I was told in the Kray Empire and in the books, this dwarf was a lover of conversation.
- Well, you are still only apprentices, how could you be entrusted with the escort of a caravan? - Trying to explain his surprise, Blaife led us even more into misunderstandings.
According to him, the stufons are the same apprentice as the dwarves who learn to forge weapons and armor. And when an apprentice passes this stage, he becomes an experienced blacksmith.
- You have an interesting training program, but at the academy everything is different, we study and apply our knowledge in practice. - Trying to explain to him why I was given the opportunity to accompany the caravan.
It was noticeable how he frowned comprehending what I had told him earlier
- You have an interesting form of education, let's go, I'll take you to Duhain, who sent the tasks to the academy. - Blaife said in a thoughtful voice.
Agreeing that he would accompany us to the head of the caravan, as Blaife called him, along the way he told us that the caravan would transport various goods ranging from ale to different fabrics. After asking him what, Blaife shook his head and touched his head with his fingers.
- This is what I translate, knowledge about the craft of the forge. - Blaife answered in a proud voice.
Continuing to pass between the caravan and then through the house, I could notice different paintings and statues depicting different prominent merchants.
- Is Trey's story appealing? - Blaife asked, watching me run my eyes over the paintings and statues.
Nodding to him, we continued to pass, unlike the city, the house was richly decorated inside, sometimes you could see servants who walked here and there.
Approaching the closed room, the entrance of which was decorated with knights' armor, I shook my head. The attempt of these merchants to match the noble nobles was too intrusive for me. Approaching the door, the dwarf knocked significantly loudly on the door.
- He may not hear us, so it's better to knock louder. - Blaife explained, watching us look at his actions in surprise.
After a couple of minutes, a noise was heard from the other side of the door and it slowly began to open and letting us inside, Blaife said goodbye and left.