[SD:FS] The Noble Isn't Leaving - Chapter 6

Of course, as Merchant Silverwhiskers cared about being on time at all, they were nowhere near the last to be ready. That honor fell upon Se’llium and his fancy carriage. Which, despite the group’s prejudice against him, wasn’t actually his fault. The guards messed something up on their end and so held the carriage up while they got the intake report from the previous day.

This didn’t last too long though, and the caravan was once again on the road. Except on this leg for the journey, the road took them directly into the forest. The previous day had only skipped along the edge of the forest. Their caravan dipping in only at the end to cut an hour or two off the trip.

Now, though, their goal is on the other side of the forest so there was no avoiding it. Or so Silverwhiskers relayed to the party.

Gem shrugged, “So more ambushes? Sounds fun!” And their tail starts to move around in anticipation.

Silverwhiskers crosses his arms, “Nah, this is only a white trail today and while that is partly because they only saw a level 20 threat. They also take the trail condition into account. It would not be a white trail while going through this forest if the trees and such aren’t properly cut back.”

June nods, “I did a little listening last night and this is a proper forest. Not some managed garden. This is a green ranked forest. If things weren’t being properly managed, the trail would be at least green as well.”

Gem shakes their head, “Nah, it won’t be that peaceful. Not saying you two are wrong, mind you!”

Emrys nods, “I’m with Gem on this. We have a group of new travellers and some self important noble’s son in a fancy carriage.”

Gem nods their head rapidly and points at Emrys, “He gets it!”

Samuel shrugs, “Eh, as long as we have a person on both sides of the carriage on the lookout, we should be fine.”

That seems to settle the matter, though Silverwhiskers leaves with a frown, going to the neighboring carriages.

Gem ignores that, instead focusing on their side of the forest. There would be excitement! They could feel it!

They just didn’t see it, and not in the “it snuck up on them” sort of way. Not to say the caravan wasn’t attacked throughout the day. There were a number of attacks.

A starved bear charged the front of the caravan a bit after midday. A small gang of goblins tried to take out the last carriage. Even a trio of wolves who made a run at things as they pulled into the place the caravan would be staying overnight.

Once settled, Gem leaned back on a log. “Whew, I’m a lot more tired than yesterday! Wonder if it was because this is the second day or some such?”

June looks over with a raised eyebrow, “Or maybe it is because you were like an overactive child? You moved back and forth all day! Probably walked twice the distance we did.”

Gem shrugs, “Eh, maybe? Still, it doesn't change the fact that I’m tired. When will I see my stats change?”

Silverwhiskers bursts out laughing, “You run around all day and now you’re looking for stat gains. Like a kid after learning they can exercise to improve their stats. Shame that you’ll have to wait. Either gain a level to see it instantly or wait. Even with magic, there isn’t any magical method to show instant results. You need sustained exercise.”

Gem, “Bah, that’s boring.”

Silverwhiskers shrugs, “Well, I prefer it this way. Otherwise stats would also decay at quite the clip.”

Gem lets the matter go after that, too tired to do much besides enjoy the filling stew.

Though the next morning finds them up and about again. The nights rest seemingly more than enough to recharge. Good thing too, as this day proves to be a lot more active. There is just something about being in the middle of the forest that makes things more willing to attack the caravan.

Emrys is the first in their group to get into a fight. Though that is mostly because his illusion spells don’t really have a travel time. Which is just enough of an edge that his illusion struck the boar before Gem’s air blade leaves a deep gash. Followed by Samuel shield bashing the beast on the side of the head, knocking it to the ground where he finishes it.

This particular fight was actually welcomed by the caravan as a whole. While unlike some gritty “realistic” games, you can’t actually butcher your kills. If a person has a butchery skill, appropriate corpses will give them the option for butchery drops instead of normal loot.

Which was something Samuel found out when Silverwhiskers called him off from looting said boar. And while the potential loot could have been valuable. The group got more money letting the caravan divvy up the meat to improve their rations.

A cool 50gp to each of them. An amount greater than what they would make from guard duty for all three days. Of course, it isn’t every day you run across a monster people want to eat. And even when you do, if there is too little or too much, you might not get much of a paycheck either. Though Gem was willing to bet that if they had killed a delicacy, there would be a buyer.

Though after that bit of adventure, the rest of the trip is peaceful. There weren’t even any attacks on the third day. The caravan doesn’t even have trouble getting into the town. That might have more to do with it being an actual town and not a city.

Once inside, Silverwhiskers gestures for the group to gather up before asking the important question. “Are you going to continue traveling with me? Still up for that trip to the ocean?”

Gem smiles extra wide and their ears perk up, “Who wouldn’t want a trip to the ocean?”

June puts her hand on their shoulder, “And we will, but whether we go on this trip will depend on the danger rating.”

Merchant Silverwhiskers nods, “Always make sure to check on how dangerous a trip will be. The adventurers guild provides it for free on all major routes and the most recent information they have on every other route. It would only be cheating yourself not to use it.”

The three of them turn to the two guys.

Samuel is the first to respond with a much less creepy smile of his own. “We’ve hung out over the last few days and I think we make a decent party. I’d even consider the two of you to be friends. If you’re continuing on this trade route, I wouldn’t be against it either. Besides, the pay is good.” And he shrugs.

Emrys nods, “We haven’t really had any heartfelt campfire chats or anything, but I can also see us becoming friends. Which is rare for me. I don’t exactly make friends quickly. So yeah, you can count me in as well.”

Merchant Silverwhiskers laughs, “Wonderful! Glad to keep you all on for a bit longer. Oh, and by the by, expect the rest of this leg of the trip to be at most a rating of white. You don’t exactly have caravans like this one going through anything higher than that.”

And early next morning, this proves to be true. The guild happily reports that the next leg of their journey is only rated grey. In fact, the caravan manages to roll through another three small towns with only one other stretch of road being rated as white.

During this time, Gem gets to know the others much better. Whether it was the previously mentioned “heartfelt fireside chats” or simply the fact that there isn’t much else to talk about while on the road.

Se’llium doesn’t even cause all that much trouble. The biggest thing from their corner is Gem’s guess about there being a buyer for any higher quality meat. This was a problem as Se’llium kept trying to insist he had the right to try and purchase it first, even over those who killed whatever it was. Oh, and of course he tried to pay well below market value.

Now though, Gem finds themselves around a campfire with everyone else as they’re reaching an awkward transition on the route. They would be reaching the next place, a proper city since their second stop, but it would be early in the morning. That meant there would basically be an entire day and night in the city.

Gem used a stick to poke at the fire. “So, we probably should have asked this back at the start, but how much longer till we get to the ocean? Like, we’ve been on the road for about a month now.”

June is actually the one to answer their question. “If we're taking the normal route, I’d say a month more. However–”, and she glances over at Silverwhiskers, “–If that is the case, we might want to bail a little early.”

Merchant Silverwhiskers shrugs, “I wouldn’t blame you. Already talked over the danger ratings and there is going to be a section of road that tends to wobble between white and green. There is a route that stays white, but that tacks on an extra couple months.

“Which considering the quick route is already two months, it is accepted that the risk is worth it. Besides, most caravans this size scare away the apex predators for which the paths get their green from. A caravan with this many wagons will always have a guard that can at least defend against the lone green threats.

“Well, I guess more appropriately, I should say that every official caravan will have such a guard. Part of being official is having all the wagons chip in for those needed to handle situations like this.”

June raises an eyebrow, “So we’re going the shorter route?”

Silverwhiskers nods, “Yep, heading down the green route.”

Gem laughs, “Well, I’ll stay on for that. Though I leave myself to be convinced otherwise.”

June, “And I won’t be the one to do so. We’re travellers. What would be the point of unlimited respawning if you didn’t ever live a little?”

Samuel and Emrys nod along with this consensus.

Merchant Silverwhiskers chuckles, “Well, it is nice to know you’re willing to stick around. Though I will mention it once again. Our favorite noble is planning to stick with the caravan the full way.”

Gem smirks, “And while annoying, he isn’t really much of anything to us. We aren’t worth his time, at least that is what he believes. I’d debate it, but doing so would certainly not be worth my time.”

Emrys, “So, what are we going to be doing in town? Like, a certain merchant is going to be doing merchant stuff. But us guards are going to have a free day.”

Samuel shrugs, “I’ve got some traveller stuff to manage, so I’ll be logged out.”

June, “I’ll be staying in for the moment. There is stuff that I could probably do, but I’m good for a while.”

Gem laughs, “I’m set up for the long term!”

Emrys pouts, “I thought you always seemed to be around! Do you know how much a long-term capsule costs? Of course you do! You have one!”

Gem nods, “They cost a pretty penny! That’s for certain and also why I held off on getting into the SAI’s games until SoulDive. Well, besides the fact that SciFi isn’t my cup of tea.”

Samuel frowns, “I hope you aren’t running up debt just to play the game. You’ve been in here for what, over a month at this point?”

Gem, “That sounds about right. Err, I mean the second part. I’ve been in for a month. Well, technically, I’ve hopped out about once a week for a quick stretch and to double check. Except I don’t plan to get out more than once a month going forward.

“Got a webcam setup to watch my FIVR capsule and I’ve hired a security firm to keep an eye on my house. Which to double back to your worry, Samuel, I’m set for money. You’re looking at a second generation wastrel!”

Merchant Silverwhiskers rolls his eyes and laughs. “You certainly don’t act like one. And we have a really good example of that sort of nonsense right over there.” And he gestures at the gaudy wagon and even gaudier tent.

Gem shrugs, “I’m not trying to hide it. I just take this more seriously than the cyberpunk singularity circus. At least the SAIs are providing a balancing factor. Wish our own rulers could have some foresight! Shame we had to depend on a black swan event to kick some sense into our collective heads. 

“Oh, and June already knows my handle on the forums, so you two might as well know. I’m May, the forward slash character, then Hem. All one word. Like mayhem, but with a slash in the center.”

Enn Pee Cee - Chapter 5

The Theme Is "Cat" - Chapter 7