Chapter 122: 108. West Wood and Trouble

Omen: 11, 19

The forest was thick and full of life, though much of it left the party be. Soon the large walls of West Wood were revealed, made of earth, with several towers made of dark grey wood, basking in the evening sun. 

The West Wood Guards who stood ahead wore scale mail of grey, with the symbol of West Wood on their tabards. Long, thick, grey cloaks fell down over their shoulders. In one hand they carried a long spear, also made of the grey wood, with a small shield and a quiver full of arrows set beside them. At their hips were short blades, and through their cloaks, Adam could see a small bow made of a darker wood. 

“Hullo,” the Guard called out. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?”

“Good evening,” Harvey replied. “Sir Harvey, High Alchemist of Red Oak.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Sir Harvey,” the Guard nodded, tipping their helmet. “Would those at your side be the good Knights of Red Oak, Deadwood, and Eagle Wing.”

“That’s right. They’re escorting me as I study.”

Sir Merrick handed over the various forms of identity, and the Guard accepted them, glancing over the party.

“A group of Iyrmen as well?” The Guard raised his brows, nodding his head towards them. He had heard about the party before, but hadn’t believed it. “The Lady will be pleased.”

The Guards checked the identity before handing the items back, his eyes scanning them, noting the stranger with the tiger skin over them. 

“I believe accommodations for yourselves have already been prepared, though I’m ashamed to admit that you’ll most likely find them lacking.” 

“Oh no, I’m sure it’s fine,” Harvey replied, smiling. “At the very least they will be better than the dangerous outdoors of the forest we passed by.”

“I’m sure there wasn’t much of an issue, what with all those powerful escorts at your side,” the Guard said, chuckling. “I’ll lead you personally if you like.”

“I won’t decline your kindness,” Sir Harvey said.

West Wood appeared to be a large town, like Red Oak. It was covered in small wooden buildings all around, stacked three high, and very large open spaces similar to Eagle Wing. Even the main roads were twenty steps wide, with side roads roughly five steps wide.

There were many lush gardens around, every few buildings or so, some extremely small, others much larger, and all of which were growing all manner of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. 

Half of the town was set against the hills, with a large castle overlooking the town, and several large estates which did the same. There were a handful of Guards moving about, patrolling the town.

They were led to an estate which seemed to be empty, though there were a handful of Guards nearby. The Guards chatted with each other for a moment, before the escorting Guard tipped his helmet. 

“I hope that you have a wonderful stay,” the Guard said, leaving them.

Adam and the others were brought to their rooms, with a handful of servants who assisted them. There were two which assisted the entire group of Iyrmen and Vice Master Paul, whereas there was one for each Sir.

“We will be here for roughly a week,” Sir Harvey said. “There are many herbs I require from the forest and the surrounding area. You may all rest, but please keep out of trouble.” His eyes glanced over to Adam.

Adam smiled. “Understood, Sir.”

Adam placed away his gear, including taking off his puthral plate mail, which would bring too much attention.

“How do they feel about Half Elves here?” Adam asked.

Jurot shook his head. “It will not be as bad as in other places, but they still do not like your kind.”

“Half my kind,” Adam said, but he nodded. 

Adam wrapped some cloth around his head, like a scarf, covering his ears. “Is this good?”

“You have hidden your ears well,” Jurot said.

“It’s hot and stuffy,” Adam grumbled. “Why don’t we take a walk?”

The pair left, heading out to explore the town. The pair quickly noted the Half Elf with the tiger skin following them.

“Hey, don’t creep on me like that,” Adam said. 

“I am keeping an eye on you to see if you are worthy,” he said.

Adam sighed. “So what’s your name?”

“You may call me Jonn.”

“Jonn what?”

The Half Elf shook his head.

“Well, Jonn, you’ve had a couple of days to think on it.”

“I will need to watch you more.”

“Whatever…” Adam rolled his eyes.

Omen: 4, 17

Adam tickled Hades’ neck. “I’m sorry buddy,” he said. “I should have probably called you out before, but I forgot.”

The Familiar stared at him long and hard, unnerving the Half Elf, who quickly snapped his fingers to send the Owl away.

Adam and Jurot went around the town again, and once more Jonn was following them. They had retired early last night because it was weird with Jonn around them during the evening, where perhaps he could have tried something, but with the dawn’s sun around, he was sure the Half Elf wouldn’t be up to something.

“You bastard!” shouted a voice from afar.

Adam threw a glance back, seeing a man, who wore a helmet with some chain attached down, and a chain shirt, charging towards him. The man had reached back to grab his greatsword.

“You bastard! How could you?” the man snarled.

Battle Order
20 + 1 = 11 (10)

Adam stared at the man for only a moment, noticing Jurot reaching for his axe from the corner of his eye, but he spun on his heel and ran. “Guards! Guards!” Adam shouted, fleeing from the scene.

Jonn blinked, watching what was happening. 

Jurot on the other hand, met the man in combat, catching the man’s greatsword with his axe. 

“You pair of bastards! You think the Guards are going to stop me from tearing you in half?” However, he very quickly noted the appearance of the man he was in combat with. “I have no qualms with you, Iyrman!”

A whistle blew as a pair of Guards appeared, in their scale mail, wielding their long spears, which were pointed out. 

“Halt!” came a shout, as another set of whistles were blown from unseen Guards, who were coordinating between one another.

Adam held his hands up. “He charged at me with his greatsword! I didn’t do anything, officers.”

One Guard grabbed Adam’s shoulder, as a few more appeared, each with spear or bow ready to attack.

“That bastard ruined my garden, officers!”

“No I didn’t!”

“I saw him steal my hard earned herbs and ruin my garden! With my own two eyes I did!”

“I did no such thing,” Adam replied. “You can ask Jurot, son of Surot, the Iyrman beside me, or you can ask that creepy looking guy with the tiger skin whose been stalking me.”

“I saw you!” the man claimed. “With my own two eyes, I saw you! Took me a while to catch up to you, you almost lost me when you went around the bend.”

The Guards glanced between the four people.

“First of all, all of you here need to pay up a silver piece for the commotion,” a Guard said. 

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Currency: 14SP -> 13SP

“Secondly, we need some identification from all of you.” The Guards noted the Adventurer Tags on three of them.

The stranger who had tried to assault Adam removed his helmet to reveal an older, grizzled face. 

“Oh, Cornelius,” a Guard said.

“Sorry about this business,” Cornelius said. “I almost let the bastard slip, but good thing you lot are here.”

“I’m telling you it wasn’t me,” Adam said. “I came here with Sir Harvey yesterday, and I was minding my own business when this guy came at me with his greatsword. If you don’t believe me, ask Jurot, he was right beside me the entire time.”

“The Iyrman’s with you so how can we believe you?” a Guard asked.

“True, but from what I gather, Cornelius here was chasing one guy. I’ve been with these two the entire morning, and you can ask any witness around, I’m sure they’ll tell you that I have been walking around with an Iyrman and a stalker, they’re hard to miss.”

Cornelius groaned. “There was definitely only one guy who messed up my garden, but there could have been someone else working with him.”

The other Guards appeared, having spoken to the nearby residences. The Guards chattered between one another for a moment, with a couple keeping an eye out on the five troublemakers.

“Sorry to say, but I think you’re wrong on this one, Cornelius,” a Guard said. “The witnesses say those few were walking about for a while before you came in and tried to attack them.”

Cornelius stared at Adam long and hard, then to the other two. “I think you’re right,” he eventually admitted. “He was wearing similar enough clothing, but I don’t think the colour was the same, and I don’t think he was as tall as this young man either.” He shook his head. 

“Why were you wearing your helmet anyway?” a Guard asked.

“I was about to go spar,” Cornelius said. “I was putting it on when I saw the fellow in my garden.”

The Guard nodded. “Sorry to hear about your garden, Cornelius. I’ll have a few Guards get right on that.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I’m sorry about that lad. I mellowed out in my age, but I’ve still got the fire.” He chuckled nervously. 

“It’s alright, no harm, no foul,” Adam said, not wanting the situation to escalate, in fear that they might find out he was a half elf.

“In my line of work, I know sorry don’t cut it. Tell you what, head by the Wooden Mule and tell the barkeep that Mouse has left a package for you. I’ll get it done by tomorrow noon.”

“Oh, no, that’s not necessary.” Adam chuckled nervously. “You don’t have to go that far.”

“The Guards’ll have my head if I don’t at least try,” Cornelius said, winking to the Guards. “Remember. Noon tomorrow, alright?”

“Alright, if you say so,” Adam said. ‘I can’t even leave the estate, otherwise I’ll have some weirdo over my shoulder and some random people chasing me.’

Jurot quickly bought some wood to carve, and Adam joined him to buy some herbs, before retreating for the night. He decided against making a potion, preparing for if he had managed to gain a 20 on his Omen. 

Omen: 7, 20

“Wow,” Adam said, blinking as he awoke. “Really? One day?” He smiled. ‘Seems like my luck is turning around!’

Mana: 10 -> 9
Alchemy Check
D20 + 3 = 14 (11)
Omen: 7, 20 -> 7
20 + 3 = 23

Congratulations!
1 Enhanced Healing Potion Created.
Heals for 2D6+6 HP.
XP Gained: +150
XP: 820 -> 870

Adam plucked the Thread of Fate. 

The white dragon screeched as the dwarf grabbed onto its leg, filling it with dark energy, which caused its scales to flake. The dragon retreated away from the party of four, which had almost perished under its assault, and yet it was far too weak to finish the job, giving them another chance to recover. 

“Hey, Vice Master, mind talking for a second?” Adam asked after their evening meal.

Paul stared at Adam, sighing prematurely. “Sure.” He had heard about what had happened the day before. ‘This kid, seriously.’

Once they were alone, Adam handed over the potion. “Are you willing to buy it?”

“Oh,” Paul said. “That’s it?”

“What do you mean? This is a great potion, you know? It’s an Enhanced Healing Potion, but with a little extra pizzazz.” Adam threw out some jazz hands to emphasise his potion.

“No, it’s not that. I can buy the potion from you once we’re back at the Guild.”

“Alright,” Adam said. “Though, we might use it beforehand if we need.”

“I would expect you to.”

Adam nodded his head. “Well, since I’ve got nothing else to do, I might as well get high and kick it.”

“Get high?”

“The guy from yesterday,” Adam said. “Jurot brought the package, which apparently was a lot of tea leaves, and some Moonlight Leaf.”

Paul sighed. “Just stay out of trouble, okay?”

“I always stay out of trouble,” Adam said.

Paul stared at Adam.

“I mean, when I’m not in trouble, I stay out of trouble.” He smiled innocently.

Omen: 6, 14

Adam sighed. 

He had run out of Moonlight Leaf the day before. It had provided him a decent high, one which was relaxed and eased him to sleep. He had shared it with the rest of the group, and whereas the Knights declined, the others, save for Paul, enjoyed themselves.

“Are you thinking of the Princess?” Jurot asked.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “We might be too late. I don’t like sitting here, but it’s not like we can just up and leave.” Adam had met them when he was with Sir Harvey, and he didn’t want to change that, even if the person was completely different. 

“I will pray for her fortune.”

“She’s our priority, but the heart will be nice.”

“For Mara?” Jurot asked.

Adam nodded. “My future wife must be so alone without me!” Though it was a joke, Adam’s heart was heavy. Mara was slowly dying, and Lucy had a time limit to save her. Though she had been quite a brat, she was probably hiding her pain.

“Cringe,” Jurot said.

“What?”

“Calling her your future wife, is that not cringe?”

“A little, but I don’t want to hear that from you, Baker’s husband.”

Jurot narrowed his eyes, his ears turning red.

 

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Jurot talking about cringe when he can't even ask a Baker girl out smh.

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