Chapter 108 – Spiritwood Grove (VI)

Chapter 108

Spiritwood Grove (VI)

We didn’t change our direction even after getting the news of the Spiritwood Grove; rather than aimlessly heading northeast, where the region’s largest forest was located, we continued north and came to the town of our destination within a day and a half.

I’d expected a relatively smaller town, perhaps two or three thousand strong, but it turned out to be closer to an actual city than that. It had tall walls, at least ten feet at the lowest point, a rather long line of people going in and out, some jutting rooftops of buildings and towers peeking from behind the walls, and even an active array that seemed to ‘ground’ anyone who tried flying.

Or, well, that’s so at least according to Long Tao’s casual remark.

Not wanting to draw any attention to ourselves, we found the line for the entry and waited. I prepped a few Spirit Stones as a bribe, as it’s not like we could show our identification tokens from the Spirit Sword Sect, which means that we couldn’t prove our identity either way, so I could only hope that the good ol’ Spirit Stones would get us in.

Luckily, the day was fairly cloudy and far cooler than the few days prior, with temps peaking out at eighty, tops. Because of that, despite waiting in line for over an hour, it wasn’t too bad. I mean, it was bad, but not even the worst of the times I’ve stood in line.

Not even close.

Like the one time in Prague during my travels when I needed a document from a local bureau, and I accidentally didn’t come at the crack of dawn but instead at the ungodly late hour of 9 in the morning. Stood there like a sheep with the rest of ’em ’till 3 before finally getting to the counter and getting my piece of paper.

I still rage occasionally just thinking about it.

Anyway, within an hour, it was our turn. As we reached closer, we could see more of the town beyond the gates; immediately past them, a street split what looked to be your standard ‘commercial’ area in two–left side looked to be full of inns and restaurants and such, while the right side was your blacksmiths and jewelers and so on.

The gates were guarded by six people, though only three seemed to be in charge of greeting the people either way: one for those leaving and two for those coming.

“Purpose of your visit and number of people in your party?” I’ve already drawn up a story (with the kids’ blessings) and quickly put on my pitiful face.

“My children and I are merchants,” I said. “But on our way to the town, some bandits intercepted us. We thought we were done for when another group of bandits showed up! While they started to fight, we just barely managed to sneak out and run away… the five of us have come here with the hope of restocking our supplies in the long run, but primarily for safe haven.”

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“Bandits, again?” The man grumbled, frowning under the iron helmet. From the sounds of it, we weren’t the first.

It made sense.

Some were bound to escape and run here, especially if they were close by.