B2 – Chapter 6: The start of a city

Tristan kept silent as they traveled, spinning his essence crucible in both directions to slowly build up his essence capacity. He watched Shandra’s every movement along with Felicity to make sure that the woman did not do anything untoward or underhanded.

Shandra glanced back at him a few times, but seeing his steely gaze, returned her eyes to the front and held tight to the saddle horn.

The two traveled for several hours until they came upon a village. A small place off the side of the road, with several pens and barns. Tristan saw a handful of goatherders who were moving flocks about, but as it was mid-day, they were out in the lowlands grazing. Tristan stopped to grab a few tufts of goat wool he saw in a handful of places near rocks that comprised the fences for the pens. I can always bury these, he thought, and use my mastery over the Fey Realm to make trees or bushes that produce wool.

The day progressed onward, and Shandra turned to him. “I am beginning to get hungry.”

Tristan glanced up at Felicity atop his head, “Clearcool elixir, please.” She handed him one from the storage dimension, and he drank it down. “Thank you. Now, one for our guest.”

Felicity scowled but flew over to the woman, shoving the clay bottle into her hands before flying back to Tristan. “I don’t like her stupid face,” Felicity muttered.

Shandra looked at Tristan, “What’s this?”

“Just drink it,” he replied. “It will fully fill your stomach and sate any need for water for the whole day.”

She ripped off the leaf and drank it down, licking her lips before making a satisfied noise. “Mmm. That is tasty.”

“How far to the next town?” Tristan asked her.

“We should make it by nightfall,” she replied. “A place called The Crossroads.”

“Generic name,” Tristan muttered to no-one in particular. “We have one of those in Bhant,” he added.

Felicity tapped his head, “It’s probably where we would head east, given the directions we got.”

“That’s right,” Shandra replied. “The eastern road out of the crossroads eventually curves south and leads you to Jewel’s Point.” She looked back at the two, “If you go west you will head towards the Sapphire Bastion. Go south and you reach a vast gorge that splits the land in twain – hence why you have to travel east to go around it.”

We can check the validity of her directions in town, Tristan thought. He leaned down to Onyx, “Think you and Midnight can go a bit faster and get us there before nightfall?”

The horse whinnied, neighed, and huffed – which Midnight seemed to respond to – as both horses picked up pace.

A few hours passed and as the sun was touching the horizon they were met with the sight of buildings on the horizon. “The Crossroads,” Shandra stated. “It’s a nice enough town.”

Felicity leaned down to Tristan, whispered, “Going invisible!” and then vanished from sight to all save those of Elf blood. She scrabbled down the back of his armor, wiggled around until she was along his front, and then popped her head out of the gorget.

Tristan nodded as the horses slowed a bit. Some people were along the road with them at this point, heading into the town. “Let me guess, heading in to enjoy the tavern?”

“Yes,” Shandra replied. “They are going to drink, make merry, and swap stories. Plus, a few shops in the town center are open here in the evening for people who work outdoors all day and don’t have time to do their own cooking, weaving, and the like.” She grinned, “A proper place to stay the night.”

“Good,” Felicity said with disgust. “Then we can get rid of you.”

Shandra looked back and batted her eyelashes, “Come now, I’m not all that bad.”

“All Fallthorn want their way and are sneaky.”

Shandra shook her head, “Not me.”

“Bullshit,” both Tristan and Felicity said in tandem. Tristan kept speaking, “You wanted what you wanted in the place we traveled to. Once I ensure you are safe in an inn, I will gift you some coin, and then we part ways.”

Shandra frowned but nodded, “Fine.” She let the frown fade, “You are kind for being willing to give me funds before parting.”

Tristan ignored the comment about his generosity and focused on observing the crowd. Ah, right. I need to Disguise Form. “Felicity, mind tying my hair back in a knot?”

“Nope! On it!” she scrabbled around and he felt her moving about with his hair, pulling it taught into a topknot.

Tristan pushed the essence he had been churning through his body and recycling into his amulet, and willed his appearance to shift to that of a Human from the kingdom of Bhant; tanned skin, black hair, and brown eyes. The change seemed to catch Shandra off guard.

“How’d you do that.”

“A spell,” Tristan replied.

“But you didn’t speak! No spell gesture!”

He tapped his armor, “Trade secret. Use the money to barter passage with traders to the coast, get a ship, and travel to Yustat. I heard that the island-nation has the most prestigious essence-weaver school.”

Shandra nodded, “The Citadel of Essence. I’ve heard of it. Getting there won’t be cheap.”

Tristan rode up alongside her and pulled out his coin pouch, handing it to her. “One-hundred-forty-eight gold, ten electrum, eighty silver. Take it.” She did so, and as they arrived in the town proper, he guided Onyx to a sign for an inn, and Midnight followed. “Now, dismount.”

Shandra did so. “You are kind, Tristan. I am sorry for my rash behavior and actions.” She held up her hand, “At least this will serve as a reminder.”

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Tristan frowned, “Here we part ways. I wipe my hands of you, and my conscience is clear.” He leaned down to Onyx, “Out of town, to the east.” He looked back to Midnight, “Follow.”

Shandra vanished inside the door of the inn, and Tristan rode off, leaving the town and pushing Onyx to a gallop as they raced across the packed dirt roads and headed to the east. Only after a good thirty minutes of full-speed travel did he divert the mounts to the side of the road, push essence into his ring, and transport the group to the Fey Realm.