Chapter 113 – Chance Meeting
Suffice to say, everyone was very interested in swapping stories around the fire, and there was quite a bit of drinking going on. While none of the soldiers who remained in the fort were fool enough to try their hand at seducing me, I did notice some of the others getting quite a bit of attention. I didn’t interfere, of course, but I made sure my pets knew that it was their choice on whether or not to take any of the offers. None of them were inclined to accept, probably because I made sure all my pets were regularly satisfied.
On the morning of the 15th, we waited long enough for the exchange guards to head back to their fort. Well, I also wanted to see the returning soldiers get their ‘just deserts’ as Lieutenant Mare gave them the taunt I suggested yesterday evening. Once the laughter died down and the soldiers blushes began to fade, we took our leave, and crossed the Stoneway Span.
Looking closer, I saw that the Span was made of magically shaped stone, creating a solid bridge which arched slightly, to share the load between the two end points, and make it stronger. The bridge was five meters wide, with stone railings on either side, but it was nearly seven meters thick at the center, and closer to twenty at either end, making the arch very strong. I wouldn’t trust Frostmaw at his full size on it, but it would have no problem with a merchant caravan and their guards crossing from either side at the same time.
In the Skeleton Stand, Lieutenant Jamys spoke with us briefly, describing the road to Coldpeak. Granite Pointe was a mining town half a day’s ride from the Stand. However, we should count on spending the night there, as skeletal undead infest the mountains, coming from the underground labyrinth of Khav Zonzar, a fallen Dwarven kingdom that used to rule Berngron Hold, before tragedy befell them centuries ago. Now, the Hold stood alone, and the fallen kingdom regularly unleashed undead from its halls. Never too much, or too strong, but enough that traveling at night was unwise, and one needed to keep on guard along the road.
There was some talk that fallen kingdom may have become some kind of dungeon, like the Necropolis of Akkras had been, but none had ever ventured far enough into the ruins to discover the truth. At any rate, entrances to the underground kingdom popped up all throughout the mountains, meaning the entire road from Skeleton Stand to Coldpeak faced random encounters with the undead. Nothing too terrible, though. From his description, it was basically the equivalent of dealing with goblins or bandits in different parts of Windwater Barony. Something you planned for, but didn’t worry overmuch about, unless something happened, like a Goblin Lord appearing.
From Granite Pointe, we would head through the mountain passes to Blackward, which was a fortified settlement used as a waystation on the road, and then on to Blackstone, which was a village marking the descent into the more fertile areas of the Crownlands. From Blackstone, it was a day’s ride to Grimborough, and then, if everything went perfectly, we would arrive at the capital of Coldpeak late on the ninth day. More likely, we would need to stop at Trademouth, a couple hour’s ride on horseback from the capital, though it was half a day by cart. So, early on 22nd Telvast was when we expected to hit the city. Though there was always the risk of delays in the passes, if weather proved troublesome.
Thankfully, the trip proved to be mostly boring. We came across some mindless undead on the road, but they were easily dispatched. They were attracted by the presence of living beings, but did not have enough awareness to recognize that most of the group were in Tier 2. Monsters with more intelligence would have backed off, and looked for easier prey. Instead, we did our part in clearing out the undead as we descended to the Crownlands proper.
The Crownlands of Dascora were the largest part of Dascora under undivided rule, and the only one that could be considered self-sufficient, in terms of food and raw materials, which made sense, considering that it was Dascora that united the other minor kingdoms into a unified defense against the theocracy. Of the six baronies under Dascoran rule, they ran in size, from smallest to largest, as such: the Northern Reaches, Highfrost, Shadescar, Ravenharbor, Windwater, and Longfield. However, while Windwater was primarily agricultural, Longfield was devoted more towards livestock and fishing rather than growing crops. They still grew enough to feed their people, of course, and sell their fish and cattle on to others, but the land was ill suited for major farming.
However, all the baronies of Dascora needed something from the other baronies. In Windwater’s case, the fertile lands made for poor mining and quarrying. Stonebreak, and the Coldstone Quarry provided enough metal and stone for Windwater’s essentials, but they were all basic stone and iron. If we needed any higher-quality materials, they needed to come from elsewhere. And Windwater was poor in materials for enchantment, and the components used to make the special ink required for spellbooks and magic scrolls, and so on. The barony could survive on its own, but it only prospered because of trade with the other baronies.
We made good time, but, as expected, we had to spend the night at Trademouth on the 21st, because there was only so much room on the roads, and everyone who had food or goods to sell was bringing them to the city, knowing that with everyone coming to celebrate the King’s Anniversary, there would be plenty of people looking for food or sundries, and everyone who had some coin would be looking to spend a bit of it. And trying to clear the road so that we could pass at a couple junctures would have taken as much time or more, and only given people reason to curse the nobility.
The Randy Bard Inn was the best inn in the village of Trademouth. That wasn’t saying much, of course, but it did have rooms for rent, and was of a level that a Baroness heading to the Capital wouldn’t draw a scandal just from stepping inside. Of course, I didn’t really need to stay at the inn, but there were political considerations there. Avoiding local businesses on my way made me look cold and unapproachable, which could be weaponized against me, if someone wanted to stir dissent. And dealing with that dissent might distract from more important things. A few gold coins was a paltry sum to ensure I simplified future problems.
Of course, with travelers from across Dascora heading to Coldpeak, it was only a slight surprise that I ran into more nobles as I sat in the common room for a snack and a sip. Well, a snack and sip for me, but it would be a full meal to the Tier 1s around us. At any rate, as I was about to sip my ale, a well-built man and several retainers walked over to the corner of the common room my people had taken over, and asked to join us.
Aymon Highfrost
Human Male
Level 27 Fighter / Commander
Titles: Stoic One, Ruthless, Survivor, Baron, Giantslayer
Baron Aymon Highfrost was my neighbor to the north, as I recalled. A good portion of Windwater’s excess produce went to his lands, and more metal and stone came down the river to us. He must have traveled through the Dark Path dungeon, which connected Highfrost Barony to the Crownlands.
“Why Baron Highfrost, of course you can join us!” I said, pleasantly. “I hope the journey through the Dark Path was not too troublesome? You clearly have the levels and the combat experience to handle it, but one needs always respect the dangers of a dungeon, and its monsters, or you’ll wind up falling prey to them.”
“Hah!” The baron laughed. “In Highfrost, we learn early on that danger is everywhere, and not to take things lightly. That is why every man, woman, and child old enough to unlock their Status from the Voice of the World has been required to devote at least one skill point to a weapon skill, no matter their class through the Voice of the World, or whether they be noble-born, free beings, or slaves. The Dark Path may only be a Level 5 to 15 dungeon, but we still treat it with the caution and respect it deserves every time we make the crossing.”
His eyes focused on me. “I was eager to meet you, Baroness Pureheart, though I did not expect our meeting to be a chance encounter in a tavern. I’ve been following your career in Windwater with some interest, especially of late.”
I sighed theatrically. “Well, when I took up the position of Baroness, I wished to make things better, and the best way to do that was the simple, boring work of repairing all the messes the old Baron left behind. Then, several things happened in quick succession, and I’ve just went along with them. Though, with the first crop of militia members getting trained, I’m hoping that, in time, all of Windwater’s people will be better prepared to defend themselves. They won’t be an army, of course, but if we’d had more souls with real combat training at Stonebreak, more of the good people we lost might still be with us.”
The baron nodded. “A fine attitude to have. One that too few nobles have, especially when they have as many successes under their belts as you do. Longchaser, especially, could stand to learn a thing or two from you.”
“I’m sure that there is much Longchaser would wish to get from me, but teaching is not it. I fear that the man is constitutionally incapable of looking at a situation without first considering cost and gain. And after my party and I eliminated the growing threat in the Necropolis of Akkras dungeon, which required destroying the dungeon itself, he was very upset with me, because his money was affected.”
“True, true,” Highfrost nodded. “But you have just returned from abroad, no? Surely you have tales to tell?”
I grinned at him, and said, “I could tell some tales, it is true. But I worry some of them might be too graphic and bawdy for such sensitive ears as yours. Would not want to put you off your appetite, no?”
“Oh, now you’re teasing me, Pureheart!” Highfrost grinned. “I would love to hear any story you have to tell, and I think I can provide a few of my own, either of battle, or the kind you’re talking of. But perhaps the common room of an inn is not the best place for such a discussion? Even if I have no qualms hearing such stories, there’s the reputation with the masses to consider, you know.”
“Sadly true, I must admit. But if it is only the threat of eavesdroppers who are not bound by magic or loyalty to your name or mine, then perhaps I could offer you Hospitality, this evening. As you may know, there was an item that parties who ventured into the Necropolis of Akkras could obtain, called the [Spiritual Retreat], which I have already secured permission from the innkeeper to set up in one of the paid rooms upstairs. At my current level, the retreat will easily support the two of us, and our entire entourages.”
“Even the dragon sitting on your shoulder?”
I nodded once. “Even Frostmaw, at his true size, will fit comfortably in the [Spiritual Retreat]. And eavesdropping across dimensional boundaries is not something that any rogue can do before Tier 2, and that would be a rare skill indeed, even at those levels. So, what we discuss in there would be easy enough to keep from spreading, if you wish. And the bath there is simply magical.”
“Then let us retire, my Lady, so that I can hear this tale of yours.”