Finally the end of their journey was nearby, the icy bits her e and there were proof of this southern land. It really was cold, especially when it snowed. Just one more day and they would reach ‘Pyron’. One of the three major big city of Eldoris kingdom.
Damian had used up all his ink, paper and parchment supplies and now he only had books and people to entertain him and save him from boredom and endless annoying swaying motion of the ship.
Sam had managed to learn at least the basics of some characters and could somewhat guess what a written word meant, he now just needed a vocabulary to get going. Yet it would take a lot of time before he could teach him what electricity really is.
Damian liked spending most of his time talking to the pathfinders and the lady leader specially. She had explained him how most pathfinders who were not knights or did not serve under any lords made their living. Mostly it was about various odd jobs and mercenary work, but with specific talents one could sell their services for a price.
Like an Esper with a resource searching or tracking ability or a pugilist in day to day building and digging and other 100 jobs. Nothing ground breaking but she was just making a point of how one did not have to serve lords to make a living.
The example she liked giving the most of was of Runesmiths and Enchanters. Seeing Damian’s talent she was encouraging Damian to pursue one of those careers and open his own shop. She said that a respectable Runesmith was more valuable to the city than 10 pugilists put together.
Damian had to agree but he wanted to see more of the world and understand the people and places better before going that route.
“What about the upcoming war..?” Damian asked once Andrea had finished one of her big speeches explaining importance of steady work.
“The border skirmishes..?” The spearman asked.
“Yes. I heard they really are going to fight it out…” Damian said to the group of pathfinders which were keeping watch.
The spearman with their leader were this side of the ship while the pugilist and the mage boy were at the other end.
“If they really do go to war that will be a big opportunity for earning credits..” Andrea said.
“A lot of warrior type pathfinders and hedge knights will be swarming to Eldoris and Ashenvale…” The spearman added.
“Not just those.. All kinds of Runesmiths and enchanters with merchants with runic tools from all around the realm will be following along too..” Andrea added.
“It’s good for the business huh..?” Damian joked.
“Well it’s good that gods have gives us stupid rulers and petty lords.. Without which we fighting folk would have no future..” Andrea replied with a smile.
“Ashenvale is really taking advantage of the Empire’s insistent attacks huh…” The spearman wondered.
“Did they form an alliance with the Empire..?” Andrea thought aloud.
“No, it’s something they are doing on their own.
If they form alliance with Ashenvale then Eldoris could call for it’s neighbor Dawnstar which is also in the same position, and if they split in two groups Faerunia could just trap the Ashenvale on land and water without giving it a choice and I don’t think they would just forget the Empire and join them after all the annoyance Empire has caused.” Damian explained his thoughts.
“Yeah, if they go that far and split in two even the Highswords might get involved and could just destroy the Empire like punishing an ill-behaving child..” The spearman laughed aloud with that Damian and Andrea also smiled.
The war effort if true could provide for a chance to earn a name for themselves to various warriors and groups o fighters. Damian did not like unnecessary killing but if price was right and the people fighting were glory fanatics and fools, he might think about it.
Earning credits and doing feats that make you famous was a wet dream for all young nobles and pathfinder warriors to gain power and recognition in the whole realm. The realm was peaceful for over a 100 years now with just a little border skirmishes here and there. The Empire sure had riled up some hidden desires of people to go and grab what wasn’t theirs.
Whoever wins or losses, the power balance will be broken. If Eldoris gets whole of Ashenvale, it could rival both Empire and Dawnstar plus Faerunia alliance becoming a major threat in the realm. If Ashenvale gets Eldoris they most likely join in with the Empire and the others will have no chance at all against them.
And for a peaceful transition even Highswords would not interfere at that point and see Empire and Faerunia seamlessly dividing the rest of the realm.
Damian yawned. Getting bored of thinking about useless world affairs. He didn’t care who won or lost, he just needed an opportunity to make some serious money and find a peaceful place to set up his research lab and live comfortably doing research and making all kinds of cool things.
More than weapons, Damian was interested in making modern world items and concepts that the scientists of earth could not do because of lack of technology. But for him to reach that level he would need to make the necessary basic tools and things. Tons of quality materials and lots of time was what he wanted nothing else.
Returning to his cabin Damian found the lazy assistant boy trying to make a sense of the book he had given him for light reading. Damian was glad to see that he was at least putting an effort.
“I see you are using your time productively…”
“I swear to unforgotten gods, people have made this thing unnecessarily complicated..”
“You will get used to it..”
“That’s what I am afraid of… Can you imagine an honest man using ‘Hence I conclude’ type of words to explain himself..? That would be the end of the world I tell ya..” Sam rolled out of the bed and closed the book standing up.
“Be prepared we will reach Pyron tomorrow afternoon, most likely..”
“Yeahh! Finally… I am tired of staring at icy blue water all day long..” Sam said getting excited.
“Now listen, I know that you might already know this but just in case I have to remind you. Never talk about what happened or where we came from to anyone at all. Not even in a joke or in conversation with each other.
There shouldn’t be anyone looking for us this far south but we have to be cautious for a month or two before we know for sure that no one is behind us…” Damian tried to convey it with as much seriousness as he could muster.
“Woah..! Isn’t that a bit too much..? But okay I get it.. It will be as you say..” Sam promised.
Eating dinner with everyone Damian and Sam walked around on the deck for a while discussing their plans for the future. Damian had already told him all about the war and the history and everything he knew about Eldoris. Damian had realized after living with him for more than a week that he wasn’t as stupid as he behaved.
Actually he was far smarter than any kid Damian had met in this world except maybe Lucian, but she was a serious type so it was unfair to compare. However he was definitely smarter than that siscon Faerunian prince.
The next afternoon their ship arrived at Pyron harbor, stopping among tens of other ships of all sizes and insignia’s. Empire ships really were everywhere, even though they were fighting at every border they were shameless enough to continue all trades. Well maybe it was the royalty of these kingdoms who wanted to continue trade, who really knew for sure..?
“Well then, We will be staying here for a while.. You sure you don’t wanna come…?” Damian asked the group of pathfinders who were there to see them off.
“Yeah.. We kinda took money for return journey in advance and drank booze with it.. I hope we meet again little Runesmith..” Andrea said smiling at Damian.
“Remember there is always a place for you if you wanna join us..” The spearman offered again. They were asking Damian to join them for days now. He had politely declined each time just like he did this last time also.
“Well then, farewell handsome. Until we meet again..” Andrea winked and smiled at Damian while petting Sam’s head and ruining his hair.
Damian was confused for a second but then he laughed it off, she must be just teasing him. Sam on the other hand slapped her hand away and pouting his chubby cheeks while fuming with comical anger moved forward, Damian also nodded one last time at the group and followed his little assistant to the city of Pyron.
Damian did not know what fate had in store for him here but just like everything else before this he will make it through and thrive.