Paying the Price

On a large cargo boat, sailing pretty quickly through the Sinivir Iruni Sea, onboard there was a man and a woman looking out over the horizon, on the lookout for any possible trouble out at sea as they make their way to the coastal kingdom of Hargaen from the island kingdom of Alexcia from the Tamak Islands. The ship has been out at sea for a few days, but already has made significant progress thanks to some of the crew onboard that can use magic, both wind and water, to accelerate their ship. The young man, Viper Vermillion (Though prefers to be called just Vermillion), is resting on the thick heavy railing at the front of the ship, looking at the map of most of the continent, thanks to recent past trades that allowed them possession of a small world map that shows them most kingdoms, towns, and cities all over the mainland. It didn't take long for a young woman, Viviana, to come up to speak to Vermillion as she is his servant.

"This is such a nice first boat ride without running into any trouble today, isn't it Master?" asked Viviana with a smile

"Quite so, and I can't blame you to be a bit worried as well since we don't know what's out there...especially the mainland... I'm just glad that our first explorers were able to get a small map of most of the area around here, so we know what to expect." said Vermillion

"...Including mapping out the southern islands where our kingdom is, but it's not shown on the map...for obvious reasons..." said Viviana

"Are you worried that once our kingdom has been discovered that we may have issues with any possible visitors that may cause trouble?" asked Vermillion

"Yes... Especially since we're not like anyone else in the world... We're very different since we're all machines serving our creators..." said Viviana

"Indeed, but I'm sure our kingdom will be fine. We have the defenses to prevent the kingdom from falling, and everyone is well-trained to keep all of our biggest secrets under wraps." said Vermillion

"I suppose so... So we're heading to the coastal kingdom of Hargaen, correct? It has been a few days, even with the help of our Windwakers and Seawakers." said Viviana

"Yes, it has been a few days...not surprising as how long the distance is between the Tamak Islands, which the people who charted this map called them... Worry not though, as I'm sure we'll get there soon." said Vermillion

"Of course, though I have to wonder why start our merchant and ambassador duties there instead of the southern areas since it's much more shorter distance between our kingdom and the mainland? Is it because there's something rather dangerous, or..." said Viviana

"There's really no danger over at the south as there are many settlements and cities, but according to the map that most of the area is desert which, from what we've learned about them, is that the area is very dry and sandy... With such conditions, it would make things a bit more harder trying to take our 'special' baths...at least in theory... I rather not try and risk our lives going through there unless we know for sure that we can survive even in such harsh conditions..." said Vermillion

"Yes...I agreed with you, Master... I'm glad to be of great service to you..." said Viviana with a calm smile

"Aww... You give me too much credit, Viviana... This is going to be my very first merchant mission, and I'm quite nervous... Though I've received a lot of training in both trading and ambassador diplomacy along with my swordsmanship, I still worried that I may end up messing up and make the people hate us." said Vermillion

"I believe in you that you'll do a great job, Master. I'm sure that many people will love the items, tools, food, and materials that we're going to sell, since many of them are made with high quality alongside being special." said Viviana with a smile

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Yeah, now I'm getting more excited to get started." said Vermillion with a smile

"That's the spirit, Master." said Viviana with a smile

Vermillion and Viviana then continued to converse about a few more other things while the cargo ship continues to make it's way to Hargaen. It may take a bit more time, but hopefully they'll arrive soon.

Lurking in the shadows of Shepard, Serena runs through the alleys. She knew she had to rush home before nightfall. She quickly unlocked her door to her hut and walked in, sighing as she closed the door. "Man, that was close" She said as she started a fire in her fireplace.

She heard a sound outside her door and looked around. As she snuck to her door a red fire engulfed her hand. She kept it close as she opened the door to find a dove. She laughed and picked it up it pecked her hand and she laughed as she closed her door and sat down with it on her hand.

Having made it to the coast just barely before sunrise, Lilim was crashed out for the day, left under the watchful gaze of her little sister, Elesa. The 11 year old child had used her magic to carry Lilim to the shade of a canopy line at the entrance to a dense coastal forest, and made a bit of yhe grasses taller to make a nest for them. They had stayed hidden for most of the day, peace all around them while they slept.

Elesa would be awake before Lilim was, and stayed nearby so she wouldn't get lost from her big sister. She would get hungry and bored though, as children tended to do, so Elesa occupied herself with searching for some fruit to snack on and think about new ways she could use her charms. She was quite the dab hand at utility magic, healing magic, and support magic, but when it came to attack spells of her own, Elesa lacked proper force of will. She had barely gotten out of being a child slave a year and a half ago, and wasn't used to her life of freedom and being able to think for herself. She certainly prefered being asked for favors as compared to having orders barked at her, so that was a plus.

The child just had to stay close to Lilim until Sunset, then Lilim would be up and about again and could make supper and carry them to wherever they were headed next. That was assuming that Lilim didn't need to feed herself. It had already been 3 days since Lilim last fed, as far as little Elesa knew.

A couple more hours has passed as the large cargo ship that Vermillion and Viviana was on has arrived at the coastal kingdom of Hargaen safely. The cargo ship quickly and skillfully makes port as the Quartermaster rings the bell as he announces to everyone on the ship that they finished making port.

"Shore leave!" yelled the Quartermaster

Upon hearing the announcement of shore leave from the Quartermaster, the entire ship was bustling with movement with the crew getting stuff from below deck, crates filled with many things for selling such as building materials, food, weapons, tools, medicine, and specially-made merchandise that they have invented for convenience like the portable miniature cold box with plates of special ice that never melts. Vermillion and Viviana were the first to get off the ship via by crane as they unload them off along with Vermillion's large pushwagon. It's as large and heavy than it looks, but there's a bit of a special trick that can make pushing it very easy...the pushbar in the front is enchanted, and when it's used along with Vermillion's magical energy it can be made to push without too much trouble, even when climbing up hills... The first thing that Vermillion is going to do first is to go to a populated place in Hargaen in order to start selling his wares, and make friends with the townspeople, along with Viviana at his side.

As the two of them walked around Hargaen, enjoying the sights, the townspeople has already make noticed of Vermillion, Viviana, and his pushwagon as they wondered what's going on. Vermillion was wearing copper-colored armor in most places, with a bright red shirt and pants underneath it. Viviana looks like a very studious maid, wearing a beautiful outfit along with having a bit of emerald gemstones as both a brooch and arm cuffs, and has fancy black stellios. Vermillion's facial features is that he has red eyes and red short hair, and Viviana has blue eyes and forest green long hair with a long back single ponytail.

The two eventually found a good spot as they begin to set up shop by opening up the pushwagon to allow the townspeople to see the marvelous things that Vermillion has for sale.

The next day as Serena was walking around the city, she heard tell of a new merchant that had just arrived. Curious, she went to check k it out and was astounded to what she found.

As she walked up to the man she smiled, her violet eyes gleaming in the daylight. She lo9ked at his wares before nodding and walking away. She was determined to buy something, if only she had to find a way to earn coin.

Vermillion was a bit surprised at Serena leaving almost right away...believing that she doesn't have any money, but... As time went by, people continued to come in droves at what Vermillion and Viviana was selling. Everyone can see and noticed that a lot of their things are made with high quality, but what really surprised many people is how much many of the things cost. Even most common and minor things, such as small non-weapon tools, food, and some medicine can be brought with children's allowances. Of course people ask them why are their things are so inexpensive...unfortunately they can answer that question because there is a pretty big reason behind it, and it's not just because even if they ran out of wares that they can just go back to the cargo ship and get more...there's a much more bigger reason than that...

As time goes by with Vermillion and Viviana selling their high-quality wares for cheap, the news about it started to spread out quickly like wildfire, and soon more and more people continues to show up. Needless to say that they got their hands a bit full now.

"Business is really looking up~" said Viviana joyously

"Quite, but we are selling our impressive wares of all kinds for basically a steal..." said Vermillion "Of course as a couple of people keep on asking why we sell them all at such prices, we cannot tell them... I'll give us too much notoriety that eventually people will know about our home kingdom of Alexcia, something that we cannot risk having too many people come and visit...for another really important reason... Our mission...our mission to save our creators, the four Great Spirits, from their long weakening slumber..."

Staying in the background, Wren watched the bustling marketplace rather closely. He was skilled at getting around due to his own means, and masterful ability to con. He was gifted with an inherent good luck of sorts as well as a silver tongue, but he was done with what little Hargaen could supply him. This morning the young man was intrigued with a newcomer to the city. Seeming impressive and making quite a stir amongst the people was a merchant, dressed in armor no less, and in the company of a fetching woman. Inexpensive commodities in these troubled times were not something to be taken lightly, but the common folk ate it up like the starving did rations.

With a deep inhale, catching the scent of the potent brine causing him to smile softly, Wren bolstered himself, walking forward without missing a step. All cheer and smiles, he bowed, "You do a great service with your presence and wares, Sir. Miss~," he uttered, smiling warmly as he glanced towards the girl. "I hear you dismiss questions of your origin, and no matter, 'tis no one else's business, is it?" he grinned, chuckling despite himself. "However, would you be so kind to tell me, brazen though my question is, where it is you plan to venture next? I am in need of transport when your business is finished here. I would be willing to offer my services if it should please you."

With his discourse finished, he took a slight step to the side to permit the mob to continue to browse, all the while being sure not to break eye contact with the man he was propositioning.

Night time was rather uneventful in the East it seemed, as Lilim and Little Elesa were able to do their business completely unnoticed in the dead of night when Lilim is able to be awake and active and not stuck in sleep by her curse...

Elesa was able to eat a very good meal after Lilim made use of the local tavern and cooked for Elesa, rather surprised that the tavern was empty and the whole city was a ghost town at night.

Nothing to do and no one to interact with, the young Succubus and her adopted human child sister made their way to the Northern Forest, making it a personal note to warn other travelers not to head to the Eastern Port city at night. The place was too unwelcoming and Lilim did not appreciate the lack of hospitality.

(Transitioning to North Forum.)

"Oh? Is that so, sir?" said Vermillion as he then looked and locked eyes with with Viviana for a moment, but then both gave a nod of agreement afterwards "Well... Personally we don't have a destination in mind after we leave Hargaen. We were actually thinking about exploring the area around here together at our own leisure before going to the next town below called Meniot. Though I suppose if you have somewhere to go in mind that we may escort you to your destination."

Vermillion doesn't mind for people to travel along with him for both protection and portable goods, he's actually a pretty good swordsman...with a very special sword to go along with it... But at the same time he's a bit skeptical at where Wren wants to go, thinking that where it takes them into something dangerous... It is, however, only natural to think this way as this was their very first time on the mainland, away from their isolated island kingdom, so they don't know anything...or recent current events in many places around the continent... Still...

"Hopefully it's not too far... Even according to this map, the Kingdom of Tasiya is quite far that would take a few days." said Vermillion

As Vermillion continues to converse with Wren, Viviana continues to help and sell the rest of their wares. It won't be long until they're completely cleaned out, but there's more stuff on the way back at port on the cargo ship that they came in on. Although a different merchant will be doing the selling by the port as Vermillion and Viviana plans to venture out of Hargaen once their business is done.

The ship arrived in the middle of the night, perfect for Lorsch to fly off unnoticed. He took off from the crow's nest and flew into Hargaen.

To be as inconspicuous as possible, he reverted to his gnoll form in a back alley next to a tavern. His fur and robes made the night air more bearable, though he was still uncomfortable. A few minutes passed as he attempted to acclimate to his vastly different surroundings and he came out of the alley with his head draped in a hood.

"Time to come up with a plan," he thought.

After a few hours wandering the streets, Lorsch spotted some armoured men close to the outskirts of the city. He wasn't familiar with the northern kingdoms so he couldn't deduce where they hailed from. They looked like a scouting party of some sort, carefully surveying the area surrounding the nearby forest.

Lorsch observed quietly, wondering what they could possibly be doing. He didn't have to wonder much longer, however, as one of the men spoke up,

"That's a long enough break men! The witch said that the coven is somewhere in this forest and we'll be hunting until every last one of them is burning in a pyre!"

The statement made Lorsch's fur stand on end. He had heard of only one kingdom this opposed to magic users - Thesea. Tales of their brutality and military strength had reached even the farthest reaches of Hem El-Kuthra and if any of those stories were true, the witches were in for a night of many tragedies.

In good conscience, Lorsch couldn't ignore this threat; it would be an affront to the natural world to slaughter so many so indiscriminately. Once he saw the men leave, Lorsch shifted into hawk form and soared above the trees, desperate to find the coven before the Theseans.

(I'll post a copy to the Northern Forum too in case this isn't seen)

Serena was walking through the woods hunting when she heard the scouting group speak. She froze as they mentioned the cover and immediately pulled out a paper, determined to send a fire message. As she wrote on it with yer pen she though of what to write. When she was done she burned it hoping it would reach in time for them to scatter. Afterwards she continued to hunt, this time keeping extra quiet in case she was heard.

As Vermillion waited for Wren reply on where he wants to go, Viviana eventually finishes having the entire pushwagon to be remotely cleaned out by selling nearly all of their wares except for weapons...which is understandable considering that who knows what they would do with them aside from defending themselves with their weapons... Paints a pretty nervous picture in a sense... Either way Viviana told everyone about there being more stuff that they brought to sell at the marketplace, and even showed them the crest to look out for where the merchants will be setting up shop at as the townspeople started to leave. After the crowd of people were started to disappear away from the square, Viviana begins to lockdown Vermillion's pushwagon, and discreetly secured the backdoor with a magical lock that only responds to Vermillion and/or Viviana. Once that's done Viviana headed on over to see Vermillion still talking with Wren as she was about to ask where they needed to go with Wren next...but then soon one of Vermillion's crewmates on the cargo ship has came up, running up to them in a bit of a panic...

"Lord Vermillion, sir! Mistress Viviana! We have a situation that we happened to see out on the crow's nest of the ship according to one of our crewmembers." said the crewmember

"Okay just calm down and relax, and then tell us what you and the crew has noticed." said Vermillion with a calm smile

"Right, Lord Vermillion..." said the crewmember as he took a deep breathe to calm himself

"Also no need for the formalities here since we're in new lands...but it personally doesn't matter too much anyway... So then what's the situation?" said Vermillion

"We have a report that a small fire has been started to break out in a forested area in the north of the region. It's small right now, but who knows how long it would take for it to grow big to cause a massive fire." said the crewmember

"What!? That's certainly horrible news! We have to act quickly then to stop the fire before it would cause any more damage. Viviana and I will definitely take care of it right away, but first we'll need to resupply our wares since we're basically sold out on everything." said Vermillion

"Understood. I'll let the others now, so we can resupply you as quick as we can." said the crewmember

"Thank you." said Vermillion

With that the crewmember runs away, back to the docks where their cargo ship made port.

"Okay, let's go and resolve that fire situation, Viviana." said Vermillion

"Yes, Master." said Viviana

"I'm sorry, sir, but something has come up that we wish to resolve before it gets out of hand...as you've likely overheard us discussing about a small fire outbreak in the northern woods... In any case we can't accept your request for now, but if we happen to see each other again down the road, then maybe we can accept it then. Until then take care." said Vermillion

Vermillion takes his pushwagon as him and Vivian headed on over to the docks to resupply on all of their wares and materials they need...likely so that they'll be gone for a long time before coming back to see them... It took them about 30 minutes to finish with the resupplying as Vermillion and Viviana started to leave town, heading north. As their make their way there...

"A fire outbreak in the middle of the forest... It must be arson of some kind, right Master?" said Viviana

"Likely so, Viviana. I doubt there's any natural causes that would cause the fire, but even then who knows what could happen here in this new land that we just arrived in? I only hope that we can stop it...although this is basically going to be a job that only I can handle..." said Vermillion

"Indeed, but I'll support you in anyway I can somehow." said Viviana

"Thanks, Viviana, I know you will..." said Vermillion with a smile

With that the two soon arrived at the northern forest, trying to put out the fire there.

(And with that, I'll be transitioning over to the northern region. The next post will be different from the one here since it'll be unnecessary to copy and paste the largely unneeded bulk of the plot over there. Also whenever or not anyone would use this situation within their story, note that by doing so you'll definitely bump into my characters. And with that, I'll get started working on the next post over in the northern region.)