Chapter 280- Brothers on the road (Patreon)

Brothers on the road

An open grassland didn't always mean one could gaze around till as far as the eye could see.

Like the gentle waves of a calm sea, the rolling, low undulations blocked the traveler's view depending on their location on the road. Small knolls rose like sparse little islands topped with the occasional tree. Hedges and shrubs dotted the side of the gravelly and mostly compact dirt trail that connected the inhabitants of the Empire.

"I just had an amazing idea, Chu. Do you know what this road is missing? It's missing a good tavern, that's what! Think about it, we have ridden down south for three days and not once encountered a single soul. If someone opened a tavern and inn along the road at suitable intervals, then a traveler would have a warm bed to rest each night."

"So you plan to invest in building pit-stops cross the Empire and create a monopoly of your own?"

"Well, I don't know much about pit-stops but I sure would prefer to sleep in comfort instead of a hard ground. Especially if I travel for months at a time. This morning I woke up with a stiff back, I think I rolled over a stone or something. Can you break your back on a stone? Anyways, Rugol and Stavia once worked in the tavern. I am sure they would be happy to invest some coins in this venture."

"How the heck can you roll around so much in a sleeping bag? And your idea sounds great but too many problems exist. Bandits, demon beasts, even unscrupulous mercenaries to name a few. At this time, the inns and taverns protected within the villages and towns seem like the right choice. Rest-stops in the future certainly will draw in some coins! And don't think of trying to scam others with your dreams until you think them through."

Chu glared at him while clicking the trotting horse forward. The two of them followed the straight and sometimes meandering road as it wound its way to the south. Today was the fourth morning since discovering the road when they exited the grassland. Ming rubbed his shoulder again with his right hand while throwing him a sheepish grin.

"Okay then, I understand your point. But I can't believe we actually exited on this road south of that village. It should be the one south of Karst where Sherry had once visited and found Worths. I think the road from it to the south is now open lands. Do you think the caravan passed us already?"

"I doubt it passed by before we exited into the road, but who can tell with the type of communication system we have to work with? I told Lucy to scout around the village we saw the smoke rising from the one you just mentioned. If the caravan we seek rambled through the village, she will send a message to us with Dyna. Otherwise, they will soon join us early tomorrow."

"Well, we can't do anything about it. The bird and trading post's wagons can only fly and roll about so fast to deliver messages. Ahh! You won't believe the idea which popped into my head. How about this? What if you slap some Bitzer talismans on Alecanto? You definitely wouldn't have to worry about him being eaten in the wild since nothing can stomach that iron feathered bird. I can also ask Pug to find out if the Shaman has more eggs. How about you ask Miki to loan him to me?"

"Are there any ideas that pop into your head where you don't have to aggravate others? Do you think Miki will lend you her bird after they parted for so long? And what the heck are you stopping and writing with that stick of charcoal?"

"I'm scribbling down my ideas, Chu. This way if anyone decided to come up with it, I have proof they stole them from me. To adventure the world, a man must have a full pouch of coins. If anyone steals my ideas, they need to pay me a cut or else, hehe!"

Ming replied while printing his illegible scratches on a parchment paper. Licking the end of the shared charcoal, he inspected his work and then stuffed this recorded reminder into his saddlebag. He twisted his neck to view the desolated road behind them.

"Do you think those girls will be ok?"

Chu nearly choked on the water he began drinking from his leather water-skin. Blinking his eyes, he looked at Ming as if seeing this idiot for the first time. Who did he think they left behind?

Three overpowered Sersens with mana boosting powers, and three hulking, enhanced wolves.

Only an army could cause them trouble. What this idiot should be worrying about is if the two of them encountered any predators like the swarm of vampire bats that night.

"Sorry I asked such a ridiculous question. Anyways, what are we going to do when we meet up with this caravan? Do we regroup and act like bandits?"

Chu shook his head in the negative.

"Remember you noticed we didn't meet any travelers coming up this road? I suspect our caravan is now a part of a larger contingent traveling up north. Barring the news of the Blitzer raids, it would only seem natural for merchants traveling along the same route to band together against bandits and the unknown dangers of the road."

"If that is the case, then how do we ambush them? As you said, the wolves are easily recognized and a large convoy will make it difficult for us to fight and win."

"Let's see first. After we find them and gather information, we can decide when and how to strike."

***

The sun had yet to disappear over the western horizon when the two teenagers found a suitable campsite beside the road. In this shallow valley, a small but isolated pool sparkled in the setting sun.

"Hey, what do you plan on doing?"

"I'm going to take a bath. Didn't you always complain about how un, unhygienic I was?"

"Hey, you stupid idiot. This is not a babbling brook. Do you want us to fill our water skins with your smelly sweat? Full the pouches first and then go sponge off away from the pool."

Chu chastised as he scrutinized the banks of the clear pool before kneeling down to fill his water pouch. By avoiding stirring up the clay at the bottom, clean water gurgled into his water pouch. Although the pool was shallow and not wide, he still remained alert. Part of it disappeared into a small stone arch hidden by bracken and grass. Upon closer inspection out of curiosity, he found to be dry.

Apparently the ancient road pavers decided to show off their skills in creating a yard high, unnoticed, small bridge. Over the years it had filled up with washed gravel and stones. At least, the banks of the pool did not appear disturbed with the little footprints and trails of natural predators.

"You know, Chu. I think I found a true question for a sage to contemplate. Look how isolated and out of the way this pool is, and yet it has little thumb-sized fishes zipping around. Where did they come from? How did they arrive here? Remind me to bring this up whenever we encounter Tye again. I'll show him who is the real simpleton..."

Chu ignored this fellow who held a grudge and completed his task. Once complete, he quickly started a fire and then tended the horses before sponging himself to remove the sweat and grime from traveling. He also placed a small pot over the fire and emptied the gathered water from the pouch.

When given the opportunity, he had turned this practice into a habit. Who knows how recent a traveler of Ming's disposition soaked in the pond. Munching on his rations, he kept guard until Ming finished changing his clothes he wore under his armor. The grizzled teen grinned while removing a wooden flask after sunning out his recently washed garments.

"What is that?"

Chu asked on witnessing the older boy wrestle with the wooden stopper.

"Haha, this is a drink I saw Jim make. You take eggs and mix it in with milk and honey. It tastes good when cold but beggars can't be choosers."

"Eggnog?"

"I don't know if that's the name. I stole some milk before I joined you on the road from one of the cows Dyna brought to the farm. Luckily, I escaped before Clod caught me. I wanted to drink it, but then Miki and Dyna found those pheasants. I searched around and discovered their nest with a few eggs. Then I just cracked them all in and swished the mixture all together."

Chu twisted his mouth to form a face of disgust before questioning this companion.

"By any chance did you drink from that already?"

"I did have a sip when I made it but somehow it tasted bad. Maybe because I didn't add any honey? It's been curing to perfection all this time, so it should be ready."

"Cure my ass...do you even know how to make eggnog?"

Chu growled while making a grab at the flask. No wonder this idiot complained about having diarrhea on this trip. How the heck could this be eggnog? This fool actually wanted to drink this concoction which had been festering under the heat of the sun for the last few days. Wasn't he seeking death?

Wrestling with Ming, Chu glared at him. How many timed did this idiot use shortcuts to replicate a good thing?

In the middle of their scuffle, Chu slapped the flask away as it hurtled away.

"Ahhh! Why did you do it? I would have shared a sip you know?"

"So you want to kill me too? Have you never questioned as to why Sue never let you bear her kitchen?"

Chu retorted. Before he could continue, the sounds of galloping hooves approached from the south. Both of them quickly inspected their armor and weapons while standing guard beside the horses. A group of four riders appeared from behind the bend and on spotting them, slowed to a trot. This act by the strangers eased their wariness a little.

Basic road etiquette stated that riders in groups should slow their speed on approaching strangers on the open road. This simple action coupled with a complete stop before hailing out the opposite party from a suitable distance dispersed the initial thoughts as bandits. Of course, bandits also used this approach so as to drop the guard of their targets. For now, the arrivals halted with enough distance between both parties.

"Hail, travelers. We are the scouting vanguard for a merchant convoy. What travels brings you here?"

"We are young adventurers on the road. The guild issued tasks for willing adventurers who can scout the roads and report on any sightings of demon beasts. My brother and I decided to take the quest for the one on this south road. We found this campsite and plan to return to Karst to collect our coins."

Chu walked out while replying. With their weapons sheathed, these four men didn't prove a threat from this distance.

"Well met. What news do you have?"

One of the scouts quickly inquired. Although young, these adventurers possessed horses that meant they came from worthy origins. Most importantly, they held valuable news about the current situation. As scouts, they would never belittle adventurers because of age. The men dismounted and approached while guiding their horses.

"Seniors can rest assured. So far we have not witnessed any signs of the vile demon beasts on the grasslands. As for further north, the word is the Military has the situation under control."

Chu replied. Three of the men had hardy and tanned features representative of long-distance travelers. The robe of the short and plumper figure betrayed his occupation as a priest. The travelers gathered around the small fire. After a brief conversation instigated by Ming, the tension of both parties dissipated.

"I say, brothers, what kind of caravan requires four of you to scout the roads?"

"Haha, brother Rover knows the open road the best. Because of the demon beast raids, most of the merchants have decided to travel together. We have around two hundred merchants and peddlers with nearly one hundred combined guards and mercenaries."

"That's a large convoy! Elder brothers sure have it hard though. How did you manage to pick this more dangerous task while knowing demon beasts might be prowling?"

One of the guards snorted while another made a wry smile on hearing the grizzled bearded teen.

"Unfortunately, the largest merchant convoy belongs to an ignorant noble. Because of this, the smaller merchants and their guards can only follow their orders."

"Tsk, tsk! They must hold a high standing to flex their power in these difficult times."

"Brother Rover truly speaks like an experienced adventurer. They belong to House Gofart, a large merchant family in Frost City. Brother Rover must be careful not to show them a bad face if you ever cross paths."

"Thank you, Senior brothers, I will remember this worthwhile advice..."

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