Chapter 303- Frost City at last (Patreon)

Frost City at last

The total area of Frost City might swallow two Limerock Cities inside and yet ask for dessert. The ruined western half of crumbling stone archways and fallen circular towers might require over four days of travel to cover the perimeter. Even from the road heading to the southern gate, Chu also spotted small groups disappearing between the ancient rubble.

Chu guided the caravan into a large open field about two hours ride from the gate. Clicking the trodding horse among the bustling travelers and passing wagons, he soon found a rare empty spot. Within a short time, they had established a crude campsite with a pair of wagons and horses.

"Frost City deserves its reputation. There must be hundreds of caravans coming and going. Not to mention the amount waiting out here. I thought the gate to enter Limerock City was bad, but this one can barely swallow the people moving here."

"Sister Miki is right. Luckily we parked on the outskirts. You won't believe the clutter I am seeing closer to the gate. If we join the line of travelers now, we might enter tonight. Don't mention the merchant line, the wagon trail stretches for miles..."

Hope said while standing on top of the caravan roof. Gazing around the bustling scene, her eyes sparkled on soaking in the sight.

Chu stroked his chin in thought.

"We should scout around for more information before deciding our next move. I prefer not to use the Tower and Military lane so as to avoid revealing our trump card. Let's find out if there are stables out here to cater for the horses and wagons. I only want to enter the city with the caged wagon with the wolves."

"Ahh, so you want to remain low profile, Chu. Should we split up and then regroup inside the city?"

Ming asked while surveying the nearby activity.

"No, I think our group is small enough. I wonder though... Lucy, have a look around. See if you spot any children carrying hay or offering help for coins..."

"I don't think I'll have to walk around, Chu."

Lucy replied while raising her finger.

A thin boy with a patch of unkempt yellow hair cautiously approached them. He paused repeatedly as if unsure of his purpose but every glance towards the wooden cage propelled him forward. Perfected from years of practice, a face of expectation greeted them.

"Greetings esteemed merchants. Is this your first visit to Frost City? If so, or even if it's not, please allow this servant to assist you. I can lead you to the best stables offering low prices to tend for your horses. Or if you're planning to tether your horses in the fields, I can find you the best deals on bundles of hay."

The boy said. If not for the subtle movement of his blue eyes, Chu might have suspected his status of a common hustler. Chu cast one look at Ming, and the elder teen took over.

"Good, good, we are in need of help. This party of adventurers can do with some assistance. We also require a few pails of water for the animals."

The eyes of the ten-year-old figure shone on hearing the words.

"For a little coin, this one can help. Older brothers must be very skilled to capture those fearsome beasts. This lowly Kite has never seen wolves such as them. Your party must have a reputable beast tamer."

"But of course. Little helper Kite has seen through my greatness. Someday, maybe you too can become an adventurer."

"Haha... thank you for your kind words. It's just that I thought the red-haired sister over there probably possessed the skills of a beast tamer. Forgive little Kite for his ignorance."

Chu laughed at listening to the conversation. Given the culture of the Empire, not even a poor child like Kite would mistake Dyna for a beast tamer. Frost City may possess a few parties with female adventurers but most of them journeyed from foreign kingdoms.

"Young Kite, your eyesight is indeed good. That redhead is indeed the owner of those wolves. Her name is also known as Dyna, while I am called Chu. I believe from your words that we both claim a mutual acquaintance. Ask away if you yet suspect us."

The eyes of the boy opened wide and then blinked as he took a step backward. A flash of suspicion crossed his eyes like a hungry beggar invited to eat at the table of a high ranking noble.

"Pardon master, but can you voice the name of this mutual acquaintance of ours?"

"Sakura, Doug, or Mr. Thomas. Do any of those rings a bell?"

***

The large field provided adequate space for travelers to rest or prepare for their journey. In the summer sun, however, it provided limited shade against the sweltering evening sun. Temporary tents or even sheets of cloth, draped from the sides of wagons, dotted the landscape.

"The gate guards change shift at dusk. Big Hamm will be on duty then. His brother leads a division of the gang in the slum district. Boss can enter into the city with the wagon without any fanfare."

"Good. Does your group outside move daily into and out of the city?"

"No, Boss. The cost to enter the city is ten silver coins. Unless the news is urgent, we usually spend our time working odd jobs and sleeping in the stables. At the end of the week, another shift replaces us while we rest at our farmhouse not far from here. Gossip and any news we overhear among the campsites are forwarded into the city by hands like Big Hamm."

"The setup saves coins but at the expense of delivery. It is good enough for now. Have you sent word to your Bosses inside?"

Chu asked the younger teen sitting beside him in the shade. Ming and the others stood or sat around him while the two younger girls skipped around the wagon. With three wolves sitting inside the cage, he held no fear of uninvited guests.

"Yes, as soon as Kite brought the news to me, I sent him to pass a message inside the gate. By now it should have arrived and been deciphered. The main reason Boss Singh sent us out here and bought the small farmhouse was to wait on your arrival. The only other group outside the city is the one working around the villas and farms outside the east gate."

"I see. Is there anything important happening inside the city? Any major news or gossips?"

"We heard a lot of adventurers talking about a new pill from the Alchemist Guild. It seems like the price has been reduced. A few of the merchants and farmers are secretly whispering about some deal concerning growing Indigo melons. If I didn't hear it for myself, I would never have believed the talk. But apparently the Tower Mages and the Governor are involved in it somehow. Merchants from the Limerock City have spoken about something called glass but I haven't seen anything to prove it. Other than smaller gossips, the only major event is the expected Autumn competition between the Ancient Houses."

"Competition?"

"Yes, every few years the Ancient Houses open their doors to competing for their valuable property. Up and coming Houses and Clans can fight for a claim or simply participate for coins. There is also a competition between houses to determine their ranking. Rumor has it that the Emperor himself sanctioned this event so as to prevent those true ancient clans from becoming as powerful as the six great ones in the Capital."

Chu listened while tapping a dry stick on the ground.

"The rumor sounds feasible. A bloody competition to oust houses can certainly prevent the rise of another strong and influential house or clan. I haven't even entered into Frost City and already know the value of claiming a stake here. Ming, head out with young Danny to leave our horses and wagon at the farmhouse. We'll only use Daisy to pull the wolf wagon inside."

"Okay, Chu. Hey, Danny, you spoke about that Indigo melons just now. So how much do they sell for?"

"Pardon Boss, but Indigo melons grow on a weed especially in the stone-ridden fields north of the city. That melon is also practically worthless. I and my team have been cursing while cleaning the small field near our farmhouse."

"I see. Curse that vile merchant..."

***

Midnight.

In a rickety wooden shack, not better than its neighbors in the heart of the slum district, a lone lamp glowed from the table. Outside, a wagon stood with the cage door open but the strange occupants remained sitting inside.

The shock of introducing Ishara to his family and also Doug and his party had worn off. Currently, the alluring yet dangerous Hakkim sat between Amanda and Lucy as they itched to begin their own discussion.

Chu gazed around at the familiar faces he called family.

"It looks like no matter how much we try, we just can't seem to rise out of poverty."

He said while twisting his lip into a wry grin.

A snort answered from the bench opposite him.

"It looks like you have forgotten about the stunt you pulled in Limerock. Don't you know how many patrols ended up lost because those demon beasts escaped the pass? You had us on edge for over a month before we got your letter. I should strangle you for taking that risk back then."

Mr. Thomas scoffed. His wife patted his arm while smiling. Mr. Thomas had initially been employed by this boy to provide training services in combat. That relation had long surpassed its objective and melded into a family. She and her husband treated these children as their own.

"Yes, but Mr. Thomas should be one of the first people to understand the benefits of taking risks..."

The boy beamed. The former Military captain felt an urge to deliver a satisfactory punch into that face. The words, however, caused him to stiffen and shiver for a second.

For some reason, that grin seemed to split even wider.

"Didn't I say we would never stand still for the world to pass us by?"

"Ah, Chu, I don't think you ever said..."

"Why are you interrupting him? You'd better not have slacked off on your training."

Mr. Thomas cut Ming across while staring at the grin.

Chu waved his hand at Ming.

The older boy disappeared from his position at the side of Chu and appeared in the space between Fole and Singh. Before Doug could twist his neck a finger brushed his earlobe.

"Oww... what the heck!"

By the time his complaint left his mouth, Ming returned to his original position while waving his finger.

"Sersen..."

****