Morning light filtered through the windows of the Olive Branch Inn, casting pale bands across the dining area. The smell of breakfast had already filled the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behind the counter, Falla worked over the morning meal. Her reddish hair was tied into a tight bun, with a few loose strands resting around her pointed ears. Her bright blue eyes remained fixed on the dishes in front of her as she moved methodically between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elven bread sat on a wooden platter, its surface brushed with honey. Beside it was a serving of spiced venison, accompanied by boiled eggs. The combination of savory meat, warm bread, and sweet honey filled the inn with an inviting aroma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvion, the Vend proprietor, carried the plates from the counter to the table. He placed one in front of K-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBreakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 picked up the plate. \u201cThank you, Alvion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvion set the remaining plates in front of Seralyth and Gorbluth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d Seralyth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMuch appreciated,\u201d Gorbluth added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvion looked at K-10 and shook his head with a grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou certainly put on a spectacle last night with Tomand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 continued examining his breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI accomplished my objective of assessing the Darvenim\u2019s combat ability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alvion stared at him for a moment. There was a brief silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell\u2026 alright!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 did not respond. His eyes moved across the dining area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 considered the events of the previous evening. Following their sparring match, Tomand had consumed a considerable quantity of ale. Given the amount of alcohol the Darvenim had consumed, K-10 concluded that he was probably still asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 shifted his attention to Seralyth. She sat quietly at the table, her movements slower than usual. Her expression was subdued, and there was a noticeable lack of her usual alertness. After observing her for several seconds, K-10 concluded that she appeared to have consumed too much ale as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His attention moved to Gorbluth. The goblin merchant looked no better. His eyes were partially narrowed, and his usual energetic demeanor had been replaced by the unmistakable appearance of someone dealing with the consequences of excessive drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 recalled that he had consumed several drinks himself. Yet he felt no effects from the alcohol. There was no dizziness, impaired coordination, or change in his perception. Nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 considered the difference. His indestructible body had probably played a part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked toward Seralyth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you operational for today\u2019s activities?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth slowly lifted her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf by operational you mean alive, then I am half.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth laughed, but the laugh immediately turned into a groan as he lowered his head and pressed a hand against his forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt should be fine. We are only going to conduct some observation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s long ears suddenly perked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObservation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you and Seralyth going to observe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 remained silent for several seconds as he considered the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth had proven useful since they had met. His Detection Affinity had revealed information about the weapons used by the assassins, information that K-10 could not have obtained through conventional examination. He had also traveled with them and demonstrated that he could keep sensitive information to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at Seralyth. She gave no indication that she objected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After several seconds, K-10 made his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He could trust Gorbluth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a seal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA seal?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeralyth and I encountered it in the Black Forest of Geldanos. The seal was weakening. We repaired it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He paused before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe believe there may be another weakening seal here in Ansell-Vend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s ears remained upright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou believe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do not know its location yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 continued, \u201cBut there is another factor. Before we reached Ansell-Vend, Seralyth and I encountered several assassins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s expression became more serious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Agents of the Veil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCorrect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth slowly nodded. He remembered the items he had appraised for K-10. The weapons had revealed impressions of their previous owners and fragments of what had happened to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visions had shown bloodshed, the barren lands of Shalne-Tadd, a hooded man giving orders, and an assassin driving a weapon into K-10 before K-10 killed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI remember,\u201d Gorbluth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe the seal and the assassins may be connected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d K-10\u2019s answer was immediate. \u201cI have insufficient information to establish a connection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth sat back and considered what he had been told. Then his eyes shifted toward Seralyth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is something else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth pointed a finger toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI suspected this was more than a simple visit when you made such an effort to disguise yourself before entering Ansell-Vend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn elf doesn\u2019t go to that much trouble to hide her identity without a reason. Is it not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth looked toward Gorbluth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are correct. I had no intention of returning to Ansell-Vend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut repairing the seal is important. I cannot ignore that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth stroked the small hairs on his chin before lowering his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI understand. But these seals\u2026 what exactly are they sealing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeralyth and I do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s expression tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 took another bite of the elven bread before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we do know what may happen if they fail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe surrounding area could suffer disastrous damage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goblin\u2019s ears lowered slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDisastrous damage?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have already seen the effects of what happened in the Black Forest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked toward her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeralyth would not want that to happen here in Ansell-Vend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth met his eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 continued, \u201cThat is why I chose to go with her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth remained silent as he absorbed everything K-10 had told him: the seals, the assassins, and the danger of allowing one to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His fingers returned to the small hairs on his chin. Then his eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere may be a connection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth lowered his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Northern Forest has been experiencing problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat kind of problems?\u201d K-10 asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHostile enchanted beasts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth looked toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHostile?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNormally, the creatures of the Northern Forest are docile. Gentle, even. But recently, many have become aggressive. They have attacked travelers, hunters, and merchants along the northern trails.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Northern Forest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked at K-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe location of the weakening seal is there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven what you have told us, observing the forest is now paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 was about to continue when a chair beside him moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand sat down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 examined him. Tomand\u2019s rust-colored hair was neatly braided, his beard was properly well kept, and his armor had been cleaned and serviced. He looked as though the night of drinking had not affected him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood morning, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood morning, Tomand,\u201d Seralyth said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth raised a hand in greeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMorning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand looked around the table. The serious expressions on everyone’s faces caught his attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAm I interrupting an important discussion?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were just feeling the effects of last night\u2019s ale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLarge quantities of ale were had last night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked around the table before his attention settled on K-10. Tomand leaned toward him, then closer, examining K-10\u2019s face with intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 remained completely motionless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand leaned back slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou look fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand continued studying him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlmost as if you hadn\u2019t drunk at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at Tomand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you impressed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes. I am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI should probably never ask you to a drinking contest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth looked at Tomand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you always drink that much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo. I don\u2019t enjoy it that much. Despite what others may have heard about the Darvenim.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth gave a quiet chuckle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter our spar, I felt accomplished. And I still have a long journey back to Tharsis ahead of me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked down at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen the opportunity to relax presents itself, I take it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth turned his attention toward Tomand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat brings you to Ansell-Vend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClan business.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand took another bite of breakfast before continuing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am from a smaller clan based in Tharsis, the capital of Darven-Imus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cClan Skarn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCorrect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand set his utensils down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI came here to distribute orders of Lunarium ingots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth\u2019s eyes immediately sharpened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLunarium?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat quality?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe highest quality produced by Darven-Imus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth leaned forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the price?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand gave him the figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth considered it carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat is a competitive price.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand looked at Gorbluth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about you? You are a merchant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He reached into his clothing and pulled out a small card bearing the emblem of the Golden Scales Company of Grun\u2019Dor. He handed it to Tomand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand accepted the card and examined it with interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Golden Scales Company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He carefully tucked the merchant card away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand finished his breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am leaving this morning. I need to start the journey back to Darven-Imus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long will the journey take?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbout a month.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that I have finished my distribution, I may just take my time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand looked toward K-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long are you staying in Regel-Sete?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe, too, are just taking our time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, we will be visiting the Northern Forest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand considered this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am traveling in that direction before heading west.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at K-10 and Seralyth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can travel with me until we reach the Northern Forest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 looked at Seralyth. She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat would be helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 turned back to Tomand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe agree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen it is settled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stood from the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was good meeting you, Gorbluth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was good meeting you as well. I hope your journey goes well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He picked up his belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 and Seralyth stood from the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomand looked toward the inn\u2019s entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should get moving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
K-10 nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seralyth adjusted her equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three of them left the table and headed toward the entrance of the Olive Branch Inn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gorbluth remained seated and watched them leave. The door closed behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked down at his unfinished breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother long day. Is it not!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Morning light filtered through the windows of the Olive Branch Inn, casting pale bands across<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4530","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4530"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4539,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4530\/revisions\/4539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}