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  Dennis nodded with this then turned and motioned us to follow him into the back.

  “This is my storage room. It has my entire stock in it. Hand me your short sword.” I did as requested. “Damn fine work this, not even sure what metal it is made from, the smith was a master. I guarantee it. I am a decent smith and do fine work, but what I have for sale is not nearly as fine as this.” He handed the blade back and I placed it in the ring on my belt.

  “I am sure whatever you can offer will more than suffice,” I reassured Dennis.

  “Hmmmm... For the lad. Let me see...” We went into the storage room and on the right was a rack of swords. Some short some long. He picked out a two and a half foot thin sword and handed it to Donnie. “Run out back, there are a few dummies thru that door. Swing it around and come back when you got a feel for it. Understand if you like it, it’s an offense weapon only. It will break easily if hit hard by another weapon. Wait… take this shield too, equip it while you swing, they are a squire set.”

  Donnie eagerly ran out to the back practice yard. I face palmed and dragged my hand from my forehead to my chin. Damn lad was so excited I was surprised he didn't trip and kill himself.

  “Ah, the joys of youth...” Dennis commented. “That is the best sword for him. We used to have a bowyer in the village but he passed near the end of the war. His wife sold me all his stock.” We moved over to the bow section of the storage room. “You interested in a bow yourself, or for the boy?”

  I looked at the rack, there were forty bows and hundreds if not thousands of arrows.

  “I don't want a bow myself, not enough power for the effort. I can throw pikes as fast and as far as an archer can shoot an arrow.” I said with an effort to avoid sounding conceited.

  “Magical strength. Legends of old tell of men that could accomplish such feats. No surprise with your stature and odd origins. Bow for the boy?” Dennis asked as he ran his hands over the tops of the unstrung bows.

  “May I see the pikes?” I asked and he nodded. We moved to the section of the wall where long weapons were kept. I saw greataxes, halberds, and pikes on this rack. “May I grab some of these to test in the back?”

  “Of course, let me get a cart real quick.” He apparently saw the hunger in my eyes at more than a single weapon. A moment later he returned with a long very narrow cart. I loaded that thing to its carry capacity. All the straight and well made long weapons were taken into the back.

  I strolled out of the storage room and into the training yard. Donnie was swinging the sword from earlier at a dummy. His chops, stab, and swings were in need of work. Still, he was determined and focused. Easy to train someone with those traits. Hire a weapon master trainer guy... Added to the list.

  Dennis rolled out my test weapons onto the training yard. The greataxe had me the most excited; it was almost as tall as I was. The training dummy I lined up on was a tree trunk buried upright out of the ground. Chunks were missing from it where others had used it. It was a sturdy thick tree, it would handle a full greataxe swing no problem. I hefted the weapon and got a feel for its balance. It was a bit heavy but as I spun it to let it flow around my body it balanced itself. The dual sided axe heads had an even feel to them telling me both sides used the exact same amount of metal. The shaft was perfectly circular and straight. I was calmly spinning it around and getting used to the weight. The grip was tightly bound leather that gave my hands a nice solid grasp. I twirled it for a few minutes and became comfortable with the weapon.

  I wanted to see how it reacted when it struck something solid. Would it flex as the wood pushed back, would it reverberate and leave my hands numb? I wondered how it would hold up to a strong defense such as a shield. I gave it a full swing into the training pole. The head sunk deep into the wood with such a force that splinters exploded from the impact. The long standing log gave a final creaking noise and collapsed in a fall.

  “Timber!” I yelled in triumph. The shaft of the weapon had flexed allowing for minimal pain in my arms and hands. I was in love.

  “Yup, magical strength for sure. That weapon suits you.” Dennis said with his arms crossed.

  “I will replace that, got about fifty of them down on the west field. I will drag one up here later.” I told Dennis. It was only fair. You break it you buy it sort of thing.

  I bypassed the halberds and longswords to try the pikes. The training yard was not very big and Donnie had moved over to stand by Dennis. I scooped up the best five pikes I had picked out from earlier and rested them against a wall. The yard had three circle arrow targets at its longest strip.

  “Hey, Dennis before I test these how hard are the arrow targets to replace?” I asked.

  “Well with no excess hay being grown and the bowyer dead not easily. I am sure for the right price we can get some from Cern.”

  “Hmm... Okay, I will hold off and test these in the western fields. I want the greataxe, the sword with shield Donnie has, these five pikes, and all the bows with arrows. Name your price?” I said to as I pointed at each item I listed.

  “The pikes were all field salvage from Greybeard's Company, was a local militia from the area that lost a battle not far from here. I can do a silver per. The greataxe took me two weeks to craft and she is a beauty. The materials and time at standard rate puts it at a gold low end two gold high end. The bows, of which there is near forty... maybe more than forty. I haven't counted in years. I got them from Davie's wife in bundle for a gold and nine silver. I hear your coins are as pure as pure can get. I will do four gold coins for the whole lot. I will even toss in the bow targets.” I knew I could haggle but why bother. I liked Dennis, the deal seemed fair and I had more than enough coin.

  I stuck out my hand and said “Deal.” We shook on it and then I went and produced the four gold coins from my purse. “I can carry the greataxe and the pikes if you want to cart the bow and arrows down to west field we can go now.”

  “Works for me.” He replied.

  Dennis, Donnie, and I worked our way through the village and down the dirt ramp to the western fields. Heads popped up from the berry bushes and watched the three of us approach. I am sure we looked odd. Me with arms full of weapons and Dennis with a cart full of bows, arrows, and targets.

  Velia hushed the chatter down from the ladies who gossiped and came toward us.

  “Hello wife, I come bringing gifts,” I said loudly for all to hear.

  “You married Velia?” Dennis asked.

  “No, not yet anyway, I am jesting.”

  “You sir, live a dangerous life.”

  “Dearest Velia, I bought everyone bows and arrows to train with, or for fun. I got a great deal. I know how busy you are so I will set this stuff aside.” I said as I tossed the three pikes and my javelins by the tool pile. The javelins needed to be left behind. Their craftsmanship was superb and they flew straight and true, but I wanted to switch to the larger projectiles. Maybe Donnie could train on them or the ladies could find an alternative purpose for them. I huffed at the tool pile, it was literally a collapsed shed. Add it to the list...

  The greataxe and two pikes were roughly eight feet long. Some might debate the eight feet being a spear. I considered them long spears and short pikes; the best of both worlds. I took the strap off the javelin container and made it work for the three weapons. I would need to figure out something better down the road. My armor was on with my sword and dagger on the belt. My back had my shield, pikes, and the greataxe. I jumped a few times to sort the stuff on my back. I adjusted until I could jump without a loud clang.

  “Going to war? You know we have no purpose for the bows right, we will never go into the wild lands and fight.” Velia said to me.

  “Hey, Lyna want to come into the wild lands with me?” I saw her perk up in excitement.

  “No Lyna, keep working. Not funny Gryff.” Velia scolded me.

  “Look maybe one day I bring an ogre to the edge and we jump over and shoot it. I don't know,
Dennis cut us a deal and it seemed smart. Everyone knowing how to shoot a bow is not the worst idea. How does that work, I step into wild lands, shoot a bow, and then step back into safety does that violate the accords? We still have plenty of coin...” I undid my purse, pulled a single silver coin out for later, and threw the sack of coins to her. “Almost forgot. Going to try to find more meat, or a wild field of veggies, or a fruit orchard. Either way, Donnie will be in the wild lands with me, the purse is safer with you. Oh... Add weapons trainer for Donnie and me to the list. Also, remind me to ask about adventurers from Cern, it would be handy to have some back up besides Donnie. No offense.”

  Donnie shrugged, he was in a world of bliss for a sixteen year old. His shield hung off his back and his sword off his belt. The young man was ecstatic and definitely had me worried. Oh well, I needed the help.

  “Thank you for thinking of us, but the bows may never get used. The peace accords are clear. Any attack from inside is a violation, outside is okay. Attacking from outside and running inside is also okay. Which is why the Horde rarely set traps and ambushes close to the barrier. They almost never do something dumb like the goblins did and come right up to it. Stay safe, and if it’s you, or a meal. Well... come back please.” Velia was serious and somber.

  “Yes my Lady,” I said evenly. I decided not to tease her. I leaned down and turned my head to present my cheek. Velia softly planted a kiss on it.

  “Time to go Donnie... griffin shit... Let’s get a log and haul it to Dennis' place, got to replace the one I broke.”

  We hauled an equal sized log to the Blacksmith's shop. We pulled the old log out and set it off to the side and inserted the new tree in the old hole.

  “Hey, Dennis where could I get a hand cart?” I asked the man.

  “The market was run by Elan, anyone who dies or leaves behind a cart for whatever reason he resells. If not him, maybe Morga and Stov might have one. The best bet is Elan though. Thanks for fixing the training pole. Most wouldn't have.” Dennis said to me.

  Donnie and I made our way over to the town center. I swear that damn Elan watched the dirt roads for people approaching. He again greeted me before I got to the door.

  “Howdy Gryff, what can I do for you?”

  “In need of a flat hand cart, something to help carrying weight. I got lucky with the goblins yesterday, they died right by the barrier. If I get something further I may not be able to carry it all without help. Which reminds me, in case I am not here when Nalia and Lirkon return, I want to hire a weapons trainer and a few adventurers from Cern if able. I told Velia the same thing, not sure who will greet them when I am gone.” I said.

  Elan leaned on his cane and thought on this for a minute. “Gryff we can trade with more than just Cern. I guess it’s time you came into my office. Follow me. Donnie lad, guard the door please.”

  We entered the large building of the town center. It reminded me of a church. Pews faced a podium, the stage had a wooden sign over it the read 'Fernlan'. It was a meeting room for probably more prosperous times. Off to the side was a large office that we walked into. A cluttered mess of papers, bark sheets, and maps made it extremely unorganized. On the wall by the door hung a massive map. Elan used his cane to point at it.

  “This little dot here is Cern. East of Cern, this area is Fernlan, we were never big enough to get noted on maps of this scale. Everything north and east of this point is wild lands. Fernlan was the least lucky and most lucky village. We got raided and lost most of our men to war, but we survived and made it within the safe zone on the peace accords. Good people, good honorable people north and west of here were abandoned. They held out, they fought, bleed and died to have a future. In the end, the Emperor conceded those settlements to save what he could. But, I didn't bring you in here to gripe of the tragic past. So we are here. Cern to the west, down south of Fernlan is the bustling river city of Lakeland. I know a lake name on a river city, blame our ancestors.

  “Lakeland used to connect to every major river city to the north. Now they are the first of a few cities that connect further South. The water flows north to south as the snow melts from these mountains and travels toward this ocean.” He pointed at a mountain range north and an ocean far south. “Duke Riza rules Lakeland. Good man fought in many a battle against the Horde. He lost his left hand but kept fighting. He lost his left forearm later in the war and still fought. The Duke was one of the few who brought people home. I bet if he hears of you killing goblins he will try to recruit you for gathering in the wild lands for him. If you want help, if you want to kill some of the Horde and need assistance he is the one to ask. Not that shit of a Baron in Cern. Liffa is a coward that murders in the dark. He will be no fan of yours, and if I were you I would never step foot in Cern. Not after what Nalia is sure to report from today's visit. It will not go unnoticed that she is selling goblin parts to the mages.” He said to me.

  “Alright, now follow me so we can look at carts.” We exited the town center with Donnie falling in behind us. We made our way to a closed gate with a sign that read market over it. Elan pulled out a key, undid the lock and chain and then pushed open the gates. Inside was a variety of carts. One even was a wagon with a top. This made me frown.

  “Elan, sell me the covered wagon and have it delivered to Velia.” I shook my head, it was sitting here while people slept in the rain. Crammed in tight ten people could fit under it and on the deck platform. Pretty much fixing our urgent need for sleeping under cover.

  “Sorry Gryff, you saw the dust on the gate and lock. I don't come back here much and when the women took over the western fields all the structures were standing. I should have put one and two together. I will have it delivered free, no charge.” Elan said.

  He had a sad look on his face that matched the tone of his voice. I believed him, and more importantly, even if it was a slight, it was another improvement which was a step in the right direction.

  I looked over at the remaining carts and found one that should work.

  It had a six foot long by three feet wide flat bed with two large wide wheels. The wide wheels while not ideal for well cobbled roads would help with muck and mud by spreading the weight. It would take a little bit more power to move than thinner wheels but I had power to spare. I strolled over to it and shook the boards, pull handles, and wheels to make sure everything was sturdy. The pull handles had a pin that locked them in one of two positions. Out for travel, down for stationary or loading. It all checked out so I backed up to it and grabbed the pull handles and moved it a few feet. It moved smoothly with limited noise. Nothing clanged or shook loudly confirming it was in great condition.

  “Donnie get on,” I ordered.

  When he was firmly seated I jolted the cart around and it worked fine, like a cart should.

  “Donnie get down and pull it to the gate.”

  He got down, took my spot and with a heave got the cart rolling. He had to jog with it but he could move it and stop it.

  “Alright Elan this one will do, a pure silver work, it is all I brought?” I asked giving a good offer to avoid a barter. I knew he gave away at least a few Cern silvers in the wagon to me so I wanted to make him feel good.

  “It is a tad too much. I will owe you a favor for the fair price at some future time. I knew I liked you Gryff. Good luck hunting in the wild lands.” He said

  I handed him the silver and took control of the cart. As I made my way eastward I had to wonder how surprised the ladies would be when the wagon showed up. It was technically a roof.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Donnie we are about to cross into the wild lands. You will feel a slight tingle sensation from the barrier. Right here is where I am going to leave the cart. I need you try to remember how to get back here, in case you are the one who has to get it. Alright, cross now.” I said to Donnie.

  The young man showed no fear as he traversed the invisible wall with a slight shiver.

  The eastern border was much
different from the western. The west side went village, down a slope to fields for a long distance, then a bit of trees, then wild lands. The east went village, a bit of trees then wild lands. Much closer to the homes. It made sense to me. Why grant humans more trees or space than needed. Give them the bare minimum to stay safe and produce.

  I pulled out my short sword and walked the boundary line. I chopped a quick notch in about a dozen trees inside the wild land as a visual marker. Satisfied that the border line was indicated we advanced deeper into the woods.

  “Alright Donnie, you are more of a farmer than me. Keep an eye out for wild edibles, maybe we get lucky and get some decent food close by without a fight. Oh... and see this.” I waved him over and pointed at a game trail. Something heavy with hooves had been through here often. Maybe it used the boundary wall as a safety side for its travels.

  “This is a game trail. See how no grass or bushes grow here. Because it keeps getting trampled before it can flourish. So next I look for foot type, see the indent here and the v shape behind it. That is a hoof mark, definitely not a paw with claws, or a foot with toes. Now I look to see how deep it is, this is fairly deep so it is heavy. Check the branches and bushes on the left and right side of the trail. See here and here how nothing grows over the trail. And here branches go over. If I had to guess this is a hog, and a massive one. Maybe seven... eight feet high... four or five feet thick... fuck it’s a monster...” I said lost in thought as I pictured the beast these tracks belonged to.

  “The war boar,” Donnie said. I gave him a questioning look and he continued. “My pa before he passed used to tell stories of the battles he survived to frighten me. He told me them in hopes I would stop asking to fight the Horde with him. In one story he mentioned an enemy cavalry charge. He said most of the enemy rode on a wolf of some sort, but one chieftain rode upon a boar twice as tall as the wolves. Its tusks gored and threw men with ease. When he told the story he did so in fright. The rumor was they bred these war boars and then let them loose, to maintain their fighting spirit. When a chieftain was ready he would try to tame the beast by beating it into submission for him to ride only. At least that is what dad said. I believe it now though, based on how you described the beast that left these tracks.”