Chapter 22: Sandfolk
I don't expect it to be a peaceful night. I return the key to the receptionist.
I take a walk outside and plan to buy a meal. I really have some traumas with soup so I am gonna stay with bread and roasted meat.
I walk to a tavern and buy a loaf of bread and some meat. I pass by the house of that cleric. To be fair, it looks more like a mansion than a humble servant of the lord. It is filled with knights and hounds. I caught sight of a face there. Apparently, he can be assassinated because I saw him at the tavern last night. That knight drank around a round or two then left. He was unarmed too since it was off duty time for him.
I should consume him. I can observe the mansion after a single night
****
"Who is there?" He draws his sword.
As I didn't expect him to walk to the alley after a round of ale heh?
"Hey there, I am
"Interesting, what is the thing?" He lowers his guard
"Ha ha ha"
I quickly thrust a dagger right on his forehead. With my power, I consume his body inside me. Hmmm, this soul is quite strong.
****
I set up a plan at dusk that I will strike suddenly right on his mansion. I have some sand nearby ready, the black robes are waiting for my signal
It is dusk now, it is now or never.
"Identify yourself!" A knight draws his sword.
I pull my gun out
Bang!
I am quite confident in my aim but he rushed near me. I hit him with my hot gun on his helmet. He is dazed. I quickly reload another shot and prepare to shoot his chest. I know this
Bang!
Right through his heart and a bit to the fence. The black robes are intercepting those knights with magic and I dash through all the defense. Some might see me but they think that I am a sand magician not a sandfolk.
Well, he is here.
The mad cleric, Nugamil Polsa.
"Who are you? Dare to oppose me?" He stands up from this seat
"I am just another merchant. You are going to," I make a slit throat gesture ", And I am not the one who will kill you."
"Where are my knights? Guard! Seize him!"
"Unfortunately, they are busying fighting the black robes"
"A merchant should easily be fallen by my sword."
"Try it"
He quickly grabs his golden sword and tries to cut me in half. I casually dodge the strikes. Left, right, lower, lower, bash and stab. I play with him for a bit. Then, suddenly, I pull my staff and bash his head. He loses his grip on his sword.
He crawls back. I grab his sword.
"You think you can kill me with this mere sword? You underestimated me," I swing the sword on my neck ", I am a being who can't be slain by just a cut of this. I am a sandfolk!"
His eyes are filled with fear. Then he calms himself. He is casting a spell to injure my soul. But unfortunately for him, I bash him another one on his forehead with my staff before he can say a word.
Sigh!
Time to activate this teleport scroll on him. I should get out of here before someone notices.
****
"We receive news from Nakitel, the prey is secured, the deal is paid. We shall leave" A black robe humbly bows and goes.
I walk to the carpenter's shop where I left my wagon.
Time to move back to Nakitel
****
On my way back, things go as smoothly as I expected. Beside those mercenaries on the way back.
A wagon attack just happened freshly heh? The water seems just recently poured. It is quite a hassle to move the wreckage of the wagon. I manage to move them all. I continue my goats wagon back to Nakiel.
****
Less than few thousamases, I see a sleeping child on the tree. Looks like a ten years old girl.
I pick her up. I hope that my wagon is not that bumpy to her. At least that kind of parents are thoughtful to leave their kids on the tree during a chase huh? The blood on her clothes seems fresh. Must be after that wagon attack.
She seems to about to wake up after a few bumps
"You are awake. What happened to your parents?"
"..."
"Don't be shy, just tell me. I am all ears"
"..."
"Listen here, brat. Tell me what happened or I will drop you before arriving at Nakitel" I pull my dagger out
"They died"
"Good, how many bandits were there?"
"I was scared" She whimpers
"Did you know that this road is kind of dangerous?"
"..."
"I often travel on dangerous roads. The bandits fear me. I am known as
"Uuuu waah" She whimpers again
"Too much? I hate scumbags. They don't deserve to be killed in an honorable way. They shall die like dogs"
"..."
"Sigh. You want to stay with me or go to an orphanage?"
"..."
"When we arrive at Nakitel, tell me your answer."
"..."
****
"Wake up little one! We arrive at Nakitel"
She yawns. Her eyes sparkle with curiosity. I think she hasn't been to a border village before.
"Hello there, I picked up this girl on my way. Her parents are dead. Is it okay for her to be this town's orphanage?"
"Hmmmm, it seems like this place is harsh. So I expect that she would be transferred to the capital or inner village around next week"
"So little one, are you gonna go to the orphanage or go with me?"
"I...trust...you...more"
"So, you will follow me heh? My bloodlust saved your life there huh?"
"Yes... "
"Haizzz, welp, I guess I have to take care of her"
"
"I am leading her back to my home."
He opens the gate, I whip my goats.
****
I am home
It looks like it has been ravaged once again. I forsake you, the church.
I clean up the mess again.
"What is your name, mister?"
"Jehidas and what is yours?"
"Alira..."
"Family name?"
"I am an orphan now, so I don't need my family name. My parents were all what left I had"
"Alira. Get a change of clothes after I come back. You can stay here but do not come out no matter what."
"Alright mister..."
****
After getting some clothes for the little one, I go back home.
When I open the door, Alira is sitting there and waiting for me.
"Here are some clothes. Get change quickly. Dinner will come in an hour. I don't know how to cook so you must bear it. Merchant's life, you knew it right?"
I walk outside once again. I go to a bakery, ask for three loaves of bread, half round of cheese and five potatoes. I put three silvers on the table.
I walk back home with food.
I eat a loaf of bread and give her a loaf of bread and some cheese.
"Do not ask for fanciness. Tomorrow, we are going to a place. Once we reach there, you must do what I say."
"Where?"
"I am not selling kids to slavery, do not worry. This place is a secret between us okay?"
"Okay"
****
Next morning, the wagon is ready, the goods are loaded and the shop is locked. I move my wagon to the sandfolk's castle. It may take a few days, luckily, I prepared enough food and water more than enough for the little one.
"I will tell you one thing. We are going to a place in the middle of the desert, not many can live to tell the tale"
"???"
"Those who survived were outcast by society. People think they are mad. But the truth is they weren't."
"The tale of the castle in the middle of the desert?"
"Yes, we are going there"
"..."
"This secret is between us."
"..."
"Good, now, three days, we will get there."
****
Three days under scorching sun and freezing nights. We are finally here.
"Another secret is that I am a sandfolk. Welcome to the castle of that lazy old fart"
"???"
"I will personality get you to that lazy old fart"
"Why would you call your king like that?"
"Because well, we all call him like that casually. Secondly, he is really lazy."
"How lazy?"
"Sleeping for years without care. Managing the kingdom like a golem."
"Understandable...Why would you drag me here?"
"To give you a weapon, after this trip, I will train you the way of drake"